The Best Tv And Soundbar Combo For 2024

Harlan Ellison By, Harlan Ellison
Updated
Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar

. And with their newest release, the Polk Audio Signa S2 sound bar, they are continuing this tradition. This soundbar can be mounted to your wall or placed in front of your TV and it won’t block your TV’s IR sensor or bottom edge of your TV. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System

The Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar sound system is an easy way to upgrade your TV's sound quality. This simple system connects to your TV with just one connection and delivers a room-filling audio experience. Read Review

3. Best Connectivity: PHEANOO 2.1 CH Roku TV Ready Soundbar

This soundbar is specially tuned for dialogue and delivers an immersive surround sound experience, making your shows and movies more enjoyable. Read Review

4. Best Compatible: Sonos Beam - Smart TV Sound Bar

The Beam is a sound bar that delivers truly immersive home theater sound with deep bass and crystal-clear highs, filling the entire room. Read Review

A good sound system can add a lot of impact to your TV viewing experience. TVs can be transformed into something much more immersive and engaging with the proper home theatre setup, even as chips. The best soundbar and TV combo will offer you these benefits, plus many more. A great soundbar is an excellent choice because it’s relatively compact but still brings everything you need to enjoy high-quality audio from your TV screen. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of buying a soundbar with your new TV and provide some helpful suggestions for choosing the correct one for your home.

