The Hisense HS5100 is a 2024 soundbar with a 5.1 configuration complete with a compact subwoofer and surrounds. It's a straightforward design without apps and constant updates meant to come in at a budget-friendly price point without cutting satellite speakers out of the equation. That said, it comes with compromises and doesn't include up-firing speakers or support for 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos. Still, for music, TV, and older movies tuned for 5.1 Dolby Digital, the soundbar slots in well without many frills.
Our Verdict
The Hisense HS5100 is decent for mixed usage. While it lacks some premium features like room correction, graphic EQ, and up-firing drivers with 3D audio format support, it's an uncomplicated soundbar with a decent soundstage and satellites on a budget. Out of the box, it provides a good sound with a few features (EQ modes and bass and treble adjustments) to enhance it via the remote. At max volume, it doesn't compress too much and retains your audio's dynamics for the most part. Your connectivity includes HDMI ARC, Optical, and interestingly, AUX In (for analog audio sources), or Bluetooth for wireless streaming. While that's sufficient for most uses like TV, music, and movies, you lose out on the immersion of formats like Dolby Atmos. It lacks app support, which is either a benefit or a downside depending on your preferences.
Low latency audio over HDMI ARC.
EQ presets and Bass and Treble adjustments.
Dialogue is clear.
Gets plenty loud with little compression.
No Dolby Atmos support.
Lacks bassy boominess and airiness.
Satellites are wired to the subwoofer, which isn't convenient.
Bluetooth is the only wireless connection.
The Hisense HS5100 is great for dialogue and TV shows. The frequency response produces speech clearly, both in the stereo and through the discrete center channel alone. You can choose from the 'News' EQ preset, which enhances voices by cutting the bass and treble somewhat, or choose 'Night' mode for late-night binge fests that won't wake the household. Disabling the surround sound mode also turns off the satellites, which can quiet down your TV watching at night, too. On the flipside, the soundbar can get pretty loud, making action-packed shows engaging, but newer shows mastered in Dolby Atmos (or other 3D audio formats) aren't supported. If you're streaming from your device, it also supports Bluetooth but lacks other wireless connections.
Low latency audio over HDMI ARC.
EQ presets and Bass and Treble adjustments.
Dialogue is clear.
Gets plenty loud with little compression.
Lacks bassy boominess and airiness.
Satellites are wired to the subwoofer, which isn't convenient.
The Hisense HS5100 is good for listening to music. The 5.1 soundbar correctly plays back multi-channel surround masters, so you can listen to surround sound concerts or conventional stereo music and expect a decently sized soundstage without holes or artificial upmixing. It features an AUX input, which is a little unusual but handy if you hook up an analog audio source like a portable CD or cassette player. Bluetooth connectivity is also available for streaming from your device, though the soundbar doesn't support other wireless audio connections like Wi-Fi, nor does it have a companion app. The soundbar sounds good out of the box, but it rolls off high-treble above 18kHz, which can cause music to sound a bit closed off and lacking in airiness; still, that's rather subtle. Meanwhile, you can adjust bass and treble or choose from EQ presets, which is sufficient for many, but if you like to tinker, it's limiting.
EQ presets and Bass and Treble adjustments.
Gets plenty loud with little compression.
AUX input lets you connect to analog audio sources.
Lacks bassy boominess and airiness.
Bluetooth is the only wireless connection.
The Hisense HS5100 is alright for watching movies. It can reach fairly loud volume levels while mostly retaining the dynamics of your audio. Its stereo frequency response sounds good, though it's not especially boomy. Since it includes satellites, you can arrange them around the room for 5.1 surround, but its tuning sounds a bit uneven out of the box. You can adjust the EQ presets (including 'Movie' mode) and bass or treble to taste. Still, room correction and graphic EQ aren't included. The soundbar also supports a somewhat limited selection of audio formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS. So, if you're watching newer superhero flicks, for example, object-based formats are either downsampled or not supported. While it lacks HDMI In for video passthrough, it offers a little flexibility with different connections via Optical and HDMI Arc ports.
Low latency audio over HDMI ARC.
EQ presets and Bass and Treble adjustments.
Gets plenty loud with little compression.
No Dolby Atmos support.
Lacks bassy boominess and airiness.
Satellites are wired to the subwoofer, which isn't convenient.
Changelog
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Updated Dec 02, 2025:
We've added a comparison of the Ultimea Skywave X70 to the Stereo Dynamics box.
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Updated Sep 25, 2025:
The Sound Enhancements section has been corrected to explain how the 'Surr' button works for surround modes and surround volume.
