Big Things in Small Packages: Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini Soundbar and Subwoofer

January 31, 2022

The Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini soundbar and 8-inch wireless subwoofer were recently sent my way to check out. The sleek new system sports Dolby Atmos, AirPlay 2, and a host of other shiny features all for under $900. Would it sound any good? I was about to find out.

Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini Unboxing

The Definitive Technology Studio Mini 3D comes packed in a well-designed box befitting the brand. Definitive is a higher-end product line intent on preserving that equity with their forays into the sound bar space. A space crowded with cheap gear and crappy sound.

The box opens to reveal a template for wall mounting and a quick start guide. There’s also a card sporting a QR code prompting the user to scan for a tutorial. I did so, burt was surprised to see the Studio 3D Mini product page rather than the promised training. The quick start guide, however, was very intuitive and I began to leaf through it to get things rolling.

Installation

I followed along in the guide and connected the Studio 3D Mini soundbar and subwoofer to power. While they booted up I downloaded the HEOS app, where I was nudged to finish the rest of the installation.

The HEOS app quickly found the soundbar and subwoofer, and took about 15 minutes to download upates. Upon completion, a setup assistant told me to click “Next” after seeing a picture appear on my TV screen. The wizard made it seem like this picture should be coming from the soundbar, despite no instructions on establishing a video connection. It was a bit off, but I figured out that it just mean needed the TV powered on with a working video signal, so I soldiered on.

Next up came the options for audio connectivity. The Studio 3D Mini can accept an HDMI audio/eARC signal or an optical cable. I opted to use the optical cable since that worked best with my test TV.

After clicking through a few more screens in the wizard, I was dropped off into the settings menu. This struck me as a little convoluted. I expected some kind of calibration or setting wizard to make sure the audio settings were dialed in. This part could definitely use some work. Taking a customer from unboxing to ideal final configuration is a crucial set of steps where first impressions count for a lot. That said, this system sounds unbelievable for its price and size.

The Sound

After a few Dolby Atmos test tracks, the large of a presence of the Studio Mini 3D immediately established was amazing. It’s truly immersive with sound coming from seemingly everywhere. The down-firing subwoofer provided a killer low end and didn’t distort even at high volumes. It’s hard to believe that Definitive has been able to achieve this level of sound at such a low price point.

I moved past the test videos into music and it became clear very quickly that products like the Studio Mini 3D are transcending stereo audio for music listening as more services like TIDAL and Apple Music come our way with hi-res Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio tracks. Songs like Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Bob Marley’s “Exodus” enveloped me with a well-rounded balance of treble, midrange, and low end.

The Studio Mini 3D teases a future where we’ve moved past what can only be easily delivered with headphones. It creates an immersive audio experience as we all look for more ways to recreate live sound.

Final Report

Big things do indeed come in small packages. When a fantastic brand like Definitive Technology decides to throw their weight behind a category that’s been a little stale, the Studio 3D Mini emerges. It’s a steal at $899 for the system and appears clearly aimed at an audience focused on high-quality streaming and easy device connectivity. I highly recommend this system to anyone looking to outfit a naked TV or who just wants a killer speaker and subwoofer combination.