Best TV Soundbars of 2024

The first one on our list is Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. The Ultra Smart Soundbar from Bose is a notable addition to Bose’s lineup, representing the next generation of the Smart Soundbar 900. 

The core design remains consistent with its predecessor, supporting Dolby Atmos and incorporating PhaseGuide technology to disperse sound throughout the room, enhancing audio immersion. The inclusion of up-firing speakers and a built-in subwoofer contributes to a well-rounded audio experience. The build quality of the soundbar is commendable, featuring a sleek design with a tempered glass top. The lack of a proper display is compensated by the Bose Music app, offering a user-friendly interface for control and setup. 

Performance-wise, the Bose Smart Ultra impresses with its clean midrange, distortion-free treble, and impactful bass.

The standout feature of this top-of-the-line model is its AI Dialogue support, a function aimed at automatically enhancing vocal clarity in your audio content. This feature sets it apart, as it dynamically adjusts sound to improve dialogue in movies and TV shows. However, the extra treble may occasionally result in a bright and piercing sound, which can be mitigated using the treble slider.

The stereo soundstage is impressive, thanks to features like PhaseGuide and Truespace, providing a wide and immersive audio experience. The sound enhancement features, such as Adapt-IQ and AI Dialogue mode, contribute to its audio customization capabilities.

Connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi playback, make it versatile for various audio sources. 

In general, a few drawbacks like the limited sense of audio height and the use of glass on the top surface could make it less appealing. However, it remains an enticing choice if you’re seeking a quality TV soundbar.

The second one on our list is Amazon Fire TV Soundbar. The Fire TV Soundbar offers an enticing blend of affordability and performance. 

In terms of design, the Fire TV Soundbar maintains a discreet profile, free of visible logos, with a fabric grille wrapping around the front corners. In a market where soundbars must strike a delicate balance between size and cost, Amazon seems to have found a sweet spot with this 24-inch soundbar.

During a brief hands-on experience, the soundbar proved to be surprisingly loud for its size. While lacking some detail, particularly in the midst of ambient noise during the demo, the emphasis seems to be on delivering a robust audio experience rather than pristine clarity. For users seeking a substantial upgrade from TV speakers without breaking the bank, the Fire TV Soundbar appears promising.

One notable aspect is its compatibility and ease of setup, aligning seamlessly with Fire TV devices without the hassle of a complex installation process. The inclusion of Bluetooth and HDMI with support for ARC and eARC extends its versatility beyond the Fire TV ecosystem, catering to a broader audience. The option to connect additional devices, such as a CD player or USB drive, adds flexibility to the user experience.

The two-channel stereo setup, complemented by DTS: Virtual-X and Dolby Audio support, hints at a rich audio landscape. Physical buttons on the top provide a convenient alternative to remote control, adding a practical touch to the user experience, especially in scenarios where adjusting volume quickly is crucial.

In conclusion, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar is a reliable choice for those seeking an affordable yet effective upgrade to their home audio setup.

The third one on our list is the Vizio Elevate Sound Bar. The Elevate Soundbar from Vizio presents a compelling audio solution with its innovative 5.1.4 setup and distinctive design.

In terms of design and build quality, the Vizio Elevate showcases a unique and well-constructed build, with attention to detail evident in its rotating sides and durable materials. While the soundbar lacks a display, its intuitive physical controls and included remote make navigation seamless.

Out of the box, the sound profile leans towards the bass-heavy side, delivering a thumping and impactful low-end for action-packed movie scenes and bass-heavy music. While vocals and lead instruments are generally clear, the treble is slightly recessed, leading to a nuanced yet veiled high-frequency response. The sound signature is customizable, allowing users to tailor the audio to their preferences through bass and treble adjustments.

With its distinct ability to automatically rotate its sides upwards when playing Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, the soundbar creates a broad and enveloping soundstage that adds a new dimension to your home entertainment experience. The dedicated satellite speakers contribute to a surround sound experience, immersing the listener in a cinematic audio environment. The soundbar’s versatility is further enhanced by its compatibility with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast, providing convenient wireless playback options.

In terms of Dolby Atmos performance, the M-Series Elevate offers a decent 3D surround sound effect, enhancing the overall audio experience. It performs admirably for both movie-watching and gaming, with accurate surround-sound positioning.

Despite its impressive performance, there are a few drawbacks, such as the absence of a graphic equalizer and some distortion at maximum volume.

Overall, the Vizio Elevate Soundbar stands as a commendable choice for those seeking a sophisticated audio solution that delivers a captivating and customizable listening experience, especially for enthusiasts of Dolby Atmos and DTS-X content.

The next one on our list is Bose TV Speaker. The Bose TV Speaker presents a straightforward, plug-and-play soundbar option designed to elevate your TV audio experience.

