Most soundbars are designed to sit above or below a modest sized (37-42 inch) HDTV and often provide modest sonics to match. The FS-5000 is designed to compliment HDTVs 50-inches or larger, measuring in at 50 inches wide by nearly seven inches tall and five and a half inches deep. The FS-5000 tips the scales at a hefty 35 pounds and can be wall mounted via the included wall mounting bracket and hardware as well as be placed on a table or credenza thanks to its included table stand. The FS-5000 is designed to fill large rooms, something average soundbars have difficulty doing. The FS-5000 is essentially three separate loudspeakers, each consisting of a single one-inch soft dome tweeter and two four and a half inch bass/midrange drivers. The FS-5000 has a reported frequency response of 70Hz to 20kHz with a sensitivity rating of 89dB into a stable eight-Ohm load. Since the FS-5000 is three speakers in one, there are three pairs of binding posts along its back side to connect it to a home theater receiver or amplifier, meaning that the FS-5000 uses no internal DSP or surround sound processing of any kind. However, the FS-5000 does have a fair amount of room correction control in the form of boundary compensation and high frequency roll off switches, which are a staple among most of Atlantic Technologies' higher end loudspeakers.

Additional Resources

• Learn about other on-wall speakers at HomeTheaterReview.com
• Discuss on-wall speakers at HomeTheaterSpot.com
• Find your nearest Atlantic Technology dealer
  

In terms of sound, the FS-5000 is an absolute juggernaut in comparison to other soundbars or three in one loudspeakers. It's sound is lively yet refined with dynamics and slam to spare and is equally adept at both music and movies. While the FS-5000 has no internal DSP trickery it's still capable of casting a wide-open and nicely detailed soundstage that rivals that of floorstanding speakers when positioned properly. The EQ controls, located on the back of the FS-5000, work and work well in helping the FS-5000 sonically integrate into difficult environments. The FS-5000's midrange performance is rich, full and natural with no boxy colorations I often hear from soundbars or three in one loudspeakers. The soft dome tweeters are smooth and rather refined though they lack that last ounce of sizzle and edge that you'll find with more esoteric designs. However unlike metal dome tweeters the ones inside the FS-5000 remain composed even at louder than thou volumes. Speaking of volume the FS-5000 can handle copious amounts of it and do so without strain on it or on your ears. In fact, the FS-5000 is a soundbar that revels in recreating a movie theater-like experience in your home, which is more than I can say for the competition. When listening to the FS-5000 you can definitely hear its pedigree and Atlantic Technology's long history of building true no-nonsense home theater speakers that simply rock.

Read about the high points and the low points of the FS-5000 on Page 2.