Studio Proxima/Shutterstock Even if you’re impressed with the picture quality of your brand new TV, you probably can’t say the same about its audio performance. This is to be expected, as TVs are thinner than ever and built-in speakers have become less powerful. Fortunately, you can improve the sound on your TV, and there are two main ways to do so: by adding a soundbar or installing a dedicated speaker system. There are pros and cons to both audio products, and which one is best for you will depend on factors such as what you want to use your TV for (e.g. streaming apps, video games, watching old DVDs), room size, furniture, and how “cinematic” you want to make your movies and shows. Generally speaking, though, a soundbar is designed to improve dialogue, overall clarity, and volume, while a dedicated speaker system will deliver a wider, more immersive soundstage, making it feel like you’re part of the movie or show you’re watching. If you’re more of a “set it and forget it” type, the plug-and-play design of many soundbars will be a huge advantage. The lion’s share of systems connect to your TV via HDMI ARC/eARC or digital optical; This ensures that all AV components plugged into your TV route audio to the soundbar, including your TV’s built-in apps. Features like HDMI-CEC should also let you control the soundbar’s volume with your TV remote, and many bars have a dedicated center speaker to enhance dialogue and vocals. When convenience and cost are not priorities Archidéaphoto/Getty Images The name of the game is simplicity for most soundbars. They’re a great investment for small to medium sized spaces and a smart choice for apartment dwellers. Even if you have the space for a full surround setup, the lower frequencies achieved by many 3.1 and 5.1 setups can easily pass through floors and ceilings. That’s not to say that no soundbar will produce enough bass to be a problem, but because of the emphasis on the soundstage front and center, it tends to be more the exception than the rule. Of course, a dedicated speaker system involves much more than just speakers; you’ll need to invest in an AV receiver, cabling, and possibly installation costs if you’re not interested in doing the work yourself. If that doesn’t bother you, it’s hard to deny the sonic immersion of classic surround sound. Even the most high-end soundbars can struggle to deliver the directional and spatial audio effects you’ll get with true surround. Again, soundbars often include a dedicated center, and there are also mid-range and high-end models that also contain top- and side-firing speakers. But at best, these designs are still challenged by the bar enclosure. Separate physical speakers are often preferred for directional sound and spatial immersion, allowing sound to travel front to back, side to side and up and down in a more natural and cinematic manner. And while there are a handful of soundbars capable of virtualizing a larger speaker setup, it’s hard to top what even a small-scale wired 5.1 setup is capable of. Starting small and scaling up is a solid path forward Neither Gal/Shutterstock You don’t need to buy all the parts for your surround system at once. You can start with the basics – an AV receiver with two front speakers – and gradually add other items as your budget opens up. On the one hand, wiring a surround system isn’t as simple as connecting a soundbar to your TV, but the ability to scale your system up or down is almost limitless. There are also upgradeable soundbars. Brands like Samsung often sell soundbar-subwoofer combos that you can expand with wireless rear speakers, although they must be a specific pair of Samsung speakers. Sonos is another audio vendor that prioritizes expandability, and connecting rears and a subwoofer to bars like the Sonos Arc Ultra or Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a quick and easy process. JBL even makes a soundbar with detachable battery-powered speakers that will last up to 10 hours on a full charge (you attach them to the soundbar to charge them). There is also the option to connect a powered speaker wirelessly to your TV. Just like a soundbar, these devices require AC power to operate, but the advantage is that powered speakers are often portable enough to travel between rooms. Some models even have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming and voice commands (e.g. Alexa, Google Home). Ultimately, soundbars and speakers are both great for your TV audio, but the former tend to prioritize dialogue, clarity, and far fewer wires, while the latter put cinematic immersion at the forefront. Post navigation 4 Older iPods Still Worth Buying in 2026
Studio Proxima/Shutterstock Even if you’re impressed with the picture quality of your brand new TV, you probably can’t say the same about its audio performance. This is to be expected, as TVs are thinner than ever and built-in speakers have become less powerful. Fortunately, you can improve the sound on your TV, and there are two main ways to do so: by adding a soundbar or installing a dedicated speaker system. There are pros and cons to both audio products, and which one is best for you will depend on factors such as what you want to use your TV for (e.g. streaming apps, video games, watching old DVDs), room size, furniture, and how “cinematic” you want to make your movies and shows. Generally speaking, though, a soundbar is designed to improve dialogue, overall clarity, and volume, while a dedicated speaker system will deliver a wider, more immersive soundstage, making it feel like you’re part of the movie or show you’re watching. If you’re more of a “set it and forget it” type, the plug-and-play design of many soundbars will be a huge advantage. The lion’s share of systems connect to your TV via HDMI ARC/eARC or digital optical; This ensures that all AV components plugged into your TV route audio to the soundbar, including your TV’s built-in apps. Features like HDMI-CEC should also let you control the soundbar’s volume with your TV remote, and many bars have a dedicated center speaker to enhance dialogue and vocals. When convenience and cost are not priorities Archidéaphoto/Getty Images The name of the game is simplicity for most soundbars. They’re a great investment for small to medium sized spaces and a smart choice for apartment dwellers. Even if you have the space for a full surround setup, the lower frequencies achieved by many 3.1 and 5.1 setups can easily pass through floors and ceilings. That’s not to say that no soundbar will produce enough bass to be a problem, but because of the emphasis on the soundstage front and center, it tends to be more the exception than the rule. Of course, a dedicated speaker system involves much more than just speakers; you’ll need to invest in an AV receiver, cabling, and possibly installation costs if you’re not interested in doing the work yourself. If that doesn’t bother you, it’s hard to deny the sonic immersion of classic surround sound. Even the most high-end soundbars can struggle to deliver the directional and spatial audio effects you’ll get with true surround. Again, soundbars often include a dedicated center, and there are also mid-range and high-end models that also contain top- and side-firing speakers. But at best, these designs are still challenged by the bar enclosure. Separate physical speakers are often preferred for directional sound and spatial immersion, allowing sound to travel front to back, side to side and up and down in a more natural and cinematic manner. And while there are a handful of soundbars capable of virtualizing a larger speaker setup, it’s hard to top what even a small-scale wired 5.1 setup is capable of. Starting small and scaling up is a solid path forward Neither Gal/Shutterstock You don’t need to buy all the parts for your surround system at once. You can start with the basics – an AV receiver with two front speakers – and gradually add other items as your budget opens up. On the one hand, wiring a surround system isn’t as simple as connecting a soundbar to your TV, but the ability to scale your system up or down is almost limitless. There are also upgradeable soundbars. Brands like Samsung often sell soundbar-subwoofer combos that you can expand with wireless rear speakers, although they must be a specific pair of Samsung speakers. Sonos is another audio vendor that prioritizes expandability, and connecting rears and a subwoofer to bars like the Sonos Arc Ultra or Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a quick and easy process. JBL even makes a soundbar with detachable battery-powered speakers that will last up to 10 hours on a full charge (you attach them to the soundbar to charge them). There is also the option to connect a powered speaker wirelessly to your TV. Just like a soundbar, these devices require AC power to operate, but the advantage is that powered speakers are often portable enough to travel between rooms. Some models even have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming and voice commands (e.g. Alexa, Google Home). Ultimately, soundbars and speakers are both great for your TV audio, but the former tend to prioritize dialogue, clarity, and far fewer wires, while the latter put cinematic immersion at the forefront.
