Since it first hit the scene a few years back, Dolby Atmos (and its counterpart DTS:X) has revolutionized surround sound, both in the theater and in the home. Atmos-enabled A/V receivers are popping up everywhere, so it’s no wonder companies are pushing Atmos-enabled speakers more and more. And while it’s difficult to build an entry-level setup without draining your bank account or moving the furniture, Focal’s new Sib Evo Dolby Atmos speakers aim to change that.
Focal’s all-new lineup includes two speaker models and a subwoofer, which combine to create a slim surround sound setup for your Atmos receiver in either a traditional 5.1 configuration, or a Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 configuration with overhead sound channels for full immersion.
The more affordable of the two satellite speakers, the Sib Evo, is a small, two-way shelf speaker with a bass-reflexive design. The speaker boasts a 5-inch Polyflex woofer and 1-inch silk tweeter, offering a claimed frequency response of 65Hz to 25kHz.
The next step up, the Sib Evo Dolby Atmos speaker, tacks on a 3-inch full-range driver on top, aimed at bouncing sound off the ceiling for Dolby Atmos surround. The Sib Evo Dolby Atmos has been designed with more space for a deeper sound than its Sib Evo sibling, and is positioned as an easy solution to help you build a full Atmos home theater setup, or simply supplement what you’ve already got.
The third and final piece of the Sib Evo line is the Cub Evo subwoofer. The Cub Evo sports an 8-inch driver powered by a 200w Class D amplifier, reaching down to a claimed 35Hz on the low end.
Focal pushes the Evo package for its minuscule profile and easy installation. The speakers connect to amplifiers with push-button terminals, while the Cub Evo subwoofer features standard LFE inputs. The black matte finish of all three models should also make it easy to inconspicuously add the speakers to your home theater.
While we haven’t gone hands-on with the Sib Evo speakers yet, we are interested to see how well they can achieve an Atmos effect at such a small scale.
Focal envisions the Sib Evo line as both a full Dolby Atmos setup, as well as an enhancement for existing setups. Focal is offering a few different packages depending on your needs:
Each of these packages will be available when the line launches in August. Check out Focal’s page for the Sib Evo for more information, including a list of retailers, as well as our list of the best Dolby Atmos-enabled Blu-ray discs.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.