★★★★★ 3
Happy for now but not impressed
Configuration: Fire TV Soundbar
So, I have a insignia fire tv so you would think an Amazon fire soundbar would work perfectly?
It was particularly hard to set up, but the issue was that tv speakers wouldn't switch off so I would have an echoing, double effect of audio. The setting said they were off, but they were not. In fact, I couldn't even switch them off normally. Even with nothing connected, I switch them off and still get sound pushed through.
I kept trying to fix it. What I had to do was:
1) Settings
2) HDMI-CEC control
3) Switch One Touch Play off
4) Turn off Soundbar
5) Set Volume to 0
6) Turn Soundbar back on
That seem to let the soundbar function independently, get rid of the echoing, and get everything to work as described. The downside, the volume will only go up and down at 2 intervals despite what I set it to internally. And, there is no easy way to switch between the TV and sound bar for audio without screwing up the good result I got after working all day on it.
Also, make sure you plug into your first HDMI port/Arc port. I had my gaming console set up and didn't realize my intital issue of no sound was the fact that I needed to swap the ports.
Frankly, being an Amazon soundbar with and Amazon TV that specifically has a set up for it. I would say the functionality kind of sucks because it it should just work, like it says it should, by following the instructions without having to search up and down for way to keep both audios from playing. Like, the setting say the internal speakers were off despite being a lie and that setting effected nothing. It made it more difficult them it needed to get it to work somewhat normally.
I would prefer to set it so volume interval is 1 but I guess to make this usable I am stuck at 2 everytime. And, I better hope that nothing changes and messes it up again in a update to the TV.
The sound itself is a improvement, and there is a marked difference between regular and surround sound. It sort of like watching TV versus going to a theater. It terms of the way it fills the room and hits your ear. I can't say that the movie, music, dialogue settings seem to different to me. The size is okay. It just tall enough to not block my screen. The length is just about the size of my dresser. Depth is about 3.5 inches so as long as you have another room in front or to push back your TV, you will be fine.
Overall, it is nice but I am not sure if I am total happy I bought it considering it was almost $90 for what I would categorize as works okay. I feel like for that price, and the fact I specifically bought Amazon for the fact I thought it would better with fire tv, that I am not blown away. Happy for now, but not impressed.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025
