Boston Acoustics P400 Three-Channel Soundbar Speaker Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance
4 Stars
Value
4 Stars
Overall
4 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2
BostonAcoustics-P400-Soundbar-Reviewed.gifSoundbars are all the rage these days, representing one of the most cost effective ways to get into the home theater game. However, a lot of soundbars rely on trick DSP and internal amplification, which makes them impossible to upgrade and/or build a system around as technology and your tastes change. Thankfully, soundbars are usually cheap enough that if you were forced to replace one down the road it wouldn't be the end of the world. But like every good infomercial says, "There has to be a better way."
 

Introducing the P400 three-channel soundbar speaker from Boston Acoustics. Retailing for $899 the P400 is technically a soundbar; however it features no internal amplification nor does it have any trick DSP or surround sound processing. The P400 is essentially a home theater's front three speakers, left-center-right, in a single soundbar chassis. This means that the P400 is treated like any other home theater speaker, drawing power from a receiver or amplifier via its three pairs of five way binding posts located centrally on the P400's backside.

Additional Resources

The P400 measures in at nearly six inches high by 40 inches long and four and three quarter inches deep and tips the scales at 14 pounds give or take. The P400 is the perfect size to fit comfortably and stylishly under any moderate to large HDTV available today. Speaking of stylish, the P400 comes in two colors: gloss piano black and aluminum/silver. Both look stunning especially when wall mounted. Speaking of wall mounting, the P400 comes with the required bracket to mount it to a wall as well as with a table stand for those wanting to rest it on a shelf or credenza.

Inside the P400 are three identical speakers in one chassis; removing the P400's grill will verify what I'm talking about. Each speaker features a single, one-inch, aluminum dome tweeter that rests between a single four and a half inch bass/midrange driver and a four and a half inch passive bass radiator. Count them up and the P400 has nine total drivers, giving it a reported frequency response of 80Hz to 20kHz with a sensitivity rating of 90dB into a standard eight-Ohm load. Power gets to the speakers via three pairs of gold plated five-way binding posts, which rest, centrally, along the P400's back panel and can accept bare wire or spade lugs.

In terms of sound the P400 was built to be a home theater speaker. While capable of playing back music surprisingly well, it shines when given a properly mixed Dolby Digital or better yet a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack to play with. The nice thing about the P400, because it is essentially three speakers with no internal DSP, is that it will play the latest surround sound formats provided your receiver or amplifier will decode the signals. The P400's sound is a bit lively which isn't a bad thing. It's very clear, dynamic and can handle volume pretty well. It does a surprisingly good job at sounding a bit larger than it really is as well as being more spatially open then one would expect from a single chassis design without tricky internal DSP. It does need a subwoofer for true full range sound, which is to be expected.

Read about the high points and low points on Page 2.

Page 1 | Page 2

  • Comment on this article

Post a Comment

You are encouraged to post your comments using Facebook on HomeTheaterReview.com. Simply sign in to your Facebook account below and post away.

Featured Audio-Video News

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU -

24 was a great show that had some ridiculously impressive technology. So impressive, it defied the reality of the actual technology used. However, the ideas are great. Jerry Del Colliano thinks about how those ideas could be translated to home theaters.

Latest Sound Bar Reviews

Episode 300 Series ES-300-SNDBAR-40-BLK Soundbar Reviewed -

The soundbar market is definitely a crowded space. However, given the quality of performance that the Episode 300 Series ES-300-SNDBAR-40-BLK delivered during Andrew Robinson's review, it should have no problem rising to the top.

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards -

For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best.

ZVOX Z-Base 580 Reviewed -

ZVOX certainly provides an interesting product by making a soundbar more than a soundbar. This continues with the ZVOX Z-Base 580, taken on here by HomeTheaterReview.com reviewer Alex Lezcano.

Vizio VSB205 Home Theater Soundbar Reviewed -

Vizio continues to expand into the soundbar market place with the Vizio VSB205 home theater soundbar. HTR reviewer Andrew Robinson found that the VSB205 just made everything so easy to do.

iLive IT209B 3.1 Channel Soundbar with iPod Dock Reviewed -

While the iLive IT209B 3.1 channel soundbar includes an impressive amount of features given its price point, including a retractable iPod dock, it, unfortunately, falls short in quite a few ways.

Samsung HW-D450 2.1 Channel Soundbar Reviewed -

If you are looking for a soundbar, you'll also need a subwoofer to round out the sound. Fortunately, the Samsung HW-D450 soundbar comes packaged with both a subwoofer and impressive performance.

Fineline Speakers FC-3 Ultra-Thin Soundbar Reviewed -

FineLine Speakers makes an ultra-thin soundbar, the FC-3. While it definitely has its downsides, Andrew Robinson was impressed with what the FC-3 had to offer. Take a look at how the FC-3 performed when he put it to the test.

Polk Audio SurroundBar 6000 Instant Home Theater Reviewed -

One of the best soundbars in the business, the Polk SurroundBar 6000 gets the full treatment from HomeTheaterReview.com's, head-honcho, Andrew Robinson. Compare this to the Aperion Audio Soundmatter's sound bar, Yamaha and many others at the top of the food chain.

Yamaha YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector Reviewed -

One of the elite contenders in the world of soundbars is the Yamaha YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector. At $1,800, this is a top-of-the-line product with HDMI, XM radio, tons of drivers and much more. If you want the best from the soundbar category - the YSP-4000 is on your short list.

Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards -

The Editors of Home Theater Review have extensively searched, reviewed, and now chosen the best of the best home theater and audio gear, HDTVs and beyond. Click through for the winners in each category from the likes of Vizio, Samsung, Sharp and many others.