Eventhe best TVscan be underwhelming when it come to built - in sound , which explains why soundbars have become such a pop accessory . Often , a single verbaliser is all it take to boost duologue quality and leave you with a much more theater - like experience .
Thankfully , goodsoundbarsdon’t necessitate to cost an arm and a stage . In fact , you may take home an exceptional audio gimmick , complete withBluetooth capabilities , spokesperson assistant integrating , and evenDolby Atmos support(in some cases ) for a lot less than you think .
Of naturally , there are legion options on the marketplace , so it can be challenge to see thespeakers and subthat just check your living way and bank account . That ’s where we come in though .
We ’ve been vetting and testing soundbars for years nows . While some of the best models can be quite expensive , we think the six soundbars we ’ve included in this roundup do a fantastic job of toe the assembly line between budget - well-disposed and herculean performers . So without further ado , here are the good soundbars under $ 500 that you could buy today .
The best overall soundbar under $500
Yamaha YAS-209
Despite being nearly six years old , the Yamaha YAS-209 remains one of the best value in the soundbar world , with everything you take , plus a bunch of feature you did n’t have intercourse you want . It ’s extremely wanton to rig up and even technophobe should be able to get this up and run in no fourth dimension using an HDMI or optical cable and the built - in wireless subwoofer connection . It ’s also one of the few soundbars in this price range with a dedicated HDMI input .
With Alexa built - in you get a wad more versatility , too , since play euphony is as well-fixed as asking and you’re able to also get euphony and podcasts via Spotify Connect , as well as both Bluetooth and Wi - Fi . Alexa can also help oneself out with classic voice commands like begin word , sport , and atmospheric condition updates , it can create lists , and localise timer and alarms of course , but there are also build - in controls for launch the soundbar too . call for Alexa to crank the mass up , or play movies if you own anAmazon Fire TV machine , and more .
The sound quality is marvellous . YAS-209 has DTS Virtual :X , which mean it ’s capable of 3D surround speech sound from just a single machine . The overall audio quality is percipient , and fragile sounds are promiscuous to pick out . The bass when playing music was full and defined , and a welcomed upgrade . When watching TV , the dialogue is clear and easy abridge through , thanks in part to special background which are plan to make your television set and movie listening as sharp as possible . Overall it gives you really bird’s-eye strait .
Dan Baker/Digital Trends / .
What ’s under the goon ? This 200 - watt 2.1 - channel soundbar easy fills a space , and the knock-down subwoofer gives you deep basso with flexible placement . Plus , six preset phone modes can adjust how your overall sound recording speech sound , with choice to highlight Movies , TV , Sports , Game Music , or Stereo .
This YAS-209 is also quite thick , running about 36 - inches across ( or 3 foot ) and just 2.5 - inches high . It can match easily into almost any live apparatus without much fuss .
The best budget soundbar under $500
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
Sometimes all you need from a soundbar is a little bitch in the treble and bass voice , which is precisely what the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar can provide . If you ’re not into the idea of having a wireless sub around , this Amazon machine does n’t come with one , yet it still bear a surprising amount of bass .
We were also impressed by the Fire TV Soundbar ’s DTS Virtual : go capability , which could fritter anyone into thinking there ’s more than just a soundbar in your medium room . If you want a soundbar that meshes well with your 32 - in sleeping room telly , or your 55 - column inch living room readiness , the Fire TV Soundbar ’s minimalist design checks those boxes too . You ’ll also be able-bodied to wire it up using HDMI ARC / eARC or digital optical ( transmission line sold on an individual basis ) .
We ’re not using words like “ amazing ” or “ revolutionary ” for a reason here , because the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is n’t breaking down any doors . But it is a unanimous soundbar that you could snaffle for less than $ 150 , and it even comes with a Bluetooth input signal , so you ’ll be capable to flirt your favorite tunes from Spotify and Apple Music with your earphone or tablet .
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
Contrary to its name though , the Fire TV Soundbar does n’t in reality have Fire telecasting moving-picture show / TV show streaming capabilities . If you ’re in the market for a soundbar / streamer combo though , the Roku Streambar may be a better fit .
Best designed soundbar under $500
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Building on the success of Sonos ' first - gen Beam soundbar , the secondly - gen Beam is near identical in appearance but offers quite a morsel more under the hood than its predecessor . One famous young feature film isDolby Atmossupport , where Sonos engineers have dedicated two front - facing loudspeaker system arrays to assume overhead vocalize for a full 3D Atmos experience .
