Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Review: A Decent Boost to Your TV Sound, But Is It Worth the Price?
Amazon has made a name for itself in the world of streaming devices, smart speakers, and home entertainment, but the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is its first foray into the soundbar market. While it does provide a decent boost to your TV's audio, it leaves some features to be desired, especially given its price point. Let’s dive into the pros, cons, and key features to see if this soundbar is worth your investment.
Pros of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
- Decent sound quality
- Relatively affordable compared to premium soundbars
- Simple to use with plug-and-play functionality
- Compact size, ideal for smaller TVs
Cons of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
- Lack of built-in Fire TV streaming and Alexa integration
- Limited bass response
- Stereo mode feels small and lacks detail
Key Features of the Fire TV Soundbar
Spatial Audio Mode
The Fire TV Soundbar features a spatial audio mode that expands the soundstage, making TV audio feel larger and more immersive. It supports DTS Virtual:X, which adds a sense of height to the audio, though it’s far from a full surround sound experience.
Bluetooth Streaming
You can pair the soundbar with your mobile device for Bluetooth streaming, allowing you to play music or podcasts directly through the soundbar. This is a convenient feature, especially for users who want to use the soundbar for more than just TV audio.
Design and Build Quality
Minimalist and Functional
The design of the Fire TV Soundbar is minimalist and functional, with a compact size that makes it suitable for TVs that are 50 inches or smaller. The soundbar is 60 cm wide, and its grey/black color scheme is unassuming. It comes with a wall-mounting kit, which is a nice touch for those who want to save space.
Easy Setup
Setting up the Fire TV Soundbar is straightforward. It’s a plug-and-play device that connects to your TV via HDMI ARC or optical digital output. However, some users have reported needing to mute their TV speakers manually to get sound through the soundbar, which may be a minor inconvenience.
Features: What’s Missing?
No Fire TV or Alexa Integration
Surprisingly, despite its name, the Fire TV Soundbar does not include built-in Fire TV streaming or Alexa integration. This feels like a missed opportunity, especially when compared to competitors like the Roku Streambar, which combines a soundbar with a streaming device. The lack of Alexa integration also means no voice control, which is a feature many users have come to expect from Amazon products.
Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X Support
The Fire TV Soundbar supports Dolby Digital soundtracks and DTS Virtual:X processing but does not support advanced surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos. This limits its appeal for users looking for an immersive home theater experience.
Sound Quality: A Mixed Bag
Decent Dialogue Reproduction
The Fire TV Soundbar excels in reproducing clear dialogue, making it a good option for watching TV shows and movies where speech clarity is essential. In its Movie mode, the soundbar delivers smooth, articulate dialogue, though it lacks the depth and detail found in more expensive soundbars.
Stereo Mode Feels Small
In its default stereo mode, the soundstage feels compressed, and the audio lacks the richness and detail you might expect. Switching to the Spatial Audio mode helps expand the soundstage, but even then, it falls short of providing a truly immersive experience.
Weak Bass Performance
One of the major drawbacks of the Fire TV Soundbar is its lack of bass. While it offers three levels of bass adjustment (low, medium, and high), none of them provide the deep, powerful bass that many users expect from a soundbar. This makes it less suitable for action-packed movies or bass-heavy music.
Should You Buy the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar?
For a Simple Listening Experience
If you’re looking for a straightforward, no-frills soundbar to boost your TV’s audio, the Fire TV Soundbar is a decent option. It’s easy to set up, and the sound quality is an improvement over most built-in TV speakers, especially for dialogue-heavy content. You can check it out here.
It’s a Bit Expensive for What It Does
At its current price point, the Fire TV Soundbar feels a bit overpriced, especially considering its lack of Fire TV streaming and Alexa integration. If you’re looking for a more feature-rich soundbar, you might want to consider alternatives like the Roku Streambar or wait for a sale to make the Fire TV Soundbar a more appealing purchase.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar offers a simple, compact solution for improving your TV’s audio, but it falls short in several areas. The lack of Fire TV integration and Alexa support is a glaring omission, and its bass performance leaves much to be desired. While it’s a decent option for those looking for a quick and easy audio upgrade, its price feels a bit high for what it offers. If you’re set on getting this soundbar, waiting for a discount during sales events like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday might make it a more worthwhile investment.
For those looking for more advanced features, the newly launched Fire TV Soundbar Plus might be a better option, offering Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for a more immersive home cinema experience.
FAQs
Does the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar support Alexa?
No, the Fire TV Soundbar does not support Alexa. It’s an audio-only device without any smart assistant integration.
Does the Fire TV Soundbar have built-in Fire TV streaming?
No, despite its name, the Fire TV Soundbar does not have built-in Fire TV streaming capabilities.
What are the dimensions of the Fire TV Soundbar?
The Fire TV Soundbar measures 65 x 610 x 90 mm and weighs about 1.8 kg.
So, while the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is a decent option for improving your TV's sound, it might not be the best value for money unless you can snag it at a discount. You can explore more soundbar options here.
