Bass So Loud That It Vibrated My Walls – I Tested the Hisense AX5140Q Soundbar and Surround System, and It's Loud and Effective

Investing in a full surround sound system is a quick way to turn your living room into a movie theater. Subwoofers and surround speakers help recreate that immersive entertainment experience, but it's typically an expensive investment.

But the Hisense AX5140Q, which retails at just $349.99 on Amazon, is one of the most affordable on the market. It's said to be a high-powered setup with up-firing speakers and deep bass to create an enveloping soundstage, so I was excited to test it out myself.

And while the sound quality reflects the price, this is one of the best soundbars if you are looking for huge, booming sound on a budget.

My One-Minute Summary

The Hisense AX5140Q delivers one of the biggest soundstages I've tested thus far, which can make music and action sequences so loud that it vibrates the walls. This is where the AX5140Q shines: In its loudness, its all-encompassing sound that turns a room into a movie theater.

The directional sound is also impressive, and it's always clear where sounds are coming from, and it accurately portrays what's happening on screen.

But while the sound is big, it isn't necessarily great. The bass often overpowers more subtle details, and the mids and highs can occasionally sound a little rattled. Plus, as there is limited sound customization (and no app compatibility), this is best suited to those who love big bass, loud music, and blockbuster action movies.

If you prefer a more high-fidelity, delicate soundstage, I'd recommend the Samsung HW-QS750F surround system, or the Bose Smart Ultra single soundbar – they both sounded lush on test.

If you're on a budget, here's what you need to know about the Hisense AX5140Q and how it performed on my tests.

Hisense AX5140Q: Specifications

Hisense AX5140Q: Setup

The AX5140Q is made up of a 41-inch-wide soundbar, a large external subwoofer, and two rear speakers. Arriving in a big L-shaped box, every part is packed compactly, with each speaker having its own power cable.

It can seem off-putting at first when setting up a surround sound system, but it was a breeze. The subwoofer and rear speakers connect wirelessly, so once you've connected the soundbar (using the HDMI and power cables), the others connect instantly once plugged in.

The power cords on the rear speakers were a little short, however, so if you don't have power outlets dotted around the room, you may need an extension lead and a way of organizing your cables.

The AX5140Q doesn't have any Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning there's no app to set up, leaving all settings up to the soundbar remote. But unfortunately, my testing unit didn't come with one, which meant I was unable to test a few features.

Fortunately, the ARC/CEC connection means your TV remote can control the volume straight away.

Hisense AX5140Q: Design and Features

The Hisense AX5140Q has a 5.1.4 channel configuration, meaning there are five horizontal channels, a subwoofer, and four up-firing speakers, making it a high-performance system that's built for immersive surround sound.

The rear speakers make a very subtle sound, but enough to create an enveloping soundstage that fills your movie room. The subwoofer is big but slim, so you don't have to sacrifice too much floor space to be able to enjoy the deep booms it produces.

The soundbar itself is wide, 41.9 inches, so you'll need to make sure there is ample space on your TV stand, or you can highlight your soundbar with a wall mount.

Every device has a firm fabric speaker cover, and it's a nice touch to have this aesthetic consistency, especially as this muted design can blend into pretty much any living room style.

On the soundbar itself, this fabric cover curves slightly at the edges, giving a somewhat luxurious design feel, and aids its directional sound capabilities.

I would've preferred to see app compatibility here. My test sample didn't come with a remote, which of course wouldn't happen when buying brand-new, but remotes are easily misplaced or buried between sofa cushions, and an app can be useful to add an extra layer of functionality.

As it doesn't link with Wi-Fi, there's no streaming compatibility from services like Apple AirPlay or Spotify Connect. But luckily, pairing via Bluetooth takes a few seconds, and I tend to prefer Bluetooth anyway as it's more reliable.

Like other premium soundbars I've tested, such as the Bose Smart Ultra, the Hisense AX5140Q has 'Room Fitting Tuning' to optimize audio to the shape, size, and acoustics of your room – but this feature is only available if you have specific, compatible Hisense TVs, so I was unable to see how effectively this works.

The source is displayed on the soundbar at all times, in subtle blue text. This is useful to clearly see where the sound's coming from, but it would be great if it eventually greyed out. If you like to turn off the lights and immerse yourself in a movie, it might be a little distracting.

Hisense AX5140Q: Sound (TV and Movies)

The Hisense AX5140Q delivers an outstanding directional soundstage that's almost movie theater-worthy, with clear, accurate sounds coming from different directions. The bass is rich and powerful, and helps to produce exhilarating action scenes and warm vocals, but it can occasionally overpower the scene, especially as the mids and trebles are sometimes lacking depth.

I started with the pilot episode of Arrested Development. Interestingly, the audio coming out of the AX5140Q felt complete – no detail is lost, the spatiality is encompassing – but the sounds themselves didn’t always feel full-bodied. I would love to have heard more depth, and I was consistently turning it up to make it feel as impactful as other soundbars, some of which are just a single speaker (like the Sonos Arc Ultra).

There were also a few moments where the strong bass and weak trebles were really highlighted. As Michael Cera and Alia Shawkat’s characters were speaking, they sounded quiet, then as she hit her hand on the table, it boomed disproportionately loudly. The music sounded incredible, though. The kick drums, the double bass, the brass – this setup clearly lends itself well to layered jazz.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is where I first heard how rich and full-bodied low-pitched voices sound. I heard deep resonance in voices and trembling timbre when dialogue became tense. It sounded smooth and true-to-form, enhanced by the subwoofer’s undercurrent and the rear speakers, creating a subtle but warming soundstage.

