Dolby Atmos for cars was first announced for the Lucid Air and select Mercedes models in 2021. But with the immersive audio making it to luxury automobiles in the US last month, the company is showing off the setup here at CES 2023 with in-car demos. We got our first listening session in the backseat of a Mercedes-Maybach S 580. 

First, let me explain a bit about the car. This Maybach is equipped with a Burmester 4D sound system with 30 total speakers, six of which are in the ceiling. Think of those as playing the role of upfiring drivers in your Atmos soundbar. Amplifiers deliver 1,750 watts of power and both front- and trunk-mounted subs handle the bass (the trunk sub has its own 400-watt amp too). It's a completely insane setup installed in a $185,000 car.

The immersive sound is so impressive, it even manages to upstage its lavish setting. It's great for pop tunes like The Weeknd, but much like an Atmos system in your home, the in-car version really shines with genres like jazz. When listening to "So What" from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, it felt like I was in a club. In the backseat, the drums were to my right while the horns were up by the driver and so on. The sensation was like sitting in the middle of all the musicians while they did their thing. As someone who has tested several Atmos home theater setups, I was still surprised by the results here. Of course, this is a crazy sound system in high-end luxury car, likely the best iteration of this type of Dolby automotive collab.

Right now, the bulk of the content is audio. Simply link your streaming service of choice, so long as it offers Dolby Atmos Music spatial audio, and you're all set. The infotainment system in the Maybach had all of the compatible tunes clearly labeled as to which were Atmos. Dolby says there are some companies offering a/v uses, so movies and shows with the immersive audio would sync up with an in-car setup just fine. The company's senior vice president of entertainment John Couling explained during the demo that he anticipated people would watch movies mapped in Dolby Atmos while their EV charged, for example.

Dolby says Atmos was designed to be scalable from the start, so just like it has for soundbars, the audio platform can be configured for more run-of-the-mill speaker setups in more affordable cars. We're talking four-channel, six-speaker arrangements. It wasn't so long ago that Atmos was reserved for only premium soundbars and now it's available on things like the Sonos Beam via virtualization. So even though a family car or minivan may not have the ceiling-mounted overhead speakers a Mercedes does, immersive audio won't be out of the question. Much like it's interesting to see how more budget-friendly speakers handle Atmos, I'm looking forward to hearing what a virtualized version sounds like in a Honda Civic. 

Dolby Atmos is currently available on the Lucid Air and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, as well as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV. Volvo has already announced that Atmos will be available on the Bowers & Wilkins sound system in the EX90 SUV. The EV will be the first Volvo to have Dolby's immersive audio inside. The Polestar 3 also packs an Atmos-equipped Bowers & Wilkins setup and it's due to arrive later this year. The Plus pack specifically includes a 25-speaker system for this task. Lotus has also announced a collaboration with Dolby, bringing Atmos to the KEF setup inside the Eletre EV that's due to debut in 2024. 

Fellow is well-known among coffee geeks for its well-designed range of brewing accessories. The company makes everything from kettles and mugs to brewers and grinders. And while Fellow's first grinder, the Ode, is mostly designed for pour overs, the company will debut a more versatile model next month. The Opus is a conical burr grinder than can sort everything from fine espresso to coarse cold brew. 

Inside, a six-blade 40mm burr set offers consistent grinds across 41 different settings. So whether you're brewing AeroPress or French press, the Opus will cover a lot more styles than the flat burr Ode. Fellow did bring its anti-static tech back for the new model, which the company says will help keep the mess to a minimum. Plus, there's an automatic timed stop, single dose loading, 110-gram capacity hopper and no-tool calibration. The Opus will be available on February 21st for $195, significantly cheaper than the second-gen Ode. 

Apple's Find My app alerts iOS and Mac users when they've left an item behind or helps them locate something they've lost. Later this year, you'll be able to do just that with Ember's heated travel mug. A new version, dubbed the Travel Mug 2+, is on the way this spring. Inside, updated firmware enables the cup to show up inside Apple's app. The Travel Mug 2+ is also equipped with a speaker, so if you lose it you can make it play a sound like you would for lost AirPods. Like other products that work with Find My, the new mug will show up in the app on iPhone, iPad or Mac and you can also locate it via the Find Items app on Apple Watch. 

