OVERALL
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Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Panasonic SC-HTB208 Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:80 WHDMI ARC type:ARC

Panasonic SC-HTB208 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Panasonic SC-HTB208
5.4/10

Overall score

Score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components

95%

5.4

Technical score

5%

?

Reviews score

Reviews score 5% · 7.0 · no independent reviews yet
Until reviews appear, its review part counts as 7/10. Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%.
â–¼Worse than 52% of soundbars
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 51%
5.4

Technical score

Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

25%

4.6

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

6.5

Connectivity

14%

6.3

Controls

12%

5.6

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.1

Design

â–¼Worse than 51%
?

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.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet, so its review part counts as 7/10.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £90
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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Technical Specifications of soundbar Panasonic SC-HTB208

Technical score
Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components:

25%

4.6

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

6.5

Connectivity

14%

6.3

Controls

12%

5.6

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.1

Design

5.4
Reviews score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components:

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.8
Brand name
Panasonic
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 43.6% of soundbars and equal to 56.4% of soundbars.
Audio output power
80 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 80 W of audio output power, more than 51.2% of soundbars and equal to 7.5% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
40 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, lower than 74.4% of soundbars and equal to 7% of soundbars.
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Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 68.1% of soundbars and equal to 27.1% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
2.1
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 2.1, which is older than that of 95.1% of soundbars and the same as that of 1.6% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 65.4% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 26.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
1.4
This soundbar uses HDMI 1.4, which is newer than that of 39.4% of soundbars and the same as that of 18.1% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 31.9% of soundbars and the same as what 46.3% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
450 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 450 mm wide, narrower than 77.7% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Height
51 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 51 mm high, shorter than 97.3% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Thickness
135 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 135 mm thick, thicker than 93.1% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Weight
1,600 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 1,600 g, less than 64.4% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Fabric grille or wrap.
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Panasonic SC-HTB208 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Larger speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses larger speakers than the average soundbar (12x4" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    12x4" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • 16 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (51 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    51 mm vs 67 mm
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 312 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (450 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    450 mm vs 762 mm
  • 12 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Larger speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses larger speakers than the average soundbar (12x4" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    12x4" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 12 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • 16 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (51 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    51 mm vs 67 mm
  • 312 mm narrower width
    This soundbar is narrower than the average soundbar (450 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    450 mm vs 762 mm
  • 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
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB port is for service/updates only, not audio input)
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 2.1 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    2.1 vs 5.0
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-4 to 4 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -4 to 4 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • 4.29x less popular
    Panasonic SC-HTB208 is less popular than the average soundbar (1 vs 4.3).
    1 vs 4.29
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-4 to 4 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -4 to 4 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • 1 fewer supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports fewer audio formats than the average soundbar (1 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    1 vs 2
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB port is for service/updates only, not audio input)
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 2.1 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    2.1 vs 5.0
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, 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
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • 49 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (135 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    135 mm vs 86 mm
  • 3 years older release
    This soundbar is older than the average soundbar (2018 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    April 2018
    2,018 vs 2,021

Video reviews

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

Shop video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Panasonic SC-HTB208

  • Compact footprint with HDMI ARC, one HDMI input, optical and Bluetooth
  • 80 W output is decent for a smaller-room TV setup
  • Remote control and straightforward connection options keep it easy to use
  • Good fit for buyers who want a simple ARC-ready bar without much bulk

What customers don't like about Panasonic SC-HTB208

  • 2.0 channels and no subwoofer limit bass and scale
  • No Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Wi-Fi or casting platform
  • No AUX or USB audio input
  • No dialogue enhancement or night mode features

Verdict

The Panasonic SC-HTB208 is a compact 2.0 channel wireless soundbar designed to fit elegantly under 40-inch TVs, featuring 80W of total output power through two 10x4 cm full-range speakers. It supports Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround decoding and offers versatile connectivity via HDMI ARC, optical input, and Bluetooth 2.1 for seamless music streaming from mobile devices. Key advantages include its space-saving design, integrated Virtual Surround mode, and Bass Reflex technology that enhances low frequencies without an external subwoofer. However, some users have reported cons such as notable lip-sync delays on certain TV setups, a highly directional and small remote control, and a lack of deep bass compared to 2.1 systems.

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