PERSONAL SURROUND SOUND
Added 2025-11-20 19:54:14 +0000 UTCThis time I’m testing out a surround sound neck speaker. You might have seen me test other personal surround systems in the past, but they've all had limitations/flaws when it comes to AV pass through connectivity. I was hoping this new contender had finally figured it out.
https://youtu.be/T8FRXN0Ag6g
As anticipated in my last update there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes here - none of it fun or productive. Most notably a new roof is in the process of being put on the house. I’m sure you can appreciate the disruption caused by something like this. It’s been non stop but the end is now in sight. There have been plenty of other chores and obstacles to working, but I won’t bore you with the details. The end result is that this video has been delayed longer than I’d hoped. I trust therefore that you’ll understand why I need to get this one out ASAP (on Saturday) as my November releases are looking a bit sparse.
I’ll quickly move onto making the next video which I aim to get to you just after the weekend as it’s likely to be a quickie. Then I’ll move onto something with a bit more going on.
Hope you’re well, take care and we’ll speak again soon.
UPDATE: Added a few overlays etc to hopefully pre-empt and clear up any potential misunderstanding/misinterpretation/miscongeniality. The new re-edit is the one now embedded and linked above.
Comments
all cats are adorable, even mine that hates me except for about 5 nano seconds after I've given him chicken / thrive treats.
Mr.G
2025-11-26 02:21:12 +0000 UTCWhat an adorable cat!
Greg Neilson
2025-11-24 21:46:36 +0000 UTCUnfortunately, ever since I got it, I’ve had severely limited hearing in one ear due to an infection. I’m waiting for this to clear up before watching any movies. It’s been almost two months now with no end in sight. As for the stands, any ones made for the speakers are insanely expensive, but also too tall for what I needed. Fortunately I already had these plinths in storage and I’m using them upside down so the large platform is on the top. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0C7KZ9Q6J
Techmoan
2025-11-24 15:19:26 +0000 UTCI see you have the Sony Theatre Quad. Would love to see your take on the system in a video. I got one over the summer as I finally bit the Atmos bullet and am enjoying it a lot. I need to get your little speaker stands as my TV unfortunately has to live in the corner which upsets the audiophiles.
Jason Carty
2025-11-24 14:33:29 +0000 UTCPersonal Home Cinema With GNW30 you can *escape into a movie, or must-see boxset*, without disturbing your partner’s relaxation. You’ll hear the sound effects, dialogue and music, while they remain oblivious. https://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-entertainment/gaming/sc-gnw30.html Could I politely request that you post all your comments under one comment, because at the moment every individual thought you have is spamming the inbox of hundreds of people.
Techmoan
2025-11-23 13:53:15 +0000 UTCYes that’s one of the links I replied to you with. It’s a Slightly Newer version of this one I already tested https://youtu.be/TUBeBUk5vxM and it features *all the same drawbacks* I detail in the video. It’s no use to me.
Techmoan
2025-11-23 13:49:54 +0000 UTCWhether this is what you're testing, it's marketed as a device to use when you're gaming. On this American website anyway. https://shop.panasonic.com/products/soundslayer%e2%84%a2-wireless-wearable-gaming-speaker-hdmi-bluetooth panasonic's british website. Apparently there are also reviews from people who seem to have bought it. https://store.panasonic.co.uk/sc-gnw30eb
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 13:05:37 +0000 UTCI googled and discovered that Sony has something similar called BRAVIA Theatre U | Wireless neck speaker | Dolby Atmos https://www.whathifi.com/headphones/sony-bravia-theatre-u
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 12:59:47 +0000 UTCMy Philips TV can send out multi-channel via ARC, but it wasn't the default setting when the TV was new, you had to activate it in the settings.
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 12:55:25 +0000 UTCIn normal case, virtual surround sound is not the same as Dolby prologic. Although the Power DVD software many years ago had a function where you could get surround sound, so it was Dolby prologic at the same time as it was virtual surround sound. My first DVD player had virtual surround sound and it could be like the car was driving through the room. The DVD player was a Hitachi. You simply pressed the 3D button on the remote.
