Cambridge Audio TV2 v2
All about the base
Soundbars have become common additions to widescreen TVS, sitting neatly below the screen and adding much better audio than most built-in speakers can deliver. They can also be effective if you use your PC for games and films, especially if you like to sit back to watch. Though 100-odd watts of output might be overkill when you’re sitting at your desktop PC. Even when you’re not using the screen, they can serve as general-purpose speakers for whatever gadgets you like to play music from, which is all the more convenient if they support Bluetooth for wireless connection.
This model is described as a sound base rather than a bar, because it’s big enough to support your monitor instead of being placed in front. That has the side effect of raising your screen a few inches, which is a good thing, since most monitor stands are too low. If you use it with your TV rather than a PC, it’s chunky enough to support big screens.
Cambridge Audio is the own brand of Richer Sounds, which is known for selling high-quality audio equipment at low prices. They’ve recently knocked 20 quid off this improved version of their popular TV2, making it strikingly good value. Not that it’s particularly fancy: there’s no surround-sound or ‘3D’ effect, and no separate subwoofer, just a big 6.5in woofer mounted on the underside to boost low frequencies. Two forwardfacing full-range drivers do the rest. These use patented ‘balanced-mode radiator’ technology, which was big news a few years ago, enabling a single unit to cover mid-range and high frequencies effectively.
And it works. TV soundbars have a tough job, because you might want to watch anything from a jazz concert to a blockbuster action film, and most of the time you’ll be keenly aware of how clearly speech is reproduced. The TV2 version 2 handled everything we tried with great aplomb, from rumbling explosions through rich dialogue to sparkling cymbals. It may not technically be a surround system, but it made us feel like the action spread out far beyond the box’s half-metre width.
Connections are basic, but Bluetooth with aptx is included for all your mobile devices, although not the higher-quality Apple Airplay. A remote control is included too.
VERDICT: Unless you really need extra features, sound quality is what speakers are all about, and we loved the audio output from this reasonably priced unit
★★★★★
ALTERNATIVE: Bose Solo 5 £240 We liked this slimmer Bluetooth soundbar’s clear speech reproduction, but it’s gone up in price and overall sound quality isn’t as good
It made us feel like the action spread out far beyond the box