Zvox AV157 is a soundbar targeted towards the elder people who feel difficulty in listening to the voices coming out of the TV speakers.
I was trying my hands, and ears, on Zvox AV157 and after using it for awhile, here I am going to share a detailed review of the Zvox AV157 to all Geeky Stuffs readers.
Zvox AV157 Soundbar : Hands-on Review
Design and Build Quality
The Zvox AV157 is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. This compact, black rectangular unit measures just 17 x 3.3 x 2.9 inches and features a front grille with an orange alphanumeric LED display.
The display shows volume levels, input selections (labeled somewhat confusingly as “In1d” and “In2A”), as well as Accuvoice and PhaseCue virtual surround sound settings.
In terms of connectivity, the Zvox AV157 is quite simple. It includes a 3.5mm analog input, an optical digital audio input, and a subwoofer/headphone output. However, it would have been better if Zvox had added an HDMI port with ARC support, as optical connections can sometimes be unreliable.
The unit houses three 3-inch full-range drivers powered by a 24-watt Class-D amplifier, making it loud enough for most small to medium-sized rooms. However, due to its size, it might not be ideal for larger spaces, even with its dialogue-enhancing features.
I also appreciate the AV157’s remote control, which is user-friendly with large buttons that are easy to press. Its size makes it less likely to be misplaced, at least no more than any other remote.
Audio Features and Performance
The performance of the soundbar will likely elicit different reactions from users depending on at what frequency someone's hearing working well. The 24-watt power output is more than sufficient for small setups, offering a noticeable improvement over the small, downward-firing speakers found in most budget flat-panel TVs, even without engaging any special audio enhancements like surround sound.
Due to its compact size, the AV157 doesn’t offer much in terms of bass, and the treble is fairly standard. The AccuVoice feature provides six levels of dialogue enhancement, boosting the mid-range frequencies where voices reside. Additionally, the SuperVoice feature offers six levels of background noise reduction, helping to further clarify dialogue.
The AV157 performs well in fulfilling its advertised purpose, but the more the mid-range is boosted, the more unnatural the sound can become. Voices tend to sound boxy, which is similar to the effect of a hearing aid—it doesn’t necessarily improve sound quality but makes it more intelligible.
Another feature, "PhaseCue virtual surround," processes audio to create a virtual surround sound experience. It has three levels and slightly enhances the spaciousness of the sound. While not a drastic change, it does add some depth to the AV157's mid-range-heavy profile. Additionally, the Output Leveling feature helps balance overall volume, preventing TV commercials from being excessively loud.
Conclusion
The Zvox AV157 soundbar has a singular focus, and while it doesn't offer many of the features found in other soundbars, it excels at what it’s designed to do.
If you’re searching for a top-tier soundbar to dramatically enhance your overall TV viewing experience, the Zvox AV157 isn’t the right choice. However, if your main issue is that dialogue in shows or movies tends to get lost in the background, then this soundbar is ideal. It’s especially suited for those with hearing difficulties, as it effectively brings voices to the forefront.
The price of the Zvox AV157 may feel steep given its limited functionality, but if you often struggle to hear dialogue clearly, it could be worth the investment.