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How to use speech clarity with your Roku® audio device

When watching a movie or a TV show, spoken dialogue can sometimes get lost amidst other sounds in a busy scene. Turning up the volume may help, but it may annoy others nearby. If you are listening on a Roku audio device such as a Roku Streambar™, a feature called Speech Clarity can help you better hear critical dialogue without needing to adjust the volume. Speech Clarity works by boosting dialogue separately from background content without increasing the overall loudness of the scene.

What do I need to use Speech Clarity?

Speech Clarity is only available when you are using a Roku audio device running Roku OS 9.2.6 or higher. You can find the software version by visiting Settings > System > About. Your Roku audio device checks for an update every 24-36 hours or you can manually check for a software update if needed.

For help setting up your Roku audio device, refer to the appropriate article below:

Enable Speech Clarity during playback

When streaming a movie, TV show, music, or Bluetooth® audio, you can enable Speech Clarity during playback from the options menu as described below.

  • Begin streaming content on your Roku audio device.

    • Note: If you have a Roku Streambar and you are watching content from an external device like a Blu-ray™ player, cable set-top box, or game console, you cannot adjust audio settings during playback. You can, however, adjust audio settings from the settings menu using instructions in the next section.

  • Press the Star button star button on Roku remote on your Roku remote.
  • Select Sound settings.
  • Use the directional pad to switch Speech Clarity to the desired setting. The directional pad is plus-shaped and is in the center of your Roku remote.

    • Off: Speech Clarity is not engaged, and dialogue is unmodified.
    • Low: Dialogue is slightly louder than the rest of the scene.
    • High: Dialogue is noticeably louder than the rest of the scene.

Note: In some streaming channels, the Star button star button on Roku remote is assigned a different function meaning it will not open the options menu as described above. In these cases, you must launch a different channel, such as The Roku Channel, and follow the steps above. Once the volume mode is switched, the setting will remain when you return to the original channel.

Enable Speech Clarity from the settings menu

Whether you are streaming content on your Roku audio device or using an external device (e.g., Blu-ray player, cable set-top box, game console), you can adjust sound settings at any time using the instructions below. If you are using an external device, switch your TV to the input where your Roku audio device is connected before you begin.

  • Press the Home button home button on Roku remote on your Roku remote.
  • Scroll up or down and select Settings.
  • Select Audio.
  • Select Speech Clarity and choose the desired setting.

    • Off: Speech Clarity is not engaged, and dialogue is unmodified.
    • Low: Dialogue is slightly louder than the rest of the scene.
    • High: Dialogue is noticeably louder than the rest of the scene.

Last updated at 3/3/2026 1:34:21 AM

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