OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Oakcastle SB40 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£25N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:ARC

Oakcastle SB40 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 1 best-of list to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Oakcastle SB40
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

35%

5.6

Technical score

30%

5.6

List score

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.6, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▼Worse than 76% of soundbars
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 68%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 56% of models
Score components

25%

4.6

Audio

18%

5.2

Formats

16%

7.1

Connectivity

14%

6.5

Controls

12%

5.8

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

▼Worse than 56%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.6.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
5.6

List score

List score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (1)
List score: in 1 of 107 lists (1%)
▲Better than 64%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #166 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar Oakcastle SB40

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 56% of models
Score components:

25%

4.6

Audio

18%

5.2

Formats

16%

7.1

Connectivity

14%

6.5

Controls

12%

5.8

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

5.6
Reviews score
7.6
List score
5.6
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.4
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 58.1% of soundbars and equal to 41.9% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
?
Show more
Dolby Atmos
?
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
?
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 42.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
?
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 24.7% of soundbars and the same as what 46.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar passes through none, which is lower resolution than 27.2% of soundbars and equal to 72.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 21.4% of soundbars and equal to 78.6% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Show more

Oakcastle SB40 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 4.4x cheaper
    Oakcastle SB40 is cheaper than the average soundbar (£25 vs £110).
    £25 vs £110
  • 4.4x cheaper
    Oakcastle SB40 is cheaper than the average soundbar (£25 vs £110).
    £25 vs £110
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • 23.3% lower list score
    List score
    5.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (1)
    List score: in 1 of 107 lists (1%)
    5.6 vs 7.3
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • Fewer audio channels
    This soundbar has fewer audio channels than the average soundbar (2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    2.0 vs 2.1
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No AAC support
    This soundbar does not support AAC, the average soundbar does.
  • 3.4% worse value for money
    Oakcastle SB40 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (7.36 vs 7.6).
    7.36 vs 7.6
  • 23.3% lower list score
    List score
    5.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (1)
    List score: in 1 of 107 lists (1%)
    5.6 vs 7.3
  • 3.4% worse value for money
    Oakcastle SB40 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (7.36 vs 7.6).
    7.36 vs 7.6
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • Fewer audio channels
    This soundbar has fewer audio channels than the average soundbar (2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    2.0 vs 2.1
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No AAC support
    This soundbar does not support AAC, the average soundbar does.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Shop video
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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Oakcastle SB40

  • HDMI ARC lets a TV send its sound over one cable.
  • The optical input gives older TVs a way in.
  • Dialogue enhancement makes speech easier to follow.
  • Bluetooth lets a phone play music through the bar.
  • A remote control covers everyday use from the sofa.
  • Two drivers give a left and right sound from one bar.

What customers don't like about Oakcastle SB40

  • There is no app for changing the sound.
  • There is no Wi-Fi or AirPlay, so phone streaming relies on Bluetooth.
  • There is no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X for surround effects.
  • The 2.0 layout cannot fill a large room with surround sound.
  • There is no multiroom support for linking other speakers.

Verdict

If your TV sound is weak and you mostly watch news or drama, the Oakcastle SB40 is a sensible place to start. It is a 2.0 soundbar with two drivers, so the left and right sound come from one bar. HDMI ARC lets the TV send its sound to the bar over a single cable, and the optical input covers older sets. Bluetooth handles music from a phone. The dialogue enhancement setting matters most here, because voices sit a little clearer above music and effects. A remote and buttons on the bar cover the basics. The trade-off is the lack of extras: there is no app, no multiroom and no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. It suits a buyer who wants clearer speech and a simple setup, and does not need surround sound.

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