Best Sound Bar Enhanced TV Audio in 2025

The TV is getting slimmer and smoother, but this is usually at the expense of sound quality. The built-in speakers just want to clearly hear movies, games, or even just hear the conversation when the room-filled audio is not cut. That's a good soundbar source – an easy space-saving way to greatly improve the audio of the TV without the hassle of a full home theater system.
Whether you're setting up a Dolby Atmospheric Array setup in immersive surround sound, a compact, budget-friendly option, or a soundbar packed with feature-ready powered by Smart Assistant, it's up to you.

Table of contents

• 2025 CES rear soundbar prospect

• Best Audio Bar of 2025

• What to look for in the soundbar

• Other soundbars we've tested

• FAQs for Sound Bar

2025 CES rear soundbar prospect

I usually come out of CES and have a very clear understanding of the new Soundbars for the year, but not exactly that in 2025. LG has decided to start using its best Soundbars from 2024, but will add a compact S20A this year. The company has only previewed the model on CES, so full specs will still appear.

Samsung will once again retain the same overall design and functionality for its high-end Q990 speaker bar. However, the company is adding some new tools and significantly reducing the size of the wireless subwoofer in the box. Samsung does have a new 2025 model, the QS700F, designed to sit on a table or automatically adjust to flat walls. Currently, there are very few details on this soundbar and I expect the company will have a full spec sheet when it is really for sale.

Among the three major TV companies, Sony is the only one to not announce CES home theater equipment. The company recently decided to focus primarily on its recent automotive work at the show, and released TV and audio announcements later this year. The company debuted multiple soundbar options in 2024 and has set up four speakers for the Bravia Quad's living room. That said, it wouldn't be surprised if Sony announced its latest model since last April.

One company I want to focus on is Sennheiser. The original Ambeo model has been around for nearly six years and can be used for refresh. Since then, the company has added mid-size and mini options to the Ambeo range, but it's nice to see a refined version of the largest model. The original Ambeo Soundbar is huge, so no matter how great it sounds, it will always be a tough sell for some.

While I think this may be unlikely, it is possible that Sonos will have new Soundbars this year as well. While the company's next device may be the rumored set-top stream box, the sound motion technology inside the ARC Ultra will bring a big improvement in bass performance in compact models like the Beam and Ray. The company may bring sound action to independent speakers first, but it is destined to fit those smaller speaker bars final.

Best Audio Bars of 2025

What to look for in the soundbar

feature

When it comes to features, the more you pay, the new audio system you get. Most affordable options ($150 or less) will improve the audio quality of your TV, but that's all. Going into the $300 to $400 range, you'll find a smart speaker bar that includes built-in voice control, wireless connectivity, Google Chromecast, Airplay 2 and even Android TV. They are all helpful when you want to avoid looking for remote controls, but the best sound quality is usually only available in the top level and in the formats supported by these premium speaker systems. I'm talking about things like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other high-resolution audio standards. These are essential if you want to set up real movie sounds for your living room. Not all Atmos Soundbars are equal, so you need to take a closer look at more details before breaking into your savings account. If you are looking for one of the best Dolby Atmospheric poles, size, channel and subwoofer options will be important factors to consider. Some models even include dedicated subwoofers to boost bass performance, giving extra punch to action scenes and soundtracks.

port

This is a big one. Many more affordable speakers are limited when it comes to connectivity options. They either offer an optical port or an HDMI Jack, and if they are lucky, they all offer it. In the middle distance part, it gets slightly better, but it is not always the case. For example, the Sonos Beam is $449, but there is only one HDMI port. Even at the high end, the $899 Sonos Arc still has only one HDMI port. If you plan to connect multiple devices (such as a set-top box, gaming laptop, or console) directly into your audio bar for the best audio experience, you will need to have at least two options for HDMI (EARC) inputs. HDMI connectivity is critical to supporting high-resolution delivery of Dolby Atmos and Dolby digital audio formats as well as HDR and 8K/4K content.

Channel

Another big thing you need to pay attention to when looking for the best speaker bar is the channel. That is the 2.1, 7.1.2 or other decimal numbers included in the product description. The first number corresponds to the number of channels. One or two will only go right and right, while a more robust atmospheric system, especially one with rear surround speakers, may be five or seven (left, right, middle and up). The second number refers to a dedicated subwoofer, so if your new soundbar comes with one or built in, you'll see one here. The third number is the backup speaker, which is important for the Dolby atmosphere immersion. Not all Atmos-enabled units have them, but if you do, the third number will tell you how many are playing games and how they contribute to the overall sound stage.

