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Wohome S9920 TV Soundbar review


REVIEW – Watching movies and listening to music are two things that I do frequently and as much as a few times weekly when I have some time to relax and unwind. Even when just watching television, I like to have the experience include nice clear and defined audio. These days, there is a multitude of soundbars on the market and they all seem to tout their features as better than the others hoping for a bigger share of consumer interest and purchases. One such entry into this crowded market is the Wohome S9920 Soundbar. Here is the summary of my review.

What is it?

The Wohome S9920 is a 2 channel system soundbar that is 40 inches long that can produce up to 80 Watts of audio output from 6 built-in drivers. It offers several connectivity options along with a remote control for convenience. It is also wall mountable.

What’s in the box


1 x Wohome S9920 Soundbar
1 x Wall Mounting Template
2 x Wall Mounting Brackets
1 x AC Power Adapter
1 x Remote Control
1 x Optical Audio Cable
1 x 1/8” to RCA Audio Cable
2 x Wall Anchors and Screws
1 x Quick User Guide
1 x User Manual
1 x Satisfaction Contact Card

Design and features

Specifications:
Input: Bluetooth, AUX in, 3.5mm in, USB, optical, coaxial
Distortion: <1%
Frequency response: 40HZ-20K HZ
Speakers: 4*15W full Range+2*10W Tweeters
Audio: 3D Surround Sound System: designed with DSP Technology
Output: 80W
STN: ≥105dB
Input power: DC 19V, 3.4A
Channels: 2
Dimensions: 4.0 x 4.1 x 39.7 in

On the back of this sleek 40-inch soundbar, there is a wall mount hanger on each side that allows you to mount it to a wall using the included hardware and template to accurately drill the mounting holes accurately.


Also on the back of the soundbar, there are the connectivity options. As shown in the picture below from left to right, the connections are the optical port, the coaxial input jack, the left and right RCA input jacks, the auxiliary input port, a USB port, the power port, and the on/off switch.


On one side of the soundbar, there are control buttons that allow you to manually turn the power on or off, raise or lower the volume and pause or play the sound. The power button also shares the mute function.


On the front of the soundbar, there is a LED that is red when the power switch is on but the audio is turned off either via the manual button on the side or by the remote, and blue when the audio power is turned on.


Performance

Once I removed the soundbar from the box, setup was very easy. I decided not to mount it on a wall, but rather I choose to rest in on one of the shelves of my TV stand. Once I connected the AC adapter and the optical cable, it was ready to go. I powered it on and it immediately worked. I already had a soundbar that was connected via the optical connection, so I just had to swap the optical cable to this one. There was no additional configuration needed. After testing the optical connectivity, I then tested via the auxiliary port by connecting to the 3.5mm audio output port on my BenQ projector. Again, it worked like a charm. I was also able to test using the 3.5mm to RCA cable via the RCA inputs since my projector has the 3.5mm audio output. It worked with no issues. My plan is to use this soundbar dedicated to my projector and it passed all of my requirements with the exception of what I deem to be a major flaw that stops it from being a completely versatile soundbar. There is no output port to connect a subwoofer. This is not a deal breaker for listening to music, but a bigger deal when watching movies, and especially movies that take advantage of low frequencies for their special effects. In my opinion, the lack of this option was a big miss and a lost opportunity to appeal to a larger consumer base.

The option of using the USB port works by inserting a USB drive with music on it. I am not sure if all types of music files will play, but .mp4 files do. This feature may appeal to some, but with streaming or network drives being commonly used these days, I don’t have much use for it.

I do use this Wohome soundbar every evening when I play my Contemporary Jazz via Pandora as a part of my relaxation and bedtime wind down. I love the Bluetooth capability that paired very easily and works flawlessly. The sound and frequency separation are adequate both for television and music, and there is no discernable distortion even at the maximum volume. The lows, mids, and highs are well balanced and provide a pleasant listening experience, and for movies, the 3D and surround sound features work as expected. The soundbar is not exceptionally loud, but very adequate for my 240 square foot room. Despite the lack of the option to add on a subwoofer, it is adequate for relaxation music and works well for a genre like jazz.

