Hisense AX5100Q Review: Big Cinematic Sound, Small Price Tag

If you’ve ever watched an action movie and thought, “My TV speakers just aren’t doing this justice,” the Hisense AX5100Q is the upgrade your home theater has been waiting for. It’s a full 5.1-channel surround sound system with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, delivering a powerful, immersive audio experience, all for under £400.

Flagship soundbars can cost as much as a new TV, but Hisense’s AX5100Q proves that great sound doesn’t have to drain your wallet. It’s designed for real living rooms, real budgets, and real movie nights and it punches far above its price point.

Design & Setup: Simple, Smart, and Seamlessly Connected

Unboxing the AX5100Q, you’re greeted with a setup that feels premium but approachable. The system includes a front soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two semi-wireless rear speakers that connect via the sub. That semi-wireless design is clever: it eliminates messy wiring while keeping latency low.

Each component looks understated and clean, wrapped in matte black with fine metal grilles. There are no flashy lights or gimmicks here, just solid, purposeful design that blends easily into any entertainment setup.

Setup is blissfully simple. Plug in the power cables, connect the soundbar to your TV via HDMI ARC, and the AX5100Q handles the rest. The subwoofer and rear speakers pair automatically, and within minutes, you’re ready to roll.

If you own a Hisense TV, the experience gets even smoother thanks to EzPlay: a feature that lets you control volume and modes directly from your TV remote. No juggling remotes, no menu diving. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference in daily use.

Sound Performance: True 5.1 That Actually Feels 5.1

The AX5100Q delivers what most budget soundbars only simulate: real surround sound. With five channels and a dedicated 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer, it builds an impressively immersive soundscape.

Hisense rates the system at 580 watts of total output, and you can feel every bit of that power. Explosions rumble with real physicality, dialogue cuts clearly through the chaos, and ambient effects swirl convincingly around the room.

The rear speakers add genuine depth, not just echo. During movie tests, sounds like rainfall, gunfire, or passing vehicles actually moved across the room. It’s cinematic without being overwhelming, and the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing help shape that 3D audio field convincingly.

To be clear, this isn’t “true” up-firing Atmos (there are no ceiling speakers here), but the virtual height simulation is handled impressively. It doesn’t quite rival high-end systems from Samsung or Sony, but for the price, it’s exceptional.

Bass: Deep, Controlled, and Room-Filling

The wireless subwoofer deserves its own spotlight. Compact yet commanding, it delivers bass that’s powerful without being boomy. Whether it’s the thunder of a Marvel battle or the hum of a sci-fi engine, it grounds every scene with satisfying low-end punch.

What’s remarkable is how well-balanced it stays. Even at low or mid volumes, the sub retains depth and clarity. You get that cinematic rumble without shaking the walls: ideal for apartments or late-night viewing.

And if you want to go big? Crank it. The AX5100Q can get loud, cinema loud, without distortion. It fills medium to large rooms easily and maintains its composure at high volume.

Dolby Atmos & DTS:X: Immersive Audio Made Accessible

One of the standout features of the AX5100Q is its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, formats once reserved for systems costing triple the price.

Atmos and DTS:X enhance depth and dimension by adding spatial cues, making sound move around and above you. Hisense’s implementation is virtualized rather than physical, but the result is still impressively immersive.

Watching Top Gun: Maverick or Blade Runner 2049 feels transportive: jets whoosh past your ears, rain trickles from above, and dialogue anchors perfectly in the center channel. For gaming, too, the spatial precision adds a real edge, especially in first-person or racing titles.

While audiophiles will note that the 3D height effect doesn’t match premium systems with dedicated up-firing drivers, the overall soundstage still feels expansive, cohesive, and alive.

Sound Modes: Tuned for Every Mood

Hisense includes a range of AI EQ sound modes that tailor performance to your content. There are presets for Movie, Music, Game, News, and Night, along with an AI Auto mode that adapts dynamically.

In Movie mode, dialogue remains crisp even during chaotic scenes, while explosions hit with force. Music mode opens up the stereo image beautifully, vocals sound warm, instruments separated.

Night mode is another smart addition, reducing dynamic peaks so you can enjoy late-night sessions without disturbing the household.

The AI tuning isn’t just marketing fluff either. Switching between modes genuinely alters the profile in meaningful, satisfying ways.

Connectivity: Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t

The AX5100Q covers all the essential bases for connectivity. You get HDMI ARC, optical input, USB, and Bluetooth, giving you flexibility whether you’re connecting a TV, console, or smartphone.

Bluetooth pairing is quick and stable, making it easy to stream playlists directly from your phone. And thanks to HDMI ARC, you can use your TV’s remote for power and volume control: fewer remotes, fewer headaches.

There’s no Wi-Fi or voice assistant support, but at this price point, that’s hardly a dealbreaker.

Day-to-Day Use: Effortless Enjoyment

Living with the AX5100Q is refreshingly frictionless. You turn on your TV, and the soundbar just works. There’s no lag, no sync issues, and no random connection drops.

The wireless subwoofer and rear speakers make placement flexible, just plug them into power outlets and let the system do its magic. No running cables under rugs, no drilling into walls.

Users report that the rear speakers improve after a brief “break-in” period. Once settled, they balance nicely with the front channels, filling the room with warmth and clarity.

The remote is simple and well laid out, though pairing it with a Hisense TV makes it almost redundant thanks to EzPlay integration.

The Limitations (Handled Gracefully)

Every budget system makes compromises, and the AX5100Q is no exception: though its few shortcomings are easy to forgive.

There’s no room calibration or automatic sound tuning, which means performance can vary slightly depending on your room’s layout. Placement matters, take a few minutes to position the subwoofer and rears thoughtfully, and you’ll be rewarded with far better immersion.

The rear speakers, while essential to the surround experience, could be louder out of the box. They do improve after use, but you might want to tweak your seating position for best results.

Finally, unlike higher-end competitors, there’s no app control or built-in streaming services. But for under £400, expecting Sonos-level ecosystem integration isn’t realistic.

These trade-offs don’t diminish the value proposition: they simply define its audience: people who want great sound without unnecessary extras.

Who It’s For

The Hisense AX5100Q is made for movie lovers, gamers, and everyday entertainment fans who crave immersive, theater-style sound on a budget.

If you’ve been relying on TV speakers or a basic soundbar, this is a monumental leap in quality. It’s also perfect for gamers who want directional sound and bass impact without wearing headphones.

For households with Hisense TVs, it’s a no-brainer: the seamless integration through Hi-Concerto and EzPlay makes the experience even smoother. But it works just as well with any modern TV via HDMI ARC.

It’s less about audiophile perfection and more about joyful, cinematic immersion, and that’s exactly what it delivers.

Verdict: Big Sound, Small Spend

The Hisense AX5100Q is a reminder that great home audio doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It brings together true 5.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and powerful 580W output in a system that’s easy to live with and a joy to listen to.

It’s not flawless, the rear speakers could use a little extra punch, and it lacks some advanced tuning features, but those are small blemishes on what’s otherwise a phenomenal value.

For under £400, this sound system transforms movie nights, music sessions, and game marathons into genuinely immersive experiences. The soundstage is wide, the bass hits deep, and setup takes minutes.

Final Verdict: The Hisense AX5100Q is the definition of affordable excellence: a system that sounds far bigger than it costs. It’s the perfect starting point for anyone ready to step into true surround sound without stepping into debt.