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Research · 2.0-channel soundbar

Roku Streambar SE: what the testing says

The Streambar SE is two things for $113.99: a 4K Roku streaming player and a small speaker. RTINGS rates it okay for dialogue and poor for movies, and it plays only PCM stereo, no Dolby or DTS. Buy it to give an older TV clearer voices and apps; anything else on our list sounds bigger.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released On sale by 2024
Roku Streambar SE soundbar with its remote, three-quarter view
Image: Roku (official product page, opens in a new tab)

Our take

The short version

Roku's only current soundbar is a 9.6-inch-wide 2.0 bar with two 1.9-inch drivers and a bass port, plus a full 4K HDR Roku streaming player inside. It connects over HDMI ARC or optical, streams over Wi-Fi, and works with AirPlay and Bluetooth. Roku has discontinued the bigger Streambar and Streambar Pro.

As a speaker, RTINGS calls it 'okay for dialogue and TV shows', 'passable for music', and 'a poor choice for movies', with no support for formats beyond PCM 2.0 and a lot of compression at max volume. PCMag gave it 3.5 of 5 as 'an affordable way to enhance your TV's audio quality while also adding streaming services'.

On a Roku TV it sets itself up and the TV's remote runs both. Roku's support page lists the Roku Wireless Subwoofer as its add-on, but that sub wasn't sold on roku.com on October 26, and the Roku Wireless Speakers don't work with it.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • Built-in 4K HDR Roku streaming player
  • AirPlay, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
  • Tiny: fits under any TV we cover
  • Plug-and-play with Roku TVs

Trade-offs

  • PCM stereo only: no Dolby Digital, DTS, or Atmos
  • RTINGS: poor for movies, compresses at max volume
  • No center channel; little bass
  • HDMI ARC, not eARC

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • Owners of an older TV that needs both apps and clearer sound
  • Bedroom and kitchen TVs
  • Roku TV owners who want the simplest setup

Skip it if…

  • Anyone with a TV that already streams: the Sonos Ray is the better small speaker
  • Movie watchers: it can't decode surround formats
  • Big living rooms

Your TV

TVs it fits and syncs with

At 9.6 in (244 mm) wide, the Streambar SE fits under a 42-inch screen, whose picture is 36.6 inches wide, and every size we cover. Our rule: a bar fits when it's no wider than the picture, since every TV is a little wider than its picture and the bar then won't overhang it. Check the gap under the screen too: the bar is 2.4 inches (61 mm) tall.

Roku names these features for Roku TVs. Any other TV still works with it over HDMI ARC.

  • Roku TVs: Plug-and-play with Roku TV, Unified control

    Roku says a Roku TV recognizes it during setup, its remote then runs both the TV and the bar, and the bar's sound modes appear in the Roku TV menu. Roku's page (opens in a new tab)

TVs we cover that it fits under

Sizes are the ones each TV is sold in. A sync feature is listed where Roku names one for that TV's brand and model year.

Spec sheet

Streambar SE specs

Roku Streambar SE specifications
ChannelsNot stated by Roku (RTINGS: 2.0)
DriversTwo 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a bass port
Audio formatsPCM, per Roku; no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
HDMIHDMI 2.0a with ARC; it's also the streamer's video output
HDMI passthroughNone (it's the video source: up to 4K 60fps, HDR10/10+)
Optical1 optical input
WirelessDual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay and HomeKit
Voice / micsWorks with Google Home and Alexa; no voice remote
SubwooferNone in the box; Roku lists the Roku Wireless Subwoofer as an add-on
Rear speakersNot supported (Roku Wireless Speakers don't work with it)
Bar dimensions2.4 x 9.6 x 3.5 in (Roku gives inches only; 9.6 in, about 244 mm, wide)
Bar weight2 lb (907 g)
Room calibrationNot specified
Dialogue / night modesSpeech clarity (Off, Low, High, Auto); Night mode; volume leveling
Also notableBuilt-in 4K HDR Roku streaming player; USB 2.0

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it. Model number: 9104R.

Published testing

What the testing says

Other outlets tested the Streambar SE; we didn't. Each finding is theirs, with the page and its date.

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Sonos Ray soundbar in black, three-quarter view
    Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sonos Ray

    Channels
    2.0
    Approx. price
    ~$219
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    None stated
    Width
    21.9 in

    A small stereo bar for clearer TV voices and Sonos streaming; optical only, with no HDMI or Atmos.

    Pros

    • Pro: Clear voices: 4 of 5 from What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide
    • Pro: Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
    • Pro: Small enough for any TV we cover

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Optical only: no HDMI, so no one-cable CEC control
    • Trade-off: No Dolby Atmos; RTINGS calls it disappointing for movies

    Top fit scores

    Value
    4 out of 5
    Dialogue
    2 out of 5
    Movies
    1 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sonos Ray
  • Samsung HW-S60D soundbar, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-S60D

    Channels
    5.0 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$277.99
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    26.3 in

    An all-in-one Atmos bar under $300 with Wi-Fi and AirPlay; RTINGS rates it great for dialogue.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for dialogue, good for music
    • Pro: Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa built in
    • Pro: HDMI eARC and SpaceFit room calibration

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No up-firing drivers; RTINGS rates it okay for movies
    • Trade-off: Lacks low bass without the optional sub

    Top fit scores

    Value
    5 out of 5
    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Music
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-S60D
  • Samsung HW-B750F soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-B750F

    Channels
    5.1
    Approx. price
    ~$297.99
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    48" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    40.6 in

    A 5.1 bar and sub under $300 that RTINGS rates very good for dialogue and music, but with no Atmos.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: very good for dialogue and for music
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box with punchy bass
    • Pro: Center channel and side-firing speakers

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No Dolby Atmos
    • Trade-off: HDMI ARC, not eARC; no Wi-Fi

    Top fit scores

    Value
    5 out of 5
    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-B750F

Sources

Manufacturer specs

Manufacturer specs and published testing, researched October 26, 2026. The Amazon price is the buy-box price for a new unit that day ($113.99, sold by Amazon.com). We didn't test this soundbar ourselves; findings credited to an outlet are that outlet's.