Zvox AV157 Soundbar: Two Minute Test
The Zvox AV157 soundbar is a difficult little thing to test. That’s because it has one main purpose and doesn’t do much else compared to other soundbars, although it does that one thing well.
If you’re looking for one of the best soundbars to enhance your TV viewing experience, the Zvox AV157 soundbar isn’t the one. However, if you need something to simply highlight voices in your favorite shows or movies because they seem to get lost in the mix, then the Zvox AV157 is for you. People with hearing loss will appreciate this small soundbar the most.
Much like the Soundfun Mirai I recently reviewed, I found the price of the Zvox AV157 a bit off-putting, as it’s mostly a one-trick pony. But if you can’t hear what the hell Robert Pattinson is saying principleyou’ll probably be willing to spend money on that, although you could get a good mid-range soundbar like the Sony HT-S2000 for not much more money.
The Zvox AV157’s design is as unobtrusive as can be. It’s a small, black, rectangular device measuring 17 x 3.3 x 2.9 inches with a front grille that displays volume, input (indicated by the enigmatic “In1d” and “In2A”), and Accuvoice and PhaseCue virtual surround (aka virtual surround sound) levels using an orange alphanumeric LED display.
In terms of connections, the Zvox AV157 is very basic, offering only 3.5mm analog and optical digital audio inputs and a subwoofer/headphone output. It would have been nice if Zvox had also included an HDMI port with ARC functionality, as optical connections can be tricky at times.
For example, I had issues where I had to turn on a TV and connect speakers or a soundbar in a specific order when using an optical connection. Since this soundbar is intended for older people who may have difficulty troubleshooting connection issues, an HDMI port would have been a good idea.
The Zvox has three 3-inch full-range drivers powered by a 24-watt Class D amplifier under the hood, making it loud enough for most people in small to medium-sized rooms. Since it’s a smaller unit, I wouldn’t recommend it for larger rooms, even if you need the dialogue enhancement feature.
I appreciate the AV157’s remote, which is straightforward and has large buttons that you don’t have to press hard to register changes. It’s large enough that you can easily lose it, at least no more than any other remote.
As for the soundbar’s power, different people will have different opinions on that. Again, the 24 watts provide more than enough power for smaller setups. And it represents an upgrade over regular, budget flat-panel TVs, which usually have small, downward-firing speakers (a big reason why modern TVs sound worse than those from a few decades ago), even without special amplification or surround sound mode enabled.
Because the AV157 is small, there isn’t much bass and the treble is nothing special. When using the AccuVoice dialogue enhancement feature, you have six levels to choose from, with each level boosting the mid-range where voices sit, while six levels of SuperVoice technology simultaneously minimise background noise.
The Zvox AV157 does its job well and does what it promises. However, the more the midrange is emphasized, the more unnatural the sound sounds. In fact, voices sound boxy. In a way, it’s like a hearing aid in that it doesn’t make things sound better, just more audible.
Another Zvox feature, “PhaseCue Virtual Surround,” uses, as the name suggests, processing to create virtual surround sound. It has three stages and, like most virtual surround sounds, makes the sound a little more spacious. Still, it might be something you appreciate, as it adds some depth to the very midrange sound of the AV157. An additional feature, Output Leveling, is used to modulate the overall volume so that, for example, TV commercials don’t sound too loud.
If you have trouble hearing dialogue, the AV157 can improve your TV experience. However, keep in mind that TV speakers are generally subpar, so if you want to hear dialogue a little more clearly (and don’t have serious problems with your hearing), upgrading to a decent soundbar will do the trick.
Zvox AV157 Soundbar Review: Price and Release Date
- Price: $249 / £159 / AU$458
- Published in May 2020
The Zvox AV157 is quite expensive for a small soundbar, with a list price of $249 / £159 / AU$458. Like the Soundfun Mirai ($299), which fills a similar need, I find the price a little high for a soundbar that mainly amplifies the frequencies where dialogue occurs. But at least the Zvox also offers virtual surround imaging to spice things up. It can also often be found on sale for under $249.
Of course, there are cheaper soundbars that have a dialogue mode or the ability to boost mid-frequencies, such as the Roku Streambar, which costs $130/£130. The Streambar has a whole host of extra features, including the Roku platform built-in and HDMI ARC support, but it doesn’t have the precise voice amplification of the Zvox that the hard of hearing will appreciate.
Should I buy the Zvox AV157 soundbar?
| Characteristics | Notes | Reviews |
| Features | AccuVoice dialogue enhancement and virtual surround | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | Plenty of volume for a small setup and good for amplifying dialogue, but can sound unnatural | 4 / 5 |
| design | Small and easy to use. If only there was an HDMI port | 4 / 5 |
| Value | A little expensive for what it offers, especially considering that it is pretty stripped down apart from its main function | 4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Zvox AV157 Soundbar review: Also note
This is how I tested the Zvox AV157 soundbar
- I used the Zvox AV157 soundbar for a week
- Tested with TV and movies
I have been using the Zvox AV157 Soundbar regularly for a week, watching TV, movies and Youtube videos. I just compared it to my TV’s speakers to see what kind of improvement it offers and found that as I said in the review, it is good for what it is designed for. If you are hard of hearing, this is a good but slightly expensive option. I
I’ve tested a lot of tech over the years, from laptops to keyboards and speakers, so I’ve been able to use my expertise to give an honest and fair opinion and, of course, critical look at every product I test.
First reviewed in August 2024
Read more about how we test