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Updated Aug 28, 2025:
The Stereo Soundstage section was updated to mention the Samsung HW-B750F.
- Updated Jul 09, 2025: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Hisense HS5100 is available in one color, 'Black.' Here's an image of the unit's label. If you encounter another variant of this soundbar, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update the review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Hisense HS5100 5.1 setup lands as a step below the 5.1.2 Hisense AX5125H and a tier above the 2.1 Hisense HS2100. As with most budget-oriented brands, compromises tend to help decide which soundbar you ought to pick, so if you don't need the AX5125H's Atmos support, but want a more immersive experience than the HS2100's stereo offering, the HS5100 could be the perfect fit.. Widening the landscape to other brands, the Vizio SV510X-0806 is another 5.1 soundbar with surrounds that can process far more audio formats including DTS:X and Dolby Atmos, thanks to an eARC port (as opposed to the ARC on the HS5100), but it still doesn't have up-firing drivers and it lacks the HS5100's Optical and AUX inputs. The 5.1.2 Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 adds up-firing speakers, which are absent on the HS5100, with a similarly expansive audio format support as the SV510X-0806. However, the Elevate SE SL512X-0806 isn't quite as accurate-sounding as the HS5100, and it ups the cost of entry. If you skip surrounds altogether and simply want a very good sounding 5.1 soundbar and sub, and can make do with the limited audio format support—no 3D audio here—the Samsung HW-B750D is also worth a look for its simplicity and nicer build. The Samsung lacks Dolby Digital Plus found on the HS5100, but adds the flexibility of an HDMI In port and a graphic EQ.
Fortunately, this competitive tier is rife with options. For more product picks worth considering, check out the best soundbars under $200, the best soundbars under $300, and the best 5.1 soundbars.
Between the Hisense HS5100 and Hisense AX5125H, the latter is the better pick if you want a soundbar with Dolby Atmos support. They share some common features and limitations: preset EQs or bass/treble adjustments only, and no room correction or apps. Both include satellites and an outboard subwoofer. However, only the AX5125H includes up-firing drivers, video passthrough, and considerably better audio format support with a fuller sound. On the other hand, the simpler HS5100 retails for less, and it still sounds good, albeit not as full in the bass. If you don't want to splurge for the AX5125H, the HS5100 is a solid contender for TV and music on a budget, so long as you're content with pared-back connectivity and audio support. It also gets louder at max volume than the AX5125H. Otherwise, the HS5100 lacks the thorough flexibility of the AX5125H's HDMI In, eARC, and extensive audio format support.
The Hisense HS5100 is a better soundbar than the Hisense HS2100, though they share similar connectivity and audio format support limitations—no Dolby Atmos. Generally, both soundbars share similar sound enhancement features, too. Due to its 5.1 configuration, the HS5100 doesn't need to downmix surround sound like the HS2100's 2.1 design. Its discrete center channel is well-tuned and ensures speech cuts through better. It also retains your audio's dynamics very well at max volume. That said, the HS2100 has a very slightly boomier and deeper bass in stereo by default, which makes it a good choice if you mainly listen to music, but it lacks the flexibility of surround sound of the HS5100.
Both the TCL S55H and Hisense HS5100 are budget-oriented soundbars with outboard subs. However, the Hisense also includes satellites. They share some similarities, so it depends on your needs, but one advantage of the Hisense is its 5.1 configuration (rather than the TCL's 2.1). It sports a slightly wider soundstage, much better surround sound, and a clearer discrete center channel. On the other hand, the TCL supports a few more audio formats like Dolby Atmos, but it downmixes to stereo anyway. The upside is that it takes up less space in your home, gets plenty loud, and has virtually identical wired ports and wireless connectivity as the Hisense.
The Vizio SV510X-0806 and Hisense HS5100 are both budget-friendly 5.1 soundbars that come with subs and satellites. Depending on your preferences and devices, either one could suit your home theater better. For much more extensive format support, the Vizio wins out, though it still doesn't have up-firing drivers to properly immerse you in 3D audio, it still can handle Atmos and DTS:X. Its stereo sound is also much bassier and a bit brighter out of the box, unlike the slightly more accurate (but not as boomy or sparkly) Hisense. 5.1 surround sound is more accurate on the Vizio, though, making it a good choice for movies. That said, while the Hisense's ARC port limits its audio format support considerably, it's the only one that includes an Optical port for use with other devices. While the Hisense only uses a remote, the Vizio only uses an app for control. Arguably, the Hisense has greater immunity to app obsolescence with the remote.
