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

Sceptre SB301523 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£130N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:60 WHDMI ARC type:none

Sceptre SB301523 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 4 expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Sceptre SB301523
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

35%

4.7

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

4.7

Reviews score

10%

?

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

â–¼Worse than 90% of soundbars
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

â–¼Worse than 91%
4.7

Technical score

Technical score
4.7/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

25%

4.0

Audio

18%

4.4

Formats

16%

4.6

Connectivity

14%

6.5

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

â–¼Worse than 89%
4.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
4.7/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models

4.7

Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.3

Average grade

20%

7.6

Popularity

Grades by review (4)
4 reviews, average 6.0/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 92%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 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 (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • sceptre-sb301523
sceptre-sb301523
Where to buy
    N/A~ £130
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Sceptre SB301523

Based on 4

Reviewers like streaming, sound settings and light weight, but slow menus, a weak remote and exposed drivers disappoint; sound divides them.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of soundbar Sceptre SB301523

Technical score
Technical score
4.7/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components:

25%

4.0

Audio

18%

4.4

Formats

16%

4.6

Connectivity

14%

6.5

Controls

12%

4.0

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

4.7
Reviews score
4.7
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

7.0
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
60 W
Market range: <16 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 60 W of audio output power, less than 51.4% of soundbars and equal to 9.1% of soundbars.
Max SPL
80 dB SPL
Market range: <80 dB SPL – >101 dB SPL
This soundbar has a max SPL of 80 dB SPL, lower than 91.9% of soundbars and equal to 2.7% of soundbars.
Min frequency
65 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >82 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 65 Hz, higher than 75.9% of soundbars and equal to 2.2% 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
What reviewers say
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
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 41.5% of soundbars and equal to 58.5% 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
no
This soundbar does not support Bluetooth connectivity. 95.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
N/A
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
What reviewers say
HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 75.6% of soundbars and the same as what 24.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 71.2% 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
What reviewers say
Width
780 mm
Market range: <384 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 780 mm wide, wider than 51.9% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Height
54 mm
Market range: <56 mm – >89 mm
This soundbar is 54 mm high, shorter than 94.7% of soundbars and equal to 1.6% of soundbars.
Thickness
41 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >131 mm
This soundbar is 41 mm thick, thinner than 99.5% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Weight
1,800 g
Market range: <729 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 1,800 g, less than 57.7% of soundbars and equal to 2.7% of soundbars.
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
What reviewers say

Sceptre SB301523 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 1 more USB ports
    This soundbar has more USB ports than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • RCA analog input
    This soundbar has RCA analog input, the average soundbar does not.
  • Coaxial digital input
    This soundbar has coaxial digital input, the average soundbar does not.
  • 45 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (41 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    41 mm vs 86 mm
  • 13 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (54 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    54 mm vs 67 mm
  • More music formats supported
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • 3 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (5 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    5 vs 2
  • More music formats supported
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • 3 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (5 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    5 vs 2
  • 1 more USB ports
    This soundbar has more USB ports than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • Coaxial digital input
    This soundbar has coaxial digital input, the average soundbar does not.
  • RCA analog input
    This soundbar has RCA analog input, the average soundbar does not.
  • 45 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (41 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    41 mm vs 86 mm
  • 13 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (54 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    54 mm vs 67 mm
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • 3 in inch smaller subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a lower subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (3 in vs 6 in). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 6 in.
    3 in vs 6 in
  • 33.8% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.7/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models

    4.7

    Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.3

    Average grade

    20%

    7.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    4 reviews, average 6.0/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.7 vs 7.1
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This soundbar does not support Bluetooth connectivity, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • 33.8% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.7/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models

    4.7

    Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.3

    Average grade

    20%

    7.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    4 reviews, average 6.0/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.7 vs 7.1
  • 8.9% worse value for money
    Sceptre SB301523 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.98 vs 7.6).
    6.98 vs 7.6
  • 3 in inch smaller subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a lower subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (3 in vs 6 in). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 6 in.
    3 in vs 6 in
  • 1 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    3 vs 4
  • 8 years older release
    This soundbar is older than the average soundbar (2013 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    February 26, 2013
    2013 vs 2021
  • 15 Hz higher min frequency
    This soundbar has a higher minimum frequency than the average soundbar (65 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    65 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • 14.3% less audio output power
    This soundbar has a lower audio output power than the average soundbar (60 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    60 W vs 70 W
  • 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.
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This soundbar does not support Bluetooth connectivity, the average soundbar does.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sceptre SB301523

  • Affordable price point, often cited as a great value for the cost
  • Significant improvement over standard TV speakers, especially for clarity
  • Sleek and low-profile design that is easy to wall-mount or place on a stand
  • Includes a remote control that is often compatible with Sceptre TVs
  • Multiple connectivity options including AUX and S/PDIF (digital coaxial)
  • Preset EQ modes (Movie, Music, News, Game) for tailored audio experiences

What customers don't like about Sceptre SB301523

  • Limited power and volume, which may not be sufficient for large living rooms
  • Lacks deep, room-shaking bass compared to systems with a dedicated external subwoofer
  • Built-in Android interface (on specific smart versions) can be very slow or "glacial"
  • Exposed speakers without a grill cover make drivers vulnerable to damage
  • Remote control signal conflicts reported with some other TV brands (e.g., Sony)
  • Sound can feel monaural due to the close proximity of internal speakers

Verdict

The Sceptre SB301523 is a 2.1-channel soundbar featuring a 30.7-inch compact design with a total power output of 60W, delivered through two 15W full-range drivers and an integrated 30W subwoofer. Key characteristics include SRS WOW HD audio enhancement technology, touch-sensory controls, and multiple connectivity options such as 3.5mm AUX, RCA, and digital coaxial inputs. Its main pros are the space-saving built-in subwoofer, four preset EQ modes (Movie, Music, News, Games), and its lightweight 3.97 lb frame which is ideal for wall-mounting. However, notable cons include the lack of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, the absence of an HDMI port, and a frequency response that starts at 160Hz for the main speakers, which may result in less-than-cinematic bass depth for larger rooms.

Compare Sceptre SB301523 with other soundbars

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Graphic comparison of Sceptre SB301523 and other soundbars

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