ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 Soundbar

Let me share my journey with the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 Dialogue Clarifying Soundbar. This little gadget is packed with patented hearing technology and voice boost features, making it a perfect fit for my home theater setup.

So, here’s the backstory: I suffered some auditory damage during an MRI because I wasn’t given proper ear protection. Since then, my hearing has been on the decline, making TV time a real hassle. I missed a ton of dialogue, especially during Netflix movies. I tried a Bose Solo 5 soundbar that claimed to enhance dialogue, and for a bit, it worked. But as my hearing got worse, it just didn’t cut it anymore. I found myself constantly rewinding to catch key phrases, and if that didn’t work, I had to crank up the volume. Talk about frustrating! It made me feel way older than I am.

Then I stumbled upon the ZVOX soundbars. After reading some rave reviews on Amazon and other sites, I felt hopeful. The AV157 seemed like it would hit the sweet spot for my needs, and at $179, it was way cheaper than hearing aids.

I swapped out the Bose for the ZVOX last night. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first because it’s pretty small—about two-thirds the size of my old Bose. But let me tell you, this little device ties for the top spot in my list of useful purchases, right alongside my Dyson Absolute vacuum!

Now, I’m no tech whiz, but I had no trouble setting it up. The instructions come on one big, double-sided piece of paper instead of a booklet, which is kinda annoying. But they’re easy to follow, so no biggie. It’s basically a "plug and play" situation. I plugged in the power cord, and since the Bose was already connected via an optical digital cable, I initially used that. But the sound quality was lackluster. When I switched to the thicker ZVOX cable, wow! The difference was night and day. Disconnecting the Bose cable felt like going back to the stone age—like I was listening to a crystal radio from a sixth-grade science project. Seriously, don’t use a non-ZVOX optical connector; it’s just not worth it.

I’m digging the remote, too. It’s small and simple—no clutter! Unlike the Bose remote that felt like it could control the space station, this one has just a few key buttons for volume, mute, AccuVoice, Surround Sound, and a setting for adjusting treble and bass.

Speaking of AccuVoice, there are six levels of "dialogue clarity." If you hold the button, you can access an additional six levels, but honestly, I found little difference. I settled on level five, which gives me clear dialogue without being harsh. The crispness varies with different shows and movies but doesn’t affect music quality at all. I can finally turn the volume down to a normal level and still catch every word. Background sounds and music are toned down, but they’re still there—not distracting at all. I haven’t tinkered with the treble or bass settings because I’m thrilled with how it sounds right now.

Also, the description mentions 12 settings, but with the three options for virtual Surround Sound, there are really 36 options! The sound quality coming from this little 17" soundbar is just impressive.

One cool feature is that the soundbar turns off automatically when the TV is off. You can change that if you want manual control, but I prefer this setup over the Bose, where I had to turn the soundbar off separately. My only complaint? There’s no indicator light to show if it’s on or off.

ZVOX even includes a note saying if you have issues, don’t return it—just call them! I haven’t had any problems, so I can’t speak to their tech support.

Overall, I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. I really wish the ZVOX 157 had been around when my mother was alive. She had severe hearing issues, even with high-tech hearing aids, and this soundbar would have made her TV time much more enjoyable.

Oh, and one last thing: I bought this soundbar just four days ago (on 6/21/21). Tonight, I recommended it to a neighbor whose husband struggles to hear. When I checked Amazon, the price jumped from $179 to $249 for no apparent reason. Not cool, Amazon! I’m definitely calling for an explanation.

Key Features of the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 Soundbar

  • Crystal Clear Dialogue: Experience superior sound with AccuVoice hearing aid technology. This TV speaker features 12 levels of voice boost, ensuring every word stands out. It’s perfect for enhancing clarity, so you never miss a moment in your favorite shows or movies.

  • Distraction-Free Listening: Enjoy focused sound with SuperVoice technology, which minimizes distracting background noise, allowing dialogue to take center stage. This makes for clearer conversations and a more immersive viewing experience.

  • Powerful, Room-Filling Sound: Equipped with three 2"x3" high-output full-range speakers, this TV speaker delivers rich, immersive audio that fills the room. It’s designed to enhance every scene with clear, full-bodied sound that truly brings shows to life.

  • Amplified Clarity & Power: Experience robust, distortion-free sound with a 24-watt Class D digital amplifier. This technology is engineered to deliver clear dialogue and rich audio depth, providing a dynamic listening experience that elevates every scene.

