Soundbars have come a long way. What started as a simple fix for terrible TV speakers has evolved into something genuinely impressive—particularly if you know where to look.
The Harman Kardon Enchant range, available exclusively in the UK through Peter Tyson, represents exactly where premium soundbar technology should be: powerful enough to satisfy serious home cinema enthusiasts, yet simple enough that you won't need a degree in AV installation to set it up.
If you've been weighing up whether a soundbar can truly replace a traditional surround sound setup, or you're trying to decide between the increasingly popular premium options on the market, here's everything you need to know about the Enchant 900 and Enchant 1100.
Why Soundbars Have Finally Caught Up
Let's be honest - even as little as five years ago, the best soundbars were making compromises. Yes, they were convenient and looked sleek under your TV, but when it came to genuine surround sound and that cinematic depth, they couldn't compete with a proper 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup.
That's changed. Modern soundbar technology—particularly Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam processing—has closed the gap significantly. The Enchant range uses clever sound processing to bounce audio off your walls and ceiling, creating height and spatial effects that genuinely work. You're not just getting left-right stereo; you're getting sound that moves around and above you.
More importantly, these systems are expandable. Start with a soundbar, add a wireless subwoofer when budget allows, then bring in rear speakers later. It's flexible, it's wireless, and it doesn't require you to run cables through walls or commit to a fixed room layout.
Enchant 900: The Compact Powerhouse
The Enchant 900 is the smaller of the two main soundbars, but don't let that fool you. Measuring 870mm wide (34.2 inches), it fits comfortably under most TVs without dominating your living room. Inside, you'll find nine precision-engineered drivers: four racetrack drivers for mid-range and bass, three tweeters for crisp highs, and two up-firing drivers specifically for Dolby Atmos height effects.
With 195W of total power output, it's more than capable of filling medium-sized rooms with rich, detailed sound. The frequency response extends from 60Hz to 20kHz, meaning you get solid low-end punch even without adding a subwoofer—though bass enthusiasts will want to consider the optional Enchant Sub.
Connectivity is comprehensive: HDMI eARC for lossless audio from your TV, optical input as a backup, Bluetooth 5.3 for quick device pairing, and built-in Wi-Fi supporting AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect. The 4K passthrough with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support means your video quality won't suffer either.
What makes the 900 particularly appealing is Harman's PureVoice technology. If you've ever struggled to hear dialogue during action sequences—explosions drowning out critical plot points—this addresses it directly. Speech remains clear and intelligible even when the soundbar is working hard on complex soundtracks.
Enchant 1100: When You Want the Full Experience
Step up to the Enchant 1100 and the performance gains are immediately noticeable. At 1150mm (45.2 inches), it's wider, which translates to a broader soundstage and more immersive audio. This one packs eleven drivers: six racetrack drivers, three tweeters, and those same two up-firing height channels—but larger ones at 70mm versus the 900's 65mm.
The power output jumps to 315W, and the frequency response digs deeper, reaching down to 52Hz. That extra low-end extension gives movies and music more weight and impact. But the real differentiator is DTS:X support alongside Dolby Atmos. While both formats deliver object-based 3D audio, having both means you're covered regardless of what streaming service or disc you're playing.
If you're serious about home cinema and want a soundbar that can truly serve as the foundation of a complete system, the 1100 is the one to choose. It has the headroom to fill larger rooms, the processing power to handle complex soundtracks, and the authority to make tentpole blockbusters feel genuinely cinematic.
Like the 900, you get the same comprehensive connectivity—HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi with AirPlay and Google Cast—plus PureVoice dialogue enhancement and automatic room calibration to optimise the sound for your specific space.
Enchant 900 vs 1100: The Key Differences
So which one should you choose? Here's the breakdown:
Size: The 900 is 870mm wide and weighs 3.5kg; the 1100 is 1150mm and weighs 4.6kg. Consider your TV stand width and whether you're wall-mounting.
Power and Drivers: 195W and nine drivers in the 900; 315W and eleven drivers in the 1100. More power means greater dynamic range and the ability to fill larger spaces.
Audio Format Support: The 900 handles Dolby Atmos; the 1100 adds DTS:X. Both use MultiBeam technology for virtual surround, but the 1100's additional drivers create a wider, more enveloping soundfield.
Bass Extension: The 900 goes down to 60Hz, the 1100 to 52Hz. That 8Hz difference is audible in movie soundtracks and bass-heavy music. However, pairing either with the Enchant Sub transforms the low-end experience entirely.
In practical terms: if you have a medium-sized living room (up to around 20 square metres) and you're mainly upgrading from TV speakers or an older soundbar, the 900 will exceed expectations. If you have a larger space, you're a dedicated film enthusiast, or you're building towards a full 7.1.4 system, the 1100 is worth the investment.
Building Your System Over Time
One of the smartest aspects of the Enchant range is how it's designed to grow with you. You don't need to buy everything at once.
The Enchant Sub adds a 6.5-inch down-firing driver with 100W of dedicated bass power. It connects wirelessly and includes a bass reflector design that works brilliantly even on carpet. Adding this to either soundbar takes the low-frequency performance from 'good' to 'genuinely cinematic', freeing up the main soundbar to focus on mid-range clarity and those all-important Atmos height effects.
The Enchant Speakers are equally versatile. Each one houses 90W of power across four drivers, including up-firing channels for Dolby Atmos Music. Use one as a standalone wireless speaker. Pair two for stereo music listening. Or add them to your soundbar setup as wireless rear surrounds, creating a true 7.1.4-channel system when combined with the soundbar and subwoofer.
Everything is controlled through the Harman Kardon One app, which handles setup, EQ customisation, and music streaming. It's genuinely straightforward—no separate AV receiver to configure, no speaker wire to run, no complex calibration routines. Place the speakers, open the app, and you're done.
Why This Matters in the Soundbar Market
The premium soundbar market has become increasingly competitive, with established players setting high expectations for wireless audio performance. What distinguishes the Enchant range is its particular focus on cinematic audio quality. Both the 900 and 1100 feature genuine up-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects—not virtualisation, but actual physical speakers bouncing sound off your ceiling. The 1100 goes further with DTS:X support, giving you comprehensive format coverage.
Where the Enchant 1100 particularly stands out is in delivering flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point than some of the premium alternatives on the market. You're getting eleven drivers, 315W of power, dual object-based audio formats, and the ability to expand into a full 7.1.4 system—all without the premium pricing typically associated with this level of specification.
These systems prioritise what matters for home cinema: immersive spatial audio, clear dialogue, powerful dynamics, and room-filling sound. They're designed for people who want their films to sound spectacular and their music to have genuine fidelity, without needing to become AV installation experts.
There's also something to be said for the fact that Peter Tyson has UK exclusivity on this range. You're not going to find these on every high street or marketplace seller. That exclusivity means you're dealing directly with specialists who understand the products and can provide proper advice on setup, room acoustics, and system configuration.
The Verdict
The Harman Kardon Enchant range represents where soundbar technology has genuinely arrived. This isn't about making do with a convenient compromise anymore. The Enchant 900 and 1100 deliver immersive, detailed sound that stands up to serious scrutiny, with the option to expand into a full surround system without the complexity of traditional setups.
For anyone upgrading from TV speakers or an ageing soundbar, either model will be transformative. For those building a dedicated home cinema system but want to avoid the complexity and cost of a full separates setup, the Enchant 1100 with the Sub and rear speakers creates something genuinely special.
Ready to upgrade your home audio? Shop the Harman Kardon Enchant range now, exclusively available in the UK at Peter Tyson. Our team is here to help you choose the right configuration for your space and answer any questions about setup and performance.