For most people in India, a home theatre still means a big-screen TV paired with a traditional 5.1 speaker setup. But as living spaces have become more compact, especially in metro cities, the preference is leaning towards powerful all-in-one soundbars. These devices are no longer seen as just TV companions. They are now evolving into the primary audio solution for many households. With living rooms doubling up as entertainment hubs and OTT streaming becoming the go-to for movies, a soundbar needs to strike the right balance between punch and precision while keeping things simple. The new Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus promises to do exactly that. With nine speakers, 400W RMS output, and features like HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0, it aims to bridge the gap between cinematic sound and everyday usability. The real question is, how well does it perform in Indian homes, where spaces range from compact apartments to open-plan living rooms? Let’s find out in this review.

Design, build, connectivity

The Ambeo Soundbar Plus takes a subtle approach to design. Instead of chasing attention with flashy elements, it opts for a clean, fabric-wrapped finish and a slim profile that blends naturally with most living rooms. It looks premium, but never intrusive, which is ideal if you want a setup that complements rather than dominates your TV space. The bar can be placed on a stand below the TV or mounted on the wall, and either way it feels at home. The Ambeo Sub follows the same design language — compact, minimal, and easy to tuck into a corner, yet powerful enough to add depth when called upon.

Connectivity is well thought out, covering both wired and wireless needs. You get HDMI eARC for lossless audio from a compatible TV, along with two additional HDMI 2.0 ports for other sources. There is also an option to power a streaming stick through USB, and legacy ports like optical, RCA, and Ethernet are present for more traditional setups. It’s important to mention that while the HDMI ports are capable, they don’t support 4K gaming at 120Hz. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X users, this isn’t a major drawback since the console is usually connected directly to the TV for video. In such a setup, the TV can pass the audio back to the soundbar via eARC, so you still get lossless, high-quality sound without compromising on visual performance.

For wireless streaming, Sennheiser offers support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, making it easy to play music from a phone or laptop. Everything comes together in the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which handles setup and unlocks advanced features like room calibration, sound modes, and firmware updates. The remote and on-bar controls cover the basics, but the app gives far greater flexibility for those who like to fine-tune their sound.

When it comes to format support, the Ambeo Plus covers almost everything you would expect —Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, LPCM, Sony 360 Audio, and MPEG-H. In practice, this means whether you are streaming OTT content, spinning a Blu-ray, or playing music wirelessly, the soundbar has you covered.

Performance

The Ambeo Soundbar Plus and Sub are built to impress, and that becomes immediately clear when you put on a Marvel thriller like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While the movie is not right up there with the other MCU classics, it does have quiet dialogues, sudden jump scares, and chaotic action sequences happening across different plot points.

The soundbar manages to capture all of it with ease. In quieter moments, when Strange and Wanda exchange tense dialogues, voices come through sharp and distinct, even at lower volumes. Then, when the multiverse battles kick in, the room fills with swirling effects that feel like they are moving around you. The speakers are striking because spells, portals, and energy blasts feel as they are shooting right above your head, instead of just in front of you.

The subwoofer also adds another layer of intensity. In scenes where the ground shatters or when monsters roar, you feel that low-end rumble in your chest. Importantly, the bass doesn’t drown out the midrange, so you never lose track of conversations even when the action is at its peak. However, you will have to buy the Ambeo Sub separately if you want that deep rumble. Otherwise, the soundbar itself does a decent job of handling bass for its size, but it won’t shake the room the way a dedicated subwoofer does.

When playing EDM tracks like Martin Garrix’s Animals, the bass response feels tight and controlled. You don’t just hear the drop, you feel it filling the room. The thumps don’t overpower the mids, which means the energy of electronic beats comes alive without muddying the mix.

Switch to Bollywood songs, and the balance feels just as impressive. Take a track like Kalank Title Song, Arijit Singh’s vocals come through warm and clear, sitting right at the centre. The background instruments, from strings to tabla, are well-separated, giving the track depth instead of sounding flat.

For something softer, like Kun Faya Kun from Rockstar, the soundbar does justice to the delicate layering. Vocals stay crisp, while the guitar strums, tabla and harmonium flow naturally without distortion. It is the kind of sound that makes you sit back and appreciate the details you would normally miss on standard TV speakers.

Even Western pop songs sound fuller. On tracks like Adele’s Easy on Me, the richness of her voice dominates the space, while the piano notes are distinct and airy in the background. You get that emotional pull which only a wide soundstage can deliver.

That said, it isn’t flawless. The soundbar on its own does a good job in a small room, but if you are after a deeper, bass-heavy experience, the subwoofer becomes essential. Additionally, at very high volumes, treble can sound slightly sharp, which may bother sensitive ears during long listening sessions.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus and Sub review: Should you buy it?

At around Rs 1.5 lakh for the bar and subwoofer, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus is clearly aimed at enthusiasts rather than casual buyers. But for those who want cinema-like sound without filling their living room with wires and speakers, it is one of the best options available.

In Indian homes, where rooms are small or shaped differently and sound doesn’t always bounce the same way, this device works well because it can adjust sound automatically (using the room calibration feature) and comes with a wireless subwoofer for extra bass. While people who are very particular about music may prefer separate stereo speakers for a full home theatre experience, this Sennheiser audio setup is still an excellent option for many.

If you are upgrading your living room to a large 55-inch or 65-inch OLED TV, pairing it with the Ambeo Soundbar Plus and Sub will finally give your movies and shows the audio they deserve.

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