Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Roku’s Wireless speakers will link up with its smart soundbar for true surround

Simon Cohen
By

When Roku debuted its wireless speakers, it seemed an odd turn for a streaming brand. But, as it turned out, the Roku Speakers are actually quite impressive — and the perfect pairing for a Roku TV. Ever since the follow-up of Roku’s Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer, though, we’ve been wondering: Why on earth can’t you add the speakers to the soundbar and sub for a wireless surround sound system?

As it turns out, this was always part of the plan. Roku just needed some more time to make it happen. Now that time is nearly here, and the results are pretty sweet. Following a forthcoming update, Roku’s entire audio family will work together, giving you full surround immersion at an impressive value.

Roku Surround Sound Wireless Speakers

For just a shade under $500, you can take a decent TV with a pedestrian streaming interface and not only make it way smarter thanks to the Roku Soundbar‘s built-in Roku streaming system, but you can also make it sound a lot better with the addition of the Roku Sub for deep bass and the Roku Speakers as left and right surround satellites. That’s a pretty hot deal for instant surround.

Related

For those who’ve already got some Roku audio products, the new feature makes it easy to upgrade for a nearly wireless surround setup. If you already own the Soundbar and the Subwoofer, simply pick up a set of the $200 Roku Speakers (or vice versa).

Recommended Videos

Now, technically, even though the combined system is compatible with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround soundtracks from services like Netflix and others, what you get isn’t true 5.1 sound — but it’s very close. The Roku Soundbar only has left and right channels — there’s no center channel — so the speaker has to do a bit of processing magic to create a virtualized center channel. Unless you’re a surround sound aficionado, you probably won’t notice much of a difference, especially as the Soundbar has a speech clarity feature that enhances dialogue.

When you factor in the price, the convenience of the wireless surrounds and subwoofer (the soundbar must still be connected to your TV via HDMI), and the built-in Roku OS, it’s a pretty great value.

We got the chance to sample Roku’s new Voltron surround system at a private event during CES 2020 and walked away generally impressed. The sound can come off a bit flat and processed, but it’s definitely well-matched, whirling the audio around the center seats with power and clarity. And with a relatively low cost for surround sound and Roku streaming in one simple package, it’s also a very approachable setup for those circling a surround system.

That said, if $500 is still on the pricey side for you, we’ve got more good news: The Walmart-exclusive Onn-branded Roku Soundbar, Subwoofer, and Speakers (which launch in mid-February), deliver all of the same features as the Roku-branded versions for just $410, but with a little less oomph in the power department.

The Onn-branded Roku Wireless Speakers are sonically identical to the Roku-branded versions, but they don’t come with the Roku’s two remotes. If you don’t need these extra gadgets, and already own the Roku Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer, it’s a good way to save some coin as they’re compatible with the Roku-branded versions.

Perhaps the best part for surround sound novices is that setup is a snap, all done by following simple commands over the on-screen Roku interface.

Once it’s ready to go, the speakers will deliver surround sound when it’s available on the show or movie you’re watching, and if it isn’t, it can even up-mix stereo sound, not only mirroring the left and right channels to the wireless satellites but also separating ambient noise via DSP surround modes so that it almost feels like surround sound.

Roku’s new surround sound feature will begin rolling out via a Roku OS software update for all Roku Smart soundbars beginning in February, while the Onn Roku Wireless Surround Speakers will be available at Walmart in mid-February for pairing to their Onn family soundbar and subwoofer.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
Bose SoundLink Flex is a waterproof speaker that knows what’s up
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker in blue.

Bose has introduced the latest member of its SoundLink family of Bluetooth speakers and headphones, the $149 SoundLink Flex. It's available starting October 13 at Bose.com and other retailers in three colors: Black, white, or blue.

The SoundLink Flex's IP67 rating for water and dust resistance makes it a pretty good pool and beach companion, and should it actually go for a kerplunk, it will float back to the surface of the water so you don't need to grab a mask and snorkel to retrieve it.

Read more
Soundbars vs. speakers
soundbar deals bose sony lg amazon best buy htx9000f and subwoofer

Finding a sound system that perfectly balances quality and style might seem near-impossible. When looking for an audio solution, you'll likely see two options: Soundbars and traditional home theater speakers. Deciding on the best solution can seem like an enormous challenge if you're not sure what suits your needs the best.

Should you go with a soundbar or speakers? We'll help you make the best decision based on a few key factors, such as room size, connectivity, and sound quality.
What is a soundbar?
A soundbar is a convenient audio solution without the overall cost of an expensive and fully immersive home theater setup. What makes soundbars convenient is that they are typically compact and sit right in front, under, or mounted above the TV. Not having to rely on a receiver, soundbars are self-contained, which makes moving them from one place to another easy.

Read more
How to buy a soundbar
Vizio 2021 elevate soundbar.

These days, even the cheapest televisions are rocking pristine, high-definition screens. You can sort through Amazon's bargain bin, pinching pennies like Scrooge McDuck, and still come away with something detailed enough to make out the individual hairs on a spider's leg. But in the age of 4K Ultra HD and HDR, there's still one aspect where modern TVs don't cut it: Sound. It's no surprise that wallpaper-thin screens don't have room for top-tier speakers, but what's the best solution? The most popular option is a soundbar.

Soundbars are slim, unobtrusive, and easy to set up, and the best soundbars can effectively emulate a full-featured surround sound system (for less dough and less effort). But figuring out which soundbar to choose can be difficult, given the diversity of options and the confusing numerical suffixes attached.

Read more