Pioneer SBX-101
A BUDGET OFFERING FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A TV SPEAKER SUBSTITUTE.
AS THE PRICE makes abundantly clear, this is, by today’s standards, a budget soundbar package. Less designed for home cinema aficionados and more targeted towards those looking to improve on their TV’s crappy sound quality, this unit does the job, if simply boosting audio presence is what you’re after. Sure, it offers sound much more dynamic and immersive than your TV, but don’t expect to be wowwed by the SBX-101 unless you’ve been listening to ABC News through Apple earbuds for the last decade. It’s not just premium sound that you’re sacrificing if you opt for the SBX-101, either: you’re also missing HDMI compatibility, so get ready to use either optical or, if you’re really old fashioned, AUX cables. We didn’t test the AUX connection, but you can at least rest assured that it’s a satisfactory experience using optical.
200 dollary-doos is a lot of money, so we’re not advocating that you opt for the next bar in this round-up — the Panasonic — instead of this. The sound is by no means explosive but it’s by many measures better than what you get with your standard flatscreen TV. Still, if this is an investment you intend to use for years to come, it seems worthwhile buying something that at least boasts HDMI support. So the SBX-101, while decent for the price, is one we’d ignore unless after a very quick fix. Maybe one for the kids if they’re barking mad for better sound quality? Whatever the case, without Sony’s form factor selling point with the HT-MT300, the lack of HDMI hurts the SBX-101.