Blaupunkt SBW-50 delivers satisfactory audio with enhanced bass effects

The output is decent, but the speaker lacks audio drivers such as Dolby Atmos

German audio accessory maker Blaupunkt recently added a SBW-50 soundbar to its product portfolio in India. This is a 2.1 channel audio system with a dedicated subwoofer that works both wirelessly and wired, and is compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smart televisions, laptops and smartphones.

Design (3.5/5)

The sleek soundbar and the wood-carved woofer set-up look elegant. But, available only in black, the unit may not work well with all interiors. The soundbar can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table but the 17-inch woofer is difficult to integrate. This is because the soundbar and woofer are connected through a wire and can’t be installed separately.

Performance (3/5)

Besides Bluetooth connectivity, the SBW-50 supports AUX-in, optical and USB. It has dedicated buttons for different connectivity modes and six pre-set graphic equaliser buttons. What’s missing, however, is the memory function. With every reboot, the audio system forgets the last used settings, leaving you to configure the settings anew every time.

The SBW-50 delivers satisfactory audio with enhanced bass effects. The audio output can be customised using pre-set graphic equalisers. Sci-fi movie lovers will appreciate the 3D mode that widens the stereo effect. Even though the output is decent, the lack of audio drivers such as Dolby Atmos limits the use of the speaker to daily in-home entertainment. And the volume levels aren’t loud enough for anything more than a small gathering.

Overall (3/5)

The SBW-50, with an MRP of Rs 12,990, is available on Amazon at a discounted price of Rs 5,999. The massive discount is what makes it a sounder buy than the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar.