Latest news with #RokuProSeries
CNET
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
After 20 Years of Reviewing TVs, I Actually Found One with Good Sound
CNET's key takeaways The Roku Pro Series (2025) features some of the best sound quality I have heard in years of testing AV equipment. Based on preliminary tests, the TV appears to perform better than the existing Pro series for audio and picture quality. While it sounds good for a TV, a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer will sound even better. As a 20-year veteran of TV and soundbar reviews, I can say, with certainty, that you can't expect good sound from a television. Sound quality may be a priority for you and me, but today's TVs typically perform on a spectrum somewhere between muddy and indistinct. The reason for this is that a flat-screen TV is inherently compromised, and onboard sound is usually one of the last considerations. As a result of this, if you want to buy a TV, you almost definitely need some sort of external speaker. Then again, there are rare exceptions like the newest Roku Pro Series TV, which goes on sale Tuesday and starts at $899 for the 55-inch model. The 2025 Roku Pro Series continues the thoughtful touches of previous models -- tool-less stands, an on-TV remote finder -- and adds even better sound to the mix. Other companies, such as Loewe and Panasonic, have even tried making soundbars a part of the TV, though with varying degrees of success. I've heard those TVs, and they're typically expensive flagships, but the Roku is simply trying to do what any TV should: Make dialogue understandable and not require a separate purchase. Also read: Best TVs of 2025 The designer of the TV's sound system, Roku's Kasper Andersen, told me he came up with the idea for its unique sound drivers during the pandemic, when he was left to his own devices in an empty audio lab. Andersen's "compression loaded" system appears to work like a horn speaker in that it pipes sound through a tapered opening, which helps reduce the muddying reflections that usually occur in TV speakers. To help achieve this, this speaker system is side-mounted, while most TVs point their speakers down, or even back, resulting in muffled or even 'ghostly' sound. The Roku Pro TV is not perfect. For instance, there was noticeable audio compression during loud sequences. But this is acceptable for a TV speaker and something I've even experienced with some soundbars. At the same price as the model it replaces, the Roku Pro Series TV is well put-together, sounds great and, based on initial tests, has picture quality that is better than before. If it performs as well as I anticipate, the new Roku Pro Series could be the TV to beat for the price. My experience with the Roku Pro Series Listening to Nick Cave on the new Roku Pro Series. Ty Pendlebury/CNET I tested the new Roku Pro's sound against its predecessor, also called the Roku Pro, as well as a high-end 2025 LCD, the Hisense U8Q. I tested each one using a mix of movies and music to see how the TVs performed when playing dynamic material. I started my evaluations with one of my soundbar benchmarks," a scene from Avatar that combines surround effects, quiet dialogue and dynamic explosions: the Thanator chase. Of the three TVs, the new Roku Pro was able to convey the deep rumble of the Hammerhead Titanotheres as well as the high-end energy of buzzing insects. It was also best able to convey a stereo image. At the start of the scene, Jake (Sam Worthington) leaves Grace (Sigourney Weaver) behind in a clearing, and the new Roku's audio system followed her position as it moved across the screen. However, not surprisingly, I found that the TV didn't deal with big dynamic swings as well as a full audio system might. I could hear the audio peaks compress when the Thanator chased Jake under a tree, and as he fired rounds at the creature. Yet, this is no sin; I've heard great soundbars like the Zvox SB500 do the same thing. The TV is essentially throttling the sound to prevent distortion or, worse, damage. I then switched to the Hisense and found that this TV was not at all convincing with this scene. While Grace's voice sounded front and center on both Roku TVs, she sounded like she was in another room on the Hisense. Her voice was muffled and indistinct. While the older Roku Pro still sounds pretty good, I found it could not reproduce bass at all. While listening to Peter Gabriel's track, Olive Tree, on both Roku TVs, I heard a thick bed of bass on the new Pro, where there was nothing but a flatulent pop on the older TV. You know when someone drives past listening to bass-heavy music and the subwoofer is so loud it sounds like the car is going to fall apart? That's what Nick Cave's Red Right Hand sounded like on the Hisense U8K. I even held the mount and the back of the TV, and the rattle was coming from inside the TV. One of my few complaints about the Roku Pro Series is that, while you can add Roku speakers, you can't add a standalone subwoofer. Granting this ability may reduce the dynamic compression artifacts I heard, as the sub can then take the hit and leave the TV's speakers to produce dialogue. I did perform a brief picture quality comparison, though only the older Roku had had its picture evaluated with a Konica Minolta CS2000 spectroradiometer. The other TVs were simply set in Filmmaker mode. Using a test scene from the war movie 1917, I found the new Roku had more solidity and better contrast than the other TVs. The Roku also had finer shadow detail than the Hisense, which was surprising given the Hisense is around 2.5 times the price. While I'm going to leave my thoughts for a full review, I can at least say that the black levels of the new Roku have improved over the previous generation's. The specs Sizes: 55-inch ($899), 65-inch ($1,199), 75-inch ($1,699) Resolution: 4K Technology: Mini-LED LCD with QLED Refresh rate: 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM HDR support: HDR10 Plus, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6 HDMI: 4, including eARC CNET's buying advice The No. 1 reason to buy a TV has been, and should always be, how good its picture quality is. Yet this shouldn't mean that sound quality can't be No. 2 on the list, especially when your budget is tight. While I'm still in the process of evaluating the Roku Pro's display, I can say that this is one of the better TVs I've heard, and at any price. It's worth mentioning that the existing model is currently being sold at a 30% discount to make way for the new TVs, and while its black levels don't appear to be as good, this is still a relatively accurate TV. It's also great at playing video games, and may be a decent deal if you're looking for a secondary TV for a playroom or bedroom.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Roku-Made TV Lineup Brings Better TV For Everyone
Newly upgraded Roku Select Series, Roku Plus Series, and Roku Pro Series are now available in the U.S. SAN JOSE, Calif., June 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Roku, the #1 selling TV OS in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, announced that the 2025 Roku Select, Plus, and Pro Series televisions are now available in the U.S. Designed for a high-quality experience, the enhanced lineup delivers seamless setup, fast performance, stunning picture quality, and intuitive features such as a built-in remote finder. "Since launching our first Roku-made TVs two years ago, we've focused on creating products that marry our easy-to-use software with thoughtfully designed hardware to give our customers the best possible experience—something simple that both looks and sounds great," said Paul Nangeroni, Senior Director of Product Management at Roku. "Our 2025 lineup furthers that commitment with performance upgrades and intelligent features designed to take the guess work out of getting the best picture and sound, no matter what you're watching." The 2025 Pro Series now comes with: Life-like content: Roku is making its most premium TV line even better with a focus on improving the realism and accuracy of the content on the screen. With the majority of TV viewing now being streamed, Roku worked closely with content providers and supply chain partners to make streaming content more life-like, enhancing both the image processing and manufacturing quality of the latest Pro Series TVs. Roku's most advanced video ever: The 2025 Pro Series features the next generation of Roku Smart Picture Max, Roku's in-house image processing suite, which automatically adjusts picture settings on a scene-by-scene basis—improving motion clarity, correcting compression artifacts, and intelligently selecting the best picture mode for the content on screen. Complementing the software is a re-engineered Mini-LED backlight that produces sharper highlights and minimizes blooming with 75% higher dynamic contrast than the previous model, all with precision tone mapping and factory-calibrated color for lifelike images and video. Altogether, this results in Roku's most advanced video pipeline to date, performing over 100 billion operations per frame to enhance detail, optimize picture quality, and deliver an inspiring viewing experience. Additional 2025 Pro Series features include: Mini-LED with QLED color, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ Adaptive, and Dolby Vision IQ® deliver a brilliant picture with dazzling highlights, deep blacks and accurate color—now with 75% more dynamic contrast. Refined Roku Soundstage Audio, featuring side-firing Dolby Atmos® speakers and enhanced tuning for clearer dialogue and deeper bass. Snappy performance with Wi-Fi 6 and a streamlined OS for quicker app launches and smoother navigation. Hands-free voice control for quick actions, easy streaming, and finding your lost remote. Game-ready features, including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and 120Hz refresh rate elevate the Pro Series experience. Headphone Mode with Bluetooth pairing lets you enjoy shows and sports your way—ideal in shared spaces or during quiet moments. Thin, modern, shadow-box aesthetic designed to flush-mount to the wall like a picture frame—transforming your TV into a work of art with Backdrops showcasing a free, curated catalog of digital artwork. Slim-profile Wall Mount Kit, an optional accessory designed by Roku with hinge and kickstand, for