should you’ve simply purchased a elaborate new TV, chances are you’ll be shocked to search out it sounds simply as unhealthy as your outdated one (or worse). Even the best TVs we have examined want a hand to supply sound that retains up with their incredible shows. However it may be powerful realizing the place to begin with regards to upgrading your TV audio. By no means concern, intrepid purchaser: The best and most reasonably priced answer is to just get a soundbar. Trendy soundbars are available all shapes, sizes, and costs. Right here, we have made a guidelines of kinds to think about earlier than urgent the Purchase button.
Be sure you try our Best Soundbars and Best Bookshelf Speakers guides, in addition to our recommendation on How to Buy a TV and How to Set Up a TV, with in-depth image adjustment recommendation.
Desk of Contents
Up to date June 2025: We have the most recent data and up to date mannequin suggestions from our newest spherical of in depth testing.
Why You Want a Soundbar
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
Soundbars are an important first step into dwelling theater audio as a result of they’re usually compact and easy to set up and sound vastly higher than most built-in TV audio system. Significantly: practically all TV audio system are unhealthy! The spectrum of high quality you will get from a soundbar ranges from primary enhancements to the bass and general soundstage to the kind of room-filling sound you would possibly anticipate from a extra conventional dwelling theater audio system (a system with wired audio system and a devoted receiver). No matter what you are watching, a soundbar is a low-effort method of getting extra out of your viewing expertise.
Discovering the Proper Measurement
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
Soundbars are available a number of sizes and configurations, denoted by the dimensions of the acoustic chamber and the variety of built-in full-range, bass, and top channels. You may consider soundbar channels because the variety of particular person zones emitting sound. A “2.1” soundbar system has at the least two individually powered audio system and a devoted subwoofer. A 5.1 system has at the least 5 principal audio system (a middle, left, proper, plus two surrounds) and a subwoofer.
Whereas most price range bars will likely be stereo solely, our favourite performers normally have at the least three channels in entrance (left, middle, and proper) and a subwoofer. That is a 3.1 system. The middle channel is usually a very powerful as a result of that is the place TV and movie mixers put dialog. Have hassle listening to dialog in films and exhibits? Get a three-channel (3.0) bar on the very least.
Generally, you may see a further quantity on the finish, like a 3.1.2 system. The “.2” means there are two top channels. In soundbars, these are upward-facing audio system that bounce pontificate the ceiling, simulating ceiling-mounted audio system for content material blended in 3D audio codecs like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Principally, these soundbars attempt to re-create a spatial audio expertise with out requiring you to string up audio system on the ceiling. Pricier soundbar methods will include further devoted rear- and side-firing drivers that bounce pontificate your partitions for extra immersion, utilizing a configuration of 5.1.2 (or increased).
The extra channels, the bigger your soundbar system will likely be. A very powerful step is to verify no matter you purchase will match in your media console (ideally, it’s going to match proper between your TV’s legs, too). We’ll go over {surround} sound and Dolby Atmos in additional element under.
Do You Want a Subwoofer?
{Photograph}: Parker Corridor
For many areas, it is extremely value contemplating a soundbar with a devoted subwoofer. If these are too costly otherwise you’re fearful in regards to the neighbors, some soundbars have a much less overt bass channel in-built, whereas different methods allow you to add a subwoofer later, together with fashions from Sonos, Klipsch, Bose, and others. Every of those examples lets you add {surround} audio system later as nicely, letting you improve to a full surround-sound system.
