If you are just Bought a fancy new TV, you may be surprised to know that it feels bad like your old (or worse). Even the best TV we tested require a hand to provide sound that lives with their brilliant performances. But it can be difficult to know where to start to upgrade your TV audio. Never be afraid, fearless buyer: The easiest and cheapest solution is just to get a soundbar. Modern soundbar comes in all sizes, sizes and prices. Here, we have created a checklist to consider before pressing the buy button.
Be sure to check our best soundbar and best bookshelph speaker guide, as well as how to buy a TV and how to set a TV, our advice with in-depth picture adjustment advice.
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Updated on June 2025: We have the latest information and updated model recommendations from the comprehensive testing of our latest rounds.
Why do you need a soundbar
Photograph: Ryan Vaniata
Soundbar home theater is a great first step in audio as they are usually easier to compact and set up and are mostly better than the underlying TV speakers. Seriously: Almost all TV speakers are bad! Quality spectrum you can get from a soundbar range to the type of bass and overall soundstage to room-filing sound, which you can expect from a more traditional home theater audio system (a system with a wired speaker and a dedicated receiver). Regardless of what you are seeing, a soundbar is a low-way way to be more than your viewing experience.
Find the right size
Photograph: Ryan Vaniata
The soundbar comes in several sizes and configurations, which are represented by the size of the acoustic chamber and the underlying full-gradation, bass and height channels. You can think of soundbar channels as the number of individual areas that emit sound. A “2.1” soundbar system There are at least two individually operated speakers and a dedicated subwofer. A 5.1 system At least five main speakers (one center, left, right, plus two around) and one subwoofer.
While most of the budget bar will be only stereo, our favorite artists usually have front (left, center and right) and a subworm have at least three channels. It is a 3.1 system. Center channel is generally the most important because it is the place where TV and film mixer communicate. Have trouble listening to dialogues in movies and shows? Get a very at least three-channel (3.0) bar.
Sometimes, you will see an additional number in the end, like one 3.1.2 system“.2” means two height channels. In soundbars, these are speakers going upwards that bounce sound from the roof, simulating roof-mounted speakers for 3D audio formats such as dolby atomos and DTS: X. Originally, these soundbar try to re -create a spatial audio experience without the need to string speakers on the roof. The pricier soundbar system will come with additional dedicated rear-and side-firing drivers that bounce your walls with sound for more immersion, using a configuration 5.1.2 (or higher).
More channels, Your soundbar system will be likely to grow upThe most important step is to ensure that whatever you buy will fit on your media console (ideally, it will be right even among your TV’s feet). We will go to the sound and Dolby Atmos in more detail.
Do you need a subwofer?
Photograph: Parker Hall
For most places, it is highly worthy of considering a soundbar with a dedicated subwofer. If they are very expensive or you are concerned about neighbors, a low overt bass channel has been created in some soundbar, while other systems let you later add a subwoofer, including models of Sonos, Clipsch, Bose and others. Each of these examples allows you to add later surround speakers, upgrading you to a full surround-sound system.