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 12:52:43 +0000 UTCSomeone on Youtube said that Sony's wireless system is actually a wireless system that sounds good. But it's not cheap either. But it is probably the case that you get the best sound quality from physical media such as Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray, even though there are a few online services with many mbps.
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 12:40:43 +0000 UTCThere are, for example, headphones for games, so surround sound in games. Then, for example, a computer or a Yamaha receiver can also create surround for headphones. This also applies, perhaps, to Xbox if it is like the previous Xbox.
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 12:24:30 +0000 UTC5.1 should also be available on SACD discs. But then you should also have a player that supports the function, such as an older Pioneer blu-ray player or a new Sony UHD player. They can also play DVD audio. I don't think you've ever talked about DVD audio discs. They could also have multi-channel. Apparently there is a music format on blu-ray too.
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 12:14:46 +0000 UTCI’ve covered this subject a few times in the past. Here are a couple of the more recent videos. https://youtu.be/unfJahrvtuU https://youtu.be/TUBeBUk5vxM
Techmoan
2025-11-23 10:37:21 +0000 UTCYou can get spatial audio from streaming service today as apple music And Tidal but for April music you need specific headphones airpods för Tidal I think you have Sony headphone . But you can Google what headphones work
Anders Ljungberg
2025-11-23 10:33:10 +0000 UTCLook at that beautiful kitty 😊
AzoriusMage
2025-11-23 09:53:11 +0000 UTCI think surround sound is a bit overrated for movies personally.
AzoriusMage
2025-11-23 09:50:56 +0000 UTCSince it's gaming oriented, the sub connection might be for a ButtKicker
Jerrad Pierce
2025-11-22 14:57:18 +0000 UTCCall me old fashioned, but I preferred it when surround sound systems just used optical connections separate from HDMI. Extra cables, but you can also get splitters to pass the signal to multiple sources.
Matt Tester
2025-11-22 13:28:43 +0000 UTCThumbnail: 10/10 - No notes. :-)
Antisoda
2025-11-22 13:11:20 +0000 UTCI do have a couple of different ones like that. When I finally get my quad setup set up I’ll be trying them out.
Techmoan
2025-11-21 20:45:05 +0000 UTCI'd love to see a video about those gargantuan 1970s quadraphonic headphones, which tried to provide some sense of front-to-back audio by putting two drivers into each earcup.
VWestlife
2025-11-21 20:32:59 +0000 UTCI do worry you'll get exactly the wrong sort of audience with that thumbnail, and the usual level of annoying comments will be on another level, and probably attract the RSPCA.
Lord Brannigan-7
2025-11-21 19:26:49 +0000 UTCThe cat doesn’t think a great deal of anything - other than Lik-e-lix™
Techmoan
2025-11-21 16:55:26 +0000 UTCSounds like a bit of a mess of an implementation, I'm glad you tested it so we don't have to be disappointed. I hold out hope that a device like this will some day appear that's worth owning. The more important question, of course, is what your cat thought of it?
Chris Horry
2025-11-21 16:39:49 +0000 UTCMiscongeniality? Hmmm... Okay, now I get it!😉
Mark Hesse
2025-11-21 16:02:07 +0000 UTCI'm 4 minutes and and already it's a bit disappointing to me as a PC gamer, because it doesn't have support for analog PC surround sound which uses 3 3.5 mm cables for 5.1. So assuming this is just 4 channels, it would only need 2 connections for a quad setup. Yes it's an old standard that isn't used a lot anymore, but plenty of motherboards still have it, but also not everybody has their computer hooked up to a TV and I don't wanna have to use 2 HDMI cables for one monitor. Oh, and there's no bass, that's really unfortunate.
