The 6 best soundbars of 2024 | Crutchfield

The 6 best soundbars of 2024 | Crutchfield

Sound bars are an easy way to achieve a big step up in sound quality for movies, sports and games on your TV. Instead of using your TV’s built-in speakers, the sound bar takes over and delivers clear dialogue, stereo separation, even surround sound, all without the need for a receiver and speakers.

Sound bars use powerful amplifiers and multiple speakers to reproduce sound in a way TV speakers can’t. Many sound bars have speakers aimed at your ceiling and walls, using the reflection to create realistic surround sound effects from a single bar. Some sound bars use a separate powered subwoofer to hit the deep lows, and some also have the ability to connect to wireless surround speakers, resulting in some truly powerful, impactful sound that takes up a lot less space than a dedicated home theater system.

Installation of a sound bar usually means plugging it in for power, then connecting to your TV using the HDMI ARC or eARC connection. This lets you control volume on the sound bar using your TV’s remote. Sound bars usually sit on a TV stand right under the TV, but many can be wall-mounted as well.

We’ve compiled our 2024 list with different uses and budgets in mind, and we had to make some tough choices! There really are a lot of great sound bars that didn’t make it into this video. We’ve got a lot more sound bars available on our site, too: https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/g_316150/Sound-Bars.html

We’re always happy to talk or chat online with you if you’d like some help finding the perfect one: https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30T/support/ContactUs.aspx

Here are our favorite sound bars for 2024:

1. *Best budget sound bar:* Yamaha SR-B20A. This one gives you serious bang for the buck. It uses Yamaha’s Clear Voice processing to enhance dialogue, and even simulates surround sound using DTS Virtual:X to really widen the sound stage coming from the TV. https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/p_022SRB20A/Yamaha-SR-B20A.html

2. *Best sound bar for music lovers:* Sonos Arc. This one also becomes a Sonos zone, so you can play music to it or broadcast the TV sound to your other Sonos speakers. Gotta spend a little time in the kitchen during a game? You can still hear it on your kitchen speaker thanks to the Arc. https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/p_616ARCWH/Sonos-Arc-White.html

3. *Best sound bar for big rooms:* Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. It’s a powerful, cinematic sound bar that delivers a convincing Dolby Atmos experience, and it also does an amazing job of adapting to large rooms. https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/p_018SMUSBBK/Bose-Smart-Ultra-Soundbar-Black.html

4. *Best sound bar with wireless surrounds:* JBL Bar 1300X. It’s got rechargeable, detachable rear surround speakers for truly enveloping sound, plus it comes with a powered sub. With the detachable surround speakers, not only do you get true surround effects, but you don’t have to plan around permanent placement, making it a great all-in-one choice for movie lovers. https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/p_109BAR1300/JBL-Bar-1300X.html

5. *Best sound bar, period:* Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar | MAX. It delivers 5.1.4 sound from the bar, and it does it with serious power and detail. It doubles as an excellent music system, too, with streaming over Wi-Fi available for listening to uncompressed music files. Just a stunner of a system. https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/p_143AMBEOSB/Sennheiser-AMBEO-Soundbar-Max.html

6. *Best compact sound bar:* Polk MagniFi Mini AX. This one is small, but mighty enough for a small home theater room. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it doubles as a great system for music, too. https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/p_107MAGMNAX/Polk-Audio-MagniFi-Mini-AX.html

On the fence? Check out our buying guide article, “How to choose a sound bar for your TV” where we help you navigate the jargon and features, and give you tips to find the right one for your particular needs: https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/learn/how-to-choose-a-soundbar-for-tv.html

And here’s our step-by-step guide on how to connect and set up your new sound bar: https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc30R/learn/sound-bar-connection-and-setup-guide.html

Crutchfield, America’s trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at http://www.crutchfield.com

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0:00 Hard to hear those built-in TV speakers?
0:13 Best budget bar: Yamaha SR-B20A
0:59 Best for music lovers: Sonos Arc
1:50 Best for big/odd rooms: Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra
2:29 Best with wireless surrounds: JBL Bar 1300X
3:11 Best sound bar, period: Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar | MAX
3:41 Best compact sound bar: Polk MagniFi Mini AX
4:12 We’re here to help

6 Comments

  1. @yohanjojo4020 on November 13, 2024 at 12:36 pm

    Awesome content 👏

  2. @jonathanbarnes7641 on November 13, 2024 at 12:51 pm

    You seem like the best at this I live in an apartment and only want to be a standalone soundbar without having to purchase any extra speakers 🔊 or subwoofers etc. What is the best standalone soundbar for a brand new LG OLED G4 television in 2024? Price point is not a factor I’m will to purchase premium if it’s all in one unit. I don’t do any gaming I only watch movies and sports primarily. Any assistance you can bring is greatly appreciated!

  3. @jeffc9119 on November 13, 2024 at 1:10 pm

    How do these compare to the new Cambridge sound works evo one(the one with 700watt) $1500, and want to use it for streaming and the tv as a sound bar in my living room. Thank you

  4. @714milky on November 13, 2024 at 1:13 pm

    I have a small bedroom. Will the Bose Ultra be plenty without the bass module? (Cant justify that price atm)

  5. @rljmofokeng on November 13, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    Samsung Q990-D not given a mention?

  6. @ctill3108 on November 13, 2024 at 1:30 pm

    Insane cool video I appreciate the guide!

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