Philips is introducing two key upgrades in its new B8500 soundbar; HDMI 2.1 for 4K120 passthrough – plus eARC – and Bluetooth 5.4.
In addition to its 2025 OLED and 2025 LCD models, Philips has announced three new soundbars that will launch between May and September: B8500, B8200 and B6100.
The soundbars all support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and have been designed to fit different types of TV stands.
HDMI 2.1 passthrough, Bluetooth 5.4
B8500 is a 5.1ch (left, center, right, 2x side-firing) soundbar with 300W total output. The external 8-inch subwoofer, which works vertically or horizontally, has 150W total output.
B8500 is designed to fit on top of the tabletop stand for OLED810 and MLED950 but obviously works with any TV via HDMI. We did not get a good chance to listen to it as it was an early prototype.
Philips B8500. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
While eARC lets a soundbar or receiver pull all TV audio, including audio from HDMI connected devices, directly from the TV's eARC port, some users prefer to connect external players directly to the soundbar. B8500 features an HDMI 2.1 input with passthrough support for 4K 120Hz from game consoles such as PS5 and Xbox. Traditional HDMI 2.0 passthrough is limited to 4K 60Hz.
In addition, B8500 introduces Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio support. It will be available in September for 350 Euro.
Philips B8500. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
New compact soundbars
Philips also introduced two 2.1ch soundbars, B8200 and B6100, that feature Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.4, respectively, both with LE Audio support. They no longer feature HDMI 2.1 passthrough but still offer HDMI 2.1 eARC.
The two elliptical-shaped compact soundbars come with a wireless subwoofer. B8200 has a height of just 37mm and is designed to fit under TVs with central standard, while B6100 is designed for 48-55-inch TVs.
B8200 will be available in August for 300 Euro, and B6100 in May.
Philips B8200. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
