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TV sounds a little dull? If you do not want to buy a new TV, try a sound bar to give the one you have a big boost, namely the Roku Smart Soundbar. It is a smart two-in-one that also works as a video streaming device. This smart hybrid is on sale for $ 150, or $ 30 off at Amazon. This is almost a 20 percent discount!
And if you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping, of course. Not a member yet? No problem. You can sign up here for your free 30 day trial. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free delivery on orders of $ 25 or more.)
What is it?
If you have a 4K TV with bare legs (no smart home or video streaming features), upgrading the audio and adding video streaming is very convenient – especially since it is embedded in your TV with just one fast HDMI cable (included) for quick and easy setup.
The Roku Smart Soundbar is also Bluetooth-enabled to sync with smartphones, tablets and laptops, so you can stream directly from your device to the soundbar, and you can pair it with other Bluetooth speakers for a more immersive viewing experience. It even contains a ‘silent mode’. This is for the occasions when live TV is watched and the commercials are much louder than the program. With this feature, everything stays on the same volume. A religion!
“… Two of my favorite features are the brightness of speech and the volume leveling, it makes the viewing experience much better,” shared a delighted five-star reviewer. “Being able to understand speech more clearly and not make the ads spin louder is great. If you’re looking for a great soundbar, look no further. Incredible sound quality …”
It is also a video streaming device
The Roku Smart Soundbar is also a power device with the built-in Roku platform. This means you have instant access to more than 500,000 video and music channels – including Netflix, HBO Max, Disney +, Hulu, Prime Video, Peacock, Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited, Pandora and so much more – out of the box.
Sync this audio / video streamer with your home Wi-Fi network for instant access to your favorite movies and TV shows. In fact, it is also compatible with Alexa and Google Home virtual assistants, so if you have an Echo Dot or Google Home Mini, you can control this soundbar with just the voice sound.
Meanwhile, it comes with a remote control that can also control your TV, so you only need to have one clicker for your TV, streaming device and audio bar. The Roku Remote even has built-in voice search, so you do not have to ‘hunt and pick’ on a virtual keyboard to search for new movies and TV shows. Hold down the microphone icon on the remote control and just say what you want to look at. So handy.
“… It’s quick and easy to stream,” said a satisfied Amazon buyer. “I’m regularly grabbing the remote and using the talk button to start my favorite channels. I would definitely like to get one for my parents. Buy good, I would definitely recommend it to a friend.”
The competition
One of the best features of this audio bar is the versatility of video streaming. While other audio bars like the Sony 2.1-Channel Soundbar ($ 148) or the JBL Bar 2.1 ($ 200) can deliver comparable sound, sleek design and competitive price points, the Roku Smart Soundbar is one of the few that comes with the video. built-in streaming and is super easy to install and use.
“… I had a Sony soundbar a few years ago and Roku is light years ahead,” wrote a clever expert.
Bottom line
At $ 150 ($ 180), the Roku Smart Soundbar was one of the best TV audio bars for more than just great entertainment for your money. Be prepared for wall-to-wall movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts with Roku streaming.
“This Roku Smart Sound bar is fantastic, just what I needed. It’s very simple to set up, love the remote and streaming was good,” added another five-star reviewer. “… I would recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their TV sound, stream programs and simplify your television setup.”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent revisions at the time of publication.
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