What I like

  • The sound
  • The Bluetooth connectivity
  • The sleek look and finish
  • The ease of operation
  • The variety of connectivity options

What can be improved

  • The ability to connect a subwoofer should be included
  • Batteries for the remote should be included

Final thoughts

The Wohome S9920 Soundbar has filled a desired need of mine to have a dedicated soundbar for use with my projector. In that capacity, it works well but loses big points for not having a subwoofer output. I also use it almost every night at bedtime to listen to my Contemporary Jazz as I drift off to sleep and it fits that role perfectly both in function and in audio capability. It is a good deal for the price, and if you do not want or need to connect a subwoofer, it is a winner. For folks like me, it gets a well done but could be better!!

Price: $109.98
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wohome.

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Wohome S9920 TV Soundbar review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 28, 2019 at 10:30 am.

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Zvox AccuVoice AV203 SoundBar TV Speaker with Hearing Aid Technology review


REVIEW – Over the years, I have purchased and listened to many soundbars. I still have my Yamaha SoundBar that I purchased for almost $2k, and that was over 10 years ago. My living room Tv is without one, and sometimes the TV speakers do not reproduce the dialogue clearly so that the words separate from the other noises and allow me to understand all that is being said. The Zvox AccuVoice AV203 Sound Bar TV Speaker with Hearing Aid Technology promises to do just that. Let’s see how this test turned out.

What is it?

The AccuVoice AV203 is a dialogue enhancement speaker that offers six levels of voice boost using patented hearing aid technology. Each new level delivers stronger dialogue emphasis while minimizing the non-vocal parts of the soundtrack.

What’s in the box


1 x AccuVoice AV203 Sound Bar TV Speaker with Hearing Aid Technology
1 x Optical Audio Cable
1 x Remote Control
1 x AC Adapter
1 x Instruction Booklet
1 x Warranty/Support Leaflet
1 x RCA Audio cable
1 x 1/8’ Audio cable

Design and features

Specifications:
• Dimensions: 17″ W x 3.1″ D x 2.9″ H
• Weight: 2.8 pounds. With box and packing: 4.9 pounds.
• Amplifier: high-efficiency 24-watt Class D digital amplifier.
• Rear inputs: (1) (Toslink) digital input, (1) analog/digital 3.5mm input, (1) headphone/subwoofer 3.5mm                                         output.
• Three full-range speakers.
• Includes hanger slots on back panel for wall-mounting.
• 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.
• One year limited parts and labor warranty.

On the front of the soundbar, there is a speaker grille that goes from on end to the other with a < .05″ bezel on each side. The brand name is in the center.


At the back of the soundbar, there are 4 input jacks. From left to right as shown below: AC Power Jack; Optical Digital Input; Headphone or Subwoofer Output; Optical/Analog Input.


On the left side of the soundbar, there is a manual control pad that allows you to power on/off and to raise or lower the volume.

Performance

This soundbar performs very well and makes it so very easy to hear the dialogue over other background sounds. The front of the soundbar has a mesh type grille, with the branding in the center and the LED display underneath the grille on the right. Once you connect to power, you can use the remote control or the manual buttons on the side to turn it on/off or to manipulate the volume. The display shows the command you choose.


Once powered on, you can select the input that you used by clicking on the input button on the remote. The input selections show on the display.


The AccuVoice sound selection goes from AC 1 to AC 6, with each selection raising the dialogue presence and lowering all other background sounds. This includes lows, mids, and highs, so you would make your selection based on what you are watching. For example, if watching a musical show, I choose AC 1 to leave the lows, mids, and highs as very present. For a movie that is focused on the dialogue, I choose from AC 3 to AC 6 depending on how much clarity I want/need. The voice enhancement versus the lowering of the background noise is gradual per each selection.


You can use the remote control or the control buttons on the side to raise or lower the volume. The volume level shows on the display.

