For weeks, the Hisense HS214 2.1 Inch Soundbar with Built-In Subwoofer has been my primary audio companion for movie nights and music listening. This compact soundbar promises a significant upgrade to my television’s audio, and I’ve put it through its paces to see if it delivers on that promise. This review dives deep into its performance, features, and overall value.

The HS214 is surprisingly feature-rich for its size and price point. Beyond the obvious built-in subwoofer, I appreciated the multiple audio modes (Movie, Music, News). The ability to switch between these modes easily via the remote or the soundbar itself was convenient. The HDMI ARC connectivity was a breeze to set up and ensured a streamlined audio experience. Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music from my phone was also quick and seamless. The compact design makes it suitable for a variety of TV setups.

In terms of sound quality, the HS214 exceeded my expectations. The subwoofer, despite its compact size, delivers surprisingly deep and punchy bass. While it’s not going to rattle your windows, it significantly enhances the low-end frequencies, adding a richness to movies and music that was previously lacking. The two front-facing speakers provide clear and well-balanced highs and mids. Dialogue is crisp and easily understandable, even during action-packed scenes. I tested the soundbar with various movie genres, music styles, and news broadcasts, and it consistently performed well across the board. The different sound modes are also effective at tailoring the audio output to suit the content, resulting in a better listening experience.

However, at higher volumes, some distortion was noticeable. It wasn’t excessively problematic, but it was something I observed, especially with bass-heavy content. The overall loudness is suitable for a medium-sized living room but might not be sufficient for larger spaces. For rooms larger than my 15′ x 12′ space, I’d consider the need for a stronger sound system.

Pros:

• Compact and easy to place
• Excellent bass response for a built-in subwoofer
• Clear and crisp dialogue
• Multiple audio modes (Movie, Music, News)
• Simple setup with HDMI ARC and Bluetooth connectivity
• Good value for the price

Cons:

• Slight distortion at higher volumes
• May not be loud enough for very large rooms
• Limited customization options beyond pre-set modes

The Hisense HS214 2.1 Inch Soundbar delivers a significant audio upgrade for its price. The built-in subwoofer adds much-needed bass to your TV’s sound without taking up much space. While it has a few minor drawbacks, such as distortion at maximum volume and limited customization, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, particularly for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use soundbar to improve the audio quality of their TV watching experience. I highly recommend the Hisense HS214 to anyone looking for a budget-friendly solution that provides improved sound quality in most typical viewing scenarios.