easy access to TV ports and cables. Streamlined setup with tool-free stands, integrated cable management, and a placement guide for easier wall mounting. The Roku Voice Remote Pro with backlit buttons, customizable shortcuts, a rechargeable battery with USB-C, and a remote finder built into the TV. The 2025 Plus Series now comes with: Some of the best Pro Series features—now including Smart Picture Max: The 2025 Roku Plus Series brings many of Roku's most celebrated Pro Series features to a broader audience, delivering high-end performance at an accessible price. Now equipped with Roku-tuned mini-LED backlighting and enhanced QLED color, the Plus Series delivers deeper blacks, better contrast, and life-like vibrancy. Smart Picture Max, previously a Pro Series exclusive, is now also available on the Plus Series, providing intelligent scene-by-scene adjustments that make everything from live sports to dramas look their best—no manual setting adjustments required. Smooth performance and a refined user experience: The Plus Series also adds thoughtful upgrades, such as an on-TV remote finder button, the same streamlined cable management introduced with the Pro Series, a new processor-and-memory architecture for faster navigation, and a built-in subwoofer for richer audio. Enhanced features across the full Roku-made TV lineup The 2025 Roku-made TV lineup reinforces Roku's core mission: delivering smart, simple TVs that perform beautifully and are designed holistically. Roku's TV OS makes content discovery seamless, offering an intuitive experience that places your favorite entertainment front and center. Connect to trending shows, cheer for your sports team, dive into curated recommendations, or see who is at your front door—all with ease. It's smarter TV, made for everyone. All Roku-made TVs will ship with the latest software, including new features such as Daily Trivia, short-form content rows for effortless browsing, award badges for seamless discovery, personalized sports highlights, game-time mobile notifications, and more. Additionally, the 2025 Roku-made TVs now support Bluetooth Headphone Mode for seamless private listening. Thanks to Roku's refined software and optimized components, even the Select Series feels faster and more responsive. With a wide range of sizes and thoughtful design upgrades, Roku-made TVs offer a perfect fit for every room—from bedrooms and kitchens to home theaters. Across the lineup, updates such as simplified cable management and clearly labeled, easy-to-reach ports make setup more intuitive than ever. This year, Roku's helpful placement guide is available on all Pro Series models, as well as on Select Series TVs 65" and larger. The latest Select Series includes HD, FHD, and 4K models, now available in sizes up to 85"—with Dolby Audio on all models and HDR10+ support on 4K models, plus compatibility with expandable wireless surround sound. Sizes and availability The Roku Select Series will be available in a range of 24" to 85" sizes. Roku Plus and Pro Series are available in 55", 65", and 75" sizes. Roku-made TVs are available nationwide at retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Amazon with prices beginning at under $130. For more information, please visit About Roku, Inc. Roku pioneered streaming on TV. We connect users to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku TV™ models, Roku streaming players, and TV-related audio devices are available in various countries around the world through direct retail sales and/or licensing arrangements with TV OEM brands. Roku-branded TVs and Roku Smart Home products are sold exclusively in the United States. Roku also operates The Roku Channel, the home of free and premium entertainment with exclusive access to Roku Originals, and the #2 app on our platform in the U.S. by streaming hours. The Roku Channel is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., U.S.A. Roku is a registered trademark, and Roku TV is a trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. 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CNET
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
After 20 Years of Reviewing TVs, I Actually Found a New One With Good Sound
CNET's key takeaways The Roku Pro Series (2025) features some of the best sound quality I have heard in years of testing AV equipment. Based on preliminary tests, the TV appears to perform better than the existing Pro series for audio and picture quality. While it sounds good for a TV, a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer will sound even better. As a 20-year veteran of TV and soundbar reviews, I can say, with certainty, that you can't expect good sound from a television. Sound quality may be a priority for you and me, but today's TVs typically perform on a spectrum, somewhere between muddy and indistinct. The reason for this is that a flat screen TV is inherently compromised, and onboard sound is usually one of the last considerations. As a result of this, if you want to buy a TV, you almost definitely need some sort of external speaker. Then again, there are rare exceptions like the newest Roku Pro Series TV, which goes on sale Tuesday starting at $899 