As you can see from the picture of the remote control, there are additional features like virtual surround sound, etc. You can read about all of the features on the Zvox website.

What I like

  • The compact and non-intrusive design
  • The build quality
  • The sound
  • The connectivity options
  • The ease of installation and use

What can be improved

  • For my personal use, I can’t think of anything

Final thoughts

After listening to many soundbars including expensive ones and many that are deemed to be of audiophile quality, I had my doubts about this AccuVoice AV203 SoundBar. It is much smaller than my expensive Yamaha soundbar that boasts something like 50 drivers, and the Yamaha really does sound great especially when watching movies with a ton for background sound effects. However, the Accuvoice turned out to be the perfect fit for my living room TV, and unlike my Yamaha, the ability to manipulate the sound via the selections to actually produce exceptionally clear dialogue is quite amazing and pleasing to me. Since it also includes the ability to add a subwoofer should I choose to, I have no complaints. I give this device two thumbs way up!!!!

Price: $269.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Zvox.

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Zvox AccuVoice AV203 SoundBar TV Speaker with Hearing Aid Technology review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 31, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Sonos PLAY:5 speaker review

REVIEW – I have been a Sonos fan for years and continue to slowly expand my collection in my attempt bring music to all corners of my world. The Sonos ecosystem and hardware bring excellent sound, connectivity, and control to where ever you desire. My Sonos world consists of a pair of Ones in my bedroom and Connect:AMP wired to outdoor speakers on our patio. So, when Julie asked if I’d like to try the PLAY:5 I jumped at the chance. I have been wanting to try Sonos’ biggest, baddest speaker for a while now.

What is it?

The PLAY:5 is Sonos’ largest wireless streaming music speaker to date, both physically and from a sound experience as well. The PLAY:5 is jam-packed with a complex set of speakers producing incredibly rich detailed sound, all within a surprisingly compact space. This stylish, minimalistic design works very well in pretty much any room.

Design and features

As I stated, the second generation Sonos PLAY:5 is packed full of speakers including: three tweeters, three mid-woofers with six Class-D digital amplifiers perfectly tuned to match the six dedicated speaker drivers and the acoustic architecture.

The second generation PLAY:5 has a cleaner, softer physical design than its predecessor with round edges and small rubber feet on the bottom and sides allowing for either horizontal or vertical orientation.

Placement and Setup:

The PLAY:5 can fill nearly any space you have in your home…sure, if you have a 10+k sqft house you might need a few.

But overall the sound the PLAY:5 produces could rattle a majority of the pictures and windows in the average home. In my case, I am installing it in our living room/dining room area for holiday music/parties if nothing else 🎄. As you can see here, even though it is Sonos’ largest music speaker, the PLAY:5 is pretty unobtrusive and fits nicely into nearly any setting.

I also tried the PLAY:5 in our relatively massive garage (aka the Garagemahal), an 1800 sqft space with 12 foot ceilings that the single speaker filled nicely. But if I was going to permanently go that direction, I’d probably splurge on a pair of the PLAY:5’s (and who knows perhaps the Sonos Sub as well) in that void. While not weather or waterproof, the PLAY:5 is humidity/moisture resistant and would survive in this sort of space just fine. Which is key here in the great Pacific Northwest.

Setting up the PLAY:5 is simple with the Sonos app, taking 5 minutes tops and included: connecting to my wireless network, updating the PLAY:5’s firmware, and using TruePlay tuning to tailor the sound to the space. TruePlay tuning made a surprising difference in the sound experience. The PLAY:5 sounds good right out of the box but once you customize any Sonos speaker to the space it is in makes all the difference.

I placed the PLAY:5 at the far corner of our house from our wireless router, the signal has to go thru multiple walls including a huge brick and mortar fireplace. I was a bit worried the speaker would have connectivity issues but it connected to our network without issue and has not glitched yet. Though if the wireless range is a problem, the Play:5 has an ethernet port on the back you can hardwire the speaker to your router.

