Teufel Cinebar One (2021) Long-Term Test: Good Sound with Minor Weaknesses

Teufel Cinebar One (2021) Test – Key Information at a Glance

With a street price of 250 euros, Teufel focuses on a product that convinces not only through its technical features but also through its price-performance ratio. The [url="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=yMF2WAHsVEw&mid=45970&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fteufel.de%2Fcinebar-one-106132000",name="second generation of the Cinebar One",title=""] stands out from its predecessor through a variety of connection options and improved sound quality. Highlights include HDMI CEC with ARC, an optical digital input, AUX-In and a USB sound interface, making the soundbar a versatile companion for TV, PC and smartphone. In the following, I report on my experiences with the smart soundbar.

Well, I've been using the Teufel Cinebar One for over a year now and I have to say: I still really love the combination of stylish looks and solid construction. The thing just fits perfectly in the living room and doesn't steal the show from the TV.

The Cinebar One is really a prime example of minimalist elegance. With its dimensions of 35 x 6.8 x 11.3 centimeters and just 1.01 kilograms on the scale, the soundbar is beautifully slim and doesn't stand out much. You can get it in black or white, which means you either have a cool eye-catcher or an inconspicuous piece in the room, depending on what you want.

The build quality is typically Teufel – high-quality. The front is covered with a fine fabric grille that not only looks good but also lets the sound through well. The status LEDs at the front are also useful on one hand, discreet on the other, and thus contribute to a well-rounded overall picture.

On top of the Cinebar One you'll find touch controls that respond immediately when you tap them. This makes operating the basic functions simple and intuitive. The buttons also fit well optically with the rest of the design and make handling more pleasant. The included remote control is made of black plastic, feels good in the hand and complements the overall picture perfectly. The buttons have a good pressure point, which also makes operation nice and easy and provides quick access to all important functions – volume, source selection, sound modes, everything within a thumb's reach.

Of course, there's always room for improvement. The remote control could lie more stable on smooth surfaces, and direct feedback on the device about the operating status or selected source wouldn't be bad either. That would make operation even a bit better.

The Cinebar One is also suitable for wall mounting. For this, it has a thread on the back and recessed ports so that these can still be easily reached. Accordingly, Teufel offers the wall mount [url="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=yMF2WAHsVEw&mid=45970&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fteufel.de%2Fwandhalter-ac-3500-sm-stk-103442000",name="AC3500 SM",title=""].

The Sound Quality of the Teufel Cinebar One (2021) in Detail

In the test, I thoroughly examined the Teufel Cinebar One (2021) to see what the little box is capable of. I was really curious about how such a compact unit could sound. Unbelievable, but the Cinebar actually makes a pretty good impression – at least as long as you don't turn it up to maximum.

The sound driver behind it is a Class-D amplifier, paired with four broadband speakers with bass reflex system, each running at 15 watts (RMS). The 1-way system thus offers a total of 60 watts of power, which doesn't sound like much at first, but is sufficient for the small TV in the side room (e.g. kitchen, bedroom, hobby room, etc.). The technology promises a lot, but the real test is of course what comes out of the speakers.

And there the Cinebar really delivers. At low to medium volume, it offers a full and clear sound image – perfect for a pleasant TV experience, a fuller soundscape when gaming or even to enjoy some classical music for evening musical accompaniment. It has different sound profiles (Movie, Music, Voice), depending on whether you're listening to music, watching a movie or just have the news running. You can adjust the bass and treble, which helps bend the sound to your liking. An LED is displayed on the soundbar that represents the balance between treble and bass by the LED moving left or right.

A cool feature is Teufel's Dynamore Ultra technology. The laterally angled drivers provide virtual surround sound that is somewhat perceptible in the test. Especially with movies, you notice that the sound spreads out a bit in the room and creates more fullness. Of course, it's not enough for a real 3D effect. The function can be switched on and off on the remote control.

Nevertheless, it must be said: The Cinebar One has its limits. At really high volumes and very bass-heavy music, it quickly reaches its limits. The sound remains stable up to a certain point, but in the higher range it is then significantly reduced. The highs then become too dominant, and honestly, I didn't find the sound at high volume particularly pleasant for the ears. So if you want to throw a party and really pump the bass, you won't have much fun with the Cinebar. That's not the end of the world and is rather normal with such compact soundbars, but you should know it.

So, all in all, the Teufel Cinebar One (2021) makes a solid impression. At moderate volumes, it delivers a nice, full sound that is more than sufficient for everyday use. The highs are clear, the mids warm and the bass surprisingly powerful – as long as you don't overwhelm it. The Dynamore Ultra technology also provides a better sense of space. So if you're looking for a soundbar for a cozy TV evening and don't expect a disco in the living room, you'll be pretty satisfied with the Cinebar One.

Seamless Integration and Intuitive Operation: The Connection Diversity of the Teufel Cinebar One (2021)

In terms of connections, the Cinebar makes it easy to be versatilely "connected".

