Table of contents
Introduction
The soundbar category has exploded since their introduction in 1998 and it is clear why that has occurred. A soundbar is designed to bypass a TV’s built-in speaker system. The reason for this is that modern flat panel LCD / OLED TVs are so thin that there is not enough room to incorporate a good sounding speaker system or an amplifier powerful enough to support room-filling sound quality.
Soundbars come in several widths to accommodate both small and large TVs, and depending on the specific brand/model, additional features may be included such as virtual or discrete surround sound, Bluetooth, and maybe even Karaoke.
Why Spend More on a Soundbar?
As you move up the price ladder, soundbars pack in more speaker drivers and tend to get wider. Some also include companion wireless subwoofers to augment the bass range as well as optional wireless surround speakers for a more immersive surround sound experience. Even if they don’t come bundled, the more expensive models allow such flexibility for additional cost.
The pricier soundbars often include built-in up-firing speakers to help create a dome of sound for Dolby Atmos content. Such up-firing drivers bounce sound off a ceiling to simulate the performance of in-ceiling speakers. However, height-effect realism varies widely depending on ceiling height and seating distance.
To dig deeper into soundbar capabilities, check out our companion articles, WTF is a Soundbar? and How To Improve Your TV’s Sound.
Best Soundbar Deals Under $400
Klipsch Flexus Core 200
In 2024 Klipsch developed the Flexus soundbar line in partnership with Onkyo. The Flexus Core 200 is the middle-of-line model that’s 44-inches wide with support for 3.1.2-channels of Dolby Atmos. Use it with 50-inch TVs and larger.
VIZIO Elevate SE
The Elevate SE is Vizio’s top-of-the-line 5.1.2 soundbar for 2024 which supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It features auto-rotating adaptive height speakers when Dolby Atmos content is detected, a pair of wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer. At 36-inches wide it fits best under TVs between 43 and 55-inches in diagonal screen size.
Best Soundbar Deals Under $700
Sonos ARC
The Sonos ARC debuted in 2020 and was Sonos’ top-of-the-line soundbar until it was replaced by ARC Ultra this year. The Sonos ARC incorporates 11-speaker drivers in total including two upward and two side-firing speakers for an immersive Dolby Atmos experience and is the only soundbar on our list right now that supports Dolby Atmos Music. Since the ARC is part of the Sonos family, it can also be paired with optional Sonos surround speakers or Sonos subwoofers.
Best Soundbar Deals Under $1,000
Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9
The BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 is Sony’s top-of-the-line soundbar for 2024 if you don’t count the Theatre Quad. The Bar 9 incorporates 13 speaker drivers with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Sony 360 Reality Audio. At 51-inches wide, Bar 9 will fit best with 60-inch and larger TVs and is compatible with Sony’s optional wireless rear speakers (SA-RS5/SA-RS3S) and (SA-SW5/SA-SW3) subwoofers.
LG S95TR
LG’s top-of-the-line 2024 soundbar, model S95TR, includes wireless rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. In the race for more channels, the S95TR offers 15-channels of which 5 are up-firing for a 9.1.5 Dolby Atmos experience. At 49-inches wide, partner with 60-inch TVs and larger.
Best Soundbar Deals Under $2,000
Sennheiser AMBEO Max
The Sennheiser AMBEO soundbar has been around since 2019, but was renamed AMBEO Max in 2022. It has 13-drivers built-in which provide a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos experience. At 50-inches wide, it works well with 60-inch and larger TVs, but beware it’s the tallest soundbar on our list. At 5.3-inches tall it may block the screen when placed in front of many current model thin bezel TVs.
The Bottom Line
Soundbar performance has definitely improved over the years and we can understand why they are still the preferred solution for millions of consumers.
Although the best audio solution for getting better sound for your TV is to connect it to a multi-speaker surround sound system anchored by an AVR, a good soundbar will greatly improve fidelity and audio immersion for those that live in smaller spaces or just don’t want the hassle of setting up a lot of speakers.
Often it makes sense to choose a soundbar from the same manufacturer as your TV to unlock extra features that are not available otherwise. However, regardless which model you buy, your TV remote should still control volume and the soundbar should power-on/off with the TV when connected via HDMI ARC/eARC.
As always, remember to inquire about a seller’s return policy if a soundbar doesn’t live up to expectations.
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