In addition to power and ethernet, the last port on the back of the PLAY:5 is a line-in, auto-detecting 3.5 mm connection for attaching other audio devices to the speaker.

Sound Quality:

Point blank…the PLAY:5’s sound quality is stellar. At all volume levels the music experience is impressive; the PLAY:5 produces clear, rich, full sound. The Play:5 fills the middle floor of our home with music easily at a relatively moderate volume setting. I tested its range on a variety of music types from classic rock to the 1812 Overture, all sounding excellent. There was no distortion, no matter how high I cranked up the volume, the PLAY:5 delivers big, precise response on all levels. The bass is deep, bold, and not muddled. I could go on & on, but Sonos has yet to disappoint me on sound quality.

Sonos Ecosystem:

One of the best features of the Sonos universe is its overarching functionality, meaning how you manage, control, and what you can play on your speakers. You have always been able to play a multitude of streaming services (Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc) on your Sonos systems but the addition of AirPlay 2 and (optional) Alexa integration have made living in the Sonos world even easier and more seamless, all with greater functionality.

Manual Controls:

While I manage my Sonos speaker via my iPhone 99% of the time, the PLAY:5 has top-panel touch controls when need be.

Specifications:

Audio:

  • Six Class-D digital amplifiers perfectly tuned to match the six dedicated speaker drivers and the acoustic architecture.
  • Three tweeters create the crispest and clearest high-frequency response.
  • Three mid-woofers ensure you’ll hear the faithful playback of mid-range vocal frequencies plus deep, rich bass—without distortion, even at high volumes.
  • Phased speaker array (three drivers on top and three on the bottom) creates a wide stereo soundstage that directs the sound left, right, and center.
  • Audio line-in. An auto-detecting 3.5 mm connection.
  • Adjustable bass and treble controls let you customize your sound by individual room or groups of rooms

Power & Networking:

  • Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input.
  • Connects to your home WiFi network with any 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz broadcast-capable router for uninterrupted wireless streaming.
  • One 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port. Wire directly to your router to operate your Sonos if WiFi is unstable, or use the Ethernet port to provide Internet access to non-wireless devices if you’re using Boost setup.

Physical:

  • Dimensions – H x W x D 8.03 x 14.33 x 6.06 in. (203 x 364 x 154 mm).
  • Weight – 14 lbs. (6.36 kg).
  • Finish – White or black matte enclosure with graphite grille.
  • Touch-interface controls & lights
  • Capacitive touch controls for volume up/down, previous/next track, and play/pause. LED indicates Sonos component status and mute status.

What I like

  • Vibrant, full rich room-filling sound
  • Clean minimalistic look/style
  • Easy setup
  • Tailored room configuration via TruePlay
  • Excellent wireless range
  • Humidity/moisture resistant

What needs to be improved

  • Expensive

Final thoughts

The Sonos PLAY:5 is the best wireless speaker I have ever used or heard to date…hands down walking away. The sound quality is excellent, producing a rich, full listening experience. I can only imagine what a pair of them would sound like. Add the Sonos ecosystem/app, optional Alexa integration, and AirPlay 2 support makes bringing music to your world easy and seamless. We all know Apple and others are doing their best to gain smart-speaker market share but all fall far short of the universe Sonos only continues to improve upon.

Price: $499.99
Where to buy: Available from Sonos or Adorama.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Adorama.

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Sonos PLAY:5 speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 19, 2018 at 9:30 am.

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Blitzwolf BW-SDB1 Sound Bar review

 

REVIEW – Gone are the days when a whole room of equipment was needed to have great audio. As sound reproduction improves, small and smaller gadgets are being built to permit room-filling sound without the bulk. There are many sound bars on the market to fill such needs so I decided to take Blitzwolf’s BW-SDB1 for a spin to compare.

What is it?

The Blitzwolf BW-SDB1 is a 60 Watt integrated stereo amplifier and speakers housed in an attractive black plastic and metal housing. Inputs include 1/8” stereo jack, optical, coaxial, HDMI and Bluetooth. A wireless remote control is included.

