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10 Best TV Surround Sound Bars 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,350
Sound Modes
Size and Design
Brand and Reviews

Most important from
12642 reviews

Sound Modes
With adjustable bass and a focus on dialogue clarity, the soundbar greatly enhances the TV watching experience.
Size and Design
The compact design integrates perfectly with the TV, providing a sleek and seamless look.
Brand and Reviews
The Bose TV Speaker soundbar offers a world of difference in movies, making dialogue much clearer without sounding tinny.

The Bose TV Speaker soundbar is a compact audio solution designed primarily for enhancing television sound. It features two angled full-range drivers that provide a wider, more natural sound experience, particularly beneficial for those who struggle with dialogue clarity. This is a great option for movie lovers, sports fans, or anyone who enjoys watching TV but finds the built-in speakers lacking in performance.

One of the standout features is its enhanced dialogue mode, which focuses on elevating vocals, making it an excellent choice for those who often watch shows with intricate dialogues or accents. The soundbar is also equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to easily stream music and podcasts from their devices. With multiple connection options, including HDMI ARC and optical input, setting it up is straightforward and quick.

The compact design makes it easy to fit in smaller spaces, but some users may find that the lack of a dedicated subwoofer limits the bass response. Although it is compatible with Bose's Bass Module for those seeking a deeper sound, this module is sold separately and adds to the overall cost. The soundbar's stereo audio output might not satisfy audiophiles looking for a multi-channel experience. It supports up to three devices, but can only pair with one Bluetooth device at a time, which may be a drawback for users who want to switch between multiple devices seamlessly. Additionally, while it offers a remote control for easy adjustments, the soundbar does not have built-in voice control capabilities.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,350
Sound Modes
Size and Design
Brand and Reviews

Most important from
12642 reviews

Sound Modes
With adjustable bass and a focus on dialogue clarity, the soundbar greatly enhances the TV watching experience.
Size and Design
The compact design integrates perfectly with the TV, providing a sleek and seamless look.
Brand and Reviews
The Bose TV Speaker soundbar offers a world of difference in movies, making dialogue much clearer without sounding tinny.
#2

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer and surround sound speakers (newest model), 5.1 channel, Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue

Rating
9.8
Channels
Connectivity
Sound Modes

Most important from
153 reviews

Channels
Surround sound effects are notably better and clearer compared to previous systems like the Vizio SB3651.
Connectivity
Instantly paired with my Sony TV and wireless components, delivering great sound right away.
Sound Modes
Voice clarity is outstanding, making dialogues much easier to follow, even for those with hearing difficulties.
Voice Control
Works seamlessly with Fire TV, allowing control of both TV and soundbar with a single remote.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a solid choice for those seeking an immersive home theater experience with its 5.1 channel surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X capabilities. One of the standout strengths is its dedicated center dialogue channel, which enhances clarity for conversations, making it easier to follow dialogues in movies and shows. The inclusion of a subwoofer and two surround speakers adds depth to audio, giving you that cinematic feel right in your living room.

Setup is user-friendly; simply plug in the components and connect them for a full surround sound experience. The sound modes – Movie, Music, Sports, and Night – are a great touch, allowing you to optimize audio based on what you're watching or listening to. Additionally, it integrates well with Fire TV, letting you control everything with a single remote, which is a major convenience.

On the downside, while the soundbar offers impressive features, those without a Fire TV may miss out on some of the integrated controls. The size of the soundbar may also be a consideration for smaller spaces; at 37 inches long, it requires some room for setup. The wireless connectivity for the subwoofer and surround speakers can be a plus, but it may also face interference issues in certain environments. While the sound quality is strong, some users may find it doesn't quite match high-end dedicated audio systems for audiophiles.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is an excellent option for casual users and families looking for an enhanced TV watching experience, particularly for those who appreciate easy setup and multi-dimensional sound. Serious audio enthusiasts might want to explore more specialized systems.

