I have a Vizio M-Series TV and recently upgraded to the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 soundbar. I was stoked because using CEC would mean I could control the volume with the Remote App on my iPhone. However I couldn’t seem to keep the Apple TV Remote connected and customer support suggested I switch to infrared control which removes all the modern features. Customer Service from both Vizio and Apple can’t figure it out.

I say all this to vent a little, but I really just want to know what modern soundbars you are using? Here are my criteria:

  1. Use my Apple TV Remote;
  2. Connect via CEC so that I can control volume with my phone;
  3. Great sound (although I’m not an audiophile so it probably doesn’t need to be the best.);
  4. Ideally it doesn’t have rear speakers, but a sub is okay;

Thank you in advance to anyone who reads and responds.

  • OldManJade@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I use both a pair of OG HomePods and an Ambeo Plus with my Apple TV 4K. I used HomePods alone for years, but minor hearing loss required something that better surfaced dialogue. The Ambeo excels at this, better than the recent HomePod update that enhances dialogue too. However, I find the HomePods have a more expansive soundstage, probably due to greater physical separation and being sublimely over-engineered. The HomePods crush the Ambeo playing music. I now use one, or the other, or all three, depending on the content I’m watching.

    Still, for $999 on sale, I’m satisfied with the value of the Ambeo Plus, and I definitely don’t need a subwoofer, though they are available. The Ambeo Plus does work with the Apple Remote and supports HDMI-CEC, but with a caveat connected to my Sony Bravia. The handshake process on startup results in the screen blanking a couple of times. Sennheiser support was unhelpful in fixing this. It may the Bravia too, as the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar I tried had no problem negotiating with other devices, but it didn’t sound as good as the Ambeo to me.

    My advice is to try a pair of large HomePods, especially if you can get them on sale, something very likely over the Black Friday weekend. If that isn’t enough, there is now an Ambeo Mini, though I would not pay $799, maybe $599 on sale?