Test Results
The Hisense HS5100 bar is a basic black soundbar. It's plastic with slightly rounded off corners and a darker black cloth front with a digital display peeping through the grill. The top is textured with embossed, moderately wide horizontal stripes running from end to end. The side of the soundbar has the tagline, 'Life Reimagined' engraved.
The wireless subwoofer is a small enclosure with a 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) driver covered in a circular sheet of the same cloth as the bar's grill. It's ported with RCA connectors around the back to plug in the surround speakers.
The Hisense HS5100 is the value-driven brand's top-of-the-line soundbar and the only 2025 model that includes satellite speakers. They connect to the subwoofer via RCA cables. Their design matches the soundbar well, with vertical textured stripes, and matching darker black grill cloth. The undersides have rubber pads, too.
The soundbar is about the same height and depth as the step-down model, the Hisense HS2100, but it's a few inches wider. It's on the borderline of whether it'll fit between the legs of a 65-inch television, but it's by no means a large bar. Since the bar has a low profile, it won't block the bottom of your TV.
The wireless sub is narrow and on the small size, meaning it can fit in most rooms without taking up much real estate.
The wired satellites of the Hisense HS5100 are a little taller than the wireless satellites that come with the Hisense AX5125H, but they're otherwise narrower and rather diminutive.
The Hisense HS5100 includes the necessary hardware and brackets to mount the soundbar and satellites.
The Hisense HS5100 has a satisfactory build quality. While the unit has no flaws, the lightweight plastic construction of the bar and satellites feels somewhat cheap, though functional. The fabric grill cloth is thin and doesn't seem durable, but if simply left alone and not abused by pets, it doesn't seem like it'll fall apart either. The decently constructed subwoofer's enclosure is made of a composite material with a plastic rear port. All speakers have rubber pads underneath to keep them in place and protect your furniture from marks.
- Remote control (2x AAA batteries)
- 2x Power cords (1.5 m / 4.9 ft)
- 2x RCA satellite speaker cables (8 m / 26.25 ft)
- 1x HDMI cable (1.5 m / 4.9 ft)
- 4x brackets for wall mounting
- 4x screws for brackets
- Wall mounting kit
- Manual and Quick Start Guide
- Warranty card
The Hisense HS5100 has a good stereo frequency response. It delivers a clear mid-range and treble with a bit of low-end weight, but it's by no means a bass-heavy tuning. Dialogue and soundtracks cut through well without sounding sharp, though voices can sound a little boxy in the high-mids. Deep sub-bass rumble is slightly present, albeit not full, during explosive action scenes, and the high-bass sound isn't very boomy, which can sound anemic. The soundbar has a severe roll-off around 18 kHz, which can rob music of high-frequency harmonic brilliance. Granted, your hearing's sensitivity influences how much you'll notice this, but its advertised range is 40Hz to 20kHz. You can also use the Bass and Treble buttons to somewhat alter the tuning.
For this test, we used the 'Movie' preset EQ and set the Surround mode to 'Surround Pro' to retain the correct channel mixing. The other Surround modes are 'Off,' which completely disables the satellites (even with 5.1 surround content), and 'Pure Surround' upmixes stereo content to surround, so it'll play through the satellites using the DTS Virtual: X digital signal processor (DSP) effect.
We found that raising the Treble to '1' and lowering the Bass to '-1' evens out the tuning to make it a little more accurate in our lab. These settings make the stereo frequency response a little more accurate, though if you want a bit more low-end weight, leaving the Bass untouched (at '0') also measures well for accuracy, though it's a little further from our target curve. You have five increments +/- above the default '0' setting for Bass and Treble.
The soundbar has a decent stereo soundstage. Its perceived width is approximately as wide as the bar, so it doesn't feel especially wide. However, focus is good without holes in the stereo field, which helps you locate sounds precisely. The Samsung HW-B750F is also worth considering for a slightly wider stereo soundstage.
The Hisense HS5100 boasts impressive stereo dynamics, achieving notably higher output volumes than the Hisense AX5125H. The soundbar compresses only slightly at maximum volume, ensuring that the loud parts feel intense while the quiet parts sound appropriately quiet. If you're looking to fill a larger space with sound, it's worth considering the Ultimea Skywave X70 instead, which has a higher top volume.
The soundbar has a discrete center channel, so voices can stand out in the mix. It's tuned slightly warm with a little bit de-emphasized treble. While there's a boost in the mid-bass, it's not an otherwise bassy-sounding bar, as evidenced by a slightly weak high-bass boom. The mids sit prominently in the mix, meaning dialogue cuts through well. If you need more emphasis on voices, the 'News' EQ preset helps them cut through more.
