Honorable mention
There are plenty of great soundbars out there and there's no room to showcase them all. Here are some other things you might want to consider.
LG's S95TR is $1,000-$1,300: LG's 9.1.5-channel soundbar (8/10, Wired recommended) doesn't work like Samsung's flagship Q990 series, but it could be a better choice for anyone using a newer LG TV like the C4. It also supports gaming features such as 120 Hz pass-through, but only includes one spare input.
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) for $170: Vizio's curvy little combo brings charming value, with solid sound quality and movie punches from the smallest subwoofer you've ever seen. Although no optical input or remote is included, the Vizio app makes adjustment settings or switching to Bluetooth easy enough. The main drawback is that dialogue gets lost sometimes (not always) and reduces the main appeal of inexpensive soundbars. That said, it's worth considering selling thanks to its excellent music chops and features like the DTS Virtual X expansion.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If all the bars from Samsung are too rich for blood, a two-piece HW-Q800C (wired recommended, 8/10) could be a good compromise. This bar offers many of the same features as Samsung's flagship bar and similar sound signatures. This is packed into smaller bar and subwoofer combos, especially since it is almost always on sale now.
sennheiser ambeo mini $700: This pint-sized luxury bar is perfect for anyone with money to burn in a very small space. Sennheiser's built-in Ambeo Virtualization Technology beautifully throws sound around you for exhilarating TV and movies, offering advanced features such as Google Assistant and Alexa support.
Sony HT-X8500 $300: Sony's HT-X8500 is getting hard to find, but it's one of our favorite options after one bar with solid bass response and vast sound, including a decent Dolby Atmos Virtualization. Although more expensive than our top bar, it is a great alternative for people a little while later and is worth considering while still available.
Roku Streambar is $130: If you're chasing a soundbar that doubles as a great streaming device, wired reviewer Adrienne swears to Roku Streambar. After years of her without one, she was so impressed that she cried out from the rooftop. Setup is easy. Includes Roku's simple streaming interface, allowing you to stream movies and shows in up to 4K HDR from almost any streaming service. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround sound speaker to the line. It is recommended to get a sub.
Vizio promotes the M series for $500: If you want a full-featured Dolby Atmos and like a bit of talent, it's worth considering Vizio's second Elevate Bar. The driver pops out from the side, targeting your ceiling when Atmos content is playing, giving you a nifty party trick to show off your companions. The sound quality is solid, I like the compact design and simple setup. However, you will need to route the speaker cable to the rear surround.
$276 for Yamaha SR-C30A:This model SR-C30A soundbar actually looks very similar to the SR-C20A. This is because dimensions, specifications and sound quality are all related. The difference is that the SR-C30A comes with a compact (335 x 160 x 364mm) wireless subwoofer for authentic Hollywood style rumbles and punches. –Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus $1,200: Considering the price and physical dimensions of the soundbar (not including subwoofers), Ambeo Plus may seem like a poor deal. But thanks to its 400 watts of power and nine carefully developed and carefully placed speaker drivers, this Sennheiser can make a loud, enveloping sound, strongly suggesting the pitch of the Dolby Atmos soundtrack thrives. As an encore, it turns out to be a very capable wireless speaker when you want to listen to music. – Simon Lucas
Pork responds for $269: This soundbar works if you want to eventually get surround sound, but don't have cash now. The Alexa-enabled soundbar is a problem on its own, and surround speakers and subwoofers are available from Polk if you want to upgrade.
Vizio boosts the P-series for $700: This is a great looking soundbar with side speakers that rotate towards the sky when viewing content using object-based audio. It's a nice sounding bar, and its gimmicks are neat, but with better options under $1,000.
How to connect a soundbar
We have included a list of available connection options next to all soundbars in the list. Virtually all soundbars connect to the TV via optical or HDMI cables. In most cases, HDMI is preferred.
If both the TV and the soundbar have an HDMI-ARC port (the cable port looks like normal HDMI, but is labeled ARC or EARC), connect it like that. You can control the volume of the soundbar using the volume button on the TV remote. Also, make sure CEC is enabled. HDMI is also required for Dolby Atmos and other 3D audio formats, so use optical cables only when HDMI is not available.
Finally, check the TV's audio menu to make sure the TV's internal speakers are off (so that you don't get any strange audio flutter) and find the perfect spot to place the speakers and subs.
I haven't tested a new TV that doesn't sound crude without audio accessories yet. This is mainly due to the way the TV is designed. The great sounding speakers are bulky and the manufacturers have a hard time making good speakers for them, as the TVs are thinner with bezels and refined designs.
You can spend just $150 on a new soundbar with a subwoofer, making the most of your viewing experience is essential. Our list of the best soundbars we tested includes soundbars that are sold independently and models bundled with subwoofers at various price ranges. Read more advice on building a new affordable home theater setup.
Is the soundbar as good as the speaker?
When you come across an A/V or a home theater Subreddit or forum, the mob of people who even advocate the idea that the soundbar matches the pair of speakers is heresy. The truth is, as far as we are concerned, it all depends on your personal desires and needs.
Especially when it comes to high resolution audio and vinyl record collections, if you're looking for the most musical vocabulary for your bag, a great pair of bookshelves speakers could be your best value option. Even if you're not keen on shopping for your amplifiers or running speaker wires, our Best Bookshelf Speakers Guide offers plenty of built-in/active pairs that include all your inputs and amplification, including a soundbar system for audio files.
But that may not be the best option for everyone. If making your TV sound soup with soup is cheap and simple, or on the other side a convenient way to explore exciting audio formats like surround sound and Dolby Atmos, a soundbar can be the perfect choice. Soundbars is an affordable and hassle-free solution, many of which offer sound and features that suit your needs and suit your needs, rather than speakers or traditional home theater setups. We're not on our side here. We love the good sound and great features. For many people, a soundbar is the best way to get there.
This is a question that you can only answer, but there are a few things to consider before you start with your living space and making a call. If you live in a small apartment or multiplex, a subwoofer may not be the best choice, both because of its size and the possibility of arousing complaints about noise. Modern soundbars like the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 have become increasingly good at recreating compelling bass from a single bar. Often, multiple speakers are utilized in concerts to bring more punches to lower frequencies without causing much booms or bombing.
If you're not worried about a near quarter and are looking for a more cinematic punch, you should consider a soundbar with a subwoofer. Physics has been extended to date, and the multi-speaker systems we've heard cannot fit the punch and efficacy of dedicated large drivers and acoustic cabinets. Many affordable soundbar models also include subwoofers. If you want a full throttle sound, we recommend considering putting it all in a subwoofer, or at least a bar that you can add later.
