Great Sound - Great Value
Just received this unit this week to replace my older ZVOX 550 sound base. I had upgraded my TV from an older Vizio 42" LCD TV to a new JVC EM65FTR 65" that has a digital tosli nk output and the ZVOX only had analog inputs. After reading the online reviews I thought I would give the Pioneer SP-SB03 Soundbase a try.
This base was just a few inches wider and about an inch taller than the older ZVOX 550. Set-up was very easy and I had sound working in under 5 minutes. I have spent several hours watching movies, live TV, and listening to music through a Roku 3 and the built-in Bluetooth. Of the different listening modes - I prefer the Movie mode with the EXP (expansion) turned on. It did require me to fine tune the subwoofer adjustment so the bass would not be too heavy.
Overall I have found the sound to be much better than the older ZVOX 550 (especially music) and dialogue in all my program content is much clearer.
I would have given this unit a 5...
Nicely done
I upgraded to this from an older zvox 555. I like it a lot.
Dynamic range is great. Voices and sounds are natural. I use a harmony universal remote, and have no trouble controlling everything. I use this strictly for watching TV and movies, and really like it. No soundbase will compete with a 5.1 speaker system in terms of surround and deepest base, but this unit gives me 95% of what I want, and allows me to not fight with my spouse about wires running everywhere.
Compared with the zvox, the display is more spartan. You know what mode you are in (bluetooth, movie, expanded movie, etc), and can control the base and overall volume, but there are no visual confirmations of the actual level of the latter two. You need to do it by ear. I find that voices are super clear with this unit, so do not miss the Zvox accuvoice mode.
It is also significantly taller than the zvox, but not displeasingly so.
For the price, this is a bargain.
Two...
Hints and tips on using the SP-SB03 speaker base (revised 4/17/15)
This is a very solid product, with excellent sound. It interfaces nicely with my Panasonic plasma TV. I note that some reviewers have had trouble with the remote control provisions. You can program the base unit to respond to an alternate remote control. For instance, I programmed my unit's power function to respond to my TV's power button on the remote. Then, when I turn the TV on, the speaker base comes on without any other remotes involved. I also programmed the volume up/down on the base to respond to the TV volume up/down buttons, and turned the TV speakers off. (The base also still responds to the included remote.) Doing it this way, you can pretty much ignore the speaker base remote, and control it from the TV remote.
To program the Mute button, you would never know it from the manual, but in step 4, instead of pushing a button on the front panel, you can push a button on the remote, the Bluetooth light will flash, and you can proceed per the instructions. Great...
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