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Reddit Reviews
If money was not a factor then I'd probably look at the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad with the bigger of the two subwoofers. For the biggest sound for say a home theatre without going the AVR route, I'd take a look at the Nakamichi Shockwave Ultra 9.2. For me the Sonos has too many negatives such as no Passthrough ports or DTS support. The Q990F is excellent as well. I think RTINGS is the best site to look at reviews as they are objective and not subjective. Their best soundbars page is useful: https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/best/soundbar
Nakamichi 9.2.4 absolutely blew me away compared to the q99d.
I went from the Nakimichi 9.2.4 to the Samsung Q990D and it's an entirely different experience. The Q990D blew my Nakimichi out of the water even going down to 1 sub.
My 9.2.4 was bought new ~6 years ago for reference. Loved it, just wanted to see what all the hubbub was about with the 990D. And phew. At least for my living room and setup, it's very good.
Please do yourself some justice and research and investigate the Nakamichi Shockwafe or if possible the Dragon. In head to head comparison, in my home theater, the Shockwafe 9.2.4 atmos dwarfed the 990 and the sonos. In EVERY way. Period. My opinion as a sound engineer.
Nakamichi Shockwafe or Dragon if in the budget. Period. Anyone with another opinion just doesn't know any better. I've side by side compared them ALL, extensively! You will agree if you take the time to investigate on your own!
Honestly those prices I’d get 1 of the couple Vizio M series 5,1,2 or check out used. I got a crazy deal on a Nakamichi 9,2,4 and a 7.2.4. You can’t beat dual 8 or 10” subs on anything really.
The Nakamichi definitely hits harder on the low end, but the Bravia Quad setup really shines in terms of clarity and spatial sound. I was surprised how much difference it made, especially for Atmos content. The way it fills the room is just on another level, even with a tricky speaker layout.
Always depends on budget, but ive had a Samsung system, Nakamichi 9.2, and now upgraded to the Bravia Quad with the SW5. I do miss the big bass from my Nakamichi sometimes, but the Bravia quad has given me the soundstage and atmos effects ive been wanting especially since my room is a bit weird and my back speakers are mounted higher than my front speakers.
Not technically a soundbad, but I had a Nakamichi 9.2 and switched to the Bravia Quad + SW5 and am very happy with it as the sound stage is much more full. Full disclaimer that I got the Quads at an amazing open box price.
I demoed the dragon about a year ago when it was still $4k and it was just a mess with the soundbar not capable of bass below 150hz which is laughable and those 2 8” subs had to pick up all the bass from there and it caused constant bottoming out and chuffing. It’s loud, but it needs the 12” subs desperately. Have you ever tried it in your home to really test it? The whole Nakamichi crowd was just furious with their constant noise from bottoming out and they complained about it and Nak made the 12” sub for $1300. It’s now at a much better price but those who bought 2 subs back then paid over $6k which is crazy and although the 12s are decent, they don’t come close to reaching Naks spec of 19hz. I think NET on YT measured 28hz before they rolled off a cliff. I would recommend the Shockwafe with 2 10” subs at $1800 over the dragon at $2600 with those dreadful 8” subs.
What guy said the soundstage was the weakest? I’m Comparing The new Shockwafe at $2277 vs the dragon at $3999, Obviously that’s with the 8” subs. Basically half price and never enough tech said Atmos is better, immersion is better and the subs are better on the Shockwafe! Maybe I’ll give it a try! I demoed the dragon and I liked things but disliked things more and overall to me it wasn’t worth it. Everyone is different and I’m sure the new subs are good, but only hitting 30hz for a $1500 sub is clearly not a good deal, it’s average at best. Many of the people touting these highly overpriced subs obviously have never heard real subs before, but if it makes you happy do it. I’m obviously not a Nakamichi hater or I wouldn’t consider demoing the new shockwafe, Watching NET say it’s better than the dragon with 8’s and basically half price, gave me a inkling to actually give it a try.
