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

Philips TAB5309 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£170N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:ARC

Philips TAB5309 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications, 1 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Philips TAB5309
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 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 74% of models
Score components

35%

6.3

Technical score

30%

6.3

List score

25%

6.3

Reviews score

10%

?

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

▼Worse than 74% of soundbars
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 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 75% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

▼Worse than 75%
6.3

Technical score

Technical score
6.3/ 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
▲ Better than 63% of models
Score components

25%

6.0

Audio

18%

5.9

Formats

16%

7.4

Connectivity

14%

7.5

Controls

12%

5.8

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

▲Better than 63%
6.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.3/ 10
✕
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
▼ Worse than 66% of models

6.3

Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 66%
6.3

List score

List score
6.3/ 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 (2)
List score: in 2 of 106 lists (2%)
▲Better than 77%
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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 #159 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar Philips TAB5309

Technical score
Technical score
6.3/ 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
▲ Better than 63% of models
Score components:

25%

6.0

Audio

18%

5.9

Formats

16%

7.4

Connectivity

14%

7.5

Controls

12%

5.8

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

6.3
Reviews score
6.3
List score
6.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 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 75% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

7.3
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 42.2% of soundbars and equal to 27.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
40 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, lower than 65.6% of soundbars and equal to 13% of soundbars.
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 30.3% of soundbars include this feature.
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
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus. 75% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 58.8% of soundbars and equal to 37.4% of soundbars.
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
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 57.7% 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.
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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.
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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

Philips TAB5309 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 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
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS Virtual:X
    This soundbar supports DTS Virtual:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • 10 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • 10 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS Virtual:X
    This soundbar supports DTS Virtual:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 13.7% lower list score
    List score
    6.3/ 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 (2)
    List score: in 2 of 106 lists (2%)
    6.3 vs 7.3
  • 11.3% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.3/ 10
    ✕
    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
    ▼ Worse than 66% of models

    6.3

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.3 vs 7.1
  • 4% worse value for money
    Philips TAB5309 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (7.31 vs 7.6).
    7.31 vs 7.61
  • 13.7% lower list score
    List score
    6.3/ 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 (2)
    List score: in 2 of 106 lists (2%)
    6.3 vs 7.3
  • 11.3% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.3/ 10
    ✕
    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
    ▼ Worse than 66% of models

    6.3

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.3

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 9.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (9.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 8.5. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.3 vs 7.1
  • 4% worse value for money
    Philips TAB5309 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (7.31 vs 7.6).
    7.31 vs 7.61
  • 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

9.0
DIY GUIDES
≈ estimated
28/12/2025
Hands-on review · sound, Bluetooth and setup
Verdict
The Philips TAB5309 is a solid everyday performer that upgrades TV sound with no hassle or extra gear.
9.0
Difficult to Easy
≈ estimated
25/02/2025
Unboxing · first look at design, features and sound
Verdict
The Philips TAB5309 is worth considering for better TV sound if you don't need advanced audio.
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Philips TAB5309

  • Dialogue enhancement keeps voices clear in quiet scenes.
  • Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus are both supported.
  • DTS Virtual:X adds depth to movies and games.
  • Bluetooth streaming from a phone is quick and steady.
  • The app gives control over the sound.
  • ARC and optical inputs both connect to the TV.

What customers don't like about Philips TAB5309

  • Only one HDMI input, so a console and a player cannot both plug in.
  • Sound is less enveloping in very large rooms than with a full surround system.
  • No Dolby Atmos, so overhead effects are missing.
  • The app cannot adjust the EQ, so the tone stays as set.
  • No Wi-Fi, Chromecast, AirPlay or Spotify Connect.

Verdict

Dialogue enhancement is the main draw of the Philips TAB5309, a 2.1 soundbar with its own app. Voices stay clear even in quiet scenes. Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus are both supported, and DTS Virtual:X adds some depth to movies and games. Bluetooth streaming from a phone is quick and steady. It connects to the TV through its ARC port, with an optical input as a backup. The limits are room size and missing extras. In very large rooms the sound is less enveloping than with a full surround system. There is no Spotify Connect or app EQ, and with one HDMI input, a console and a player cannot both plug in. It suits a buyer who watches a lot of TV and wants clear speech without a full surround setup.

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