Budget Sound Bars

Good sound bars can be found for less than $400

Some sound bars tackle the problem of delivering low frequencies by including a separate subwoofer. Among these, we saw some good reviews for the Sony HT-CT150 (*Est. $250) , which is a top-rated sound bar at CNET and scores solid user reviews at sites like BestBuy.com and Amazon.com.

The HT-CT150 is an updated version of Sony's well received HT-CT100. Sound quality is largely unchanged. CNET says that while other sound bars have caught up in that regard, the HT-CT150 sounds very good nevertheless. Features are modestly tweaked. The HD inputs and outputs have been upgraded to HDMI 1.4a compatibility. That includes the ability to pass through all 3D video formats and support for an audio return channel. That last feature lets compatible TVs (those that are also HDMI 1.4a compliant) pass audio back to the sound bar over the HDMI connection, eliminating the need for a separate audio connection -- a good thing considering that cutting down clutter is a big reason to go for a sound bar in the first place. Connectivity is otherwise ample and includes both coaxial and optical digital-audio inputs as well as two analog audio inputs.

While some sound bars link to subwoofers wirelessly, Sony uses a proprietary cable that comes in at just under 10 feet long. In addition, the infrared sensor for the remote control is located on the subwoofer. Considered together, that means the sub must be located within 10 feet of the subwoofer and that the subwoofer must be visible from your viewing location, limitations that CNET considers to be the biggest negative of the Sony HT-CT150. "To be fair, the HT-CT150 will work perfectly fine in many home theater environments, but be sure to plan ahead before deciding to buy it," say CNET's Matthew Moskovciak and Steve Guttenberg.

Even so, CNET says the HT-CT150 is "still the best value in terms of sound quality and features." The sound bar and subwoofer are well matched so that they perform seamlessly, with a "full bottomed" bass sound and good clarity. The simulated surround sound is also a step above what's normally heard in a sound bar in this price category. Yes, the sound stage falls short of what a traditional surround-sound system could produce, but CNET's editors say "its dimensionality and depth made it easy to forget most of the sound was coming from a skinny sound bar speaker."

The Vizio VSB210WS (*Est. $300) hooks up to its subwoofer via a wireless link. Reports say that while there are better-sounding sound bars, the Vizio VSB210WS is a solid performer. The most complimentary review comes from Home Theater magazine, where Mark Fleischmann names it a Top Pick. However, this is clearly a case in which a reviewer is grading on a curve as he says that the VSB210WS sound bar "does a great job by budget-product standards." Flaws -- such as unconvincing surround effects -- are noted throughout, but sound is generally good for a product in this class, especially for movies.

CNET also tests the Vizio VSB210WS sound bar and reaches similar conclusions. It is called a "reasonably accomplished sound bar plus subwoofer combination, considering its affordable price tag." Not much in the way of surround sound is noted, but Steve Guttenberg says the VSB210WS will deliver "noticeably fuller, more bass-rich sound than your average entry-level sound bar." Connectivity is very basic -- and there are no HDMI inputs -- but setup is very simple. Use is a mixed bag. Guttenberg appreciates the inclusion of a subwoofer volume control on the system's remote, but he says the remote needs to be pointed directly at the subwoofer for it to work and that an LED display that graphically gives feedback on the sound bar's status and functions is difficult to decode.

The LG LSB316 (*Est. $250) might also be worth considering. Reviews are scarce, but CNET places it on the site's list of best sound-bar home theater systems, although it seems it was placed there more for its feature set than its performance. The sound bar is given accolades for its sleek design and Bluetooth support, but it only offers bare-bones connectivity options otherwise. While there are two optical digital inputs, the lack of stereo connections could put off some potential buyers. Additionally, reviewers Matthew Moskovciak and Steve Guttenberg say the unit's "sound quality is underwhelming, especially if you like bass." Owners reporting in at Amazon.com are mostly pleased, though there are enough dissenting voices to give the LG LSB316 a rating of 3.8 stars out of 5 overall. Like the pros, sound issues are the cause of most of the negative feedback.

Vizio VHT510 Is a Sound Bar/Home Theater Hybrid

One frequent criticism leveled against sound bars is that they simply can't produce the same sound experience as a true 5.1 home theater system. The Vizio VHT510 (*Est. $390) attempts to counter those claims by offering more of a hybrid approach; it features a 3-channel sound bar for front-channel audio, but it ups the ante by including two small rear channel speakers that connect to the sound bar's wireless subwoofer. By wiring the rear speakers to the subwoofer, Vizio's sound bar keeps the area in front of your TV neat and clean while supplying a true 5.1 channel listening solution that most critics say is unmatched by standard sound bars, although a bit lacking compared to better -- and more expensive -- surround-sound solutions..

Many people choose to go with sound bars over true home theater setups because they fear a complex installation. Even though the Vizio VHT510 includes rear speakers, reviewers say that setup is a breeze. The only inputs are an optical digital port and a stereo audio connection, and as previously noted, the subwoofer is wireless. The rear speakers connect to the subwoofer via cables with proprietary connectors, and they are clearly labeled to avoid confusion. One downside to the simplicity is that reviewers say the lack of inputs and the addition of proprietary connections limit the system's versatility.

Once the system is set up, critics say audio performance is solid and more expansive than the experience offered by alternatives. Decoders for most Dolby and DTS audio format are on board, but not Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio. That's typical of most -- but not all -- sound bars. As CNET notes, the lack of the two high resolution audio formats is not a huge deal in a sound system like the VHT510, which is incapable of expressing the sound improvements they offer.

That said, sound quality is pretty good for its class. CNET and PCMag.com both report excellent bass response, although Mark Fleischmann at Home Theater magazine had some difficulty distinguishing dialogue from males with deep voices. Fleishmann also reports that the audio sounded a bit abrasive during action scenes in "The Marine 2," but he adds that the problem was corrected by activating TruVolume (a volume-equalizing mode) and turning the sound down a bit.

Most reviewers rate the VHT510's musical playback as very good overall, though PCMag.com complains that the sound bar itself occasionally sounded "hollow" during its testing. CNET, however, notes that the VHT510's true surround sound made the simulated surround sound by some comparable standard sound bars seem "flat and two-dimensional in comparison."

Reviews on Amazon.com seem mixed at first glance, but they can be deceiving. When the Vizio VHT510 first launched, the LED display on the front of the sound bar was prone to dying. That is the source of the majority of the user complaints. However, CNET reports that Vizio has since corrected the problem with new units and is willing to replace defective sound bars for those affected.

In the end, most critics come away impressed. "We thought that the VHT510 had the sonic gravitas and poise of a larger system," Matthew Moskovciak writes at CNET. Will Greenwald at PCMag.com chalks much of the unit's success up to its rear speakers, which give movies "an immersive feel usually only heard with true 5.1-channel sound systems." The VHT510 also lands a spot in About.com's list of top home-theater-in-a-box systems (rather than its list of top sound bars).