Hisense HS214 Soundbar Review: Affordable Soundbar that Makes Every Dialogue Clear

Affordable soundbars can be a game-changer, and the Hisense HS214 delivers crisp dialogue and rich tones without breaking the bank.

Compact Soundbars: Small Packages, Big Challenges

If you’ve ever tried to boost your TV’s audio without draining your wallet, you know the typical budget soundbar mission: sharpen dialogue clarity, stretch the TV’s soundstage a bit, and maybe throw in some device connectivity options.

Compact soundbars by design are limited—especially when it comes to bass. Usually, pumping out those low frequencies is reserved for larger, pricier models in the mid-tier range. But Hisense seems to have thrown that rulebook out the window with the HS214. This tiny, wallet-friendly soundbar packs a 3-inch downward-firing woofer that adds a surprisingly solid bass punch to its modest frame.

Hisense HS214 — compact and ready to enhance your TV sound.

Hisense’s Budget Audio Adventure

Known primarily for budget-friendly TVs, Hisense has stepped into the soundbar arena with an intriguing lineup. The HS214 soundbar, priced around $150, marks one of their earliest AV offerings, followed by the bigger HS218, which includes a dedicated subwoofer. They also offer an even simpler 2.0-channel HS205 for those on a tighter budget.

When shopping for sound enhancements in this price class, options are limited—and simplicity often wins. For instance, Sony’s HT-SF150 soundbar ($100) offers a respectable cinematic soundstage but tends to muffle vocals slightly. On the other hand, the mini Roku Streambar is one of the rare soundbars with Wi-Fi support at this price, though its sound profile remains pretty straightforward.

The HS214’s sleek black vinyl top and metal grille keep things classic.

Design and Build: Classic Yet Thoughtful

The HS214 wears a traditional soundbar look: a 65 cm wide black vinyl-finished top panel, a robust metal grille, and two ports positioned along the edges. Beneath the grille, you’ll find two front-firing full-range drivers, plus that special downward-firing bass driver nestled at the base. Just a heads up, the bass driver lacks external protection, so watch your fingers unpacking it to avoid damaging the cone.

Connectivity is what you'd expect here: HDMI ARC, optical and coaxial inputs handling Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and PCM audio formats. Plus, there’s a USB port supporting MP3, WAV, WMA, and FLAC files, a 3.5mm mini-jack, and Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless streaming. The catch? USB playback doesn’t display a file list, so you’ll need to prearrange playlists or blindly toggle tracks using the remote.

Despite its budget price, build quality feels solid. Its low profile fits comfortably under the latest sleek TVs or older models alike. The compact size suits small rooms and TVs up to 55 inches. If you prefer wall mounting, the back has mounting points and comes with brackets—just remember this might affect bass performance slightly.

Controls and Sound Modes: Simple Yet Functional

The included remote is pleasantly straightforward, granting quick access to core functions—no smartphone app here. You can switch inputs, adjust volume and bass levels separately, and manage playback for music from USB or connected devices. Visual feedback is minimal, limited to a single blinking LED, so expect some guesswork when toggling settings.

Sound modes include:

• Music
• News (boosts dialogue clarity)
• Cinema
• Surround Sound

The surround mode can overlay any of the first three modes, widening the audio field.

The HS214 remote is simple but puts all key controls at your fingertips.

Sound Quality: Dialogue Clear as Day

Our primary listening tests stuck mostly to the "Music" mode without surround sound. The "Cinema" and "Surround" modes try to broaden the soundstage but tend to exaggerate highs and introduce some unwanted artifacts.

Testing surround mode with the Christmas road trip movie Hector was eye-opening. As Hector treks from Glasgow to London, highway traffic sounds “float” unnaturally in the sound field. While a wider panorama is nice in theory, it pulled focus from the on-screen action more than it added to immersion.

Switching gears, watching The Beatles: Get Back on Disney+ highlighted one of the HS214’s strengths—making vocals punchy and detailed. With the TV’s built-in speakers, voices were often lost or muffled, but the HS214 lifted those conversations front and center.

