Best TV Soundbars for Immersive Audio Experience
TV soundbars have become a popular choice for people who want to enhance their TV audio experience without investing in a full home theater system. A soundbar is a slim, elongated speaker that sits below or above your TV and provides a surround sound-like experience. With the rise of streaming services and binge-watching, TV soundbars have become an essential accessory for any movie or TV show enthusiast.
When it comes to purchasing a TV soundbar, there are a few critical factors to consider. The first is the size of your TV and the room it’s in. A soundbar that’s too small for your TV will not provide the desired audio experience, while a soundbar that’s too big can be overwhelming in a small room. The second factor to consider is the connectivity options. Most soundbars connect to your TV via HDMI, but some also have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity options. Finally, you’ll want to consider the audio quality and features such as built-in subwoofers, voice control, and compatibility with virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
We spent hours researching and testing various TV soundbars to identify the top options on the market. In this article, we’ll share our findings and provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best TV soundbar for your needs.
Best TV Soundbars
We know that the audio quality of your TV can make or break your viewing experience. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best TV soundbars on the market. These soundbars not only enhance the audio quality of your TV, but also provide a sleek and modern look to your entertainment setup. We’ve researched and tested numerous soundbars to bring you our top picks. Check out our list below to find the perfect soundbar for your TV.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
We highly recommend the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar for anyone looking to enhance their TV audio experience. The soundbar offers a compact design, easy setup, and compatibility with smart TVs and streaming media players, making it a great addition to any home entertainment setup.
Pros
- The Fire TV Soundbar enhances TV audio with dual speakers for fuller sound, clearer dialogue, and deeper bass—all in a compact design.
- Enjoy a three-dimensional virtual surround sound experience with DTS Virtual and more detail with Dolby Audio.
- Just plug in the included HDMI cable to the HDMI eARC/ARC port on your TV to instantly enjoy audio that’s always in sync.
Cons
- The device is made from only 18% recycled materials (power adapter and cable not included), which may not be sustainable enough for some environmentally conscious consumers.
- The soundbar may not be compatible with older TVs that do not have an HDMI eARC/ARC port.
- Some users may find the soundbar’s audio power of 2x20W to be insufficient for larger rooms or more immersive audio experiences.
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is a great choice for those looking to improve their TV audio without breaking the bank. The soundbar is easy to set up, offers a compact design, and provides compatibility with a variety of devices. Overall, we believe the Fire TV Soundbar is a solid investment for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment setup.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Fire TV Soundbar
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your TV and sound needs, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Fire TV Soundbar bundle is a great option.
Pros
- Elevates your viewing experience with 4K Ultra HD and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- Easy to set up with included HDMI cable and features Wi-Fi 6E support for smoother 4K streaming.
- The Fire TV Ambient Experience lets you display over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality art and photography.
Cons
- The included Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced can be unresponsive at times.
- The Fire TV Soundbar lacks bass compared to other soundbars on the market.
- Some users have reported issues with the device freezing or crashing.
We’ve had the chance to test out the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Fire TV Soundbar and we were impressed with its capabilities. The bundle includes Amazon’s most powerful streaming stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which boasts lightning-fast app starts and fluid navigation.
The Fire TV Soundbar enhances your TV audio with dual speakers for fuller sound, clearer dialogue, and deeper bass—all in a compact design. We enjoyed the three-dimensional virtual surround sound experience with DTS Virtual and more detail with Dolby Audio.
Setting up the device is a breeze, simply plug in the included HDMI cable to the HDMI eARC/ARC port on your TV to instantly enjoy audio that’s always in sync. Plus, the Wi-Fi 6E support ensures smoother 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
One of the standout features of this bundle is the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which lets you turn your living space into an art gallery. Display over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality art and photography on your TV when not in use.
While we enjoyed the overall experience with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Fire TV Soundbar, we did encounter some issues with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced being unresponsive at times. Additionally, the Fire TV Soundbar lacked bass compared to other soundbars on the market. Some users have also reported issues with the device freezing or crashing.
Overall, if you’re looking for a simple and easy-to-use all-in-one solution for your TV and sound needs, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Fire TV Soundbar is a great option.
Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar
If you’re looking for a compact and easy to set up soundbar for your small living space or home office, then the Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar might be a good option for you.
