Cyber Monday deal: As a part of Amazon’s Cyber Monday gross sales, the Roku Streambar SE is on sale for $75, a $25 low cost from its common worth. This soundbar delivers sturdy sound high quality in a small package deal, and the cheaper price makes it a severe cut price for anybody trying to improve their audio with out buying a brand new TV. When I reviewed Roku’s Streambar SE final 12 months, I used to be pleasantly shocked by this mini soundbar that integrates Roku’s entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Given its compact dimension and comparatively low worth, I wasn’t anticipating a lot, however it carried out higher than I imagined it will. I believed I’d spotlight it once more, on condition that it is on sale for Cyber Monday as a limited-time deal on Amazon for $75, or 25% off its record worth of $100.When I say mini soundbar, I actually do imply mini (Roku stopped making its top-end Streambar Pro speaker, which was considerably greater). About the dimensions of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE measures 9.6 inches large by 3.5 inches deep by 2.4 inches tall and weighs 2 kilos (907 grams). It’s designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bed room, dwelling workplace or dorm room, and never your foremost lounge TV (except you’ve got a tiny lounge). I hooked it as much as an outdated 42-inch Vizio I’ve in my dwelling workplace, and it has been a strong improve over my TV’s built-in audio system. MEDIA STREAMING PLAYER DEALS OF THE WEEK Deals are chosen by the CNET Group commerce crew, and could also be unrelated to this text.Roku Streambar SE specsHere are the main points about this compact soundbar.Streaming Resolution: 4K HDR/HDR10 PlusDrivers: Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass portCompatibility: Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical portsDimensions: 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inchesWeight: 2 kilos (907 grams)Included: Standard Roku distant and a couple of AAA batteries, energy adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Wireless headphone help: Bluetooth 5.0Expandability: Can hook up with a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setupAdditional options: Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeEquipment, Google Home and Amazon AlexaUniversal distant: Included Roku distant controls most TVsMy Roku Streambar SE setupSetup is easy: It’s mainly the identical course of as connecting any video streamer to your TV, though it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port to simplify issues. (Most TVs launched within the final 10 to 12 years have one HDMI port that is labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you do not have ARC, there is a workaround utilizing an HDMI cable and an optical cable, however I did not should take care of that.Hey, do you know? CNET Deals texts are free, simple and prevent cash. An improve over my TV audio system’ soundI have Spectrum TV, and Roku has a Spectrum TV app that lets you flip any Roku streamer right into a cable TV field. For my listening take a look at, I spent a while watching a couple of motion motion pictures, together with Ant-Man and Nope, together with NFL Redzone, CNN and a little bit of a Friends episode. I additionally used Roku’s Apple TV app and Peacock to look at an English Premier League match. Maybe as a result of my expectations have been low, I used to be shocked by the quantity of sound this little speaker was capable of produce. While the Streambar SE would not supply the best sound — it might probably output solely a lot bass by means of its twin 1.9-inch full-range drivers and single bass port — the speaker produces higher audio than you’d assume given its very compact dimension. It’s significantly sturdy within the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue, and it delivers higher sound than what you get from most TV audio system (by that I imply the audio system constructed into your TV). If you need extra bass, you may hyperlink the speaker with Roku’s Wireless Bass subwoofer, however that separate sub will set you again $130.I can not say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you simply get an entire lot of stereo separation. It would not have the side-firing audio system of the step-up Streambar ($130), which earned a CNET Editors’ Choice award in 2023, nor are you able to pair it with Roku’s wi-fi rear audio system to create a encompass system. But the standard is sweet sufficient to go away you feeling such as you received a very good deal, significantly when you have been already going to shell out $30 or so for Roku’s Express 4K Plus or Streaming Stick 4K.
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The Roku Streambar is considerably smaller than a full-size soundbar like this Sonos Beam. David Carnoy/CNETAs far as sound modes go, you get a couple of presets to select from, together with Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard, and the speaker will lower the amount down on loud commercials. The soundbar can also be outfitted with Bluetooth, so you may join headphones to it, plus Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay help.Read extra: Best Soundbar of 2025: Top Picks From Roku, Yamaha and MoreI ought to observe that the bundled distant is Roku’s extra primary distant and never its step-up voice distant that permits you to challenge voice instructions and voice search. However, you may obtain Roku’s cellular app for iOS and Android, which does help voice instructions. The again of the speaker (bass port on left). David Carnoy/CNETThe Streambar SE gives 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming, however it would not have help for Dolby Vision. My outdated Vizio is not even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE’s video streaming capabilities are greater than sufficient.Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based evaluations. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply.Why Roku’s Streambar SE makes an awesome presentWhile Roku’s step-up Streambar ($130) actually delivers higher sound high quality, the Streambar SE’s extra compact dimension and inexpensive worth give it a definite attraction, significantly for these of us trying to improve the sound of a extra modest-size TV, maybe an older mannequin like mine. The Streambar SE is not fancy, however the worth is correct for what it does. To examine this with different choices, try our present record of one of the best soundbars out there. And for extra discounted tech, peruse our record of one of the best Black Friday offers happening proper now. Join Our Daily Deals Text Group!
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