Following up on its previous announcement DTS was expanding the reach of its Play-Fi wireless audio ecosystem deeper into a home theater, more details which specific brands and products have been released.
The new Play-Fi products launched include TVs, soundbars, speakers, amplifiers, and AV receivers. DTS has also made upgrades to Android and iOS mobile apps that work across products and brands supporting DTS Play-Fi.
With DTS Play-Fi receiving CES 2022 Innovation Awards in two categories for its latest Play-Fi home theater functionality and the upgraded Play-Fi Mobile Apps, Sonos and WiSA better watch out.
Some of the features that DTS Play-Fi supports for home theater applications include:
- Option to use a Play-Fi-enabled soundbar, discrete Play-Fi-enabled speakers, or the TV’s built-in speakers as the front channels for a wireless stereo or surround setup.
- Add Play-Fi-enabled speakers as surround speakers for a TV or soundbar to envelop the listener in sound.
- Add up to two Play-Fi enabled subwoofers, to bring deep, room-shaking bass to your TV
- Utilize Play-Fi’s complementary functionality, like a multi-room grouping of the TV with Play-Fi enabled speakers for music, TV audio, and app-based headphone listening.
New and recently announced products that are expected to support Play-Fi include (not all products have been released as of the published date of this article):
Philips TV’s (Globally Except for North America)
- OLED+ 936 Series
- OLED+ 986 Series
- PML9636 Series
- PML9836 Series
Audiolab
Hisense Soundbars
- AX2106GW
- U5120GW
Integra Home Theater Receivers
- DRX-2.4 – $900 at Crutchfield
- DRX-3.4 – $1,300 at Crutchfield
- DRX-5.4 – $2,000 at Crutchfield | Audio Advice
- DRX-7.4
- DRX-R1.4
- DRC-R1.4 (AV Processor)
Loewe (Europe)
- Klang bar5 mr 5.1.2 Soundbar
- Klang mr1, mr3, and mr5 Speakers
- TX-NR5100 – $599 at Crutchfield | Audio Advice | Amazon
- TX-NR6050 – $585 at Amazon
- TX-NR6100 – $779 at Amazon | Crutchfield
- TX-NR7100 – $1,099 at Amazon | Crutchfield
- TX-RZ50 – $1,799 at Amazon
- TX-RZ70
- TX-RZ90
- PR-RZ90 (AV Processor)
Philips Soundbars and Speakers
- TAB8405
- TAB8905
- Fidelio B95
- Fidelio B97
- TAW6205 Wireless Home Speaker – $199 at Amazon
- TAW8506 Subwoofer
- VSX-LX105 – $849 at Amazon
- VSX-LX305 – $1,199 at Amazon
- VSX-LX505 – $1,499 at Amazon
- VSX-LX705
- VSX-LX905
- VSX-935 – $649 at Amazon
SVS
- Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speakers
- Prime Wireless Pro Streaming Amplifier
TCL Soundbars
- C935U
- X937U
Heading into 2022, the Play-Fi ecosystem continues to grow, adding new partners, including Vestel and Kanto Audio. Expect further product announcements from these partners later in 2022.
UPDATE JUNE 16, 2022: Immersive Audio and More Products
In addition to the previously discussed DTS Play-Fi Home Theater features and products, more has been added.
In addition to being able to accommodate 2 subwoofers and surround speakers, DTS Play-Fi now supports up to 7.2.4 channel speaker setups for immersive surround sound. This allows Play-Fi Home Theater compatibility with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced content when available.
Tip: All compatible DTS Play-Fi devices support Hi-Res Audio 24-bit/192kHz playback.
Newly announced product additions include all 2022 Philips Ambilight TVs running on Android TV including “The One” (PUS8807), Philips MiniLED/LCD PML9507 TV, and the full Philips OLED TV lineup. 2021 Philips TVs supporting Play-Fi Home Theater will receive an OTA upgrade supporting the latest features.
In addition to products previously announced and listed above, the following Philips audio products will also include DTS Play-Fi Home Theater features:
- Philips Fidelio FB1 7.1.2 Soundbar
- Philips Fidelio FW1 Subwoofer
- Philips Fidelio FS1 Speaker
- Philips B8907 Soundbar
- Philips B8507 Soundbar
NOTE: Philips miniLED, OLED, Ambilight TVs, and some audio products are not available in the U.S.
Check out more DTS Play-Fi supported audio and home theater products.
Check Crutchfield for Play-Fi product availability.
For a more detailed run-down on what DTS Play-Fi is and how it may improve both your multiroom music listening and home theater audio experience check out our companion article: DTS Play-Fi Home Theater is Coming to Your Living Room
Steven Denfeld
January 21, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Once it was pointed out the egregious and lengthy gaps that Play-Fi inserts between every streamed track, I knew I could never enjoy using this service.
Ian White
January 22, 2022 at 5:20 pm
They are working on that issue. I’ve known Dannie Lau from DTS for a very long time and they are aware of that criticism. I hope it gets fixed because it bugs the shit out of me as well.
Ian White
Tim
January 23, 2022 at 1:08 am
I’m a big fan of BluOS these days. I didn’t consider selling it until they got their sh*t together. The recent versions have all been rock solid. I also have had good luck with the LinkPlay platform, which Triangle, Audioengune, and i believe Andover incorporate into products. That said I’m also a DTS fan but PlayFi not so much. Yet. 🤷
Tim
Ian White
January 24, 2022 at 1:15 am
BluOS is the real deal. I use it daily.
DTS Play-Fi is okay but I rarely use it outside of reviews.
Ian White
Steven Denfeld
January 25, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Ian, that is really good to hear. I like seeing companies responding quickly and positively to criticism.
Ian White
January 25, 2022 at 6:29 pm
DTS knows that people don’t like that aspect of it.
Ian White
Steven Denfeld
June 21, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Skimmed through the update part and saw no mention: Has the gapped playback issue been addressed?
ORT
January 22, 2022 at 7:57 pm
I know that Onkyo and Pioneer are of the same company and both used to have their own version of this system. I am a big fan/enthusiast of Denon’s HEOS and find it to be the equal of any similar program.
It would be nice if all manufacturers would agree to work toward every thing working together on ONE all encompassing system but I doubt that will happen.
Oh…I know, I know…”Roon(y) Ready”, right? No freakin’ way! LOL! Just as there are a few codecs that do not play well/work at all, with others, so too will this incompatibility continue with home audio.
Progress is not allways what it is billed to be and regardless it is the consumer who pays the big bill. I have grown weary of Surround Sound “wars” and if it continues to upset me, I may well just return to 2.1 or 2.2 channel for audio and video.
I doubt the manufacturers are listening. My words are not written in what ever codec they are currently using.
ORT