Group Test: Single-box sound pt2

Overview Price: £800 More info: Yamaha Size: 800x155x152mm Weight: 11.5kg Surround formats: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic II, DTS Neo:6 Power: 82W Connections: 2x HDMI in, HDMI out, 2x optical in, 2x coaxial in, 2x analogue in, video out for OSD, sub out, DAB antenna, dock terminal for Yamaha YDS-10 iPod dock Yamaha YSP-30D The most unwieldy of the group test contenders, Yamaha's new 30-D is a big, weighty beast painted in black and silver (an all-black model is now available). It's not dissimilar to Yamaha's existing range of sound bars, but realistically could do with a design upgrade to keep it in line with the more svelte models now hitting the market. Wall or shelf mountable, the 30-D is packed to the grilles with connectivity options including no less than three HDMI ports alongside almost every other audio connector imaginable. For this new model Yamaha has also included DAB and iPod compatibility via a separate optional dock. If you are matching it to your TV however, Yamaha states that it's targeted at TVs of 32 inches or bigger. Internally, Yamaha has fitted 21 speaker drivers (or 'sound beams' if you believe the blurb) that throw sound out in a variety of directions with the intention being that it reflects off all the walls to paint that surround sound picture. It's also the only genuinely one-box system here, with no bundled subwoofer, though models are available should there not be enough grunt for your tastes. But we had no such problems - the Yamaha had by far the most encompassing surround performance, with sonics assaulting our senses from every given direction including, impressively, and slightly bewilderingly, directly behind our heads. This experience came at the sacrifice of placement and detail, which was less potent in some scenes in comparison to the Denon. It is also dependent on the shape and size of your room, as well as its position within it, with irregular shaped spaces likely to affect quality. But for our money it was an impressive experience marred only slightly by a lack of genuine detail in subtler moments.

Verdict Plus points Most convincing surround sound of any sound bar, and plenty of tweaking and connectivity options Minus points Not the best looking, most expensive here and slightly lacking in detail

Overview Price: £350 More info: Boston Acoustics Size: 83x788x102mm Weight: 8.9kg Surround formats: Dolby Stereo Power: 100W Connections: Stereo out Boston Acoustics Tvee Two The first thing you notice about the Model Two Tvee is just how much smaller and more user friendly it is than the other sound bars on test. It weighs significantly less and is small and subtle enough to complement a television of almost any size. But there is a reason for this - the Tvee Two does not offer surround sound but rather something more akin to stereo on steroids. The single sound bar is minimalism personified, the front showing nothing but the black speaker grille, with what few controls there are inset along the top for minimal intrusion. Inside sit four 2.5in Mid Bass drivers and two half-inch dome tweeters. Alongside the sound bar is a separate wireless sub sporting a six-inch down-firing bass driver, and between the two units they output a very respectable 100 watts of power. Set-up is simplicity itself, with a single power lead for each unit and stereo connectors for your TV or DVD player. There's no remote either as the Boston features a learning facility that adopts your existing remote's control with a two-touch learning system. Effective and brilliant. The Tvee Two packs a powerful performance punch. In comparison to standard stereo from any flatscreen TV we can think of it absolutely excels. There's a huge amount of power on tap and things can go extremely loud before any sign of break-up or distortion, while the sub lends a depth and weight to proceedings you would never get through standard TV speakers. It's no real substitute for a top-notch surround system, but it's not designed to be. Instead, it's an effective and extremely stylish upgrade to your TV's speakers and offers clarity and quality by the bucketload.

Verdict Plus points A great looking system that performs well above expectations, and the coloured grille options are a nice aesthetic touch Minus points Perhaps a little pricey for simple stereo sound when, say, the Philips all-in-one system is only £200 more.

Final verdict Four different products targeting one market, but each has something very different to offer, with none deserving of the wooden spoon. The Boston Acoustics delivers the kind of stereo most TVs can only dream of reproducing, and as such is a brilliant solution for those looking to boost stereo without heading down the surround sound route. Philips brings the convenience of the all-in-one to proceedings, and is a superb DVD player alongside those surround sound credentials. The Yamaha is the most established of the contenders in terms of single-box audio, but its performance isn't quite as refined as we'd hope and expect for the price. But for pure quality and clarity married to unrivalled aesthetics, the Denon is perfectly placed and sounds like the best all-round deal.

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