Soundbar Buying Guide
Highlights

What’s a soundbar?

Soundbars explained – how they enhance TV audio experiences.

A soundbar is the last piece of the puzzle to complete your TV audio experience. Its capacity to deliver the ultimate surround sound from the left, right and center channels ensures you enjoy richer and more immersive sound. Plus, it is stylish, compact and easy to set up with your TV.

Which soundbar should you go for?

You can opt for a one-body all-in-one unit or choose to add in a subwoofer for extra bass. You can even go for a set up that comes with rear speakers to deepen the surround sound effect. Let's sort through your options.

Three soundbar types

You have three basic choices. You can go for a one-body soundbar with an imbedded woofer, a soundbar with a separate subwoofer, or a complete soundbar system with a subwoofer and rear speakers.

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Soundbar + subwoofer

Boost your bass

A soundbar with a subwoofer might be all your space needs to create a dynamic audio experience. Subwoofers boost your bass, which is great for soundtracks and low-frequency sound effects like explosions. Plus, they are non-directional so you can put one wherever you want in your room for a balanced and powerful audio experience.

There is an illustration of a soundbar setup, including a main soundbar unit placed on a console and a subwoofer next to the console with sound waves coming from the bottom. There is an illustration of a soundbar setup, including a main soundbar unit placed on a console and a subwoofer next to the console with sound waves coming from the bottom.

Soundbar + subwoofer + rear speakers

Cinematic sound experience

A soundbar with separate rear speakers delivers cinematic experiences at home. Placed just behind and to the left and right of the listener, rear speakers work in concert with the soundbar to enhance the spatial positioning of sound effects, creating a three-dimensional surround sound that envelops you and makes you feel like you’re in the middle of your content. It’s the ultimate home entertainment experience.

There is an illustration of a soundbar setup, including a main soundbar unit placed on a console, a subwoofer next to the console, and two rear speakers behind the couch. There are sound waves going above and to the sides from the rear speakers. There is an illustration of a soundbar setup, including a main soundbar unit placed on a console, a subwoofer next to the console, and two rear speakers behind the couch. There are sound waves going above and to the sides from the rear speakers.

All-in-one soundbar

Space-saving sound excellence

How about a simpler option? Featuring a built-in woofer, the one-body soundbar occupies minimal space while delivering the exceptional sound experience you seek. If you're looking for an even more powerful audio encounter, we recommend you consider the soundbar with a subwoofer option. You can also purchase a separate subwoofer or rear speakers as standalone items.¹

There is an illustration of a main soundbar unit placed on a console right below a TV. There are sound waves coming out from the bottom. There is an illustration of a main soundbar unit placed on a console right below a TV. There are sound waves coming out from the bottom.

By composition

Find out more about the different soundbar configurations.

Soundbars with subwoofer and rear speakers
Soundbars with subwoofer
All-in-One Soundbar

Jump to any quick-tip article below:

Highlights
What’s a soundbar?
What do soundbar channel numbers mean?
What are Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
Does the soundbar's design matter?
What’s the best way to connect a soundbar to your TV?
Find out why Samsung soundbars are unique
A soundbar can take your TV audio to the next level. Whether you prefer a simple all-in-one unit or a setup with a subwoofer and extra rear speakers, pick the soundbar that fits your space best.

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  1. Some soundbar models may not be compatible with subwoofers and rear speakers.