Soundbar is a must have audio device if you want to uplift your TV experience. Finding a suitable soundbar for your TV sound or home theater sound system can be a challenging task.
However, a bit of research and knowledge of some features and specifications can help you buy a good soundbar easily.
In this article, you will find top reviewed guitar speakers with a detailed description of their features and usage, pros, cons, buyer’s guidelines and more.
Winner
A sound bar with high definition rich sound, built-in Amazon Alexa feature and easy control can be a suitable device to connect with your flat TV screen.
Runner Up
The sleek-designed sound bar with high definition sound, Bluetooth connectivity and a powerful bass response might be a good choice to uplift your TV audio experience.
Also Great
The Harman Kardon sound bar with a wireless subwoofer, speaker kit and HD cinematic audio might serve you as a good sound bar choice.
These were our top picked sound bars and now we will give detailed descriptions about their features and specifications.
Best Soundbars - Top 3 Reviews
#1.Best 3D Soundbar - Sonos Beam Smart TV Soundbar
The Sonos Beam sound bar can be a perfect addition to your TV audio system as it provides you high definition cinematic sound and multiple features.
It consists of four full-range drivers, a tweeter, three passive bass radiators and class-D amplifiers. These exceptional audio components deliver an intensified cinematic sound experience.
This sound bar comes in a compact structure that can easily fit in the front of your TV screens. The touch controls are present on the top of the soundbar.
It provides you with an in-built Amazon Alexa feature through which you can easily play or change music.
Features of Sonos Beam Smart TV Soundbar
- Amazon Alexa built-in
- HDMI ARC audio input
- Full-range drivers
- Speech enhancement
- Automatic remote detection
- Sleek and compact design
- High definition sound quality
- Voice control
- Convenient setup
- Three-dimensional sound
- Wide audio production through drivers
- Only one HDMI input
Best 3D Soundbar
The best 3D soundbar is Sonos Beam because it will uplift your TV sound experience with its three-dimensional sound dispersion, full-range drivers and other assistive specifications. This soundbar might be a perfect choice for you to fulfil your TV audio requirements.
#2. Best Affordable Soundbar - JBL Bar Studio 2.0
The JBL Bar Studio 2.0 soundbar is a great combination of high quality sound and easy-to-use streaming functions.
The JBL surround sound feature and double bass port delivers clear, deep and premium audio quality. It also provides you with a Bluetooth streaming option with a decent connectivity range.
The basic control options are present on the top of the sound bar. The HDMI and optical input sockets are also available. You can enjoy clear sound dispersion along with having control on the bass levels.
Features of JBL Bar Studio 2.0
- Dual bass port
- Wireless Bluetooth streaming
- HDMI connection
- JBL sound surround
- Bass control
- Clear and solid sound production
- Powerful bass
- Multiple audio and input features
- Budget-friendly
- Wide Bluetooth range
- Limited music dynamics
Best Affordable Soundbar
The best affordable soundbar is JBL Bar Studio 2.0 because it enables you to get a top-notch TV audio experience at a budget-friendly price. If you need a soundbar with wireless Bluetooth connectivity with additional audio input features then this might be a good choice for you.
#3.Best Traditional Soundbar - Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q90R soundbar comes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies that enable the soundbar to deliver multidimensional cinematic audio.
You can experience a wide audio dispersion with 17 speakers and multiple audio channels. Its automatic sound optimization feature will enhance your movie experience with a clear sound deliverance even at low volume levels.
This soundbar can also be used to boost-up your gaming experience with its exceptional gaming sound effects. Alexa voice control and smart connectivity enhances its versatile features.
Features of Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies
- 7.1.4 audio channels
- Wireless speaker kit
- Multi-dimensional sound dispersion
- Adaptive sound technology
- Complete audio TV set
- Dolby digital sound experience
- Bluetooth and Wifi connections
- Digital audio input
- Easy to install
- High in price
Best Traditional Soundbar
The best traditional soundbar is Samsung HW-Q90R because it is a dolby digital audio set with multiple features that will provide you a great cinema experience on your TV screen. If your budget allows you to invest in a premium quality soundbar then this buy will not disappoint you.
Buyers’ Guide
What are the important features of soundbars?
Soundbar is an important audio component for you if you are fond of watching entertainment series on your flat TV screens. Before you buy a soundbar for your TV, make sure to dig in the information about some important soundbar features and specifications. Following are some important features that you need to look for:
Audio Connections:
If you want to connect additional devices like DVD or Blu-ray with your soundbar, you need to check that the soundbar should have a digital audio connection and other stereo inputs. The ideal input port is of HDMI which is found in almost all soundbars. This single input connection will pass video signals from soundbar to TV with one cable. Some soundbars also provide multiple input connections with an expansion of audio functions.
Wireless Bluetooth Connection:
If you want to connect your devices with the soundbar then it is important for you to buy a soundbar with Bluetooth connection. Many high-end brands have launched soundbars with Bluetooth connection and a wide range coverage.
