Best Soundbar 2024

Our meticulous research and rigorous testing protocols ensure that the best soundbars we recommend are unmatched in quality, performance, and value. Stay tuned as we take you on a sonic journey, exploring the innovations that make these soundbars the leaders of their pack in 2023. Stay informed, make intelligent choices, and surround yourself with superior sound.

Why You Need A Soundbar?

Investing in a soundbar can significantly augment your home entertainment experience. Unlike the standard speakers integrated into most televisions, soundbars are engineered to deliver superior audio quality, enveloping you in a detailed, immersive sound environment.

This enhancement is largely due to the high-definition sound technologies and multiple speaker channels incorporated into the design of a soundbar. Furthermore, soundbars are typically compact and sleek, blending seamlessly with your decor and eliminating the need for a jumble of wires and separate speakers.

Thus, with a soundbar, you’re elevating your audio experience and maintaining a neat, minimalist appearance in your entertainment area. So, a soundbar is an essential investment for a superior, clutter-free, cinematic sound experience at home.

What To Consider While Choosing The Soundbar?

When choosing the ideal soundbar for your TV, there’s a range of factors to consider. Firstly, the size: the dimensions of your TV dictate the suitable size for your soundbar. It should complement your TV size, not be dwarfed or overwhelm it. The bar’s width and height are crucial aspects to measure. If placed in front of the TV, the soundbar shouldn’t obstruct the screen. If it has upward-firing drivers, it requires a clear line of sight to the ceiling.

Consider the type of soundbar. While generally, soundbars are single long speakers with multiple drivers, some come with external subwoofers for additional bass or rear speakers for surround sound effects. If a powerful bass or surround sound is a priority, you’d want these models.

Connectivity and features are also essential. Modern soundbars offer ARC and eARC-enabled HDMI ports enabling control of the soundbar volume with your TV remote. Optical inputs are available for older TVs. Ponder whether you prefer managing settings with a physical remote or a smartphone app. For wireless music playback, look for soundbars with wifi streaming via services like Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast, plus Bluetooth connectivity. Some soundbars also offer voice assistant functionality.

Consider your additional devices like gaming consoles or a 4K Blu-ray player. HDMI passthrough ports could be beneficial for such setups.

Lastly, the type of audio the soundbar can handle. If you seek an immersive home cinema experience, look for models handling Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. Some soundbars achieve this with processing, and some include up-firing speakers for height effects. For authentic 3D sound, ensure your TV and soundbar support Dolby TrueHD and eARC.

Consider your viewing content and sources. If you’re streaming Netflix, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video in 4K HDR, high-quality audio is crucial.

How do we test soundbars?

At What Hi-Fi? our approach to speaker testing is comprehensive and unbiased. Our seasoned review team, stationed at our state-of-the-art testing facilities in the United States, ensures all products undergo a rigorous examination process before any review is published.

Each speaker is paired with a reference TV and directly compared to the best in its price and feature class. Our tests cover a wide spectrum of content and formats. From Blu-ray discs to streaming services, we evaluate how speakers perform with different styles of films and TV shows, advanced audio formats, and even music across various genres.

We insist on hearing each product at its peak performance, thereby guaranteeing we’re listening to it in the highest quality that the speaker is capable of. The final verdict of our reviews is a team effort, eliminating personal bias and solidifying our commitment to thoroughness.

Our reviews are divided into three sections: design, features, and sound. We pride ourselves on our independence from the influences of PR companies or our sales team, delivering honest, factual reviews for decades.

Still Not Sure! We got this

Navigating the world of soundbars can be quite complex. If you’re feeling uncertain about the best choice for your specific situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Share details like your room’s dimensions, your preferred types of films and television programs, and your budget.

Armed with this information, we are fully equipped to guide you toward the perfect soundbar catered to your personal needs. Remember, we’re here to simplify this process for you, and your optimal listening experience is our top priority.