The Best Soundbars For Music In 2024

Dan Simmons By, Dan Simmons
Updated
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar

This single sound bar delivers rich and clear dialogue, deep bass and lifelike audio for all your entertainment. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Bestisan 80Watt 34Inch Soundbar

Bestisan Soundbar Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless TV Sound System, is an elegant sound bar that delivers powerful sound thanks to its 2-channel 80Watt Total power. Read Review

3. Best Audio Performance: Sony HT-S350 Soundbar

This soundbar system is designed to bring your TV viewing experience to new heights, with true 5.1ch surround sound from a slim, stylish sound bar and wireless subwoofer. Read Review

4. Best Connectivity: SAMSUNG 3.1.2ch Q700A Q Series Soundbar

The sound bar calibrates its audio to the size of your room and delivers it through the front, side and top-firing speakers for true audio immersion. And with portable design and easy setup, you'll be enjoying jaw-dropping sound in minutes. Read Review

And you thought soundbars were just for movies… Think again. Soundbars are fantastic devices that can also add a whole new dimension to your music. They’re great for filling your entire room with music and can often offer much better sound than that tiny little speaker built into your TV. Getting the best soundbars for music is an excellent middle ground if you have a small apartment or don’t want to invest in a full-blown home theatre system. These devices are affordable, simple to set up, and best of all - they can make a dramatic difference in how your favourite tracks sound.

