A soundbar is the perfect way to upgrade your TV and get cinema-style audio in your living room, with minimal fuss and maximum ease. But which is the right one for you? Our buying guide will help you choose the best soundbars and soundbases.
TVs’ built-in speakers generally sound terrible, as the current trend for slimmer and more beautiful designs has left manufacturers with less room for proper sound systems. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Soundbars exist to lend your TV some much-needed sonic support. They’re a neat way to improve your sound without the hassle (and cables) of a traditional surround sound system.
TVs’ built-in speakers generally sound terrible, as the current trend for slimmer and more beautiful designs has left manufacturers with less room for proper sound systems. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Soundbars exist to lend your TV some much-needed sonic support. They’re a neat way to improve your sound without the hassle (and cables) of a traditional surround sound system.
There are quite a few varieties, though. There are basic standalone soundbars without subwoofers, more advanced soundbars with subwoofers and the potential to add satellite speakers, or a soundbase that your TV sits on. It’s worth keeping an eye out for the Sennheiser Ambeo 3D soundbar, which aims to replace surround sound speakers entirely.
We’ve covered every type here, and explained the differences so you’ll know which will suit you best. Read on for an explanation of the differences between soundbars and soundbases, or scroll past to skip to our suggestions.
Soundbars vs Soundbases – Which one is right for you?
If you want to improve your TV’s audio but don’t want a 5.1 surround system cluttering up your living room, you basically have two choices: a soundbar or a soundbase.
A soundbar is essentially a slim speaker system that can be mounted on the wall below your TV, or in front of it on a cabinet. Soundbars emerged as an alternative to poor quality built-in TV speakers. Most are stereo offerings, but some of the beefier ones pack enough tech inside to deliver a convincing virtual surround sound experience.
Most soundbars you’ll find are 2.1-channel sound setups. That means you’ll get two speakers and a separate subwoofer. There are a few exceptions that bundle subwoofer and even more speakers into one device. The advantage of a wide soundbar is a better stereo experience, but the slim design is also what makes a separate subwoofer pretty much compulsory.
A soundbase is a much flatter unit that’s designed to sit below the TV on a cabinet or stand. They will typically include more bass drivers than a soundbar, meaning most won’t require a separate subwoofer.
Soundbases are often rated by the weight of the TV they can support, and because of the extra space, will often have better audio processing than soundbars.
Both soundbars and soundbases sometimes offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to stream content from smartphones, tablets and computers. Physical connections can include USB ports to plug in external hard drives, HDMI inputs and outputs to support Full HD and 3D TV playback. A recent trend is to have a single optical input, that lets you plug everything into your TV, and then a single cable going to the soundbar or soundbase. The new Sonos Playbase follows this trend.
There are plenty of excellent models to choose from and we want to help you find the soundbar, or soundbase that’s best for you. So if space is at a premium, and you’re ready to break free from snaking cables, read on.
Samsung HW-MS750
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Key features
- 11 drivers: 6 x woofers, 5 x tweeters
- Two vertical tweeters
- Bluetooth & multiroom functionality
- 32-bit music upscaling & 24-bit/96kHz native support
- Review Price: £699
Looking for a straight-up soundbar without extra frills like Dolby Atmos and external support? Then this is the best Samsung has to offer in 2017. The Samsung HW-MS750 is a pretty impressive all-in-one solution that prides itself on not needing a subwoofer for low-end welly.
Its performance is in the hands of 11 very capable drivers, including two upward-firing speakers for height, and a few of wide-dispersion tweeters for a breadth. Features are numerous, too: you can count Bluetooth, multiroom and a high-res music support on its impressive list of capabilities.
The sound is powerful yet clear, and the stereo separation is excellent. It’s not cheap, but if you have the budget, this won’t disapoint.
Sony HT-ST5000
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Key features
- Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar
- High-Res Audio compatible
- Three 4K HDMI inputs
- Google Chromecast built in
- Subwoofer
- Review Price: £1499
Sony isn’t messing about here. If you just bought a massive TV and you want a fancy soundbar with it, Sony wants to be your first choice. the HT-ST5000 is the most feature-laden soundbar the company has ever produced. Headline attractions include Dolby Atmos compatibility, High-Res Audio support, Bluetooth and Chromecast. It also has three HDMI sockets for passing through 4K video signals, alongside the simpler analogue and digital optical audio options.
