Gadgetwise: Review: Sceptre Speaker SoundBar SB301523

The Sceptre Speaker SoundBar SB301523 is a smart idea at a reasonable price — a soundbar with Wi-Fi and the Android operating system built in, so you can get TV shows and video from the Internet without adding another box. While the idea is good, the execution is half-baked.

The roughly 30-inch-long bar is an unusual design, in that it has no grille covering the two 2 ¾-inch and two 1 ½-inch speakers. It gives it a sleekly utilitarian look, but may make the working parts vulnerable to curious (and destructive) children. It is lightweight, at five pounds, which can make wall mounting easier.

The sound is clear, loud and pleasant, but it lacks the room-shaking bass of soundbars that come with a separate subwoofer.

Because the speakers are so close together, the sound is almost monaural. However, there are several sound settings to adjust quality. The bar uses software called SRS WOW to increase the fullness of the sound and enhance the stereo effect. It makes a noticeable difference, but it still won’t match higher-end multispeaker sound bars.

And the price is right — it lists for $200, but I have found it online for $100.

One hitch in the execution is the built-in Android interface, which moves at a glacial pace. Even worse is trying to navigate the web using the included standard remote. Because you have to enter a lot of text when looking for videos or using apps, you really need a keyboard. I tried it with a Favi SmartStick Keyboard Controller, which was a vast improvement, but would add $40 to the cost of the system.

Another consideration facing potential buyers has nothing to with the soundbar itself, but the quality of available video that is free and easily available online. Outside of YouTube, I couldn’t easily find much worthwhile. If you have video subscriptions, like Netflix, there is an Android app that will let you get to your movie queue through the soundbar.

It may not be for the viewer who craves simplicity, but the tech-savvy on a budget may find it worth a look. ROY FURCHGOTT