Roku vs. Amazon Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Audio quality
Roku vs. Amazon Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Audio quality
How do Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV streaming devices stack up in the sound department? We have all of the audio info.
Picture resolution quality is usually the first consideration when it comes to choosing a streaming device, but don’t forget audio — who wants to sing along to “Wicked” with inferior sound? Most devices have the latest audio features to make the most of soundbars and home-theater speaker setups, but some do it better than others. If you really want to dial in your home entertainment audio, you’ll need to know which streaming devices are a must and which ones are a bust. So, listen up as we compare the audio features of Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV devices.
Roku
Roku Ultra
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround
- Ports: HDMI, USB, Ethernet
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote Pro
The Roku Ultra features a standard digital stereo, as well as DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Atmos, which are capable of building an immersive home theater. It also sounds excellent with just a soundbar, though you might not notice much of a difference through regular TV speakers. If you’re an audiophile who’s looking for the Roku device with the most sound options, the Ultra is it.
Roku Streambar
- Size: 14.0 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio, PCM
- Ports: HDMI, USB, optical audio
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
Surprisingly, the Roku Streambar combo streaming and sound source isn’t as full-featured as the Roku Ultra when it comes to sound. The four-speaker device supports standard Dolby Audio and PCM (pulse code modulation) audio but not DTS Digital Surround or Dolby Atmos. The less expensive Roku Soundbar SE streams only with PCM audio.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
- Size: 3.7 x 0.8 x 0.5 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, DTS Digital Surround
- Ports: HDMI, USB
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
You’d think the Roku Streaming Stick 4K would have limited features due to its size, but the pint-sized streamer is armed with DTS Digital Surround to support a home theater setup, as well as standard digital stereo. But it’s still slightly limited due to the absence of Dolby Atmos.
Roku Express 4K+
- Size: 3.3 x 1.5 x 0.7 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR
- Audio: Digital Stereo, DTS Digital Surround
- Ports: None
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote
The inexpensive Roku Express 4K’s sound features are the same as the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, just in a less convenient package. Where the Stick simply plugs into an HDMI port and hangs there concealed behind the TV, the Express has to sit on a surface or be attached to the TV somehow.
Amazon Fire TV
Amazon Fire TV Cube
- Size: 3.4 x 3.4 x 3.0 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Atmos
- Ports: HDMI, Ethernet, USB
- Remote: Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced
The Fire TV Cube is the premium streaming device in Amazon’s line, but it doesn’t have all of the audio options of the Roku Ultra—it features standard digital sound and Dolby Atmos, but not Dolby competitor DTS Surround. Sound snobs would probably prefer to have both available, but the Amazon Fire TV Cube doesn’t play deliver both.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
- Size: 4.25 x 1.18 x 0.55 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Atmos
- Ports: HDMI, Micro USB
- Remote: Alexa Voice Remote
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K’s features are nearly identical to the Fire Cube’s, right down to standard digital audio and Dolby Atmos sound output. If you don’t have the space or aesthetic inclination for the boxy Cube, you’d be losing little by going with the Fire TV Stick 4K (or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which features double the internal storage).
Amazon Fire Stick
- Size: 3.4 x 1.0 x 0.55 inches
- Resolution: HD, HDR
- Audio: Digital Stereo, Dolby Audio
- Ports: HDMI, Micro USB
- Remote: Alexa Voice Remote
The standard Amazon Fire TV Stick is the cheapest of all the streaming devices here, and, as you’d expect, it doesn’t come loaded with features. It supports digital sound and Dolby Audio, which work well enough with a soundbar, but neither can deliver the full “3D” experience of Dolby Atmos or DTS Surround.
Apple TV
Apple TV 4K
- Size: 3.7 x 3.70 x 1.2 inches
- Resolution: HD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Audio: Digital Sound, Dolby Audio, Dolby Atmos
- Ports: HDMI, Ethernet
- Remote: Siri Remote
The rumored 2025 update of the Apple TV 4K will supposedly be faster and slimmed down in physical appearance and will feature more smart home options. Whether or not that means it will include DTS Surround remains to be seen, but for now, the current Apple TV 4K comes with digital stereo, Dolby Audio, and Dolby Atmos capability.
What to Know in Streaming Audio
Digital Sound
Also known as Digital 2.0 sound, standard digital sound delivers audio to left and right speakers but doesn’t directly support a subwoofer or surround sound (though it can simulate the experience). Digital 3.0 adds a center speaker to the sound array.
Dolby Audio
Dolby Audio is an enhanced upgrade on digital sound, but it doesn’t support surround sound.
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos is used in movie theaters, bringing the same immersive surround sound 3D feel to home theaters. Most higher-end streaming devices and services support Dolby Atmos.
DTS Surround
DTS Sound, formerly known as Digital Theater Systems, is a longtime competitor of Dolby that’s also used in movie theaters. It delivers the same surround-sound experience as Dolby Atmos, at least to the ears of most regular listeners. Dedicated audiophiles have made passionate defenses for both, mostly in the tech corners of Reddit, but you won’t likely hear much of a difference between the two.