for the 55-inch model. The 2025 Roku Pro Series continues the thoughtful touches of previous models -- tool-less stands, an on-TV remote finder -- and adds even better sound to the mix. Other companies, such as Loewe and Panasonic, have even tried making soundbars a part of the TV, though with varying degrees of success. I've heard those TVs, and they're typically expensive flagships, but the Roku is simply trying to do what any TV should: Make dialog understandable and not require a separate purchase. The designer of the TV's sound system, Roku's Kasper Andersen, told me he came up with the idea for its unique sound drivers during the pandemic, when he was left to his own devices in an empty audio lab. Andersen's "compression loaded" system appears to work like a horn speaker in that it pipes sound through a tapered opening and helps reduce the muddying reflections that usually occur in TV speakers. To help achieve this, this speaker system is side-mounted, while most TVs point their speakers down, or even back, resulting in super muffled or even 'ghostly' sound. The Roku Pro TV is not perfect. For instance, there was noticeable audio compression during loud sequences. But this is acceptable for a TV speaker and something I've even experienced with some soundbars. At the same price as the model it replaces, the Roku Pro Series TV is well put-together, sounds great and, based on initial tests, has picture quality which is better than before. If it performs as well as I anticipate, the new Roku Pro Series could be the TV to beat at the price. My experience with the Roku Pro Series Listening to Nick Cave on the new Roku Pro Series Ty Pendlebury/CNET I tested the new Roku Pro's sound against its predecessor, the Roku Pro as well as a high-end 2025 LCD, the Hisense U8Q. I tested each one using a mix of movies and music in order to see how the TVs performed when playing dynamic material. I started my evaluations with one of my soundbar benchmarks -- a scene from Avatar that combines surround effects, quiet dialogue and dynamic explosions: the Thanator Chase. Of the three TVs, the new Roku Pro was able to convey the deep rumble of the Hammerhead Titanotheres as well as the high-end energy of buzzing insects. It was also best able to convey a stereo image -- at the start of the scene, Jake (Sam Worthington) leaves Grace (Sigourney Weaver) behind in a clearing, and the new Roku's audio system followed her position as it moved across the screen. However, not surprisingly, I found that the TV didn't deal with big dynamic swings as well as a full audio system might. I could hear the audio peaks compress when the Thanator chased Jake under a tree and as he fired rounds at the creature. Yet, this is no sin; I've heard great soundbars like the Zvox SB500 do the same thing. The TV is essentially throttling the sound to prevent distortion or, at the worst, damage. I then switched to the Hisense and found that this TV was not at all convincing with this scene. While Grace's voice sounded front and center on both Roku TVs, she sounded like she was in another room on the Hisense. Her voice was muffled and indistinct. While the older Roku Pro still sounds pretty good, I found it could not reproduce bass at all. While listening to Peter Gabriel's track Olive Tree on both Roku TVs, I heard a thick bed of bass on the new Pro, where there was nothing but a flatulent pop on the older TV. You know when someone drives past listening to bass heavy music and the subwoofer is so loud it sounds like the car is going to fall apart? That's what Nick Cave's Red Right Hand sounded like on the Hisense U8K. I even held the mount and the back of the TV and the rattle was coming from inside the TV. One of my few complaints about the Roku Pro Series is that, while you can add Roku speakers, you can't add a standalone subwoofer. Granting this ability may reduce the dynamic compression artefacts I heard, as the sub can then take the hit and leave the TV's speakers to produce dialogue. I did perform a brief picture quality comparison, though only the older Roku had had its picture evaluated with a Konica Minolta CS2000 spectroradiometer. The other TVs were simply set in Filmmaker mode. Using a test scene from 1917, I found the new Roku had more solidity and better contrast than the other TVs. The Roku also had finer shadow detail than the Hisense, which was surprising given the Hisense is around 2.5 times the price. While I'm going to leave my thoughts for a full review, I can at least say that the black levels of the new Roku have improved over the previous generation. The specs Sizes: 55-inch ($899), 65-inch ($1,199), 75-inch ($1,699) Resolution: 4K Technology: Mini-LED LCD with QLED Refresh rate: 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM HDR support: HDR10 Plus, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6 HDMI: 4, including eARC CNET's buying advice The No. 1 reason to buy a TV has been, and should always be, how good its picture quality is. Yet this shouldn't mean that sound quality can't be No. 2 on the list, especially when your budget is tight. While I am still in the process of evaluating the Roku Pro's display, I can say that this is one of the better TVs I've heard, and at any price. It's worth mentioning that the existing model is currently being sold at a 30% discount to make way for the new TVs, and while its black levels don't appear to be as good this is still a relatively accurate TV. It's also great at playing video games, and so may be a decent deal if you're looking for a secondary TV for a playroom or bedroom.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Roku's 65-inch QLED TV is half off at Amazon
