Enhance your home theater system's acoustic performance with this Pioneer SP-SB23W soundbar, which features four 3" midrange drivers and two 1" tweeters for clear, detailed sound projection. The 6-1/2" wireless subwoofer delivers powerful low-end audio.
Did a WHOLE bunch of research before I finally selected the Pioneer SP-SB23W as an addition to my bedroom's (Samsung) 42" panel TV. In particular, I wanted a simple sound system that would improve the clarity of dialogue. This unit does not disappoint. It was a good buy at a $300 price point (I probably would not have paid the $400 MSRP). The three DSP audio modes (Music, Movies, and Dialogue) actually work well. As an added bonus, the unit (somehow magically?) evens out the volume of commercial content when viewing commercial-laden programs. I have since disabled the TV's internal speakers. All the audio that comes out of the SP-SB23W sounds excellent in this environment (room size about 16 x 22 feet).
The downside is the diminutive remote control (r/c) unit, as in, yet another gadget to maintain...and avoid losing. This r/c has a full array of controls for the sound bar (SB) and its wireless sub-woofer. Although the SP-SB23W's Bluetooth receiver can "learn" control codes from your TV's main r/c, that learning is limited to the few control buttons on the sound bar itself: Power, Volume +/-, Audio Mode, and Source. To drive home this point, for example, the only way to adjust the sub-woofer volume is with the SP-SB23W's r/c.
It would be more convenient if the sound bar also had a "Mute" button that could be paired with your TV's remote's counterpart. I paired up the SB's Power and Volume controls to corresponding buttons on my TV's r/c, but I also found that my TV remote really didn't have any "convenient buttons" to pair up with the SP-SB23W's other functions (that is, Source and Audio Mode). That is, I would have to pair a TV button to the sound bar that, when pressed to change a SB setting, would also have an undesirable affect on a TV setting.
One other comment: In the many consumer reviews I read, owners complained of an issue with missing an audio channel when paired with a Bluetooth audio streaming device. i have not tried this (yet), so cannot comment on it.
Bottom line: I am very pleased with the audio quality from this system. It met all my needs and expectations. I highly recommend it, in spite of the r/c inconvenience.
My Best Buy number: 0575345759
My Best Buy number: 0575345759
What's great about it: One easy connection; impressive sound
What's not so great: Remote control "inconvenience"