I tried the new Philips Dolby Atmos soundbar and the sound is much more powerful than I expected.

Philips has recently introduced a new range of soundbars for 2025, all designed to solve placement issues when positioning these devices alongside televisions. Among them is the Philips TAB8200, which stands out for being extremely slim, with a height of just 37mm and a compact design that allows it to fit easily beneath the screen and between the legs of shorter TVs. This soundbar is a more compact version of the Philips TAB6309.

The TAB8200 includes a dual-driver subwoofer that can be placed vertically to maximize space or laid flat, allowing it to fit under furniture. While the units may initially appear to be underpowered, the audio quality they manage to deliver together is surprising.

This system is a 2.1 setup, consisting of four speakers in the bar (each channel has a 2.25-inch mid-range driver and a 19mm tweeter), in addition to the dual bass drivers in the subwoofer. Although it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, one shouldn't expect a true 3D sound experience. The soundbar focuses more on providing standard stereo sound but manages to create an auditory experience that feels like it’s coming from a larger device.

With a total power output of 160W RMS, of which 100W is from the subwoofer, the result is powerful and impactful bass, achieving a good balance and an adequate transition of frequencies between the bar and subwoofer in the brief testing conducted. The bar handles mid-range sounds well, avoiding issues with texture expression compared to bass frequencies.

Although the sound scale seems appropriate for a 55-inch television, a more comprehensive evaluation is needed to confidently recommend it. Elements such as dialogue clarity and dynamic response are areas that require further analysis, as well as performance at low volumes. Priced at €299 (around $310 / £250), it appears to offer excellent value for money, and its release is anticipated in August 2025 in the UK and Europe. Confirmation is awaited regarding a possible launch in the United States.