Ember's current model, the Travel Mug 2, is available for $199.95 and keeps beverages hot for up to three hours with a 12-ounce capacity. It can also keep things warm all day if you keep it on the charging dock. A touch display allows you to adjust temperature right on the cup within a range of 120-145 degrees Fahrenheit. And like other Ember models, you can make that temp change inside the company's app. The company says that despite the added functionality, the Travel Mug 2+ won't cost more and it will eventually replace the Travel Mug 2.

JBL revealed five new soundbar models at CES 2023, but the Bar 1300X sits at the top of the lineup. The 11.1.4-channel speaker is capable of 1,170 watts of output with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X onboard for immersive 3D sound. Inside, there are 21 total drivers, six of which are upfiring. That half dozen is three times more than some companies offer, a decision JBL says is meant to make the most out of its MultiBeam spatial audio tech. 

In 2020, JBL first debuted a soundbar with detachable rear satellite speakers. On the Bar 1300X those units pack in one upfiring speaker each and can last up to 10 hours on a charge (they charge when you reattach them to the main bar). Being completely wireless, you're free to position them wherever you like. They also double as Bluetooth speakers, both individually or a stereo pair. Once you remove the speakers, there are snap-on covers included as you'll expose side-pointing tweeters you'll want to protect. In terms of connection, there's one HDMI/ARC to connect to your TV and three additional HDMI inputs. 

During my demo, I was able to watch a chaotic chase scene from Ready Player One. With the rear speakers detached and situated behind me, I was impressed by how immersive the audio was from the 1300X. The footage was loud with lots going on, but the audio remained crisp and clear, and most importantly, the directional audio enhanced the viewing experience. There was also plenty booming bass from the 12-inch wireless subwoofer. 

JBL's PureVoice is available across its entire 2023 lineup to enhance dialogue when other loud sounds are also part of a scene. This feature is impressive as well, boosting spoken words without taking away from everything else that's going on. The tech performs equally well on the $400 entry-level Bar 300 too, an all-in-one option that musters great immersive audio from a single speaker. The 300 is the one model in JBL's 2023 lineup that doesn't come with a sub, though it does have integrated woofers. The company says you can't add a wireless sub either as the Bar 300 isn't compatible with them even if you purchase it separately. 

The $1,700 Bar 1300X, like the rest of JBL's new soundbars, will be available February 19th.

JBL is showing off several models of true wireless earbuds at CES, but perhaps the most interesting is the Tour Pro 2. This premium set comes with a "smart" case that features a touchscreen display on the outside. That 1.45-inch LED panel gives you access to the core features of the JBL One app, including noise cancellation modes, EQ presets, volume and track controls. The display will also show you battery info for each earbud and the case individually, along with the current time. Those four items line the top while the other tools are available by swiping across screens. 

The display turns on when you open the case or when you tap it, and then you unlock it with a swipe. As you might expect, the touchscreen automatically turns off after a few seconds and JBL has thrown in brightness and wallpaper customization for good measure. Another item the Tour Pro 2 case offers is message and social notifications, but the display doesn't actually show any text for those. It will just let you know you have something waiting. 

The touchscreen case is on the larger side for a set of true wireless earbuds, but not drastically so. It's noticeably bigger than most of JBL's lineup, but definitely not the largest I've seen. Of course, the larger stature is understandable since the company needed more room to accommodate a bigger battery for the display. Despite the extra power consumption, JBL is still promising battery life you'd expect in active noise canceling (ANC) buds: up to 8 hours with it on, up to 10 with it off. Plus, the case offers wireless charging and the quick-charge feature gives you four hours of listening in 15 minutes. 

JBL is touting the convenience of not having to look at your phone for the "smart" case with the Tour Pro 2. Of course, you'll still have to carry the case with you and you'll have to stay within Bluetooth range of your connected device. I think the concept could have potential, but I'll need to spend some time doing "regular" everyday things to properly gauge the utility. There are things available on the display that you can't access directly on the earbuds and that you will otherwise have to tap into JBL's app to change, so it could conceivably save you a few seconds.  

I'll have to wait until the $250 Tour Pro 2 arrives this spring to judge the audio quality as I wasn't able to do so during a brief CES demo. However, the company has a solid track record in that department so I expect its latest premium set will handle listening habits just fine. 

