No cherry-picked units sent by brands. The more channels you have, the better the sound is. If you buy a sound bar with 5 channels, youre looking at full surround sound with two rear speakers for bass. As more speakers and sound-enhancing technologies are packed into a soundbar setup, they can get really big. The SR-B20A even manages to give a laudable impression of effects steering. And its a precise, insightful sound at that if you'll tweaks your EQs just so for your specific listening environment, theres real presence to midrange dialogue, and very well controlled bite and attack at the top of the frequency range. home theater, RS Recommends, sound bar. Minor updates to the text for clarity. The slightly recessed treble and lack of bass add a dark and veiled quality to the mix, but there's a dialogue enhancement feature available to make voices more clear, which is handy. But other options here will deliver clearer audio. That's where soundbars come in,allowing you tosignificantly improve upon the built-in sound of most TVs. I used the Sonos Beam as my home theater audio system for almost a year, and its still the sound bar I recommend to my friends and family. These technical features are all great, but its the Sonos Beams performance that really stands out. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. Here is aguide on how you can use a soundbar with Fire TV. Planning on buying an OLED TV? It's ideal for listening to music and dialogue-focused content like TV shows, with a balanced mid-range that makes voices present in the mix. We want to hear from you! Check your room and yoursetupto find the ideal spot, whether its on the TV cabinet or wall-mounted. While small soundbars can be limited in features, you can still find powerful products with prices that are good for the money. If you're looking for a small bar with a subwoofer and Atmos support, you can check out the LG Eclair QP5. This model proves that expansive sound is achievable even with a 16-inch sound bar. Well, you may want to wait a bit, 5 mistakes everyone makes with Samsung TVs, 5 mistakes everyone makes with LG OLED TVs, Streaming news from Netflix, Disney and more, Discover the gadgets you never knew you needed, In-depth reviews and new tech explanations. If you love bass-heavy music genres or want to feel the rumble in action-packed movie scenes, you might be disappointed that most small bars come as standalone setups. This sound bar supports Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, an Apple-developed wireless audio standard that allows you stream higher resolution music from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. Here's our full LG QP5 Eclair review. As a brand, Sonos has a massive following. If so, you may want a soundbar with an HDMI passthrough, which means you don't lose the use of that one HDMI port for connecting video devices we've pointed out which soundbars have HDMI passthrough. This may seem strange at first, but HDMI and optical audio are the most widely used standards for stereo receivers and TVs. Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. Reviews sites let you see both positive reviews and negative reviews, giving you the right feedback. Soundbars are often seen as a more convenient alternative to traditional home theater speaker systems. The SB2920-C6 has an optical, Aux (3.5mm), coaxial, and RCA inputs, plus an output for a subwoofer. You can even use wireless Bluetooth to connect the device to your TV or mobile devices for streaming. VIZIO has become a popular TV company over the past few years, but its compact sound bar is no slouch. So things are easy to set up, a good sound bar shouldnt exceed the length of your TV. The main thing to expect is more detailed sound, clearer dialogue, and more impact for sound effects it'll be more cinematic, but like a surround system. Unlike its predecessor, it supports Dolby Atmos content, which is handy if you watch lots of movies on Blu-rayand streaming platforms. Published 22 May 22, The best ways to keep your OLED TV's screen free from dust and finger smudges without damaging it, Get the best picture quality from your Samsung TV by tweaking these easy settings, It's easy to miss some Sony TV settings that will improve your experience here's how to make the most of its image quality, Get the best image quality from your LG OLED TV by avoiding these classic picture pitfalls, T3 is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Many listeners prefer clarity to bombast, though, and if youre one of them then this Samsung should be a tempting option. Oh, and lastly, we feel that the best Amazon Prime Day deals of 2022 will almost certainly include a couple of soundbar reductions. TheMajority Bowfell Small Sound Bar is our budget pick. Size: Were defining compact as sound bars under 30 inches long. Whats best about the Majority Bowfell brand is their eco-awareness every product sold is equal to a tree planted. If youve specified a smaller TV (by which we mean something under 50 inches, down to 24 inches), the chances are its in a smaller room. In almost every respect, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a no-brainer. As our full Bowfell Majority Compact