Q: I planned to purchase a ZVOX SoundBase 570 to complement my new wall-mounted OLED TV. I see ZVOX has some new sound bars, the SB400 and SB500. Have you been able to test them yet?

A: I saw the new sound bars at the Consumer Electronics Show. The SB400 ($499) and SB500 ($599) were designed to provide strong bass without an external subwoofer. An extremely rigid aluminum enclosure is used, along with premium-quality drivers that are a step up from those used in prior ZVOX products. They can be wall-mounted or placed on a shelf or table.

The soundbars set up as easily as other ZVOX (zvoxaudio.com) products and have Bluetooth for use with portable devices. I was extremely impressed. The sound is akin to a premium-quality center channel speaker and small subwoofer driven by a separate receiver. It is rich, clean, full and dynamic and matched perfectly to the source, be it television shows, movies or music of all kinds. I was especially pleased with the way instruments were reproduced in a jazz track.

I have one word for the vocal reproduction: Wow. If you are having trouble understanding TV dialogue and are tired of half-measure solutions that fall short, this is how to obliterate the problem. When I was listening to cable news shows, it sounded like the anchors were in the room with me. Even a room away I could hear and understand them with absolute clarity, and there was no distortion or artificial heaviness. I did not even need to turn on the AccuVoice feature for this and found surround setting No. 2 perfect for all program material.

Some of the previous SoundBase models may create a somewhat more immersive surround experience because of more aggressive signal processing. That isn't necessarily a negative because the aggressive processing also can change the character of the sound. I definitely preferred the very natural sound of the new sound bars and am willing to give up a bit of spaciousness to get it.

The leap forward in sound quality alone is worth the money (and then some), especially considering that an unpowered home theater center speaker of this size and quality easily costs as much or more. The new sound bars take ZVOX into new territory in terms of sound and performance. I think even the smaller SB400 would be enough for almost everyone, unless the room is very large.

Also from electronics show: Monoprice displayed a 25-watt stereo hybrid integrated tube amplifier (tube preamp/solid state amp) with Bluetooth for $149. I've since tested one, and it is a great-sounding little amp with incredible visual appeal. It has Bluetooth and one RCA input for a turntable or CD player and makes a wonderful keystone to a compact system.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.