Soundbar Reviews

Soundbars on a Budget Test Bench

Test Bench

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Yamaha YAS-106
Soundbar (purple) + 5.41 /– 1.49 dB, 200 Hz to 10 kHz; –3 dB @ 60 Hz, –6 @ 56 Hz.—MJP

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Vizio SB3851-D0
Soundbar (purple) + 8.32 /– 5.20 dB, 200 Hz to 10 kHz; –3 dB @ 87 Hz, –6 dB @80 Hz. Subwoofer (blue) Close-miked response, normalized to level @ 60 Hz: lower –3 dB @ 41 Hz, –6 dB @ 37 Hz, upper –3 dB @ 72 Hz.—MJP

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Acoustic Energy Aego Sound3ar
Soundbar (purple) + 2.49 /– 0.64 dB, 300 Hz to 10 kHz; – 3dB @ 273 Hz, –6 dB @247 Hz. Subwoofer (blue) Close-miked response, normalized to level @ 80 Hz: lower –3 dB @ 48 Hz, –6 dB @ 46 Hz, upper –3 dB @ 168 Hz.—MJP

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Zvox SB500
Soundbar (purple) + 2.80 /– 3.90 dB, 300 Hz to 10 kHz; –3 dB @ 288 Hz, –6 dB @ 267 Hz. Built-in Subwoofer (blue) Close-miked response, normalized to level @ 80 Hz: lower –3 dB @ 45 Hz, –6 dB @ 42 Hz, upper –3 dB @ 114 Hz.—MJP

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