Best Passive Soundbar

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024
Overview : Top In This Category
Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50
4.8 |
HTC Score
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KEF HTF7003
4.8 |
HTC Score
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Dayton Audio BS36
4.7 |
HTC Score
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Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50
4.8 |
HTC Score
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4.9 Sound Quality

4.8 Features

4.7 Design and Size

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Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 – Delivering On The Promise

Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 review & specs

The Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 review although short still covers all the information relevant for the customer. The Solo Surround Array, a signature feature patented by Definitive Technology. It is meant to give you immersive surrounding sound without the need to incorporate back speakers.

Although quite costly I would agree with the price point. The product has been created to provide you with a high quality surrounding sound and durability. The home cinema soundbars are not meant to be versatile. They are meant to be, you guessed it, a home cinema in a single case. Mythos SSA-50 will give you exactly that. If you are after great sound you have found a great toy to keep you satisfied for the years to come.

Design

There is no remote and Mythos SSA-50 as a speaker works together with a receiver thus there is no need for a separate dedicated remote control or Smartphone app. It does not work with Alexa.

The tweeters on the front are covered by a single plain matte panel. You do not have any button and all the inputs/outputs are located at the back. The item looks very sleek and stylish. The matte plastic looks expensive and yet sophisticated and understated.

The device itself is around 42 inches long and 30 pounds heavy. Although it is a single unit you will still have to think through your placement options. It does come with the nibs for the wall-mount placement giving you even more options.

Features

This soundbar requires a multichannel receiver as well as a powered subwoofer. Altogether the aligned trio can give you a luxury realistic multidimensional sound. I would suggest that you need to tweak the woofer and the speakers to help them reciprocate and complete each other. The ProSub subwoofer from the same series can be a great addition to your portable home cinema.

The tweeter array is pretty universal and does not depend on the placement. The sound will bounce off the walls just right no matter where you choose to place the bar. Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 specs are really interesting. You get three dome tweeters, four butyl rubber surround tweeters and two high output free range ones.

There are no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB or Ethernet connector options. The soundbar will only work as a part of your home cinema. Although the spheres of use are pretty limited it does deliver a home cinema level sound for around $500 regular retail price.

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Key Specifications
BrandDefinitive Technolog Placement Type table-top, wall-mountable Connection To Source wired Built-in Channels 2.1 Supported Channel Quantity 7.1 Built-in Subwoofer Spotify WI-FI Bluetooth USB VOICE CONTROL APP CONTROL

Pros

  • Single Solo surround Array loudspeaker
  • Offers a good balance of sound quality
  • High-output full-range drivers

Cons

  • No Budget-friendly option
  • No support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
KEF HTF7003
4.8 |
HTC Score
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4.8 Sound Quality

4.8 Features

5 Design and Size

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Forever In Demand: KEF HTF7003

KEF HTF7003 review & specs

This single soundbar unit is pretty modest and humble with an affordable price point of $300. But do not rush the final decision yet. Look through my up to the point KEF HTF7003 review to see if this unit might give you just what you need.

Although first released back in 2005 this bar is still holding on to the top position. Which is pretty impressive for the home cinema market where new models emerge on a weekly basis. Does it mean that you will love this unit as well? You might as well do, read on to see why makes HTF7003 so amazing.

In case you feel like this soundbar is just what you need I have some good news. KEF is still manufacturing this model with all the same specs it had when it first hit the market.

Design

There is a rare bracket for wall mounting giving you versatile placement options. The table stand also comes in a package. Both are pretty durable and very easy to attach and un-attach meaning that the placement will be very easy and simple.

The single compact sound bar has been designed with a flat Smart TV in mind. It is only about 2 and a half inches thick. In order to match the thickness of most modern flat TVs. The black plastic glossy minimalistic design is super cool. It soaks in all the light to look extra black. There are no buttons, inputs or logos on the front panel. Very cool, I loved it.