In the end, we concluded that our Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar with subwoofer, HDMI, and optical cables was the most highly recommended. Other options presented here are certainly worthy of your attention, and to assist you in making an informed choice, we have compiled a helpful shopping guide.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.7
Polk Audio
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology
  • SET UP YOUR SOUND BAR IN MINUTES — With the included subwoofer, HDMI and optical cables quickly connect your TV to the sound bar. Get set up and listening in minutes
  • A PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM SOUND BAR WITH INCLUDED WIRELESS SUBWOOFER – 5 powerful full-range drivers deliver BEAUTFUL RICH SOUND WITH DEEP BASS. POLK’S EXCLUSIVE VOICE ADJUST TECHNOLOGY & Dolby Digital Decoding maximizes sound clarity & reduces voice delays
  • UPGRADE YOUR HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE – Watch your favorite shows on your 4K HD Smart TV with exceptional picture quality & crystal clear sound. With numerous connection possibilities, plug in any audio source via HDMI ARC, optical input & AUX
  • EXCELLENT SOUND AND VALUE on par with any mid- to high-range sound bars available in the market. At just over 2" tall, it fits most spaces — easily wall-mount it or place in front of your TV. It won’t block your TV’s bottom edge or IR remote sensor
TOP Choice #2 Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System
Our Score:
9.5
Bose
  • One connection to your TV. Optical audio input (digital); Coaxial audio input (digital); 3.5 mm aux input (analog)
  • Single sound bar provides better sound quality compared to your TV.The Solo 5 TV sound system is an easy solution, with advanced technologies that deliver the clear audio your TV can’t.
  • Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand out
  • Universal remote controls TV, bass, Bluetooth connections and more
  • Speaker:2.6 H x 21.6 W x 3.4 D (3.73 lbs), Remote control:4.1 H x 1.6 W x 0.4 D (5 oz)
  • Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music from any of your devices
TOP Choice #3 PHEANOO 2.1 CH Roku TV Ready Soundbar
Our Score:
9.3
PHEANOO
  • BETTER BASS: Dedicated wired subwoofer offers deep and powerful bass. The sound quality is superior when compared to the majority of cut-price standalone soundbars
  • ROKU TV READY: The D5 is certified to work seamlessly with any Roku TV through the HDMI (ARC) connection. You'll enjoy smooth setup, easy access to sound settings, and compatibility with any Roku TV remote.
  • CLEAR AND PRECISE DIALOGUE: Specially tuned dialogue mode makes speech crystal clear and easier to understand for a more enjoyable experience
  • STYLISH AND COMPACT DESIGN: Overall dimensions are 29"W x2.4″ Hx2.8" D. This compact stylish soundbar blends easily into any living space
  • QUICK AND EASY SET UP: Choose from HDMI ARC, Optical, AUX, or Bluetooth 5.0 connections (HDMI, RCA Audio cable included), you can finish the set up in minutes
4 Sonos Beam - Smart TV Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.2
Sonos
  • Class 10 for Full HD video recording and playback (Full HD (1920x1080) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes, and other factors)
  • Easy control - Control Beam with your voice, remote, the Sonos app, and more.
  • Build your system - Add Sonos One SLs for surround sound or Sonos Sub for added bass. Connect to other Sonos speakers to enjoy brilliant sound in any or every room.
  • Beam - The smart, compact soundbar for TV, music, and more.
  • TV, music and more - Play music, TV, movies, podcasts, radio, audiobooks and video games.
  • Simple setup - Go from unboxing to listening in minutes with just 2 cords and automatic remote detection.
  • High definition sound - Experience rich, detailed sound for your TV that fills the entire room.
  • Compact size - At just 25.6 inches, Beam won't hang off furniture or block the TV.
  • SPECIALIZED SOUND MODES: Specialized sound modes bring Movies, Music, and News to life.
  • STREAM MUSIC WIRELESSLY: You can use your Bluetooth-enabled device to wirelessly stream music on your sound bar.
  • DOLBY DIGITAL: Dolby Digital decoding maximizes sound clarity and creates incredible room-filling virtual surround sound.
  • DEEP BASS WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER: Experience deep, rich bass to make movies and music truly come to life.
  • QUICK AND HASSLE-FREE SETUP: With HDMI, optical, or Bluetooth connections, you can go from unboxing to listening in minutes.
6 Hisense HS218 2.1ch Sound Bar
Our Score:
8.8
Hisense
  • Enjoy Better Tv Sound: Hisense HS218 Sound Bar comes with 4 spearkers and a wireless subwoofer, which gives you a total of 200 Watts superior audio, together with Dolby Audio technology and a professional master-level sound effect tuning. It will upgrade your TV sound instantly.
  • Wireless Subwoofer: A dedicated, wireless 80 Watt subwoofer delivers the robust low-end frequencies that punctuate your favorite movies, music, and games, without any messy wires. You’ll feel the “boom” while the two front-facing speakers project bright, clear high- and mid-range frequencies.
  • Easy Connectivity: With HDMI (ARC), the Hisense HS218 can connect to your Tv through a single HDMI cable (included), connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to smart device, and control both with one remote. You’ll be enjoying better TV sound in minutes.
  • Roku TV Ready: As Roku TV Ready device, the Hisense HS218 Soundbar is fully compatible with any Roku Tv through the HDMI (ARC) connection. You can even use the Roku Tv remote to control both the Tv and soundbar for easier setup and better navigation experience.
  • Accessories included: Includes the Hisense 218 Sound Bar, HDMI cable, optical cable, and a wall mounting kit to make sure that you have what you need to make the most of your Hisense audio experience right out of the box.
  • Quick Touch EQ Modes: Get the best audio performance from music, movies, and news with a simple touch of the remote with multiple preset EQ settings.
7 Klipsch Cinema 400 Sound Bar
Our Score:
8.7
Klipsch
  • 5.1 decoding for virtualized surround sound
  • Class-leading 8” Subwoofer
  • 40” 2.1 Soundbar with 8” wireless subwoofer
  • 400W peak power
  • HDMI-ARC: Single-cable, single-remote control
8 Saiyin Sound Bars for TV with Subwoofer
Our Score:
8.5
Saiyin
  • [THREE DISTINCT SOUND MODES] Music, Movie and TV shows modes adjusted by using the remote control included, catering to different needs of sound bar users. You can also control the volume, switch between different modes with buttons on sound bar. Remote control is not compatible with universal or TV remotes
  • [ULTRA SLIM & ELEGANT DESIGN] The sound bar is built with 2 full range speakers and elegant slim design with piano paint which is compatible with modern TVs, and never block the TV screen. The wired 4 inch subwoofer easily fits in most spaces and adds rich bass from anywhere in the room.
  • [MULTIPLE INPUT OPTIONS]The sound bar for TV supports advanced Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connection, with which you can connect easily with iphones, ipads, tablets, PC and other Bluetooth enabled devices to stream music; and also wired connection including optical, coaxial, RCA inputs (all cables included).
  • [SET UP IN MINUTES]Connect the subwoofer with sound bar via cable included, and hook up TV with sound bar via Bluetooth or optical, coxial, RCA cables, then you are ready to go! The TV sound bar can be placed under TV on desktop or mounted on wall with provided mounting kits.
  • [2.1 CHANNEL SPEAKER SYSTEM ] Sound bar with wired subwoofer delivers powerful bass and surround sound, letting you enjoy an immersive sound experience. The 24 inch sound bar is built with 2 full range speakers, allowing you enjoy all details of music and movies. Total harmonic distortion is about 0.5% even at the highest volume.
  • Wall-mountable with built-in keyholes
  • Simple setup with HDMI, optical or aux connections
  • Built-in subwoofer and passive radiators for surprising bass
  • Clear Voice for enhanced dialogue clarity
  • Bluetooth streaming for your music and podcasts
  • 4K HDR SUPPORT: Enjoy breathtaking picture quality with access to 4K Ultra HD streaming at up to 60fps, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+. A 4K TV is required to access 4K streaming.
  • WHAT’S IN THE BOX: Nebula Soundbar, Power Cord, Remote Control, AAA Batteries, HDMI Cable, RCA to 3.5mm Cable, Digital Optical Cable, Screws, Wall Mount Brackets, Quick Start Guide
  • BIG SOUND: A 2.1 channel design immerses you in moment by combining 2 speakers and 2 subwoofers to create 100W of room-filling cinematic sound.
  • VOICE REMOTE WITH ALEXA: Use the included Voice Remote with Alexa to control your soundbar and compatible TV functions like power, volume, navigation, and playback. Press the microphone button and ask Alexa to find your favorite content.
  • FIRE TV EDITION: Nebula Soundbar – Fire TV Edition brings cinematic sound and powerful streaming to any TV by combining a 2.1 channel soundbar with a Fire TV 4K streaming media player built-in. No additional Fire TV streaming device needed.
  • ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT: With a Fire TV 4K streaming media player built-in, choose from over 500,000 movies and TV episodes. Enjoy favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, STARZ, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, and more. Subscriptions fees may apply.
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best tv and soundbar combo?

