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10 Best Soundbar With Optical Input 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Klipsch Flexus CORE 300 5.1.2 Channel Sound Bar with Dirac Live Room Correction, Dolby Atmos, Custom Tuned Bass and Powered by Onkyo - Black, 54" W

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,127
Audio Channels
Size and Design
Subwoofer

Most important from
662 reviews

Audio Channels
The soundbar delivers a broad, immersive soundstage with excellent left-to-right separation and surprisingly strong bass from its internal subwoofers.
Size and Design
Its solid, attractive design with a mix of wood and metal gives it a premium feel and substantial heft.
Subwoofer
The dedicated wired subwoofer output is a rare and valuable feature for those wanting to add external bass support.
Connectivity Options
Bluetooth streaming works smoothly, offering a great way to play music with full, rich sound.

The Klipsch Flexus CORE 300 is a high-end 5.1.2 channel soundbar designed for immersive home theater use, especially if you want rich, multidimensional sound with Dolby Atmos support. It delivers a powerful 300-watt output and features advanced room correction technology (Dirac Live), which automatically adjusts the sound to fit your room for better clarity and balance. The soundbar is fairly large at 54 inches wide, so it’s suited for medium to large TV setups and comes with upward-firing and side-firing speakers to create surround effects without needing extra speakers around the room.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth for wireless streaming, but it also supports wired connections like optical input, making it flexible for different devices. Klipsch’s reputation for quality audio combined with Onkyo’s engineering adds to its reliability and sound precision. On the downside, it doesn’t come with a separate subwoofer, relying on custom-tuned bass from the bar itself, which might not satisfy bass lovers seeking deep, punchy lows. The soundbar is also fairly heavy at nearly 19 pounds, which could make mounting or moving it a bit cumbersome.

Customer reviews are positive, averaging 4.3 stars, highlighting its immersive audio and easy setup with the Klipsch Connect Plus app. If you’re after a premium soundbar with advanced room correction and Dolby Atmos for movies and gaming, this product is a strong choice, but if you want a deep bass experience with a dedicated subwoofer, you might want to consider other options.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,127
Audio Channels
Size and Design
Subwoofer

Most important from
662 reviews

Audio Channels
The soundbar delivers a broad, immersive soundstage with excellent left-to-right separation and surprisingly strong bass from its internal subwoofers.
Size and Design
Its solid, attractive design with a mix of wood and metal gives it a premium feel and substantial heft.
Subwoofer
The dedicated wired subwoofer output is a rare and valuable feature for those wanting to add external bass support.
Connectivity Options
Bluetooth streaming works smoothly, offering a great way to play music with full, rich sound.
#2

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Rating
10.0
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Sound Modes

Most important from
1937 reviews

Audio Channels
Dialogue clarity is exceptional, enabling viewers to understand nearly all spoken content without relying on subtitles.
Connectivity Options
The included HDMI-to-optical adapter works but a dedicated optical input port would have added convenience for some users.
Sound Modes
Adjustable bass and treble controls allow for personalized sound tuning, enhancing the listening experience.
Size and Design
The compact and sleek design fits unobtrusively on a shelf or in front of the TV, blending well with home decor.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact soundbar designed to enhance your TV and music listening experience. It supports Dolby Atmos, which creates a 3D surround sound effect, making movies and shows feel more immersive. With 200 watts of power and a two-channel surround sound setup, it delivers clear dialogue and rich bass, though it lacks a built-in subwoofer. Instead, you can wirelessly add one later if you want deeper bass. Connectivity options are solid, including HDMI, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and an included optical audio adapter, making it compatible with most TVs and smart home setups.

You can control it easily via the Sonos app, your TV remote, voice commands, or Apple AirPlay 2, offering flexible options for different users. The soundbar is sleek and small enough to fit on a shelf or in front of your TV without taking much space. Setup is straightforward, needing only two cables, and the smart Trueplay tuning adjusts sound for your room automatically. While the price is higher than some basic models, Sonos is a trusted brand known for quality and the ability to expand your system with additional speakers for full surround sound or multiroom audio.

On the downside, it doesn't have a dedicated subwoofer included, and being non-water-resistant means it’s strictly for indoor use. Also, with a 2.0 channel configuration, it might not fully replace larger soundbars with more channels for those wanting the fullest surround sound out of the box. For anyone looking for a stylish, easy-to-use soundbar with great sound quality and future expandability, especially in smaller to medium rooms, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a strong choice.

Rating
10.0
Audio Channels
Connectivity Options
Sound Modes

Most important from
1937 reviews

Audio Channels
Dialogue clarity is exceptional, enabling viewers to understand nearly all spoken content without relying on subtitles.
Connectivity Options
The included HDMI-to-optical adapter works but a dedicated optical input port would have added convenience for some users.
Sound Modes
Adjustable bass and treble controls allow for personalized sound tuning, enhancing the listening experience.
Size and Design
The compact and sleek design fits unobtrusively on a shelf or in front of the TV, blending well with home decor.
#3

Klipsch Flexus CORE 300 5.1.2 Channel Powered by Onkyo Bluetooth Sound Bar with Dirac Live Room Correction, Dolby Atmos and Custom Tuned Bass - Walnut Without Wall Mount

Rating
9.7
Audio Channels
Size and Design
Subwoofer

Most important from
662 reviews

Audio Channels
Dialog clarity is strong thanks to the dedicated center channel, though some voices can still get drowned out in complex soundtracks without raising the volume.
Size and Design
Built with solid wood and metal, the unit feels hefty and looks attractive, fitting well in a home theater setup.
Subwoofer
The soundbar delivers a broad soundstage with excellent left-to-right separation and surprising bass depth even without an external subwoofer.
Wattage
The soundbar’s high power output (around 200W RMS) ensures full-bodied music and impactful movie audio even at lower volumes.
Connectivity Options
Bluetooth connectivity works seamlessly for wireless streaming, providing full, rich sound for music playback.
Brand and Reviews
The Klipsch Connect app and remote control make setup and sound customization straightforward, with firmware updates easily accessible.

