Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30

The Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 may cost a pretty penny, but it delivers top-notch audio for a sound bar and includes Bluetooth connectivity. Experts say a sound bar in this price range should have a few more features, however.

Performance

Clean, balanced audio. The Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 delivers some of the best audio you'll find in a sound bar, with clear dialog, excellent balance between the low, mid and high ranges and a subwoofer that might not punch you in the gut, but delivers accurate and respectable low-end sound. The sound bar sounds great with movies and music alike, though as with all sound bars, the simulated surround sound isn't terribly effective. However, some users report running into issues with defective units and poor Bluetooth connectivity.

Design

Attractive, but it skimps on the ports. Critics love the clean look of the slightly large sound bar, calling it both easy on the eyes and simple to set up thanks to the subwoofer's wireless nature. The lack of HDMI connections or a USB port is widely cited as a major flaw in a sound bar this expensive, however. In fact, the TVee Model 30 only includes digital optical and 3.5mm inputs. The remote can be finicky and needs to be pointed directly at the sound bar, as well.

Features

Smartphone friendly. The Bluetooth wireless capabilities make it a breeze to stream music from an iPhone, iPod or Android device, and there are onboard Dolby Digital decoders (no DTS decoders, though). However, the relative lack of other features is another major issue reviewers have with the Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30.

Value

A questionable value proposition. The Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 delivers a great sonic punch, but little else, and it costs a whopping $600.

The bottom line

The Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 combines excellent audio and Bluetooth capabilities together in an attractive package, but doesn't include a lot of bells and whistles for the money. Most critics prefer the Zvox Z-Base 580 (*Est. $500), which costs less, sounds just as good and has more functionality, but lacks Bluetooth support and only comes in a flat form factor that enables it to serve as a stand for your HDTV. If you prefer a more traditionally designed and wall-friendly sound bar and don't mind paying for fidelity, however, the Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 should be at the top of your wish list.