Soundbar Reviews

The ASB-2 incorporates “3D Audio” digital signal processing, with low, medium, and high effect-level options. If you don’t expect too much—and given that this is a two-channel system, you shouldn’t—this proved quite satisfying. At the medium setting, stereo music like “Streets” took on an obviously broader and somewhat deeper soundstage presentation, simultaneously sounding distinctly brighter (or, to be more accurate, less midrange-y).

Flick Tricks
On to films and their multichannel soundtracks. The ASB-2 doesn’t decode Dolby or DTS, requiring PCM from the source—usually automatic. From 5.1-channel material, the ASB-2’s surround effect was fairly pronounced, yielding an almost-discreet surround-channel effect that would wrap around toward the listener’s position but not quite all the way to it. (This was much more the case for a centered listener; off-axis effects were weaker.) For example, streaming Avatar, I heard the many quieter sequences of forest-sound ambience as obviously more dramatic and enveloping with 3D Audio engaged. The ASB-2 also offers level-trims for center and surround “virtual channels,” but I can’t say I heard much impact from adjusting these, nor did I ever hear any phantom effects behind me, or even much past perhaps 70 degrees or so.

The Monitor’s subwoofer output is a simple, low-pass-filtered one, which you can set to roll off between 40 and 120 hertz; there’s no corresponding high-pass (as far as I could tell), so you must balance the system to the ASB-2’s natural rolloff. I connected my SVS PC-13 Ultra subwoofer, and after a bit of fiddling with its own extensive filtering and phase controls, I was rewarded by nicely integrated deep bass, and plenty of it. What a difference real bass makes!

I tested many Blu-ray scenes and watched several movies right through using the ASB-2, and I never felt particularly shortchanged. Once you stop actively listening for the surround effects that aren’t there or the deep bass that isn’t, and you simply enter the film, Monitor’s soundbar does a fine job. I viewed the rather somnolent and relentlessly blond Kon-Tiki, never once pulling out of the story due to any sonic shortcomings, and always enjoying clear, effortless dialogue and nicely balanced music reproduction.

I was a bit surprised to discover that the ASB-2 didn't play particularly loudly in my 2,300 square foot room. Even at the maximum setting, displayed as “30” onscreen, neither of my HDMI sources (Comcast cable box or Sony Blu-ray player) yielded more than what I consider a “family-loud” level on TV or film sound. This was perfectly adequate but well short of what any home theater aficionado is likely to consider theater-like; in fact, it was lower than typical movie-theater levels by perhaps 20 decibels (a lot).

Playing music via AirPlay delivered a somewhat more useful level, and playing it via analog-stereo wired connection still more, but this remained several decibels shy of what I’ve experienced from typical 75- to 100-watt receivers with average-sensitivity speakers in my room. A firmware update said to partially address this was issued by Monitor in the days after my initial evaluation, though a second listening session with an updated sample still came up about 10 decibels shy of reference level at the maximum volume setting (as affirmed with test tones and an SPL meter). Keeping in mind that true reference level is too loud for home theater use for most folks, most of the time (myself included), I did feel the ASB-2 played loud enough for me in my room—though I can't say it would do so for others in a larger or less lively space. To its credit, even when pushed to its limits (with the volume control maxed out at 30), the ASB-2 gave no hint of overdriving with any signal I could deliver via HDMI

Ergonomics: A Mixed Bag
On the ergonomic front, the ASB-2 proved a mixed bag. Its onscreen menu, required for most operations, comes up and down very quickly and is simple, clear, and easy to navigate. The small supplied remote control is clear and logical. However, I encountered a couple of irritations. For one, it took fully 25 seconds for the ASB-2 to power up and pass picture and sound (this was true whether HDMI passthrough was enabled or not); for another, there’s no input-sensing, so if I turned off the soundbar on HDMI2 but wanted to watch the cable box on HDMI1, I had to manually select it before content appeared.

There’s also no scheme for copying system remote commands. So unless you use the remote-on-HDMI CEC method, which in my experience can be troublesome (no knock on the ASB-2; I’m speaking generally here), you’ll have to “learn” the Monitor’s commands to your TV handset or some other remote. (There’s also no passthrough infrared repeater, as found on some other soundbars, so if the ASB-2 in your setup blocks the TV’s IR eye, you’ll have to make other arrangements.) The brochure I found on Monitor’s Website states that “TV remote will control volume via HDMI,” but I could find no way to make this happen, or even any mention of it in the full manual. Activating CEC on my older Samsung 52-inch TV caused the soundbar reliably to turn off with the set, but never on. (See what I mean?) Nor does the ASB-2 have any signal-sensing auto-turn-on feature—though auto-standby is incorporated—so you’re pretty much doomed to a two-remote coffee table anyway.

Bottom Line
Of course, much of this grousing is fairly inconsequential. What really matters is sound quality, which the Monitor has in good measure. If you’re seeking a serious upgrade in TV sound, with emphasis on vocal and musical naturalness and without excessive demands of volume, the ASB-2 should serve you well.