Panasonic SC-HTB258EBK Bluetooth Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer - Black

Likes:- small compact unit sits perfectly beneath my Panasonic tv type 40DX600 smart tv, I did not want a powerful 300watt amplifier, I recommend to get the subwoofer which comes with this unit. Set up was easy and I did not have to play around with the tv sound menu to select pcm etc. The sound bar installation does it all for you. It supports Dolby and DTS automatically, but this may be the fact that Panasonic have got the software and installation setup just right, perhaps if you had an other tv type you may have to play around with setting the sound menu to cope with the right audio format.Dislikes:- The sound quality is not great when watching normal programs like the bbc news etc. The sound bar remote control just gives you 3 modes, standard,music, and cinema. All the normal sound options on the tv menu become grayed out when the sound bar switches on. The subwoofer does not come with an on-off switch which was shown on the original design, this would be handy if you just wanted the sound bar on its on. However the system is great on films from like Netflix etc. The rich deep sound is very good for a 120 watt system.The indicating lights on top of the sound bar are not easy to see unless you stand up from your chair in the lounge and the increase/decrease buttons for the subwoofer do not give you a display on the tv, so you do not know what the subwoofer setting is.The sound seems a bit muffled or perhaps on the soft side compared to the original tv speakers, perhaps I just need to get used to it, I have only had the system for 2 days, so my ears have not adjusted to the change in sound mode.I must just update my review after 3 days trying out my new sound system. When I tried to use my FreeViewPlay catchup system on BBC iPlayer or Netflix using the inbuilt apps on my Panasonic 40DX600 tv the playback kept buffering and the sound distorted. When I switched off the sound bar the problem disappeared. I could cast BBC iPlayer using my Chromecast link so the problem was with the sound bar system. By experimenting with the subwoofer position and moving it to the other side of the lounge the problem was resolved.The subwoofer was obviously interfering with the WFI receiver inside my tv when it was too close to the left hand side of the tv.So take note you may have to play around with the subwoofer position to get it just right, and by the way the overall sound improved considerably.

I bought this for improved sound over my Panasonic TV and that it does. It comes on/off with the TV. Sound is better than TV but not Hi-Fi. I like the bluetooth so I can play music from my mobile and recently found that it has a USB for media on a flash drive but for me it was a useful supply to LED backlights on the TV. The TV's own usb did not like supplying the backlights but the soundbar was not so fussy! You can easily turn up the sub-woofer for those cinema rumbles. Nice separate Mute button on the remote makes it easy to use when in a hurry as may be needed from time to time!Downsides are there are no visual indication of the settings. So adjustment of sound levels means you have to simply set it up by ear if you tweak the settings for some reason like the turning up the base and getting it back later to where you like it normally.

It arrived an a very oddly shaped box but well packaged for protection. It's easy to set-up BUT be aware there is no HDMI cable supplied, so I had to buy a compatible cable as the old one I had didn't work. The bar itself is nice, with the material finish providing a very easy-on-the-eye and a non-intrusive presence in front of the TV. It's nice and slim, the connections on the back are a little tricky to access so persevere and everything will be fine.The sound difference is obvious as soon as you switch it on, although the lack of Dolby Atmos is a bit disappointing but then again, it would cost so much more. I can now finally hear action and speech at the same time without messing around with the volume. There is a slight sound lag when you switch the bar on, I get around this by switching the bar on before the TV and my LG Magic Remote has no issues controlling the volume on the bar.The remote for the bar is slim and compact, still easy to use and easy to keep tucked away where you can find it when needed. I haven't hooked-up the woofer yet as I am still arguing with my wife where it should go because it is quite big.All-in-all, great sound with a few little irks, the worst one being how it switches off when not being used and this is easily remedied by looking at the status indicator on the front which can also be dimmed right down so they are not distracting in the least.Pleased with the bar at a good price, too.EDIT: Finally got the subwoofer up and running, Bluetooth works seamlessly and the extra 'oomph' from the speaker provides quite a lot of rich depth to the sound. I have turned it down to its lowest setting but the deep bass is still there. One tiny little niggle, I wish the power indicator on the front of the woofer would dim down as it does on the soundbar.

Sound bar arrived , plugged in and ready to go in 5 minutes, nice pleasant sound , not to much bass , though can be adjusted, blue tooth very useful for my 300 gig classical collection. I like it also turns of automatically after source is turned off , good replacement for old unit which had 10 years of use , it’s a very good buy , also you don’t have to buy a extra sub woofer

I have never owned a soundbar pr subwoofer before - I thought i would treat myself.The one I got was a refurbished customer return. It arrived promptly and was very well packaged.It was very easy to set up. Attach the HDMI into the back of the TV, attach it to the soundbar and plug it in. Then plug in and switch everything on.The sound was incredible on the film I immeadiately watched. What a difference.The only minor bad point was the remote supplied is very flimsy, cheap bit of plastic. It is not a major thing as the TV remote is still fully functional so it does not need to be used apart from the mode which is one button press.All in all I am very happy with my sound upgrade to my TV