ChrisFratz
2025-11-21 14:46:01 +0000 UTCWith no sub included in the box, that’s an optional upgrade and one which doesn’t really fit with the idea of Personal surround system. My Sony Micro system has an optional sub out, but has plenty of bass without.
Techmoan
2025-11-21 08:40:40 +0000 UTCThe little box had a sub out. (3.39) So no wonder it didn't have any bass
Neil Tonks
2025-11-21 04:41:19 +0000 UTC300! and the sound is weak? That is madness. Why even bother selling something like? There is no excuse for it to have no bass. I have a tiny speaker that has better bass than my headphones and it cost $90. I just don't get what most of these companies are playing at.
Andrew Shaw
2025-11-20 23:44:00 +0000 UTCI’d be reluctant to try another one anytime soon.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 23:23:47 +0000 UTCI wanted to hear the Rocket Propelled Granade equaliser. Surely that had some bass.
Andrew Burnett
2025-11-20 23:02:53 +0000 UTCSaved me some money though a reflection frame is still in my thoughts (and just been reduced). Technology connections referenced you in his new 8 track video. (Yes I still have one)
Retro Nick
2025-11-20 23:00:11 +0000 UTC“Sound Slayer” “Obliterate your listening chores!”
Listener Bob
2025-11-20 22:41:52 +0000 UTCI always wonder these style neck speakers work if you have long luscious rock star hair like myself. Might be a fun bit in the future, if you do another one of these, to break out an 80s hairband wig to test, see if you notice a difference. Or not. Anywho, another enjoyable video!
Chris Munch
2025-11-20 22:36:20 +0000 UTCI assume you’re joking.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 22:14:53 +0000 UTCDid you try switching off the virtual surround sound? It might help
Will Wren
2025-11-20 22:14:17 +0000 UTCI’m not one for conspiracies, but I do have to wonder if manufacturers are happy that their TVs sound terrible because they also want to sell soundbars.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 21:50:29 +0000 UTCI’m expecting this too.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 21:47:38 +0000 UTCYou look down.. did the Red Baron get away?
Jim S
2025-11-20 21:25:59 +0000 UTCEvery YouTube comment: "I haven't watched the video, but you are wearing those wrong" :)
Dave Curran
2025-11-20 21:25:04 +0000 UTCI do like the picture 🤣 just the right expression! Regards
James(UK)
2025-11-20 21:12:21 +0000 UTCAgh, it does feel like Panasonic have lost their mojo and become ‘just another brand’ a bit like Hitachi and Aiwa. Their TV’s are a bit like that now. Unless you buy the super expensive models which are the only ones actually made by Panasonic now, everything mid and low range (that has ‘Freely’ and Fire TV) is made in Turkey by Vestel - which means inside they’re the same as cheap own brand TV’s from Asda, just with a Panasonic branding on it. I would wager this neck speaker is the same, made not by Panasonic but a Chinese OEM with the name used under licence. 😔 As for ARC. Don’t get me started. I have one of those old Sky Devialet Soundboxes as my TV soundbar. Mainly because they actually don’t sound too bad. But they built them with the unit advertising ARC to the HDMI chain, even though they don’t support it, so it’s plugged into a HDMI port that is HDMI 2.1 but not eARC on my Sony Bravia 65” 4K TV, so I get HDR Ok from the Sky Q box. My Denon home cinema amp does support eARC so that is plugged into the correct HDMI on the TV that supports eARC. My Apple TV is then connected to the Denon. Every time I turn on the Denon and Apple TV, the Sky soundbox also fires up, and they have an all out ARC war where the Sky soundbox tries to command the audio from the TV, so the Denon then says ‘no, I’m in control’ and this goes on with the TV switching between audio sources until I eventually get up and unplug the power from the Sky soundbox. I reported it to Sky years ago. They couldn’t give less of a shit - so I’m living with it until my TV goes pop (it’s 7 years old and the panel backlight is starting to fail) and I’ll get a new 75” TV and soundbar, and lob the Sky one in the WEEE recycling with the old TV.