Display Panel:
Front display panel comes in handy when you want to use the soundbar to listen to the music but without turning on the TV. If you are looking up for this additional music requirement then you need a soundbar that provides a display panel in the front.
Video Transmission:
The video transmission function is basically used to pass the video signals through the soundbar to the TV screen. This function is only available in the soundbars that have HDMI input. The HDMI input allows you to pass the video signals from an additional audio device to soundbar and then through soundbar to the TV. This will be beneficial for you since you will not have to deal with fuss of using/attaching multiple input wires.
Music:
If you want to use your soundbar for music then you will be needing a soundbar with an additional analog input so that you can attach your hearing device with it. You can also stream live music through the in-built streaming services that are available in the soundbars. Streaming services for example, Spofify, Amazon Alexa and Tidal are most commonly available in the soundbars. You will not have to connect the soundbar with any additional Bluetooth device rather just control through cloud (wifi). This will also maintain a good audio quality and less battery drainage and a comparatively well delivery of sound.
Subwoofers:
Be it speakers or soundbars, the addition of a subwoofer always makes the audio quality well. An external subwoofer will improve the audio quality in different frequency levels and will deliver a cinematic sound experience. But it is important for you to get any additional subwoofer according to your room’s area and sound requirements. Sometimes the additional woofer ends up ruining the sound quality. It also depends on either you are getting the wireless subwoofer or the wired one. If you are getting a wireless subwoofer then do check the woofer and sound system’s compatibility. If you are looking for a powerful bass performance but you don’t have setup space for additional components, you can opt for a soundbase. The soundbase will provide you with a built-in subwoofer with the best sound deliverance.
What are the different types of audio/video inputs available in a soundbar?
Audio/video input in a soundbar is important to check for a smooth signal deliverance. For multiple paths i.e from audio device to soundbar and through soundbar to the TV screen, you might need multiple wired inputs. Following are the multiple audio input options that are available in a soundbar:
HDMI:
As mentioned above, HDMI is the ideal input port which is found in almost all soundbars. This single input connection will pass video signals from soundbar to TV with one cable. Some soundbars have one HDMI input and some might have multiple inputs. HDMI output to the TV screen will also allow you to use the soundbar to switch between video source components. The latest HDMI connection has the ARC feature that allows the Tv to send audio back to the soundbase or soundbar.
Bluetooth:
Many soundbars now have the in-built Bluetooth technology that allows you to connect your devices (mobile phones or tablets) with the soundbar without wired input. Moreover, the new Bluetooth technology has NFC (near field communication) feature that makes it convenient for you to connect the Bluetooth devices. Some soundbars have two-way Bluetooth assistance that allows you to send music or any other audio files from the soundbar to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
Wifi:
The soundbars that have built-in wifi feature will let you access online music services through which you can stream online music. You can stream music from the online music platforms like Spotify and Pandora. The wifi feature also allows you to use different movie streaming applications and social networking sites too.
Movie streaming:
Not only music but some soundbars also provide you with the feature of streaming movies or TV shows in both a normal sized room and large room. You can get easy access to streaming platforms like Amazon, Hulu and Netflix. You can also access different online radio stations or social networking sites. For instance, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc.
Digital Audio Inputs:
Soundbars generally have one digital audio input for connecting additional audio components or cable boxes. Through these digital audio inputs, you can send audio signals over an HDMI cable.
What important points do I need to consider before buying a soundbar?
There are so many soundbar brands available that it gets hard to pick the best company with the best features. So following points will help you decide what important factors you need to check that will fulfil your audio requirements.
Number of Required Channels:
The number of channels depends on your audio requirements. If you want to enhance the audio level of your TV screen, then you can go for a 2.1 channel soundbar that will provide you with two channels and a subwoofer. If you want to further uplift your audio experience and you need cinematic audio quality then you should buy a soundbar with subwoofers and rear speakers. Many latest soundbars have Dolby Atmos technology that gives a highly noticeable uplift to the audio quality of your speaker systems.
Soundbar Placement:
Generally the soundbar is placed in front of the TV screen. If you want the same front-TV placement then you need to make sure that you have enough space for the soundbar to fit-in your TV screen stand. You can also mount it on the wall in your specified room with the additional mounting grills. Wall mounting is generally not done since the soundbar does not come with built-in mounting grills. The best sound deliverance comes when it is placed in a straight direction that is leveled with your ears.
Invest Wisely:
Make sure that you are investing in the right product. If you need a soundbar as an audio assistance for your TV screen, then you can even opt for a low-priced soundbar with minimal features. Being low-priced does not mean that it will deliver a bad audio quality. Search for all the features and specifications so that you can buy a soundbar that can fulfil your audio requirements.
Check Warranties:
It is always important to check the warranty limit, no matter what gadget you are buying. You can check and compare the warranty limits of different soundbar brands and choose accordingly.
