Best TV Soundbar — Best Choice for every Budget
Soundbars for TV — Top Brands Guide
Today the market offers a huge range of TVs, but even high-quality and expensive models have one single significant drawback – their limited sound capabilities. The particular features of the thin-walled device’s production don’t allow a decent speaker system embedding. Therefore, the sound of even a new TV may not be the best one, so the best TV soundbar can become a great solution.
The soundbar is equipped with high-quality audio components that provide you with the opportunity to enjoy first-class sound without the use of massive speakers and a subwoofer. Most modern models work together with a TV and can be used independently as players. Usually, the best soundbar for TV consists of a set of speakers, an audio processor, and the player itself.
In some cases, the devices have up to 16 speakers that are located at different angles, as well as a bass speaker, which is used as a subwoofer. The unit management is implemented via a remote control. In order to find the best TV soundbar that will boost the level of sound, you should get acquainted with the four conclusive TV soundbar reviews because the models described below have proven their reliability and functionality.
Soundbars for TV Reviews
Bose Solo 5: Best Sound Bar for TV
The soundbar is noteworthy for its simplicity, Bluetooth capability to stream music, and the ability to make sound louder and clearer. The good performance provides distortion-free high and focused midrange frequencies. The unit has the option to boost the bass, but it is still not enough for action scenes.
This plug-and-play model can be hooked up to a smart TV through the optical, coaxial, or auxiliary input. Consider turning off the TV speakers. The item has the auto-wake feature. It means that the bar turns on once it gets an audio signal from the connected source. It powers itself off after an hour of standby mode.
The unit has a plastic top, sides, and a grille on the front panel. There are 2 drivers in the middle of the bar behind the grill. A pair of LED lights glows, changes color, and blinks, depending on what functions are enabled at the moment. This item may become the best TV soundbar thanks to its compact design, being only 21.65 inches long, 2.75 inches high, and 3.4 inches deep. It weighs 3.7 pounds. This feature makes it suitable for any TV. Besides, even the smallest table will have enough space for this soundbar. It also can be mounted on the wall.
The universal remote included in the pack allows controlling not only the bar but also a TV, Blu-ray player, etc., regardless of its brand. Besides, it comes with all the necessary cables.
Pros:
- It has a Dialog mode to make voices accurate and clear amid other sounds.
- The built-in drivers are angled to direct sound upwards, providing a wider soundstage.
Cons:
- There is no HDMI input in this model.
- It would be great to see some equalization options.
TaoTronics TT-SK023
This model is one of the most budget-friendly sound bars for a TV. It has Movie, Music, and Game modes. The bass is not booming but loud enough for an average apartment. The overall sound becomes richer and deeper than the built-in TV speakers can produce.
The connection to a TV is possible via auxiliary or optical cables. One can use Bluetooth for a wireless connection with the mobile phone. There is no HDMI port on here.
I would consider this model while looking for the best soundbar for a TV because it feels rugged, just like models that are more expensive. The bar is made with a hard plastic top, sides, and metal grille in front. The unit has wall-mounting holes on the back and rubber dampening pads on the bottom. A 3.9-pound bar is thin and long, being 31.5 inches long, 2.36 inches deep and high.
The LED lights are not just spot-shaped indicators. They are devised like icons to allow understanding their meanings. One can find controls for modes, Bluetooth, AUX and optical connections. In addition, there are control buttons on the top. They are installed to turn the volume up and down, switch the source, and power the bar off.
The aux and optical cables are in the box. The included remote that is not versatile but for this soundbar only. Besides, it comes without batteries, making the user buy it separately.
Pros:
- The midrange frequencies are well balanced.
- The stereo dynamics is excellent, making the unit suitable for use at crowded parties.
Cons:
- The Game mode doesn’t really improve the gaming experience, making high frequencies too loud and shrill.
- The bar produces a screeching loud sound once the optical cable connects it to the TV. It’s necessary to go to Settings, find and open the Audio section, and then switch off the Dolby setup.
Polk Audio Signa S2: Best TV Soundbar under 100 dollars
This 2.1-channel sound bar for a TV comes with a wireless subwoofer to provide more powerful low frequencies. From what I can tell, it does produce a good bass but lacks sub-lows. The bar is compatible with HD TVs, supports 4K, and features Dolby Digital decoding. The Polk Adjust Technology enhances voices in dialogs at 3 levels.
