Panasonic’s latest soundbar could be perfect for smaller homes
The new soundbar has a super slim build
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If your living room is on the smaller side, the latestsoundbarfromPanasoniccould be the perfect fit for yourhome cinema setup.
The Panasonic SC-HTB490 boasts a super slim build that’s designed to fit under most TVs – though specifically the new2021 Panasonic LED models– and it can also be wall-mounted if you want to save even more space.
According to the company, the HTB490 produces “a powerful sound that belies its compact form”. That’s thanks to two full-range, forward-facing speaker units, that can deliver 160W of power alone, and are supported by two bass reflex ports that should enhance the lower frequencies of your music, films, and TV shows.
Add to that a wireless subwoofer, and that power output is bumped up to a total 320W – and without annoying cables, you can place it anywhere in your room. Panasonic says that the use of a small circuit board inside the subwoofer allows for more space inside the speaker’s body for sound to reverberate and add “truly epic tones” to the audio output.
Is it worth the money?
Wirelessly connectivity comes courtesy of Bluetooth, which means you can stream music from your device without the need for wires.
As well as that, you’re getting an HDMI ARC port, and optical input, and a USB port so you can plug in your USB stick and play your music. It’s not the most comprehensive list of connection options we’ve seen from a soundbar, but the HTB490 is also cheaper than more high-spec rivals like theSonos Arc.
Will availability still to be confirmed, the Panasonic HTB490 will set you back £349 when it goes on sale. That works out at around $480 / AU$630, though global pricing is yet to be announced.
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If a compact design and simple connectivity options are on the top of your soundbar wishlist, that price may well be justified – though you can buy soundbars with extra features likeDolby Atmosspatial audio for less, with models like theSony HT-X8500potentially offering better value for your money.
Olivia was previously TechRadar’s Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she’s a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She’s previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.
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