The Fire TV Soundbar Plus comes in three configurations, and the difference is large enough to change the recommendation. The bar by itself places every driver at the front. With the full package, speakers sit behind you and a separate subwoofer handles bass.
In depth
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review
Published
Best forHouseholds choosing between one soundbar and a package with physical surround speakers.
At a glance
- Channel configuration
- Standalone bar / Bar and subwoofer3.1Bar, subwoofer and rear speakers5.1
- Included system
- Standalone barStandalone barBar and subwooferBar and subwooferBar, subwoofer and rear speakersBar, subwoofer and rear speakers
- Immersive audio
- Dolby AtmosDTS:X
- TV connection
- HDMI ARC/eARC
Pros
- A dedicated center channel and adjustable dialogue enhancement.
- Three configurations allow for different rooms and placement constraints.
Cons
- The standalone bar cannot place a sound source physically behind the listener.
- The full bundle needs room and power for the additional speakers.
Sound Quality
- 3.1-channel standalone bar
- Dolby Atmos
- DTS:X
The center channel gives voices a dedicated place in the mix. Amazon also provides separate Movie, Music, Sports and Night modes. For a shared apartment, I'd try the dialogue setting before raising the entire soundtrack. An Atmos label indicates decoding support and shouldn't be mistaken for a set of physical ceiling speakers.
Surround Sound
- Optional wireless subwoofer
- Optional rear speakers
Choose the subwoofer bundle if the room has floor space but no usable locations behind the sofa. Choose the full bundle if rear effects are the goal. RTINGS tested the complete system and found strong low bass but limited height effects. That bass result is evidence for the package with the separate subwoofer. 1
Connectivity
- HDMI ARC/eARC
- Included HDMI cable
The TV sends sound to the bar through its return-audio port. A Fire TV streaming device isn't required for that connection. Leave the television in charge of HDMI source switching and check which return formats it supports if you own a disc player.
Alternatives
The original Fire TV Soundbar was a two-channel-plus-bass design. The Plus adds a center channel and offers physical surround expansion. If dialogue is already clear and the real issue is rear placement, only the configuration with actual rear speakers addresses it directly. 1
Verdict
Start by deciding where speakers can go. The bar alone suits a simple dialogue upgrade. The full package makes sense when you can accommodate all its components and want effects behind you.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- RTINGSAmazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review (opens in a new tab)https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/amazon/fire-tv-soundbar-plus-with-sub-speakers
Full subwoofer/rear bundle only, bass and limited height reproduction; standalone model is outside these measurements.