Nowadays, media systems are pretty expensive. If you want to buy an excellent Television, it can cost you a good amount of money. Other media equipment such as home theater setup and soundbars are also expensive. So after buying a nice TV with a sticker price to match, you may think that purchasing a soundbar is a luxury or even a waste of money.
Soundbars are specifically designed for use with home TVs. Most soundbars will not have the proper output to work well in a small room, but they can be effective at projecting higher-quality audio than standard TV speakers. It is worth buying a soundbar because you can hear the audio better than tiny speakers. The soundbar is not a waste of money, but it can be used when there is no TV in the room.
Adding a soundbar with your TV can make your media experience better at a reasonable price. It is a great way to add quality to your media system. Simply adding the left and right channels of a soundbar or an entire surround sound system can enhance your media watching experience.
Nowadays, there are different kinds of home theater electronics available. You have to know the details. You also have to know what are features of a soundbar you really need to get. So let’s get started.
At first, you have to know that how soundbars enhance your media experience. Then you can build up from there and explore what you need and what you don’t so that you can pick the right soundbar for you with full of confidence.
Read More: Are Soundbars Worth It?
The Value of Soundbars
When you are looking for components to build a home theater for yourself now, it is clear to you that there’s more in play than just the TV or screen. While building a home theater system, people mostly start from getting a big, nice screen or even a projector. TVs almost always come with built-in speakers. Moreover more expensive and higher-end TVs may come with good quality stereo speakers. But projectors won’t have any built-in audio components.
If you are using a high-quality TV or screen, you also need to keep your audio at a standard level. And adding a soundbar to your system is a very easy and affordable way to do that. Even you want to upgrade your sound system to an entire stereo surround sound system; you can start with a soundbar. Some soundbars are designed to add more speakers when you need them.
The Sonos Arc (on Amazon) and more advanced soundbars like the Nakamichi Showkwafe Ultra 9.2.4 (on Amazon) system even come with a whole stereo system of wireless speakers.
If you are interested in any stereo surround sound system, then remember that buying a soundbar isn’t a step backward or away from having an entire stereo surround system. It is very beneficial. It can give you more options and a better user experience.
So as we have mentioned above, there is a lot of option available in the world of soundbars. And the pricing of these units starts from below 100 dollars. Some stereo systems with this type of pricing will provide you with two-channel stereo sound with lots of limitations. You ever visited an electric store or Amazon, then you may know that prices can get very serious very quickly.
So you may be thinking about which option will be the best for you. At first, you have to make sure what features you really need in a soundbar and which ones you can leave for a later upgrade.
The Soundbar Features you Really Need
You’re really going to want some very useful features in your soundbar, while there are many unnecessary features also. A great example of that is a voice assistant. Some available soundbars come with a built-in voice assistant. Whether it’s Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, it will be very useful to make your soundbar a little futuristic and enjoy futuristic services. There are also some other more obvious features you need. But first, let’s talk about the most important feature you’ll have to decide on, and that is the number of channels.
How Many Channels Do I Need on My Soundbar?
If your TV comes with a stereo sound system, then there will be two channels. But unfortunately, the quality of those drivers on the TV is not going to be so good. Because the TV manufacturer is just checking the box when they design the speakers in. The TV has to have them, but they know that most of the cost needs to be dedicated to a high-quality panel.
Why Purchasing a Simple Soundbar is Such a Great Upgrade
Moreover, Manufacturers also know that spending a good amount of money on a high-end TV will not rely on the internal built-in speakers only. They will add a soundbar to their system. So if you want to replace the TV’s stereo with a two-channel system with a simple budget soundbar, it will definitely be an upgrade. So if you do not have a big budget, you can start out with a simple stereo soundbar. Moreover, in the future, you can always upgrade.
Next Big Step For Home Theater Upgrade: 2.1 Channel with Wireless Subwoofer
If you want something better than a simple stereo soundbar, then you should look for a 2.1 channel sound system with a wireless subwoofer. There is no subwoofer built into your television. It is mainly an external speaker, and it adds a whole additional dimension to the soundscape and enhances your hearing experience. So if you want a nice upgrade but at an affordable cost, you can go for a soundbar with two channels and a wireless subwoofer.
