soundbars · Head-to-head
Roku Streambar SE vs ZVOX AV157
The short answer
Roku Streambar SE and ZVOX AV157 finish almost level in our scoring (7.0 vs 7.0 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Roku Streambar SE is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors, overall sound quality and value. ZVOX AV157 is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls and safety, energy & repairability.
- Choose the Roku Streambar SE if: Seniors who want one tiny box and one remote for both streaming and clearer speech.
- 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 | Roku Streambar SE | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 6.5No confirmed lab result; mixed owner reports. | 7.5Older TechHive praise, offset by TechRadar's 'unnatural' remark. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 6.5Two manual speech levels plus Auto, Leveling and Night. | 8.512 levels plus Output Leveling. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 8.3One HDMI cable and one remote, but a Roku account is required. | 6.5Single cable, but a separate remote is required. |
| Overall sound quality | 5.0Two small drivers, little bass. | 4.5Single-purpose small speaker. |
| Value | 8.5$99.99 for a soundbar plus a 4K streamer. | 6.5$199.99, close to the HDMI-equipped AV835. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.5No refurbishment or standby data found. | 8.0Replacement power supply and remotes, renewed units and a 60-day trial. |
Specifications
| Spec | Roku Streambar SE | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Streambar SE only | Single AccuVoice AV157 speaker bar; no subwoofer or surrounds |
| Workflow type | Soundbar + built-in streaming player | Standalone single-box TV speaker |
| Dialogue feature | Speech Clarity Off/Low/High/Auto; Leveling and Night modes | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | 9104R (per Best Buy) | AV157 |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 2 levels | 12 levels |
| Soundbar width | 244 mm | 432 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | No | No |
| Soundbar height | 61 mm | 86 mm |
| Automatic volume leveling | Yes | Yes |
| Soundbar depth | 89 mm | 74 mm |
| Channel configuration | 2.0 | — |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | No |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Verified resolution, refresh rate and HDR passthrough | Outputs its own streaming video up to 4K60 HDR10/10+ (needs HDCP 2.2 TV input); not a passthrough | — |
| Bluetooth | — | No |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | HDMI ARC or optical (optical cable included) | — |
| Width | 9.6 in | 17 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | Roku voice remote with TV controls; Roku account required for streaming | 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 | 149 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 $149.99; Walmart $149.00 (search snippets) | zvox.com $199.99 with 60-day trial; Amazon $199.99 from third-party seller (live) |
| Manufacturer direct home-trial period | — | 60 days |
Roku Streambar SE
Pros
- Streamer and soundbar in one
- Speech Clarity, Leveling and Night modes
- Roku remote also controls the TV
- Very small footprint
- Budget price
Cons
- Two small drivers, limited bass
- No Dolby Audio
- Mixed owner feedback on dialogue
- Roku account required
A neat all-in-one for small TVs and simple setups. Treat it as a convenient upgrade, not a dialogue specialist.
Full Roku Streambar SE 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.