Soundbar review says, "Watching TV and movies, the soundbar noticeably boosts voices. It's budget-friendly, with a pretty neutral and balanced sound profile, so voices and lead instruments in music and TV shows are clearly and accurately reproduced. Sonos Beam - Smart TV Sound Bar with Amazon Alexa Built-in - Black. Heres why you can trust us. The TV Speakers light weight (just over seven pounds) makes it easy to mount on the wall or position on an entertainment unit or counter (you can add mounting hardware for an extra $40). Rolling Stone Live is Heading to Lollapalooza 22, Exclusive: Jan. 6 Committee Plans to Humiliate MAGA Lawmakers Who Cowered During Capitol Attack, Total Hoes and Thots: Ex-Trump Aide Rails Against Jan. 6 Committee in Unhinged Rant, All But 10 House Republicans Voted Against Ensuring the Right to Contraception, Amazon Employee Dies at Fulfillment Center During Prime Day, Minneapolis Venue First Avenue Calls Off Dave Chappelle Show, RS Recommends: These Are the Back to School Deals Worth Shopping Right Now, RS Recommends: Dont Have AC? Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The result is sound thats way beyond what your TV alone is capable of where dynamism and sheer scale are concerned but not at the expense of clarity or insight. Simon Lucas is a freelance technology journalist and consultant, with particular emphasis on the audio/video aspects of home entertainment. You will receive a verification email shortly. If you have a large TV set,here are our recommendations for fifty-five inch TVs. But then neither is it the biggest. Along with stereo speakers, good soundbars have separate subwoofers included in the system for deep and powerful bass. Its even prepared to have a go at being a music speaker although for all its dynamism and detail retrieval, its not the most rhythmically adept soundbar around. Published 20 July 22, Now you can play big-name games even if you dont have an Xbox Series S|X or a PS5, By Carrie Marshall While you can customize its sound with its bass and treble adjustments, this bar doesn't offer comprehensivesound enhancement features like a graphic EQ that lets you customize the sound across the range. It isn't quite as versatile as the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) - there's no Dolby Atmos support, for example, and its performance with surround sound content like Dolby Digital isn't quite as impressive. Some consider the best surround sound technology like the ones present in most of the high-caliber Dolby Atmos soundbars. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly small soundbar, check out the Sony HT-S200F. While you can do without a powerful 5-channel soundbar in a room, companies also make products with 7.1.2 channels,such as the Sony HT-ST5000. Want more Rolling Stone? But even the best TVs only have one HDMI ARC port, and you might already be using it to plug in a set-top box or console, etc. Tonality is skewed somewhat the subwoofer does its punchy, if rather monotonal, thing, but the soundbar is a little dull at the top of the frequency range and rather boxy-sounding where the dialogue sits. Our guide to the best soundbar for small TVs is here to help you pick out the compact options from the, er, noise. There was a problem. VIZIO covers the basics with the SB2920-C6, but it doesnt have any smart features, and its upgradability is somewhat limited. Heres a compact, beautifully made speaker thats easy to use, sounds remarkably adept in any circumstance, and even gives the hint of a suggestion of the Dolby Atmos 3D spatial effect. The best of something is purely subjective, as what one needs to use could be different than what someone else needs in their list. Address: 1828 Lightning Point Drive Memphis, TN 38110 | Phone Number: +1 (307) 746-1215 | Email: contact@theproductanalyst.com, The Product Analyst All rights reserved 2022, If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. While its promise to create a Dolby Atmos effect isn't as pronounced as you might be hoping and it's a shame it doesn't have HDMI passthrough, in every other department this is the best small soundbar around. Do you need the best 8K TVs to get the best from your next-generation PlayStation 5 console? For multiple connections, check a product with Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, HDMI ARC, optical ports, and USB inputs. Please refresh the page and try again. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. But what we ask a soundbar to do is improve on what's built into a TV, and for the 24-inch or basic 32-inch TVs that this is designed to be paired with, it absolutely will do that. There will be your perfect purchase among them. It's a well-built 3.0 setup, and its small, standalone design fits easily underneath your monitor. In a world driven by convenience, the drive to fit a rack of amplification and speakers into a sleek, shiny shell has produced the modern soundbar. The Sonos Beam is a smart sound bar, and can be set up to work with both Amazons Alexa and the Google Assistant. 