I’d agree with what @djsimmz said. I demoed the dragon and it was good, but I couldn’t get any overhead-spatial effects and the subs would die and bottom out and the noises it would make drove me insane. I myself have the Sony Quads and although their sub is also pretty bad, I still can’t believe how awesome its Atmos effects are. I also tried the arc ultra with era 300s and a gen 4 sub and I’d say that system does everything well. It was close but the Quads just wow me and I was sold. I would look at the Shockwafe with the 2 10” subs that is going for 2299-2499, as with the dragon and it’s chuffy 8” subs, I would need the 12” subs and I’m not paying 6 thousand for 2 12” subs that are not great. People, some of them say the 12”s are great and they are far from great, but this just shows how pitiful the 8”subs are. I would demo my Quads vs the new Shockwafe, but forget the dragon imo
Who? Scooby? He’s got buyers remorse and is taking it out on the world. Hey, if people like it that’s great, but I tried it and sent it back after 12 days. Those 8” subs were awful and I only got Atmos effects during the demos which sound good on most soundbars. The one thing that irks me is his and anyone else who says “It’s Not A Soundbar”.. I’m literally not a Nakamichi hater and after watching nets review of the Shockwafe at half the price and what he calls the best bass he’s heard yet on a soundbar system gave me pause to maybe give it a try. But I don’t like how nakamichi lied about several specs and there were tons of owners(total 603🤣) that were super pissed on Facebook, AV Forums and AVS too.
Nakamichi Shockwafe is no big deal. Tried it like I tried the dragon over a year ago and it just doesn’t seem right for 2 10” subs to have average bass and my Quads Atmos is leagues ahead. I guess it’s okay for the price but I’d rather pay more and be happy with the quality than save and be disappointed. My Arc Ultra era300s and 2 subs was expensive but it does everything so well. It’s your money, you should try several different brands til you find the one that you love. After all that the Ambeo max with a svs pb 2000 pro or 1000 pro. But obviously wait until prices plummet
I agree that soundbar’s struggle with music and that’s why I had to get a pair of klipsch nines and an RSL sub. Music is totally new again on this beast, while listening to music on my Quads or Arc Ultra which does very well with movies, is just noise. If people have never heard music before on a 2.1, they might love music on their soundbars, but once you have, it’s in a different class.
Nakamichi is so overrated it’s not even funny. Can it get loud? Yes Did Nakamichi totally lie about many specs? Absolutely Is it worth $4k for all those poor souls who had to add another $1200-2000 for 1 or 2 of the new subs Nakamichi made due to the outcry from fans who were totally unaware of how bad the supposed 4 subs (actually 2) were? Big time. I would never give a company that blatantly lied many times a nickel, but if you’re set on Nakamichi’s options, save yourself money and get the Shockwafe which equals or betters the dragon and is usually $600-$800 cheaper
It’s not better than the Sony Quads (IMO) and you absolutely need the 12” sub as those 2 8” subs are laughable. The price is lower and I’d still recommend the Quads or the newer Shockwafe as I demoed the dragon when it was $4k and it was loud, brash, with subs that had to pick up all the bass as the bar literally dropped off at 160hz and thus the subs would constantly bottom out. It depends on how many different systems you’ve had before as a newbie would probably love it. But the Samsung is still the best option and even tho I’m tired of hearing about it, it’s the best value and sound combination.
Sony Quads with 2 of the new subs coming out any day. The Sa-sw9 sub I believe can be used with 2 subs, but not 100% sure. I have the quads and Sonos but I’ve never been a sw5 sub fan. The new sub is $899 so it’s expensive but I’ve never heard anything better and I demoed the Dragon and it’s Atmos was nonexistent, the bass would bottom out and this was when it was $4k. The Shockwafe is definitely a better choice than the dragon but I’m still not a big fan of their sound or quality.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Apartments

Top pick
Sonos - Arc Ultra
Best for Dialogue clarity

Top pick
Sonos - Beam (Gen 2)
Best for Large open-concept rooms

Top pick
Sonos - Arc Ultra
Best for Music-first listening

Top pick
Sonos - Playbar
Best for Standalone setups

Top pick
Sonos - Arc Ultra