Connection diversity to the point: First there's HDMI CEC with ARC – mega practical because you can control the soundbar directly via your TV's remote control. This reduces remote control confusion, a real plus for usability. Then we have the optical input, which is always good when the TV doesn't support ARC or you want to connect other things.

AUX-In is also on board, in case someone still uses devices from the older school. USB is not only for listening to music, but you can also play updates to the soundbar via it, which makes the device future-proof. And Bluetooth 5.0? Check! With this you can easily stream from your smartphone or tablet and that almost losslessly through the use of the aptX codec. However, over the long period of use, I have occasionally noticed connection drops and music stuttering, even when the smartphone (a Samsung Galaxy S22) is in immediate proximity. The same applies to my wife's Galaxy, so it's device-independent.

All these connections mean that you can use the Cinebar One in almost any conceivable situation. Two things are missing though: An app and WiFi connectivity. A multi-room setup with smart functions like you know from Sonos is therefore not realizable with the Cinebar One. At least the subwoofer is connected wirelessly and Amazon Alexa ([url="https://blog.teufel.de/amazon-echo-mit-stereoanlage-verbinden/",name="to the guide",title=""]) and Google Nest Hub ([url="https://blog.teufel.de/streaming-mit-google-nest-google-home/",name="to the guide",title=""]) can be used for control via Bluetooth.

The Cinebar One overall makes a really good impression in terms of connection diversity and operating comfort. Simple, flexible and well thought out without unnecessary bells and whistles – basically what you expect from a modern mini soundbar.

The Acoustic Experience: Use Cases of the Teufel Cinebar One in Test

To capture the true performance of the Teufel Cinebar One (2021), I tested it in various use cases. I focused on different aspects of the listening experience, from music playback to film sound quality to gaming sound. I summarize my assessment briefly below:

Music Playback: Good for sound accompaniment at low to medium sound accompaniment. Differentiated reproduction of highs and mids. Bass very balanced at low volume. Strongly reduced at high volume, making highs sound shrill. Combination with subwoofer recommended.

Film Sound Reproduction with Depth: Pleasant, subtle sound image with full tones. Voices somewhat bass-heavy at low volume. Settings through various sound profiles help adapt the sound to one's own preferences. Spatial feeling through Dynamore perceptible, but severely limited due to size. Voice profile very clear and without bass.

Gaming Sound with Precision: Ability to bring game environments to life. Good spatial orientation, which helps in games with important acoustic cues. Effects like explosions and fast movements were reproduced precisely, although here too the ultimate depth of a dedicated subwoofer was missing. As long as the box is parked directly under the monitor, completely sufficient. Here too, a subwoofer is a good extension to create a more realistic gaming experience.

In the Battle of Sounds: Teufel Cinebar One (2021) Against the Competition

Five close competitors are the Sonos Ray, the Bose TV Speaker, the Yamaha SR-C20A, the Sonos Beam 2 and the JBL Bar Multibeam 5.0, which I would like to put in relation here. This comparison aims to find out how the Cinebar One can hold its own in terms of sound quality, connection diversity, operating comfort and pricing.

Teufel Cinebar, Sonos Ray or Bose TV Speaker?

Here is a comparison of the JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam, Teufel Cinebar One, Sonos Ray, Sonos Beam 2 and Bose TV Speaker:JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam:

Teufel Cinebar One

• 2.0 sound system with 60 watts power and various sound profiles
• Very compact and slim design, ideal for smaller rooms
• Good sound for movies, music and games up to medium volume
• Connection options HDMI ARC and CEC, USB, jack, optical connection, Bluetooth
• High-quality workmanship and good price-performance ratio
• No smart functions like voice control or streaming
• HxWxD: 6.8 x 35 x 11.3 cm, 1 kg
• Price: from 250 euros

Sonos Ray

• 2.0 sound system, very compact
• Easy setup and good speech intelligibility with more volume than Cinebar One
• No HDMI, no Bluetooth, only optical connection and WiFi transmission
• IR remote control learnable, app with many functions, no own remote control
• No 3D surround functions like larger Sonos models
• HxWxD: 7.1 x 55.9 x 9.5 cm, 1.95 kg
• Price: from 250 euros

Bose TV Speaker

• 2.0 sound system with dialogue and bass mode
• Very compact design and simple operation
• Good speech intelligibility, but rather weak bass
• Connection options HDMI ARC and CEC, USB, jack, optical connection, Bluetooth
• Popular and affordable entry-level soundbar
• HxWxD: 5.6 x 59.3 x 10.2 cm, 2 kg
• Price: from 210 euros

Sound-wise, the Cinebar One is somewhat inferior to the Sonos Ray and the Bose TV Speaker, but scores with its compactness and the many connection options plus separate remote control. It therefore offers a simple solution for sound enhancement of TV and PC. Those looking for a networked system are in the right place with the Sonos Ray. It offers good speech reproduction and gets somewhat louder than the Cinebar One. The Bose TV Speaker is also trimmed for speech intelligibility and currently significantly cheaper than the competitors from Teufel and Sonos. The final choice ultimately depends on the intended use and available space.

