Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
Wireless speakersaren’t exactly an interior fashion designer ’s mind of good home interior decoration . companionship make out this , which is why we ’ve project a mixed bag of attempts at do these objects less objectionable . Some speakers , like theApple HomePodand Google Nest folk , use soft fabric wraps and rounded shape to relent their coming into court . Others , likeMarshall ’s transmission line of guitar amp - inspired modelsorJBL ’s Authentics , go the other direction , with a retro vibe that aims to be a focal point , perhaps even a conversation starter .
And then there are the chameleons : speakers that disguise themselves as other way constituent , like the Sonos - poweredIkea Symfoniskfamily oftable lamps , bookshelves , andartwork . It ’s in this family that Samsung has placed its new $ 400Music Frame verbaliser .
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
I recently got a chance to spend a few hours trifle around with it ( along with aFrame TVand Samsung’sHW - Q990D soundbar ) at a Samsung facility in New Jersey , and I think the Music Frame might just be the most successful attempt yet at creating gamy - quality , yet invisible audio frequency .
Digital audio, not art
First things first : The Music Frame is not a digital photo frame . Why not ? Well , for one thing , it would have increase the price . But more probable is that Samsung wanted the Music Frame to truly blend with its environment . Digital frames may be fun and versatile , but they have a way of call aid to themselves .
Instead , the Music Frame gives you two options for expose your best-loved images . The included mounting panel — which attaches to the front of the speaker unit like a traditional speaker grille with a Seth of four globe - and - socket Post — lets you insert any 8×8 - inch or 8×10 - inch printed photo .
The other option , for which Samsung has yet to provide details , is to supersede that photograph - holder panel with a usance - print one . When Samsungdebuted the Music Frame at CES 2024 , it had several of these calendered interlingual rendition on - hand — each with artwork that extended all the manner to the border of the panel .
We do n’t yet know how much these will be , which companies will print and ship them , or how long they take to be made once govern . What we do know is that you ’ll be able-bodied to purchase a clean bezel from Samsung later this year that can incubate the existing black inning find out in these photos .
Admittedly , the Music Frame is a good mo chunkier than your modal 8×10 moving-picture show frame . At 13.8×13.8 inches and a hair over 2 inches thick , it may not fit on small-scale surfaces like shallow fireplace mantels . And at a surprisingly heavy 9.3 lbf. , a satisfying surface is definitely recommended .
Stand or wall-mounted
Samsung includes both an angled pedestal ( seen here ) and a wall mount kit with every Music Frame . I did n’t get a chance to see the wall mount kit , but a banner threaded mounting trap on the back of the Frame hint at how it will attach .
According to Samsung , it sits entirely loaded to your wall . That pull in me passing curious about the two subwoofers on the tush of the speaker . Will they create unwanted vibrations ? ( More on the phone in a moment . )
The real query is whether you ’ll be OK with the tycoon cable dangling down the wall . To Samsung ’s credit , it has endeavor to make the cable television thin and somewhat transparent . It ’s a big improvement over the thick , textile - wrapped cable that ships with theIkea Symfonisk Picture Frame speaker . Still , a line is a cable .
Connections galore
Samsung went to townspeople on the Music Frame ’s wireless audio connections . It ’s all here : Bluetooth , Apple AirPlay , Chromecast , Spotify Connect , and Tidal Connect . The Frame can also act as an Amazon Alexa sassy talker , which means you get Alexa Cast too .
That ’s an telling raiment of choices , specially for Android user who ca n’t take reward of AirPlay . Sonos , it should be noted , digest most of these connections as well , but not Chromecast . Does that matter ? If you ’re a fan of losslesshi - res audio , then yes — AirPlay is limited to compact disk - lineament lossless at 16 - bit/44.1kHz , whereas Chromecast supports up to 24 - bit/96kHz .
There ’s even an optical port . It ’s a spot of foreign inclusion on a wireless speaker , but pass on that you may end up pose the Music Frame near a TV , it could be helpful . My experience suggests the Frame could make for a very able soundbar replacement in minuscule way .
Plus , I ’d be neglectful if I did n’t name one of Samsung ’s favorite features : Q - Symphony . This lets you send audio wirelessly from a compatible Samsung TV to as many as two Music Frames . or else , a exclusive Music Frame can act as a wireless surroundings - eye channel speaker when used with a compatible Samsung TV and soundbar ( like the HW - Q990D ) .
SmartThings control
It ’s clear that Samsung knows how to build up a calibre wireless loudspeaker , but I ’m not extremely stoked by its choice of package . Instead of a dedicated app for music control like Sonos , Samsung leverages its jack - of - all - tradesSmartThingsapp to superintend the Frame ’s functions .
We had our fair share of Wi - Fi issue at Samsung ’s localization , but even setting those aside , I found the SmartThings app to be clunky and strong to employ . mayhap I just need to get more familiar with the various menu ( or maybe Samsung is still working on them ) , but even a basic function like getting two Music Frames to playact as a stereo pair proved impossible for me . even with Samsung ’s help .
There ’s also no cardinal medicine management within the SmartThings app . All of your medicine must be streamed from a third - party app like Apple Music or Spotify , which is less convenient , especially when examine to grapple multiple speakers in multiple rooms .
Remarkably expansive sound
Any fourth dimension a speaker outstrip my expectations for level-headed timbre , it bring a grinning to my face , and the Samsung Music Frame had me grinning from ear to ear . There ’s only no way that someone walking into a room and hear what this equipment can do will believe that it ’s all coming from what seem to be a regular exposure build .
This stand up in perfect direct contrast to the Ikea Symfonisk Picture Frame , which sounds hunky-dory , but not limited in any style .
Not only does the Frame get loud ( really tatty , if you want ) , but those subwoofer produce an exceptional amount of abject - remainder . Did I mention that you may use the Music Frame just as asubwoofer ? you’re able to , and though I have n’t hear it in this theatrical role , I do n’t doubt its effectuality .
However , the salutary part , as far as I ’m concerned , is what the Music Frame does withDolby Atmos Musiccontent . Despite not having any consecrate , up - firing drivers likeSonos ’ $ 449 Era 300(which also does Dolby Atmos ) , the Frame nonetheless creates a very convincing immersive soundstage that is both tall and wide .
Stereo tracks were n’t quite as telling , but in fairness , I was more focussed on the Atmos material , so I ’ll withhold any judgment for now .
More to come
A handful of hour is not enough to really moil into a product like the Music Frame , but I ’m already very impressed by what I ’ve seen and heard .
As presently as Samsung releases full review units , I ’ll be able to offer a full evaluation . Here ’s what I still need to try :
persist tune !
