The best soundbars for 2023

The best soundbars for 2023

<p>It's no secret that the built-in speakers in most TVs are trash. They don't project enough sound out to the front so you can hear well — especially subtle details. Thankfully, you don't have to splurge for a five-speaker (or more)<a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/how-to-build-a-budget-home-theater-setup-140010399.html"> surround-sound system[/url] to fix the problem. In most living rooms, a single soundbar and maybe a subwoofer will suffice to get better TV audio. To help guide your shopping spree, we've compiled a list of everything to look for when searching for the best soundbar for you, along with a list of the top picks for a range of budgets.</p><h2>What to look for in a soundbar</h2><h3>Features</h3><p>When it comes to features, the more you pay the more you're going to get. Most affordable options ($150 or less) will improve your television's audio quality, but that's about it. Step into the $300 to $400 range and you'll find a smart soundbar with things like built-in voice control, wireless connectivity, Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and even Android TV. They're all helpful when you want to avoid looking for the remote control, but the best sound quality is usually only in the top tier and the formats those premium devices support. I’m talking about things like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other high-resolution audio standards. These are what you'll want to look for if truly immersive sound is what you crave for your living room setup. And not all Atmos soundbars are equal, so you'll need to look at the finer details carefully before you break into the savings account.</p><span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><h3>Ports</h3><figure> Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, SA-SW5 subwoofer, SA-SW3 subwoofer and SA-RS3S speakers." data-uuid="4d78f54e-b598-3968-97ac-1591e4a399d1

Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, SA-SW5 subwoofer, SA-SW3 subwoofer and SA-RS3S speakers." data-uuid="4d78f54e-b598-3968-97ac-1591e4a399d1

<figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Sony</div></figure><p>This is a big one. A lot of the more affordable soundbars are limited when it comes to connectivity options. They either offer an optical port or one HDMI jack and, if you're lucky, both. Things get slightly better in the mid-range section, but that's not always the case. The Sonos Beam, for example, is $449, but only has a single HDMI port. If you want to connect your set-top box, gaming console and more directly to your soundbar for the best possible audio, you'll likely want to look for an option with at least two HDMI (eARC) inputs. HDMI connections are essential for things like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other high-res and immersive audio formats. And with<a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="https://www.hdmi.org/spec/hdmi2_1"> the HDMI 2.1 spec[/url], soundbars can support HDR, 8K and 4K/120 passthrough to make these speaker systems an even better companion for a game console.</p><h3>Channels</h3><p>Another big thing you’ll want to pay attention to when looking for the best soundbar is channels. That’s the 2.1, 7.1.2 or other decimal number that companies include in product descriptions. The first figure corresponds to the number of channels. A two would just be left and right while a more robust Atmos system, especially one with rear satellite speakers, could be five or seven (left, right, center and upward). The second number refers to the subwoofer, so if your new soundbar comes with one or has them built in, you’ll see a one here. The third numeral is up-firing speakers, important for the immersive effect of Dolby Atmos. Not all Atmos-enabled units have them, but if they do, the third number will tell you how many are in play.</p><h3>Wireless</h3><figure> Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, SA-SW5 subwoofer, SA-SW3 subwoofer and SA-RS3S speakers." data-uuid="30500ddb-6693-306b-b67b-4d2c1f1c0eda

Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, SA-SW5 subwoofer, SA-SW3 subwoofer and SA-RS3S speakers." data-uuid="30500ddb-6693-306b-b67b-4d2c1f1c0eda