The Best Surround Soundbar For 2024

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
JBL Bar 9.1 - Channel Soundbar System with Surround Speakers and Dolby Atmos
Image credit: Amazon.com

You want to enjoy movies and TV shows in the best possible way but you don’t have a lot of space or money. Luckily, there are now affordable ways to get a great surround soundbar for your home theater setup. These digital audio systems connect your TV, Blu-ray player or other video source with an amplifier and speaker system to produce directionally-even sound over a wide area.

They’re ideal if you have a smaller space in which to fit your home theater setup, especially if you plan on watching movies from your sofa or bed instead of standing up. If you own an upcoming 4K TV, the chances are that also have one or more high-quality speakers already within your audio system as well (you can only get the best out of it if all the different channels of sound are being transmitted properly). An external surround soundbar is therefore one of the best upgrades you can make to your home theater experience while there’s still plenty of room on that wall for the addition of another piece.

However, after investing in 14, we've come up with a name that's worthy of your requirement: JBL Bar 9.1 - Channel Soundbar System with Surround Speakers and Dolby Atmos. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one, JBL Bar 5.1 - Soundbar with Built-in Virtual Surround. It could better suit your needs.

Our Top Picks

  • Power Source Type: Corded Electric
  • Connector Type: Optical
  • Experience deep bass with a 300W, 10" powered subwoofer
  • Included Components: Main Soundbar, Detachable Wireless Surround Speakers (2), Wireless Subwoofer Remote Control, Power Cords, Hdmi Cable, (2)L-Shape Wall-Mount Bracket (Main Bar), (2) U-Shape Wall-Mount Bracket (For Surround Speakers), Kit With Screws
  • Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi
  • With detachable, battery powered surround speakers you can enjoy real surround sound without the wires
  • 820W Output power
  • Ultra HD 4K Pass-through with Dolby Vision
  • Built-in Dolby Atmos and DTS: X decoding
  • Now with alexa multi-room audio
  • 4k pass-through with hdr 10 and dolby vision provides the best resolution
  • An impressive 550w of total system power
  • 10"" wireless subwoofer delivers deep, thrilling sound
  • Built-in chromecast, airplay2 and bluetooth
  • Jbl surround sound brings an immersive virtual 5.1 sound experience for your tv without any extra wires or speakers
  • Connector type: HDMI
  • MULTIPLE INPUT OPTIONS AND EASY SET UP - Aside from one of our newest feature Bluetooth 5.0 from your smartphones, tablet, PC and other Bluetooth enabled devices; there are also wired connection including HDMI ARC, Optical, USB (Flash drive only), and AUX input, compatible with TVs, projectors, computers, Blu-ray players, tablet, PS5, Amplifiers, and more! We upgraded the package to include both premium 5 ft Optical cable and 5 ft RCA to 3.5 mm cable.
  • 2.1 CHANNEL IMMERSIVE SOUND EXPERIENCE - 120W Sound bar delivers noticeably better sound than your TV alone. With advanced technologies, TV sound bar delivers the clear audio your TV can’t. Sound bar with subwoofer produces powerful bass and surround sound, let you enjoy a dynamic home audio experience; With 110dB sound level pressure, VMAI sound bar delivers the heavy-bass performance, a detailed midrange, crisp treble, and beyond. Enjoy all the details of your music and movies.
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0, THE SUPERB SOUND QUALITY - Our newest sound bar adopts Bluetooth 5.0 & DSP technology to ensure faster transmission speeds, stable connectivity, and smooth transmission in long distance with low consumption. This soundbar is so versatile you can place it almost anywhere. And with Bluetooth connectivity, you can play your favorite music anywhere. We’ve carefully engineered a custom sound bar material so we can provide you with true 3D stereo premium sound.
  • A DILIGENT DESIGN & 12 MONTHS WARRANTY - VMAI engineered the soundbar almost impossibly thin measuring less than 2.5-inch-high, and a jet-black surface. With luxury Touch-button design, you can control power/ volume on the side easily. VMAI sound bar comes with mount bracket in the package, which allows you to mount this elegant sound bar on your living room. Every VMAI sound bar will go through a strict quality test process before sending out. We offer 12 months warranty to our customer!
  • FOUR DIFFERENT SOUND MODE - Music, Movie, News & 3D mode adjusting by using the included remote control! The remote also allows you to increase or reduce treble and bass based on your preference. The additional volume and power control are conveniently located at the right side of the sound bar.
  • ENDLESS CONNECTION OPTIONS - 3 HDMI Inputs (HDCP 2.2 compliant), 1 HDMI-ARC output, an Optical port for Blu-Ray players & set-top box, an Aux Analog input (3.5mm) for any non-digital device, plus Bluetooth, USB and Internet connectivity
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC with GOOGLE CHROMECAST from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible Android devices for a multi room system. You can now cast your favorite music tracks to your sound bar and enjoy unlimited playback using services like Pandora, Spotify and others. Connect to a host of smart devices, TV, speakers and enjoy high quality sound instantly
  • Polk's exclusive Voice Adjust Technology even lets you INDEPENDENTLY CONTROL VOICE LEVELS maximizing sound clarity and minimizing voice delays and muzzled sounds. Equipped with INDEPENDENT MODES FOR MOVIES, MUSIC, AND SPORTS, it delivers balanced sound clarity so that hear every word, making your movie, sports and music experience exquisite
  • BIGGER, MORE DYNAMIC SOUND - Packed inside this slim and sleek sound bar 7 powerful drivers and tweeters produce exceptionally clear sound, more superior than any traditional sound bar
  • EXPERIENCE TRUE 5.1 WIRELESS SURROUND SOUND WITH POLK'S PATENTED SDA AUDIO TECHNOLOGY that creates an expansive surround stage & detailed stereo image delivering a room-filling listening experience, the same as what you would get in a concert or theater
  • INCLUDES PLUG AND PLAY WIRELESS SUBWOOFER & TWO WIRELESS SPEAKERS, which are instantly recognized by the sound bar the moment you power them on. The sub supports an 8” downward firing driver and the wall mountable speakers each have a 3" full range driver
  • Great Customer Support: LED display; remote control supplied; optical and aux cable supplied; 100% satisfaction service and lifetime technical support, any questions, please feel free to contact us via Amazon message or contact info on the service card