The new Beam also features funding forHDMI eARC , which entail you ’ll get lossless audio recording from 4 K Blu - ray , Dolby Atmos stream from Netflix , and other high - fidelity sources ( as long as your TV also supports eARC ) .
Sonos makes killer speakers that vocalise great and take care good , too . With a more rounded design and voiced breaking ball , the Sonos Beam looks a small more sculptural in your space . especially if you have a more New distance , contribute the white version and wall mount , can mean it almost disappear , so the focal point is on your cognitive content .
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
As with the party ’s other soundbars , you’re able to expand the Beam Gen 2 into a full 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 system by adding speakers like theEra 300orEra 100as surrounds , with bigger bass courtesy of a Sonos Sub or Sub Mini .
you’re able to also activate Google Assistant , Amazon Alexa and / orSonos Voice Controlfor hands - gratuitous access to your euphony and more .
The best soundbar for dialogue under $500
Polk Signa S4
It ’s a ripe signboard when a soundbar is capable of decodingDolby Atmos , but it ’s an even good sign when the bar itself features up - fire driver for Atmos audio to project from . Such is the eccentric with the Polk Signa S4 , an excellent Atmos - ready soundbar that deliver the kind of surround pretending that will save you from invest tons of hard currency into piles of speaker wire and ceiling speakers .
Oh , and above all , the Signa S4 is remarkable when it come to dialog limpidity . This is thanks to a feature call Voice Adjust , which lets you choose from three dissimilar levels of speech enhancement .
One of the most thwarting parts of streaming a movie or television set show is that chopine like Netflix and Disney+ can be hit - or - miss when it come to the content audio recording mixes , which usually mean you ’ll be cranking the volume to see what character are saying , only to be traumatize out of your tegument when a movie score kicks in . This is precisely the sort of thing the Signa S4 is excellent at balancing , while also delivering an impactful Atmos simulation .
The best soundbar with built-in subwoofers for under $500
Sony HTX8500
Wireless subwoofers are only “ radio ” in the sensation that they can join to your soundbar without the need for LFE cables or speaker wire . Otherwise , these orthogonal audio companion still require a wall outlet connection , which can be challenge if you ’re grapple with an outlet - hunger way , or you simply do n’t have a undecomposed place to seat the woofer .
Fortunately , there are soundbars like the Sony HTX8500 to even the playing force field . rather of having to contend with a disjoined sub , the HTX8500 has two built - in woofer , and the end results are really good .
The HTX8500 also tolerate both Dolby Atmos and DTS :X codecs , so you ’ll be able to revel an elevated surroundings experience without having to buy a crowd of speakers . You ’ll also be capable to switch between three different sound recording presets ( Theater , Music , and Game modes ) to considerably meet the content you ’re spoil in .
The HTX8500 also include 4 K HDR passthrough , which means you ’ll be able to unite an A / V component ( like a put - top box or Blu - ray player ) directly to the soundbar , while having a second HDMI connected from the Browning automatic rifle to your TV .
Best compact soundbar for under $500
Bose Smart Soundbar
When it comes to room - fulfil sound , few soundbars render the kind of experience you ’ll get from the Bose Smart Soundbar . For right around $ 500 , this is one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars we ’ve test over the last few years , and setting it up could n’t be easier . There ’s only one HDMI eARC port wine that you ’ll associate to your TV ’s HDMI eARC . Yes , there ’s a digital visual port too , but if you utilise it , you ’ll be limited to 5.1 surroundings , which means no Atmos compatibility .
With its surprising soundstage that prioritizes height and wide immersion , you ’ll feel like you ’re right in the middle of some of your preferent moving picture tantrum . Our commentator was also blown aside by the Bose ’s dialogue pellucidity , especially when compared to other prominent Atmos emulator like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 ( which is also on our list ) .
Speaking of the Beam Gen 2 , the Smart Soundbar can also be expanded with several surround and wireless subwoofer options from Bose .
The Bose Smart Soundbar has a slew of Wi - Fi features and the ability to desegregate with Alexa ’s part assistant , all of which you ’ll manage through the Bose Music app . Do keep in mind that there ’s no ethernet port though , so Wi - Fi is your only networking alternative .
question why we ’ve connect to a critique of the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 ? That ’s what Bose used to call the Smart Soundbar . When it was renamed , Bose gave it a new AI talks modality andcompatibility with its Open Ultra Earbuds , but everything else ( include the cost ) remained the same .
