Summary
- IFA 2023 showcased a range of impressive entertainment tech, including the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini and the AWOL Vision Vanish Laser TV, both delivering immersive audio and visual experiences.
- TiVo OS is set to shake up the television industry with its tailored entertainment experience, featuring powerful search functions and personalized recommendations.
- DTS Play Fi provides high-quality audio for a cinematic experience, supporting 12 channels and offering control over your home theater components, making it a must-have for movie enthusiasts.
IFA 2023 in Berlin has been a blast this year, with all manner of weird and wonderful tech dropping on the show floor, but how do you possibly sort the wheat from the chaff? Well, you don’t actually need to, because we did it for you.
From projectors, through headphones, and gaming devices, we’ve taken our best picks from IFA 2023 so you can see what entertainment tech you need to get excited about. Ready? OK then…
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini
At IFA 2023, a wave of cutting-edge devices is sweeping in, and leading the charge is none other than the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini. This remarkable piece of audio engineering, carrying the legacy of Sennheiser’s audio prowess, unleashes immersive 3D sound from a compact, space-friendly package.
Measuring a mere 70 x 10 x 6.5 cm, this soundbar proves that big things can indeed come in small packages. It’s a space-saving marvel that refuses to compromise on sound quality. The AMBEO Mini not only takes up minimal room in your setup but also uses room-scanning wizardry to customize its audio for the perfect fit. Talk about an audio powerhouse in a pint-sized form!
AWOL Vision Vanish Laser TV
Looking for a premium IFA pick that’ll have home cinema enthusiasts and movie buffs drooling? Feast your eyes on the AWOL Vision Vanish. This bad boy combines a laser TV projector, a retractable screen, and a smart cabinet, all rolled into one sleek unit.
No more eyesore TVs dominating your living space; the Vision Vanish tucks it all away when the credits roll. With a massive 100 or 120-inch projection screen, this device means business when it comes to your cinematic experience. And it’s not just about watching movies—it’s about living them. 3D? You got it. MEMC tech for buttery-smooth motion? Right here! You can even indulge in your favorite video games using the integrated game mode.
And when you’re ready to call it a day, just command the smart cabinet to neatly stow everything away. Movie night, elevated to a whole new level!
TiVo OS
It might seem strange to include an OS in something awesome we saw at IFA, but our demo of the forthcoming TiVo OS left us in no doubt that it is set to shake up the television industry with an operating system that is tailored to deliver the entertainment experience YOU want.
Ever searched for a movie on your Fire TV stick only to be greeted with multiple titles that not only have nothing to do with your search, but are also so poor quality that even we would struggle to think of something acerbic enough to say about them? Not any more, TiVo’s new AI powered search function actually delivers the results you expect. Plus, you can build on your search, narrowing results down as you go using intelligent voice commands.
With a slick, simple interface, powerful search function, and recommendations that fit within your tastes (who’da thought?!), TiVo OS is genuinely something we can get excited about in the TV OS space, for once.
DTS Play Fi
We all know how important it is to have high quality visuals when it comes to movies; nobody wants dull, blurry, desaturated screens in front of them while they watch their favorite blockbusters. But in the same vein, audio is just as important. If the speech and sound effects from your flicks aren’t up to par, the experience is just not going to be immersive at all. What if you had 12-channel support, though…?
This is where DTS Play Fi comes in. What is it? Well, it is a premium wireless audio ecosystem for every device in your home theater, which supports 12 channels. Controllable via the DTS Play Fi app on your smartphone, or via the app on your smart TV, or both, the Play Fi environment affords you full control over the setup of your home theater components. The ecosystem supports a ridiculous number of platforms, devices, brands, and also carries that all-important Hi-Res audio certification for the creme-de-la-creme in multi-room, multispeaker, audio goodness.
XGIMI Horizon Ultra Projector
XGIMI has been doing great things in the projector space for some time, now. The latest in its line of light throwers doesn’t break form, offering an incredible viewing experience that offers everything you need (aside from a surface to project onto) in order to consume your favorite movies and play games.
With 4k resolution and Dolby Vision, the horizon ultra is set to wow your eyeballs with a visual feast that you want want be able to tear your eyes away from. It also packs ISA 3.0 (Intelligent Screen Adaption) tech, meaning it can tailor the image it is casting based on its own position and the surface you are projecting the image onto, with the butteriest of smoothness. Oh, and the device also has an integrated Harmon Kadon speaker system for superb sound right out of the box.
