in case you’ve simply purchased a elaborate new TV, you might be shocked to seek out it sounds simply as dangerous as your outdated one (or worse). Even the perfect TVs we have examined want a hand to offer sound that retains up with their unbelievable shows. However it may be powerful understanding the place to begin in terms of upgrading your TV audio. By no means worry, intrepid purchaser: The simplest and most inexpensive answer is to simply get a soundbar. Trendy soundbars are available in all shapes, sizes, and costs. Right here, we have made a guidelines of kinds to think about earlier than urgent the Purchase button.
Remember to take a look at our Greatest Soundbars and Greatest Bookshelf Audio system guides, in addition to our recommendation on Methods to Purchase a TV and Methods 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 intensive testing.
Why You Want a Soundbar
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
Soundbars are an ideal first step into residence theater audio as a result of they’re typically compact and simple to arrange and sound vastly higher than most built-in TV audio system. Significantly: almost all TV audio system are dangerous! The spectrum of high quality you will get from a soundbar ranges from fundamental enhancements to the bass and general soundstage to the kind of room-filling sound you may anticipate from a extra conventional residence 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 means of getting extra out of your viewing expertise.
Discovering the Proper Dimension
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
Soundbars are available in a number of sizes and configurations, denoted by the dimensions of the acoustic chamber and the variety of built-in full-range, bass, and peak channels. You may consider soundbar channels because the variety of particular person zones emitting sound. A “2.1” soundbar system has at the very least two individually powered audio system and a devoted subwoofer. A 5.1 system has at the very least 5 primary audio system (a middle, left, proper, plus two surrounds) and a subwoofer.
Whereas most funds bars will likely be stereo solely, our favourite performers often have at the very least three channels in entrance (left, middle, 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 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 peak channels. In soundbars, these are upward-facing audio system that bounce hold forth the ceiling, simulating ceiling-mounted audio system for content material blended in 3D audio codecs like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Mainly, 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 hold forth your partitions for extra immersion, utilizing a configuration of 5.1.2 (or larger).
The extra channels, the larger your soundbar system will doubtless be. A very powerful step is to ensure 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 nervous concerning the neighbors, some soundbars have a much less overt bass channel inbuilt, whereas different methods allow you to add a subwoofer later, together with fashions from Sonos, Klipsch, Bose, and others. Every of those examples permits you to add {surround} audio system later as nicely, letting you improve to a full surround-sound system.