2022 Rolling Stone, LLC. Some sound bars have multiple ports, which allow you to use them with several devices at once, and other sound bars support Bluetooth, so you can stream audio to them wirelessly. You can add on a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, which improve bass reproduction and surround sound, respectively - making it a good choice for anyone looking to enter the soundbar game without breaking the bank. Add in the usual Sonos possibilities vis-a-vis multi-room and true surround-sound systems, and the Beam Gen 2 is the outstanding product in its class and does it all for TVs of just 32 inches and up. Our technical teams top pick for the best small soundbar is theBOMAKER 50W Sound Bar. Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more. With its small footprint, this soundbar doesn't take up a lot of space on your TV stand. Th. However, it does include a wireless subwoofer, making it a 2.1 channel system. It's especially of interest to gamers, because it has specific sound modes for different genres design to make it easier to stay competitive when you need to, or immersed in the vibes. We've tested over 135 soundbars, and below you'll find the best soundbars with a small design to buy. But at least they are present (which is more than some alternative designs can say) and everything that happens above them is detailed and prodigiously informative. Only the bass side of things, which is tentative where so many rivals are quite bolshy, stops the HW-S60T getting higher up this list. Additionally, you can use its bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound to your liking. This sound bar supports high-resolution audio formats like Dolbys DTS Studio Sound, DTS TruVolume, and DTS TruSurround when you use an optical cable. Soundbars such as the Sony HT-ST5000 are great and powerful if you have enough budget and space. Then again, you'd expect that from a Denon. As a person who was skeptical about sound bars until I tried one, I can attest to the big difference they make in your home theater experience, even in a small living room or studio apartment. Once its configured, you can control the Sonos Beam with your voice. A sound bar is a type of speaker that projects and enhances the sound played, whether youre listening to music or watching TV shows. The small soundbar is highly versatile and can connect to your TV, phone, or computer. But it's a good soundbar for any set and delivers impressive low end for a subwoofer-free setup. Not everyone wants or needs a dedicated listening space filled with equipment, but an improvement over TV speakers remains a priority. Our full Samsung HW-S60T review goes even deeper into why. Next, we'd recommend looking at the port options of the soundbars. Replaced the TCL Alto 6+ with the more versatile LG Eclair QP5 with Dolby Atmos support. Aside from the smart TV connection, you can also connect the soundbar to mobile devices using Bluetooth. No changes to product picks. It's a 2.1 standalone bar is a simple bar that's ideal for wallet-conscious buyers who don't need a lot of extra features. Minor updates to the text for clarity. Compact sound bars may be short, but theyre still taller and wider than the speaker space inside your TV. Most soundbars today, like Vizio models, have Bluetooth, so its not that hard to find. Published 25 May 22, Japan Display has announced a potentially massive upgrade so hold off on buying an OLED TV for now, By Max Slater-Robins All Rights Reserved. So if your TV is of modest dimensions, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 will make an immodest difference to its sound. Dec 07, 2021: The standard of build and finish is impeccable. VIZIO includes several cables with the sound bar, so you can connect it to your TV (and other devices) right out of the box. (Read our full review of Polk Audio Signa S2 here). It measures 29 inches long, which makes it the largest compact sound bar were recommending, but its still relatively small compared to setting up an entire speaker system. Sound Bar, FANGOR 60W 16-Inch Small Sound Bar for TV, Bluetooth 5.0 Speaker, 3 Equalizer Modes Audio, Bass Adjustable, Built-in DSP, Optical/HDMI/Aux/USB Connection for TV, PC, Projectors, Majority Atlas Bluetooth Sound Bar | 20 Watts with Multi-Connection | Portable with 8 Hours Battery Life, Wohome Soundbar S89 28-Inch 80W with HDMI-ARC, Bluetooth 5.0, LED Display, Optical USB AUX Connection, 4 Speakers, 4 EQs, 110dB Surround Sound Bar Home Theater Audio Soundbar System for TV (28-Inch), Majority Teton Bluetooth Soundbar for TV | 120 Watts with 2.1 Channel Sound | Built-in Subwoofer with Remote Control | Multi-Connection Including HDMI ARC, VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Home Theater Sound Bar with DTS Virtual:X, Bluetooth, Voice Assistant Compatible, Includes Remote Control - V20-J8, Sound Bar for TV with HDMI, Littoak Bluetooth Small TV Soundbar Speaker, Optical/HDMI/Aux/Coax/USB/Bluetooth Connection for TV, PC, Projectors, Includes Remote Control, Bass Adjustable, 16 inch, Sound Bar, BUFFRIG SoundBar for TV, Home Audio Sound Bars Bluetooth 5.0, Small TV Sound Bar 2.0 Channel, Optical, HDMI, AUX, USB, Optical Connection, 100W, 20 Inch, 50W Sound Bar, VILINICE 16-Inch Sound Bars for TV, 3 EQ Modes, Small Soundbar with Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Optical/Aux/USB/RCA