Mark Wayt
2025-11-20 21:09:58 +0000 UTCThe thumbnail is absolute gold. 😂
Tim Berghoff
2025-11-20 20:52:04 +0000 UTCAre you sure this isn't a toilet seat cover for a Japanese WC?
cbx
2025-11-20 20:47:13 +0000 UTC• At least the advertising is correct. It certainly slayed the sound. Although 'slay' has a newfangled meaning to the young'uns these days. I could go on about other words that have recently been ruined at another time. • Nicely done video review. • You look like a Victorian lady with that hairdo in the thumbnail. 😆 https://i.postimg.cc/G3Dk2h8S/file-000000007254722f90529b585536366a.png That, or Snoopy ears. • The video you were watching was certainly showing a slaying of... something. • The cat is so disgusted by the discussion of terrible neck speakers that he has to continuously clean himself. • RE: Your mention of built-in TV speakers - I cannot abide by them. If I'm going to watch TV it has to sound better than a transistor radio. Take care 🤍
Grace Robbins
2025-11-20 20:46:21 +0000 UTCThat’s Wheelie Yellow - https://www.youtube.com/@WheelieYellow
Techmoan
2025-11-20 20:43:17 +0000 UTCIs that a toy version of one of your old puppets that I see on the shelf (near the beginning/end, beyond your left shoulder)? I miss those guys.
Ralph Fontcuberta
2025-11-20 20:42:15 +0000 UTCHDMI EARC is a nightmare. Diffusing a bomb would be easier than getting audio pass-through from some devices.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 20:38:05 +0000 UTCSo far yes - between this and a noose it’s a tough call.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 20:32:48 +0000 UTCDo you want another?
Techmoan
2025-11-20 20:32:14 +0000 UTCIt all makes me realise, yet again, how TV audio and vision is just too complicated. Somebody needs to come along and make it all really simple. Back when Steve Jobs was alive he famously said he'd "cracked it" with TV (not the screen... He meant he'd figured out simplicity). But while the Apple TV has a lot to recommend it, it still needs to be attached to a TV – and the TV plus sound equipment are crazy complicated for something found in the home.
Keir Thomas-Bryant
2025-11-20 20:25:01 +0000 UTCThe only interesting thing: the cat 😻. I'll be getting 2 soon 😺
MrHammond
2025-11-20 20:19:07 +0000 UTCMy wife could use a personal speaker system like this. There’s no way she’d ever get comfortable using it. Instead, she uses the speakers to play her Rom-Coms, and I pretend that I can’t hear it. Good video.
CrimsonPig808
2025-11-20 20:18:59 +0000 UTCIt would appear that anything designed to go around your neck isn’t going to be a great experience.
Ant Wakefield
2025-11-20 20:17:10 +0000 UTCNext he'll be getting a 600 pound gorilla for his back. I should've seen myself out before you.
Randall Jennings
2025-11-20 20:11:27 +0000 UTCMat, why are you buying all of these extremely heavy devices lately? First you get a 150-pound record weight and now a 300 pound neck speaker. Must be terrible having that on your neck... Okay, I'll see myself out😉
Mark Hesse
2025-11-20 20:08:20 +0000 UTCWorth it just for that Thumbnail :)
Mark Elliott
2025-11-20 20:05:21 +0000 UTCThat screengrab is pure click bait! Love it 🐰
Rolf Dekker
2025-11-20 20:05:15 +0000 UTCPeople of a certain age in the UK might be thinking of Mick Miller.
Techmoan
2025-11-20 20:02:53 +0000 UTCSurely, judging from that photo, it should be called the 'Sound Hound'? A stick on black nose would complete that picture.
Robsa
2025-11-20 20:01:41 +0000 UTCThat screengrab makes you look like you're playing Snoopy in a dinner theater production of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN.
Sir Alvin Ecarma
2025-11-20 20:01:12 +0000 UTC