Best expandable soundbar system under $500
Klipsch Flexus Core 200
Over the years , Klipsch has consistently produced some prodigious home theater products . And thanks to the arrival of the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 , we have test copy that the famous audio brand shows no signs of stop . The Flexus Core 200 is one of two Flexus soundbars ( the other being theFlexus Core 100 ) you ’ll be able to add Flexus Surr 100 rear speakers and a Flexus Sub 100 powered woofer to . With all components linked up , you ’ll have a complete ( and speaker conducting wire - free ) Dolby Atmos system .
In term of connectivity , the Flexus Core 200 includes HDMI eARC , digital optical , and USB - coke embrasure . For full Atmos compatibility , you ’ll want to make certain your telecasting has an HDMI eARC output ( and can passthrough Dolby Atmos ) .
As far as sound quality goes , the Flexus Core 200 really brings it . you could expect muscular low - end performance and some of the most towering volume grade we ’ve see from a soundbar in a long time . In our hands - on testing , we mark that the max book is 50 , but we did n’t feel the need to go past 18 ( with 21 fathom like a movie theatre ) .
Additional feature let in customizations via the Klipsch Connect Plus app ( over Bluetooth LE ) , a pumped-up subwoofer output , and all the cables and accoutrement you ’ll take for the soundbar decently out of the corner .
Best small sounbdar under $200
Roku Streambar
If your soundbar hunting has you looking for the rank small footmark you may obtain , look no further than the Roku Streambar . This versatile little TV speaker unit is both a Roku streaming machine and a super - compact soundbar all in one small software . Though it ’s compact , it still pack a surprising audio punch and wide soundstage . The bass is surprisingly strong for a soundbar of this sizing and it ’s quite well balanced .
The Roku Streambar is super easygoing to do up , and it comes with the Roku remote control which is quite handy and will yoke up so you could keep in line your video with it too . Play music to it via Bluetooth , plus this soundbar gives you the alternative of adding a Roku Wireless Subwoofer and immersive surround sound if you want to .
The speakers consist of four 1.9 - in full - range driver , and they can treat audio formats including Dolby Audio . There are several sound modes including one that clarifies spoken language , and another to zigzag the basso . Voice equalization rounds out the specs here .
Frequently Asked Questions
A soundbar help boost audio lineament from a TV . Because many television receiver are so fragile and light , there ’s no room for a lineament build - in sound system . A good quality soundbar will project sound recording farther and wider and make it louder , give more depth to the sound and giving you a better overall sound experience .
The short solution ? Yes , they can be . It ’s significant to check out review of soundbars to ensure the real substance abuser experience is up to equivalence , but there are wad of great budget - friendly options .
You want to ensure a budget soundbar , like a more expensive option , sounds unspoilt , has good bass , and clear dialogue . A brawny speaker is n’t very helpful if it attain vox sound turbid . Other things to look for include a physical remote controller ( ready to hand but often not necessary ) , voice control via Google Assistant or Alexa as well as multiple connectivity selection so you know it will hook up properly to your TV .
You may also want to consider expanding upon : some budget legal profession allow you add supernumerary verbaliser subsequently , for an even more immersive experience .
That reckon . If you have a very muscular soundbar that ’s been delicately tune , then you may not also require a subwoofer . If you ’re not the type of person that has to have story - shaking bass part , then a subwoofer could be an added disbursement that you just do n’t need .
For some cinephiles and bass voice lovers , they want to force out every drop from the low end and a dedicated subwoofer is often the only way to do that .
None of these soundbars are truly wireless ( they all require either an HDMI or optical joining to your TV ) , but every mannikin offers at least the selection of Bluetooth wireless streaming from a smartphone , and several have Wi - Fi for even outstanding wireless flexibility .
Soundbars should be placed instantly below the tv set . bet on your setup and configuration , you’re able to mount it to the wall , or place it on furniture underneath your screen . A centered placement immediately below the TV screen is optimum for the best soundscape and dialogue clearness .
Yes . It ’s not a give , so check the specs carefully if this is an important feature film . Be specially diligent about checking to see if your preferred assistant is digest – only a few framework work with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa , and only Apple ’s HomePod loudspeaker system work at once with Siri .
As with any major purchase you get what you pay for . If your budget is trammel , a budget soundbar can still fill a indigence until you ’re able to afford something bigger , better , and potentially more powerful . And these days , let ’s be honest , with new technology number out sometimes as often as once a year , it ’s knockout to predict what kinds of technological advancements there may be by the sentence you ’re ready and have the investment company to upgrade .
A budget soundbar can last for many years , stand for if you choose to hang onto it or move it to another TV if you do want to kick upstairs , you should still be capable to get plenty of economic consumption from it .
If you ’re still in motive of direction after perusing all the above topics , hold out our expert guide topicking the right soundbar .
