Roku Streambar Review: Instant Sound and 4K Streaming Upgrade

2023 Compact soundbars like the  Vizio M-Series 2.1  and the Yamaha SR-C20A offer improved TV sound in a small package. 4K HDR streamers like the Chromecast with Google TV and Roku Streaming Stick Plus deliver better streaming to any TV. Until now, however, no product has combined the two into a single, do-it-all package under $150. That's what the Roku Streambar does, and it does the job very well. 8.3 Roku Streambar $80 at Roku Like Compact, easy to set up and affordable Excellent dialogue reproduction Tried and true Roku experience Don't like Lacks bass in movies and music Table of Contents Roku Streambar Review: Instant Sound and 4K Streaming Upgrade What it is How it performs Should you buy it? The Streambar follows the footsteps of last year's  Roku Smart Soundbar  with a smaller size and more affordable price . Usually the biggest issue with hybrid devices is that they've compromised too much in some area, and while the Streambar isn't sonically perfect -- its lack of bass is its biggest weakness -- it makes up for that with excellent sound for dialogue and an ability to fill a room that belies its tiny footprint. Sure, it lacks a subwoofer, but even without one it can still beat your TV's speakers .  Then again, so can a lot of other soundbars . If you want superior sound and don't need streaming, the Yamaha SR-C20 or Vizio V21 are better choices. The Roku Streambar is cheaper than either one, however, and makes perfect sense for people who don't already have a good streamer hooked up to their TV. If you want to be able to hear your TV better , particularly vocals, and also enhance its streaming capabilities, it's an excellent value.  Editor's note, Dec. 3:  Due to its performance, size and price, we're giving the Roku Streambar our Editors' Choice award as our favorite budget soundbar. While there are newer soundbars that outperform the Roku, they are also more ex