Tips on how to Select the Proper Soundbar (2025): Measurement, Value, Encompass Sound, and Subwoofers
in case you’ve simply purchased a flowery new TV, you could be shocked to seek out it sounds simply as dangerous as your outdated one (or worse). Even one of the best TVs we have examined want a hand to supply sound that retains up with their unbelievable shows. However it may be robust understanding the place to begin in relation to upgrading your TV audio. By no means worry, intrepid purchaser: The simplest and most reasonably priced answer is to only get a soundbar. Fashionable soundbars are available all shapes, sizes, and costs. Right here, we have made a guidelines of kinds to think about earlier than urgent the Purchase button.
You’ll want to take a look at our Greatest Soundbars and Greatest Bookshelf Audio system guides, in addition to our recommendation on Tips on how to Purchase a TV and Tips on how to Set Up a TV, with in-depth image adjustment recommendation.
Desk of Contents
Up to date June 2025: We have the most recent 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 a fantastic 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. Significantly: practically all TV audio system are dangerous! The spectrum of high quality you may get from a soundbar ranges from fundamental enhancements to the bass and total soundstage to the kind of room-filling sound you would possibly 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 a number of sizes and configurations, denoted by the scale of the acoustic chamber and the variety of built-in full-range, bass, and peak channels. You’ll be able to consider soundbar channels because the variety of particular person zones emitting sound. A “2.1” soundbar system has not less than two individually powered audio system and a devoted subwoofer. A 5.1 system has not less than 5 most important audio system (a middle, left, proper, plus two surrounds) and a subwoofer.
Whereas most funds bars can be stereo solely, our favourite performers normally have not less than 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 motion pictures and exhibits? Get a three-channel (3.0) bar on the very least.
Typically, you will 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 pontificate the ceiling, simulating ceiling-mounted audio system for content material combined 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 programs will include further devoted rear- and side-firing drivers that bounce pontificate your partitions for extra immersion, utilizing a configuration of 5.1.2 (or increased).
The extra channels, the larger your soundbar system will probably be. An important step is to ensure no matter you purchase will match in your media console (ideally, it’s going to 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 lets you add {surround} audio system later as nicely, letting you improve to a full surround-sound system.
