After 20 Years of Reviewing TVs, I Actually Found a New One With Good Sound
CNET's key takeaways
The Roku Pro Series (2025) features some of the best sound quality I have heard in years of testing AV equipment.
Based on preliminary tests, the TV appears to perform better than the existing Pro series for audio and picture quality.
While it sounds good for a TV, a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer will sound even better.
As a 20-year veteran of TV and soundbar reviews, I can say, with certainty, that you can't expect good sound from a television. Sound quality may be a priority for you and me, but today's TVs typically perform on a spectrum, somewhere between muddy and indistinct. The reason for this is that a flat screen TV is inherently compromised, and onboard sound is usually one of the last considerations. As a result of this, if you want to buy a TV, you almost definitely need some sort of external speaker.
Then again, there are rare exceptions like the newest Roku Pro Series TV, which goes on sale Tuesday starting at $899 for the 55-inch model. The 2025 Roku Pro Series continues the thoughtful touches of previous models -- tool-less stands, an on-TV remote finder -- and adds even better sound to the mix.
Other companies, such as Loewe and Panasonic, have even tried making soundbars a part of the TV, though with varying degrees of success. I've heard those TVs, and they're typically expensive flagships, but the Roku is simply trying to do what any TV should: Make dialog understandable and not require a separate purchase.
The designer of the TV's sound system, Roku's Kasper Andersen, told me he came up with the idea for its unique sound drivers during the pandemic, when he was left to his own devices in an empty audio lab. Andersen's "compression loaded" system appears to work like a horn speaker in that it pipes sound through a tapered opening and helps reduce the muddying reflections that usually occur in TV speakers. To help achieve this, this speaker system is side-mounted, while most TVs point their speakers down, or even back, resulting in super muffled or even 'ghostly' sound.
The Roku Pro TV is not perfect. For instance, there was noticeable audio compression during loud sequences. But this is acceptable for a TV speaker and something I've even experienced with some soundbars.
At the same price as the model it replaces, the Roku Pro Series TV is well put-together, sounds great and, based on initial tests, has picture quality which is better than before. If it performs as well as I anticipate, the new Roku Pro Series could be the TV to beat at the price.
My experience with the Roku Pro Series
Listening to Nick Cave on the new Roku Pro Series
Ty Pendlebury/CNET
I tested the new Roku Pro's sound against its predecessor, the Roku Pro as well as a high-end 2025 LCD, the Hisense U8Q. I tested each one using a mix of movies and music in order to see how the TVs performed when playing dynamic material.
I started my evaluations with one of my soundbar benchmarks -- a scene from Avatar that combines surround effects, quiet dialogue and dynamic explosions: the Thanator Chase. Of the three TVs, the new Roku Pro was able to convey the deep rumble of the Hammerhead Titanotheres as well as the high-end energy of buzzing insects. It was also best able to convey a stereo image -- at the start of the scene, Jake (Sam Worthington) leaves Grace (Sigourney Weaver) behind in a clearing, and the new Roku's audio system followed her position as it moved across the screen.
However, not surprisingly, I found that the TV didn't deal with big dynamic swings as well as a full audio system might. I could hear the audio peaks compress when the Thanator chased Jake under a tree and as he fired rounds at the creature. Yet, this is no sin; I've heard great soundbars like the Zvox SB500 do the same thing. The TV is essentially throttling the sound to prevent distortion or, at the worst, damage.
I then switched to the Hisense and found that this TV was not at all convincing with this scene. While Grace's voice sounded front and center on both Roku TVs, she sounded like she was in another room on the Hisense. Her voice was muffled and indistinct.
While the older Roku Pro still sounds pretty good, I found it could not reproduce bass at all. While listening to Peter Gabriel's track Olive Tree on both Roku TVs, I heard a thick bed of bass on the new Pro, where there was nothing but a flatulent pop on the older TV.
You know when someone drives past listening to bass heavy music and the subwoofer is so loud it sounds like the car is going to fall apart? That's what Nick Cave's Red Right Hand sounded like on the Hisense U8K. I even held the mount and the back of the TV and the rattle was coming from inside the TV.
One of my few complaints about the Roku Pro Series is that, while you can add Roku speakers, you can't add a standalone subwoofer. Granting this ability may reduce the dynamic compression artefacts I heard, as the sub can then take the hit and leave the TV's speakers to produce dialogue.
