Pros
- Very compact mini sound bar with built-in 4K Roku video streamer
- Delivers better sound than you'd expect for its small size
- Loud, clear dialogue
- Easy set-up
Cons
- Can only produce so much sound and bass
- Soundstage isn't as wide as Roku step-up Streambar
Over the years, I've used out plenty of Roku's video streamers, but until recently I'd never tested one of its Streambar range, which combine a small soundbar with Roku's entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Roku discontinued its top-end speaker, while keeping the Streambar, and now it's now selling an entry-level model. The Streambar SE is a new-for-2024 streaming mini soundbar which typically retails for around $80 -- or $20 off its list price of $100.
Read more: Best Soundbar of 2024
When I say mini soundbar, I really do mean mini. About the size of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE measures 9.6 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep by 2.4 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds (907 grams). It's designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bedroom, home office or dorm room, and not your main living room TV -- unless you have a very small living room.
The Streambar SE offers 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming over Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection if you buy a USB to Ethernet adapter for the USB port on back. However, the Streambar SE does not have support for Dolby Vision. My old Vizio isn't even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE's video streaming capabilities were more than enough.
I hooked the speaker up to an old 42-inch Vizio I have in my home office. Setup is pretty straightforward: it's basically the same process as connecting any video streamer to your TV, although it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port to simplify things. (Most TVs released in the last 10 to 12 years have one HDMI port that's labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you don't have ARC, there's a workaround using an HDMI cable and an optical cable, but I didn't have to deal with that.
The Roku Streambar SE is the size of a compact Bluetooth speaker -- and it does have Bluetooth connectivity.
An upgrade over my TV speakers' sound
I have Spectrum TV, and the Roku Streambar SE has the Spectrum TV app built in, which allows you to turn any Roku streamer into a cable TV box. For my listening test, I spent some time watching a few action movies, including Ant-Man and Nope, along with NFL Redzone, CNN and an episode of Friends. I also used Roku's Apple TV app and Peacock to watch an English Premier League match.
Maybe because my expectations were low, I was surprised by the amount of sound this little speaker was able to produce. While the Streambar SE doesn't offer the greatest sound -- it can output only so much bass through its dual 1.9-inch full-range drivers and single bass port -- the speaker produces better audio than you'd think given its very compact size. It's particularly strong in the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue, and it delivers better sound than what you get from most TV speakers (by that I mean the speakers built into your TV). If you want more bass, you can link the speaker with Roku's Wireless Bass subwoofer, but that separate sub will set you back $130.
I can't say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you get a whole lot of stereo separation. It doesn't have the side-firing speakers of the step-up Streambar ($130), which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award in 2023, nor can you pair it with Roku's wireless rear speakers to create a surround system. But the quality is good enough to leave you feeling like you got a good deal, particularly if you were already going to shell out $30 or so for Roku's Express 4K Plus or Streaming Stick 4K.
The Roku Streambar is significantly smaller than a full-size soundbar, like this Sonos Beam.
You get a few preset sound modes to choose from, including Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard. The speaker will also cut the volume down on loud commercials. The soundbar is equipped with Bluetooth, so you can connect headphones to it, plus the Wi-Fi connection also allows Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay support.
I should note that the bundled remote is Roku's more basic remote and not its step-up voice remote, which lets you issue voice commands and voice search. However, you can download Roku's mobile app for iOS and Android, which does support voice commands.
The back of the speaker (bass port on left). There's no Ethernet port but the USB port supports a wired connection with a USB to Ethernet adapter.
Roku Streambar SE final thoughts
While Roku's step-up Streambar ($130) delivers better sound quality, the Streambar SE's more compact size and affordable price tag gives it a distinct appeal, particularly for those of us looking to upgrade the sound of a more modest-size TV, perhaps an older model like mine. The Streambar SE isn't fancy, but the price is right for what it does.
