We have reservations over using airSOUND with music though, and if you want HDMI ports then you’ll need to look elsewhere. Verdict However, airSOUND is a more of an acquired taste when playing music. The side drivers tend to over-emphasise treble, which makes percussive instruments like hi-hats and tambourines a little too prominent – and you can’t turn it off either. There’s a learning remote function, which allows you to control volume using your existing TV remote. Panasonic TVs aren’t currently supported but it works with Sony, LG and Samsung sets. Orbitsound A70 airSOUND Bar – Performance There’s a satisfyingly cohesive union between soundbar and subwoofer that puts some rivals to shame, and the presence of airSOUND makes it sound great regardless of placement or seating position.

Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 29th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.) In practice there’s a decent sense of width and openess to the sound – you can hear it trying to fling sound effects far and wide. But, as with many processing technologies, don’t be fooled into thinking the M9 is any kind of substitute for proper surround sound. To the left of the centre speaker is a row of controls, including power, volume, Bluetooth, learning and input selection. The right side houses a volume meter (which also shows the bass and treble levels when adjusted), the current input and a ‘Sub’ icon that helpfully lights up when the subwoofer isn’t connected.Touch-sensitive controls on the left side of the unit light up when tapped, showing controls for power, volume, inputs, Bluetooth and NFC. All these controls are easy to adjust using the slim remote control, which is thankfully more substantial than credit card-style variants. Don’t be fooled by the A70’s diminutive size – its vast, room-filling sound belies its compact dimensions, investing movies with the sort of scale and excitement that most TVs can only dream of.

The main soundbar unit features five drivers: three fire outwards, including one 20mm tweeter, while two 5cm units fire sideways. These side speakers combine with sound processing, to produce Orbitsound’s SST (Spacial Sound Technology) which claims to help radiate sound all around your room.The A70 eschews the rectangular shape of previous Orbitsound bars with a curvier design that emphasises the presence of airSOUND technology. The rounded aluminium grilles at the ends of the cabinet draw attention to the side-firing drivers, while the front speakers are hidden behind a pill-shaped grille. If only the quality of Orbitsound service was aligned with the quality of its products, it would be a best in class company. Unfortunately it is not.