- The Panasonic SC-HTB490 soundbar-and-subwoofer combo pairs simplicity and affordability in an effort to simply increase the sonic attributes of your TV - with out breaking the financial institution.
It is a pretty primary providing that solely has a single HDMI-ARC connection, and lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, however at this worth level you may't anticipate miracles. So is it any good for the asking worth?
Design
- Soundbar: 800 x 56 x 101mm; 1.9kg
- Subwoofer: 171 x 382 x 363mm; 5.7kg
The Panasonic SC-HTB490 is not going to win any design awards, with a easy cupboard that is the definition of prosaic. It is principally an oblong field, with a barely angled form and cloth stretched throughout the highest and entrance. The complete 'bar is completed in black, with shiny endplates and a matte strip alongside the highest, together with two lights on the entrance in lieu of a show.
Panasonic is clearly constructing to a worth level. Given that a soundbar should not draw consideration to itself that is advantageous, and a minimum of the highest would not mirror no matter's on the TV display screen in contrast to varied opponents.
The matte strip is the place you may discover some primary controls: energy on/off, quantity up/down, and a button for biking by the inputs (which additionally pulls double responsibility for Bluetooth pairing).
The HTB490 sits 56mm excessive, which should not block your display screen, however Panasonic additionally consists of elective ft designed to lift it above any inconvenient TV stands. Whereas these may be helpful, they do enhance the peak to 72mm, so bear that in thoughts. The soundbar can be wall-mountable - and you may even discover brackets included for this objective, additional including to its worth for cash prospects.
Connections and management
- HDMI output with eARC
- Digital enter, USB
- Bluetooth 4.2
The Panasonic SC-HTB490 homes all its connections in a recess on the underside, the place you may discover an HDMI-ARC output, an optical digital audio enter, and a USB port. There's additionally Bluetooth 4.2 for a wi-fi connection, however there is not any Wi-Fi help. Whereas the connectivity is restricted, it is a pretty commonplace choice for a soundbar on this worth vary.
The included distant is the type of credit score card-sized controller that is fiddly to make use of and has a behavior of getting misplaced down the again of the couch. The state of affairs is not helped by multi-purpose buttons which have each a foremost perform and a secondary one activated by holding the button down. In case your TV helps ARC - that is audio return channel, for piping alongside audio by HDMI - you are higher off utilizing its distant for primary management of the HTB490.
Options
- 2.1-channel configuration
- Dolby Digital and DTS
- 5x sound modes
The Panasonic SC-HTB490 is not designed to ship sonic pyrotechnics, its major objective is the elevate the audio high quality of your TV by including superior audio system and a separate subwoofer. It is a easy ambition, however one this soundbar achieves with mannered professionalism. It is also very simple to setup: merely connect the soundbar to your TV by way of HDMI-ARC and also you're good to go.
The soundbar itself homes a pair of full-range 120 x 45mm audio system with bass reflex ports for added low-end extension, and every is powered by 80W of Class D amplification (totalling 160W).
The included wi-fi subwoofer is styled in black to match the soundbar, and sports activities a 160mm driver with a bass reflex port and 160W of amplification. The inclusion of a separate sub will assist the system attain the sonic depths, and a mixed 320W complete gives enough grunt.
Sound high quality
- 2x 120x45mm cone audio system
- Separate subwoofer with 160mm driver
- 80W per channel: 160W soundbar, 160W sub; 320W complete
It is a strong performer, with the 2 audio system producing a clear and detailed supply, mixed with good stereo imaging. The mid-range is evident and freed from any muddiness, whereas the treble is rarely sibilant or harsh. The sub performs its half as effectively, laying a basis of well-integrated bass that digs pretty deep with out swamping the remainder of the soundstage.
The primary criticism with the HTB490 pertains to its two forward-firing audio system, which lack width and thus make this soundbar higher suited to display screen sizes under 55-inches. There's additionally no devoted centre channel, though dialogue throughout our testing was typically delivered with a centered readability that by no means sounded muffled or obscure.
The place the Panasonic actually impresses is by way of what's beneath the hood, with enough energy to ship some pleasing dynamic vary and a capability to go loud with out shedding its composure. The dearth of spatial width does rob this technique of a level of scale, however the amplification and added depth of the sub ensures a contemporary blockbuster sounds suitably epic.
There are 5 adjustment ranges for the subwoofer, and 5 sound modes: Commonplace, Cinema, Sports activities, Music, and Information. The Cinema and Sports activities modes apply digital encompass processing.
The Commonplace sound mode works finest as a normal setting, utilizing the two.1-channel system with out making use of any processing, which makes it excellent for watching TV and listening to music. The devoted Music mode simply sounds bizarre and is finest averted, although, however the Information mode is sweet for emphasising dialogue. The Cinema and Sports activities modes apply digital encompass processing, which provides the audio a bit more room but in addition robs the soundstage of a few of its entrance focus.
A Quiet Place is a film with a fastidiously designed soundtrack that is used to assist inform the story. It is stuffed with small sonic particulars that, throughout our watch by for testing, the HTB490 was in a position to tease out of the combination and render with good definition. The sudden adjustments in quantity have been additionally dealt with effectively, the subwoofer guaranteeing the scary moments had actual impression. There is not any actual encompass presence, although, however given this soundbar's inherent limitations it produces a strong general efficiency nonetheless.
The Panasonic SC-HTB490 is a straightforward however typically succesful 2.1-channel soundbar that delivers an reasonably priced increase to your TV's audio. The general design could also be pretty primary, however a minimum of the soundbar and subwoofer are effectively made. The options are a bit restricted, particularly on the subject of connections, and the distant is disappointing, however given the worth level it stays aggressive.
The essential factor is that the HTB490 delivers the place it issues: in audio functionality. There's good stereo imaging, an uncluttered midrange, dialogue that is clear regardless of the dearth of a centre channel, and a few deep bass due to a separate subwoofer. The soundstage may very well be wider, and there is not any encompass presence, however this 'bar-and-sub combo is a reasonable and completed sonic improve.
Post a Comment