soundbars · Head-to-head
ZVOX AV157 vs ZVOX AV835
The short answer
ZVOX AV835 comes out ahead overall with 7.9/10 against 7.0/10 for the ZVOX AV157. ZVOX AV157 is stronger on safety, energy & repairability. ZVOX AV835 is stronger on dialogue boost range & controls, ease of setup & use for seniors, overall sound quality and value.
- Choose the ZVOX AV157 if: Hard-of-hearing viewers whose older TV has only optical or headphone outputs.
- Choose the ZVOX AV835 if: Hard-of-hearing viewers with a smaller TV, or a bedroom or kitchen set, who want AV855-style voice boost and TV-remote control for less.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | ZVOX AV157 | ZVOX AV835 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.5Older TechHive praise, offset by TechRadar's 'unnatural' remark. | 7.8Same DSP as the AV855, but no independent test of this model. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 8.512 levels plus Output Leveling. | 8.820 levels plus Output Leveling. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 6.5Single cable, but a separate remote is required. | 8.5HDMI-ARC/CEC, large-button remote, no app. |
| Overall sound quality | 4.5Single-purpose small speaker. | 5.5A small cabinet limits bass and width. |
| Value | 6.5$199.99, close to the HDMI-equipped AV835. | 8.0$249.99 for the full AccuVoice/SuperVoice range. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 8.0Replacement power supply and remotes, renewed units and a 60-day trial. | 7.5Shared replacement remote and $199.99 certified-renewed units. |
Specifications
| Spec | ZVOX AV157 | ZVOX AV835 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Single AccuVoice AV157 speaker bar; no subwoofer or surrounds | — |
| Workflow type | Standalone single-box TV speaker | — |
| Dialogue feature | AccuVoice + SuperVoice | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | AV157 | — |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 12 levels | 20 levels |
| Soundbar width | 432 mm | — |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | No | — |
| Soundbar height | 86 mm | — |
| Automatic volume leveling | Yes | Yes |
| Soundbar depth | 74 mm | — |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | No | — |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | No | Yes |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | — |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Width | 17 in | 17.6 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 | — |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | 249.99 USD | — |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | zvox.com $199.99 with 60-day trial; Amazon $199.99 from third-party seller (live) | — |
| Manufacturer direct home-trial period | 60 days | — |
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 →ZVOX AV835
Pros
- 20 voice-boost levels (10 plus 10)
- Output Leveling for loud ads
- HDMI-ARC with TV-remote control
- Compact 17.6-inch size
- Lower price than the AV855
Cons
- No hands-on independent review yet
- No Bluetooth or Dolby Atmos
- Music sound is modest
- Owners note there is no customer-service phone line
The smart choice for small rooms and tighter budgets, with a home trial to confirm it works for you.
Full ZVOX AV835 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars for Dialogue Clarity and Seniors of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.