The 10 Best Soundbar To Hear Dialogue, Tested And Researched

Piers Anthony By, Piers Anthony
Updated
Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar

With Polk Audio’s Signa S2 ultra-slim sound bar you can enjoy surround sound audio at home without the need for a full surround sound setup. Featuring 5 powerful full-range drivers and a wireless subwoofer, this sound bar delivers rich, deep bass and beautiful sound. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar (HW-A650, 2021 Model)

DTS Virtual:X technology allows you to experience 3D sound movements all around you. You won't miss a word thanks to enhanced dialogue delivered by a dedicated centre channel speaker. This allows you to clearly project your voices. Read Review

3. Best Realiable: Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth

Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth. This soundbar is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating voices, so you can hear them better. It also features Bluetooth technology, which allows you to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Read Review

4. Best Style: ZVOX Dialogue Clarifying Sound Bar - AccuVoice AV100

The Dialogue Clarifying Sound Bar with Patented Hearing Technology is the world's smallest home theater system. It fits just about anywhere and connects to your TV with one wire. It is fast and easy to setup and provides an amazing sound experience that surprises and delights everyone in the room. Read Review

When you’re watching a movie where the dialogue is important, it can be frustrating when you hear half of what’s being said. The whirring of cars as they drive past, general background noise and other sounds can drown out the dialogue, making it almost impossible to follow along.

To avoid this and get the most out of your movies, you need to invest in a great soundbar. A sound bar is an excellent choice for anyone who finds that their TV speakers are drowning out important dialogue. With the right soundbar, you will be able to hear everything clearly and with much more depth than before. There are plenty of different models on the market today, so finding one that is perfect for your home theater setup doesn’t need to be difficult.

Here are some things to consider when looking for the best soundbar for hearing dialogue:

Before making our recommendations, our specialists spend substantial time researching and analyzing your requirements. Then we found the Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar is the greatest choice for its high-quality performance. If you're looking for another one, consider SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar (HW-A650, 2021 Model).

