The AX5140Q puts two of its speakers behind you. That matters more to a film than the number printed on a box: a passing vehicle can actually move into the rear of the room. You’ll want to plan where those speakers can sit before ordering the system.
In depth
Hisense AX5140Q review
Published
Best forMovie households with room behind the sofa for two dedicated surround speakers.
At a glance
- Channel configuration
- 5.1.4
- Included system
- Soundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers
- Immersive audio
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:Xfour up-firing channels
- TV connection
- HDMI eARC/ARCOptical
Pros
- Rear speakers and upward-firing drivers are included.
- A dedicated center channel gives dialogue its own place.
- There is a direct HDMI input as well as a return connection to the TV.
Cons
- Very deep bass is less prominent than upper bass.
- HDMI passthrough tops out at 4K60.
- Room correction requires a supported Hisense TV.
Sound & Dialogue
- 5.1.4 channels
- Dedicated center
- 6.5-inch subwoofer
The dedicated center is useful for speech that should stay anchored to the picture while effects move around it. RTINGS found the midrange broadly followed its target, but the subwoofer delivered less in the deepest part of the bass than further up. That difference matters most with a low cinematic rumble or electronic bass note. 1
Surround Sound
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Two rear speakers
- Four up-firing channels
There are height drivers in the rear speakers as well as the front of the room. RTINGS found the four helped give Atmos effects a sense of height. Sound reflected from a ceiling still depends on its shape and the seating position. The surrounds need space at the sides or rear of the listening area to earn their place. 1
Connectivity & Setup
- HDMI eARC/ARC
- HDMI input with 4K60 passthrough
- Bluetooth 5.3
Use the TV’s eARC port for audio from built-in apps. A 4K120 console belongs on a compatible TV input if you want that refresh rate, because the bar’s direct input passes up to 4K60. Hi-Concerto and automatic room correction are reasons to check your exact Hisense TV; you can use ordinary HDMI audio with other compatible sets. 1
Alternatives
If you already have the AX5125H, the extra rear height drivers are the clearest reason to change. They’re easier to justify in a room with suitable ceiling reflections and plenty of Atmos material than for nightly news. If there’s nowhere sensible to put the rears, a standalone bar is the more practical starting point. 1
Verdict
Choose the AX5140Q if you can place the whole system around the seats and want surround effects to come from behind you. The included rear speakers do more to distinguish it from an ordinary TV upgrade than the output rating does.
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.
- RTINGSHisense AX5140Q soundbar review (opens in a new tab)https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/hisense/ax5140q-soundbar
Movie height cues, dedicated center, limited lowest bass, compatible-TV room correction and AX5125H predecessor differences.