Features

The sound is very natural, clear and immersive. Do not expect any latest technology perks though. KEF HTF7003 specs foresee a timeless good quality powerful sound with a huge volume range. If you cannot live without 3D technologies etc you might have to look for your perfect sound bar elsewhere.

The impressive 6 dB sensitivity is really impressive, especially for the 6 lbs weight. This single unit does impress with its three triplets of tweeters located in line in the center. The quality of the sound will not depend on the placement.

Although the tweeters all point forward the sound does feel multi-dimensional and immersive by being redirected from the walls and the ceiling. There is no Alexa, no voice control and of course no Smartphone app. This model has been released before those technologies became so widespread. There is no Bluetooth, USB or Wi-Fi.

The AV inputs are available but there is no HDMI input or output. That means you have to double check if you can connect it to your Smart TV directly. Or if you can do it through the receiver. Overall it is a great affordable family sound bar. I would recommend it for people after good quality and value for their money.

More Details

Key Specifications
BrandKEF Placement Type table-top, wall-mountable Connection To Source wired Built-in Channels 3.0 Supported Channel Quantity 3.0 Built-in Subwoofer Spotify WI-FI Bluetooth USB VOICE CONTROL APP CONTROL

Pros

  • Durable high quality, high gloss black finish
  • Produces excellent sound quality
  • look great in any home theater setup

Cons

  • No Budget-friendly option
Dayton Audio BS36
4.7 |
HTC Score
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4.8 Sound Quality

4.7 Features

4.7 Design and Size

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Dayton Audio BS36 review – choose the great speaker

Dayton Audio BS36 review & specs

As expected from the product, BS36 offers a convincing combination of high build quality and an excellent Dayton Audio BS36 specs. Enjoy the light and airy treble from Dayton Audio BS36. The sound is clear and especially clear when reproducing speech.

The compact soundbar plays full high and medium frequencies and can operate at high volume without distorting the sound. However, bass lovers will be disappointed, as the low-frequencies here are obtained, though tangible, but not saturated. But for watching TV this is a reason for criticism – and your neighbors will say thank you for the lack of powerful bass.

Design

The speaker looks very good, it looks neat and compact in appearance. The speaker case is heavy and has a nice glossy black finish. Please note that this is not a regular powered sound panel that connects directly to your television, as you can see at Best Buy. This is a passive speaker system with left, center, and right speakers built into a single package.

The sound bar was well packed and looked great right out of the box. It feels sturdy, with a good design and a modern look. I really like that it comes with several cords to be able to connect to a TV or other device, regardless of age or function. I liked the design of this soundbar: it does not look catchy, but it is modern and, by the way, very high quality.

Features

Connecting and installing a soundbar is quick and easy: we connect electrical and HDMI cables and place the device directly in front of the TV. To hang the soundbar on the wall, you will have to purchase a separate bracket. If your TV has no HDMI output, but there is an ARC (Audio Return Channel), an adapter with HDMI to the optical audio cable that comes with it is useful.

Dayton Audio is configured via an Android and iOS app on your smartphone. You can also use the program for Windows and Mac OS. Dayton Audio BS36 LCR speakers use low-frequency subwoofers for superior dynamic effects and bass enhancement, as opposed to thin speakers built into high-definition televisions. When BS36 is combined with a pair of SAT-BK satellite speakers and a powerful subwoofer, such as the Dayton Audio SUB-80, you will get surround sound with a spacious sound, but a compact size that will amaze family and friends.

More Details

Key Specifications
BrandDayton Audio Placement Type table-top, wall-mountable Connection To Source wired Built-in Channels 3.0 Supported Channel Quantity 3.0 Built-in Subwoofer Spotify WI-FI Bluetooth USB VOICE CONTROL APP CONTROL

Pros

  • Ideal for space-limited home theater
  • High-gloss black lacquer finish
  • Easy setup

Cons

  • Size limitations
  • Limited brand recognition
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