Sound quality: Onn's 5.1.2 Surround Soundbar System (100135495) has acceptable overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Standard sound mode with the bass tone control set to provide the most even tonal balance, bass has good impact and goes deep but is bit prominent, boomy, and somewhat tubby. However, depending on content the volume of bass can fluctuate. Midrange is fairly even but is somewhat hazy, echoey and congested, a bit grainy and muffled. Treble is fairly extended, the lower treble is subdued while the mid treble is somewhat sizzly and smeared. Depending on content can be a bit compressed. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience, but the echoey quality of the midrange gives the sound an overly reverberant quality and the overall sound is somewhat congested. With stereo program material the two channel sound field extends a bit above and to the sides of the speaker array and lacks depth. Individual instruments and voices can be identified, but have a two dimensional quality.
Sound Modes
The various sound modes have a significant effect on the sound quality.
Multi-channel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the movie sound mode the sound field may extends past the sides and well above the soundbar, but still lacks depth.
Sound Modes (Multi-channel)
The various sound modes, talk, movie and music, virtual have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the room; audio imaging can extend up and above from the front of the room to directly overhead, and there was rear surround effect. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional.
DTS-X
When playing DTS-X (DTS-HD displayed) material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the room; audio imaging can extend above and directly overhead, and rear sounds can be heard from the rear speakers. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional.
TV ease of use: mediocre overall.
Features ease of use: mediocre overall.
