The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless is an 11.2.6 soundbar system that bridges the gap between the premium Nakamichi DRAGON and the more affordable and compact Nakamichi Shockwafe 9.2 Ultra eARC. It ships with dual ported 10-inch subwoofers as standard, though this can't be upgraded to an earth-shaking four sub configuration, like the DRAGON. Still, it comes across as a marriage of brutalist form and modern-day function, housing useful features like Apple AirPlay support and 4k @ 120Hz passthrough within its gargantuan frame. Under the hood lies further potential for customization via the numerous DSP presets and surround modes, accessible via the remote or the Nakamichi companion app.
Our Verdict
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless is great for mixed usage. This 11.2.6 system has a bass-heavy sound, bolstered by its dual sub design. While this lends itself well to huge dancehall beats and cinematic action sequences in films, the huge low-bass can overpower mid-range elements, like voices and vocal melodies, unless reigned in with the extensive manual room tuning settings. Similarly, the recessed treble range means elements like shakers and whispered dialogue can get lost in the mix. That said, this system can get incredibly loud with minimal compression. It's also well-appointed when it comes to audio format support and I/O. There's a host of DSP presets and surround modes available for extensive sound customization. However, all stereo modes feature playback from the surrounds, which can make it difficult to identify voices and other audio cues within the stereo field.
120Hz @ 4k passthrough @ 10-bits with 2 HDMI In ports.
Gets very loud with minimal compression.
Many different DSP presets.
No graphic EQ.
Poor latency via optical connection.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless is very good for dialogue and TV shows. While it has a somewhat uneven bass-heavy sound that can lead to intense rumble compared to folley work like footsteps, the mid-range is clear with a slightly dulled treble, provided it's not competing with deep bass-range frequencies. The balanced, discrete center channel ensures good focus for voices, allowing you to follow conversations across the screen. Low latency across all connection types (except for Optical) means you'll rarely run into AV desync issues, though these can be fixed with the 'Lip Sync' function. There's plenty of volume on tap, and even at high volumes, there's a minimal amount of compression, meaning there's little impact on how dialogue is mixed.
Gets very loud with minimal compression.
Many different DSP presets.
Support for all major formats, including DTS:X and Atmos.
No graphic EQ.
Atmos height performance isn't the most convincing.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless is very good for mixed usage. Its dual subwoofer design produces a hefty, thump sound that can make trap 808s shake the ground. That said, control and precision in the bass range are sacrificed for brute force due to an uneven bass range, which delivers more rumble than thud on kick drums. Mid-range instruments sound more or less natural, but that can vary with busy mixes full of bassy parts. The mostly under-emphasized treble range has a little trouble rendering alto and tenor vocals with bright detail and airiness. That said, the dynamics performance is remarkable, allowing for extremely loud playback without stripping songs of their dynamic intricacies. The soundstage is wide and immersive, though stereo modes playback audio from the surrounds too, which can dull the sound at its extremities and bother stereo purists.
Gets very loud with minimal compression.
Many different DSP presets.
No graphic EQ.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless is impressive for movies. The towering low-bass response provided by the dual subwoofer design is great for injecting action flicks with a dose of bassy excitement and tension, but it's a bit uneven with weakened punch and somewhat dulled treble. The stereo soundstage is wide, and like the surround sound, it's expansive. Surround sound content sounds great with low-end heft and bright treble. You get an immersive and well-tuned height effect for Atmos content with room to play with the settings to simulate different sound fields. Turning up the volume to its (very loud) max volume doesn't degrade audio quality. There's support for all major audio formats, including Dolby Digital, DTS:X, and Atmos. If you prefer a plug-and-play bar, remember that while finessing the extensive manual calibration settings offers rewards, it still delivers a blistering bass by default.
Gets very loud with minimal compression.
Many different DSP presets.
Support for all major formats, including DTS:X and Atmos.
Poor latency via optical connection.
Atmos height performance isn't the most convincing.
Changelog
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Updated Aug 15, 2025:
We've updated text and graphs in the verdicts and sound tests after incorporating feedback and suggestions for sound settings from the manufacturer. Sections updated include Popular Soundbar Comparisons, Stereo Frequency Response, Stereo Frequency Response with Preliminary Calibration, Stereo Dynamics, Center, Surround 5.1, and Height (Atmos).
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Updated Aug 07, 2025:
We've updated the review to mention the LG S95AR in Height (Atmos).
- Updated Jul 14, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Jul 03, 2025: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless comes in just one color variant: Black. Unlike the Nakamichi DRAGON, it comes in one configuration: with dual 10-inch subwoofers (here's a picture of its label). If you encounter another variant of this soundbar, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless represents the middle ground between the top-of-the-line Nakamichi DRAGON and the older Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC. While it comes with only two satellites, compared to the Shockwafe Ultra's four, both soundbars ship with hard-hitting, dual subs, and the Shockwafe Ultra has a slightly deeper low-frequency extension but a less clear treble. Despite fewer satellites, the Shockwafe Wireless improves on surround sound tuning and Atmos performance with updated appointments to connectivity, such as HDMI 2.1 with 4k @ 120Hz passthrough. Both the Shockwafe Wireless and the DRAGON have this, with two and three full HDMI In ports, respectively. While performance is comparable in most regards, the Shockwafe Wireless features better wireless connectivity, with Apple AirPlay support. Although the Shockwafe Wireless is a good choice if customizability is your goal, it lacks some of the features found in the Samsung HW-Q990F, like a graphic EQ and automatic room correction.
Check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.
Comparing the Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless to the Samsung HW-Q990F is like comparing a utilitarian pick-up truck with a fully-featured modern SUV. The Nakamichi takes up much more space (physically and visually) but provides you with raw power (when it comes to volume and bass output). Meanwhile, the Samsung is more compact, with improved wireless connectivity and expanded sound customization options that employ better interfaces (e.g., a full graphic EQ). The Samsung performs better all-around: it has a more balanced default frequency response with fewer significant peaks and dips. Still, if it's raw horsepower that you desire and you're willing to pay the higher price tag, the Nakamichi will be a worthwhile purchase with impressive surround sound and comparable Atmos performance.
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 Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra and the Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless are both premium soundbars, but they have different strengths that lend themselves to different usages. The Sonos is a good choice if you own other Sonos products and value wireless connectivity, due to its Wi-Fi and Spotify Connect compatibility. It offers a more balanced default sound, with a wider stereo soundstage. It also takes up much less real estate in a living room or home theater. Still, the Nakamichi should be considered if you care about dynamics: it gets much louder, with minimal compression at higher volumes. It also boasts a similarly immersive Atmos performance as the Sonos. The Nakamichi also comes equipped with two HDMI 2.1 In ports, giving it the edge for gamers who prefer to use their soundbar as a hub between a display and their console/PC.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless represents a few meaningful upgrades on the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC. Its dual sub configuration allows it to produce a much bassier sound, though both bars roll off the treble somewhat. They perform quite similarly when it comes to a clear center channel and dynamics. That said, if you have the space to accommodate the larger Shockwafe Wireless, you'll benefit from a louder max volume, a notably more balanced surround sound, and slightly more convincing Atmos performance. Plus, the HDMI 2.1 support with the ability to passthrough 4k signals with a 120Hz refresh rate signals its modernity.
Test Results
