Sound quality: Hisense's HS312 has Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Music mode the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is slightly prominent, and somewhat boomy. Midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat hazy, and a bit grainy and congested, and has a slight plastic resonance. Treble is fairly extended, a bit prominent, smeared, and sizzly. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience. With stereo program material the two channel sound field extends somewhat above and not much beyond the sides of the speaker array, and lacks depth. The various sound modes and the virtual surround mode had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance. With multi-channel program material the sound field may extend further past the sides and above the soundbar, but still lacks depth. The various sound modes and virtual surround mode had a noticeable effect on the sound field and tonal balance. When playing Dolby Atmos material with the virtual surround mode turned off, the width and height of the sound field expands, and depending on the program material, the sound field can extend up and above into the ceiling and extends about 1/5th of the way into the room. When playing Dolby Atmos material with the virtual surround mode turned on, the width and height of the sound field expands further, and depending on the program material, the sound field can extend up and above into the ceiling and extends about 1/3rd of the way into the room. In either case there was no rear surround effect, sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front, and the other sound modes have no effect on Dolby Atmos program material. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, analog, coax, Bluetooth, and USB inputs. Dolby Atmos program material can only be played when the soundbar is directly connected to video player via an HDMI connection, or when it is used with a TV that has a HDMI ARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or a HDMI eARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or Dolby Digital TrueHD. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
TV setup and ease of use: Good overall.
Features setup and ease of use: Good overall.