Rating
9.8
Channels
Connectivity
Sound Modes

Most important from
153 reviews

Channels
Surround sound effects are notably better and clearer compared to previous systems like the Vizio SB3651.
Connectivity
Instantly paired with my Sony TV and wireless components, delivering great sound right away.
Sound Modes
Voice clarity is outstanding, making dialogues much easier to follow, even for those with hearing difficulties.
Voice Control
Works seamlessly with Fire TV, allowing control of both TV and soundbar with a single remote.
#3

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Rating
9.7
Channels
Connectivity
Size and Design

Most important from
1937 reviews

Channels
Integration with other Sonos speakers creates a true surround sound experience.
Connectivity
Using the Sonos app enhances the experience, making it easy to control the soundbar.
Size and Design
Setting up the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is straightforward and hassle-free.
Brand and Reviews
The soundbar delivers robust and immersive sound, even without additional speakers.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is designed to enhance your home entertainment experience with vibrant bass, clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage. One of its standout features is the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, which provides a 3D surround sound effect, making your viewing experience more immersive. This soundbar lacks a separate subwoofer but compensates with its built-in technology to deliver rich bass.

Connectivity options are robust, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and HDMI, ensuring compatibility with various devices and easy integration into your home network. The soundbar supports control through the Sonos app, TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, offering flexibility and convenience in how you manage your audio settings. Setup is straightforward, with only two cables needed and guided instructions from the Sonos app, along with smart Trueplay tuning to optimize the sound based on your room's acoustics.

The compact design (3.9 x 25.6 x 2.7 inches) makes it easy to place on a shelf, and its understated black finish blends well with most home decor. While the Sonos Beam Gen 2 excels in many areas, it does have some limitations. The absence of a dedicated subwoofer might disappoint those looking for deeper, more powerful bass. Additionally, it is not waterproof, which limits its placement options. This soundbar is ideal for users who want an easy-to-use, high-quality audio solution with the flexibility to expand into a full Sonos surround sound system over time.

Rating
9.7
Channels
Connectivity
Size and Design

Most important from
1937 reviews

Channels
Integration with other Sonos speakers creates a true surround sound experience.
Connectivity
Using the Sonos app enhances the experience, making it easy to control the soundbar.
Size and Design
Setting up the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is straightforward and hassle-free.
Brand and Reviews
The soundbar delivers robust and immersive sound, even without additional speakers.

Buying Guide for the Best TV Surround Sound Bars

Choosing the right TV surround sound bar can significantly enhance your home entertainment experience. A sound bar is a compact speaker system that can deliver high-quality audio, making your TV shows, movies, and music sound much better. When selecting a sound bar, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. Here are the main specs to look at and how to navigate them.
ChannelsChannels refer to the number of separate audio channels the sound bar can produce. Common configurations include 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, and even 7.1. The first number indicates the number of main channels, while the second number (if present) indicates the presence of a subwoofer. For basic TV watching, a 2.0 or 2.1 system might suffice. For a more immersive experience, especially for movies and gaming, consider a 5.1 or higher system, which includes rear speakers for surround sound.
ConnectivityConnectivity options determine how the sound bar connects to your TV and other devices. Common options include HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. HDMI ARC provides the best audio quality and allows for easy control with your TV remote. Optical connections are also good for high-quality audio. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are useful for streaming music from your phone or other devices. Choose a sound bar with the connectivity options that match your devices and how you plan to use it.
Power OutputPower output, measured in watts, indicates the loudness and clarity of the sound bar. Higher wattage generally means more powerful and clearer sound. For small to medium-sized rooms, a sound bar with 100-300 watts should be sufficient. For larger rooms or if you prefer very loud audio, look for a sound bar with 300 watts or more. Consider your room size and how loud you like your audio when choosing the power output.
SubwooferA subwoofer is a speaker designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds, adding depth and richness to the audio. Some sound bars come with a built-in subwoofer, while others include a separate wireless subwoofer. If you enjoy bass-heavy music or action movies with lots of explosions, a sound bar with a subwoofer is a good choice. If space is limited or you prefer a more streamlined setup, a sound bar with a built-in subwoofer might be more suitable.
Sound ModesSound modes are preset audio settings that optimize the sound bar for different types of content, such as movies, music, sports, or dialogue. These modes can enhance your listening experience by adjusting the audio to suit the content. If you watch a variety of content, look for a sound bar with multiple sound modes. This allows you to easily switch between settings to get the best audio quality for each type of content.
Size and DesignThe size and design of the sound bar should complement your TV and fit well in your room. Sound bars come in various lengths and styles, from compact models to larger, more elaborate designs. Measure the space where you plan to place the sound bar and ensure it fits comfortably. Also, consider the aesthetic – a sleek, modern design might look better in a contemporary living room, while a more traditional design might suit a classic decor.

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