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Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 14, 2023 8:43 PM

True Score

84
84
3

Experts

90
4,417

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE offers a great solution for improving TV audio, as it has deep and immersive sound quality. Its customization and low latency make it worth the buy, especially for those who want enhanced audio for a reasonable price.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE is a high-end 600 Watt soundbar system that was first announced in late 2019. This setup and its support for Dolby Atmos allow it to deliver a fairly immersive listening experience.

The system’s subwoofer generates a bass-heavy sound, and like most top-range speakers, its soundstage is wide enough to create the effect of sound being projected from specific directions.

The system also gets quite loud, hitting 93.3 dB. This is not as high as what some of the best soundbars are capable of, but it still gets loud enough to fill a large room.

Its expansive port selection includes three Full HDMI In ports, a HDMI ARC port, a HDMI Out port, and an AUX port. Wireless connection to devices is mainly through Bluetooth since the device does not support Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay and doesn’t have any support for Chromecast built-in.

Consensus

our Verdict

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE has good connection quality. Its low latency ensures smooth audio-video synchronization, and Bluetooth compatibility for wireless streaming and reliable HDMI ARC/CEC performance is excellent. However, wireless connectivity doesn’t support WiFi, Chromecast, or Apple Airplay.

While its soundstage is impressive, with a deep bass and clear mids delivering immersive surround sound, its Atmos performance doesn’t match top-tier models. The customizable sound settings and EQ presets allow users to fine-tune the audio, but the system’s sound will not fully satisfy audiophiles seeking ultimate fidelity.

The system’s build quality is commendable, featuring premium materials and a helpful LED display. Remote control quality is generally positive, offering access to various features, but its complexity might be overwhelming for some users. It also lacks built-in voice assistant capabilities.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Customizable vertical surround sound modes
  • Clear, adjustable vocals and instruments settings
  • Sturdy, premium build quality
  • Subwoofer level adjustment for impactful bass
  • Great surround sound experience for movies

Reason to Avoid

  • Atmos performance not fully immersive
  • No Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or AirPlay
  • Lack of built-in voice assistant capabilities
  • Complex remote control is overwhelming
  • Bass-heavy sound out of the box needs adjustment

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth3"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCna
HeightHeight3.6
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channelsna
SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Surround, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Neural:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Voice AssistantVoice Assistantna
Wall MountableWall Mountable
WeightWeight51 lbs
WidthWidth45.5"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer Connectivityna
Works WithWorks Withn/a

All Specs

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Product Comparison

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Review

True Score

84
79
77
NR

Ranking

#

18

/

149

#

69

/

149

#

100

/

149

#

/

Market Context

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE is a high-end 600 Watt soundbar system that was first announced in late 2019. This setup and its support…

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE is a high-end 600 Watt soundbar system that was first announced in late 2019. This setup and its support for Dolby Atmos allow it to deliver a fairly immersive listening experience.

The system’s subwoofer generates a bass-heavy sound, and like most top-range speakers, its soundstage is wide enough to create the effect of sound being projected from specific directions.

The system also gets quite loud, hitting 93.3 dB. This is not as high as what some of the best soundbars are capable of, but it still gets loud enough to fill a large room.

Its expansive port selection includes three Full HDMI In ports, a HDMI ARC port, a HDMI Out port, and an AUX port. Wireless connection to devices is mainly through Bluetooth since the device does not support Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay and doesn’t have any support for Chromecast built-in.

The Nakamachi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE has a more comprehensive 7.1.4 setup than the Vizio Elevate, which has a 5.1.4 configuration. Also, the Shockwafe Pro…

The Nakamachi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE has a more comprehensive 7.1.4 setup than the Vizio Elevate, which has a 5.1.4 configuration. Also, the Shockwafe Pro has a total of three Full HDMI In ports while the Vizio Elevate has only two, but the Vizio Elevate supports audio formats such as DTS:X and Dolby True HD over a HDMI ARC connection and also works over a WiFi connection while the Nakamichi Pro 7.1 SSE does not.

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE ships with a HDMI Cable while the LG SP11RA does not, but the LG sound system allows for room…

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE ships with a HDMI Cable while the LG SP11RA does not, but the LG sound system allows for room correction and bass adjustment, features that the Shockwafe Pro lacks. Still, the Nakamichi Pro 7.1 also has better port selection, with an AUX port and an extra Full HDMI In port, compared to the LG sound system, but the SP11RA is capable of WiFi connectivity while the Shockwafe Pro 7.1 is not.

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE comes with two rear satellite channels, but the Nakamachi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch has four, and as a result, it…

The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE comes with two rear satellite channels, but the Nakamachi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch has four, and as a result, it delivers a slightly more immersive listening experience. Still, the Ultra 9.2Ch gets a bit louder, peaking at 101.1 dB, compared to the Pro 7.1m, which peaks at 93.3 dB. We’ve delved deeper into the Ultra 9.2 Ch in our Nakamachi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Ch review.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Yes

Depth

3"

6.5"

5.7"

Dialogue Enhancement Feature

Yes

Yes

Energy Star Certified

No

No

No

HDMI ARC

na

Yes

Yes

Height

3.6

2.6"

2.5"

Number of Audio Channels

na

7.1.4

Subwoofer

Included

Included

Included

Dig Deeper

Vizio Elevate P514A-H6 Review →

LG SP11RA Review →

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  • Save $222
    $899.99
    $677.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes
  • Save $222
    $899.99
    $677.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes

Score Card

E

Expert Score

84

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

90

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

84

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    76
    The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 is good for mixed usage. Though it has a very… Read More

    By:

  • Lifewire
    49.5

    Category Trust Rating

    100
    The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro is a powerful 7.1 channel home theater audio system. A large… Read More

    By:

  • Digital Trends
    48.7

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    “Nakamichi’s Shockwafe Pro update clears up the muck for a thrilling surround sound experience on… Read More

    By:

Customer Scores