The Nakamichi DRAGON is an 11.4.6 soundbar from the storied Japanese manufacturer. Seasoned audiophiles will remember cassette decks and CD players from the brand, but the DRAGON mantle has been passed on to an Atmos-compatible soundbar with an array of premium features and deep customizability. We opted to test the base model with dual eight-inch subs, though DRAGON packages can be configured with up to four 12-inch subwoofers. Under the hood, there's a new Pro Cinema Surround Engine that offers 30.2 channel DTS:X Pro compatibility, as well as three HDMI 2.1 In ports for a wealth of connectivity options.
Our Verdict
The Nakamichi DRAGON is great for mixed usage. The sheer amount of volume and bass on tap means that it's ideally suited for larger spaces where disturbing the neighbors isn't a concern. Its bass-heavy sound thrives on low-end-driven music genres like hip-hop and dancehall, but it's equally suited to vividly rendering the orchestral timpani hits and blaring horns in a Hans Zimmer soundtrack. The exaggerated bass can bleed into the mid-range, though, and the lack of dialogue enhancement tools means it's not as well-suited to TV shows. That said, it has outstanding format support, and the presence of three HDMI In ports, as well as 4k HDMI 2.1 passthrough at 120hz, makes the DRAGON a very enticing prospect for gamers (especially those with multiple consoles). Just be mindful that you'll need to be fastidious when it comes to setup to ensure you get the best performance for your space.
Gets very loud without much compression.
Wide, immersive soundstage.
Excellent center channel performance.
Supports all popular audio formats.
HDMI 2.1 passthrough with 4k @ 120hz.
No dialogue enhancement feature.
No graphic EQ.
The Nakamichi DRAGON 11.4.6 is very good for dialogue and TV shows. It has a relatively balanced mid-range response, though dialogue can be harder to make out if it's competing with bass-range sounds due to the overemphasized bass response. That said, the center performance is excellent, and it's easy to pinpoint dialogue within the soundstage. While there's a 'Night' mode that compresses audio and raises the level of voices relative to louder sounds, there's no dedicated voice or dialogue enhancement mode.
Gets very loud without much compression.
Excellent center channel performance.
Supports all popular audio formats.
No dialogue enhancement feature.
No graphic EQ.
The Nakamichi DRAGON 11.4.6 is great for music. Its dual-sub setup is the star of the show here, delivering thunderous low-end rumble that'll satisfy the most ardent bassheads. However, the boom in the bass range can overpower thumpier sounds, like disco bass guitar lines, as well as mid-range content, like vocals and lead instruments. A somewhat recessed treble range takes some of the brilliance off delicate acoustic guitars and high-pitched dramatic strings. While bass/treble controls and EQ presets are available, all of them lean towards bass-heavy. This setup can get very loud without compressing much, and cinematic audio content, like film scores, benefits from the wide and expansive soundstage.
Gets very loud without much compression.
Wide, immersive soundstage.
No graphic EQ.
The Nakamichi DRAGON 11.4.6 is great for movies. While its frequency response skews towards sounding bass-heavy, this means low-end rumbles and explosions sound extremely vivid. The exaggerated bass response can overpower the mid-range, masking dialogue, and there's some roll-off in the treble range that takes some of the sheen off sibilants, like orchestral cymbals in film soundtracks. The wide soundstage, enveloping surrounds performance, and amazing dynamics performance both lend themselves to an immersive home theater experience, especially in Atmos, where the upfiring drivers create a convincing illusion of height.
Gets very loud without much compression.
Wide, immersive soundstage.
Excellent center channel performance.
Supports all popular audio formats.
No dialogue enhancement feature.
No graphic EQ.
Changelog
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Updated Jul 14, 2025:
The Style section was updated to mention the Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless.
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Updated Apr 25, 2025:
The Dimensions - Bar box was revised to compare the Samsung HW-Q990F.
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Updated Feb 06, 2025:
Based on user feedback, we've retested this soundbar using suggestions found in Nakamichi's VIP Starter guide. There have been updates to the scores for a few sound tests including: Stereo Frequency Response, Stereo Frequency Response with Preliminary Calibration, Stereo Dynamics, Center, Surround 5.1 and Height (Atmos).
- Updated Dec 17, 2024: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Nakamichi DRAGON 11.4.6 comes in just one colorway: 'Black' (you can see a picture of our unit's label here). However, there are a number of different configurations available. Our unit features the base configuration of two eight-inch subs, but up to four 12-inch subs can be added for additional bass-range heft.
If you encounter a different variant or configuration of this soundbar, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
There's not much on the market that's a direct equivalent to the Nakamichi DRAGON 11.4.6, though you can find similar features in other bars. If you're pining for dual subs, the Sonos Arc Ultra can be configured with two subwoofers, although it lacks the HDMI 2.1 passthrough capabilities of the DRAGON as well as its many HDMI In ports. You can also opt for the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE, which offers a similarly bass-heavy performance in a smaller package while paring down the number of channels and HDMI 2.1 support. Finally, some consideration must be given to the Samsung HW-Q990D, which has a more balanced default sound and more granular sound customization options at a lower retail price.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.
The Samsung HW-Q990D is a better value soundbar than the Nakamichi DRAGON. It has a more balanced default frequency response, more flexible sound customization options, and better wireless connectivity. The two are neck-and-neck when it comes to other facets of the sound, like center channel performance and dynamics, although the Nakamichi has a wider, more immersive soundstage. Those who value extremely high-end features, like DTS:X Pro compatibility, three HDMI In ports, and the ability to add up to four subs, might be able to justify the additional outlay for the Nakamichi. For most users, the Samsung's excellent Atmos performance and extremely accurate sound will be more than enough.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless represents a pared-down alternative to the Nakamichi DRAGON for those who don't need top-of-the-line specs without losing out on high output volumes. Both systems ship with dual subs as standard, though you can configure the DRAGON with up to four. Unsurprisingly, both bars can output massive amounts of bass, sometimes to the detriment of the rest of the frequency range, which is easily eclipsed. Both bars are well-built and feature HDMI 2.1 ports with 4k @ 120Hz passthrough. However, the DRAGON offers a slightly better surround and more bassy heft to Atmos (Height) performance, adding an extra layer of immersion to movies. It also offers greater customizability, thanks to its OSD interface. That said, the Shockwafe Wireless' Atmos performance rivals the DRAGON's. The Shockwafe Wireless is also compatible with Apple AirPlay, which makes it easier to incorporate into an iOS-centric household.
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module and the Nakamichi DRAGON are both solid options for home theater setups with slightly different strengths. The Sony is better built, and its quad-speaker design means that you can easily arrange the system around your living room, aided by easy-to-use mounting brackets. It has a more balanced default sound and an extremely wide, spacious soundstage. That said, the Nakamichi has a better center channel performance and can get much louder without compressing as much. The considerable size and weight of the Nakamichi's components make it more challenging to fit into the average living room. Both bars feature HDMI 2.1 with 4k passthrough at 120Hz, but the Nakamichi features three HDMI In ports.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE is a pared-down offering compared to the Nakamichi DRAGON. The Shockwafe features a plastic design, in contrast to the DRAGON's metal construction. Though it packs a similarly bass-heavy sound into a much more compact frame, it does fall short of the DRAGON in a few key areas, including default frequency response, center performance, and dynamics. The DRAGON also features HDMI 2.1 with 4k passthrough at 120Hz, and its three HDMI In ports make it a great option for gamers with multiple consoles. That said, the DRAGON's high retail price will deter many.
Test Results