Hardware Specs

  • Material：Aluminum alloy+ PC
  • Dimensions： 35.4*3.4*1.7
  • Weight：3.96lbs.
  • Power Supply：AC 100V – 240V 50 – 60Hz
  • Power Consumption： 60W
  • Audio Input Sensitivity：500mV
  • Frequency Response：40Hz – 20KHz
  • Impedance：8Ω
  • Bluetooth Version：V4.2
  • Transmission Distance：10 – 15m

What’s in the Box?

  • BW-SDB1 speaker
  • Remote control with button cell battery
  • Power cord
  • 1/8” stereo to RCA male cord
  • Optical cable
  • Instruction manual

Design and features

The Blitzwolf BW-SDB1 arrived in a long, slender green and white box. Packaging is good, with foam padding to keep the speaker from thrashing about during transportation

The power supply is integrated into the speaker housing so there is no bulky transformer, however, the AC cord protrudes some distance from the back, so care will need to be exercised to ensure sufficient room. With such a speaker, my primary application would be to install it on top of a wall-mounted television. In my case, there is not enough room to put the speaker on top of my living room TV without purchasing a right-angle power cord, however, my guest room TV is angled away from the wall, so the Blitzwolf soundbar has no trouble finding a home here (as shown above). The audio, optical and HDMI connectors follow suit. Should the speaker bar be placed on a cabinet forward of the television, this would not be an issue.

I powered up the speaker, plugged in my iPhone and selected a short playlist. Drivers in the face and top of the enclosure deliver good quality audio with little distortion. Frequency range is limited predominantly by the size of the speakers, but, to me, sounded better than comparable models. Stereo separation is very good, sounding like the speakers are much further apart than they really are. Bass was fairly good for a unit of this size, particularly when lacking a dedicated subwoofer. Treble was clean and acceptable. Vocal audibility was well balanced and this speaker would do well as an enhancement to TV speakers. I duplicated my tests using the HDMI, Bluetooth, coax, and optical inputs with similar results.

I was able to keep the Bluetooth connected anywhere I went in my home, but your mileage may vary. At the limits of the reception range of about 45’, there was a little dropout, but that is quite typical.

The remote uses a button battery. It’s simple but definitely gets the job done. Equalizer settings are verbally reported as they are cycled.

Buttons on the main speaker can also be used to control the settings, input, and volume.

I’ve used several speaker bars, some more, some less expensive than the Blitzwolf BW-SDB1 with wildly differing audio quality. The BW-SDB1 has good sound, good volume, plenty of inputs and remote control and represents a good value.

What I like

  • Metal construction
  • Remote and cords included
  • Not too expensive

What needs to be improved?

  • Cord placement makes it difficult to mount on a wall.

Final thoughts

Blitzwolf’s BW-SDB1 60 Watt soundbar is a solid contender for those wishing to enhance their television sound. It’s not going to rival a full surround sound system for audio quality, but overall I found it to be very good.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Blitzwolf.

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Blitzwolf BW-SDB1 Sound Bar review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 3, 2018 at 1:00 pm.

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The Tivoli Audio Music System Home is all of your music listening methods wrapped up in one


Since clean lines and subtle décor is such a big part of what many seek today, audio companies are working to meet those consumer demands by producing compact all-in-one entertainment systems.

The Tivoli Audio Music System Home is exactly such a device. It is, in fact, an all-in-one music system that includes CD, FM Radio, DAB+ for supported countries, Bluetooth, WiFi, and Ethernet jack, a line input and a line output, and the addition of the Alexia Voice Assistant. The Music System home is wrapped in a nostalgic looking 60’s furniture design. Tivoli Audio will also offer Music System Digital, which is a similar version without WiFi and Alexa, and both versions will be available in walnut, white and black wood finishes, along with Danish made Gabriel fabric.

The Tivoli Audio Music System Home will be available in September 2018. (Price to be announced). You can head over to the Tivoli Audio website for more details.

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The Tivoli Audio Music System Home is all of your music listening methods wrapped up in one originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 6, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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