Why You Can Trust CNET A mini soundbar for laptops, tablets, small TVs and more: Just $30
It's also a portable Bluetooth speaker, and it sounds way better than you'd expect for this price.
The BlitzWolf SDB0 Pro measures just 16 inches across, making it a good match for laptops, tablets, small TVs and the like. But it's also portable and battery-powered.
"Honey, I shrunk the soundbar!" is something you'll be tempted to say upon unboxing the BlitzWolf SDB0 Pro, which resembles a traditional TV soundbar, but about half the width. Not only is it kind of cute, it's also surprisingly capable -- especially given the price. For a limited time, and while supplies last, Lynnerphom via Amazon has the BlitzWolf SDB0 Pro soundbar and portable Bluetooth speaker for just $29.99 with promo code CNETSDB0PRO. (Note: If you don't see Lynnerphom as the listed seller -- under the Buy Now button -- look for the Other Sellers on Amazon box.)
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You can use the SDB0 Pro in a variety of ways: soundbar for a small TV; external speaker for a PC or tablet; portable Bluetooth speaker . There's even a USB input for plugging in a flash drive, which would make this a great self-contained jukebox, no source device required. (Take note, however, that there's no remote, and therefore no easy way to select tracks.)
I tested the speaker alongside (well, beneath) a 40-inch TV, connecting them via the latter's headphone jack. Audio improvement level: significant. Two front-facing speakers are always going to outperform two down-facing ones. Just don't expect this to fill a living room -- it's a small speaker, better suited to a small space like a den or bedroom.
I also tested it in Bluetooth mode, first pairing it with a tablet for streaming video. Thankfully, the audio synced perfectly in both Hulu and Netflix, though those were the only two apps I tested. Next, I streamed some tunes from Spotify. Although there's not a ton of stereo separation afforded by its two drivers -- they're about 10 inches apart -- the sound definitely seems bigger and more present than you what you get from a typical Bluetooth-speaker brick. I was also impressed at how loud it could get without introducing any distortion.
There are a few caveats. First, although there's some bass in the audio mix, there's not much. Second, BlitzWolf doesn't provide an AC adapter. If you plan to use this as, say, a full-time TV speaker, you'll need to BYO wall plug. (Assuming you don't have a spare, here's a two-pack for $8.) You should also know that there's no wall-mount option.
Finally, if you plan to use it as a portable speaker, the battery will last you only about four hours.
This is a good time to remind you the SDB0 Pro is just $30. It's not perfect, but for the price it's pretty impressive. Your thoughts?
By the way, if you're looking for something larger, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the four-speaker Mpow HD Soundbar for $44.99 with promo code GGX42OYE. Regular price: $66.89. It's a more traditional soundbar with remote, optical and HDMI inputs and a power adapter.
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