Connection, Built-in DSP, Remote Control,Wall Mountable, Boston Acoustics TVee Model 22 Sound Bar, TV Soundbar, Compact Home Theater, Bluetooth Compatible, Black. However, it features HDMI passthrough despite its limited size, so if what you're looking for is a smart and tiny sound option with a subwoofer you can easily hide, it's still a good option. Having trouble deciding between two soundbars? You'll never be convinced sound is coming from anywhere except in front of you, but theres plenty of audio movement available, as our full Yamaha SR-B20A review goes into. Between them, our favourites feature speaker drivers that face upwards, downwards and sideways too and if you tuck them away close to a surface (whether thats a wall, or a shelf) theyll skew your sound more than somewhat. In my experience, the Beam does a great job when listening to music, watching movies and TV shows, or playing video games. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection. Subscribe in print, digital, or a great-value bundle. Its simple to set up, to control, and to integrate into a wider Sonos-based surround-sound or multi-room system, or to use with Apple AirPlay 2 streaming. The options on how a soundbar links to the TV should always be on your list. It's much more suited to slightly less dramatic volumes where it can let the audio benefit from its impressive treble and mid-range. Let's be up front this is not the most detailed and melodic soundbar of all time. Dont let a lack of space stop you from experiencing excellent audio quality. put them under the same test bench, Replaced the Sonos Beam with the next generation Sonos Beam (Gen 2). Published 2 July 22, The key settings to change to get the best possible picture quality no matter what you're watching, By Carrie Marshall Consequently you need to resign yourself to a sound that, while far bigger and more impressive than that coming from your TV, isnt going to trick you into thinking its coming from anywhere but in front of you. Everything we've chosen supports HDMI ARC (audio return channel) connectivity, which means you connect to the HDMI ARC port on your TV, and the TV passes its sound to the bar, and the soundbar's volume is controlled by the TV remote. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In this list and reviews, we have recommended some good soundbar brands, including Bose, Yamaha, Vizio, and Sony. By Carrie Marshall But that doesn't mean it isn't ideal for movies too as we go into in our full Panasonic SC-HTB01 Soundslayer review. Its no surprise that the most technically-advanced compact sound bar in our guide comes from one of the pioneers of modern audio tech, but the Sonos Beam delivers on all fronts. The best soundbars for small TVs can bring you big Dolby Atmos sound from a compact frame or can just make speech clearer for you, All the best features, news, tips and great deals to help you live a better life through technology. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. We factor in the price (a cheaper soundbarwins over a pricier oneif the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no soundbars that are difficult to findor almostout of stock everywhere). When buying a small soundbar, the first thing to consider is your upper limit where size is concerned. We purchase our own soundbars and These sound bars wont take up a lot of space, and can be mounted on the wall under your TV set or placed on top of an entertainment unit or shelf. You can create a full 5.1 surround sound system by pairing the Beam with a Sonos SUB or Sonos One speakers. magazine and website since then, he's written for titles such as Wired, Metro, the Guardian and Stuff, among many others. Sound bar for TV with Bluetooth 5.0 50W Small Soundbar Compact Size 16inch Mini Soundbar with HDMI/Opti/AUX/USB/ARC Built-in DSP for Home Theater PC Projectors Wireless 3EQs Outdoor Soundbar DESOBRY, Small Sound Bar for TV, 16-Inch Soundbar with Bluetooth 5.0, Mini Soundbar with Built-in 2 Speakers, Bass Tube, DSP, Optical/HDMI/Aux/USB, Soundbar for TV with 3 Equalizer Modes, Wohome Small Sound Bars for TV, 50W 16-Inch Ultra Slim Mini Surround Soundbar Speakers System with Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Optical AUX USB Connection, 5 Equalizer Modes, for 4K & HD TVs, Model S66, Soundbar, KMOUK Sound Bar for Small TV, Bluetooth 5.0, Mini Sound bar for PC/Home Theater, 2.0 Channel, 3 Equalizer Mode Audio, Optical/Aux/RCA Connection, Wired Gaming Speaker with 3D Surround Sound, Fosi Audio Sound Bars for TV, 18 Inch Small Sound bar with 5 EQ Modes & Built-in DSP, Bass Adjustable via Remote, HDMI ARC/ Bluetooth/ Optical/ Aux/ USB Connection, Wall Mountable Mini TV Soundbar, Majority Bowfell Small Sound Bar for TV with Bluetooth, RCA, USB, Opt, AUX Connection, Mini Sound/Audio System for TV Speakers/Home Theater, Gaming, Projectors, 50 watt, 15 inch, VIZIO 2.0 Home Theater Sound Bar with DTS Virtual:X, Bluetooth, Includes Remote Control - SB3620n-H6, Wogree Mini Soundbar 16-Inch 50W with Bluetooth, Optical, AUX, USB Connection, Small Sound Bar Speakers System for TVs, Home Theater, Gaming, Projectors, PCs, Tablets, Phones, Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control. T3 