Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC: Main Discussion
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Update: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
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Hi! when they review Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6
- 21010
Hi @shaq_06,
Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6, so far was rejected from being reviewed. https://www.rtings.com/discussions/FlvBw56PMG7ze_WT/review-updates-nakamichi-dragon-11-4-6
Update: We’ve converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we’ve retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Additionally, we’ve expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
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Question for the reviewers:
How do you test which speakers are active in the Atmos (height) testing?
It’s not that I question the results, I’m just curious how you do that?
- 21010
Question for the reviewers: How do you test which speakers are active in the Atmos (height) testing? It’s not that I question the results, I’m just curious how you do that?
We simply generate a periodic pink noise or sound sweep that is used to test the bar and listen for active drivers. Running our hand over the driver is sometimes required when several drivers are in the same area. It creates a certain distinctive sound when a driver is active.
Update: We’ve updated the Sound Enhancement Features box to add a mention of the Nakamichi DRAGON.
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How do you hook up the satellite speakers? To the sub?
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any plans to review the Nakamichi wireless when it comes out? I guess its early Q2?
- 21010
any plans to review the Nakamichi wireless when it comes out? I guess its early Q2?
It’s really going to depend on price point! If it’s falls around our exotic price limit, then yep we’ll most likely buy and test it when it becomes available. If it exceeds our exotic price limit, we’ll have to discuss it further at that point!
Update: We’ve updated the Wireless Playback box to discuss the Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless.
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TL;DR: Bought the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 in late 2022 for $1,800 based on promises of “zero localization,” bass that “flows evenly eliminating dead zones,” and “futureproof audio formats.” Three years later: severe bass localization, muddy dialog, zero firmware updates while newer models get upgrades, and support that blames my placement despite their own marketing encouraging flexibility. This isn’t so much a review as it is a warning about false promises and a company that doesn’t stand behind their products.
Background
Back in the day, I was a home theater installer, now turned hobbyist. My personal system is a 9.2.4 Atmos setup with DIY 1099 towers, dual 18" subs, 8,000 watts of Emotiva amps, and miniDSP room correction. I understand the sub crawl, acoustic treatments, phase alignment, room EQ, the whole deal.
When I needed something dead simple for our remote cabin, the Shockwafe Ultra seemed perfect. No wiring nightmares, just plug-and-play performance with a Nakamichi promise. Their website specifically claimed:
“Zero localization”
Bass that “flows evenly through the room, eliminating dead zones”
“Futureproof: Enjoy fuss-free compatibility with the latest and upcoming high resolution music formats”
At $1,800, I bit. These claims couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Problems
Bass Localization is a Nightmare
From day one, the bass has been highly directional. You can clearly hear where each sub is located. The crossover defaults to 180Hz and even dialing it down to 110-140Hz leaves frequencies above 80Hz localizable. Male vocals literally sound like they’re emanating from the subwoofers.
Their setup guide encourages “flexible placement,” even suggesting putting a sub closer to your seat for “optimal performance.” But that just invites comb filtering and phase mismatches with no way to correct them there’s zero distance or phase control.
Dialog is Muddy and Garbled
The upper bass dumping into both subs masks vocal frequencies. Even with center channel, dialog control, and treble maxed out, voices are smeared. My elderly mom with hearing aids couldn’t understand dialog at all until we turned off the Shockwafe. She much prefers the LG TV’s built-in speakers!
Here’s the kicker: I disconnected both subwoofers, and dialog instantly cleared up. Of course, that also kills the surround sound, but what’s the point of a 9.2.4 system when the most important aspect, dialog, is completely muffled?
“Futureproof” Was a Lie
There have been ZERO firmware updates since the 2022 launch. Meanwhile, their Dragon 11.4.6 (released mid-2023) got DTS:X Pro baked in. Early adopters who paid $1,800 for “futureproof audio formats”? Left in the dust.
The Support Runaround
I first contacted support back in 2023. Their response:
“This is the first we’re hearing of this issue” – Despite having a FAQ article specifically addressing “muffled audio” (though they blame PCM 2.0 instead of the real culprit)
“Try adjusting the crossover” – Already did, doesn’t fix the fundamental design flaw
“Your placement is wrong” – Wait, your website encourages flexible placement and claims “zero localization”
After multiple back-and-forths, I spoke with their “head ninja” aka support manager. I laid out the technical issues: comb filtering from the lack of phase control, localization contradicting their own marketing claims, the works. The response? My placement was wrong. Like physics don’t exist.
I sent a detailed email with receipts, support history, and examples of others reporting the same issues. I told them flat-out a review was coming if nothing changed. Their response? “Go for it.”
I’m Not Alone
After those conversations, I dug deeper. This isn’t an isolated quirk, it’s a pattern:
RTINGS.com: “the extra emphasis in the bass range muddies vocals and lead instruments a bit, and the roll-off in the treble means that the audio lacks some detail and brightness” [RTINGS.com]
AVSForum: “I cant pull the dialog up enough without going to literally 100 on volume and turning everything else down then its all a bit less tight and more muddy” [AVSForum]
Amazon reviews:
- “Subs sound great individually but together they fight—bass localizes to the corners, and dialog gets lost in the boom. Not the seamless room fill promised”
- “Muddy mids from the upper bass bleed; voices sound detached and garbled during action scenes. Sold after a month—TV speakers are clearer for talk”
- Multiple people saying “the subs fought each other more than they blended” and returned it [Amazon reviews]
Dragon owners on Reddit calling the subwoofer performance and wireless claims a “scandal” and “straight-up lies”
The Real Issue
This comes down to engineering fundamentals. The crossover pushes too much upper bass (above 80Hz) to the subs with no phase or distance control to prevent the subs from fighting each other. For a $1,800 system marketed as the leading soundbar system with “zero localization,” this is unacceptable.
Add in the abandoned “futureproof” promise while newer models get features, support that gaslights customers by contradicting their own marketing, and zero acknowledgment of a widely reported problem? That’s a company that doesn’t stand behind their products.
Final Recommendation
If you’re considering Nakamichi, save your money. Look at alternatives or put that money toward a proper AVR-based system. I’m stuck with an expensive reminder that marketing gloss can’t fix sloppy engineering.
For early adopters like me: We paid premium prices for premium promises. We got neither.
Edited 15 days ago: formatting