This model has HDMI, optical, and aux inputs to connect a bar with a TV. It goes into standby mode after a couple of minutes of inactivity. The auto-volume mode regulates sound depending on the program or scenes within the program. The sound customization for music and movies is also possible via several EQ presets.
The bar is designed with 5 full-range drivers inside. It has a few LEDs on its front panel that blink or glow based on the TV’s status. The buttons on the top power the TV on, activate Bluetooth, regulate volume, and switch the inputs. The remote included can control the bar only but not the connected devices. The 3.9-pound bar’s sizes are 3.22 x 35.43 x 2.15 inches. So, it’s very long, fitting between 55-inch TV feet.
The subwoofer has a front-firing 5.25-inch driver covered by mesh fabric. The sub’s width is 6.7 inches. Its height and depth are 13.7 and 12.3 inches, respectively.
Pros:
- The Bluetooth syncing is seamless, which is a problem for many low-cost models.
- It’s possible to adjust the amount of bass that comes out from a sub.
Cons:
- Some distortion is audible at high volumes.
- The bar would be more rugged if it had a metal grill instead of fabric, covering the front panel.
Samsung HW-T550: Best Soundbar for Samsung TV
The entry-level 2.1-channel system from Samsung comes with a wireless active sub. The set stands out, having 7 options for sound customizations. The device creates a large soundstage with a good amount of lows. Besides, this model is very loud and is great for parties.
The unit features good connectivity, having a USB port, HDMI input, aux, and HDMI out port. The latter allows connecting a bar with a pair of sources simultaneously (TV and Blu-ray player, for example). The system supports Dolby Digital and DTS Virtual:X through an optical cable. It also can playback content via Bluetooth.
The soundbar for Samsung TV is made of hard plastic, having a sturdy metal grille that covers the front panel. The buttons on the top serve to turn the bar on/off, change inputs, and regulate volume. There is no button to activate Bluetooth in this model. Still, this and other controls and settings are manageable via a remote control.
The bar measures 33.9 x 2.2 x 3.4 inches and can be placed under a 55-inch TV without blocking the screen. It weighs 4.6 pounds. The sub with a rear port and a 6.5-inch built-in driver is made of MDF, having a fabric coverage in front. The latter is an obvious downside since it gets dirty quickly and can be easily damaged. The unit’s sizes are 7.9 x 13.8 x 11.4 inches, and its weight is 11 pounds.
Pros:
- No compression is audible when it operates at maximum volume.
- The Game mode is automatically adjusted depending on the game to ensure an immersive experience.
Cons:
- The unit doesn’t support a 4K TV pass-through.
- The sound is not consistent but changes, switching TV channels or even episodes within a show.
TCL Alto 7 : Best TV Soundbar under 200 dollars
The TCL soundbar comes with a wireless active subwoofer, providing deep bass delivery, precise treble, and clear high frequencies. The equalization includes Music, Movies, and News setups. In the Movie mode, the bass is rich enough to ensure detailed explosions and other loud scenes. It also makes dialogs clear and well-balanced with background sound. In Music mode, the bass is harmonically integrated into mids and highs without distortions. It provides full frequency balance and sound separation.
It is Bluetooth enabled with an HDMI input. Like many entry-level TV sound bars, it has optical and aux cables to be hooked up to a TV via relevant ports.
The black plastic soundbar is designed with mesh grills on its front and sides. It has 4 speakers: a couple of 1.5-inch tweeters and 2 x 4.5 drivers. The LED light indicates the status. For example, it glows blue for Bluetooth, green for aux, and dark-yellow for the optical connection. The buttons on top allow turning the unit on, regulating volume, activating Bluetooth, and providing source selection.
The bar measures 2.5 x 36.0 x 3.9 inches. The subwoofer’s dimensions are 12.9 x 8.3 x 9.8 inches. It has a 6-inch woofer inside the back panel, along with a ported space to enhance airflow. The system weighs 7.2 pounds totally. The pack includes all the necessary cables, a remote, and a hardware for wall mounting.
Pros:
- Vocal performance is absolutely clear, whether the bar plays rock ballads or opera arias.
- A USB port is onboard.
Cons:
- When the bar is on for a long time, it produces a scratchy sound after the video has been paused and then resumed. I had to turn the bar off and then on again to solve the problem.