But while low voices sounded outstanding, this tense movie demonstrates a weakness in the trebles. Higher-pitched tones, particularly when there is no background noise, can sound a little tinny, and as there’s no app (and my testing unit included no remote), I was unable to adjust the equalizer settings to refine it. The Samsung HW-QS750F, another surround system we've tested, had app compatibility with some of the most comprehensive sound customization I've seen.

Princess Mononoke showed off how realistic the spatial sound can be. As the protagonist galloped, it was clear that he was moving from behind, then to the left, then up to the right. It was beautifully immersive.

And here, the sound balance was more aligned. There were moments of deep booms as it went from quiet tension to a demon breaking through a brick wall, but it was the right amount of volume change, nothing that made me reach for my remote.

And it didn’t feel as if the trebles were weak, and different-pitched voices all sounded true. Sweet, warm, authentic – every character’s vocal personality was projected clearly.

But then, during Our Planet, the mids and trebles were a little raspy again. This isn’t a major criticism – it isn’t quite perfect, just a little more nasal than usual – but it’s certainly noticeable when juxtaposed with crashing waves and avalanches, where it felt like David’s narration was the only thing letting the soundstage down.

Like with Arrested Development, the music sounded delightful. This system has a talent for projecting a gorgeously rich soundstage when the audio is full and layered, and would make a great addition to your music room if you like busy music.

But fight scenes are where the Hisense AX5140Q really comes into its own. In John Wick Chapter 2, the strong bass was shown off in full.

I felt every hit and every impact in my body. The music was tense, but didn't drown out the tight sound effects. And the grunts, gunshots, and background noises are accurately balanced.

It felt exactly the same when watching Avengers: Infinity War and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The directional soundstage was movie theater-worthy – doors sound like they’re closing in the far corner of your room, and the center stage is exactly that: Keeping the focal points at the forefront of your attention.

Hisense AX5140Q: Sound (Music)

Listening to music with the Hisense AX5140Q was a mixed bag. On one hand, it was a lot of fun having such a huge, booming sound delivering thumping, bass-heavy music, but often, that thumping bass drowned out other elements, meaning delicate sounds weren't always given enough attention.

Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know illustrated this. Instead of the percussion coming in airy and subtle, it boomed excessively, and there was also somewhat of a rattle throughout in the bass and mids.

The volume capacity shouldn't be ignored, though – if you like loud music and enjoy being a party host, this is a strong, affordable option.

Naturally, I had no complaints when it came to bass-heavy tracks, such as Massive Attack's Angel and Daft Punk's Phoenix. It produced one of the most exhilarating versions of Angel that I've ever heard at home that had the entire room vibrating.

In other tracks where the bass isn’t typically an important aspect, like Cocteau Twins' Pitch the Baby, it was actually a welcome addition, having a new avenue to the soundstage. The trebles weren’t lacking when part of a continuous electronic sound.

But if you're like me and enjoy high-fidelity music but can be put off by overwhelming bass, the Bose Smart Ultra or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 are great alternatives, which delivered a floatier, more realistic sound on test.

The Weather Station's Robber showed what I'd found during Our Planet: That raspy vocals can let down the deep, immersive soundstage. The limited treble output was felt as the bass took center stage, and the delicate parts of this track weren’t given the space to breathe, instead being overshadowed by thumping booms and strings that were too loud. The vocals weren’t quite true to form, either, and I heard similar results in Location by Playboi Carti.

Whilst during Arrested Development I commended the setup’s ability to play jazz, when listening to All Day Breakfast Cafe's What If Nile Rodgers and Fela Kuti Were Friends, it didn’t do it justice. The sound balance was off – the brass was drowned out, the vocals sounded weak, and it wasn’t as playful as usual. It sounded forced.

Overall, I commend this setup's ability to deliver huge sound that encompasses you and the room, and can leave the walls vibrating with roaring bass. But if you're a fan of the finer details, I'd recommend the Samsung HW-QS750F or single soundbars like the Yamaha True X Bar 40A.

Hisense AX5140Q: Price

The Hisense AX5140Q costs $349.99 at Amazon and Best Buy – a low price for a full surround system.

At a similar price, the Yamaha True X Bar 40A is a strong alternative, costing $399.95 at Amazon. You don't get the movie-theater-level surround sound, but the bass is more managed, and there's more space for subtle sounds to be heard. It also takes up less space as it's a single soundbar, but you can upgrade to the Yamaha True X Bar 50A as it includes a subwoofer, costing $499.95 at Yamaha.

If you're investing in a sophisticated system, and you're happy to spend a little more, I'd recommend starting with better sound quality. The Sonos Arc Ultra and the Bose Smart Ultra produce some of the most realistic, rich, and expansive soundscapes I've ever heard at home, and both can be upgraded at Sonos and Bose to include subwoofers and surround speakers.

Or, if you're on a budget, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus and the Hisense HS2100 cost considerably less – $249.99 at Amazon or $119.99 at Amazon, respectively – while offering surprisingly nice sound quality that I've since enjoyed listening to at home.

How I Tested the Hisense AX5140Q

I tested the Hisense AX5140Q in my own home. I set up the soundbar on a wooden shelf, positioned towards where I sit, then placed the subwoofer at the optimal distance from my seat. I then set up the rear speakers on either side of me.

I test using a set list of scenes and songs to standardize testing across every model. I also tested every feature that I could, but as the remote was not included with my sample, I was unable to adjust the EQ. I also couldn't optimize my room's acoustics as that feature is only available on a Hisense TV.

For more home upgrades, see which models take the top spot after rigorously testing the best robot vacuums and the best non-toxic air fryers.