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar
Our Score:
9.7
Polk Audio
  • A PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM SOUND BAR WITH INCLUDED WIRELESS SUBWOOFER – 5 powerful full-range drivers deliver BEAUTFUL RICH SOUND WITH DEEP BASS. POLK’S EXCLUSIVE VOICE ADJUST TECHNOLOGY & Dolby Digital Decoding maximizes sound clarity & reduces voice delays
  • UPGRADE YOUR HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE – Watch your favorite shows on your 4K HD Smart TV with exceptional picture quality & crystal clear sound. With numerous connection possibilities, plug in any audio source via HDMI ARC, optical input & AUX
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC from your favorite streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and others directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device through the built-in Bluetooth technology
  • SET UP YOUR SOUND BAR IN MINUTES — With the included subwoofer, HDMI and optical cables quickly connect your TV to the sound bar. Get set up and listening in minutes
  • EXCELLENT SOUND AND VALUE on par with any mid- to high-range sound bars available in the market. At just over 2" tall, it fits most spaces — easily wall-mount it or place in front of your TV. It won’t block your TV’s bottom edge or IR remote sensor
TOP Choice #2 SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar (HW-A650, 2021 Model)
Our Score:
9.6
SAMSUNG
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND LITE - Optimizes sound to video content.
  • COMMON SOLUTIONS PER ISSUE: Disconnects from tv -- Replace the cable. Rear speakers keeps dropping -- Update the software Can't connect to my tv -- Replace the cable. No sound -- TV sees sound bar but no sound This can happen when connected to other Manufacturer’s TV. Solution is to set the Digital Sound Out to “Auto” (not “Pass-Through”) on their TV menu. Subwoofer stopped working. -- Likely due to interference. Move the subwoofer closer, then run ID SET again (wireless speaker linking process)
  • BASS BOOST - Instantly amplify the bass with the touch of a button.
  • BUILT-IN CENTER SPEAKER - A dedicated speaker enhances dialogue so you hear every word
  • SUBWOOFER INCLUDED - Wireless subwoofer included.
  • DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 / DTS VIRTUAL:X - Immersive surround sound simulation that draws you in.
TOP Choice #3 Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth
Our Score:
9.4
Bose
  • Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation.
  • Compact soundbar: This small soundbar is just over 2" tall for easy placement in front of your TV or mounted to a wall (wall brackets sold separately). Overall TV speaker dimensions are 2.21" H x 23.38" W x 4.02" D.
  • Bluetooth TV speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts.
  • Build and expand: The Bose TV Speaker is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 500 or 700 and requires the Bose Bass Module Connection Cable or a standard 3.5 millimeter audio cable, sold separately.
  • Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes.
  • Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound.
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar.
  • Remote control: Compact TV speaker comes with a remote control that enables a dialogue mode to further enhance speech or add a bass boost for more depth.
  • Connects to your TV with just one wire! Fast and Easy.
  • AccuVoice hearing aid technology with six levels of voice boost.
  • New remote control uses large buttons with easy to read labels.
  • Two high-output wide-range speakers plus a passive radiator for rich sound.
  • The world's smallest home theater system? 10" wide, less than one pound...fits just about anywhere.
  • 【Compact & Stylish Design】This sound bars for tv with a slim and sleek design that will add a modern & high-tech touch to your home. No matter it is placed next to a TV and computer or mounted on any wall. It saves space to the greatest extent while providing you with the most original and pleasant sound.
  • 【Built-in DSP & 3 EQ modes】VILINICE small soundbar built-in DSP technology, advanced full-range, high-sensitivity tweeter drivers make the sound field positioning more accurate and the vocals clearer. You can fine adjust your sound bar with 3 different equalizer modes (Music, News, Movie) via the remote control to match your favorite sound.
  • 【Perfect Gift & Friendly Service】If you have any problems about TV sound bar, you can contact us by email. We will try our best to solve your issue, make you 100% satisfied, and provide lifetime technical support.
  • 【Small Soundbar Big Sound】You will no longer have to turn your TV up to 60+ to hear the sound, for this built-in 50-watt output power soundbar will provide clear treble and heavy bass. You can have different experience like IN A MUSIC HALL OR IN A CINEMA.
