In recent years, flat-screen TVs have made remarkable strides in achieving stunning image quality that can rival the big screens of movie theaters. However, the trade-off for their ultra-thin design is often subpar audio quality. This is where soundbars come in as a practical alternative to the traditional home theater multi-speaker systems. Soundbars are compact, stylish, and easier to integrate into living spaces than multi-speaker setups. Not only do they offer a significant improvement in audio quality, but they also come with additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity and voice control. While soundbars can vary in price from average to very expensive, this review focuses on a budget option that can be purchased for 90% less than the average equivalent from prime brands. Let's dive into the review and see if this budget device is worth your consideration.
Unpacking and unboxing
The device under review has been purchased from Aliexpress for the price of €40. Its presentation on the store is boasting several features, some of which don't check out with the showcased product: there is no subwoofer, and it is not a 2.1 unit. It is also unclear what the "column" refers to.
As usual for items coming from the Chinese online marketplace, it arrived packaged in thick plastic wrap. Taking away this first layer reveals a large amount of bubble wrap which proved to be very adequate to protect the soundbar during shipment. That's pretty much the end of it though, because removing the bubble wrap exposes how the actual packaging is nothing more than a box made of folded polystyrene and packaging tape, without any gift box or branding.
Opening the box reveals the soundbar and all its accessories are neatly wrapped in plastic, except (for whatever reason) the remote control, which is loosened in the box but otherwise in good order.
Inside the box, besides the soundbar and remote control, are provided an audio RCA cable, a micro USB cable for charging, and the user manual.
The soundbar is simply labeled BS-28B, but it is also sold under different brands, including Alfawise, Aumaya, Bullker, and Bluelans. According to its FCC registration, it is manufactured by Zhongshan World Team Electronics.
Interestingly, the manual is also registered with the FCC and is available for download.
Build and details
Handling this unit while unboxing reveals a fairly heavy build, surprisingly substantial at 650 grams for its diminutive size (55 x 5 x 5 cm). Holding it provides an unexpected feeling of quality. While it would be legitimate to assume a cheap and hollow construction at this price point, the BS-28B feels dense and much more premium than its super-cheap packaging could ever make-believe; this is possibly because of the built-in battery that, according to the specifications, should enable it to operate wirelessly and without a power supply for up to 2 hours at the highest volume.
It is worth noting that the BS-28B, although correctly proportioned, is smaller than a standard soundbar: this gives it a somewhat deceptive appearance, making it look much bigger in the picture than it is. In reality, it looks like a 75% scaled-down version of a soundbar, and its small size makes it look like a toy when placed in front of a 65-inch flat-screen TV.
It also does not have any water or dust resistance and should not be used in outdoor environments that could damage it, like sandy beaches or under the rain.
Input and connectivity
The center back side of the soundbar hosts all the input ports: they include a Line In mini-jack (for which a standard red/white RCA cable is included in the package), a microSD card reader, and a USB 2.0 port. The unit is powered and charged via a micro USB port; the package does not include a wall charger, but any standard USB power supply providing 5V/1A-2A will work. The manufacturer declares 2-3 hours are sufficient for a full charge, and the soundbar can operate while charging.
In addition to wired RCA the soundbar can also connect and receive input via Bluetooth; once initiated, the pairing procedure is guided by voice prompts and results in a stable and reliable connection. In alternative, the soundbar can play music files from a microSD card, and a key combination activates the built-in FM receiver; this configuration requires plugging in the RCA cable as that will operate as an aerial for the FM tuner.
During use the single LED blinks and changes color to describe the different functions and operation modes. The manual does a half-decent job of describing them and how to operate them through the remote control.
The absence of an HDMI port is notable, albeit not unexpected at this price point.
Audio test
The BS-28B boasts a design that includes four full-range speakers (4Ω, 5W×4) and bass reflex construction with ports on both sides. On paper, this configuration suggests a potential for rich and immersive sound reproduction. The soundbar's physical build appears sturdy and well-crafted, instilling a sense of anticipation for its audio capabilities.