The 5.1 setup provides an alright surround sound performance. The frequency response is a bit uneven with a bit of extra low-end in the mid-bass, while sounding weaker in the high-bass, which robs a bit of the boominess of action scenes. The mid-range is also a touch uneven and emphasizes the higher mids, which can sound a bit boxy. In the top-end, a sharp peak can cause bright metallic movie effects to feel a bit piercing, while the rest of the treble sounds warmer and duller.
The soundbar lacks up-firing drivers, so it downsamples Dolby Atmos audio; if you want up-firing drivers, consider the Hisense AX5125H. You can use TV Mode to connect a compatible Hisense TV that comes with built-in Atmos speakers and combine it with the soundbar. However, in practice, the results will vary with different TVs.
The Hisense HS5100 includes a somewhat limited selection of sound enhancements compared to higher-tier flagship soundbars. Accessing these features is strictly done through the remote; there's no companion app. Room correction and adjustable levels for the various speakers aren't on the menu. You can alter the EQ by cycling through presets: 'Movie,' 'Music,' 'News,' 'Night,' 'Sport,' and 'Game,' but you can't fine-tune specific frequencies as with a graphic equalizer. Still, the remote has Bass and Treble buttons, which allow you to boost or cut each range up to five increments from neutral.
Press the 'Surr' button on the remote to select either 'Pure Surround,' which applies a virtual surround sound algorithm and upmixes all audio to 5.1 surround, or 'Surround Pro,' which plays back your audio's channels correctly as mixed. If you press 'Surr' for three seconds, you can adjust the surround sound volume up and down. There's also 'Night' mode, so you don't bother the household when it's late. The 'News' EQ works similarly to a voice enhancement mode by cutting bass and treble frequencies and making speech cut through.
The soundbar covers basic connectivity with an ARC port and an Optical port for hooking up your TV. It lacks an HDMI In port, so you can't use it as a hub with gaming consoles, for example. Interestingly, there's an AUX input jack for wired analog audio, and the USB port supports WAV, WMA, and MP3 audio file playback.
The soundbar's ARC port supports common surround formats like Dolby Digital Plus and DTS. Since the bar lacks up-firing drivers, it can't playback object-based 3D formats like Dolby Atmos correctly and downsamples them to 5.1 Dolby Digital. Because ARC doesn't have the bandwidth of eARC, there's no support for Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS:X, or DTS-HD MA.
The Optical port supports Dolby Digital, DTS, and stereo PCM audio.
The Hisense HS5100 has fantastic latency over ARC. Granted, the soundbar doesn't support more complicated audio formats that can take longer to process, like DTS:X, but Dolby Digital Plus syncs rather tightly with the video. Still, latency can vary with different devices and TVs, and the soundbar doesn't have an A/V sync feature. So, if you experience annoying latency, you'll need to compensate for it through your TV's settings.
Unlike soundbars such as the Samsung HW-B750D, the Hisense HS5100 doesn't have an HDMI In port.
The Optical audio latency is decent. Unlike the ARC port, the latency is somewhat elevated, which is likely to cause some obvious mismatch with your video. Unfortunately, the soundbar doesn't have an A/V sync feature, so if your audio and video don't match up well, you'll have to rely on the TV's settings. Latency can vary with different TVs.
Since the soundbar lacks an HDMI In port, you can't passthrough video to your TV; consider the TCL Q85H instead.
The soundbar supports Bluetooth 5.3 as the sole connection for wireless audio. It lacks the conveniences of Wi-Fi audio or Spotify Connect, but if you pair via Bluetooth, you can still stream from whichever service our platform you prefer.
Behind the cloth grill, a blue digital display provides visual feedback for monitoring settings, which is helpful in the absence of a companion app. Longer strings of characters scroll at a reasonable speed, and the display tells you which input is selected, volume level, EQ presets, surround sound setting, and power status.
The top of the bar has a basic suite of controls with raised buttons. The buttons address power, input selection, and volume.
The Hisense HS5100's remote appears virtually identical in layout to the cheaper Hisense HS2100 and the Atmos-equipped Hisense AX5125H. It's labelled clearly and essential because the soundbar doesn't include a companion app. If you have a TV running Roku OS, you can control the soundbar via the TV's settings menu because the bar is 'Roku Ready.' Compatible Hisense TVs will let you use their remote to control both the soundbar and TV via the EzPlay function.