Your home entertainment system will probably be one of the most expensive equipment you’ll purchase for your home. If you’re in the market for audio-visual machines that will deliver optimum performance with seamless usability, read on to find out which products are worth your investment.
LG OLED TV 4K C8P
From $4,699, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: LG
Touted as the world’s best-selling OLED brand since 2013, LG has released its highest quality OLED TVs yet. The brand’s 2018 OLED TVs are equipped with the latest Alpha 9 processor – a complete game changer as it improves consumers’ viewing experience tenfold. Not only does the intelligent processor significantly reduce motion blur and increase noise reduction, it enhances colour display with the help of Dolby Vision and supports high frame rate (HFR), which is highly optimal for better processing of fast-paced sports and action movies. Offering object-based surround sound, the built-in Dolby Atmos further improves the audio-visual experience.
LG Super UHD TV 4K SK95
From $6,199, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: LG
LG’s Super UHD TV SK95 features the collaboration of Nano Cell Display technology and Full Array Local Dimming backlighting. This combination offers an immersive cinematic experience for all – rich and accurate colours are present at every viewing angle and motion pictures are supported with higher and more intense contrast. There is a full panel of individual LEDs behind the LCD panel of all their Super UHD TVs, setting them apart from most LCD TVs, which are only lit from the sides.
SONY Bravia A8F 4K HDR OLED TV
POA, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: SONY
SONY’s sleek and minimalist A8F series is engineered to create an immersive, enriched cinematic experience with the use of its illuminating OLED display, 4K HDR Processor X1TM Extreme, Acoustic Surface technology and more. This smart Android TV also allows you to use Voice Search to find content and get answers. Additionally, with a Chromecast built-in, you can conveniently send content from your smartphone or tablet to the TV by a click of a button.
SONY Bravia W80F Full HD HDR TV
From $1,199, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: SONY
The W80F collection highlights SONY’s unique reality creation by utilizing X-Reality Pro and ClearAudio+, which engages the viewer with its stunning detail and high quality audio, whether you are watching a TV broadcasting, DVD or an Internet video. As it is HDR compatible, it is able to process the new video standard signal with better contrast and vibrancy. Furthermore, with X-Protection PRO, its durability is ensured as it is shielded against external factors like dust and humidity.
Samsung Q9F QLED TV
From $8,999, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: Samsung
Rather than OLED, Samsung’s QLED TVs are equipped with Quantum Dot technology that promises to drive 100 per cent colour volume. This results in almost life-like looking images projected on screen. Not only that, the Samsung Q9F series is installed with Direct Full Array backlighting technology that boasts smartly controlled backlighting that adjusts automatically to deliver deeper blacks and purer whites, all of which allow you to view accurate images with pristine contrast. Another improvement on previous QLED models include the One Invisible Connection 2.0 that integrates the power cables and data lines into one seamless cable, which allows you to enjoy a clutter-free entertainment zone.
Loewe bild 3.55 OLED TV
$4,999, available at Atlas Sound & Vision
Image credit: Loewe
The bild 3.55 from German TV manufacturer Loewe ticks all the boxes in terms of performance – this includes an OLED screen that emits perfect black, life-like visuals and a wide viewing angle – what makes it stand out from the rest, however, is its ultra-slim 4.9mm display and its powerful built-in front speakers that are able to emit clear and balanced sound no matter the kind of content projected on screen.
JBL Bar 5.1
$1,399, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: JBL
Featuring two battery-powered wireless rear speakers with 10 hours of battery life (equivalent to the duration of up to five Hollywood blockbusters), 510W of total system power, 3 4K HDMI inputs and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer, the advanced JBL Bar 5.1 is an audiophile’s dream. With the aim of promoting versatility and personalisation, both rear speakers are able to detach from the sound bar and be customised by placing them anywhere – filling any room with cinema-quality sound and improving the overall entertainment experience.
Harman Kardon Omni+ Bar
$1,299, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: Harman Kardon
With the motive to deliver the most vibrant sound quality, functionality and accessibility, this sleek Wi-Fi enabled HD sound bar does just that. Not only is it easy to use, it has a multitude of sound capabilities that are perfect for music lovers. It boasts a variety of streaming services with the likes of Spotify Connect, Google Cast for Audio, MixRadio and more, ensuring that you have access to your music. Its multi-channel surround systems, high-speed networks and lossless music streaming at a higher resolution than a CD also allow for an enhanced listening experience with more clarity.
LG SK8Y 2.1 channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar
$899, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: LG
Packing impressive audio capabilities such as 360W output, 2.1ch and Sound Upconverting, LG’s SK8Y sound bar, with the support of Dolby Atmos, offers the most authentic, all-enveloping listening experience yet. It is extremely accessible, having the ability to connect to speakers and smart devices supporting Chromecast. Moreover, the integration of Meridian Audio’s advanced high-performance audio technology has also contributed innovative audio enhancements that heighten the sound immersion.
Samsung HW-NW700 Wall-Mounted Sound Bar
$1,299, available at major electronics and home appliance stores
Image credit: Samsung
Specifically designed for homeowners who prefer clutter-free home entertainment systems, the HW-NW700 features a slim and sleek design that will complement any wall-mounted TV. Despite its trim appearance, the sound bar is equipped with multi-array speakers that move simultaneously for more powerful bass as well as distortion cancelling technology that predicts and cancels out distortion to give you deeper and more detailed bass without the need for a separate subwoofer.
Google Home and Google Home Mini
From $79, available at Google Store, Starhub, Challenger and COURTS
Image credit: Google
Powered by the Google Assistant, Google’s voice-activated speaker allows you to use voice control to browse content on Netflix and Youtube when used in conjunction with Google Chromecast or Google Chromecast enabled audio-visual equipment. It also allows you to control speakers and sounds bars remotely as well as control other smart devices around your home, making it a quintessential personal smart home assistant.
This was adapted from an article originally published in the June 2018 issue of SquareRooms