- There is no opportunity to regulate the volume for the sub via remote control.
Vizio SB3821-C6: Best Soundbar for VIZIO TV
The 2.1 channel system for a smart TV consists of a soundbar and a wireless powered subwoofer. It allows getting both right and left channels, which is good for stereo. In this way, the bar dramatically improves the sound quality coming from flat-screen TVs. A low-profile sub is surprisingly capable of producing deep, rich, and immersive bass.
The system supports Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround to provide the surround sound quality. The DTS TruVolume automatically adjusts volume based on content the user is watching at the moment. As a result, users hear every word in dialogs, regardless of background.
The soundbar features Bluetooth. It comes with 5 inputs, including USB, 2 digital inputs for coaxial and optical TOSLINK cables, and a couple of aux inputs.
The black plastic bar with brushed aluminum sides has a couple of built-in 2.75-inch drivers. It is 38 x 3 x 3 inches in size, weighing 5.8 pounds. The 7.2-pound sub with a 5-inch driver inside. Its dimensions are 8.3 x 9.1 x 8.3 inches plus plastic feet to reduce vibrations.
The digital TOSLINK, RCA, and digital coaxial cables are in the box. The pack also includes a remote control with batteries, a quick-start guide, hardware, and a template for wall mounting.
Pros:
- A seamless orchestra sound since music fans can clearly hear every instrument.
- The soundbar turns on automatically, following the TV.
Cons:
- Sometimes, Bluetooth loses connectivity at a distance of nearly 9 – 11 feet, while having a 30ft acceptable distance.
- The lows under 50Hz are not available.
Sony HT-S350
This model may become the best soundbar for Sony TV thanks to its branded S-Force PRO virtual surround sound tech that provides a wide listening area. This model has Standard, Game, Cinema, News, Sport, and Night modes to switch between them, depending on audio preferences. For example, the Night mode makes loud scenes quiet, while the News mode makes dialogs a bit clearer. By the way, a Voice button on the remote serves the same purpose.
The Sony TV soundbar can be connected via optical or HDMI cable. The connection between a subwoofer and a bar happens automatically once the latter is turned on. The built-in Bluetooth allows streaming content from mobile and other Bluetooth capable devices. Still, there is no out for wireless headphones. The USB port is for updates only. The remote is shipped as well to control the TV. In addition, there are several buttons on the bar to regulate volume, activate Bluetooth, and turn the bar on. However, it’s possible to change modes through the remote only.
The soundbar has a metal grille on the front, and the rest of the plastic is covered with faux leather. Its sizes are 35.5 x 2.62 x 3.5 inches, and its weight is 5 pounds. The sub is made with the port and speaker in front. The latter is covered with a metal grille. The subwoofer is 7.5 x 15.1 x 15.3 inches in size and weighs 17 pounds.
Pros:
- The bar produces clear and deep lows with moderately sharp high frequencies.
- The system is very loud, being suitable for any room, even if there are many people in it.
Cons:
- The volume does not adjust itself automatically based on the scene. Hence, the explosions and other loud moments are overwhelming.
- There is only one level of vocal enhancement in this model. So, the dialogs are not always absolutely clear.
Sonos PBAR1US1BLK
This product is among soundbars for TV with great value for the money. It creates an extremely wide and dynamic soundstage, full of deep clear bass and rich overall sound. All the frequencies are well balanced and crisp. The soundbar has several modes to make the loud sounds quieter and enhance dialog clarity for movies.
It’s possible to connect the soundbar to Sonos’ mobile app to play audio from a computer, smartphone, and tablet. One can also listen to music on Internet radio stations and streaming services like Deezer, Tidal, etc. The app is compatible with iOS and Android.
One can connect other Sonos subs and speakers wirelessly to create multi-channel acoustics. The soundbar uses Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to a router to be integrated with other speakers. The Sonos has only one optical input to be hooked up to a TV. This spec limits the choice of a TV.
The unit is designed with 6 mid-range drivers and 3 tweeters. Most of the surface is covered with fabric grille while other parts are made of aluminum. The bar measures 35.5 x 3.3 x 5.4 inches, weighing 11.9 pounds.
Pros:
- The Sonos control app allows sending audio to all the zones in the house where speakers are installed.
- The side-firing speakers provide excellent stereo separation.
Cons:
- There is no opportunity to play Atmos through this system.
- Sub-bass is too weak.
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