I did perform a brief picture quality comparison, though only the older Roku had had its picture evaluated with a Konica Minolta CS2000 spectroradiometer. The other TVs were simply set in Filmmaker mode. Using a test scene from 1917, I found the new Roku had more solidity and better contrast than the other TVs. The Roku also had finer shadow detail than the Hisense, which was surprising given the Hisense is around 2.5 times the price. While I'm going to leave my thoughts for a full review, I can at least say that the black levels of the new Roku have improved over the previous generation.
The specs
Sizes: 55-inch ($899), 65-inch ($1,199), 75-inch ($1,699)
Resolution: 4K
Technology: Mini-LED LCD with QLED
Refresh rate: 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM
HDR support: HDR10 Plus, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6
HDMI: 4, including eARC
CNET's buying advice
The No. 1 reason to buy a TV has been, and should always be, how good its picture quality is. Yet this shouldn't mean that sound quality can't be No. 2 on the list, especially when your budget is tight. While I am still in the process of evaluating the Roku Pro's display, I can say that this is one of the better TVs I've heard, and at any price.
It's worth mentioning that the existing model is currently being sold at a 30% discount to make way for the new TVs, and while its black levels don't appear to be as good this is still a relatively accurate TV. It's also great at playing video games, and so may be a decent deal if you're looking for a secondary TV for a playroom or bedroom.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
19 minutes ago
- Forbes
A Great ‘Reacher' Season 4 Release Date Update, Book Adaptation Confirmation
Reacher We know that the Reacher spin-off Neagley has just finished production, and now we have confirmation that production on Reacher season 4 itself has now started. Plus, we seem to know what book it's adapting. This week, the Amazon Prime Video Reacher Instagram account posted a teaser of a script indicating the start of production. But the nature of the photo itself has seemingly revealed the book that's being adapted. The script sitting on a subway seat in New York's MTA, which would imply that Gone Tomorrow, the 13th Jack Reacher book, is being adapted for season 4, given that it takes place in NYC and has Reacher riding the subway. Two other books, The Hard Way and Tripwire, also take place in NYC, but it's almost certainly Gone Tomorrow. Here's the synopsis for that book: 'New York City. Two in the morning. A subway car heading uptown. Jack Reacher, plus five other passengers. Four are okay. The fifth isn't. And if you think Reacher isn't going to get involved . . . then you don't know Jack.' 'Susan Mark, the fifth passenger, had a big secret, and her plain little life was being watched in Washington, and California, and Afghanistan—by dozens of people with one thing in common: They're all lying to Reacher. A little. A lot. Or just enough to get him killed. A race has begun through the streets of Manhattan, a maze crowded with violent, skilled soldiers on all sides of a shadow war. For Jack Reacher, a man who trusts no one and likes it that way, the finish line comes when you finally get face-to-face and look your worst enemy in the eye.' Reacher As for the release date update, we can do some calculations if production has just started now on Reacher season 4. Here are the release dates for the past seasons: I covered this before, but to recap with some modifications: 'Reacher season 3 started filming in November 2023. Production wrapped in 2024 ahead of its February 2025 release date. So with filming and postproduction, that's 15 months. And 15 months from June 14, the estimated filming start date, that takes us to mid-September 2026 for a release date. That's 19 months between seasons, longer than the gap between seasons 2 and 3.' So, if everything remains the same in terms of production time, that's a year and a half between Reacher season 3 and 4. In the streaming era, that is actually on the low end of gaps between seasons, but far from the one-year spacing we used to get all the time. Still, it's clear Amazon's goal is to crank out as many seasons of Reacher as possible for as long as they can keep Alan Ritchson on board. Expect more filming updates to come, and Neagley is going to be airing during this gap period, though we don't have a release date for that yet. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Gizmodo
27 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
This Roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop Drops to Near-Free Price Thanks to Almost 50% Off on Amazon
This robot vacuum and mop combo can handle just about any mess, big or small. Tired of vacuuming your house? You and us both. It's just not a fun task, no matter how you slice it. And it's a thankless one. The end result is fine, sure, because you get floors that are clean. But who wants to keep taking time out of their day to clean? Couldn't be us. If your floors are constantly covered in pet hair, crumbs, or tracked-in dirt, the idea of a robot vacuum doing the heavy lifting while you kick back (or, let's be real, tackle a million other things) is pretty appealing. That goes double if you can get a vacuum hat can also mop, too. So if you've got it in your sights, why not try this one that's on sale at Amazon? See at Amazon Check out Amazon to get the Roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop for just $160, down from its usual price of $300. That's $140 off and a discount of 47%. And no telling how much it'll help your peace of mind to stop having to do all these crazy cleanings when you can have a bot do it instead. Scrub and mop your heart out with this robot vacuum This vacuum boasts 4200Pa of suction power, which is enough to pick up everything from fine dust to stubborn debris embedded in carpets. It's ideal for