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Surround sound performance on the Roku Smart Soundbar may be disappointing, but it does get loud, and its basic features should be enough for the user who prioritizes ease of use over everything else.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Roku Smart Soundbar is an entry-level speaker that was released in early 2020. One of its most significant pros is that it offers unhindered access to popular streaming platforms through its streaming media player.
Other than that, prospective buyers should know that it doesn’t ship with a subwoofer and that it also doesn’t support Dolby Atmos content – features that are hard to miss among the best speakers in the industry.
The soundbar’s soundstage is only good enough for owners to get a general idea of where object sounds are being projected from.
It also gets loud enough to use in crowded settings, and although it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it doesn’t work with Apple AirPlay and isn’t compatible with Chromecast.
Its physical inputs include one Optical Audio In port and one HDMI ARC port – a far cry from what top-rated soundbars have to offer.
Consensus
our Verdict
The 2.0 channel Roku Smart Soundbar is an entry-level alternative that’s well-made and offers great vocals and instrumentals.
The lack of a subwoofer means it isn’t capable of a good bass response, but it gets fairly loud and has reliable Bluetooth and Wifi connectivity. Its surround sound performance is poor since surround content is downmixed into stereo, hindering immersiveness.
Dolby Atmos isn’t supported, and port selection only consists of an Optical Audio In port, HDMI ARC, and a USB port. Per testing, latency is low enough (91ms over ARC and 95ms Optical) for audio-visuals to sync, but there’s no voice assistant support.
The lack of a subwoofer may scare away bass enthusiasts, but for buyers looking for an easy-to-use sound system, the Roku Smart Soundbar is worth a look.
ReasonS to Buy
Sturdy build quality
Great wireless connectivity options
Easy setup, no-nonsense installation process
Integration with Roku ecosystem for a consistent interface
Subwoofer accessory available for enhanced bass
Reason to Avoid
Bass, while decent, is not comparable to larger speakers
Basic port selection options
Limited sound customization options
No dedicated center channel for emphasized vocals
HDMI ARC setup might have initial recognition issues
Roku Smart Soundbar Specs
Bluetooth Enabled
Yes
Depth
3.9"
Energy Star Certified
No
HDMI ARC
Yes
Height
2.8"
Number of Audio Channels
–
Subwoofer
Optional (sold separately)
Voice Assistant
No
Wall Mountable
Yes
Weight
5.5 lbs
Width
32.2"
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity
Yes
Works With
Remote Control
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Soundbars based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
63.496
High End Roll Off (Hz)
9,948.487
Max Volume Test (db)
90.2
Latency (ms)
91
THD @ 80dB
0.4
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Product Comparison
Roku Smart Soundbar Review
True Score
79
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Ranking
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149
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Market Context
The Roku Smart Soundbar is an entry-level speaker that was released in early 2020. One of its most significant pros is that it offers unhindered…
The Roku Smart Soundbar is an entry-level speaker that was released in early 2020. One of its most significant pros is that it offers unhindered access to popular streaming platforms through its streaming media player.
Other than that, prospective buyers should know that it doesn’t ship with a subwoofer and that it also doesn’t support Dolby Atmos content – features that are hard to miss among the best speakers in the industry.
The soundbar’s soundstage is only good enough for owners to get a general idea of where object sounds are being projected from.
It also gets loud enough to use in crowded settings, and although it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it doesn’t work with Apple AirPlay and isn’t compatible with Chromecast.
Its physical inputs include one Optical Audio In port and one HDMI ARC port – a far cry from what top-rated soundbars have to offer.
The Roku Smart Soundbar might be hard to differentiate from the Roku Streambar Pro, but the Pro ships with an updated remote with a headphone…
The Roku Smart Soundbar might be hard to differentiate from the Roku Streambar Pro, but the Pro ships with an updated remote with a headphone jack for private listening. We’ve also taken some time to delve into the Streambar Pro, so if you’re interested, go ahead and check out what else it has to offer through our Roku Streambar Pro review.
The Roku Smart Soundbar is a 2-channel soundbar that is significantly wider than the Roku Streambar. It can get slightly louder than the Roku Streambar…
The Roku Smart Soundbar is a 2-channel soundbar that is significantly wider than the Roku Streambar. It can get slightly louder than the Roku Streambar at max volume and can also deliver a better surround sound experience. In contrast, the Roku Streambar offers Apple AirPlay connectivity, while the Smart Soundbar lacks this feature.
The Roku Smart Soundbar is outdone by the Bose Solo 5 in terms of build quality, but the Smart Soundbar offers better wireless connectivity since…
The Roku Smart Soundbar is outdone by the Bose Solo 5 in terms of build quality, but the Smart Soundbar offers better wireless connectivity since it supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, while the Solo 5 is limited to Bluetooth.
