ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Fireplace TV Soundbar Plus is ideal for individuals who need an inexpensive plug-and-play resolution, accessible now for $249 standalone or $480 for the bundle.
- Bass is spectacular (particularly with the subwoofer), and the dialogue enhancement function is useful for readability.
- It lacks built-in Wi-Fi streaming, sensible options, or Alexa integration, connects with Bluetooth, and would not have a companion app.
extra shopping for decisions
Amazon showcased its Fireplace TV Soundbar Plus at CES 2025, the place it was one of many highlights for me and others considering house leisure. I not too long ago bought an opportunity to go hands-on with the product, putting in it in the lounge of our testing lab to examine its efficiency, and may instantly see why it made such an impression at CES.
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Amazon advertises its Fireplace Soundbar Plus at three value factors: $249 for the three.1-channel model, $299 for the addition of an exterior subwoofer, and $489 for a 5.1-channel system with the subwoofer plus two encompass sound audio system (the mannequin I examined).
The Soundbar Plus’ predecessor — the 2023 Fireplace TV Soundbar (sans “Plus”) — lies on the backside of the price ladder as a 2.0 channel speaker for $119.
Apart from together with the additional {hardware}, the Fireplace TV Soundbar Plus’s design differs notably from the low-end 2023 mannequin. The bottom mannequin is formed like an elongated, 24-inch tablet with gentle, curving edges. The Plus mannequin maintains its rounded edges however is twice as deep as it’s tall (5.2″ x 2.5″) and considerably longer at 37 inches. The cubical encompass audio system and subwoofer additionally function rounded edges for a conservative, streamlined kind issue.
The cargo field, I ought to point out, additionally included a wall mount package with brackets for the 2 satellite tv for pc audio system. The soundbar’s distant is a compact 4 inches lengthy, and, as with all Amazon electronics, it comes geared up with batteries.
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Setup was pretty simple. After plugging within the energy cords for all 4 elements, the one requirement was to push the “Join” buttons on the backs of the sub and aspect audio system. After shortly pairing the system with an LG TV, I watched “Daredevil: Born Once more” on Disney+ as a result of it’s replete with motion scenes accompanied by intense symphonic actions.
Amazon Fireplace Soundbar Plus
Chris Bayer/ZDNET
Initially, I positioned the 2 satellite tv for pc audio system on the credenza to the left and proper of the TV. Consequently, the quantity and bass drilled me within the face. I had unwittingly turned the quantity effectively above 50%, and it was loud. The tsunami of sound jogged my memory of sitting in a big cineplex if you weren’t precisely ready for that first blast of noise. That is to say, the collective 5 audio system have been projecting their vibrations instantly towards my earholes, which have been met with hefty quantity, clear dialogue, and crisp musical notes.
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The subwoofer’s speaker is down-firing, positioned on the underside of the unit. Regardless of the low-pile Berber carpet in our testing house, the sub delivered rumbling bass with a frequency as little as 50Hz. I doubt you’d encounter a lot high quality loss when you positioned the subwoofer on a higher-pile carpet, nevertheless it’s one thing to think about.
Then, I positioned the 2 encompass audio system the place their title suggests they need to be positioned: across the viewing space behind the sofa. Whereas some customers have indicated the Soundbar Plus falls wanting offering a real encompass sound expertise, I disagree. The encompass audio system make for a memorably immersive expertise.
Certain, in contrast with premium soundbars, the Fireplace TV Soundbar Plus presents a weaker midrange efficiency and a narrower stereo picture. Highs might be peaky, whereas decreasing treble could make the sound muddy and a bit cluttered. However solely probably the most finicky audiophile would discover these nuances.
The Soundbar Plus helps Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume, nevertheless it would not have built-in video streaming performance, so it is purely a sound system with out sensible options. That’s acceptable in gentle of its value-forward price ticket, coupled with the truth that it sounds nice.
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Whereas the Fireplace Soundbar Plus is designed to work seamlessly with Fireplace TV gadgets, you’ll be able to nonetheless management each the TV and soundbar with a single distant and even fine-tune the audio settings within the TV’s menu. It is a wonderful selection when you’re searching for to boost your audio expertise with out the complexity of a high-end system.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The highest-tier Fireplace Soundbar Plus is a complete encompass sound system that is suitable with any sensible TV and streaming app and delivers dynamic, room-filling sound for beneath $500. The lesser fashions (with out the extra sub and encompass audio system) present high quality sound at an acceptable value level, however clearly, you will get much less sound.
All in all, although, it is a sound system that may considerably improve your audio expertise whereas being simple to arrange and use with out breaking your financial institution. That is wager, in my e-book.
