Soundbar with Dolby Atmos for 4 thousand! This JVC model has 240 W power and primitive setup

Built-in speakers in modern TVs are, despite all advances, still one of the weakest points — manufacturers push them into thin bezels where they physically have no space to project sound. The cheapest way to improve this, however, doesn’t have to cost twenty thousand. The JVC TH-E534B, priced at 3,999 CZK after entering the code ALZADNY20, offers 240 W of power, a built-in subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos support — and at this price point, it’s not a combination that competitors commonly offer.

Quick summary:
✅ Makes sense if you want a simple, affordable, and compact TV sound upgrade without a separate subwoofer box in the living room. One reviewer on Alza mentions a significant sound improvement compared to the built-in speakers of a 15-thousand CZK Philips TV.
⚠️ Consider that a 2.1 system won’t provide true surround sound like 5.1.2 models with rear speakers — Atmos here is handled via virtualization. The soundbar’s display cannot be completely turned off, only dimmed. There’s no option to set custom sound profiles and fine-tune mid-range frequencies.
💡 For 3,999 CZK you get a soundbar with a width of 94.4 cm and a height of just 6.5 cm, a total power of 240 W RMS, support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Digital, HDMI eARC with CEC, optical and coaxial input, Bluetooth 5.3, USB for MP3 playback, and an HDMI cable and wall mount included in the package.

What you get for 4 thousand

The main advantage of a 2.1 configuration is its simplicity — you connect an HDMI cable to the TV, and the soundbar is ready. No cables to rear speakers, no separate subwoofer box that you’d have to tuck away somewhere. The subwoofer is built directly into the soundbar and, according to user reviews from Alza, handles bass in a typical living room without issues. For those living in an apartment building or who don’t want booming deep tones, this is actually an advantage.

A width of 94.4 cm fits under 50″ to 65″ TVs, and a height of just 6.5 cm means the soundbar won’t obstruct the bottom part of the screen if the TV is placed on furniture. Dolby Atmos here is handled by software virtualization — don’t expect the same effect as from a full 5.1.2 system with real height speakers, but for regular movie watching on Netflix or Disney+, it means a significantly better spatial impression than from TV speakers. HDMI eARC with CEC functionality ensures the soundbar automatically turns on with the TV and allows volume control via the TV remote.

Who needs 2.1 and who needs 5.1

A key question when choosing — does it make sense to go straight for a full-fledged 5.1.2 system (like the JVC TH-E874B for 7,992 CZK after discount), or is 2.1 sufficient? The answer depends on how often you watch movies with true surround sound and how much space you have in your living room. For the main living room, where you plan regular movie nights and have space for rear speakers, it makes sense to add roughly 4,000 CZK and opt for the 5.1.2 version.

Reviews from verified customers with a rating of 4.4/5 praise the simplicity of connection and price/performance ratio. Minor shortcomings according to reviews: lack of custom sound profiles, the display cannot be completely turned off, the remote control feels cheap. However, none of these points are dealbreakers for the purpose for which you are purchasing this soundbar.

Is a simple 2.1 soundbar enough for your regular movie watching?