Next Upgrade: Going From 2.1 to 5.1 Surround Sound and Beyond
The 3.1 channel systems-based soundbars come after the 2.1. But going to 3.1 from 2.1 is really not a good upgrade. If you want to upgrade your sound system, then you can upgrade it up to 5.1 from 2.1. It is a surround sound system. The 5.1 channel soundbar system adds two wireless speakers behind you, making the sound more realistic. If you are looking for something to upgrade your sound system but within an affordable budget, then you can go for a 5.1 channel system.
There are many 7.1 channel systems available on the market, and more modern 7.1.2 systems also add vertical dimensions for Dolby Atmos support. There are also 9.2.4 channel systems like the SHOCKWAFE. Sound systems like this one will really give you the experience of something close to the theater quality. But it would be best if you remembered that you have to make sure that the soundbar system has the feature you wanted. So you need to look for and understand.
Other Soundbar Features You Should Look For
A soundbar system comes with plenty of other features that the manufacturer includes. Here we are reviewing some of the features that are important for a soundbar.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a very important feature that you will really want to consider. If you want to connect your sound system with your phone or any other device wirelessly, you will need to have Bluetooth in your sound system. For some people, it is a very important feature. But if you do not want to use your sound system for any other circumstance instead of using it with your TV, then you can ignore this one. But whatever this feature is very useful. If you decide you don’t want and need to have it, at some point, you will end up kicking yourself.
HDMI ARC
HDMI ARC is another useful feature. With the HDMI ARC system, your soundbar will be able to communicate back with your TV and, sometimes, act as the full-on receiver taking your other HDMI channels in before connecting to the TV so that you can control the soundbars with your stock TV remote.
Wi-Fi Support and Expandability
It is another important feature to know about. As with Bluetooth, you can also think about whether you need this feature or not. You have to think about it before you start building the system you really want. If your soundbar does not have any Wi-Fi, it will not connect with more speakers. So it will limit your ability to build a larger system. The Sonos Arc (on Amazon) is able to connect with new Sonos speakers whenever you’d like to add them. So you have to plan before you buy one.
Do You Need A Soundbar?
After all, we want to say that buying a soundbar is really up to you. If you have a nice TV and you are happy with the built-in speakers of your TV, then that’s great, and that’s why you may think that buying a soundbar would be a waste of money. Maybe that’s a good thing because once you start upgrading your sound system regularly, you’ll likely never be able to go back.
But consider how you want to use your television. Are you just want to watch some boring news, or do you really want to enjoy cutting the lights and putting on a great movie? If you want to have a great home theater experience, you have to spend some money. You have to upgrade your sound system.
Just think about how often you are going to use your setup and for what purpose you are going to use it. It will help to figure out which soundbar will be the best for you.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
Best Seller List of Sound Bars:
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭】: Multiple placements to suit any space: Horizontal Tabletop – Ideal for TV shows/news with clearer mids and highs. Clearer sound with less deep bass. Perfect for easy setup and compact space. Vertical Tower – Rich surround sound with deep bass for movies, gaming, and bass-heavy music where detail is key. Designed for detailed sound in larger rooms. Wall-Mounted – Direct, even sound for open spaces. Great for space-saving and party atmospheres.
- 【𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: With 80W volume boost, brings each sound in stunning detail. Feel the crisp clarity of footsteps echoing, hear the subtle rustling of leaves. Each press add 3 units soundbar volume, offering larger and noticeable volume changes with fewer button presses. No more endlessly pressing remote.
- 【𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐐 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬】: Switch between 3 dynamic EQ modes to fine-tune your need. Movie mode - tense atmosphere and explosive sound. Music mode - richer tones, deep bass, vibrant highs. New mode - natural voices, crisp dialogues. Perfect for movie lovers, gamers, and music enthusiasts.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞】: Enjoy seamless Bluetooth 5.3 and reliable ARC, OPT, AUX. In ARC mode, control your soundbar with TV remote. Note: First assemble soundbar refer to our Assembly Guide, then refer to User Manual carefully for setup and connect to ensure optimal performance. With detailed instructions and video tutorials—perfect for tech enthusiasts and beginners.
