This Roku streaming soundbar is still over 30% off on Cyber ​​Monday

I’ve tried many of Roku’s video streamers over the years, but until recently I had never used one of its streambars, which combine a small soundbar with Roku’s entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Roku has discontinued its top-end Streambar Pro speaker, but is now selling it Streambar SEa new mini soundbar for 2024 that caught my eye because it’s available for just $69 thanks to this Cyber ​​Monday deal, which is $31 off the $100 list price.

When I say mini soundbar, I really mean mini. About the size of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE is 9.6 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep, and 2.4 inches high, and weighs 2 pounds (907 grams). It’s really designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bedroom, study, or dorm room, rather than your main TV in the living room (unless you have a very small living room).

I connected it to an old 42″ Vizio that I have in my home office. Setup is pretty simple, it’s basically the same process as connecting a video streamer to your TV, although it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port for convenience. (Most TVs released in the last 10 to 12 years have an HDMI port called HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you don’t have ARC, there is a workaround using an HDMI cable and an optical cable, but I didn’t have one to deal with. Here are the best Cyber ​​Monday TV deals and our favorite deals under $100.

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An improvement over the sound of my TV speakers

I have Spectrum TV and Roku has a Spectrum TV app that 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 some sort of Friends episode. I also used Roku and Peacock’s Apple TV app to watch an English Premier League game.

Perhaps because my expectations were low, I was surprised at how much sound this little speaker could produce. While the Streambar SE doesn’t offer the best sound – it can only output a limited amount of bass via its two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and the single bass port – the speaker delivers better sound than you’d think due to its very compact size. It’s particularly strong in the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue and delivering better sound than most TV speakers (by that I mean the speakers built into your TV). If you want more bass, you can connect the speaker to Roku’s wireless bass Subwoofer, but this separate subwoofer will cost you $130.

I can’t say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you get a whole lot of stereo separation. It does not have the side-firing speakers of the step-up model Streamable ($130), which won a 2023 CNET Editors’ Choice Award, and you also can’t pair it with Roku’s wireless rear speakers to create a surround system. But the quality is good enough to make you feel like you’ve gotten a good deal, especially when you’re already about to spend around $30 on it Roku Express 4K Plus or Streaming stick 4K.

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As for sound modes, you have a few presets to choose from including Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard, and the speaker reduces the volume during loud commercials. The soundbar also comes with Bluetooth so you can connect headphones to it, as well as Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay support.

Read more: Best soundbar of 2024: Top picks from Roku, Yamaha and more

I should note that the included remote is Roku’s simpler remote, not the advanced voice remote that allows you to give voice commands and voice search. However, you can download Roku’s mobile app for iOS and Android, which supports voice commands.

The Streambar SE offers 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming, but does not support Dolby Vision. My old Vizio isn’t even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE’s video streaming capabilities are more than adequate.

Why Roku’s Streambar SE is a great gift

While Roku’s Step-Up Streambar ($130) certainly delivers better sound quality, the Streambar SE’s more compact size and affordable price make it particularly attractive, especially for those of us who might want to improve the sound of a smaller-sized TV want an older model like mine. The Streambar SE is nothing special, but the price is right for its performance.

For more gift ideas, here are 36 Unique Gifts for People Who Have Everything and 32 of the Best Holiday Gifts for Under $100. Plus, here are some great Cyber ​​Monday deals to shop this holiday season.

Will the Roku Streambar SE still be on sale for Cyber ​​Monday?

We’re pleased that the Roku Streambar SE deal has retained its Black Friday price. We are approaching the final hours of Cyber ​​Monday. So if you want to take part in this offer, be sure to grab it while you still can.

In addition to this sale, keep an eye out for all the streaming soundbar deals during Cyber ​​Monday.