How to Choose the Right Soundbar (2025): Size, Price, Surround Sound, and Subwoofers

If only Bought a luxurious new TV, as you were surprised when you find it seemed bad like your old “or worse). Even the best TVs we have experienced need a hand to save the sound that keeps pace with its great performances. But it may be difficult to know where to start when it comes to upgrading the sound of TV. Never be afraid, the bold buyer: the easiest and most expensive solution is to get a sound tape. Modern audio tapes come in all shapes, sizes and prices. Here, we have prepared a reference menu that must be taken into account before pressing the purchase button.

Make sure to review the best Soundbar guides and the best loudspeakers, as well as our advice on how to buy a TV and how to set up a TV, with an in -depth image modification tip.

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Updated in June 2025: We have the latest information and recommendations of the updated model from the latest round of comprehensive tests.

Why do you need an audio tape

Soundbars is a great first step in home theater because it is generally integrated, easy to set up and sounds greatly better than most integrated TV loudspeakers. Seriously: Almost all the TV speakers are bad! The quality collection that you can get from a sound bar ranges from the basic improvements to the bright and the total comfort to the type of sound filled with the room that you may expect from a more traditional home sound system (a system with wireless speakers and a dedicated future). Regardless of what you see, the sound bar is a low -voltage way to get more your viewing experience.

Find the right size

Photo: Ryan and Nayata

The sound tapes come in multiple sizes and compositions, indicated by the size of the audio room and the number of compact range channels, dress and height. You can think of Soundbar channels, as the number of individual areas is sound. Soundbar “2.1” contains at least two of the loudspeakers that operate individually and dedicated sound. The 5.1 system contains at least five main speakers (center, left, right, in addition to two oceans) and a loudspeaker.

Although most budget bars will only be a strategy, our favorite performance artists usually have at least three channels in the front (left, center, oath) and sound enlargement. This is a 3.1 system. The central channel is the most important because this is the place where television mixers and movies are placed a dialog box. Are you facing a problem hearing dialogue in movies and shows? Get at least three channels (3.0).

Sometimes, you will see an additional number at the end, such as a 3.1.2 system. “2” means that there are two height channels. In sound tapes, these ascending sound amplifiers bounced from the roof, which mimics the loudspeakers installed on the ceiling for mixed content in 3D sound formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. Basically, these sound tapes try to re -create a spatial sound experience without asking you to connect the loudspeakers on the ceiling. Pricire Soundbar will come with additional background drivers and fronts that are bounce on your walls for more indulgence, using 5.1.2 (or higher) composition.

The higher the number of channels, the greater the Soundbar system. The most important step is to make sure that everything you buy will fit with your media control unit (perfectly, will be suitable among TV legs as well). We’ll go ultrasound and Dolby Atmos with more details below.

Do you need an amplifier?

Photo: Parker Hall

For most spaces, it is worth thinking about a sound bar with a dedicated sound. If these are very expensive or are worried about neighbors, some sound tapes have a less public Bass channel, while other systems allow you to add an amplifier later, including Sonos, Klipsch, Bose and others. Each of these examples allows you to add loudspeakers later also, allowing you to upgrade to a complete circumference system.