- 【𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: Backed by an 18-month warranty and 24/7 online support. Important: 1. For wired connections, your TV must have one of ARC, OPT, AUX ports. 2. Use ARC TV port not other HDMI TV ports. 3. Manual TV settings is required for TV compatibility — please consult the manual for optimal results.
- HEAR YOUR TV BETTER: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is an all-in-one soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- WIDE, NATURAL SOUND: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
- ENHANCED DIALOGUE: This sound bar for smart tv is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
- BLUETOOTH TV SPEAKER: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- SIMPLE SETUP: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
- Immersive 3D Audio with True Sound and Dolby Atmos: The Yamaha SR-B30A transforms your home entertainment with immersive 3D sound powered by Dolby Atmos and Yamaha True Sound engineering. Precision drivers and advanced sound field creation deliver depth and clarity that bring movies, games, and music to life. Every scene surrounds you in rich, spatial audio, creating a listening experience that feels expansive and true to the source.
- Deep Bass with Dual Built-In Subwoofers: Designed for powerful yet balanced audio, the SR-B30A features dual built-in subwoofers that add depth and dimension to every soundtrack. Experience impactful low frequencies without the need for extra equipment, or connect an external subwoofer for even more bass. The result is a sound that fills your space with warmth and presence, perfect for any living room or entertainment setup.
- Clear Dialogue with Yamaha Clear Voice Technology: Enjoy every word and whisper clearly with Yamaha’s Clear Voice technology. This feature enhances vocal frequencies, ensuring dialogue stands out even during action scenes or when background effects are strong. Whether you’re streaming a movie, watching sports, or catching up on shows, you’ll hear speech with greater definition and balance without needing to raise the volume.
- Easy Connectivity and Personalized Control: Connect and control effortlessly with HDMI ARC/eARC, optical input, or Bluetooth 5.1. Adjust your sound experience through the included remote or the free mobile app for iOS and Android. Choose from four distinct sound modes—Movie, Game, Stereo, and Standard—to tailor the audio to your content and mood. Fine-tune EQ and subwoofer levels to create the perfect sound for your space.
- Bundle Includes: Yamaha SR-B30A 120W 2.1-Channel Sound Bar with Built-In Subwoofers + Cleaning kit + Reusable Fastener Straps
- All-new acoustic architecture with Sound Motion technology fills every inch of the room and precisely place sounds all around you
- Unparalleled 9.1.4 spatial audio experience with Dolby Atmos
- Ultra-clear dialogue plus Speech Enhancement, powered by AI, detects the human voice to clarify every word
- Elegant design looks great in your home and won’t distract from your entertainment
- Control with your TV remote, the Sonos app, the touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, and Amazon Alexa
- Simplified 5.1ch Dolby Atmos Setup: Enjoy immersive 4D sound with real Dolby Atmos and 5.1-channel audio. Five built-in speakers, including two side-firing drivers, create wide surround without rear speakers. Precision DSP ensures
- Voice Clarity Enhancement: VoiceMX technology uses advanced DSP algorithms to isolate and enhance vocal frequencies in real time. Dialogue remains crisp and easy to follow by separating speech from background effects and music, even at low volumes or during intense scenes.
- 300W Output with 6-Driver System: Featuring five precision-tuned full-range drivers and a dedicated wired wooden subwoofer, the system delivers up to 300W of peak power for bold, room-filling sound. With a frequency response of 45 Hz–18 kHz and a maximum SPL of 99 dB, it reproduces everything from subtle nuances to explosive cinematic effects.
- 18 mm High-Excursion Driver: Powered by BassMX technology, the wired wooden subwoofer features a 18 mm high-excursion driver, a 5.3L tuned cabinet, and a high-density magnetic circuit. This design delivers deeper, tighter bass with greater air displacement and enhanced low-frequency performance—bringing more realism to every scene.
- HDMI eARC for True Dolby Atmos: HDMI eARC supports up to 37 Mbps of bandwidth, unlocking the full potential of lossless Dolby Atmos 5.1-channel audio. Compared to standard ARC, eARC delivers richer surround effects and greater detail. CEC integration allows the TV and soundbar to work together with unified control.
- FULL, BALANCED SOUND WITH A SUBWOOFER INCLUDED: Immerse yourself in your favorite content with perfectly balanced sound and rich bass from the built-in woofer.
