Panasonic Announces SC-HTB490 Slim Soundbar
Panasonic knows not all loungerooms are large enough for the complete home cinema experience. That's why it has released the SC-HTB490, offering immersive sound from a compact soundbar.
The HTB490 offers the best of both worlds – compact enough to be neatly tucked away but powerful enough to add extra impact with rich bass when movie soundtracks demand.
Delivering the key features of Panasonic's bigger soundbar models, the HTB490 has a wireless subwoofer for deep and clear bass, Bluetooth for easy streaming from smart devices, and HDMI (ARC) for quick connection to TVs. There's also an optical input and a USB socket for playing compatible music files for further versatility.
While it can be slotted under most TVs, it's also designed for wall-mounting, perfect for rooms where a seamless aesthetic is demanded.
Sound emanates from two full-range, front-facing speakers with 120W of power output - while the wireless subwoofer delivers another 120W of punchy bass for a total of 240 watts. The HTB490's subwoofer connects wirelessly, providing the flexibility to locate it where it offers the best audio performance.
There are five selectable dedicated sound modes – Standard, Cinema, Sports, Music and News – to suit your listening preferences.
Available from May 2021, the Panasonic HTB490 will sell for £349.
For more information visit Panasonic
Gallery
Marc Rushton
StereoNET’s Founder and Publisher was born in England and raised on British Hi-Fi before moving to Australia. He developed an early love of music and playing bass guitar before discovering the studio and the other side of the mixing desk. After writing for print magazines, Marc saw the future in digital publishing and founded the first version of StereoNET in 1999.
Posted in: Home Theatre | Lifestyle
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.