soundbars · Head-to-head
ZVOX AV157 vs ZVOX AV855
The short answer
ZVOX AV855 comes out ahead overall with 8.1/10 against 7.0/10 for the ZVOX AV157. ZVOX AV157 is stronger on safety, energy & repairability. ZVOX AV855 is stronger on dialogue clarity, 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 AV855 if: Anyone who struggles to follow TV dialogue on a mid-size or large TV and wants one bar the TV remote controls, with the widest voice-boost range.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | ZVOX AV157 | ZVOX AV855 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.5Older TechHive praise, offset by TechRadar's 'unnatural' remark. | 8.3Two independent reviews (TechRadar, Home Technology Review) praise the speech lift, but there is no lab test. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 8.512 levels plus Output Leveling. | 8.820 levels plus Output Leveling, the widest range in the pool. ZVOX's FAQ text is inconsistent ('6 modes'), but its spec page says 10+10. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 6.5Single cable, but a separate remote is required. | 8.5HDMI-ARC/CEC, a remote with large buttons, no app, and a 60-day trial. |
| Overall sound quality | 4.5Single-purpose small speaker. | 6.5TechRadar calls it 'a bit boxy' with weak virtual surround. |
| Value | 6.5$199.99, close to the HDMI-equipped AV835. | 7.5$349.99. The AV835 has the same DSP for $100 less, so this is fair rather than outstanding. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 8.0Replacement power supply and remotes, renewed units and a 60-day trial. | 7.5Replacement remotes, power supplies and certified-renewed units are sold. No recall found. |
Specifications
| Spec | ZVOX AV157 | ZVOX AV855 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 33.7 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 AV855
Pros
- 20 voice-boost levels (10 AccuVoice plus 10 SuperVoice)
- HDMI-ARC lets the TV remote control power and volume
- Output Leveling evens out loud commercials
- Large-button remote
- Replacement remotes and renewed units available, with a 60-day home trial
Cons
- Music can sound somewhat boxy
- No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- Some owners found the boost less dramatic than expected
The best fit for most viewers who want clearer speech without learning a new system. It trades music quality for dialogue tools, and that is the right trade for this guide.
Full ZVOX AV855 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.