Discussions

[twiceover]

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/09/rokus-new-179-soundbar-doubles-as-a-streaming-device-works-w...

[atc98092]

Interesting. I think it's a touch pricey both the soundbar and subwoofer together, but not extremely so. Would be even better if it offered HDMI inputs to allow other devices to be connected, and not depend on the TV sending the audio back. As some have found, not all TVs will output multi-channel audio from external devices. Even if the soundbar is technically 2.0/2.1, having 5.1 input usually does better than the TV downmixing it to 2.0. 

[DubTaylor]

Considering I got some Logitech desktop speakers with the 'woof' for $40 that sound pretty darn good (external speaker jack), these $200 Roku Speakers better do something extra special - something I'm not exactly seeing at a glance.

[atc98092]

Well, supporting ARC is one thing your speakers don't.  I just priced soundbars a week ago for my daughter's TV, as they had a couple of speakers die and can't afford a complete 5.1 system at this time. I got them a pretty decent 2.1 soundbar for $150, and that included a sub. It doesn't support ARC, and of course neither it nor your speakers also contain a Roku Ultra within it. So, figuring about $80 of the price is the Ultra, the another $70 for the soundbar is actually a pretty good price. It's adding the sub for an addition $180 is where it's past the bargain level. I'd say a total of about $200, and you get a Roku Ultra, the soundbar and the sub, that would be an exceptional deal. 

[2pints]

Chances of a UK release.....
nah, we've got the Roku express (yay)

[DubTaylor]

"atc98092" wrote:
Well, supporting ARC is one thing your speakers don't.  I just priced soundbars a week ago for my daughter's TV, as they had a couple of speakers die and can't afford a complete 5.1 system at this time. I got them a pretty decent 2.1 soundbar for $150, and that included a sub. It doesn't support ARC, and of course neither it nor your speakers also contain a Roku Ultra within it. So, figuring about $80 of the price is the Ultra, the another $70 for the soundbar is actually a pretty good price. It's adding the sub for an addition $180 is where it's past the bargain level. I'd say a total of about $200, and you get a Roku Ultra, the soundbar and the sub, that would be an exceptional deal. 

Right, well, not even knowing what ARC is I googled a bit:
https://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-audio-return-channel-arc/

My Roku Ultra Remote - the battery eater it is - controls the TV's volume (and in turn the 'headphone jack') and it also controls the TV power. I realize this isn't the case for many, but here in DubTown it's working ok. I'm glad I didn't need to spend an extra C-Note or more on some sound to replace some really crappy speakers (are there ANY TV speakers that aren't really crappy?) (rhetorical - TV Speakers are really crappy these days).

The moral of the story?
If you're Roku brand loyal, have a couple hundred burning a hole in your pocket, need an Ultra and some crappy speaker replacement - Roku has a new sound bar that will fill ALL those needs.

$80 is about what I paid for my Ultra Refurb at Amazon. So in the end it's not a bad deal, but the speakers are a little pricey (where have I heard that before?).

[jeffrok]

Yeah, soundbars in general are a rip-off, considering all that they do. A set of speakers in the shape of a "bar" shouldn't cost as much or more than your TV, in my opinion.

[Ccmanuals]

Will the new ONN soundbar connect wirelessly to a Roku TV or do you have to use the hdmi connection?

[RokuTannerD]

@Ccmanuals 

The Onn. Roku Smart Soundbar soundbar connects to your TV via either HDMI or optical audio (S/PDIF). For more information, we'd recommend contacting Onn support.

You can also see more about the Onn soundbar on Walmart's website here: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Onn-Roku-Smart-Soundbar/642573197

Thanks,

Tanner

[emikoala]

 (are there ANY TV speakers that aren't really **bleep**?) (rhetorical - TV Speakers are really **bleep** these days).

Yep, this is a physics problem with flat-screen TVs and what consumers demand from them. Because consumers want thinner and lighter TVs, they make the speakers smaller and smaller to fit in the limited cabinet space, and because consumers want a thin-to-non-existent bezel without visible speakers along the sides or bottom pointing at the viewer, the speakers on flat-screens typically point down or at the wall behind the TV.

If you want good sound, you need bigger speakers that point at the listener/viewer, and the market has revealed that people are more inclined to buy a thin/light TV with minimal bezeling and add external speakers or deal with the **bleep** sound than to buy a bulky TV with great speakers built into the face of it. The latter don't sell well, so manufacturers stopped making them.

ETA: I'm not sure why your post is able to say c r a p p y but when I tried quoting you it was replacing with "bleep" - just adding this note that I wasn't offended by your language and this forum is doing the censoring, not me.