The 6 best soundbars of 2024 | Crutchfield

Sound bars are an easy way to achieve a big step up in sound quality for movies, sports and games on your TV. Instead of using your TV's built-in speakers, the sound bar takes over and delivers clear dialogue, stereo separation, even surround sound, all without the need for a receiver and speakers.

Sound bars use powerful amplifiers and multiple speakers to reproduce sound in a way TV speakers can't. Many sound bars have speakers aimed at your ceiling and walls, using the reflection to create realistic surround sound effects from a single bar. Some sound bars use a separate powered subwoofer to hit the deep lows, and some also have the ability to connect to wireless surround speakers, resulting in some truly powerful, impactful sound that takes up a lot less space than a dedicated home theater system.

Installation of a sound bar usually means plugging it in for power, then connecting to your TV using the HDMI ARC or eARC connection. This lets you control volume on the sound bar using your TV's remote. Sound bars usually sit on a TV stand right under the TV, but many can be wall-mounted as well.

Here are our favorite sound bars for 2024:

0:00 Hard to hear those built-in TV speakers?
0:13 Best budget bar: Yamaha SR-B20A
0:59 Best for music lovers: Sonos Arc
1:50 Best for big/odd rooms: Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra
2:29 Best with wireless surrounds: JBL Bar 1300X
3:11 Best sound bar, period: Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar | MAX
3:41 Best compact sound bar: Polk MagniFi Mini AX
4:12 We're here to help

[jonathanbarnes]

You seem like the best at this I live in an apartment and only want to be a standalone soundbar without having to purchase any extra speakers 🔊 or subwoofers etc. What is the best standalone soundbar for a brand new LG OLED G4 television in 2024? Price point is not a factor I’m will to purchase premium if it’s all in one unit. I don’t do any gaming I only watch movies and sports primarily. Any assistance you can bring is greatly appreciated!

[MatthewRumble]

Can the sonos arc ultra be used on a pc desk setup?

[ctill]

Insane cool video I appreciate the guide!

[ohsnapwtfify]

Are these compatible with TV brands, different from the soundbar? If so, do you have any recommendations for a Philips AMBILIGHT tv QLED 55PUS8209? Something more budget-friendly would be best.

[WinnieTheThew]

Have you tried the Bang & Olufsen theater?

[milky]

I have a small bedroom. Will the Bose Ultra be plenty without the bass module? (Cant justify that price atm)

[LoreKeeperEX]

Do any of these support AirPlay? I’m heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and would love to be able to sync my phone audio to all devices if that’s an option

[riccio]

The polk magnifi mini ax doesnt come with a 12inch subwoofer like you said. It has a 6.5 inch subwoofer. Quite a difference...

[adityakumar]

@crutchfield
What's your opinion on the Bluesound Soundbar Plus combined with the Pulse Flex 2i rear speakers

[jeffc]

How do these compare to the new Cambridge sound works evo one(the one with 700watt) $1500, and want to use it for streaming and the tv as a sound bar in my living room. Thank you

[bettertvreceptionwithfoilf]

how much of a pain in my butt is it going to be to keep these wireless speakers CHARGED?

[qxgjuko]

Sonos lost me with all the stupid app changes and making their old hardware obsolete

[youridol]

JBL 1300 the best 11.1.4 sound bar with sub currently?

[youridol]

JBL 1300 the best 11.1.4 sound bar with sub currently?

[youridol]

JBL 1300 the best 11.1.4 sound bar with sub currently?