  • Cinematic Audio Precision: With Dolby Digital decoding, enjoy theater-quality sound that captures every detail—from crisp dialogue to immersive background effects. It’s perfect for achieving a true surround sound experience right in your living room.

  • Immersive 3D Surround Sound: Experience room-filling 3D audio with PhaseCue virtual surround technology, delivering expansive sound from a single compact speaker. This feature brings depth and realism to every movie and show without the need for extra speakers.

  • User-Friendly Design for All: Enjoy effortless control with a large-button remote featuring easy-to-read labels. The AV157's bright alphanumeric display allows for clear, accessible operation, making seamless adjustments a breeze for enhanced viewing convenience.

Product Information for the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 Soundbar

  • Material: Plastic
  • Model Name: AV157
  • Speaker Type: Soundbar
  • Special Features: Speakers for TV, Home Audio Sound Bars, TV Speakers for Hard of Hearing, Sound Bars for TV, Home Audio Speakers
  • Recommended Uses: For Televisions
  • Compatible Devices: Television
  • Subwoofer Diameter: 3 Inches
  • Unit Count: 1 Count
  • Controller Type: Remote Control
  • Color: Black
  • Included Components: Remote control, connecting cables
  • Product Dimensions: 7.75"D x 19.75"W x 4"H
  • Item Weight: 3 Pounds
  • Is Waterproof: TRUE
  • Control Method: Voice
  • Speaker Size: 17 Inches
  • Power Source: Corded Electric
  • Package Type: FFP
  • Audio Driver Type: Dynamic Driver
  • Subwoofer Connectivity Technology: Wired
  • Includes MP3 Player?: No
  • Is Electric: Yes
  • Series Number: 157
  • Specific Uses: TV viewing, home entertainment
  • UPC: 882360015715
  • Global Trade Identification Number: 00882360015715
  • Manufacturer: ZVOX Audio
  • ASIN: B088X4TTVD
  • Customer Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars (2,116 ratings)
  • Best Sellers Rank: #22,152 in Electronics, #163 in Home Audio Sound Bars
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No
  • Date First Available: May 28, 2020
  • Country of Origin: China

 

Customer Feedback on the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157

Customers are raving about the sound quality and voice clarity of the ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 speakers. Many say the audio is way better than their old BOSE sound bar, thanks to the 12 levels of sound clarification. The remote is designed to be simple and user-friendly, which is a nice bonus. A lot of folks consider these speakers a solid value for money, as they really bring dialogue to the forefront.

That said, some customers have had issues with the soundbar turning off unexpectedly, which can be pretty frustrating. There are mixed feelings about its functionality and the remote control experience.

For those with hearing impairments, this soundbar is a game-changer. One customer shared how they’d been eyeing a ZVOX for over a year after seeing an ad but were unsure if it would truly help. Initially, they just wanted a way to block out those loud background noises that often drown out the dialogue—super annoying, right? Luckily, the AV157 does exactly what it promises.

When they started watching some British shows on Netflix, they realized they struggled to catch the dialogue and had to use closed captions to follow along. So, they finally bit the bullet and got the AccuVoice AV157, which has an awesome feature called "SuperVoice." This extra boost is perfect for folks who need that additional clarity, offering what they call "Extreme Voice Clarity." It has six levels to choose from, allowing for a richer voice experience while letting you adjust background sounds to suit your preferences.

Installation was a breeze—just two plugs to connect: one for the soundbar and one for the TV. That’s it! (They even include both analog and digital cables.) The first unit they received, unfortunately, wouldn’t connect, but when they called customer service, a real person picked up right away. They walked them through some troubleshooting steps and suspected a defective unit. No worries, though! They emailed a return label in minutes and promised to send out a new unit as soon as they received the defective one. Talk about quick service!

Once the new unit arrived, they hooked it up, and it worked like a charm right away. The features are all easy to understand and navigate, with clear instructions in the included pamphlet. Plus, you can link your regular remote to control the volume without needing to use the ZVOX remote all the time. You only pull out the ZVOX remote for feature adjustments.

Overall, this reviewer highly recommends the AV157 for its extra features that other models lack. However, if you don’t have hearing issues, one of the other models might do just fine. They're so impressed with the soundbar that they plan to order a second one for their bedroom TV!

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2021.