Roku Streambar

A full featured sound bar with 2.0 non-surround channels, WiFi audio and video streaming capability, and built-in Roku Voice Control digital voice assistant.

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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: Roku's Streambar delivers sound quality that fall in the Fair range. Bass has decent impact, is slightly subdued, and doesn't go deep. Midrange is a bit thin, somewhat hazy, grainy, and congested, and a touch plasticky. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit prominent and sizzly. It does a so-so job of recovering room ambience, and the overall sound is somewhat congested. With stereo program material the 2 channel (stereo) sound field extends a bit above, and somewhat beyond the width of the speaker array, and lacks front to back depth. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the tonal balance. With 5.1 channel program material the sound field can extend somewhat higher and wider than with stereo program material but it still lacks depth. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the tonal balance. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, USB, and Bluetooth inputs; the WiFi streaming inputs may sound like there is a bit less treble extension. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.

TV ease of use: Excellent overall.

Features ease of use: Excellent overall.

About

A full-featured soundbar system with 2.0 non-surround channels which are expandable to 4.1 surround channels. The Streambar features internet audio and video content access over WiFi, Bluetooth wireless audio connectivity, and has built-in digital voice assistant capability. It can also be controlled by a digital voice assistant when used with an optional smart speaker.

Features & Specs

Features

No. of channels

2 non-surround expandable to 4.1 surround

Number of speakers, as supplied

Active subwoofer

Wireless subwoofer

Optional

Wireless surround speakers

Optional

WiFi audio streaming platform

Roku

WiFi streaming audio services

Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, plus others

WiFi video streaming platform

Roku

Optional multi-room sharing

Yes

Has On Screen Display (OSD) Feature

Yes

Audio USB host mode

Yes

Dolby Atmos

DTS:X

Simulated surround sound

Virtual surround sound

Dialog enhancement

Yes

Has "Night" Mode and/or Dynamic Range Compression

Yes

Tone adjustments

Bass Boost

Built-in digital assistant mic mute indicator

Works with the following digital assistant(s)

Amazon Alexa (with Amazon Alexa app on mobile device and/or optional Amazon smart speaker), Google Assistant (with Google Home app on mobile device and/or optional Google smart speaker), Apple Siri (with optional Apple mobile device or optional Apple smart speaker),

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)

Roku mobile

App operating system(s)

Apple, Android

Maximum pass-through HDMI video resolution

Ultra HD 4K

HDR video HDMI pass-through

Yes

Dolby Vision video HDMI pass-through

Auto speaker calibration

Speaker set-up test tone function

Updatable software/firmware

Yes

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, free Roku remote control and service app download for Apple and Android mobile devices.

Warranty (mos.): parts/labor

12/12

Other features

Can be converted to a 2.1 channel system with the addition of the optional 9201R Roku wireless powered subwoofer, and a four channel surround sound system with the addition of optional RokuTV wireless speakers used as rear surround speakers. Can be combined with optional Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple AirPlay2 compatible speaker systems to be used as part of a multi-room Wi-Fi music system. Wired Ethernet requires optional USB adaptor.

No. of speakers supplied

Other DSP modes

3D video HDMI pass-through

Voice control

Yes

Remote control app operating system(s)

Apple, Android

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, Video, Photo

Accessible Internet content providers

Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music /audio, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Vudu, Sling, Disney+, HBO Now, Youtube ,Stingray Qello, etc. /video, Roku Channel Store /games

Wireless surround spkrs/amps

Optional

Can respond to remote controls of some same-brand TVs

Yes

Network platform/content

Roku Proprietary, DLNA/audio, video, photo

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

Yes

Can respond to remote controls of some major brand TVs

Specs

Height (in.)

2.5

Width (in.)

Depth (in.)

5.5

Subwoofer dimensions (HxWxD)

Side surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD)

Rear surround speaker dimensions (HxWxD)

Soundbar/base dimensions (HxWxD)

2.5 x 14 x 5.5

Connections

HDMI in (quantity)

Digital audio optical (input)

Yes

Stereo Analog Audio In (RCA jack)

Stereo Analog Audio In (3.5mm jack)

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

Yes

LAN connection

Optional

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

Other connections

None

Coaxial digital audio (in/out)

0/0

Ethernet connection

Optional

HDMI (in/out)

0/1

Stereo analog audio (in/out)

0/0

Optical digital audio (in/out)

1/0

Mini-jack input for portable audio player

Headphone jack

Bluetooth (in/out)

Yes/No

HDMI Out

HDMI ARC

Price & Shop

Roku Streambar

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

Detailed Test Results

About

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