Hisense HS212F

Soundbars / Basic Soundbars

A basic sound bar with 2.1 non-surround channels, a wireless subwoofer.

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CR Expert Take

How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

Overall Score

The Overall Score for this model is derived from our expert lab test results.

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Current Range of Tested Soundbars

What goes into the Overall Score?

Sound quality

/ 5

Ease of use (TV)

/ 5

Ease of use (Features)

/ 5

Versatility

/ 5

480i DVD picture quality

/ 5

HD picture quality

/ 5

Ease of use

/ 5

Upconverted DVD picture quality

/ 5

Type (bar or base)

/ 5

Surround sound system

/ 5

WIFI audio streaming content

/ 5

Built-in digital assistant / voice control

/ 5

Number of speakers supplied

/ 5

Number of channels

/ 5

Built-in digital assistant

/ 5

Surround sound

/ 5

Internet streaming

/ 5

System type

/ 5

Height channels

/ 5

Detailed Test Results

Sound quality: Hisense's HS212F has Fair overall sound quality - this model has sonic shortcomings that leave a lot to be desired when listening to music but don't rule it out for dialog. In the Music mode the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is slightly prominent, and somewhat boomy. Midrange is hazy, somewhat grainy, a bit telephone like and has a slight plastic resonance. Treble is subdued, somewhat sizzly and a bit smeared, and the upper treble is muted. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience, and sounds congested. With stereo program material the two channel sound field extends a bit above and not much beyond the sides of the speaker array, and lacks depth. The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance. The virtual surround mode created a more expansive sound field, but added an echoey quality. With multi-channel program material the sound field is not significantly different from what was heard with stereo program material. The various sound modes and virtual surround mode had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, analog, coax, Bluetooth, and USB inputs. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.

TV ease of use: Very good overall.

Features ease of use: Very good overall.

About

A basic soundbar system with 2.1 non-surround channels. The HS212F comes with a wireless subwoofer and features Bluetooth wireless audio connectivity.

Features & Specs

Features

No. of channels

2.1 non-surround

Number of speakers, as supplied

Active subwoofer

Yes

Wireless subwoofer

Yes

Wireless surround speakers

WiFi audio streaming platform

WiFi streaming audio services

WiFi video streaming platform

Optional multi-room sharing

Has On Screen Display (OSD) Feature

Audio USB host mode

Yes

Dolby Atmos

DTS:X

Simulated surround sound

Virtual surround sound

Yes

Dialog enhancement

Has "Night" Mode and/or Dynamic Range Compression

Yes

Tone adjustments

Treble, Bass

Built-in digital assistant mic mute indicator

Works with the following digital assistant(s)

None

Programmable to respond to TV remote controls

Can respond to remote controls from TVs with HDMI ARC CEC

Yes

Universal remote

Available app remote control(s)

None

App operating system(s)

Maximum pass-through HDMI video resolution

HDR video HDMI pass-through

Dolby Vision video HDMI pass-through

Auto speaker calibration

Speaker set-up test tone function

Updatable software/firmware

data not available

Sound bar/base is wall-mountable

Yes

Included surround speakers are wall-mountable

Included accessories

HDMI digital video/audio connecting cable, digital audio optical connecting cable, remote control.

Warranty (mos.): parts/labor

12/12

Other features

None

No. of speakers supplied

1.1

Other DSP modes

Yes

3D video HDMI pass-through

Voice control

Remote control app operating system(s)

Sleep timer function

DTS digital audio decoding

HDMI Output with Audio Return Channel (ARC) capability

Yes

Can stream content from computer or NAS server on home network

Dolby Atmos digital audio decoding

DTS:X digital audio decoding

DTS-HD Master Audio digital audio decoding

Surround speakers are wall-mountable

PCM digital audio decoding

Yes

USB host mode(s)

Audio

Accessible Internet content providers

Wireless surround spkrs/amps

Can respond to remote controls of some same-brand TVs

Yes

Network platform/content

Dolby Digital digital audio decoding

Yes

DTS-HD Master Aud Essential digital audio decoding

Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding

DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding

Dolby True HD digital audio decoding

Remote also controls some same-brand TVs

Ultra HD video HDMI pass-through

Can respond to remote controls of some major brand TVs

Specs

Height (in.)

2.25

Width (in.)

Depth (in.)

3.25

Subwoofer dimensions (HxWxD)

13.5 x 8.5 x 10

Side surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD)

Rear surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD)

Soundbar/base dimensions (HxWxD)

2.25 x 38 x 3.25

Connections

HDMI in (quantity)

Digital audio optical (input)

Yes

Stereo Analog Audio In (RCA jack)

Stereo Analog Audio In (3.5mm jack)

Yes

Active subwoofer pre-amp out

Bluetooth (input)

Yes

Bluetooth (output)

Wireless connection via Bluetooth to many Bluetooth capable TVs

Wireless connection via Bluetooth to some Bluetooth capable TVs of the same brand

USB port

Yes

WiFi connection

LAN connection

Wireless connection via WiFi to some WiFi capable TVs of the same brand

Other connections

Coax in

Coaxial digital audio (in/out)

1/0

Ethernet connection

HDMI (in/out)

0/1

Stereo analog audio (in/out)

1/0

Optical digital audio (in/out)

1/0

Mini-jack input for portable audio player

Yes

Headphone jack

Bluetooth (in/out)

Yes/No

HDMI Out

HDMI ARC

Price & Shop

Hisense HS212F

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

Detailed Test Results

About

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