- Anthony
Purchasing a Roku Streambar is an investment. There are several different models out there with additional features. The two most popular ones on the market are the Roku Streambar Pro vs Streambar.
The Streambar Pro has a voice-controlled remote and a powerful speaker, while the other offers similar characteristics. This may be appealing to people who want to set up a home theater.
On the other hand, those with a few dedicated TVs in their house may be interested in the Streambar. It’s not an inexpensive system. The more expensive the Streambar, the less functionality you’ll get in it.
So, which one will better fit your needs?
Contents
Wide Soundstage
Roku-Streambar is a small subwoofer that is 14 inches long and has two front-firing and two side-firing drivers, for a total of four. It is made to make your living space sound better all around.
The Streambar offers better connectivity options for both your smartphone and router.
Pros
- Optional Ethernet wired connection
- Bluetooth 5.0 support
- Lower price
- Side-firing drivers
- Alexa, Google Assistant support
Cons
- Smaller speakers
- Ethernet adaptors sold separately
- Weaker sound than Streambar Pro
Larger speakers
With four more significant full-range drivers, the Roku Streambar Pro is worth its higher price tag. They produce richer audio than the smaller Roku Streambar.
It comes with a Roku Streaming Stick+ that supports 4K HDR, Dolby Audio, Alexa, and Google Assistant. It also has an upgraded voice remote.
Pro
- Voice remote upgrade
- More prominent speakers for more robust sound
- Traditional soundbar sizes
- Alexa, Google Assistant support
Cons
- More expensive
- There is no Ethernet option.
Roku now offers two soundbars that have 4K streaming built-in. We decided to compare the Roku-Streambar vs PRO.
The audio quality and video forms of the 2020 Roku Streambar are the same as those of the 2023 Roku Streambar Pro. However, the 2020 Roku Streambar has smaller speakers that make it smaller and less expensive.
We don’t think either soundbar is better than the other, so we have an in-depth breakdown that will help you choose which one is best for your TV.
More Similar Than Different
Companies often release new versions of tech that you already own. This can cause FOMO, which makes it tempting to upgrade your device.
Roku-Streambar and Smart Soundbar owners shouldn’t have a problem with the rebranded Streambar Pro.
It ships with the same accessories as its predecessors and only has a few critical differences. After reading our specs breakdown, you’ll be able to see precisely what we mean.
In the next section, we’ll look at the differences in sound, but first, let’s see how closely the soundbars complement each other.
- Both soundbars support the same audio protocols and sound modes: Low or High Speech Clarity, Reduced bass, Bass Boost, and bass off.
- Both soundbars are capable of streaming 4K HDR content and upscale 1080p content up to 4K. However, neither soundbar can stream DolbyVision content like the Roku Ultra.
- Roku-Streambar costs less but offers all the same features as the Streambar Pro with no upgraded remote.
- Both soundbars have the same ports and use identical wireless protocols to stream content. These soundbars only work when connected to a TV with an HDMI ARC port capable of supporting HDCP 2.2.
- There are can respond to Alexa or Google Assistant commands using their voice remotes. These have TV controls for audio and power.
The Streambar Pro includes an upgraded version of Roku’s voice-controlled voice remote. This includes personal shortcuts and find-my remote features. You can connect to your local music files using either soundbar.
Each box contains the Voice remote, AAA batteries, HDMI cord, and optical cable. Roku did not clarify the purpose of the adaptor that came with the Streambar.
Roku sells an Ethernet converter for the Streambar, which can convert the USB 2.0 port to an Ethernet connection.
There are have an optional wired Ethernet connection. This is the main difference. This allows you to stream HDR content at reliable speeds of up to Mbps. However, this is only applicable if your TV is close to your router.
Second, the Streambar supports Bluetooth 5.0 whereas the Streambar Pro supports Bluetooth 4.2.