Pros
- Straightforward setup and easy to use
- Slim and stylish design that matches any room
- S-Force Pro Front Surround delivers a surround sound experience
Cons
- Bass is not as strong as some other soundbars
- Some users have reported connectivity issues with Bluetooth
- No HDMI cable included in the box
We recently tried out the Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar and were impressed with its simplicity and clear sound quality. The soundbar was easy to set up and connect to our TV through the HDMI ARC port. We appreciated the slim and stylish design that didn’t take up too much space in our living room.
The S-Force Pro Front Surround feature gave us a surround sound experience that made us feel like we were in a movie theater. The voice enhancement feature also came in handy when watching TV content with hushed dialogue or during conference calls.
However, we did notice that the bass was not as strong as some other soundbars we’ve tried. Additionally, some users have reported connectivity issues with Bluetooth, although we didn’t experience any during our testing. Lastly, we were disappointed that an HDMI cable was not included in the box, which meant we had to purchase one separately.
Overall, if you’re looking for a simple and compact soundbar for your small living space or home office, the Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar is a solid choice with clear sound quality and user-friendly features.
Bose TV Speaker
If you’re looking for a compact soundbar that delivers enhanced dialogue and natural sound, the Bose TV Speaker is a great choice.
Pros
- The soundbar is designed to clarify and elevate vocals and pronunciation, making it easier to hear dialogue on TV shows and movies.
- With Bluetooth connectivity, you can easily stream your favorite music and podcasts wirelessly from your device to the soundbar.
- The Bose TV Speaker is easy to set up and can be placed in front of your TV or mounted to a wall.
Cons
- The soundbar doesn’t come with an HDMI cable, which you’ll need to purchase separately if you want to use the HDMI-ARC connectivity feature.
- While the sound quality is good, it may not be as powerful as other more expensive soundbars on the market.
- The remote control is small and may be easy to misplace.
We recently tested out the Bose TV Speaker and were impressed with its performance. The soundbar is designed to enhance dialogue, which is especially helpful for those who have trouble hearing speech on TV shows and movies. The sound is also natural and realistic, which makes for a more immersive viewing experience.
Setting up the Bose TV Speaker is a breeze – simply connect it to your TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) and you’re ready to go. We appreciate the option to mount the soundbar to a wall, which saves space and looks sleek.
While the sound quality is good, it may not be as powerful as other more expensive soundbars on the market. However, for the price point, the Bose TV Speaker delivers solid performance and is a great option for those on a budget.
Overall, we recommend the Bose TV Speaker for those looking for a compact soundbar that delivers enhanced dialogue and natural sound. With Bluetooth connectivity and easy setup, it’s a great addition to any home entertainment system.
Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar
If you want a high-quality soundbar that won’t break the bank, the Polk Audio Signa S2 is an excellent choice.
Pros
- The Polk Audio Signa S2 is a premium ultra-slim soundbar that delivers beautiful rich sound with deep bass.
- The soundbar includes Polk’s exclusive Voice Adjust technology and Dolby Digital Decoding, which maximizes sound clarity and reduces voice delays.
- The soundbar comes with an included wireless subwoofer that adds extra depth to your home theater experience.
Cons
- The soundbar can be difficult to set up, especially if you’re not familiar with audio equipment.
- The soundbar’s Bluetooth connection can be unreliable at times, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to stream music from your phone or tablet.
- The soundbar’s remote control is not very intuitive, and it can be difficult to figure out how to adjust the sound settings to your liking.
We were impressed with the Polk Audio Signa S2’s sound quality, which is on par with any mid- to high-range soundbars available in the market. The soundbar is just over 2″ tall, which means it fits most spaces easily, whether you want to wall-mount it or place it in front of your TV. It won’t block your TV’s bottom edge or IR remote sensor, which is a nice touch.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is an excellent choice if you want to upgrade your home theater experience. You can watch your favorite shows on your 4K HD Smart TV with exceptional picture quality and crystal clear sound. With numerous connection possibilities, you can plug in any audio source via HDMI ARC, optical input, and AUX.
We also appreciated the soundbar’s ability to wirelessly stream music from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet, or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology.
Setting up the soundbar is relatively easy, and the included subwoofer, HDMI and optical cables make it quick to connect your TV to the soundbar. Get set up and listening in minutes.
Overall, we highly recommend the Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar for anyone looking for a high-quality soundbar that won’t break the bank.