  • 4 Sound Equalizer Modes: with DSP technology, which brings amazing clarity and precision, let you enjoy all the details of dialogue, music, gaming, and movies; support 4EQs including music, movie, news, and 3D modes, choose the best sound according to your sound source, what's more, bass and treble adjustable
  • Multiple Connection: Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 for all your Bluetooth embedded devices such as smart TVs, phones, tablets, PCs; Wired connection including HDMI-ARC, optical, coaxial, aux for your traditional or smart TVs, projector, DVDs, and other devices; USB 2.0 for USB flash drivers to play MP3 music
  • Deeper Bass: 2.1 Channel with 4x 2.5inch full-range speakers and one 5.5Inch powerful subwoofer, our engineers repeatedly adjusted the sound quality infinitely, finally obtained satisfactory sound quality, S99 could produce strong heavy bass and surround sound effects, delicate midrange, treble, and other performance, a great dynamic home theater audio system for your and your families, max volume is 110dB
  • Ultra-Slim 28-Inch Sound Bar: with fashionable and classic design, 2.5 inches high could fit easily under your TV and desktop monitor, or you can place it on the cabinet or mount it on the wall, user-friendly design, super-easy setup
  • Upgraded Version: High-sensitivity remote control displays the different modes by means of different colored LED lights. Deep bass, improved power (Up to 80W). Advanced built-in Subwoofer bring powerful bass for all your movies, music and TV shows. Enjoy expansive audio and crystal-clear sound.(Fit for 32Inch--50Inch Smart TV).
  • Advanced 5.0 Bluetooth Technology: Connect over Bluetooth in seconds to your any Bluetooth Audio devices. To play from TVs use the included optical cable. It also supports Aux in, RCA, USB.
  • Control with Remote or Buttons: No matter if you’re standing by the TV or laying on the couch, the tv soundbar speaker can be operated via the integrated top buttons or included remote control. To make its operation even more intuitive, the LED indicator shines through the grid in different colors matching the selected functions.
  • 3D Surround Sound System: support Movie/Music/Dialogue modes thanks to DSP Technology. bring you a fantastic surrounded sound. Lets you hear every details of your music and movies, with crisp, breathtaking detail and exceptional clarity.
  • Enjoy wireless music streaming via Bluetooth from your mobile or tablet
  • JBL Surround sound brings an immersive sound experience for your TV without any extra wires or speakers
  • Hdmi or optical cable connection is super simple to set up and use
  • An impressive 300W of total system power
  • 6. 5" Wireless subwoofer delivers deep, thrilling sound
  • Stunning Cinematic Sound---[4] full-range drivers with [1] powerful deep bass subwoofer. Bring you strong and powerfully and epic cinematic impact sound effect for creating tension, suspense and focus attention in exciting moments.
  • Wireless-Bluetooth 5.0 ---Built-in Bluetooth for wireless music playback, you'll easily connect to other devices and enjoy music from your mobile, no strings attached.
  • Multi-Wired Connection--- Multiple Connections by HDMI(ARC), Optical, Aux, and also support USB Flash drive, you can easily connect to your TV or PC, Projectors, Computers etc. via these inputs.
  • 4 SOUND MODES---Music-Movie-News-3D,different modes give you the best sound a truly immersive, incomparable listening experience.
  • FULL ACCESSORIES INCLUDED---HDMI(ARC) cable, Optical Cable, Aux Cable, Remote Control, Screw Set all included. Built-in mount bracket.
  • 【100% Satisfaction Service】: we offer one year maintan service, 45 days money back assurance, lifetime technical support, please feel free to contact us via Amazon message or support mail on the service card.
  • 【POWERFUL LOUD SOUND SOUNDBAR】: Fantastic Room-filling Sound- two 3”drivers and two 2”tweeter deliver 80-watt powerful wallop to fill the whole room, and create a 3D stereo surrounded and immersive theater environment.
  • 【Memory Function and Bass Control】: The update remote's reset button could be memorized to the factory settings. And you can control the treble and bass settings of the sound bar.
  • 【Advanced 5.0 Bluetooth Technology】- Works well with Echo Dot with wireless bluetooth 5.0 connectivity , or wired 3.5mm stereo cable . Also for TV can also use the optical , RCA cable included . No fussing or limitation to move it to more rooms.
  • 【VARIOUS SOUND EFFECTS】: Three sound effects allow you to optimize the audio so that it is best suited to what you are listening to; whether you need clear dialogue for news, treble and bass rhythm for music, 3D surround sound effects for movies or create a sense of authenticity and excitement for sport events. The bass and treble levels can also be adjusted as you wish
  • Wireless or Wired Connection, Easy Setup: The sound bar can be connected to most types of your devices via Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 connection, Optical, AUX(3.5mm), RCA, or Coaxial connection, Easily connect to your home theater, Smart TV, PC, phone, projector, DVDs, laptop, desktop, tablets, pad, and more. If your TV or other source devices only has a 3.5mm headphone socket, use the 3.5mm to RCA audio cable to connect the soundbar to your TV or other source devices.
  • 3 Sound Modes via Remote Control: This compact TV speaker comes with 3 equalizer modes: Music, Movie, and News modes. Use the remote control to select your favorite specialized mode for providing you with a wide range of stereo effects throughout the room so you can enjoy cinematic surround sound in your home.
  • Deep Rich Bass: Feel the action and the beat of the music with the rich bass from a subwoofer. An Ideal Soundbar for Gaming, TVs, Monitor, Flat Screen, Smart TVs. It works well with all TVs sizes.
  • What You Get: TV Sound bar, Subwoofer, Remote Control, Power Adaptor, Optical Cable, RCA Audio Cable, 3.5mm to RCA Cable, User Manual, and Wall Mount Kit. If you have any problems, please feel free to contact us immediately.
  • Sound Bar with Subwoofer Upgrade Your Home Theater Experience: Powerful full-range drivers (total 70-watt output) deliver a more realistic, richer sound from a compact soundbar with deep bass. It is a perfect TV speaker that optimizes sound clarity and creates incredible room-filling virtual surround sound.
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How Could You Determine Which of the List on best surround soundbar Suits You?

