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Title: The best soundbars to boost your TV audio in 2025

Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:01:28 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-...

The best soundbars can completely transform your TV setup, turning flat,
lifeless audio into something that actually sounds cinematic. Whether you're
watching blockbuster movies, listening to music or gaming, a good soundbar
delivers clearer vocals, deep bass and better overall playback than most
built-in TV speakers ever could.

In 2025, thereΓÇÖs a soundbar for every kind of home entertainment setup ΓÇö
from compact all-in-one units to full surround systems with subwoofers and
rear speakers. Some prioritize simplicity and sleek design, while others are
packed with immersive features like Dolby Atmos and smart voice controls. No
matter your budget or your space, weΓÇÖve picked the best soundbars you can
buy right now to help elevate your audio experience.

Table of contents

The post-CES soundbar outlook for 2025

Best soundbars for 2025

What to look for in a soundbar

Other soundbars we tested

Best soundbar FAQs

The post-CES soundbar outlook for 2025

I typically come out of CES with a pretty clear understanding of the new
soundbars that are coming for the year, but that wasnΓÇÖt exactly the case in
2025. LG decided to carry over its most premium soundbars from 2024, but it
will add the compact S20A this year. The company only previewed the model at
CES, so full specs are still forthcoming.

Samsung will once again keep the same overall design and features for its top-
end Q990 soundbar. However, the company is adding a few new tools and it
drastically reduced the size of the wireless subwoofer that comes in the box.
Samsung does have one new model for 2025, the QS700F, thatΓÇÖs designed to
sit on a table or automatically adjust to being mounted flat on a wall.
Details are scarce on that soundbar for now and I anticipate a full spec
sheet when the company is really to sell it.

Of the big three TV companies, Sony is the only one that didnΓÇÖt announce
any home theater gear at CES. The company has decided to focus mainly on its
automotive efforts at the show recently, leaving TV and audio announcements
for later in the year. The company debuted multiple soundbar options in 2024
and a four-speaker setup for the living room in the Bravia Quad. That said,
it wouldnΓÇÖt surprise me if Sony released new soundbars later in the year
since its most recent models were only announced last April.

One company I would keep an eye on is Sennheiser. The original Ambeo model is
nearly six years old and could use a refresh. The company has added medium
and mini options to the Ambeo lineup since then, but it would be nice to see
a refined version of the largest model too. The original Ambeo soundbar is
huge, so no matter how good it sounds, it will always be a tough sell for
some people.

Although I think itΓÇÖs less likely, itΓÇÖs also possible that Sonos has new
soundbars this year. While the companyΓÇÖs next device will likely be the
rumored set-top streaming box, the Sound Motion tech inside the Arc Ultra
would offer a big improvement to bass performance in compact models like the
Beam and Ray. The company may bring Sound Motion to standalone speakers
first, but itΓÇÖs destined for those smaller soundbars eventually.

The best soundbars for 2025

What to look for in a soundbar Features

When it comes to features, the more you pay the more you're going to get in
your new audio system. Most affordable options ($150 or less) will improve
your television's audio quality, but that's about it. Step into the $300 to
$400 range and you'll find all-in-one soundbars with things like built-in
voice control, wireless connectivity, Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and even
Android TV. They're all helpful when you want to avoid looking for the remote
control, but the best playback quality is usually only in the top tier and
the formats those premium soundbar systems support. IΓÇÖm talking about
things like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other high-resolution audio standards ΓÇö
essentials if youΓÇÖre building a truly cinematic home entertainment setup.
And not all Atmos soundbars are equal, so you'll need to look at the finer
details carefully before you break into the savings account. If you're
looking for one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, size, channels and
subwoofer options will be important factors to consider. Some models even
include a dedicated subwoofer to enhance bass performance, bringing an extra
punch to action scenes and soundtracks.

Ports

This is a big one. A lot of the more affordable soundbars are limited when it
comes to connectivity options. They either offer an optical port or one HDMI
jack and, if you're lucky, both. Things get slightly better in the mid-range
section, but that's not always the case. The Sonos Beam, for example, is
$449, but only has a single HDMI port. Even at the higher-end, the $899 Sonos
Arc still only has one HDMI port. If you plan to connect multiple devices
like a set-top box, gaming laptop or console directly to your soundbar for
the best audio experience, youΓÇÖll want an option with at least two HDMI
(eARC) inputs. HDMI connections are critical for supporting Dolby Atmos and
Dolby Digital audio formats, as well as high-res passthrough for HDR and
8K/4K content.

Channels

Another big thing youΓÇÖll want to pay attention to when looking for the best
soundbar is channels. ThatΓÇÖs the 2.1, 7.1.2 or other decimal number that
companies include in product descriptions. The first figure corresponds to
the number of channels. A two would just be left and right while a more
robust Atmos system, especially one with rear surround speakers, could be
five or seven (left, right, center and upward). The second number refers to
the dedicated subwoofer, so if your new soundbar comes with one or has them
built in, youΓÇÖll see one here. The third numeral is up-firing speakers,
important for the immersive effect of Dolby Atmos. Not all Atmos-enabled
units have them, but if they do, the third number will tell you how many are
in play and how they contribute to the overall soundstage.