It also sounds fantastic. It’s not quite the full surround effect you get with a proper Atmos set up, but you’ll struggle to find such scale, depth, dynamism or clarity on most alternatives. If you’re after a no-compromise 2.1 sound system, few sound better or are as well equipped. All that and it looks great too. Peel away the fabric covers and you’ll find gold-trimmed drivers. Overkill, but a nice touch. If you’re looking to splash out on a soundbar, look no further.
Orbitsound ONE P70
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Key features:
- 4 x 2-inch custom drivers & internal 5.25-inch subwoofer
- Bluetooth, optical & 3.5mm analogue inputs
- Remote learning
- Bass and treble adjustments
- Review Price: £299.95
There is no shortage of soundbars out there that come with external subwoofers, but Orbitsound’s offering here is a one-box proposition. It’s not just space-saving, either – the wood and steel construction will appeal to the more fashion-conscious.
Connections are limited, as Orbitsound doesn’t believe HDMI sockets are necessary, but you do get what Orbitsound calls ‘airSOUND’. The top and front drivers deliver the main audio signal intended for both ears, while the side-firing drivers deliver the left and right spatial information. It all combines in mid-air to create the stereo image.
The idea is to create a sound that’s consistent wherever are you in the room, so there’s no need to fight for the sonic sweet spot. It works – the stereo image remains intact and high-frequency detail loses none of its clarity as you change listening position. The soundstage is also a lot wider than you’d expect for a box that size. The bass department is no match for an external subwoofer, but if you’re trying to minimise on clutter, this will do nicely.
Panasonic SC-ALL70T
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Key features:
- 3.1-channel system with 350W power output
- DLNA, Spotify, Napster, AUPEO! and AllPlay radio
- Qualcomm AllPlay multiroom music streaming
- Review Price: £399
The Panasonic SC-ALL70T folds multiroom music, a whopping 350W of knockout audio and a vast array of features into a sleek, albeit 950mm wide, design. The stylish soundbar brings depth, punch and lively sound to your living room movies – providing you’ve got the space for it.
If it’s true 3D sound you’re after, you won’t be disappointed. Stick on an action film and activate 3D mode to hear swooshing missiles and explosions populate both ends of the soundbar. Who’s laughing at your super-sized soundbar now
Paricularly impressive is the SC-ALL70T’s ability to “re-stream” devices connected to it to other speakers on the network, including Bluetooth and Blu-ray. This means you could buy two of Panasonic’s SC-ALL2 wireless speakers and you use them as rears in a discrete 5.1 system.
Philips Fidelio B5
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Key features:
- Genuine surround sound
- Detachable wireless bluetooth speakers
- Generous features
- Review Price: £700
The Philips Fidelio B5 is a unique, clutter-free TV speaker which delivers real surround sound. With its detachable surround speakers you can tidy away the clutter when movie night is over and with a robust build quality, stylish design, plentiful connections, easy setup and polished, powerful sound quality this is one of the best soundbars you can buy.
Philips managed to pack in a range of upgrades from the HTL9100, the best one being the ability to use the surrounds as standalone Bluetooth speakers. At £600, the Fidelio B5 is a fairly pricey soundbar, but its standout features justify the high price point.
Yamaha MusicCast YSP-2700
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Key features:
- Soundbeam technology with 16 28mm drivers
- MusicCast multi-room audio
- Three HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2) inputs
- Review Price: £799
Traditionally, soundbars were no match for a proper surround sound system with 5.1 or 7.1 speakers. The Yamaha YSP-2700 effortlessly disproves that notion.
It has clever Soundbeam technology, which takes into account your surroundings and uses 16 28mm drivers to bounce sound around, very convincingly creating the impression that the soundfield envelops you. If you think you need a bunch of speakers to make bullets and lasers are pinging past your ears, think again. This soundbar (and wireless subwoofer) are all it takes for a proper cinematic sound experience. For high-quality audio without the hassle of a discrete system, this soundbar is the next best thing.
DALI Kubik One
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Key features:
- Bluetooth 3.0 with aptX
- On-wall or table-top installation
- Stereo sound with no separate sub
- Review Price: £799
The Dali Kubik One is simply stunning. The minimal design, outstanding build quality and eye-catching colour schemes unite to make this a device anyone would want in their living room. It can also be hung on a wall or placed on top of a flat surface – and look great either way. Another beautiful, but slightly cheaper soundbar is the Samsung HW-F751.