The best surround soundbar is the standard appliance in your life. Seeing that the item is introduced with many models with distinct functions and features, several challenges in selecting. However, anything has its solution, not except for that. We, the high-qualified expert in this area, will be available here to give you support.

The descriptions we show in this article are always made better and available for everyone. They are all compiled with the support of AI tools and Big Data to determine the precision. As well, the expansion of sale sites, forums, and channels, it's necessary for you to come to the right one.

Of course, looking for the best surround soundbar which suits you most requires many criteria to consider. You are projected to think carefully for each of the features below so that your choice will be appropriate:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Remote Control

Some soundbars include a remote control, while others can be controlled using your TV remote. If you have a remote, ensure it is intuitive and easy to use.

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.

App

A number of soundbars are also possible to be controlled via a smartphone app. Learn more about the app and its ease of use.

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.

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 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.

What Is "Cinema Sound"?

Many sound bars offer a "cinema sound", or "movieplex sounds", which, according to them, mimics real home theater sound. Reality: It adds a small digital delay to the sound, similar to a fractional echo (think of reverb). Although it doesn't create a true home theatre sound, it can make the room seem larger. Some are incredible, but it's not free.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

How Do I Connect A Soundbar To My TV?

There are three ways you can output soundbars depending on your TV's age: digital optical, analog (3.5mm headphones or RCA), and digital optical. Make sure your soundbar is compatible with the TV's connections before you purchase it. HDMI is the most popular input for soundbars. If your TV has less than 5 years, it will likely be compatible. However, it is worth checking twice.

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.

Look through again. The brand of product you choose will affect the options available to you. Moreover, pricer models will offer more customization options. We've covered top-scoring models varying at some price. So you have more choices to consider. Furthermore, our staff will update the info related to best surround soundbar with the newest data. Let check our site more regularly to get the latest options.

If you want to take practical support from our expert, don't hesitate to give us feedback. Please feel free to contact us. Hopefully, with our buying guide, you can have a happy shopping for the product.


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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.