The 2.1-channel budget segment soundbar Hisense HS214 provides detailed reproduction of mid and high frequencies. And this is despite its compact form factor. Additionally, it has powerful bass thanks to the built-in subwoofer. The feature of the gadget is that the soundbar perfectly matches small-sized TVs – 32-40 inches. With a price of $100, the device looks very attractive for the budget segment.
Soundbar Hisense HS214 – review
Connecting the Hisense HS214 soundbar to the TV is standard – via HDMI interface. It has ARC function. You can control the volume and power on the soundbar with the TV’s remote control. Connection between devices can also be established wirelessly via Bluetooth. In this case, HS214 is controlled with the included remote control. The implementation is interesting – whichever remote is more convenient, that one is used.
For other sound transmission methods, a familiar S/PDIF interface is provided. It is represented by two connectors: Coaxial and Optical Toslink. Considering that most TVs have digital output rather than analog, this is quite logical.
The device also includes various preset sound enhancement schemes. This is implemented for different types of content:
- Watching movies.
- Listening to music.
- News broadcasts (voice).
The device is equipped with a high-speed USB 2.0 port for connecting storage devices with a FAT32 file system and up to 64 GB of memory. “High-speed” is an exaggeration, but it is sufficient for operation. No need to pay extra for USB 3.0. Audio recordings in mp3 and wma formats can be played via USB. Uncompressed files such as wav and flac are also supported.
The Hisense HS214 features an automatic shutdown function. The soundbar automatically switches to standby and power-saving mode if no signal source connection is detected within 15 minutes.
Technical specifications of Hisense HS214
| Channels | 2.1 |
| Subwoofer | + (built-in) |
| Rated output power | 27 W per channel + 54 W (at 10% THD) |
| Frequency response | 40 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Digital interfaces | HDMI (ARC), Coaxial, Optical Toslink |
| Analog ports | AUX (3.5 mm mini-jack) |
| Wi-Fi support | – |
| Bluetooth support | + (v4.2) |
| 3D Audio | – |
| Virtual Surround | + |
| Decoding | Dolby Digital, Multichannel PCM, FLAC, WAV (48kHz), ALAC, WMA, MP3, AAC, AAC+ |
| Night mode | – |
| Installation | Wall mount, desk placement |
| Remote control | + |
| HDMI CEC | + |
| Power consumption | 20 W |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 650 x 61.5 x 95 mm |
| Weight | 2.17 kg / 2.72 kg (packaging) / 12 kg (transport) |
For a small room, with a TV up to 40 inches, the Hisense HS214 soundbar is a very interesting solution. Its compact size does not hinder placement on a computer desk for gaming. Of course, the built-in subwoofer is a bit confusing. But the gadget does not “hit” hard enough to fear resonance at high volume. For a price of 100 US dollars, this is a great purchase. If you’re interested in decent power, check out the soundbar Denon DHT-S517.