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. SAVE $600: As of June 3, the 65-inch Roku Pro Series QLED TV is on sale for $599.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off its usual price of $1,199.99. Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 65-inch Pro Series QLED TV $599.99 at Amazon $1,199.99 Save $600 Get Deal Finding a good and cheap QLED TV isn't hard in 2025. Finding a good and cheap gaming TV that can actually keep up with new graphics-heavy drops? That's another story. If you're specifically looking for a budget television 65 inches or larger, one solid option happens to be 50% off at Amazon: As of June 3, score the 65-inch Roku Pro Series QLED TV for $599.99. That's $600 off its original price of $1,199.99. SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer. Gamers will appreciate four HDMI inputs (two of which support 120Hz), an automatic gaming mode, and compatibility with Freesync Premium Pro. CNET's Ty Pendlebury particularly shouted out the low input lag on the Pro Series, noting that it has some of the best response times that CNET's team has seen in competing TVs recently. Picture quality-wise, the Roku Pro Series is pretty mid — this just isn't the punchiest combination of vibrant colors and deep blacks you'll find on a TV in this price range. However, the full array of local dimming zones and mini quantum dots at least promise to provide snappier color than any old LED TV you may be trying to get rid of. For scenery-heavy new releases like Atomfall or Mario Kart World, that'll be crucial for the playing experience. Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99) Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $329.99 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $648.00 (List Price $699.99) Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,699.99 LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)
Tom's Guide
05-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Don't wait! This 65-inch Roku TV just fell to $599 — that's 50% off its usual price
If you've been searching for an affordable smart TV with a simple interface and a never-ending selection of streaming options, your time has come. The 65-inch Roku Pro Series just fell to $599 at Amazon. That's a full 50% off its usual price of $1,199, and according to Amazon's limited-time designation, this sale isn't going to last. The Roku Pro Series combines the simple-but-powerful Roku smart platform with the high-octane performance of a Mini-LED TV. As a Roku TV, it wears its streaming capabilities on its sleeve, but you might not be aware of the fact that it's a great set for gaming, also worth noting that the 75-inch version has crashed in price, too — all the way down to its lowest price ever, in fact. Right now, you can land the 75-inch Roku Pro Series for just $799 at Amazon. It's big-screen streaming for less. The Roku Pro Series is a budget-friendly Mini-LED 4K TV that offers a simple-but-powerful backdrop for all of your streaming needs. It's not the brightest mid-range TV, but quantum-dot color and Mini-LED backlighting make this TV a step above most TVs in its price range. Plus, there are enough gaming features here to satisfy both casual and dedicated gamers. Want something a little bigger? The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is just $799 at Amazon. That's its lowest price to date. The Pro Series sets itself apart from entry-level TVs with some much-appreciated hardware upgrades. For one thing, its addition of quantum dots allows for excellent color volume. For another, the Pro Series' Mini-LED backlighting gives it an edge when it comes to brightness and overall contrast. According to our test results, the Pro Series delivers over 1,200 nits of highlight brightness in HDR. For context, the entry-level Roku Plus Series — which doesn't come with Mini-LED backlighting — tops out at around 450 to 500 nits of HDR brightness. The Pro Series delivers over 1,200 nits of highlight brightness in HDR. The TV's built-in Roku features are obviously the main attraction here, but the Pro Series is also a pretty solid gaming companion, too. It arrives with two HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs that support 4K gaming up to 120Hz. That's the maximum 4K spec for current-generation consoles. In addition, the Pro Series supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for ultra-smooth gaming. You can read more about this sneaky-good mid-range set in our full Roku Pro Series TV review. That said, I wouldn't wait too long to pounce on this one — Amazon has branded the listing with a limited-time deal tag, indicating that it's probably gonna tick back up in price soon.
