Your life may be complicated, but there’s no reason your AV system should be. Hitachi just launched a pair of new soundbars designed to simplify your home entertainment, and sound good as well.

Hitachi’s new 133W soundbars both include Bluetooth with Apt-X, for connecting to your smartphone or tablet. They’re designed for TVs 32-inches and up, and include four midrange woofers and two tweeters, driven by a built-in 133 watt digital amplifier. Users can connect their set-top-box or Blu-ray player via optical or coaxial digital cables, so no receiver is required. There’s no HDMI, so you’ll still need to connect your sources to your TV separately for video.  A variable subwoofer output is included if you want to add a sub to the system.

Both models include Dolby Digital processing, plus an audio processing feature,  CONEQ , provides digital equalization to create an enveloping sound field with clear dialogue. CONEQ also adds virtual surround sound and a volume equalization mode (called NITE mode) that auto adjust for whispers, special effects and loud commercials. 

The 133W Bluetooth Sound Bars will be available in this month for $199 for the 40” model HSB40B16 and $149 for the 32” model HSB32B26.

Grant Clauser - Technology and Web Editor, Electronic House

Grant Clauser has been covering home electronics for more than 10 years with editorial roles in several consumer and trade magazines. He's done ISF-level damage to hundreds of reviewed products and has had audio training from Home Acoustics Alliance and Sencore. He's also the author of the book The Trouble with Rivers. Follow him on Twitter @geclauser.