LG unwrapped its 2023 soundbars right after Christmas, but the company is showing the duo off here at CES. The SC9 and SE6 are both equipped with Dolby Atmos, but while the former is a more premium-level device, the SE6 is compact all-in-one unit more akin to Sonos' Beam. We got out first look at both at CES along with some more info on each unit.

First, the SC9 is designed to work best with LG's OLED TVs — specifically the C series. The company has even designed a custom mounting bracket for its TVs so that the soundbar is attached to the display and not the wall. This means that if your television is on a swivel bracket itself, the speaker rotates with it pointing the sound in the same direction as the TV. And speaking of directional audio, LG has equipped the SC9 with three upfiring speakers — one more than a lot of soundbars offer. That should boost the speaker's Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities. 

A few features for the SC9 are exclusive to LG TVs. Wow Orchestra syncs the display's speakers with the soundbar for the best audio experience and Wow Interface puts all of the SC9's sound settings on the TV for easy access. The company's Wowcast technology will let you connect to its TVs over Wifi, allowing you to ditch the wired connection if you see fit. In terms of wired connectivity, there are two HDMI ports: an HDMI/ARC for linking with the TV and one additional jack. 

The LG SE6 is another proposition entirely. This compact unit still offers Dolby Atmos in a frame that's cloth wrapped and has softer, rounded edges. As you might expect, LG built the SE6 for people who have smaller spaces or simply want a smaller soundbar in front of their TV. It still offers HDMI/ARC connectivity with your TV with one additional HDMI port alongside. To further reduce any clutter, the SE6 doesn't come with a subwoofer like the SC9 does. However, it does support Wow Orchestra, Wowcast and most of the new features the company added to the more robust SC9.

LG hasn't announced pricing and availability yet, but we're likely to get that info sometime this spring. 

When JBL debuted its first Dolby Atmos soundbar at CES 2020, the company did so in a unit with detachable rear surround sound speakers. For 2023, the company has made Atmos audio standard across its entire lineup of the Bar Series, with three of the new models having those detachable satellite speakers and all but one comes with a wireless subwoofer. 

At the top of the group is the Bar 1300X, an 11.1.4-chanel speaker capable of 1,170 watts of power output. DTS:X joins Atmos for a second immersive audio option, powered by six upfiring drivers. Plus, Harman's MultiBeam tech works to enhance that spatial sound. Like the Bar 9.1 three years ago, the 1300X and the rest of JBL's 2023 soundbars that offer detachable rear speakers allow you to remove the ends of the soundbar to position wireless satellite units behind you. The 1300X also comes with a 12-inch subwoofer while the rest of the company's new lineup (except the Bar 300) come with a 10-inch wireless sub. 

Both the Bar 1000 and Bar 700 have those detachable speakers and offer Atmos in 7.1.4- and 5.1.2-channel setups respectively. The Bar 1000 packs in four upfiring drivers while the 700 has two. And while the 880-watt Bar 1000 does offer MultiBeam to lend a hand with immersive audio, the 620-watt Bar 700 does not. The Harman tech is on the Bar 500 though, a 5.1-channel option that still supports Dolby Atmos despite a lack of upfiring drivers. And lastly, the Bar 300 in an all-in-one setup with integrated subwoofers. 

JBL says all five soundbars have PureVoice, a feature that optimizes the audio for clear dialogue even when loud sound effects are also in use. The entire lineup features WiFi connectivity, JBL One app support and customizable EQ settings. All of them can be voice controlled via Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri and all five offer AirPlay 2, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM) and Chromcast built-in.

The company says all of its 2023 soundbars will be available on February 19th. When they are, you can expect to pay $1,699.95 for the Bar 1300X, $1,199.95 for the Bar 1000, $899.95 for the Bar 700, $599.95 for the Bar 500 and $399.95 for the Bar 300. 

For its latest Tour Series true wireless earbuds, JBL is taking an interesting approach to the wireless charging case. The Tour Pro 2 comes with what the company calls "the world's first smart charging case," thanks to a 1.45-inch LED touchscreen display on the outside. This panel offers controls for both music and calls in addition to notifications for messages and social apps. The company touts the convenience of not having to look at your phone for said items, but you will have to keep the case within reach.