Wireless

Today, most soundbars offer Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or both. When it comes to Wi-Fi, connectivity gives you luxury items like voice control (built-in or separate devices), Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and AirPlay 2. Depending on your preferences, you may not be able to have some of them. For me, Airplay 2 and Chromecast are required, but the rest I can do without. Those two allowed me to browse music and podcasts from my preferred app without having to resolve or struggle with Bluetooth connectivity. For example, Sonos speakers often provide seamless integration with iOS devices, allowing for easy wireless connectivity and streaming music. If you're looking for wireless speakers that can enhance your TV setup while also providing flexibility for audio throughout the house, it's worth considering a multi-room system.

size

It seemed obvious, but it was humorous for me for a minute. There is nothing more shocking than grabbing an expensive speaker in the living room, only to find that you have to rearrange everything to find a place. It was my dilemma when Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar arrived at my door. Yes, that speaker is ridiculous (and heavy) and most speaker bars aren't that big. I learned a valuable lesson: Make sure the space you want to place the soundbar will hold something you're going to spend hundreds of dollars, if not thousands.

Basically, it all depends on your main goal of (or planning to get) your TV as well as your living room audio. Is it easy to use? Do you want the best sound for a single speaker or speaker/subcombination? Do you just want to be able to hear the sound of TV better? Or do you want to turn your living room into an immersive home theater system with surround sound?

By focusing on each area, you should have a good idea of ​​what you are looking for in soundbar, soundbar/subwoofer combination, Dolby Digital System or more powerful settings. That being said, we have a lot of products on Engadget and have some favorites of the best speakers at various price points to get you started.

Other soundbars we've tested

Sonos Arc

There is no doubt that arc is Sonos' best-selling soundbar, but it's also the most expensive of the company. With the rumored new arc-based model, it's hard to recommend this product to products like Samsung and Sony. The arc can be paired with both a soundbar and speakers, and the device will be paired with other Sonos gears you may already have that multi-chamber setup you may already have. It only has one HDMI port, though, and most of the competition allows you to connect streaming and gaming devices directly to their speakers.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus

I don't think Sennheiser's mid-sized model is capable enough to stand out from the more powerful Ambeo Soundbar Max or Ambeo Soundbar Mini. This mini is cheaper and can do solid work in immersive audio itself. Like the rest of the ambeo lineup, there is no option for satellite speakers, as you can only add a subwoofer to the speaker bar. However, the Ambeo Soundbar Plus does have RCA input, so if you go into vinyl you can use it with the turntable.

FAQs for Sound Bar

Is the sound bar better than the speaker?

It really depends on what you are after. The speaker bar is definitely a simpler and more compact solution compared to the full speaker setup. If you want a sound that's better than the built-in settings of your TV but don't want to deal with multiple speakers and wires everywhere, the speaker bar may be the way to go. Some sound bars can even provide impressive surround sound thanks to features like Dolby Atmos and virtual audio technology.

But if you’re an enthusiast or want a real surround sound for an at-home theater experience, a multi-speaker setup with a receiver, surround speakers and subwoofer will give you a richer sound stage and more control over your experience.

What do I need to connect to the soundbar?

Most modern speaker bars connect to your TV via HDMI ARC or EARC, which is the easiest and best choice for getting high-quality audio. If your TV supports this, then you only need an HDMI cable, and you can not only get great sound, but also get some extra features like controlling the speaker bar with your TV remote.

If your TV is not HDMI ARC, you can use a light cable, which also provides stable audio quality. Some sound bars even offer Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming music, some of which still have 3.5mm auxiliary jacks for connecting older devices.

Do all the speakers come with subwoofers?

Not all soundbars come with subwoofers, but many people will or at least offer an optional add-on that can be purchased separately. The subwoofer is what gives you that deep and thriving bass, so if you like action movies or want a more fulfilling musical sound, then it has a big role. Some soundbars have built-in subwoofers, but usually don't offer the same punch as the separate fist.

This article originally appeared on Engadget