Philips Fidelio FB1
Score: 82/100
Hisense HS5100
Score: 74/100Rankings
The Philips Fidelio FB1 is a premium all-in-one 7.1.2 soundbar delivering powerful 310 W RMS output and immersive Dolby Atmos. Its marketing claim of a true 7.1.2 layout is disputed and a separate rear-speaker kit is needed for full surround. Best suited for medium-sized living rooms where design and integrated bass are priorities.
The Hisense HS5100 provides a 5.1-channel, 540 W soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer and multiple sound modes. Wired rear speakers and occasional subwoofer drop-outs are drawbacks, and it lacks Wi-Fi. It targets budget-friendly home-theater fans wanting full surround without a high price.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 6best | |
310 W | 540 Wbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 7.2 kg | 1.59 kgbest |
2 yearsbest | — | |
5 | 6best | |
22 cm | 90.17 cmbest | |
38 cmbest | 9.144 cm | |
137 cmbest | 6.096 cm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(4) | ||
Total Power Output (W) | 310 W | 540 W |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS-HD, PCM, Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch | Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X |
Dolby Atmos Support | true | false |
Wireless Subwoofer | false | true |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5 | 5.3 |
Features(1) | ||
Number of Sound Modes | 5 | 6 |
Design(4) | ||
Soundbar Weight (kg) | 7.20 kg | 1.59 kg |
Soundbar Width (cm) | 22.0 cm | 90.17 cm |
Soundbar Height (cm) | 38.0 cm | 9.144 cm |
Soundbar Depth (cm) | 137.0 cm | 6.096 cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the FB1 for its elegant, premium design, powerful 310 W RMS output, and comprehensive connectivity that includes eARC and multiple streaming options. They also commend the built-in room-calibration mic and the slim form factor that fits under large TVs. However, they criticize the marketing claim of a full 7.1.2 driver layout when the hardware is actually 5.1.2, and note that true surround sound still requires optional rear speakers or a separate subwoofer, which adds to the overall cost.
Professional reviewers highlight the HS5100 as a strong value proposition, noting its impressive bass from a compact wireless subwoofer, lightweight construction that fits easily on TV stands, and a suite of sound modes that tailor audio for movies, games and music. They consider it a worthwhile investment for budget-conscious home-theater enthusiasts and state that it holds its own against similarly priced competitors.
Everyday users appreciate the immersive surround sound, the lightweight and space-saving design, and the unexpectedly deep bass from the small subwoofer. However, many complain about intermittent subwoofer drop-outs and the need to wire rear speakers, which detracts from the promised wireless experience.
“this will be the last purchase with this company”
