How to Choose the Right Soundbar (2025): Size, Price, Surround Sound, and Subwoofers Leave a comment

Should you’re contemplating true {surround} audio system, you may need to look into utilizing stands to position them behind your sitting space. We us this adjustable/affordable set for testing. You will additionally need to decide whether or not your soundbar helps wi-fi audio system (which nonetheless require an influence outlet in almost all circumstances) or wired audio system that want to hook up with the subwoofer or a devoted amplifier that connects again to the primary bar wirelessly.

Superior Options

Many Wi-Fi-ready soundbars feature smart assistants, multiroom audio connectivity, and different bells and whistles. Should you’ve already acquired a sensible assistant you’re keen on like Alexa or Google Assistant, hold this in thoughts when buying. You won’t want a sensible speaker in your lounge if you find yourself with a sensible soundbar with built-in microphones. Conversely, when you don’t need these options, it can save you some cash by avoiding soundbars with all the flowery stuff. Klipsch soundbars are inclined to skip Wi-Fi and sensible options to deal with sound high quality, construct high quality, and further parts as an alternative.

How A lot Ought to You Pay?

Samsung HW-Q990B

{Photograph}: Samsung

$100 or Much less

You could find small, funds soundbars on this worth vary, they usually’re nonetheless higher than the audio system in your TV. They could be a good possibility in case your funds is tight, however on the whole, they’re most helpful for TVs in smaller areas like bedrooms or kitchens. Some soundbars, like Vizio’s latest AIO (All-in-One), can drop right down to this worth tier on sale, so these working with this funds might need to hold a watch out at barely pricier fashions and pounce when the time is true.

{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata

$100 to $500

It is a good worth vary for many non-surround soundbars. Search for recognizable manufacturers like Samsung, Vizio, Sony, Polk, LG, Bose, Klipsch, and Sonos. You possibly can often get a wireless subwoofer included on the center or prime of this worth band, although Sonos and Bose have fashions on this vary that sound fairly good with out them and embrace superior networking options as an alternative. You may also discover soundbars with {surround} sound audio system beneath $500, particularly from worth manufacturers like Vizio, although you might have to sacrifice some sound efficiency and options. Equally, many bars will supply Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X “assist,” however the impact will at all times be restricted except they provide devoted up-firing drivers.

$500 to $1,000

That is the worth class the place you’ll begin to see high-quality {surround} soundbars with subwoofers, actual satellite tv for pc audio system, spare HDMI inputs, and Dolby Atmos assist. At this vary, you may additionally begin to see superior options like Wi-Fi streaming, multiroom audio, and the power so as to add wi-fi {surround} sound audio system and subwoofers later, with Bose’s Smart Ultra and Sonos’ Arc Ultra, which offered knockout efficiency in our overview. Relying in your use case, something at this degree ought to supply a number of extras, a number of audio parts, or each.

For severe music followers, that is additionally the place you will get into high quality powered bookshelf audio system. These all-in-one stereo techniques supply a lot greater constancy and musicality than most soundbars, and infrequently include versatile connectivity like HDMI ARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and subwoofer connection. Manufacturers like KEF, SVS, and Klipsch are amongst our favorites.