Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 2.1 Pro Reviews

The Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS Cinema system may be billed as a home theater solution, but it is just as adept at producing great sounding music as it is pumping out thrilling, cinematic sound effects (we think it would be just as at home in a dorm or on a computer desk as it will filling the role of a home theater rig). Its sealed, forward-firing subwoofer is a notable improvement over previous SoundWare systems, and superior to most of the wireless subs we’ve recently heard with various sound bar solutions. Since all connections are made to the back of the subwoofer, linking the system to a TV is not as streamlined a process as it is with most sound bars. A little pre-planning will be necessary to achieve the cleanest installation, but if that can be done, the system’s minimalist design is bound to find favor with those that just don’t like the way a sound bar can detract from the “floating picture” appeal of their super-thin flat-screen TVs. While we aren’t prepared to dub the SoundWare XS Cinema system a “sound bar killer”, we do think it makes an superior sounding sound bar alternative with an ultra-small footprint.

We really can’t stress enough how impressed we are by the SoundWare XS Digital Cinema. If you’re dead against a full 5.1 system then this is the perfect alternative. Its cute, living room friendly design is easy to integrate into your living space, plus it boasts a couple of unexpected features (Bluetooth and Dolby Digital being the main two) and a simple but effective control system. But more importantly, its sound quality is fantastic – crisp and punchy but with a touch of class and composure that’s really pleasing to hear at such an affordable price point.