Soundbars

A soundbar is a long, thin speaker designed to sit just in front of or below yourtelevision, to provide much bigger, clearer and more immersive sound than a TV alone can manage. Today’s flat and thin TVs don’t have much space for powerful speakers, so their sound is often thin and unsatisfying. Adding a soundbar can just make people’s voices clearer – or it can create ahome theaterexperience.

Soundbars come in different sizes, with different levels of features, aimed at different budgets. You can get small ones suitable for TVs of 32 inches that just add louder, clearer sound, for example. You can get mid-sized ones that start from being cheap and simple, but will range up to options with virtual surround sound. And you can get big soundbars suitable for TVs of 55 inches and up that deliver a huge audio upgrade, usually withDolby Atmos3D sound.

Pretty much all soundbars either connect over HDMI ARC to a compatible HDMI port on your TV, or over an optical digital connection. HDMI ARC means you can control them from your TV’s remote with no extra steps, so is usually the preferred option – and it’s the only way to get Dolby Atmos. Some soundbars come with subwoofers for better bass, or even rear speakers to deliver a true surround-sound experience.

Latest about Soundbars

Sonos Arc Ultra review: the best one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar for the price, with one grating flaw

ByMatt Boltonpublished9 November 24

The Sonos Arc Ultra is more cinematic in every way.

Black Friday soundbar deals 2024: the best early sales happening right now

ByAl Griffinlast updated6 November 24

UpdatedLooking for a soundbar to improve your TV’s audio? Some of the best Black Friday deals are now live.

Vizio’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar is also a karaoke machine, because why not

ByJamie Richardspublished30 October 24

The Vizio MicMe comes with two microphones and its own karaoke app loaded with 80,000 songs.

The best soundbars for 2024

ByMatt Boltonlast updated29 October 24

UpdatedFrom budget-friendly bars to Dolby Atmos wonders, the best soundbars make it easy to get a serious TV audio upgrade.

Some people got Sonos Arc Ultra early – here’s what they think of the next-gen soundbar

ByCarrie Marshallpublished28 October 24

If these early experiences are any indication, Sonos' new soundbar could be a winner

Looking to upgrade your Halloween movie marathon? Here are 3 soundbars sure to give you an extra scare

ByJames Davidsonpublished26 October 24

Horror movies can be all the more scary with proper sound, so here are three soundbars that could add some scares to your Halloween movie marathon.

Sonos confirms some missing details about Arc Ultra – and says its app now has 90% of its missing features back

ByCarrie Marshallpublished18 October 24

Sonos explains how one plus one equals four, how many HDMIs you’re getting, and what’s happening with the app

Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar: price, release date, features and new ‘Sound Motion’ speaker tech explained

ByMatt Boltonlast updated15 October 24

The long-awaited Sonos Arc Ultra is finally here – here’s everything you need to know.

Sonos' Arc Ultra soundbar is official, with revolutionary new speaker tech that offers ‘double the bass’

ByCarrie Marshallpublished15 October 24

9.1.4 channels using Sonos' new ‘Sound Motion’ designs – plus a Sonos Sub 4.

Massive new Sonos Arc Ultra leaks reveal 9.1.4-channel sound with next-gen ‘Sound Motion’ speakers

ByMatt Boltonpublished15 October 24

There’s even a teaser video, to leave nothing to the imagination.

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