Our guide to Bluetooth 5 says that it can send data at up to 2 Mbps, while Bluetooth 4.2 can only talk at a distance of 4.2 feet. This speed boost will make it easier to play music and listen to music privately on your phone without audio hiccups.
Roku Streambar vs. Streambar Pro: How the sound performance matches up
The Roku Streambar Pro has twice the length of the Roku-Streambar. It also has more room for more prominent full-range speakers, which produces more powerful audio. The Streambar’s audio quality does not suffer because of this.
Neither soundbar is strong, but the Streambar’s side-firing design makes it stand out.
The Streambar Pro’s traditional layout features four 2.5-inch drivers facing forward. Only two of the Streambar’s four 1.9 inch drivers meet ahead. The other two drivers are angled diagonally to their sides.
The Streambar Pro’s bigger soundstage and side-firing speakers allow it to resonate in a living environment.
The soundbars don’t come with either a subwoofer or discrete speakers. This means that bass will not be an issue regardless of which soundbar you choose.
Roku’s Smart Soundbar or Streambar, Wireless Subwoofer, and virtual surround sound speakers create a 5.1 system.
Remote Control
The Roku Streambar Pro has a more complex remote than the standard Roku. Streambar Pro remotes provide personal shortcut buttons, headphone jacks, and lost remote finders. The standard Roku remote is more basic, with simple navigation and playback controls.
Roku Streaming
Roku and Roku Streambar Pro offer a range of streaming modes, including HD and 4K streaming, HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
But the Roku Streambar Pro has a unique feature called “Roku Ready” mode. This mode lets users handle their TV’s power and volume with the Streambar Pro remote, making it a convenient all-in-one device.
Which should you buy?
The Streambar Pro is $50 cheaper than the total price. The Streambar Pro offers wired internet, a faster Bluetooth connection and also supports audio and video formats.
The Streambar is an excellent soundbar for audio, and you can get the same streaming features as the Roku Streaming stick+ for $50.
The Roku Pro has a larger screen and better speakers. However, the Roku Streambar Pro is still superior to the Streambar in terms of the voice remote.
Many audiophiles will adore the Streambar’s side-firing drivers, which produce a pseudo-surround sound experience.
No matter which model you choose, you will upgrade TV speakers but not as powerful bass as a soundbar with a subwoofer or built-in woofers. To improve audio performance, we recommend that you purchase the optional subwoofer. This may also be a reason to choose Roku Streambar vs Pro.
We believe that the Roku Streambar supplants Pro the Roku Streambar Pro to be the best Roku device available.
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FAQs
Can I use Roku Streambar as a soundbar?
Roku’s Streambar is a compact yet powerful, a quad-driver stereo soundbar that supports Dolby audio decoding. It also includes its top-end streamer, the Roku Streaming stick+. The Streambar connects via HDMI or optical to your TV and handles all audio as any other soundbar.
Does Roku Streambar have an Ethernet port?
Although the Roku Streambar does not have an Ethernet port, you can purchase a separate USB adapter. The last and most expensive option is to buy a Roku TV.
Does Roku Streambar have Bluetooth?
Roku Streambar is the second new device. This 2-in-1 device combines premium audio and 4K HDR streaming into one product. It also supports Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Alexa, as well as a voice remote that controls TV, sound, and streaming.
How many watts is the Roku Streambar?
The Roku Streambar Pro Stereo Soundbar will enhance your TV’s sound quality and make Roku streaming compatible. The stereo design includes four 2.5-inch full-range drivers that can output up to 36 watts.
Conclusion
The decision to buy either the Roku Streambar or Streambar Pro depends on your needs and budget.
For a cheap streaming device and speaker, the Streambar is a good choice. However, the Streambar Pro’s Dolby Atmos and voice control make it ideal for home theater enthusiasts.
If you’re looking for a high-quality audio experience, you may also want to consider checking out Hookeaudio.com. Hooke Audio is a major manufacturer of wireless headphones and recording technology that lets smartphone users record and share 3D music.