In terms of design, the Bose TV Speaker maintains a simple yet high-quality aesthetic. Its matte black finish and grille cover contribute to an unobtrusive appearance, fitting well in smaller spaces. 

Its standout feature lies in its simplicity, as the one-connection setup makes installation a breeze. This makes it an ideal soundbar for TV viewing, catering to users who seek quality without the hassle.

One of the notable advantages of the Bose TV Speaker is its ability to enhance sound and clarify speech. The Dialogue Mode is particularly impressive, elevating vocals to ensure crystal-clear speech, allowing users to catch every word without straining. 

The compact size of the Bose TV Speaker may be deceiving, but its performance is anything but small. It delivers a balanced and natural-sounding audio experience that manages to captivate the listener. The inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity adds a modern touch, enabling users to wirelessly pair devices for a more versatile audio setup.

The ‘Bass’ button is a noteworthy feature that allows users to boost the bass for a more pronounced and impactful low-end performance. The package includes essential accessories like a remote control, optical cable, power cord, and a quick start guide, making the unboxing and setup process convenient. However, The absence of a subwoofer is notable, replaced by a bass reflex tube on the back. 

Backed by a 2-year Exclusive Warranty, the Bose TV Speaker provides consumers with confidence in their purchase.

In conclusion, the Bose TV Speaker stands out as a powerful yet compact solution for elevating the audio quality of TV viewing.

The fifth one on our list is the Sony HT-A7000. This substantial audio powerhouse delivers an exceptional and immersive audio experience, showcasing a plethora of features within a single unit. 

It embraces a single, high-quality soundbar philosophy, incorporating two up-firing speakers, two beam tweeters, five front-facing drivers, and a built-in dual subwoofer into its 7.1.2 configuration.

The build of the HT-A7000 is both robust and weighty, standing tall at 8.7kg and featuring an ‘Omnidirectional Block’ concept that blends various materials and textures. While its design may lack the sleekness of some competitors, the soundbar’s performance compensates for any stylistic reservations.

The inclusion of a remote, although reminiscent of a ’90s design, provides quick access to the soundbar’s functions. Moreover, the integrated on-screen setup and options menu, particularly beneficial for Bravia TV owners, enhance user experience.

In terms of sound performance, the A7000 utilizes driver placement, psychoacoustic techniques, and wide-spaced beam tweeters to create a spacious soundstage. Whether watching immersive content or streaming music, the soundbar impresses with its powerful, cinematic audio. The integrated subwoofer adds a taut, controlled, and powerful bass performance.

While it may have some limitations in certain performance aspects, its feature-rich design and customization options make it a solid choice for those looking to enhance their home audio setup.

The A7000 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, accommodating gamers with two HDMI 2.1 pass-through sockets capable of handling 8K at 60 Hertz, 4K at 120 Hertz, and Dolby Vision HDR. Despite lacking VRR or support at launch, the soundbar excels in supporting various audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, LPCM, wireless hi-res audio, and Sony 360 Reality Audio.

In conclusion, the Sony HT-A7000 is a well-built soundbar offering a premium audio experience, especially for users seeking a balanced sound profile. 

The last one on our list is Samsung HW-Q990C. The HW-Q990C Soundbar stands out as a top-tier audio solution, delivering exceptional performance in both music and movies.

Boasting Dolby Atmos technology, this flagship soundbar offers a remarkable immersive experience, surpassing its competitors in overall sound quality.

Design-wise, the HW-Q990C follows the brand’s familiar chunky style, incorporating an 11.1.4 configuration with the left, right, center, two rears, a subwoofer, and four height channels. The wireless Dolby Atmos capability adds a layer of convenience for those invested in the Samsung ecosystem.

Despite a display that can be challenging to read, the soundbar compensates with superb sound for Atmos movies and class-leading music replay. Its four separate speaker boxes, including a wireless subwoofer, contribute to the robust audio performance.

The inclusion of features like Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro Calibration, and Active Voice Amplifier enhances the overall audio experience. One notable feature of the HW-Q990C is its inclusion of 16 real channels of Dolby Atmos sound, creating a dome of sound around the listener. 

The soundbar consists of four separate components: the main soundbar, a substantial subwoofer, and two rear speakers. This extensive setup contributes to the soundbar’s ability to deliver a complete and convincing Dolby Atmos experience.

The tuning by Samsung’s audio engineers and the improved SpaceFit system contribute to a more coherent and enjoyable music listening experience.

While the integrated display and limited inputs may be minor drawbacks, the Samsung HW-Q990C’s exceptional sound quality, thoughtful features, and solid build make it a standout choice for audio enthusiasts willing to invest in a premium sound experience.

In short, Whether you prioritize cinematic immersion or high-fidelity music playback, the Samsung HW-Q990C delivers on its promise of top-notch audio performance.