The 10 Best Sound bars  Dec 2023

Sound bars come in two shapes, traditional and pedestal, and two types of speakers, active and passive. Here’s a brief breakdown of each:

Traditional: Traditional sound bars are just a few inches tall and a few inches deep. You can mount them above or below your television, or put them right on your TV stand with the television. They often come with a separate subwoofer for deep bass. Traditional sound bars are great aesthetic additions when mounted alongside your TVs and are perfect for people that love bass and want the booming sound that comes from a subwoofer.

Pedestal: Pedestal sound bars look similar to traditional sound bars from the front, but they extend much further back. They’re designed as platforms to put underneath your TV. They tend to have built-in bass speakers, which means most don’t need a subwoofer. Pedestal sound bars are excellent for people who like the simplicity a single speaker unit, or for situations where you can’t mount a traditional soundbar, or where a soundbar might block your TVs remote signal if placed in front.

Active speaker: Active speaker sound bars have built in amplifiers. Plug them into your television, turn them on, and hear the sound you want! These are the most common type of sound bars, and are perfect for situations where all your sounds are coming through your television, such as watching TV shows or DVDs or playing video games.

Passive speaker: Passive speaker sound bars, like traditional speakers, require a separate receiver unit, which allows for greater control of your system’s sound. These are less common than active speaker sound bars, but if you already have a home entertainment system or if you want to build one, then a passive soundbar can add great functionality to your setup.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

1. Simple: Consumers want soundbars that are easy to set up and simple to use. Buying one that comes with a number of standard cables (to connect different types of TVs) and that starts working from the moment you turn on the TV will make set up super easy!
2. Voice enhancement: Voice enhancement makes the dialogue of your favorite movies and shows crystal clear above background noise, and is particularly useful for anyone with hearing challenges. Not all units have voice enhancement, but those that do have this feature regularly receive rave reviews for their increased accessibility and listening enjoyment.
3. Surround sound: Reviewers want audio that fills their rooms and sound that seems to come from everywhere. While sound bars are only one or two speakers, some manufacturers have developed settings that mimic multi-speaker surround sound systems. Sound bars that do this well receive high consumer ratings for their immersive sound.
4. Customizable: Who doesn't like options! Being able to to customize your sound bar to your needs is advantageous. Mount it to the wall or place it on your TV stand or use it with or without a subwoofer - there are many sound bars that provide many configuration options for all your entertainment needs. Sound bars that have the most flexibility are great investments for reviewers.

• How is your TV currently displayed? If your TV is already mounted, consider a traditional sound bar that also mounts neatly above or below it. For a standing TV, pedestal bars are a subtle addition that require no extra mountings.
• Buy a soundbar that matches the width of your TV. TVs come in different sizes, and so do sound bars. Pick one that best fits your television’s width to ensure an appropriate sound for your listening enjoyment.
• Know if you want an active or passive sound bar. Some people love the customizability of a passive setup, while others appreciate the plug-and-play simplicity of active speakers.
• If rumbling bass is your goal, then sound bars with subwoofers are an ideal choice. While all sound bars improve audio quality when watching television, sound bars with subwoofers are specially designed to provide a deep bass experience like you get in movie theaters.
• Many sound bars now have bluetooth connectivity. If you enjoy listening to music through your phone, bluetooth connectivity lets you broadcast your favorite tunes through your soundbar without any additional wires. This means all your favorite background music is available at your fingertips without any additional speakers or systems!

Vizio: Founded in 2002 and based in Irvine, California, Vizio has made a name for themselves in the HD television and sound bar market.

Bose: The Bose name has become synonymous with high-quality audio since its founding in 1964.

Yamaha: Beginning with instruments in 1887 and expanding to electronics, sound bars, motorcycles, and powersports equipment, Yamaha’s 127 years of history is guided by kando, the “simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement” from encountering something of exceptional value.

LG Electronics: Korean company LG Electronics, the world’s second largest television manufacturer, began in 1958 to provide the country with locally-produced consumer electronics and are a household name in home entertainment.