is supported by its audience. Reviews can tell you one or two things about prices, design, bass quality, Bluetooth connection, and performance. The movie and/or game soundtrack that uses bass as a shortcut to excitement is hardly a rare beast, after all, which makes the Soundslayer an exciting listen. Connectivity: Sound bars connect to your TV by getting plugged into ports like optical audio, HDMI, and RCA (red and white). Soundbars store-bought and tested, supported by you via. Easy! Alexa Built-in devices let you talk directly to Alexa, allowing you to play music, control your smart home, get news, weather, and more using your voice. The best soundbar with a small design we've tested is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). Better still, well-known audio companies and TV brands have begun making their own compact sound bars, so youre not sacrificing audio quality if you get one. Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module, Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. In This Article: Some prioritize music streaming via Bluetooth, some want loud gaming, while others need soundbars for their movies and TV shows. Bose TV Speaker Sound Bar Read more. The big sound from the Denon Home Sound Bar 550 belie its rather small dimensions: this soundbar creates a wall of sound, and unlike some movie-focused soundbars it delivers a great performance with music too. Its sound is broad, properly balanced, surprisingly punchy and utterly believable, with real width and depth to movie soundtracks (and even the tiniest suggestion of height to Dolby Atmos content). Even with such a tiny profile, the BOMAKER soundbar still manages to fit in 2 full-range speakers, a DSP, and 3D surround sound capabilities. ThisPolk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar, like the other best small soundbars on this list, has an ultra-slim and compact design. Soundslayer may make it sound like a character in Game of Thrones, but dont be fooled this Panasonic is all business. YAMAHA SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofer and Bluetooth, Sound Bars for TV, YOKARTEE Bluetooth TV Soundbar with Subwoofer, Home Audio Sound Bar Speaker for TV, Wireless Surround Sound System for TV/PC/Projector, Remote Control, Optical/AUX/USB/Coax Inputs, Mini Bluetooth Soundbar, Small Body Big Sound, Speaker Wireless Communication Technology, Speaker Surround Sound Channel Configuration. While some can do without a bass, a subwoofer is great if you really like to hear the greatest facets of movies, TV shows, or music. Just because you want a sensibly sized soundbar to go with your sensibly sized screen, that doesnt mean you dont want great big sound and on that score (as well as quite a few others) the Samsung HW-S60T has you covered. The brand also includes a small remote to offer users full control over their new devices. Save yourself some hours and see our list of the best small soundbars below. Unfortunately, since it's a 3.0 setup, its surround sound performance isn't as impressive as the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) - but if you want to enhance the sound with video games, it's a really solid choice. Many people turn to small soundbars as options for smaller living rooms - but you can also use compact soundbars to enhance the audio from your computer. Using Bluetooth also allows music streaming. A small TV has a smaller built-in speaker, so an audio boost from a soundbar is a must. Moved the Sony HT-S200F from 'Alternative With Integrated Sub' to 'Best Budget' for greater clarity. While the sound is a bit dark and muddy due to the recessed treble and lack of bass, there are some limited customization tools on hand, like a bass adjustment feature to adjust its sound as well as a dialogue enhancement mode. Upgradability: All of the compact sound bars were recommending will sound great on their own, but some can be part of a larger audio system you can build over time. This 5.0 setup has the same compact design as the original Sonos Beam. When you hear the term home theater audio system, its easy to only think about big 5.1 surround sound speakers, but thats not always the case. Not as much as Sonos seems to think it does, mind you, but a hint nevertheless. At 23.4 x 2.2 x 4 inches, this is the smallest Bose sound bar, and one of the most portable sound bars available overall. Press the bass button on the included remote to turn up the beats for extra oomph. The ability to make just one connection makes every product set-up convenient. Bluetooth support allows you to play music and other content for streaming. Youll hear every rip and rumble from your favorite action film, with deeper bass and loud, room-filling sound. Weve tested this sound bar ourselves and it sets up in minutes, with easy pairing to your TV and devices. The Panasonic may be giving away a little detail and a little outright scale compared to other similarly priced alternatives, but it makes up for that in sheer scale. Music and effects are brought to life in vibrant detail, while Boses dialogue mode pulls out every word and expression from movies or commentary, to ensure that conversations sound crisp and clean.