Larger Alternatives

JBL Bar 5.0

• 5.0 sound system with 250 watts power
• Supports Dolby Atmos and Multibeam Surround Sound (Upfiring Speaker) for spatial sound
• Integrated subwoofer for powerful bass
• significantly larger than mini soundbars above
• Smart functions like voice control, Chromecast and AirPlay
• Good price-performance ratio for a Dolby Atmos soundbar

Yamaha SR-C20A

• Compact soundbar with 2.1 sound system and 120 watts power
• Integrated subwoofer for powerful bass
• Supports virtual surround sound technology for spatial sound
• Clear Voice technology for better speech intelligibility
• 4 sound modes for music, movies, games and TV
• Easy setup and operation via HDMI-ARC, Bluetooth and smartphone app
• HxWxD: 8.9 x 53 x 13.1 cm
• Price: approx. 200 euros

Sonos Beam 2

• 5.0 sound system with Dolby Atmos and virtual 3D effects
• Integrated voice assistants Alexa and Google Assistant
• Supports AirPlay 2, WiFi transmission, HDMI ARC and CEC
• Multiroom capable and high-quality workmanship
• One of the best sounds in the price class

In summary, the JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam offers the biggest, most spatial sound with Dolby Atmos, while the Teufel Cinebar One, Sonos Ray and the Bose TV Speaker are more designed for good speech intelligibility for smaller rooms and budgets. The Sonos Beam 2 also delivers very good 3D sound in the mid-range, which can also be well integrated into a multiroom concept.

Conclusion: How Well Does the Teufel Cinebar One (2021) Perform in Test?

The [url="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=yMF2WAHsVEw&mid=45970&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fteufel.de%2Fcinebar-one-106132000",name="Teufel Cinebar One",title=""] shows itself as an elegant and well-built soundbar that seamlessly fits into any living room optically. At low to medium volume, it convinces with clear and full sound, supported by adjustable sound modes for different media types. Nevertheless, it quickly reaches its limits at higher volumes, as the bass diminishes and the highs begin to dominate.

The connection diversity of the Cinebar One, including HDMI CEC with ARC, optical input and Bluetooth 5.0, makes it a versatile choice for any home entertainment system. The intuitive operation through remote control and touch elements as well as easy integration into existing setups are further strengths.

Overall, the Cinebar One offers an excellent price-performance ratio, especially for users looking for a soundbar for small rooms, narrow shelf spaces and everyday use where extreme volumes are not needed. It is ideal for smaller living areas where it promises a pleasant listening experience without much effort.

FAQ

• help

  Is the Cinebar One also suitable for larger rooms?

  For smaller to medium-sized rooms, the soundbar is optimally designed. In larger rooms, expansion with a subwoofer might be recommended.

• help

  Can the Cinebar One be wall mounted?

  Yes, thanks to the provided threaded holes on the back, the soundbar can be easily mounted on the wall.

• help

  Does the Cinebar One support Dolby Digital?

  Yes, the soundbar decodes Dolby Digital and can thus potentially provide an immersive listening experience in combination with a subwoofer. Overall, however, a larger soundbar is recommended for this use case.

• help

  Can I connect my smartphone via Bluetooth to the Cinebar One?

  Yes, thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, a wireless connection in high quality is possible thanks to aptX.

• help

  Is there a remote control?

  A functional remote control is included in the scope of delivery, which enables simple control of all functions.

• help

  Is an upgrade with a subwoofer possible?

  Yes, Teufel offers the possibility to expand the soundbar with the T6 subwoofer into a more powerful set ([url="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=yMF2WAHsVEw&mid=45970&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fteufel.de%2Fcinebar-one-106142000",name="so-called Cinebar One+",title=""]). The set is recommended for a room size of up to 20m².

• help

  How does it behave with bass depth without subwoofer?

  Even without a subwoofer, the Cinebar One offers good bass at lower to medium volume thanks to the optimized lower cutoff frequency. However, you shouldn't expect too much here. A subwoofer is therefore not a bad investment if you want to really feel bass.

Technical Data Overview

Further Links and Sources:

• [url="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=yMF2WAHsVEw&mid=45970&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fteufel.de%2Fwandhalter-ac-3500-sm-stk-103442000",name="https://teufel.de/cinebar-one-106132000",title=""]
• https://hifi.de/test/teufel-cinebar-one-test-73069
• https://cdn.teufelaudio.com/image/upload/w_100/v1/products/CINEBAR_ONE_MK2/Teufel-Anleitung-v2_1-CINEBAR_ONE_2021-20220112-DE-web.pdf