- ONE REMOTE. TOTAL CONTROL: Use your Samsung TV remote to control key soundbar functions, including power, volume and sound effects.
- EXPANDS YOUR LISTENING ZONE SO YOU CAN FEEL THE SOUND ALL AROUND YOU: Experience immersive sound that fills the room. Clear audio is projected in all directions so you can feel the action from every angle.
- SEAMLESSLY CONNECTS TO YOUR TV: Connects to your TV without cable clutter. Just pair and play your favorite content.
- PICK UP EVERY PIECE OF DIALOGUE: Hear voices more clearly with dialogue automatically amplified so you don't miss a word.
- Wide Sound Scene with Super Wide Technology | Despite its compact format, Stage Pro delivers rich sound that fills the room with SuperWide technology and expands the sound scene for a captivating and immersive listening experience.
- 160W Cree Power with custom, optimised speakers | Experience rich and powerful sound with a peak power of 160W and custom-tuned full-scale speakers to deliver accurate, high-quality sound, whether for your movies, games or playlists.
- Versatile Connectivity | Stage Pro offers a wide range of connection options: HDMI ARC, USB audio, optical input, aux input and Bluetooth 5.3, for smooth wireless and wired playback on all your devices.
- TUITIVE CONTROLS FOR DAILY USE | Take control easily: Adjust the volume, change source and more with the controls on the top panel or the included remote for comfort, even from a distance.
- Compact shape, biographical experience Enhance your entertainment with the 2.1-channel Soundbar Stage Pro. Powered by Dolby Audio and SuperWide technology and offers rich sound that fills the room, with deep bass and clear dialogue - ideal for movies, music and games. Smooth connection via HDMI ARC, USB or Bluetooth ensures quick and easy installation on your TV or PC.
- Compact, versatile design – Sleek, rounded all-black finish with easy-to-clean textured surface, optimized for small-med rooms.
- DTS Virtual:X – Sound Enhancement for room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized sound
- Full-Range Speakers – 2 full-range speakers in the sound bar provide coherent sound and brilliant clarity.
- Optimized for 4K HDR Content with Dolby Audio – Bring out the best audio performance from your 4K HDR content with Dolby Audio when connected through HDMI.
- 70Hz – 20kHz Frequency Response – Wide, natural frequency response means you can hear what the artist intended.
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭】: Experience powerful rhythm without harshness, discern every delicate whisper without distortion, and transform your space into an immersive private theater. Four placements optimize acoustics: horizontal (studio-grade clear), vertical (concert-hall immersion), tabletop (intimate vocal focus), wall-mounted (3D surround).
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐬】: Get ready to feel the sound, not just hear. Powered by 4 premium drivers and a extra subwoofer, whether it’s the softest whisper or a heart-thumping bass, feel the crisp clarity. The adjustable subwoofer amplifies the drama, injects vibrancy and energy, and for gaming, it intensifies every pulse-pounding moment. Let the bass shake your room.
- 【𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝】: Choose from 3 EQ modes to enhance sound clarity and texture. Movie mode: cinematic depth with dynamic range; Music mode: richer notes with and deep rumbles; News mode: natural tones, perfect for podcasts and talk shows. Ensures everyone, no matter where they sit, enjoys the room filling sound.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞】: Enjoy seamless Bluetooth 5.0 and reliable ARC, OPT, and AUX connections. In ARC mode, control your soundbar with TV remote. Note: Must use TV remote to select TV connection, then set TV audio output format to PCM.(TV settings are required to make sound bar and TV compatible).
- 【𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤】: Must-Check: Your TV must have one of these ports: ARC, OPT, AUX. Important: must be 'ARC', NOT HDMI 1or 2. NOT a plug-and-play soundbar. Please set TV to PCM mode to make sound bar and TV compatible. Your satisfaction is our top priority with our 18-month warranty and 24/7 online tech support.
- Straight from the theater to your home: easy set-up, built-in tweeter, 2-ch speaker with simple Bluetooth connection
- Deep sound with Bass Reflex speaker
- High power with a slim design that matches any room and is perfect for small living spaces
- Voice enhancement feature is great for TV content with hushed dialogue, or to make conference call participants easier to hear
- Easy TV set up with HDMI ARC
Last update on 2025-11-20