Line input sensitivity
When connected via the RCA cable to the line output of a TV, the soundbar exhibited a very low sensitivity that resulted in extremely low output volume. Plugging the same RCA cable into the headphone jack of a laptop computer immediately fixed the issue and provided a good output loudness, confirming that the BS-28B needs an amplified signal to its Line In connector.
Playback from the Bluetooth receiver worked as expected and did not exhibit any issues.
Abysmal equalization
According to the manual, the soundbar offers six different equalization modes, which can be selected via a button on the remote control.
The first noticeable thing is that the soundbar does not provide any visual indications regarding the currently selected EQ mode: a voice sample describing the newly selected mode is played, only once, when pressing the Equalizer button on the remote control. This lack of information leaves users uncertain about which mode is active or whether a mode change is occurring at all. The lack of clarity in this aspect further detracts from the overall user experience.
To make this even worse, tests revealed that different equalizer settings seemed to have no discernible impact on the sound output. Whatever the mode and whether equalization was engaged or not, the sound remained largely unchanged. This lack of functionality renders the equalization function essentially useless, leaving users without the ability to tailor the sound to their preferences.
An inconsistent experience
Considering the soundbar's specifications and price, the frequency response falls within the expected range. However, expectations alone are not enough to guarantee a satisfactory listening experience. The soundbar struggled very much in certain areas, particularly in reproducing bass frequencies, delivering punchy percussion lines, and rendering the finer details of higher-quality studio recordings.
The rich texture of vocal virtuosity and breakthrough production of The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" is lost, as the bass notes and delicate intricacies of "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)" and "God Only Knows" disappear in a messy haze where no sound stage can be found. All details are lost and the listener is abandoned in a no man's land reminiscent of monophonic AM radio. Testing this record made abundantly clear that the BS-28B has not been designed with finesse or high fidelity in mind.
On the other hand, listening to the psychedelic rock of Lil' Yachty's "Let's Start Here" provided a very different experience: all of a sudden the soundbar came alive and generated a rich, dynamic output that was perfectly suited, and even vibrant at times, and did not falter even at higher volume settings. The digital crispness of "The Black Seminole" and "The Ride" was rendered with unexpected authority and this performance continued across the whole album until the neo-psychedelic grand finale of “Reach the Sunshine”.
Any attempt to play classical music produced disappointing results due to the weak dynamic, the complete absence of bass range, and the obvious limitations of the four 5W full-range drivers. The experience is that of a cheap Bluetooth speaker, and that is exactly what it is.
However, shifting to modern genres such as pop, R&B, and hip hop proved to be much easier to handle and delivered a more than acceptable experience, proving to be capable of filling up a mid-sized room when correctly positioned.
Conclusion
The BS-28B speaker array is an enigma in the realm of audio reproduction. On occasions when the stars align, it showcases moments of sheer brilliance, where vocals soar and instruments are vividly brought to life. In these instances, the loudspeaker's potential really shines through, leaving the listener impressed with its capabilities. However, such moments are fleeting, as the speaker seems to struggle with consistency. In other instances, the audio quality takes an alarming nosedive, plunging into a bottomless pit of murkiness. These episodes of muddled sound, lacking clarity and definition, are not only disappointing but also infuriating for those who seek a consistent and immersive listening experience.
Despite its sleek appearance and soundbar-inspired looks, this is just a portable Bluetooth speaker that finds its best use case in casually playing music, preferably indoors while sitting on a shelf, or a picnic table.
Within its (admittedly limited) range and audio capabilities, avoiding genres it was never intended to play, and with realistic expectations in line with its price, the BS-28B is a very decent battery-operated Bluetooth speaker that can provide a very acceptable experience for a social gathering or for filling a room with sound. Just don't try to use it for films or high fidelity.
Disclosure: this review is not sponsored by the product manufacturer, there are no affiliate links, and the seller did not receive a copy before publication. All items under review are directly purchased at retail price, and evaluated accordingly.