Roku Streambar Review | From your average guy's point of view | Soundbar with 4K Streaming

Just moved some TVs around and put a TV with really poor sound quality in my living room. I needed to do something about the sound and am already a Roku fan so I decided to try out the new Roku Streambar. I am not an audiophile but I do have some level of experience with basic sound systems so this review is from an average guys's point of view. I'll unbox, set it up, show you how I mount it and go over a few of the specifics you need to know. Finally, I'll let you know my thoughts after we spent about a week putting it through the paces.
Roku Streambar - amzn.to/3oTIyNH
Excel Life Universal SoundBar Mount - amzn.to/37b3fhT
This video and description may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which means that if you click on one of the product's links, I'll receive a small commission.

[@iambear.6526]

Enjoyed a video about a piece of Tech with no frills or overuse of tech terms.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Many thanks!

[@davidjones6969]

This is great for small room and you can connect it up to your receiver and then to your TV if you run out of connections to tv. I took my remote from my other roku that has a headphone jack pushed the button inside the battery part and use it with my soundbar. Again mostly used for small rooms, kids, office and kitchen, etc.. Works Great!

[@BooneDownSouth]

That's a good idea about using the headphone jack from the other remote!

[@benmobi]

Nice presentation. One thing though, you don't "Need" an HDMI ARC for this, it does have an Optical input, which works with any TV made during the past five years (or ten?).

[@BooneDownSouth]

Ben thanks for pointing that out. I never think about the optic cable because I never needed to use it I guess.

[@niravelniflheim1858]

Awesome review, thanks!

[@BooneDownSouth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GHOLT81]

Thanks for the video. Did you screw straight into wooden studs behind the wall? Thanks!

[@BooneDownSouth]

@GHOLT81 - I can't remember at this point if I went straight into studs or if I used anchors. I think I used anchors though.

[@terrydavis1488]

Hi BDS, I am a UK viewer of your video, which is very interesting and helpful. I am waiting for a Samsung 32' 1080p smart TV, and I am anticipating that the sound may not be good. Would this sound bar make a difference, and would it clash or interfere with the smart functions on the TV. many thanks. Terry Davis

[@BooneDownSouth]

Hey Terry. It's hard to say in your case because I just don't know about the sound on the Samsung 32' TV. I don't see why it would cause any interference or clash with the smart TV options, but really since its Roku, you don't need the smart tv options if you went with the roku soundbar. If you did go with the Roku soundbar I would think you probably would NOT be using the smart functions that the TV provides. Having said that, I don't know about that TV you are referencing but I do know that Samsung has their own line of soundbars that interact directly with their Samsung TVs. My guess is that that will give you the best scenario, but not sure if that applies in your case.

[@terrydavis1488]

@@BooneDownSouth Hi BDS, Many thanks for your very detailed and helpful reply. This is much appreciated! The TV arrived today, and I believe (so far) that the sound is adequate for my bedroom use. Again my thanks. Regards Terry

[@joecarreon]

Thanks for info on arc., Never heard of it until now

[@BooneDownSouth]

Glad to help

[@Xdc5]

awesome review, thank you!

[@BooneDownSouth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@menacingtony6172]

You think I can connect Roku stream bar to a projector and add the wireless Roku speakers plus the Roku wireless subwoofer???

[@BooneDownSouth]

I don't know about that one. If you are running a big projector you are probably going to want a larger sound bar I would think.

[@drdrew3]

Yes. In fact Roku sells that combination as a package. Just make sure projector has an ARC input for HDMI or instead an optical audio input

[@robcastaneda1]

Hi great review, what about the interface, is it fast or laggy?. Thanks in advance.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Roberto - it seems to be about the same speed as all my other Roku devices. I have several TCL Roku TVs and also a Roku streaming stick and they all seem to have about the same response for the interface.

[@fernandocontreras6541]

Great video, can I ask you what wall brackets did you get?

[@BooneDownSouth]

@Fernando Contreras - I purchased the Excel Life Universal SoundBar Mount Bracket that was recommended in the Roku Streambar documentation. Here is a link to the bracket on amazon so you can check it out: amzn.to/2M5Q2za

[@BillyCorvin-n1b]

Show me how to get the volume working on 43 inch flat screen

[@BooneDownSouth]

You just have to make sure you are using the correct cables and correct ports depending on the TV to make it work.

[@thedrkness1925]

I have a projector in my basement and have a roku stick pluged into it and its hooked up to surround sound speakers on the walls but my question is this since i have a projector i always wanted to take it outside and watch a movie or PPV outside if he weather allows. Do you think this soundbar would be good for watching movies outside or is it not that loud or good? Thanks in advance.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Abe I'm not so sure that it would be loud enough outside.

[@craigwoodgate7120]

I’m thinking about buying one of these I was going to get an Apple TV but if this has the app on it I could get this plus add speakers to it

[@BooneDownSouth]

@craig woodgate - Yep it has Apple TV so that would work great for you.

[@patst.martin2179]

I'm confused. I bought a streambar as the sound on my new VIzio is terrible. I have a Roku Ultra 2020, it's in my ARC . What do I do now? HELP!

