Saiyin DS6305 review: a flawed but astonishingly cheap soundbar

For the most part, what you see is what you get

Saiyin DS6305 and remote positioned below Amazon Fire TV
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The Saiyin DS6305 soundbar can elevate your home viewing experiences for a very modest price but don’t expect anything mind-blowing. It's certainly not the most practical option due to its slightly awkward shape and lack of HDMI connectivity, but its small size and solid bass levels may be enough to draw you in. The three EQ modes are pretty uninspiring, but if you want to take the step up from basic TV audio, this soundbar is still worth considering.

Pros

  • +

    Extremely cheap

  • +

    Decent levels of bass

  • +

    Relatively powerful for its small size

Cons

  • -

    Unimpressive build quality

  • -

    No HDMI connectivity option

  • -

    Very limited EQ modes

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Saiyin DS6305: Review

Product Info

In the US, Saiyin sells a similar product, the DS6345, that comes with a subwoofer. Please note that this is not included with the DS6305, available for purchase in the UK and Australia. This review was conducted in the UK and covers the soundbar only, although specs and dimensions for the subwoofer will be included. 

The Saiyin DS6305 is an extremely cheap soundbar that aims to provide a bit more depth for your home viewing experiences. At just £39.99 (about AU$75), you won't find many cheaper alternatives out there, but you will, inevitably, have to make some sacrifices in terms of features and sound quality. 

With the Saiyin DS6305, you get decent enough audio without any bells and whistles. There’s no Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or anything like that – so don’t expect spatial, ultra-dynamic sound. The overall quality is actually quite good for the price, with the main draw being the relatively powerful bass output. I was impressed by the added depth it offered compared to the plain old TV audio from my Hisense U7K TV, which, for reference, has a built-in subwoofer to bolster low-end frequencies. 

When streaming Dune (2021) via Netflix, the film’s deep, atmospheric score and sound effects were far more impactful with the DS6305 than just my TV. Bass was still not super clean or intricately detailed, but it was delivered with a solid amount of power nonetheless, especially considering the absence of a subwoofer. The movie’s dialogue was sometimes a little lacking in clarity, but totally passable – just don’t expect the kind of quality you’d get from one of the best soundbars

I then tested how the DS6305 fared with sport by tuning into a UEFA Euro 2024 match. The commentary wasn’t crystal clear amidst the booming crowd noise – which was emulated a lot more faithfully than in standalone TV audio – but it wasn’t totally drowned out, resulting in an adequate listening experience. 

To measure the soundbar’s gaming performance, I played Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance on the PlayStation 5. Jumping in an open, echoey area sounded a lot more natural than on my TV audio, especially the depth of the character’s feet against the concrete floor. The game has a very ambient, atmospheric soundtrack, which was complemented by the DS6305, but, again, the bass was a little muddied at times. This really sums up the audio quality on offer here: you’ll get more power, bass, and full-bodied sound than from just your TV, but don’t expect impeccable quality or game-changing expansiveness.

Saiyin DS6305 positioned below Amazon Fire TV

(Image credit: Future)

When watching videos, TV, or films, I made sure to use the Movie EQ mode – one of the three available options alongside Music and News. When listening to some music on Spotify, I switched between Music and Movie mode to gauge the key differences, but surprisingly, I couldn’t make out any discernible change. I also tuned into BBC News to test out the News mode, and apart from a very slight increase in volume, I didn't hear anything strikingly different. As a result, I’d have to say that changing between the 3 EQ ‘modes’ is barely worth your time. 

Looping back to my Spotify listening session, I wasn’t anticipating something that would produce beautiful-sounding audio and I honestly felt that the DS6305 didn’t perform too badly. When tuning in to I Want You by Moloko, I will admit that the opening vocals – intended to have a pure, breathy sound – weren’t particularly clear, perhaps less so than my normal TV audio. Beyond that, though, the overall listening experience was far better with the soundbar, which wasn’t bad at capturing the various instruments entering into a densely layered, exciting mix. Sure, it did tend to lean more heavily on bass and I couldn’t make out every last detail of the track, but this is pretty typical for the price. 