Aside from the case, the Tour Pro 2 is a set of flagship earbuds. They're equipped with adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode with 10mm drivers, spatial audio and JBL's Pro sound inside. Personi-fi 2.0 allows you to customize the audio profile to suit your listening habit and an ear tip fit test can ensure a proper fit. JBL says you can expect up to eight hours of use with ANC on (10 with it off) and three additional charges in the case, plus a quick-charge feature will give you four hours of use in 15 minutes. For calls, a collection of six microphones are onboard with the company's VoiceAware tech. And lastly, the earbuds are IPX5 rated so they should withstand workouts just fine. 

The Tour Pro 2 will arrive in this spring in black and champagne color options for $249.95. 

JBL

JBL is also expanding the Tour Series with a new set of noise-canceling headphones. The Tour One M2 is an over-ear model that offers both the company's True Adaptive ANC and JBL Pro drivers. The noise-canceling tech monitors and adapts to your surroundings in real time. The company is also debuting a feature similar to Sony's Speak-to-Chat tool that automatically pauses audio and activates ambient sound mode when you talk. JBL calls it Smart Talk and the feature resumes your previous ANC setting when you're done speaking. The company's Personi-Fi 2.0 is on these as well, giving you customized audio to meet your sonic sensibilities. JBL Spatial Sound is here too, as is a low volume EQ that keeps audio quality consistent when the content isn't as loud. 

In terms of battery life, the company says you can expect up to 30 hours with active noise cancellation on or up to 50 hours with it off. If you find yourself in a pinch, a quick-charge tool will give you five hours of listening in 10 minutes. JBL says four VoiceAware-equipped microphones help with calls, so on paper these should be suitable for any chats that might arise.  

The Tour One M2 will arrive this spring in black and champagne color options for $299.95. JBL says a forthcoming over-the-air update will deliver Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio to both the Tour Pro 2 and Tour One M2.

The halls of CES are full of smart home products, but some of them grab our attention more than others. Enter Bird Buddy, a company that makes camera-equipped bird feeders for keeping tabs on the winged friends around your yard, patio or balcony. The current model accommodates whatever seed you prefer and motion sensor alerts you via the company's app when you have a visitor. That same software catalogs images and video clips as well. It's like a security cam, but way more fun. 

At CES 2023, Bird Buddy is adding an AI-powered smart feeder for hummingbirds to its lineup. The aptly named Smart Hummingbird Feeder can identify 350 species of the animals and the motion sensor lets you know when one is ready for a snack. This model can be disassembled in two parts, which Bird Buddy says helps with regular cleanings, and the company explains that the design will prevent leaks. Just like the original, the camera is removable when it needs a charge and there's an optional solar roof should you choose to splurge. 

The Bird Buddy Smart Hummingbird Feeder is expected to go on sale in late 2023.

CES is typically the place a lot of companies debut new soundbars and this year is no different. Samsung has announced the HW-Q990C and HW-G60C models, both of which offer Dolby Atmos audio but do so in different formats and in different sizes. If you're looking for a robust surround sound setup with multiple speakers or smaller all-in-one option, Samsung's two latest soundbars tick both of those boxes. 

First, the HW-Q990C is a flagship model that comes with two rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. The 11.1.4-channel setup uses Samsung's Q Symphony 3.0 to "precisely direct individual audio elements" via the soundbar and TV speakers. The company says the Q990C can also "pair acoustically automatically" with its TVs so that the entire system is tuned for its best performance. When paired with a Samsung TV, the soundbar handles the dialogue while surrounding audio comes from the display's speakers. The company says this contributes to improved 3D audio. 

To tailor the entire set to your living room or home theater, Samsung's SpaceFit calibration is onboard. The company explains that this technology leverages AI to adjust individual driver frequencies and gain levels to properly fill a room. A nighttime mode adjusts for low-volume listening, Adaptive Sound 2.0 uses AI to optimize audio and Game Pro 2.0 tweaks the settings for various genres. The HW-Q990C is also a SmartThings hub, offering voice control and the ability to change things inside the SmartThings app. 

For more compact spaces, the HW-G60C is an all-in-one option that uses a combination of beamforming tech and virtualized Dolby Atmos to create a 3D feel. Samsung says this more compact unit can also be used as both computer speakers and a smart speaker thanks to echo-canceling microphones and bi-directional audio. HDMI/ARC, USB, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast connectivity are all here and there's customizable LED lighting and specific sound profiles for gaming. What's more, Samsung says a set of four microphones are tuned for chat by isolating voices, which the company explains will also help when summoning a virtual assistant.