  • 【Wireless & Wired Connections】 Surround Sound TV Speaker support Bluetooth 5.0 that can realize the fast connection between smartphone and bluetooth sound bar, efficient and stable transmission, and strong anti-interference. In addition, you can easily connect these devices (mobile phones, laptops, TVs, computers, projectors, USB Disk, set-top boxes, etc.) through AUX/RCA, optical fiber, USB multiple wired connection methods.
6 ZVOX SB380 Aluminum Sound Bar
Our Score:
8.8
ZVOX
  • Aluminum Sound bar
  • AccuVoice
  • Bright, Easy to read Alphanumeric display
  • Extruded aluminum cabinet
  • New remote control uses large buttons with easy to read labels
  • Includes new SuperVoice technology to reduce distracting background sounds.
  • AccuVoice hearing aid technology with 12 levels of voice boost.
  • Button and Remote Control : Use BYL’s remote control to switch between dialogue, movie, and music modes to tailor the sound output to your entertainment.Moreover, Bass and Treble can be adjustable as your favor.
  • Rock-Solid Sound: Quad built-in 3-Inch imported and advanced full-range drivers; dual high-sensitivity spherical silk film tweeter drivers, twin craftsman-processed bass reflex tubes. All they only serve for serious stereo sound with exceptional clarity and zero distortion. According to our substantial survey, most speaker drivers are less than 3-Inch in the market.
  • Beef Up Version: Noise-free Sound,Boosted Bass, Bigger Power (Max up to 100Watt).Utilized Noise-free technology to ensure every layer of Audio is delivered flawlessly. Extended length to 40 Inch which is Meticulously- designed for your smart TV and sweet Home.
  • DSP Technology: Thanks for the Digital Signal Processing, there are three different modes (Movie, Music, Dialog) for your option. Be footloose and start to enjoy what you like.
9 Wohome Soundbar S9920
Our Score:
8.2
Wohome
  • 4 Working Models: Built-in DSP & Virtual 3D Surrounded; Fine tune your TV sound bar with 4 modes (TV & music & movie & 3D Mode) via the remote control.
  • Wireless Bluetooth 5.0: Efficient, stable transmission and strong anti-interference. Pair your Bluetooth sound bar to soundtrack your next party, or to set the mood for when you want to relax with a good album in rich, audiophile quality.
  • After Service: Wohome TV speaker bar is committed to providing each customer with a better audio-visual experience. If you have any questions about the series of products, please do not hesitate to contact us.
  • Multiple Setups: Support HDMI-ARC, 3.5mm (AUX&RCA), optical, USB input, fit for mobile phones, tablets, TVs, computers, projectors, gaming, etc. Please make sure your TV audio setting to PCM for optical input before use.
  • 38 Inch Pro TV Sound Bar: The larger size allows to have more soundstage space and bring out the full power of the speakers. Longer bass reflex tube can produce higher sound quality and fuller sound. This soundbar is easy setup with mount kit provided. Mount it on the wall or placed on cabinet, great for 40" or above TVs.
  • Bose Music app — Download the Bose Music app to set up your Bluetooth soundbar speaker, set up Voice4Video, and browse your music in one place. It’s another simple way to control and group together compatible Bose products
  • Easy smart soundbar setup — The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 uses a single connection to any TV. Choose from the HDMI eARC connection or optical audio connection (both cables provided), connect the soundbar to a TV, hook it up to power, and turn it on
  • Built-in voice assistants (Alexa and Google Assistant) — Noise-rejecting microphones work together to listen in every direction for your commands, even when the music’s playing loudly. For times when you want privacy, just disable the microphones with the mic-off button
  • Dolby Atmos soundbar — This wireless Bluetooth soundbar lends an extra dimension of height to your sound. Proprietary Bose TrueSpace spatial processing analyzes and upmixes sounds for an enveloping listening experience in Dolby, stereo, and more
  • Wireless soundbar streaming, your way — With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, you can wirelessly stream whatever you want, however you want
  • Voice control soundbar — Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology expands your voice capabilities like no other smart soundbar can. In addition to controlling your Dolby Atmos soundbar, you can control your TV, cable and more with just your voice
  • Sleek design — From material quality to construction and finishes to controls, Bose obsessed over every detail to produce a Bluetooth soundbar speaker that looks as astonishing as it sounds
  • Latest Bose soundbar — It’s the most immersive Bose voice control soundbar yet. Two custom-engineered upfiring dipole speakers work with Bose technologies to make it feel as if sound is coming from every direction — even overhead
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best soundbar to hear dialogue?