The best tv and soundbar combo is a product type that many customers feel hesitant to select because of the challenges in evaluating its features. It comes to trust! When studying a significant purchase, many factors must be considered. Our best tv and soundbar combo knowledge will help you make an ideal decision.

Our article here will highlight some outstanding items and provide solutions to FAQs and guides to buying. You should keep in mind some main criteria of best tv and soundbar combo below:

Number Of Channels And Speakers

A soundbar with just 2.1 channels may be enough to enhance the audio quality of your TV. A 5.1 and 7.1 models might offer better sound quality when you watch TV/movies or listen to audio. Dolby Atmos is available on 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 models. This technology allows for a richer experience. It involves placing speakers higher than the roof, to create sound from above.

Connectivity

Soundbars typically only require one cable to connect with your TV. HDMI is the best choice. Make sure that your soundbar is equipped with all necessary ports for connecting to Blu-ray players and USB storage. You should check if your soundbar has a pass-through function that transmits 4K HDR video from your 4K HDR TV.

Additional Features

You might also want these features in your soundbar:
There are special sound modes for various audio types, such as watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. You can adjust the treble and bass settings depending on what you are watching/listening too.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice-controlled music.
Front-panel displays that display important information, such as volume levels. Make sure to check if this display is able to be switched off when it's not in use so that it does not become distracting.

Wired/wireless Speakers

Some soundbars allow for wired and wireless connection to other speakers. Some soundbars only support a subwoofer. However, a few models offer "surround sound" connectivity, which allows you to connect other speakers to the rear of the room to replicate 5.1. You can purchase these speakers separately or as a bundle at an extra cost.

Size

To ensure that the unit will not block the screen, or interfere with the remote control or display of your TV's remote, check its dimensions. You should also check that the design of the unit matches your TV.

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an important soundbar feature that allows you stream music from compatible phones, tablets and computers to your soundbar. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stream music from your Spotify account or access cloud music libraries.

Ease Of Set-up And Use

It is easy to hook up the soundbar with your TV or other device and get started using it immediately. This can be gauged by looking at the manual or reading some user reviews.

Subwoofer

In large rooms, a soundbar with an external subwoofer (or dedicated soundbar) can be more effective than one without it. A subwoofer that is well made will enhance low-end sound quality and add a cinematic vibe to your system. A sub that is poorly designed can cause a drop in sound quality. A soundbase is a great option if you need bass, but aren't able to fit an external sub. They include an integrated subwoofer.

FAQs

Can You Use A Soundbar To Play Music?

A soundbar can make music play through your TV much more enjoyable. Bluetooth is a feature that many soundbars offer, so you won't have to turn on the TV to hear your music. A soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer will work best to reproduce deep bass and dynamics.

Will A Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?

Modern TVs have very tiny speakers which bounce sound off of your TV. As a result, they can be distant and harsh. A soundbar can be added to most TVs to improve their sound quality, particularly when it comes down to reproducing spoken words. It will also allow you to listen to music.

Where Do I Place My Soundbar?

The soundbars can be placed directly in front of your TV using a stand, or any other type of furniture. They are usually less than 2 inches high so they won't interfere with the infrared remote port of your TV or block it. Some soundbars are also wall-mountable and include brackets. There are third-party kits that can be used to mount soundbars on the wall.

Are Soundbars Really Worth It?

They are well worth the investment when compared to how loud your TV sounds. A soundbar costs only $100 and can make your TV viewing experience 10x better. A soundbar can make it easier to understand speech by allowing TV speakers to face down.

Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Sound Bar?

Wireless sound bars often come with a subwoofer. You can also add your own wireless subwoofer to the sound bars that do not have one. If you desire an immersive experience, you'll want it.

Can You Add Speakers To A Sound Bar?

There are both yes and no. Some sound bars have additional speakers that can be added to the system, which brings you closer to home theatre sound. If the soundbar is multi-room compatible, then wireless rear speakers can be added. This is a good option for those who have or want to install a multi-room sound system in their home.

Can A Sound Bar Be Used As A Center Speaker?

There are some that can and others that can't, but it's not something we recommend. Although a passive soundbar could technically be used to provide center channel speakers, this is not what it was designed for. This is like asking a pitcher to play both catch and second base instead of the only position that he excels at.

Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?

There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, you can still use your soundbar with any TV. It is helpful sometimes to match soundbar and TV brands. New soundbars often use HDMI ARC to transmit the audio from the TV's speakers through the soundbar. If both of your devices have this port, you are good. An optical connection is available on some older soundbars, and almost all TVs have them.

1 ratings

About Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison is a writer and audio equipment enthusiast. He's particularly interested in home theater HiFi audio, and he has been the editor of The Audio Insights since its inception. Harlan is known for his sharp wit and scathing critiques, but he also has a great love of music and audio gear. When he's not writing or editing, Harlan can be found listening to music or watching movies with his wife.