Modern TVs have a wide range of technological advances, but they still lack in overall speaker quality. Soundbars are an easy way to increase your volume and expand your sound quality to ensure your favorite shows and movies are not just heard, but experienced.
Soundbars come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, with many features that can make dialogue clearer and crash scenes louder. If you are a big fan of high volume, finding the loudest soundbar that can deliver premium audio is an important step.
Shop this article: Bose Smart Soundbar 700, Polk Audio React Soundbar and Samsung HW-Q990B /ZA Soundbar
The answer is really a question of quality and budget. TVs have speakers, and you will be able to hear what is on the screen. But TV speaker quality is suspect, and if you want the best experience, a soundbar will provide you with clear, amplified audio in a compact, easy-to-connect device. Most soundbars sell for under $1,000, with some less than $200.
If your budget permits it, your most immersive experience is purchasing a full home audio theater system.
Soundbars themselves do not make TVs louder. It's the external speakers that come with the soundbar that amplify what you would normally hear from the TV's factory speakers. The additional speakers increase the potential volume, and the extra channels expand your audio quality by splitting things such as bass and high-pitched noises between separate speakers instead of producing them together.
Soundbars are manufactured with built-in treble, bass and height channels, which are the places on the soundbar delivering the sound. There typically is a number or series of numbers associated with a soundbar. The first number represents the number of speakers, which can range from 2 to over 10, depending on the soundbar.
If the first number is followed by a 1, then a subwoofer is included. A soundbar marked 5.1 would have five speakers and a subwoofer.
Most soundbars have at least three channels that cover their left, right and center. But occasionally you will see a soundbar with channels at different heights, which is delineated in a third number, such as 5.1.2. This would indicate two channel heights, with one possibly facing sideways or up toward the ceiling. These soundbars are trying to simulate a surround experience, but they take up more room.
Most people place their soundbar underneath or in front of the TV, while some can be hung on a nearby wall. If your TV is on a table or entertainment center, place the soundbar underneath the TV. If your TV is wall-mounted, place the soundbar directly below the TV. Some soundbars come with an installation kit for this purpose.
If you have no other place for your soundbar but above the TV, you can still use it, but the sound won't be as good as if placed below.
A subwoofer adds an additional layer of bass to your viewing pleasure, helping create a powerful experience for exciting movies and shows. Subwoofers are expensive add-ons, although some soundbars come with the necessary attachments to add a subwoofer later, while others have small subwoofers already built in.
This Bose soundbar has built-in capabilities for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can be controlled by voice recognition, a traditional remote control or the Bose app. It can be paired with other Bose sound equipment.
This popular Vizio soundbar has 18 speakers and four upfiring speakers to bounce off your ceiling. There is 107-decibel sound pressure that provides real-life sound for your favorite movies and music.
This low-profile Polk Audio soundbar features a six-driver array and Amazon Alexa integration. Built-in technology adjusts dialogue for clearer audio. It can be coupled with other Polk sound equipment for a larger system.
Klipsch Cinema 800 Dolby Atmos 3.1 Soundbar
This Klipsch soundbar features three speakers and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer. It has 800 watts of power with an 8K video pass-through. It is easily set up with a single cable and remote control.
This high-end Sennheiser soundbar has a 30-hertz bass and five speakers. It has a customizable equalizer and three technology modes. It can be streamed throughout your home via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cloud-compatible devices.
Acoustic Audio by Goldwood 2.1 Soundbar
This 36-inch surround soundbar has adjustable bass and treble and three listening modes for movies, dialogue and music. It features Bluetooth connectivity with 200 watts of power.
With 11 channels and four upfiring channels, this Samsung soundbar fills your entertainment room with surround sound. It automatically calibrates the audio, and it has enhanced voice clarity and built-in Amazon Alexa capability.
JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
This JBL soundbar system is excellent for home theater setups. It produces stunning sound quality, featuring audio calibration and two detachable surround-sound speakers with built-in Dolby Atmos. This unit has nine channels and the included subwoofer delivers deep bass.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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