In the realm of home entertainment, audio quality plays a pivotal role in immersing yourself in the world of movies and TV shows. We recently got our hands on the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar, a sound system that promises to elevate your auditory experience to new heights. After using this soundbar for three weeks, we’re ready to share our thoughts on its performance, features, and overall value. Let’s dive in and discover if this soundbar is the right choice for you.
Unboxing Experience
Upon unboxing the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar, you’ll find a comprehensive package that includes the soundbar itself, a subwoofer, two satellite speakers, a remote control, an HDMI cable, a 3.5mm jack to RCA cable, wall mount adapters, and a user manual. Zebronics has thoughtfully provided everything you need to get started right away.
Design and Build Quality
The first impression we had when examining this soundbar was its sturdy and premium build quality. Zebronics has employed high-quality plastic materials that give the device a solid and sophisticated feel. On the right side, you’ll find quick menu buttons that facilitate volume adjustment and source switching. Meanwhile, a mini display on the front panel shows the current volume level and input source.
Connectivity and Compatibility
One notable advantage of the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar is its wide range of connectivity options. This soundbar is compatible with a myriad of devices, making it suitable for almost any home setup. With features like Bluetooth v5.0, HDMI (ARC), a 3.5mm jack, optical input, Aux input, and a USB port, you won’t have any trouble connecting your preferred devices.
Setting up the soundbar is a breeze. You can simply connect the power, subwoofer, and HDMI cable to get started. The convenience lies in the fact that you don’t need to power up the subwoofer separately; a single wire from the soundbar handles it. Even the satellite speakers boast an auto-pairing mode, ensuring that they connect seamlessly to the soundbar as soon as they’re powered on.
Remote Control
The soundbar’s remote control provides all the essential features you need to fine-tune your audio experience. You can easily adjust the volume of the surround speakers, control the subwoofer’s bass, switch between input modes, and even turn the display on or off. The option to disable the display light is particularly handy for undisturbed viewing in dark rooms. However, it’s worth mentioning that the remote itself feels somewhat flimsy, lacking the premium quality of the soundbar.
HDMI CEC Support
A noteworthy feature of this soundbar is its support for HDMI CEC, which allows you to control the soundbar’s volume using your TV remote. This eliminates the need for multiple remotes cluttering your living room, enhancing the overall user experience.
Sound Quality
Undoubtedly, the most crucial aspect of any soundbar is its sound quality. The Zebronics 9500W 5.1 Soundbar boasts a total sound output of 525 watts, comprising 375W speakers in the soundbar, two 75-watt rear speakers, and a 150-watt subwoofer. In terms of sound quality, this soundbar is finely tuned for both movies and music.
When it comes to audio performance, this soundbar excels. While there’s a slight hint of bassiness in vocals, it impeccably reproduces mids, highs, and lows. It truly shines when playing 5.1-supported movies and TV shows, where the sound separation is distinct. The centre speaker delivers dialogue while the other speakers handle background music and sound effects. This became evident while watching 5.1-supported films like “Batman” and “Bhool Bhulaiya,” where the rear speakers are specifically engineered to provide immersive sound effects. For instance, when Batman changes gears on his bike, you can distinctly hear the gears shifting. In “Bhool Bhulaiya,” the sound of a character moving from the left side to the right side is palpable, adding depth to the audio experience. These subtle details enhance your home theatre experience significantly.
Dolby Atmos Support
The Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar also supports Dolby Atmos, which promises to deliver an even more immersive surround sound experience. However, in our testing, we didn’t notice a dramatic improvement in sound quality when using Dolby Atmos in conjunction with 5.1 audio. While it’s a nice feature to have, its impact may not be as pronounced as expected.
Satellite Speakers
One unique feature of this soundbar is the inclusion of two satellite speakers. These speakers are not traditional and remain silent during regular audio playback. However, they come to life during action-packed scenes in movies, serving as dedicated sound effects speakers. These satellite speakers are tailored to play specific frequency sounds, enhancing the overall audio experience.
To maximize their effectiveness, it’s crucial to position these surround speakers behind your seating area. What’s commendable is that Zebronics has equipped these satellite speakers with buttons on the bottom, allowing you to switch their roles between left and right speakers with ease. This flexibility ensures that you won’t be tethered to a specific side for power connection, offering a practical solution for diverse room setups.
Subwoofer Performance
The subwoofer delivers a satisfying level of bass, particularly when listening to bass-heavy music. You can adjust the subwoofer’s bass level using the remote control, allowing you to fine-tune the audio to your liking. This feature is especially valuable when watching TV shows, as excessive bass may not be necessary. The soundbar also provides preset modes for movies, music, news, and sports, reducing the need for extensive manual adjustments. However, the inclusion of an equalizer could have made it an even more versatile option for audiophiles.
Is the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar Worth It?
Whether the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar is a worthwhile investment depends on your specific use case. If you primarily use streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ Hotstar for your movie and TV show consumption, this soundbar is an excellent choice. Most OTT content is now available with 5.1 surround sound support, and the Zebronics soundbar excels in delivering audio separation that enhances your viewing experience.
However, if you mainly watch Indian TV shows, which often lack 5.1 sound support, this soundbar may not be the most cost-effective option for you. In such cases, a 2.1 or 3.1 soundbar might suffice without the need to invest in a 5.1 setup.
It’s important to note that the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar occasionally offers bank offers and discounts, making it more budget-friendly. So, if you’re eyeing this soundbar, be sure to check for any ongoing promotions.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar is a versatile audio solution that excels in delivering an immersive audio experience for 5.1-supported content. While it may not significantly enhance the audio quality of Dolby Atmos content, its performance with regular 5.1 audio is commendable.
The inclusion of satellite speakers, user-friendly setup, and multiple connectivity options make it a strong contender in the soundbar market. The minor drawbacks, such as the quality of the remote control, do not overshadow the overall audio quality and versatility of this soundbar.
Ultimately, the choice to invest in the Zebronics 9500WS 5.1 Soundbar should align with your specific entertainment needs. If you’re a fan of streaming services and immersive audio experiences, this soundbar is a solid option to elevate your home entertainment setup. Please note that this review is not sponsored; it’s based on our independent assessment after purchasing the soundbar with our funds. If you found this review useful, please consider buying it from our below affiliate link.