households with pets, kids, or just a lot of foot traffic. It can also find its way around your house with ease thanks to LiDAR mapping. It learns your home's layout quickly and avoids obstacles without your input. You can customize cleaning schedules, create virtual boundaries, and even designate specific rooms for it to focus on, all from the app. And it doesn't stop at vacuuming. This vacuum combo also includes a built-in mop, which adds an extra layer of cleaning on hard floors. While it's not going to replace your deepest scrubbing sessions, it's perfect for light daily maintenance. It's also good for wiping up small spills or keeping grime at bay in high-traffic areas. One full charge gives it enough juice to clean most mid-sized homes in one go, and it automatically returns to its dock when the battery runs low. The Q7 Max doesn't include a self-emptying dock, but at this price, the cleaning power and smart features more than make up for it. Stop holding out for a robot vacuum and mop and go ahead and lock in. This one is just $160 (-47%), and you know you spent that much on your last Shein haul. But don't wait, because it won't stick around for long at this price. See at Amazon
Fox News
32 minutes ago
- Fox News
'Frasier' star David Hyde Pierce honors Reagan's 'turning point' in Alzheimer's awareness
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. - Fresh off of his performance at the Tonys, "Frasier" star and Broadway actor David Hyde Pierce emceed a gala to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease in New York City on Monday, a cause close to his heart. Pierce led the cast of Broadway's "Pirates of Penzance," which was nominated for best revival of a musical, in an entertaining performance at Sunday's Tony Awards. But the theater is only one of Pierce's passions. The actor served as the Master of Ceremonies for the CaringKind Gala to help raise awareness of Alzheimer's on Monday evening at Cipriani restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Pierce has a personal connection to the cause because his father suffered from dementia and his grandfather battled Alzheimer's. Ahead of his hosting duties, Pierce tried to dispel some misconceptions about Alzheimer's, as well as offered advice on how loved ones can still make the effort to stay connected to those affected by it. "I think it's always miraculous, what people sense, and feel, and know, beyond what we can imagine," Pierce told Fox News Digital. "You know, I'm old enough to have experienced that many times," he continued. "It's a privilege to be with someone making that final transition and in that moment, you just don't know. You have faith and hope that just your presence there is enough. It's just – they may not be able to respond in the way you're used to them responding, but that doesn't mean they're not listening." Alzheimer's has been portrayed onscreen over the years in movies like "The Notebook" and "The Father," and Pierce said some of these examples have helped those afflicted "feel more seen." "One thing I've noticed, there are so many wonderful, accurate, compassionate portrayals now, onstage, on film, and it's a tribute to the commitment of the actors, and the writers and directors," he said. "It's also a reflection of how prevalent these diseases are, that more and more people know about them." CaringKind CEO Eleonora C. Tornatore-Mikesh offered the 2014 film "Still Alice" as another accurate portrayal of Alzheimer's, noting that her foundation even worked with Julianne Moore while she was prepping for the movie. Moore plays a renowned professor who discovers she's been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Tornatore-Mikesh said the impact of the film was far-reaching. "Definitely pop culture always helps increase concern and awareness," she said. The late President Ronald Reagan is often credited with helping bring the disease into the American public consciousness. In November 1994, a few years after he left office, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the American people revealing his diagnosis, hoping he would encourage more people to undergo testing and become more informed. "So now, we feel it is important to share it with you," Reagan wrote in part. "In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it." "At the moment, I feel just fine," he added. "I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life's journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch with my friends and supporters." Pierce praised Reagan and his family for being so candid about his struggles. "President Reagan speaking publicly about his Alzheimer's was one of many turning points," Pierce said. "And not only President Reagan, but consequently, his daughter Maureen was a tireless fighter and advocate. And I had the great privilege of working by her side. At that time, I was in California too. We went to Washington together and fought for more funding for research. She was a real hero and inspiration to me." Tornatore-Mikesh also praised Reagan for his work in bringing the disease to the forefront. "One hundred percent," she said. "Nancy Reagan and Ronald Reagan and their entire family, 'til this day, are one of the beacon families that have helped raise concern and awareness." An estimated 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2023, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first-ever blood test to detect Alzheimer's, announcing its approval of the first in-vitro diagnostic device, Lumipulse. The method is intended for early Alzheimer's detection in adult patients over the age of 55 who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease and is considered a breakthrough in patient care. Reagan concluded his 1994 letter by thanking Americans for allowing him the honor of serving as president. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he wrote. "I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."
