Sound quality: Philips's TAB5306/37 has Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In the Music EQ mode the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is tubby and somewhat prominent. The midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat grainy, hazy and congested, a bit plasticky and dark. Treble is fairly extended, but is somewhat subdued and smeared, and a bit sizzly. Does a so-so job of recovering the room ambience from the recording. The overall sound is somewhat congested. When playing back stereo program material the sound field extends somewhat above and a bit beyond the width of the speaker array and there is no sense of depth. The various sound modes had a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Music EQ mode the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends well beyond the height and somewhat beyond the width of the soundbar enclosure. The various sound modes had an effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance that ranged from subtle to very noticeable. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, Aux, and Bluetooth 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.