Wireless

Most soundbars these days offer either Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or both. When it
comes to Wi-Fi, that connectivity affords you luxuries like voice control
(either built-in or with a separate device), Chromecast, Spotify Connect and
AirPlay 2. Depending on your preferences, you might be able to live without
some of these. For me, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast are essentials, but the rest
I can live without. Those two give me the ability to beam music and podcasts
from my go-to apps without having to settle for ΓÇö or struggle with ΓÇö a
Bluetooth connection. For instance, Sonos speakers often offer seamless
integration with iOS devices, making it easy to connect and stream music
wirelessly. If youΓÇÖre looking for a wireless speaker that can enhance your
TV setup while also offering flexibility for audio throughout the house, it's
worth considering a multi-room system.

Size

This one might seem obvious but humor me for a minute. Nothing is more soul-
crushing than getting a pricey soundbar in your living room only to discover
you have to rearrange everything to find a spot for it. This was my plight
when the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar arrived at my door. Yes, that speaker is
absurdly large (and heavy), and most soundbars aren't nearly as big. I
learned a valuable lesson: Make sure the space where you want to put a
soundbar will accommodate the thing you're about to spend hundreds (if not
thousands) of dollars on.

Basically, it all comes down to the TV you have (or are planning to get) and
what the primary goal is for your living-room audio. Is it ease of use? Do
you want the best possible sound from a single speaker or speaker/sub combo?
Do you just want to be able to actually hear your TV better? Or do you want a
full home entertainment experience with crisp vocals, thunderous deep bass,
and immersive surround system audio?

By paying attention to each of those areas, you should have a good idea of
what to look for in a soundbar, soundbar/subwoofer combo, Dolby Digital
system or a more robust setup. With that said, we've put numerous products
through their paces at Engadget and have a few favorites for best soundbar at
various price points to get you started.

Other soundbars we tested Sonos Arc

ThereΓÇÖs no doubt that the Arc is SonosΓÇÖ best-sounding soundbar, but
itΓÇÖs also the companyΓÇÖs most expensive. With a new model based on the Arc
rumored to be on the way, itΓÇÖs difficult to recommend this product over the
likes of Samsung and Sony. The Arc works well as both a soundbar and a
speaker, and the device will fit in nicely with other Sonos gear you might
already have for a multiroom setup. It only has one HDMI port though, where
much of the competition allows you to connect streaming and gaming devices
directly to their soundbars.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus

I donΓÇÖt think SennheiserΓÇÖs medium-sized model offers enough to stand out
from the more powerful Ambeo Soundbar Max or the Ambeo Soundbar Mini. The
Mini is more affordable and does a solid job with immersive audio in its own
right. Like the rest of the Ambeo lineup, thereΓÇÖs no option for satellite
speakers as you can only add a subwoofer to the soundbars. However, the Ambeo
Soundbar Plus does have RCA input, so you can use it with a turntable if
youΓÇÖre into vinyl.

Best soundbar FAQs Is a soundbar better than speakers?

It really depends on what youΓÇÖre after. A soundbar is definitely a simpler,
more compact solution compared to a full speaker setup. If you want better
sound than your TVΓÇÖs built-in setup but donΓÇÖt want to deal with multiple
speakers and wires everywhere, a soundbar is probably the way to go. Some
soundbars can even deliver impressive surround sound effects, thanks to
features like Dolby Atmos and virtual audio technology.

However, if youΓÇÖre an audiophile or want true surround sound for an at-home
theater experience, a multi-speaker setup with a receiver, surround speakers
and subwoofer will give you a richer soundstage and more control over your
experience.

What connection do I need for a soundbar?

Most modern soundbars connect to your TV via HDMI ARC or eARC, which is the
easiest and best option for achieving high-quality audio. If your TV supports
this, all you need is an HDMI cable, and youΓÇÖll get not only great sound
but also some extra features like controlling the soundbar with your TV
remote.

If HDMI ARC isnΓÇÖt an option on your TV, you can use an optical cable, which
also delivers solid audio quality. Some soundbars even offer Bluetooth or Wi-
Fi connections for streaming music, and a few still have a 3.5mm aux jack for
connecting to older devices.

Do all soundbars come with subwoofers?

Not all soundbars come with subwoofers, but many do or at least offer one as
an optional add-on that you can purchase separately. A subwoofer is what
gives you that deep, booming bass, so if you like action movies or want a
fuller sound for music, having one can make a big difference. Some soundbars
have a built-in subwoofer, but these generally donΓÇÖt provide the same punch
as a separate one.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-...

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