Xiaomi also offers a powerful and powerful product portfolio in its product portfolio affordable speaker with label Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar. It is especially suitable for connection to a TV, but also to a mobile phone, tablet or laptop thanks to Bluetooth technology.
In the editorial office, we decided to test this speaker so that we could evaluate for ourselves what equipment it actually offers.
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar: Where to buy?
We conveniently bought the Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar through the popular Banggood.com e-shop. The seller offers it in Czech warehouse with fast delivery. In our case, it took only 6 days.
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar Black
Packaging: Necessary base
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar comes to our door in a cardboard box of larger dimensions. It also offers a handle for gripping, but also a representation of the product or basic technical specifications, but in Chinese.
After unpacking, between the layer of polystyrene there is the soundbar itself wrapped in a protective foil, instructions for use in Chinese, but also the power cord (also with a Chinese end cap). In addition to the Chinese cable, you have to buy a reduction to our local sockets.
In addition, the manufacturer has added an optical audio cable to the package, which can be used to connect the soundbar to the TV. However, if your TV does not support this connector, there are other solutions available, but you will need to purchase a cable.
Matte black color
In our case, the elegant speaker is processed in a matte black color version. Its dimensions stopped at 83 x 7,20 x 8,70 cm, with a weight of just under two kilograms.
These values predetermine the speaker for static placement on a TV table or for hanging on a wall.
The rear wall is also adapted to this, while in the package you will find a pair of screws and dowels for the wall. The mentioned static placement on the TV table will subsequently be ensured by anti-slip safety rubber feet.
Quality construction and reasonable layout of elements
For your design Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar not to be ashamed at all, the manufacturer used textile and plastic ABS materials. It definitely looks more expensive than its current sale price, which is definitely good.
The front facing the users contains 8 speakers, which are covered with a textile finish. It is also matte black and definitely looks very elegant. This layer is also pleasant to the touch.
The left and right side edges are rounded and blank. At the bottom edge, there are then only rubber anti-slip feet, which prevent the speaker from moving on the surface.
There are controls on the top edge. There are plastic buttons for volume control and five buttons (including Bluetooth) for selecting the appropriate mode or connector through which you have the Mi TV Soundbar connected to your device. The manufacturer's logo is also missing.
The back represents the connectivity of this device. In addition to the aforementioned wall mounting locations, there is also a button to turn the device on or off.
There is also a group of connectors such as CINCH, 3,5 mm audio connector or optical connector, which is especially suitable for new TVs. There is also a power port and mandatory recycling information.
Connectivity: Wired and wireless connection
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar is a speaker that offers a really wide range of connectivity options. Owners of older, but also newer TVs and mobile phones should get their money's worth.
The terminal device can be connected wired or wirelessly. The cable connection is a 3,5 mm connector, a traditional CINCH connector, but also a modern digital optical audio connector. We used this connector to connect to the TV, but the appropriate cable had to be purchased. The package contains an optical cable.
The wireless connection is secured via Bluetooth version 4.2 technology with a range of approximately 10 meters from the device. It is a bit of a pity that the manufacturer does not offer a more modern version of this technology than 5.0 or 5.1.
Sound: Up to 8 powerful speakers
The really important factor when buying speakers is, of course, their sound performance. Even in this case Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar offers very good sound performance due to the very low price of the device.
The equipment is located immediately 8 speakers located on the front. The frequency range of these speakers is 50 Hz to 25000 Hz, which practically covers the entire frequency spectrum of sounds. Despite being placed in front, the sound is pleasantly heard in the room for all surrounding users.
The 83 cm long speaker contains a total of 8 mentioned music drivers. This includes 2 x 20 mm tweeters, 4 x passive and 2 x 2,5 ″ active subwoofers. So the equipment is definitely not bad in terms of some paper technical specifications. But how does this soundbar play in practice?
The sound is really loud and clear, there is also a deep bass component, which is especially useful when watching various serial and film experiences. We were very satisfied with the sound delivery and we did not notice any distortion even at higher volumes.
Compared to a standard speaker in a TV, you will hear a significant difference in sound quality, which is also the goal of this speaker.
Also as a Bluetooth speaker
The mentioned wireless functionality is secured via Bluetooth 4.2 technology. It is very easy to use, just turn on the Mi TV Soundbar itself and use the hardware plastic buttons to select the appropriate option for Bluetooth.
Then just select Mi TV Soundbar in the smartphone settings in the Bluetooth menu, just like any other Bluetooth speaker. In this way, you can also play music or video sound from this soundbar via your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
The advantage of the mode marked "Bluetooth" is not only a quality music experience connected to your portable devices, but also the ability to adjust the volume directly through the terminal.
The remote control is really missing
However, in order not to praise, let's go to the negative side of the device Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar. The biggest and main disadvantage is the absence of remote control (if we neglect the alternative solution for wireless use).
The requested feature, which has been criticized by a relatively large number of users, is missing in this case. Volume control or switching the device on and off is only necessary via the hardware buttons on the body of the device.
Xiaomi had to save somewhere, but chose too great a compromise that not every user may want to accept. When connected via an optical cable, it is necessary to get up from the sofa or chair and manually switch the appropriate values. The same applies when changing the play mode (wired / wireless).
A partial solution may be to connect via the remaining connectivity methods. When connected via Bluetooth or AUX, the speaker volume can also be controlled directly via the control from the TV.
Final rating: Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar plays really well and has virtually no competition in its price category. A big advantage is also the use as a Bluetooth speaker. He is on his heels with competition from his own ranks in the form of the cheaper Redmi TV Soundbar.
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar Black
Nevertheless, the powerful and high-quality sound experience is slightly marred by the lack of a remote control, which really reduces the comfort of use. If you do not miss this functionality so much, we recommend purchasing this device.
I have a soundbar, it plays great, but the connection was one disappointment after another. Supplied cable useless, optics without driver useless, bluetooth tv will not find (I tried sony, lg and philips), in the end there was nothing left but a jack with a cinch. But it plays very nicely 🙂
Is it possible to connect an active subwoofer to the soundbar?
Probably not.