The Klipsch Flexus CORE 300 is a premium 5.1.2 channel soundbar designed for users who want an immersive home audio experience with advanced features. It delivers 300 watts of power and supports Dolby Atmos, creating a multi-dimensional sound environment with sounds coming from above and around you. A standout feature is the built-in Dirac Live Room Correction, which adjusts the sound to fit your room’s acoustics, helping to get the best possible audio quality without extra hassle.

The soundbar includes Bluetooth connectivity for easy wireless streaming from various devices like TVs, gaming consoles, and smartphones. It measures 54 inches wide and has a stylish walnut finish that fits nicely on a tabletop, though it does not come with a wall mount included. The custom-tuned bass and powerful drivers help deliver deep, rich sound. The Klipsch Connect Plus app makes setup and control straightforward, adding convenience for users who want some customization but don’t want complexity.

This soundbar is well suited for people looking for a high-quality, immersive sound experience with modern technology and easy wireless use, especially for watching movies and gaming.

Rating
9.7
Audio Channels
Size and Design
Subwoofer

Most important from
662 reviews

Audio Channels
Dialog clarity is strong thanks to the dedicated center channel, though some voices can still get drowned out in complex soundtracks without raising the volume.
Size and Design
Built with solid wood and metal, the unit feels hefty and looks attractive, fitting well in a home theater setup.
Subwoofer
The soundbar delivers a broad soundstage with excellent left-to-right separation and surprising bass depth even without an external subwoofer.
Wattage
The soundbar’s high power output (around 200W RMS) ensures full-bodied music and impactful movie audio even at lower volumes.
Connectivity Options
Bluetooth connectivity works seamlessly for wireless streaming, providing full, rich sound for music playback.
Brand and Reviews
The Klipsch Connect app and remote control make setup and sound customization straightforward, with firmware updates easily accessible.

Buying Guide for the Best Soundbar With Optical Input

Choosing the right soundbar can significantly enhance your audio experience, whether you're watching movies, playing games, or listening to music. A soundbar with an optical input is a great choice for high-quality sound transmission. To make the best choice, you need to consider several key specifications that will determine the performance and compatibility of the soundbar with your existing setup. Here are the key specs you should focus on and how to navigate them to find the best fit for your needs.
Audio ChannelsAudio channels refer to the number of separate audio tracks that the soundbar can play. Common configurations include 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, and even 7.1 channels. A 2.0 soundbar has two channels (left and right), while a 2.1 adds a subwoofer for bass. Higher numbers like 5.1 and 7.1 include additional speakers for surround sound. If you want a simple upgrade from your TV speakers, a 2.0 or 2.1 soundbar might suffice. For a more immersive experience, especially for movies and gaming, consider a 5.1 or 7.1 soundbar.
WattageWattage indicates the power output of the soundbar, which affects the volume and clarity of the sound. Higher wattage generally means louder and clearer sound. Soundbars typically range from 30 watts to over 300 watts. If you have a small to medium-sized room, a soundbar with 30-100 watts should be adequate. For larger rooms or if you prefer very loud audio, look for soundbars with higher wattage.
Connectivity OptionsWhile an optical input is essential for high-quality digital audio, it's also important to consider other connectivity options like HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, and AUX. HDMI ARC allows for easy connection and control with your TV remote, while Bluetooth enables wireless streaming from your devices. AUX is useful for connecting older devices. Choose a soundbar with multiple connectivity options to ensure compatibility with all your devices.
Sound ModesSound modes are preset audio settings that optimize the soundbar's performance for different types of content, such as movies, music, news, or sports. These modes adjust the soundbar's equalizer settings to enhance dialogue clarity, bass, or overall sound quality. If you watch a variety of content, look for a soundbar with multiple sound modes to get the best audio experience for each type.
Size and DesignThe size and design of the soundbar should complement your TV and room decor. Soundbars come in various lengths and styles, from compact models to larger, more elaborate designs. Measure the space where you plan to place the soundbar and ensure it fits well without obstructing your TV screen or other components. Additionally, consider the aesthetic appeal and whether it matches your room's style.
SubwooferA subwoofer is a speaker dedicated to reproducing low-frequency sounds, adding depth and richness to the audio. Some soundbars come with a built-in subwoofer, while others include a separate wireless or wired subwoofer. If you enjoy bass-heavy music or action-packed movies, a soundbar with a subwoofer will provide a more satisfying audio experience. Decide whether you prefer an integrated or separate subwoofer based on your space and sound preferences.
Brand and ReviewsThe brand and customer reviews can give you insight into the soundbar's reliability, performance, and customer service. Established brands often have a reputation for quality and durability. Reading reviews from other users can help you understand the pros and cons of a particular model. Look for soundbars with consistently positive feedback and high ratings to ensure you're making a reliable choice.

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