Thanks to Peter Jackson’s AI magic, the band’s informal chats shine through, though minor audio-video sync hiccups sometimes left us wondering if a classic tune was being born or if they just debated sandwiches.

What really stood out was the soundbar’s ability to lock onto vocals, making it easy to follow dialogue without constantly squinting at subtitles. The bass driver adds a touch of depth and warmth to lows and drums, infusing more musicality than you’d expect from such a tiny speaker.

Hisense HS214 Specifications Summary

• Inputs: HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, 3.5mm aux, USB 2.0
• Supported Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, 2-channel & multi-channel PCM
• Bluetooth: 4.2
• Total Power: 108 watts, Class D amplification
• Weight: 2.7 kg (about 6 lbs)
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 9.5 x 5.8 x 65 cm (3.7 x 2.3 x 25.6 inches)

Real-World Performance: Action and Music

Watching Leonardo DiCaprio battle a bear in The Revenant on Blu-ray, the extra bass power added real weight to punches and growls. But the HS214 hits its limits: the bomber flyover in Unbroken lacked the dynamic punch and crescendo found on the Sony HT-SF150 soundbar. While Hisense delivers pleasing low end, it doesn’t quite create that cinematic rumble you’d expect for bombarding scenes. Boosting bass more won’t fix this; the tiny woofer has a cap.

Even in complex soundscapes, dialogue remains clearer and more focused than with the Sony, but it could use a touch more sparkle and atmospheric nuance.

Music playback was a pleasant surprise. Even pricier soundbars often falter here, but the HS214 plays it safe without overreaching. Philip Bailey and Phil Collins’s Easy Lover doesn’t offer the attack and texture audiophiles crave, but the midrange is clean and the stereo imaging decent.

Radiohead’s Follow Me Around (2021) sounds open and direct, with plaintive vocals and acoustic guitar front and center. Background harmonies are nicely separated. The metal-string timbre carries a slight brightness but avoids the harsh tinny tones many small speakers suffer from.

Final Verdict: A Solid Budget Upgrade for TV Audio

HS214 delivers clear dialogues and extended tonal range for budget-conscious viewers.

The Hisense HS214 soundbar is a straightforward, effective way to upgrade your TV’s audio with clearer dialogue and a richer tonal palette. While it can’t compete with premium models, at this price point, it offers strong value that’s hard to beat.

If you’re chasing a wide cinematic soundstage, Sony’s HT-SF150 soundbar holds a slight edge. But as a compact, versatile device, the HS214 ranks among the best budget soundbars available.

Ratings:

• Sound: 4/5
• Build: 4/5
• Features: 4/5

Comparable Alternatives to Consider

Sony HT-SF150

Sony’s HT-SF150 is the closest competitor, offering a slightly fuller, more dynamic sound for a bit more cash. It won’t blow your mind but is a solid alternative if your budget stretches. With occasional discounts, it can be snatched near the HS214’s price, making it a tempting option.

Sonos Ray

The Sonos Ray soundbar is Sonos’ smallest and most affordable soundbar, but it’s still pricier than the Hisense. However, it boasts far more features, including Sonos’ wireless streaming ecosystem and a premium build. Though the regular price might be out of reach for many HS214 shoppers, seasonal sales can narrow the gap considerably.

"Hisense HS214 makes voices more expressive, allowing you to relax and enjoy the unfolding story without squinting at subtitles."

— Popular sentiment from testing

FAQ

• What audio formats does the Hisense HS214 support?
  Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and both 2-channel and multi-channel PCM are supported.
• Can you connect devices wirelessly?
  Yes, the HS214 supports Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless audio streaming.
• Does the soundbar have a remote control?
  Yes, it comes with a simple remote for adjusting volume, bass, input source, and sound modes.
• Is the bass strong for a compact soundbar?
  It includes a downward-firing 3-inch woofer that delivers decent bass for its size but won’t match larger soundbars.
• Can the HS214 be wall-mounted?
  Yes, it has mounting points on the back and includes brackets, though wall mounting may slightly reduce bass impact.

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