What are the different types of soundbars?
Following are the main two types of soundbars:
Active Sound Bars:
Active sound bars are basically self-contained and are all ready to just get played. An active sound bar has its own amplifier, built-in speakers, digital signal processing, volume control and other basic in-built features. You do not need any additional audio components.
Passive Sound Bars:
Passive soundbars do not have an individual built-in amplifier or audio receiver. A receiver generally takes the audio/video signals and information from other audio equipment and then processes it for final deliverance.
Why should I buy a soundbar?
This is a common question that comes up while you are planning to buy a soundbar. Soundbar can be a great addition to your TV sound system. Following are a few points that might help you clear up your views and opinions on the usage and benefits of soundbars.
- A compact-sized all-in-one speaker that delivers high-quality audio output
- Consumes less space
- Wide sound dynamics
- Additional subwoofers provide you a cinematic sound experience
- Bluetooth connectivity in soundbars allow you to connect your devices easily
- Specially designed digital input ports allow you to connect additional audio components
- Soundbar can also be used for your home theater system. It will enhance the character audio quality of your shows and movies
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an appropriate soundbar size?
We usually hear that a soundbar should be the exact size of your television but the problem is that people do not measure their television by width. Mostly, television is measured diagonally, that is from one corner to another. Besides the measurements, the soundbar does not have to be the same size of your television. However, it should be approximately the size of your TV or a difference of a few inches will not kill the vibe. The reason that it should be the size of your TV is so that the soundbar gives out surround sound (gives out sound from the sides and not from the middle only).
How do different audio/video input connections differ from each other?
The main difference is about the signals the connections give out. There are two types of signals; analog and digital signals. However, an evident difference is between their sizes but at any point the size of the connector or its port does not matter unless good cables are being used.
Is it necessary to have a subwoofer?
Subwoofer is an excellent component of a speaker to produce low frequency of sound. As the subwoofer does not only give out a low frequency sound with powerful bass but it also gives out surround sound. However, from public review we get to know that soundbars really do not need a subwoofer to sound good or give full room coverage. For a soundbar has many inbuilt speakers to sound exactly like the buyer wants to hear.
What is the difference between 2.1 and 5.1 soundbars?
The main difference is the number of speakers. A 5.1 soundbar has five speakers in total, namely as:
- Speaker on front right side
- Speaker on front left side
- Surround speaker on right side
- Surround speaker on left side
- Front speaker in the centre
- Lastly, a subwoofer
Whereas a 2.1 soundbar has 2 speakers, namely as:
- Speaker on front right side
- Speaker on front left side
- A subwoofer
However, this does not mean that a 5.1 soundbar is preferable over a 2.1 soundbar because 2.1 gives out a good sound too. The difference is that 2.1 soundbar provides a standard voice quality that is fine for normal use whereas a 5.1 soundbar also provides a surround sound and a richer voice quality.
Do we need a specific TV set to use soundbars or is it compatible with all TV’s?
The definite answer to it is, yes. You can connect your soundbar to any television. The thing you should actually consider is the size of TV. There is no such hard and fast rule for it too, but it is acknowledged that a speaker of the size that approximately resembles your television provides you with good and rich sound experience. Even if sometimes it does not work, you need to check your television’s output settings in order tconnect with a soundbar.
Can I use soundbars for gaming?
In order to use your soundbar for gaming, portability is an important factor. You need to watch out for portable soundbars. For gaming purposes, PC sound bars are recommended. PC soundbars are quite small and have certain adaptations for gaming. They come with specific USB ports that make it easy for you to connect your PC with a soundbar. Conclusively, you can use a soundbar for PC gaming.
What is the price range of soundbars?
Soundbars are available in both inexpensive and expensive ranges. However, you can minimally spend $100 on it or at most you can spend between $200 or $600. These are some observed figures between which the prices for soundbars range. But it is an understood fact that a high end product will provide you much better quality and more features.
Are soundbars good for considerably large areas?
Yes, they can be used for large rooms or areas. Nowadays, specific soundbars with such adaptations are being made. They have a specific hardware, having a number of speakers, subwoofer and other features and technology that makes the sound loud and clear for considerably large areas.
Can soundbars be used for a good music experience?
Yes, we usually go for soundbars to enhance the sound quality of our television. A soundbar even if it is inexpensive or cheap one can modify the sound of your TV. However, additional factors of its connectors, cables, placement, number of in-built speakers, etc contribute a lot. The core purpose of attaching soundbars is to enhance the vocal quality of your television, which it does regardless of any feature.
What is the best placement for a soundbar?
Usually, we come across soundbars that are placed below the television. It can also be placed above your TV set but what really matters is the model you are using. Its design contributes a lot to how it should be placed. Its placement will have a lot of effect on how a soundbar gives out sound. If you are placing it above it will give more acoustic suspension however, when placed below it gives out fine surround sound. Conclusively, its model and design will automatically let you know how and where exactly to place it.