Subwoofer

In large rooms, a soundbar with an external subwoofer (or dedicated soundbar) can be more effective than one without it. A subwoofer that is well made will enhance low-end sound quality and add a cinematic vibe to your system. A sub that is poorly designed can cause a drop in sound quality. A soundbase is a great option if you need bass, but aren't able to fit an external sub. They include an integrated subwoofer.

Number Of Channels And Speakers

A soundbar with just 2.1 channels may be enough to enhance the audio quality of your TV. A 5.1 and 7.1 models might offer better sound quality when you watch TV/movies or listen to audio. Dolby Atmos is available on 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 models. This technology allows for a richer experience. It involves placing speakers higher than the roof, to create sound from above.

Additional Features

You might also want these features in your soundbar:
There are special sound modes for various audio types, such as watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. You can adjust the treble and bass settings depending on what you are watching/listening too.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice-controlled music.
Front-panel displays that display important information, such as volume levels. Make sure to check if this display is able to be switched off when it's not in use so that it does not become distracting.

Wired/wireless Speakers

Some soundbars allow for wired and wireless connection to other speakers. Some soundbars only support a subwoofer. However, a few models offer "surround sound" connectivity, which allows you to connect other speakers to the rear of the room to replicate 5.1. You can purchase these speakers separately or as a bundle at an extra cost.

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an important soundbar feature that allows you stream music from compatible phones, tablets and computers to your soundbar. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stream music from your Spotify account or access cloud music libraries.

Connectivity

Soundbars typically only require one cable to connect with your TV. HDMI is the best choice. Make sure that your soundbar is equipped with all necessary ports for connecting to Blu-ray players and USB storage. You should check if your soundbar has a pass-through function that transmits 4K HDR video from your 4K HDR TV.

Size

To ensure that the unit will not block the screen, or interfere with the remote control or display of your TV's remote, check its dimensions. You should also check that the design of the unit matches your TV.

Ease Of Set-up And Use

It is easy to hook up the soundbar with your TV or other device and get started using it immediately. This can be gauged by looking at the manual or reading some user reviews.

FAQs

Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Sound Bar?

Wireless sound bars often come with a subwoofer. You can also add your own wireless subwoofer to the sound bars that do not have one. If you desire an immersive experience, you'll want it.

Can You Add Speakers To A Sound Bar?

There are both yes and no. Some sound bars have additional speakers that can be added to the system, which brings you closer to home theatre sound. If the soundbar is multi-room compatible, then wireless rear speakers can be added. This is a good option for those who have or want to install a multi-room sound system in their home.

Are Soundbars Really Worth It?

They are well worth the investment when compared to how loud your TV sounds. A soundbar costs only $100 and can make your TV viewing experience 10x better. A soundbar can make it easier to understand speech by allowing TV speakers to face down.

Will A Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?

Modern TVs have very tiny speakers which bounce sound off of your TV. As a result, they can be distant and harsh. A soundbar can be added to most TVs to improve their sound quality, particularly when it comes down to reproducing spoken words. It will also allow you to listen to music.

Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?

There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, you can still use your soundbar with any TV. It is helpful sometimes to match soundbar and TV brands. New soundbars often use HDMI ARC to transmit the audio from the TV's speakers through the soundbar. If both of your devices have this port, you are good. An optical connection is available on some older soundbars, and almost all TVs have them.

Where Do I Place My Soundbar?

The soundbars can be placed directly in front of your TV using a stand, or any other type of furniture. They are usually less than 2 inches high so they won't interfere with the infrared remote port of your TV or block it. Some soundbars are also wall-mountable and include brackets. There are third-party kits that can be used to mount soundbars on the wall.

Can A Sound Bar Be Used As A Center Speaker?

There are some that can and others that can't, but it's not something we recommend. Although a passive soundbar could technically be used to provide center channel speakers, this is not what it was designed for. This is like asking a pitcher to play both catch and second base instead of the only position that he excels at.

Can You Use A Soundbar To Play Music?

A soundbar can make music play through your TV much more enjoyable. Bluetooth is a feature that many soundbars offer, so you won't have to turn on the TV to hear your music. A soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer will work best to reproduce deep bass and dynamics.

Conclusion

So, what's the easiest approach to get the best soundbar to hear dialogue you need quickly? You may use what we know about cognitive neuroscience concepts in your marketing approach. 

When choosing the ideal product, you must have a clear idea of what you want in terms of price, quality, and function. If you don’t like any model in this list, then the VIZIO Sound Bar for TV – 4 M21d-H8R will be your new buddy.


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About Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony is a freelance writer and computer expert who enjoys helping others get the most out of their technology. He has written extensively about laptops, soundbars, and other computer-related topics, and he currently serves as the editor of The Audio Insights website. When he's not writing or tinkering with his gadgets, Piers can be found spending time with his wife and family.