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The Best Soundbars For TV of 2023

Tom Power
  Jun 7, 2023 12:29 PM

Have you noticed that even though TVs are getting thinner, brighter, sharper, and more colorful, the stark contrast between the new flat screen's brilliant picture and its mismatched audio performance becomes clearer and clearer?

You're not alone. Almost all modern sets have subpar speakers hidden in increasingly sparse frames. But luckily, an easy way to get a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience is simply adding a soundbar to your setup.

Below is our recommendation of the Best Soundbar For a TV of 2023.


Top Picks

  1. Sony HT-A7000

A 7.1.2 sound array, this Dolby Atmos soundbar features two flare speakers, two beam tweeters, five front-panel drivers, and a dual subwoofer built into a single chassis. Using a combination of psychoacoustic techniques and driver placement, the Sony HT-A700 delivers a wide and high soundstage, whether you're viewing immersive content or not, while preserving the music, presence, and detail.

  1. Sonos Beam Gen 2

Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a soundbar with high performance. When viewing Atmos content, two of the five front audio strips are dedicated to surrounding sound reproduction. Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a soundbar that uses HRTF technology to give the impression of height without the need for verticality.

  1. Sonos Arc

Soundbars are not new territory for Sonos. The award-winning Arc is the brand's only soundbar to offer Dolby Atmos sound with verticle speakers. It sits above the Beam (2nd Generation) in price and is suitable for 55-inch and larger TVs, with optional wall-mount fixings available.

There are touch-sensitive play/pause and volume controls on the bar with LEDs indicating when and when you're talking to the built-in Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. 

  1. Sonos Beam Gen 1

The Sonos Beam is currently one of the best soundbars that you can buy on the market, but sadly it won't be for long as it has just been replaced by a newer model. It comes with a spec sheet for its price including ARC/HDMI connectivity and support for voice control from  Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri.

  1. Sony HT-A9 speaker system

Sony's HT-A9 offers the same compact, plug-and-play streaming and streaming features of a top-quality soundbar but with the integration and immersive sound of a traditional surround package. Comprised of a hub that connects to your TV and 4 identical-looking gray wireless speakers, the Sony HT-A9 is a versatile, complete Dolby Atmos cinema in a box. 


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Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Price 

If you want the best soundbar tech has to offer, you can look at the $800/AU$800/AU$1,000 price tag and up. There are many budget soundbars on the market nowadays with some costing less than $100 / £100 / AU$150. 

Where to place 

Usually, you have two choices when it comes to soundbar placement: mount it on the wall or place it underneath the TV on a TV cabinet. If you have a tall soundbar, wall mounting might be one of the best options, as it can obscure the IR receiver on your TV, rendering your remote useless.

Connection

Depending on the age of the TV, there are three main ways to output the soundbar: analog (3.5mm headphones or RCA), digital optical, and HDMI. Before you buy a soundbar, make sure it accepts the same connections as on your TV.

The common input on soundbars is HDMI, and if your TV is under 5 years old it should be compatible, but you should double-check.


Final Thoughts

Compared to the sound coming out of your TV, these soundbars are well worth it. Spending just $100 on a soundbar can improve your TV viewing experience tenfold. The TV's speakers are facing downwards so a lot of detail is lost, and a dedicated sound bar could make voices easier to understand.

We hope that you can find the best soundbar for yourself.


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