Thursday, September 22, 2016

Dad's Review - Sembrandt SB500 Soundbar

I bought a portable wired Nude Speaker a couple of years back in Dubai Duty Free. In SM malls, I found this speaker priced at around 1,200 pesos.

Read: Nude audio portable wired speaker

It is a tiny wired speaker ideal for laptop, phones and tablet. I have no qualms regarding this speaker and I am still using it when I travel abroad.

However, what if I tell you that by adding 1,700 pesos you'll have a 32 inch soundbar with Bluetooth connection and a remote control as well. The sound quality is fairly acceptable considering its price. It has an option also to connect using a standard mini-stereo jack.



The bass is good enough for a small room while the treble is clear especially when you connect this soundbar to your TV or use it as speaker for any video source.

The physical design is surprisingly modern, a sleek black finish is a perfect pair for any flat screens. In addition, the unit comes with a pair of wall bracket thus you can easily mount it either on top or at the bottom of your TV.

I tested it by playing music downloaded from Spotify; it was great for a late night sound tripping inside our room minus the hassle of connecting wires while enjoying the comfort of controlling its function remotely. Just to add, it has 3 preset equalizer setting flat, music and movie. For its price of 2,900 pesos, Sembrandt SB500 Soundbar is indeed bang for the buck.

The unit comes with a 3 month warranty and 3 day unit replacement period. I bought this from Kimstore through Technopop, Ortigas Center. Technopop has several units on hand hence the wife and I didn't bother to wait for meet-up time anymore; we tested and paid the unit then left the place. I noticed that Technopop has demo unit installed so you can actually ask for a test before buying it, don't ask for a meet-up though if you plan to purchase it this way.

Update: Sept 25

Perfect in our kids' condo unit

I am now back in Africa for my job; my kids hijacked my Sembrandt and brought it to their condo unit. The wife told me that the bass improved after it was put inside the wall-mounted TV rack.

The main drawback, according to my kids, is the short and inflexible power cable. Nevertheless, it was able to transform the tinny sound of their 24 inch Qube HDTV - wait for a Dad's Review about this super cheap but durable HDTV - into a home theater like sound.

Might as well buy another unit when I go for vacation next month if it is still available.

Update 12 October


I have noticed that this post have been read more than 700 hundreds times. I am afraid by the time I return back to Philippines next month for my vacation this unit won't be available anymore. Hence, I asked my son today to purchase another unit at Technopop Vito Cruz. I can't wait to enjoy my late night sound tripping.



Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post but merely an actual experience of a Dad.


35 comments:

  1. thanks sir for the review..planning to purchase one as well.

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  2. very nice review. thank you very much. i've looking for a budget soundbar for my samsung 48 inch tv.

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  3. Can I go directly to Technopop Vito Cruzn and get one instead of ordering it to Kimstore?

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  4. Hi ask ko lng nakalagay kasi 125v pwede ba yan s 220v? Or autovolt naman? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. It is 220 VAC. Check the actual unit label not the power cord sticker.

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    2. My unit is auto volt as stated on the sticker or label on the body

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  5. Nice, thanks. Planning to buy one.

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  6. Sir saan po kayo nakabili ng 1200PHP?

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    Replies
    1. Kindly click the link of my review "Nude....." on the above post

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  7. Parequest po ng video for sound test

    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. You won't get a realistic sound reproduction through internet. That is why I have suggested that you can go to any Technopop branch and ask their staff to demo the unit before buying it. In case that it is not possible to for you to visit any Technopop branch then you might as well depend on the review. Nonetheless, lower your expectation since this is only a sound bar and not a complete speaker system. I myself can distinguish the huge difference when I watch digital movie on my Yamaha and Mordaunt Short sound system but considering the price, Sembrandt performance is acceptable for me.

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  8. double sound po b talaga pg sa TV nyo na connect or meron need iadjust sa TV? oK nmn pag bluetooth kso pag direct TV na eh 2 ang sound output nya

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  9. No. Mine had normal sound. Try to connect it to your mobile phone.

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  10. How did you connect to tour TV?

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    Replies
    1. Connect the stereo wire to headphone out of the TV.

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    2. sir my tv has no stereo out then i used aux to connect it to the speaker but still it isn't working..and i've lost my manual already ��

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  11. nakakacurious talaga tong soundbar na to, it's cheap yet has lots of positive feedback.

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  12. para san po yung SERVICE ONLY na USB port sa likod ng sound bar?

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  13. I'm planning to buy.. tanong ko lng possible po bang icascade with my existing sound system sa bahay?

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    Replies
    1. Single input lang sya. Walang provision for other connection unless buy ka ng signal divider para yung tv out ay mahati sa 2 signal.

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  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please refrain from making false advertisement or link.

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  15. meron po ba mabibili na ganyan dito sa davao?

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    Replies
    1. Nasa metro plaza po. Kakatingin ko lang kanina kaso 3899.

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    2. sa harap ng G-Mall Bajada?

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  16. just what i needed before buying this.. Siguro mas ok kung may short clip showing us the sound quality...
    Thanks!

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  17. hi, ask ko lang if may na encounter kayo na hissing sound pag nagcoconect ng aux ng soundbar sa TV? If yes, paano nasolusyonan? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Wala naman. Baka may problem sa cable.

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    2. same problem to me as well. anyone can share how it was connected by aux?

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  18. Hi. Is it possible for this soundbar to be connected to both DVD player and TV?

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  19. the RCA is not working, bluetooth is ok, i am connecting via line in and OUT, only concern ko, when i use the RC of my digibox, nababasa ng speaker yung signal, tapos nagpapalit sya to bluetooth, same pag channel down, nag shift to bluetooth. pag channel up, nag tuturn off. i will ask it to be replaced today.

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  20. anyone having issues connecting this soundbar on TVs with ports for 3.5mm?

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