for those who’ve simply purchased a flowery new TV, you might be stunned to search out it sounds simply as unhealthy as your previous one (or worse). Even the most effective TVs we have examined want a hand to supply sound that retains up with their improbable shows. However it may be robust realizing the place to start out relating to upgrading your TV audio. By no means concern, intrepid purchaser: The simplest and most inexpensive resolution is to only get a soundbar. Fashionable soundbars are available in all shapes, sizes, and costs. Right here, we have made a guidelines of kinds to contemplate earlier than urgent the Purchase button.
Be sure you take a look at our Greatest Soundbars and Greatest Bookshelf Audio system guides, in addition to our recommendation on Learn how to Purchase a TV and Learn how to Set Up a TV, with in-depth image adjustment recommendation.
Desk of Contents
Up to date June 2025: We have the newest info 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 excellent first step into house theater audio as a result of they’re typically compact and straightforward to arrange and sound vastly higher than most built-in TV audio system. Severely: practically all TV audio system are unhealthy! The spectrum of high quality you may get from a soundbar ranges from primary enhancements to the bass and total soundstage to the kind of room-filling sound you may count on from a extra conventional house 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 in a number of sizes and configurations, denoted by the scale of the acoustic chamber and the variety of built-in full-range, bass, and top channels. You possibly can consider soundbar channels because the variety of particular person zones emitting sound. A “2.1” soundbar system has a minimum of two individually powered audio system and a devoted subwoofer. A 5.1 system has a minimum of 5 primary audio system (a middle, left, proper, plus two surrounds) and a subwoofer.
Whereas most finances bars can be stereo solely, our favourite performers normally have a minimum of three channels in entrance (left, heart, and proper) and a subwoofer. That is a 3.1 system. The middle channel is mostly an important as a result of that is the place TV and movie mixers put dialog. Have hassle listening to dialog in motion pictures and reveals? 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 programs will include extra devoted rear- and side-firing drivers that bounce pontificate your partitions for extra immersion, utilizing a configuration of 5.1.2 (or greater).
The extra channels, the greater your soundbar system will possible be. An important step is to verify no matter you purchase will match in your media console (ideally, it will match proper between your TV’s legs, too). We’ll go over {surround} sound and Dolby Atmos in additional element beneath.
Do You Want a Subwoofer?
{Photograph}: Parker Corridor
For many areas, it is extremely price contemplating a soundbar with a devoted subwoofer. If these are too costly otherwise you’re frightened in regards to the neighbors, some soundbars have a much less overt bass channel in-built, whereas different programs allow you to add a subwoofer later, together with fashions from Sonos, Klipsch, Bose, and others. Every of those examples means that you can add {surround} audio system later as nicely, letting you improve to a full surround-sound system.
