Skip to main content

Enclave Audio now makes the most powerful Roku TV wireless speakers

Enclave Audio’s $1,000 CineHome II and $1,600 CineHome Pro 5.1 home theater speakers are now the first discrete 5.1 wireless speaker systems to be certified Roku TV Ready, which means you can control every aspect of their functionality from the Roku remote that comes with your Roku TV. All of the settings appear on-screen, so there’s no A/V receiver or third-party app or remote needed.

Enclave Audio CineHome Pro
Enclave Audio

Roku TVs are a brilliant idea. They combine high-quality displays with Roku’s superb streaming media software, to create a TV experience that is both powerful, yet incredibly simple, and easy to use.

Recommended Videos

But Roku TVs, like most TVs, don’t have stellar sound. They’re fine if you’re just watching the news or some random cat videos on YouTube, but they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to movies and TV shows. Getting better sound for your Roku TV means a soundbar at the very least, or a dedicated surround sound speaker system if you want something really impressive.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

But both of these solutions mean more complexity, especially as it relates to wiring and additional remote controls, which kind of kills the simplicity of having a Roku TV in the first place, and that in turn is why the Roku TV Ready ecosystem is so compelling. It keeps all aspects of sound control within the same easy-to-use interface.

Better yet, the CineHome systems are fully wireless. They use a transmitter hub (the CineHub) that plugs into the Roku TV’s HDMI ARC port. As soon as you do that, the Roku TV will automatically recognize the speakers and begin guiding you through the setup. As long as you have a power outlet near your preferred speaker positions, you’re good to go.

Though identical in terms of setup and operation, the two systems offer different performance. The CineHome Pro has a larger subwoofer, bigger front channel speakers, and more powerful surround speakers. It’s also THX Certified, which means the engineers at THX have confirmed that the system has “the power to fill a small room without the need for room-filling speakers, where the viewing distance from the screen is 6-8 feet,” according to THX.

The Enclave products use the WiSA wireless audio platform, a system that provides ultra-low-latency wireless connections within a single room, that can support hi-res audio and up to eight discrete channels in 24-bit/96kHz quality. They also have analog inputs and Bluetooth connections for streaming audio from a phone or tablet.

Despite their Roku TV Ready certification, you can also use the CineHome II and CineHome Pro with any TV that has an HDMI ARC, eARC, or optical port, though you’ll have to adjust the system’s advanced settings via an app, instead of on-screen.

Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen is a contributing editor to Digital Trends' Audio/Video section, where he obsesses over the latest wireless…
Roku blazes a wireless audio trail for new soundbars at CES 2021
Element 4K Ultra HD Roku TV with HDR

Soundbars are immensely popular for one very good reason: Simplicity. A power cable and an HDMI cable are typically all you need to get one set up and connected to your TV. But Roku -- the king of simplicity in the streaming world -- thinks we can do better. Ahead of CES 2021, the company has announced that it has created a new reference design for a soundbar that doesn't need to be physically connected to a TV at all. Well, to a Roku TV, to be precise.

The reference design is an expansion of the existing Roku TV Ready program announced a year ago that lets Roku TV owners configure their audio gear using a simple on-screen interface. Now, any compatible soundbar will still be configurable via Roku TV Ready, but it won't require an HDMI cable. The system uses Roku's proprietary version of Wi-Fi -- the same Wi-Fi connection it uses for its Roku Wireless Speakers -- which lets you place a soundbar more or less anywhere you want.

Read more
Roku TV Ready lets you control your entire soundbar from a Roku TV remote
Roku Ultra 2019 remote.

One of the best features of HDMI ARC connection is being able to control basic functions of your soundbar like volume and power with your TV remote. Now, Roku's new Roku TV Ready initiative is taking things a step further, allowing soundbar makers to work with Roku software so you can control everything on your soundbar -- from EQ to sound modes -- all from your Roku TV remote.

The first manufacturer on the list is long-time partner TCL, which has committed to releasing at least one Roku soundbar in 2020. Sound United brand and storied audio company Denon has promised to launch some Roku TV Ready audio products as well, allowing you to control their high-quality sound machines from the Roku TV Remote.

Read more
Denon unveils Denon Home: Three new wireless multiroom speakers
Denon Home 350

Japanese audio company Denon has revealed a system of three wireless multiroom speakers called Denon Home: The $249 Denon Home 150, $499 Denon Home 250, and the $699 Denon Home 350. Each model is compatible with Denon's HEOS Wi-Fi audio platform and can play hi-res audio files. AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth round out the speakers' wireless connections. The new models will go on sale in the first quarter of 2020, though no specific release date has been shared.

Intriguingly, all three models of Denon Home speakers will come equipped with two microphones for future voice assistant support. However, these microphones will be disabled and not functional until a future software update is available, according to the company. Denon has not yet indicated which voice assistants will be compatible with these new speakers.

Read more