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6 soundbars to turn your living room into a true home theatre
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By Chad Sapieha The Curator Team
Posted May 7, 2024 6:00 am
Updated May 6, 2024 4:47 pm
**2 min read**
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Your huge TV is a dream to watch, but how does it sound? Perhaps a bit
weak and tinny? That's because the amazing slimness of modern
flatscreen TVs imposes a very real physical constraint on their built-
in speakers. A surround sound system is the dream fix, but they can be
tricky to properly install and take up space.
The perfect middle ground? Soundbars. They generate rich, natural,
theatre-quality audio, and in some cases will even trick you into
experiencing a pseudo-surround sound effect. We've rounded up some
great options for you to consider.
## **Best high-end**
If money means nothing and sound quality means everything, consider
this absolute dream soundbar from the audio geniuses at Sennheiser. It
delivers 100 watts of power for crystal rich, clear sound, uses
virtualization technology to create a theatre-like 7.1.4 surround
sound effect, and features built-in 4-inch dual subwoofers for
natural, resonant lows. Sound from a bar doesn't get much better.
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### **Pros**
* Plenty of wireless connectivity options, from Bluetooth to Apple A
* It self-calibrates, analyzing the shape and acoustics of your room
* Compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa for easy voice contro
### **Cons**
* It'll leave a mortgage payment-sized crater in your bank account.
* As amazing as its virtual surround sound effect is, it's still not
## **Best bass on a budget**
If you want floor-rumbling bass at an affordable price, this is the
way to go. Samsung's lower-end soundbar delivers crisp and clear
stereo separation with a virtual 3D sound effect, but its real draw
(if you have a little extra space) is a dedicated subwoofer that will
make it feel like the action in your favourite films is taking place
right in your living room.
**Pros**
* Stream directly from your devices via Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2,
* Supports Dolby Atmos (a state-of-the-art spatial audio tech) and u
* The Bose Music app lets you tinker with sound settings much more e
**Cons**
* This bar packs a pretty powerful punch on its own, but if you want
* On the pricey side, but it'll likely last you a decade or more.
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## **Best price**
Not everyone is an audiophile. If all you want is a basic upgrade over
your built-in TV speakers—louder, clearer volume without tinny-ness or
distortion—this two-channel soundbar will do the trick. Plus, unlike
some of the pricier options on this list, it actually comes with
everything you need to get it set up, including an HDMI cable and a
wall-mounting kit.
**Pros**
* Compact and lightweight, which makes for easy installation and hig
* Bluetooth lets you listen to podcasts and music from your phone.
* DTS Virtual:X tech delivers a basic but serviceable 3D audio exper
**Cons**
* Doesn't include some Amazon features you might expect, like suppor
* Sound quality is a definite upgrade over TV speakers, but can't co
## **Best surround sound**
JBL thought a little outside the box with this one. It's a 5.1 channel
system with a wireless subwoofer that delivers an authentic surround
sound simulation. But you can transform it into a true surround sound
system by detaching the two speakers on either end of the bar and
placing them behind you. They're battery-powered, so you can just set
them on a table and they're ready to go.
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**Pros**
* A combined total of 620 watts brings big audio energy to high octa
* The JBL One app makes digging into equalizer settings a snap.
* It leverages Dolby Atmos tech for a more expansive and organic sur
**Cons**
* The bar is pretty long—especially with detachable speakers—and may
* The 10-inch subwoofer is giant, but it's also wireless, so you can
## **Best audio quality for money**
A basic bar with a premium feel, Polk's Signa S2 is a straightforward
TV audio upgrade with a sleek design. At just 5 cm tall, it's
pleasantly unobtrusive when mounted to the wall under your TV or
placed below the screen on a sideboard or shelf. And with five full-
range speakers plus a wireless soundbar, you get a signature Polk
audio experience marked by rich, natural dialogue and bum-rattling
bass.
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