soundbars · Head-to-head
Hisense HS5100 vs ZVOX AV157
The short answer
Hisense HS5100 and ZVOX AV157 finish almost level in our scoring (6.9 vs 7.0 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Hisense HS5100 is stronger on overall sound quality and value. ZVOX AV157 is stronger on dialogue boost range & controls, ease of setup & use for seniors and safety, energy & repairability.
- Choose the Hisense HS5100 if: Budget movie watchers with room for a subwoofer and rear speakers who still want a center channel.
- Choose the ZVOX AV157 if: Viewers with hearing loss whose main goal is understanding speech, with the finest-grained voice boost available.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Hisense HS5100 | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.8Center channel; RTINGS Dialogue 7.9 (snippet). | 7.5Older TechHive praise, offset by TechRadar's 'unnatural' remark. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 5.0News mode only. | 8.512 levels plus Output Leveling. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 6.0Three extra boxes to place and power; EzPlay only with Hisense TVs. | 6.5Single cable, but a separate remote is required. |
| Overall sound quality | 7.5Full 5.1 with a sub. | 4.5Single-purpose small speaker. |
| Value | 8.0Lots of hardware for $179.99, but much of it is surplus for dialogue-focused buyers. | 6.5$199.99, close to the HDMI-equipped AV835. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.5No data found. | 8.0Replacement power supply and remotes, renewed units and a 60-day trial. |
Specifications
| Spec | Hisense HS5100 | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Bar + wireless subwoofer + 2 rear speakers | Single AccuVoice AV157 speaker bar; no subwoofer or surrounds |
| Workflow type | 5.1 system with rears | Standalone single-box TV speaker |
| Dialogue feature | News sound mode; center speaker (marketing) | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | HS5100 | AV157 |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | — | 12 levels |
| Soundbar width | 902 mm | 432 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | No |
| Soundbar height | 62 mm | 86 mm |
| Automatic volume leveling | — | Yes |
| Soundbar depth | 91 mm | 74 mm |
| Channel configuration | 5.1 | — |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | Yes | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | No |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Width | 35.5 in | 17 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | — | Included remote; no app; mode switch by long press (Digital Trends) |
| Observed direct manufacturer selling price | — | 199.99 USD |
| Current verified retailer price for evaluated configuration | 179.99 USD | — |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | — | 249.99 USD |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Best Buy and Walmart $179.99 (search snippets) | zvox.com $199.99 with 60-day trial; Amazon $199.99 from third-party seller (live) |
| Tested firmware, modes, protocol and substantive retest date | RTINGS methodology v1.3, reviewed July 2025 (search snippet) | — |
| Manufacturer direct home-trial period | — | 60 days |
Hisense HS5100
Pros
- Center speaker and wireless subwoofer
- Rear speakers for surround
- Strong dialogue score from RTINGS
- Low price for a 5.1 system
Cons
- Three boxes to place
- Only a News mode for dialogue
- EzPlay works only with select Hisense TVs
- No Dolby Atmos
The best budget surround system here, and a better fit for movie fans than for seniors seeking simplicity.
Full Hisense HS5100 review →ZVOX AV157
Pros
- Works with optical or 3.5mm TVs
- 12 voice-boost levels
- Output Leveling for ads
- Replacement power supplies, remotes and renewed units sold
- Compact size
Cons
- No HDMI, so the TV remote cannot control it
- Voices can sound unnatural at high boost
- Weak for music and movies
- Needs a second remote
A narrow but useful product. It is best for older TVs, where it can make a real difference to speech.
Full ZVOX AV157 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars Under $300 of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.