A strong selection of connections is tucked away at the rear, along with grooves and clamps to help keep cables from tangling, but annoyingly there’s no HDMI port, highlighting Dali’s music-first approach. Bluetooth connectivity is also on offer. The hefty £800 price tag is justified by the performance. Music, TV and movies sound clear, balanced and highly-detailed, as well as powerful. You can adjust sound through the Neutral, Bass Enhance and Bass Boost switches at the back, too.
Samsung HW-K950
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Key features:
- 5.1.4-channel Atmos soundbar with 15 speaker drivers
- Wireless subwoofer and Atmos surround speakers
- Two HDMI inputs with 4K/60p HDR passthrough
- Review Price: £1299
Dolby Atmos is the next step in home surround sound. It doesn’t just give you sound from in front and behind, it also brings height into the equation. That makes the sound a lot more spacious and believable. The problem is that Atmos usually demands in-ceiling speakers.
The Samsung HW-K950 solves that problem. It has up-firing speaker drivers, which shoot sound at your ceiling so it will bounce downwards at your sitting position. Hey presto, helicopters raining chaos from above, without the hassle and wiring mess of installed speakers. Atmos magic aside, Samsung has seriously upped its audio game, and the result is the best-sounding sound system the company has ever produced. If you want a properly immersive home cinema experience without the mess, this is one to look up.
If you like the look of this, but don’t need the Atmos treatment, also check out the Samsung HW-MS650 and its curved variant the Samsung HW-MS6500. They’re a lot cheaper.
Sonos Playbase
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Key features:
- Supports TVs up to 35 kg (77lbs)
- 58 x 720 x 380 mm
- Six drivers, three tweeters, one woofer
- Connections: optical in, Ethernet
- Key apps: Spotify, Tidal, Google Play Music, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer
- Review Price: £699
If you’re tight on space and you’ve got a generous wad of cash to throw at one very pretty sound source, the Sonos Playbase is a fine choice. Designed to be both a booster seat for your TV and a formidable streaming system in its own right, the Playbase brings stunning audio and a huge list of compatible services to your TV stand.
The Playbase’s soundstage is so wide and tall that it’s hard to believe there aren’t other speakers in the room. Engaging, entertaining sound is complimented by a smooth and direct midrange, giving a convincing weight to voices. Everything is controlled through the brilliant Sonos app, and there’s even Alexa compatibility to look forward to at the end of this year.
Plus, pair it with Sonos Play:1 speakers and a Sonos sub, and you’ve got a formidable surround sound system. If you like the sound of this, but intend to wall-mount your TV, check out the Sonos Playbar.
Sky Soundbox
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Key features:
- W37.5 x D21 x H9.5cm
- Six 3-inch woofers, three 2-inch full-range drivers
- Connections: optical in, HDMI in/out, Bluetooth
- Review Price: £799 (from £249 for Sky customers)
This is an odd one, and in more ways than one. The first oddity is the shape, which is more like a soundbase but too small to fit a TV on. It can be tricky to find the right home for it.
The Soundbox’s other quirk is that Sky customers can buy it at a truly excellent price. No one should pay the full £799, but for £299 to Sky subscribers or an even lower £249 to Sky Q Multiroom users, this is a no-brainer.
The scale of sound from such a compact unit is very impressive, while some Sky Q-specific sound modes help to get a better sonic balance during sports, movies, etc.
With music it’s a little shouty and the bass can be overblown, but with most video content it’s very good – as long as you’ve only paid that discounted price for it.
Q Acoustics M2
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Key Features
- HDMI (ARC)
- 3.5mm input
- RCA input
- Optical input
- aptX Bluetooth with NFC
It seems everything Q Acoustics cannot go wrong. Their hi-fi speakers are excellent. Their soundbars are excellent. And now we have their first soundbase, which is also excellent.
The Q Acoustics M2 soundbase is a simple affair, but it’s exactly what a soundbase needs to be; no more, no less. It’s sturdy enough to withstand 25kg of TV. It’s wide and deep enough to take most TVs with central pedestals; flat enough to sit under TVs that straddle. The cabinet is made of MDF with internal bracing to reduce unwanted resonance – that’s the stuff used in hi-fi speakers.
This unassuming little box does wonders for your TV’s sound. The performance is far more spacious than you’d assume just looking at it. Tonal balance is neutral, never adding too much bass or making voices sound crispy. There are no fancy virtual surround modes, but if you want something to straight-up boost your TV’s audio performance, this will do nicely.
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