TV Audio Letting You Down? These Soundbars Are the Perfect Solution
February 06, 2025
We’ve all been there—the beautiful visuals on your TV are let down by lackluster, tinny audio. Modern TVs may offer stunning image quality, but their ultra-slim designs leave little room for powerful built-in speakers. That’s where soundbars come in. Designed to provide a richer, more immersive sound experience, soundbars are the easiest way to elevate your audio and bring your favorite movies, shows, and music to life.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best soundbars on the market, offer tips on how to choose the right one for your setup, and explain why upgrading your TV audio is worth it.
Flat-panel TVs focus on delivering a stunning picture but leave little room for robust audio components. Soundbars solve this issue by offering:
Now, let’s dive into the top soundbars that can transform your audio experience.
Compact yet powerful, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is perfect for smaller spaces. With Dolby Atmos support and advanced processing, this soundbar delivers a wide soundstage that defies its size. Seamlessly integrating with the Sonos ecosystem, it also supports Alexa and Google Assistant for effortless voice control and multi-room audio.
Compact yet powerful, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is perfect for smaller spaces.
For larger rooms, the Sonos Arc is a game-changer. This premium soundbar features 11 drivers, including upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos, delivering truly immersive 3D sound. The Arc seamlessly integrates with your TV and smart home system, making it a top choice for audiophiles. For a limited time score the Sonos Arc for $150 off.
Taking things a step further, the Sonos Arc Ultra Premium is the newest soundbar from Sonos and adds enhanced audio components and build quality. Its expanded soundstage and deeper bass make it ideal for home theater setups where you want the best of the best.
The Sonos Ray is an excellent entry-level option. Compact and affordable, it’s designed to deliver rich, room-filling sound without overwhelming your space. It’s a great pick for bedrooms or secondary TVs.
Despite its small size, the Polk Magnifi Mini AX packs a punch. With Dolby Atmos support and Polk’s patented SDA surround technology, it creates a surprisingly expansive soundstage. It’s perfect for those who want big sound in a small package.
The Polk Signa S4 is a versatile soundbar that offers Dolby Atmos and a wireless subwoofer for powerful bass. It’s easy to set up and offers excellent value for those upgrading their TV audio for the first time.
For those on a budget, the Polk Signa S2 delivers clear audio and a robust low-end thanks to its wireless subwoofer. It’s a simple yet effective way to enhance your TV’s audio without breaking the bank.
The Denon DHT-S517 offers 7.1-channel surround sound with Dolby Atmos support, ensuring immersive audio for movies and games. Its wireless subwoofer and built-in Alexa compatibility make it a smart addition to any living room.
Affordable and compact, the Denon DHT-S316 includes a wireless subwoofer and Denon’s advanced audio processing for clear dialogue and balanced sound. It’s a great option for smaller setups or those new to soundbars.
The Sony HT-A3000 is a 3.1-channel soundbar that’s packed with features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. With immersive sound mapping and voice assistant compatibility, it’s a versatile solution for enhancing your TV audio. Additionally, it offers compatibility with Sony’s wireless rear speakers and subwoofers, allowing you to expand your setup for a fuller and more dynamic sound experience.
Designed to pair perfectly with Sony BRAVIA TVs, the Theater Bar 9 delivers 13-channel surround sound with advanced spatial audio features. Its integration with Sony BRAVIA TVs ensures seamless compatibility and enhanced audio-visual synchronization, maximizing the performance of your home theater setup. It’s a premium choice for home theater enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance.
The Flexus Core 200 is all about delivering room-shaking sound with clarity. Its horn-loaded tweeters and wireless subwoofer ensure dynamic audio, making it perfect for sports and action-packed movies. Additionally, the Core 200 excels at handling a variety of content types, offering rich, balanced sound for music and powerful, immersive audio for live sports broadcasts.
A more compact option, the Flexus Core 100 offers rich audio in a smaller footprint. It’s ideal for apartments or smaller rooms where space is limited but sound quality is still a priority. Despite its size, the Core 100 delivers powerful and clear sound, making it a versatile option for various content types, from casual TV watching to immersive movie nights.
The KEF HTF8003 combines sleek aesthetics with KEF’s legendary sound engineering. Its three-channel design ensures clear dialogue and immersive audio, making it an excellent choice for minimalist setups. Additionally, this soundbar integrates seamlessly into home theater systems featuring KEF speakers, allowing for cohesive and high-fidelity audio performance throughout your space.
Slightly more compact than the HTF8003, the HTF7003 offers the same signature KEF sound in a smaller package. While it shares the sleek design and impressive clarity of its larger counterpart, the HTF7003 is optimized for smaller spaces, delivering rich audio performance without overwhelming your room. It’s a stylish option for those looking to upgrade their TV audio without compromising on design.
Designed to mount seamlessly alongside flat-panel TVs, the Mythos 3C delivers dynamic and accurate sound. Its polished aluminum construction and high-performance drivers make it a standout choice for premium home theater setups. Additionally, its ease of installation and compatibility with other Definitive Technology speakers make it an excellent option for those looking to build a cohesive and high-performing audio system.
The Devialet Dione Opera De Paris is as much a work of art as it is a soundbar. Featuring 17 drivers and support for Dolby Atmos, it offers unparalleled sound quality and a striking design. Additionally, the Dione includes advanced room calibration technology to optimize audio performance for any space, and it handles high-resolution audio formats with precision, making it a perfect choice for those who demand both luxury and cutting-edge technology.
When choosing a soundbar, consider the following factors:
If your TV’s audio has been letting you down, upgrading to a soundbar can transform your entertainment experience. Whether you opt for the compact Polk Signa S2, the premium Sonos Arc Ultra Premium, or the luxurious Devialet Dione Opera De Paris, there’s a soundbar to suit every need and budget. Explore these options to bring cinema-quality sound to your home today!
Available online and in-store at ListenUp, the Sonus faber Sonetto G2 Series Speakers are expected to start shipping July 2024. Contact ListenUp today to design a Sonus faber Sonetto G2 Home Theater System tailored to your specific needs.
ListenUp offers numerous solutions to bring your entertainment outdoors this season. With the latest all-weather TVs and speakers available, you can transform your deck, patio, gazebo, or pool house into an entertainment paradise. We cover our most popular options in this article.
In this Blog, we’ll do a quick rundown of belt-drive and direct-drive turntables, highlighting the pros and cons of each, so you can start, or continue, your analog journey a little more informed.
placeholder