I also wanted to get a sense of how high-frequency sounds came through, so I listened to Rains Again by Solji. This song has markedly high-pitched vocals throughout and I found that these certainly didn’t have the sweetness or delicacy that really make it pop, but the audio wasn’t particularly tinny or grating. If you do want to use this soundbar for any kind of music, it will do the job – just don’t expect great quality.

Front of Saiyin DS6305

(Image credit: Future)

The DS6305 is very cheap, and unsurprisingly, it looks cheap. It’s enclosed in standard black plastic housing and has a relatively feeble foam material protecting the speaker. The soundbar has an LED light strip that fills up depending on volume level and changes color depending on the connectivity option being used – a neat inclusion (though it simply flashes off and back on when you flick between the different EQ presets, which isn’t the clearest way to show you’ve switched to a new mode). The shape is perhaps a little unorthodox – due to its triangular form, I couldn't fit it under my TV stand – so ensure you have enough space to play with if you’re planning on purchasing this soundbar. 

The DS6305 comes with a remote, which requires two AAA batteries (not included). It may seem like a small thing, but I was disappointed by the quality of the controller – particularly because lower-case 'i's on the buttons have backward-leaning accents (for some reason), and the use of capitalization across the different buttons is sporadic, to say the least. Grammar issues aside, the remote is responsive and enables you to adjust volume levels and switch between connectivity options (including digital optical, AUX, and Bluetooth). There are also button controls on the soundbar itself for ARC coaxial, which is a bit odd because it doesn’t come with a cable to support this. 

There’s no option to connect the DS6305 via HDMI, meaning you won’t be able to use your standard TV remote to control the soundbar’s volume levels. The lack of an HDMI port also means that setup isn’t optimal, but it was fairly straightforward to connect the soundbar to my TV via the included digital optical cable instead. 

Saiyin DS6305 remote on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

The Saiyin DS6305 soundbar impressed me in some departments but failed to inspire in others. If you want a super cheap solution to add a bit of bass and power to your setup, this could be worth taking a look at. The build quality is, of course, pretty unimpressive and the soundbar’s awkward shape makes it a little less ideal for those working with limited space, not to mention there’s no HDMI connectivity option, which is a shame. 

If you want a soundbar that offers slightly better audio quality at a price that’s easy to stomach, you’ll be better off selecting a product from our guide to the best cheap soundbar deals.

Saiyin DS6305 positioned below Amazon Fire TV

(Image credit: Future)

Saiyin DS6305 review: Price and release date

  • $59.99 for soundbar with subwoofer (US) on Amazon
  • £39.99 (about AU$75) for soundbar only (UK & Australia) on Amazon
  • Launched in March 2023

Saiyin doesn’t have its own online store, but you can purchase the DS6305 from Amazon – prices are, of course, subject to change. In the US, the DS6305 comes with a subwoofer and costs the ultra-low price of $59.99. In the UK and Australia, however, you purchase the soundbar on its own for what is still a very modest price of £39.99 (about AU$75).  

Saiyin DS6305 review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally
DimensionsSoundbar: 17.3 x 5.1 x 3.9 inches / 440 x 130 x 100mm; Subwoofer: 4-inch diameter, other details not stated
Speaker channels2.0 (UK/Australia) / 2.1 (US)
ConnectionsDigital optical, AUX, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos / DTS:XNo / No
Sub includedNo (UK/Australia) / Yes (US)
Rear speakers includedNo
Other featuresLED light strip, 3x EQ modes

Reverse side of Saiyin DS6305 exposing 'power' and 'sub out' ports

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Saiyin DS6305?

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesFunctional LED light strip but EQ modes redundant and no HDMI connectivity.2.5/5
Audio performanceImperfect but passable sound, impressive bass given lack of subwoofer.3.5/5
DesignLooks a little cheap, small but awkward shape, lazily produced remote.2.5/5
Setup and usabilityLack of HDMI not optimal for usability but still quite easy to set up and operate.3.5/5
ValueAll-round quality isn’t amazing, but ultra-cheap and adequate audio.4/5

Buy it if...

You want a super-cheap soundbar
At £39.99 (about AU$75) you won't find many cheaper soundbars out there. The Saiyin DS6305 isn’t a phenomenal product, but if you’re on a tight budget and just want an improvement over standard TV audio, this could be worth it for you. 

