A $2,200 Arcam Solo soundbar, has been voted the worst of 26 soundbars tested by consumer group Choice, while the$2,499 Yamaha YSP 5600BSW, was voted the best soundbar it was the $599 Cambridge Audio TV 5 that came out on top up against some of it’s more expensive rivals.
The Arcam offering was so bad that it only managed to score 21% by the Choice Stereo Listening panel meanwhile the Multi-Channel listening panel only gave it a score of 23%, it was also beaten by the Bauhn soundbar sold at Aldi and the Soniq sound bar sold at JB Hi Fi.
In comparison, the $599 Cambridge Audio TV 5 scored 84% for stereo listening and 78% for multichannel listening.
The outright winner the Yamaha YSP 5600BSW soundbar scored 97% for stereo listening and 94% for multichannel listening.
The Arcam Solo was so bad according to the Choice experts that it was beaten by an $80 Bauhn soundbar sold by Aldi. That scored 28% for stereo listening and 23% for multichannel listening.
The Arcam Solo which is sold at specialist dealers is distributed by Advanced Audio the same Company that sells the overpriced KEF gear in Australia.
When it came to 24bit soundbars the Bluesound Pulse with a sub came out on top. The Denon Heos 24bit soundbar was not tested by Choice.
The new Sonos Playbase which is selling for $999 is currently on back order. It rated 72% for Stereo listening and 82% for Multichannel listening.
Another big winner from the shootout was the $399 Samsung HW K360, it scored 67% for stereo listening and 60% for multichannel listening.
Advanced Audio have been asked to comment.
Phil Sawyer the CEO of Synergy Audio the distributor of the Cambridge Audio a UK designed soundbar said” We are delighted that TV5 has come out on top up against more expensive rivals. Considering the performance, price and the fact it is made by a leading UK Hi Fi Company, the Cambridge Audio offering is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high performance soundbar”.