[@drdrew3]

You need a soundbar if your TV speakers are bad (they all are). The reviewed product combines a Roku player and a soundbar. If you already have a Roku player then just get a Vizio soundbar that includes a wired subwoofer - MUCH better sound than this streambar for just a few dollars more

[@finnhaverkamp]

Would you mind measuring the footprint of the streambar, please? Would it sit safely on a 10'' shelf?

[@BooneDownSouth]

Height 2.4 inches, Width 14 inches, Depth 4.2 inches. So if you mean 10" deep shelf yes, if you mean 10" wide shelf gonna have some overhang.

[@VillageIdiott]

Do they work with Roku tv , the remote wants to run both operation system at the same time

[@BooneDownSouth]

They normally do. I have TCL Roku Tvs in various location in my house and most of the time they are interchangeable. My Roku remote for the soundbar is controlling the TV it is attached to but that is the only TV in my house that is not Roku.

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Great video boone. We got alot in common as we said before. I have a poll audio soundbar which is junk. 3 were warrantied within one month. My wife really liked this video and she said we r getting one of those. Also she wants the info on ur tennessee cabin rentals. She been wanting to go to pigeon forge with another couple after we see what happens here with this country about to erupt.

[@BooneDownSouth]

@Michael Douglas - Thanks man! So you can check out the cabins at peacefulcabinrentals.com I just got back from a few days up there myself!

[@HaIsKuL]

Have you tried the Streambar Pro? Longer, louder, supposedly better, given you're using it on a 65" TV in a more open environment.

[@BooneDownSouth]

No I have not. I have not felt the need to change this one out for the location is it in. The room the 65" is in really isn't that big and this Streambar seems to be working well in this environment. But yea if you need more the Pro might be the ticket for you.

[@bradforward850]

Must have stopped giving you the wall mounts. Just got mine. had no wall mounts with it.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Brad mine didn't have mounts either. I had to order that one. I put a link in the description for the wall mount i bought.

[@stephenkat6765]

I have has mine for over a year in storage. I got it out 3 months ago and it was wonderful then in the forth month it started to distort badly. If you have one of these dont buy it for many others have had the same problem Stephen in Kanab

[@BooneDownSouth]

I'm sorry. That is a bummer. Mine is still running fine fortunately.

[@cindywarner7945]

We have a TCL 55" TV. We connected the Roku Streambar and are able to listen to tv through the Roku app on bluetooth headphones using the Roku app on our phone, When we go back to the Android home page on our tv or the dvd player, we can not get the wireless headphones to work. Is there any way around this?

[@BooneDownSouth]

Cindy I am not sure if there is a way around that at. I would contact Roku tech support and see if they can help. I am just wondering if the app - which is a Roku app on your phone is only aware of the movies you are streaming using Roku. Once you go to a cable channel or DVD the Roku app is not aware of this and does not send the audio through the headphones. I am not sure this is the case but it very well could be. The reason the DVD and TV still play through the Streambar is because of the HDMI-ARC connection which allows the audio to flow back to the Streambar over the HDMI cable, however, the phone app is what is actually sending you the audio when you are watching Roku and it doesn't recognize the other inputs. That is my guess as to what is happening there.

[@cesarvalenzuela98]

Do you notice a difference on image quality between the stick and this bar? Are transitions smoother or the same?

[@BooneDownSouth]

In addition to the bar,I have the stick as well as TCL Roku TVs. I have not seen a difference between any of them as far as image quality.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

How does it compare to the Roku Smartbar?

[@BooneDownSouth]

Jeffrey - I have not tested the Smartbar so all I can do is reference you to comparisons you can find online.

[@You-sw7tm]

6:41 Oh yeah.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Oh YEAH!

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

If my BluRay player is connected to HDMI 1 and the Roku to HDMI 2 I won't be able to listen to a Blu Ray film Through the Sound Bar.

[@BooneDownSouth]

As long as you are connected to your TV on an HDMI ARC or are using the optical cable, the TV will transmit the audio from any input source to the Roku Streambar. So yes you will be able to hear your Blu Ray film through the Streambar.

[@vigilantpatriQt]

NCSWIC nothing 🌊🐙

[@donaldjames4437]

$78.00 as of today at most out lets Best Buy etc.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Good price on it!

[@donaldjames4437]

@@BooneDownSouth The price is only good until the 5th. Just sharing. Includes 30 day trial of Streaming.

[@chakawoowoo]

Got one, piece of crap!!!!!!!!!

[@BooneDownSouth]

@Louis Wright - Sorry to hear it didn't work for you. Send it back if you don't like it. Mine is still working well and serving its purpose.

[@chakawoowoo]

@@BooneDownSouth Nah, lesson learned lottery rules apply with roku's. I've had 3 roku's so far and all of them sub par and glitchy. Planning on upgrade to a decent android tv and a quality sound system preferably something with Atmos.

[@Scrufboy]

Amazing... at 9.5 minutes of a 12 minute video, after rambling on and on about irrelevant and erroneous details about you and your limited but valid experiences with other "SOUNDbars".... You are still talking about the Roku software... Which is the same on every Roku. This - instead of focusing on the SOUND of the SOUNDBAR!!!

[@TheMrprez]

Where’s your review?

[@Scrufboy]

@@TheMrprez You're funny... Pointless and irrelevant, but funny... I guess you really didn't understand my statement.