Urbanista Malibu Bluetooth Speaker
Urbanista is doing some cool things with their solar-powered audio gear. They’ve found a way to use the sun’s energy with their Powerfoyle solar tech, so your device can keep charging without any limits. Meet the Urbanista Malibu, their latest solar-powered gadget that’s not only environmentally friendly (it’s made from recycled materials) but also pretty handy.
The Malibu is brand new and brings solar power to Bluetooth speakers, which are perfect for sharing music with friends. They’ve already nailed it with earbuds and cans, and now you can keep the music going thanks to the sun. Bluetooth speakers are all about being portable, and with the Malibu’s solar charging, you can take the party anywhere!
Lenovo Legion Go Handheld Gaing PC
Clear the stage, Steam Deck, and roll over, ROG, because Lenovo is charging in with its game-changing handheld PC, poised to shake up the gaming world and give Steam and ASUS a serious run for their gaming supremacy. This powerhouse device is all set to redefine gaming on the go, delivering the full throttle of a high-performance handheld gaming PC, complete with Xbox Game Pass compatibility right out of the box and Switch-styloe removable controllers.
Now, let’s talk specs – brace yourself for the mighty Ryzen Z1 processor under the hood. And as for visuals, the Legion Go is here to dazzle your senses with its glorious 8.8-inch display boasting a 144 Hz variable refresh rate. If you’re a die-hard handheld gaming enthusiast, get ready to have your world turned upside down by Lenovo’s incredible new gadget. The Lenovo Legion Go is here for an immersive, hands-on experience that’ll challenge the gaming elite!
Shure Aonic 50 Gen II Headphones
Shure rocked the audio world when they dropped the first Aonic 50 headphones in April 2020, and now they’re back with the second generation. If you were wowed by the first edition, get ready to be blown away all over again.
The Gen II headphones not only play nice with Snapdragon Sound but also give you an awesome Spatial Sound experience across three different modes (including a Cinematic mode for private movie watching). And the battery life? Well, it’s gone from a decent 20 hours in Gen I to a whopping 45 hours in Gen II – that’s more than double the juice and among the longest-lasting headphones out there!
Jabra Elite 10 Earbuds
Jabra’s latest premium earbuds are an absolute must-try. We got to test them out at the Jabra booth, and let me tell you, the sound quality from the Elite 10s is mind-blowing. They’re not just any earbuds; they come with Dolby 3D sound compatibility and head tracking that together create an in-ear listening experience that truly shines at IFA 2023.
And here’s the kicker – Jabra has seriously amped up the noise cancellation. They’ve doubled the ANC power, so you can fully dive into that immersive 3D sound without any annoying background distractions. Plus, you’ll get an impressive 27 hours of battery life with ANC on all the time, and it bumps up to 36 hours without ANC. It’s all about keeping your music going!
Lenco LBT 335 Turntable
Lenco has been making waves in the consumer-ready turntable market, consistently delivering top-notch releases. Now, they’ve upped the ante with their latest offering, the LBT 335 turntable, and there’s a twist that’s pretty darn cool—it’s all about going green. Crafted with care from lightweight bamboo, this turntable not only delivers fantastic audio but also lets you make an eco-friendly statement.
The Lenco LBT 335 turntable doesn’t just look the part; it sounds the part too, thanks to its carbon tone-arm, high-quality Audio Technica cartridge, and a cork slipmat. So, if you’re taking your first steps back into the world of vinyl audio, you cannot go wrong with Lenco’s brand new LBT 335 turntable. Plus, it’s packing Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, making it a perfect match for those of you rocking wireless speakers.
JLab Jbuds Mini
Tired of the earbud struggle? Look no further than JLAB’s JBuds Mini, the tiniest earbuds on the block. If your ears refuse to play nice with regular earbuds, causing you agony, it’s time to check out these adorable little ‘buds.
Despite their petite size, they pack a punch with great sound and a surprisingly solid battery life. These earbuds are a perfect fit for even the tiniest ears, delivering pitch-perfect music. And don’t be fooled by their small charging case – it’s a match made in comfort heaven. Offering big, bassy, beat-driven brilliance like no other small form factor ‘phones, the JLab Jbud Minis are waaay bigger than their diminutive form factor gives away. Earbud struggles, be gone!
IFA 2023: That’s a Wrap!
So, plenty to get excited about at IFA 2023. The show always throws up a few surprises, and this year was no exception. With everything from vanishing TVs to headphones with cinematic spatial sound tech, it doesn’t matter how you consume your movies and music, there’s something at this event for every entertainment afficionado.