You’re not overly fussy on quality
Of course, the DS6305 isn’t going to offer premium sound. In fairness, you’ll have to spend a bit more if you’re someone who values top-quality audio, and there are a lot of strong budget options sitting at around the $100 / £100 / AU$150 mark. However, this soundbar will give you a bit more power, especially in the low-end, so if you want to get a little more enjoyment out of blockbuster movies or gaming experiences, it could be a decent pick.  

Don't buy it if...

You want a sleek, stylish aesthetic
The DS6305 doesn’t look amazing due to a combination of its slightly awkward shape and cheap build quality. That’s not a massive problem for many, but if you’re the sort of person who prioritizes style, then it’s worth looking elsewhere. A budget alternative that has a more diminutive soundbar and even includes a subwoofer is the Ultimea Nova S50 – more on this later. 

You’re on the hunt for spatial audio
The DS6305 is a 2.0-channel soundbar so you won't get all the benefits of surround sound. There’s no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X at play either, so if you’re expecting expansive, three-dimensional audio, you’ll be disappointed. If you want to experience Atmos, then it may be worth selecting a soundbar from our guide to the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers.

Saiyin DS6305: Also consider

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Row 0 - Cell 0 Saiyin DS6305Ultimea Nova S50Hisense HS214
PriceUS: $59.99, soundbar with subwoofer; UK and Australia: £39.99 (about AU$75), soundbar only$99.00 / £139.99 (about AU$150)$99.99 / £79 (about AU$150)
DimensionsSoundbar: 17.3 x 5.1 x 3.9 inches / 440 x 130 x 100mm; Subwoofer: 4 inch diameter, other details not statedSoundbar: 15.7 x 1.5 x 3.0 inches / 400 x 38 x 76mm; Subwoofer: 10.5 x 4.5 x 10.6 inches / 270 x 115 x 270mm25.6 x 3.7 x 2.3 inches / 650 x 95 x 58mm
Speaker channels2.0 (UK/Australia) / 2.1 (US)2.12.1
ConnectionsDigital optical, AUX, BluetoothHDMI eARC, digital optical, AUX, USB, Bluetooth (5.3)HDMI ARC, digital optical, AUX, coaxial, USB, Bluetooth (4.2)
Dolby Atmos/DTS:XNo / NoYes / NoNo / No
Sub includedNo (UK/Australia) / Yes (US)YesNo
Rear speakers includedNoNoNo
Other featuresLED light strip, 3x EQ modesUltimea BassMax, 3x EQ modes3x EQ modes, Bass +/-
Image

Ultimea Nova S50
The Ultimea Nova S50 is another super cheap option for those looking to elevate their TV audio setup. It comes with an ultra-slim soundbar as well as a subwoofer, which means it'll be a bit more pleasing in the bass department than the Saiyin DS6305 and can add a bit more atmosphere to your viewing experiences. It doesn’t offer particularly great sound quality, and although it's labeled as Dolby Atmos compatible, you don’t really get three-dimensional audio. However, if you’re not too picky on quality, the Nova S50 could be a decent choice. Read our full Ultimea Nova S50 review here. 

Image

Hisense HS214
It may be a few years old now, but the Hisense HS214 is still a solid soundbar for those on a tight budget. It’s a bit wider than the Saiyin DS6305 and has a built-in subwoofer. It doesn't have Dolby Atmos, so you won’t experience massively immersive audio, but you do get pretty clear vocals and decent build quality. 

Saiyin DS6305 review: How I tested

  • Tested over the course of a week
  • Connected to my Hisense U7K TV at home
  • Predominantly used the digital optical connectivity option

I put the Saiyin DS6305 to the test for a full week. I used the digital optical connectivity option to connect the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV at home. 

I tracked performance across three key areas: video media; gaming; and music. When testing, I watched a variety of TV shows, videos, and movies on Netflix and YouTube, among others; played multiple video games on the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch consoles; and listened to music from the TechRadar testing playlist via the PS5 version of the Spotify app.

Harry Padoan
Staff Writer

Harry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to portable battery packs, but has a particular interest in the worlds of gaming and smartphones. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.