Possibly you know Roku as a manufacturer of devices to stream on TV or directly by streaming software and services on third-party TVs.
But Roku also makes speakers. Roku's audio product line consists of the Roku Smart Soundbar, Roku Wireless Speakers, and Roku Wireless Subwoofer. Each device can be used on its own or all three can be paired to create a complete surround sound system.
For over a month now, we've been testing Roku's full line of audio. Instead of just using it as a means to add some depth, we put the three devices together to create a complete surround sound system for a total cost of just under $ 560 .
Was it worth it? Let's see it.
Setting? What configuration?
Arguably the coolest part of Roku's audio line is being able to add components at your own pace. You can start with the Smart Sound Bar, which provides improved sound that almost every modern TV can take advantage of, as well as access to the Roku experience and interface, which is usually much better than most smart TV interfaces on the market. .
If after a few weeks you decide that you want to extend the range and sound stage, you can add the wireless speakers.
And if you want more powerful bass sounds again in the future, you can add the wireless subwoofer.
To be clear, you can also start with the wireless speakers or the subwoofer if you already have a Roku TV, like the TCL Series 6. Otherwise, the soundbar is the key part of the setup that allows you to use the rest of the the audio line with any television, not just with a Roku television.
The setup and pairing process, regardless of the order you use, is going to be the same. You'll need to set up your Roku Smart Soundbar, link it to your Roku account, and log into your streaming apps and services.
With that done, you can add wireless speakers in the Settings menu. The process took us maybe five minutes total, with the most amount of time spent waiting for the speakers to reproduce their initial pairing sound to help Roku identify which side of the room they are on.
The same process is used for the wireless subwoofer, though instead of a nice sound once setup is complete, it will throw out enough bass to make your floor and intestines rumble.
When the entire 5.1 surround sound system is set up, Roku immediately plays a demo that shows the scope and versatility of his new sound system. As objects move across the screen, so does the sound through the wireless speakers, which should be on either side of your main viewing area, just behind where you normally sit. The subwoofer should be placed next to your TV stand.
The job of the soundbar during all this is to mix the most nuanced sounds and details, which makes it very easy.
The whole process through setup took maybe 20 minutes. Most of that time was logging into our Roku account and waiting for streaming on the device to install the channels, updates and all the other items required before we can start using a new device.
It's easy to overlook how streamlined the setup process is, but it's worth emphasizing. The only cables you have to deal with throughout this process are a single HDMI cable to connect the soundbar to the TV and the power cables for each individual component. You don't have to worry about running cables from the subwoofer to the satellite speakers. Just plug them in and Roku does the rest.
Solid performance
Using the Roku voice remote control that comes with the sound bar gives you easy control of the system. You can also use any paired Roku remote, or link the system to Google Assistant or Alexa and use your smart assistant to control playback.
Each component has its role. The two wireless speakers help add depth and directionality to each side. Again, the most obvious example is sound that follows the same path in the room as what moves across your screen.
Watching the Apple TV + Greyhound movie , for example, we could hear the torpedoes move around the screen as they headed towards Tom Hanks' ship. Then, with each bang, the subwoofer bass, combined with the sound moving from speaker to soundbar to speaker, felt very inverted.
Sometimes, we felt that the sound from the wireless speakers was lost a bit and didn't add much to the experience, but that could easily have been due to the type of program or content we were watching. However, whether we were listening to our daily mix on Spotify or watching the second John Wick movie , the result was always strong and good.
Will Roku's audio amaze audiophiles with their high-end gear? Absolutely. But you are not supposed to. And when you look at the Roku surround sound system through the lens of ease of use and value you get for its price, it's a total success.
conclusion
For about $ 560, you can get the full Roku experience. That not only includes a streaming device that provides access to the entire line of Roku channels, but it also gets a 5.1 surround sound system with Dolby Audio that enhances your overall viewing experience.
And, better yet, you don't have to worry about any cables or dealing with the hassles of a complicated installation.
If you already have the Roku Smart Soundbar or Roku Wireless Speakers, we highly recommend that you complete your setup and get the missing parts. Or, if you are starting with Roku, start with the smart sound bar and slowly update your audio system over time.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.