We think the product that comes highly recommended for the best soundbars for music is our Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar​​​​​​. With advanced technologies, you can enjoy the clear audio on your TV. If you need more alternatives and more in-depth guidance, you may explore the following.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar
Our Score:
9.7
Bose
  • Universal remote controls TV, bass, Bluetooth connections and more
  • One connection to your TV. Optical audio input (digital); Coaxial audio input (digital); 3.5 mm aux input (analog)
  • Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand out
  • Single sound bar provides better sound quality compared to your TV.The Solo 5 TV sound system is an easy solution, with advanced technologies that deliver the clear audio your TV can’t.
  • Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music from any of your devices
  • Speaker:2.6 H x 21.6 W x 3.4 D (3.73 lbs), Remote control:4.1 H x 1.6 W x 0.4 D (5 oz)
TOP Choice #2 Bestisan 80Watt 34Inch Soundbar
Our Score:
9.5
BESTISAN
  • Control with Remote or Buttons: No matter if you’re standing by the TV or laying on the couch, the tv soundbar speaker can be operated via the integrated top buttons or included remote control. To make its operation even more intuitive, the LED indicator shines through the grid in different colors matching the selected functions.
  • 3D Surround Sound System: support Movie/Music/Dialogue modes thanks to DSP Technology. bring you a fantastic surrounded sound. Lets you hear every details of your music and movies, with crisp, breathtaking detail and exceptional clarity.
  • Upgraded Version: High-sensitivity remote control displays the different modes by means of different colored LED lights. Deep bass, improved power (Up to 80W). Advanced built-in Subwoofer bring powerful bass for all your movies, music and TV shows. Enjoy expansive audio and crystal-clear sound.(Fit for 32Inch--50Inch Smart TV).
  • Advanced 5.0 Bluetooth Technology: Connect over Bluetooth in seconds to your any Bluetooth Audio devices. To play from TVs use the included optical cable. It also supports Aux in, RCA, USB.
TOP Choice #3 Sony HT-S350 Soundbar
Our Score:
9.3
Sony
  • Audio Comes Alive:320W total power output brings content to life with incredible volume and clarity
  • One-Cable Connect: Send Audio and Control Information from the TV Using a Single Cable with HDMI Arc
  • Ultimate Home Theater Upgrade: Sony 2.1 Channel Sound Bar System With Wireless Subwoofer for Optimized Audio
  • Powerful Subwoofer: Large 6.30 Inches Speaker Unit and 6.16 Gallon Volume for a Deeper, Richer Bass Sound
  • Wirelessly Connect: Connect via Bluetooth to Send Audio to the Slim Soundbar and Sub from Anywhere
  • Bluetooth Streaming: Stream Your Favorite Movies, Shows, and Music from Your Smartphone or Tablet
  • In the Box: Soundbar, Subwoofer, Remote Control, Batteries, Optical Cable, Quick Setup Guide, Manual
  • 7 Sound Modes: Choose from Auto Sound, Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports, and Standard Audio Mode
  • Voice Enhancement: Isolates Voices and Amplifies Them over the Background Noise for Greater Clarity
  • S-Force Pro: Virtual Surround Sound Technology Emulates a Theater-Style Surround Sound Experience
4 SAMSUNG 3.1.2ch Q700A Q Series Soundbar
Our Score:
9.1
SAMSUNG
  • Q-SYMPHONY - Perfectly synchronized, fully immersive QLED TV and soundbar audio.
  • WORKS WITH - Enjoy your Soundbar hands-free using voice control through your Alexa-enabled device.
  • SPACEFIT SOUND - Automatically calibrated sound and enhanced clarity to adapt to your space.
  • DOLBY ATMOS / DTS:X - Theater-quality sound that fires from the front, side and above for true audio immersion.
  • TRUE 3.1.2CH SOUND - The complete audio entertainment experience with 3 channels, 1 subwoofer and 2 up-firing channels.
5 Wohome S89 28-Inch 80W Soundbar
Our Score:
8.9
Wohome
  • 3D Surround Sound: designed with DSP technology for amazing clarity and precision sound, support music, dialogue, movie, and 3D equalizer modes, brings you an upgrading fantastic home theater experience
  • Multi Connection: enjoy wireless streaming music through Bluetooth 5.0; support HDMI-ARC, AUX, Coaxial, USB, and Optical inputs, could work with almost all your devices. (HDMI-ARC connection could let you use your TV remote or universal remote to control volume and on/off.)
  • Our promise: 100% satisfaction service and lifetime technical support, any questions, please feel free to contact us via Amazon message or contact info on the service card.
  • 110 dB of Room-Filling Sound: built-in 4x 20W powerful full-range speakers and 2x bass reflex tubes, produce crystal clear sound and deep bass for all your movie, music, news, gaming, great for living room and bedroom
  • Ultra-slim 28-Inch Sound Bar: with fashionable and classic design, 2.9 inches high could fit easily under your TV and desktop monitor, great 28inchs, suit for 40 inch-75 inch traditional TV or smart TVs, remote and mount kit supplied
  • Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Transmission: Bluetooth wireless transmission technology, strong anti-interference, lossless audio transmission, 360-degree sound, let you have a high-quality home audio system, enjoy the luxury of music.
  • DSP Technology and Multiple Interfaces: This technology let you have three choices for sound effects: news, movie and music. You can choose according to your current situation. This Sound bar has Optical, RCA, Aux in and USB, Bluetooth input.
  • Upgraded Version: High-sensitivity remote control displays the different modes by means of different colored LED lights. Deep bass, improved power (Up to 100W).Powerful bass and crystal-clear sound for all your movies, music and TV shows. Fit for 40Inch--65Inch Smart TV.
  • 40 Inches TV Sound Bar: Built-in 4 full range speakers and 2 tweeters speakers(total 100Watt) enjoy 105 dB of room filling,and built-in 2 bass reflex tubes, adds rich bass to your TV.
  • Ultra Slim TV Soundbar: with fashionable and classic design, 3.2 inches high could fit easily under your TV and desktop monitor, great 38inches suit for 40 inch-75 inch traditional TV or smart TVs, mount kit supplied
  • 2.1 CH with Powerful Bass: with built-in 2 subwoofers, 1 bass reflex tubes and 4 full range speakers, could produces deep bass and crystal clear sound for all your movies, music, gaming and TV shows, enhance your hearing experience, enjoy 110dB room fulling sound, suit for big space such as living room
  • Multiple Inputs: enjoy wireless streaming music via the Bluetooth 5.0; wired connection support Aux, HDMI-ARC, USB and optical input, what's more, ARC connection support the TV remote and cable remote
  • Clear Voice: designed with DSP Technology for amazing clarity and precision, support 4 equalizer modes including movie, news, music and 3D sound mode, bass and treble adjustable
  • APP Control: except traditional remote and buttons control, Wohome S9930 support smart App control, very simple to use and operate
  • BLUETOOTH 5.0, THE SUPERB SOUND QUALITY - Our newest sound bar adopts Bluetooth 5.0 & DSP technology to ensure faster transmission speeds, stable connectivity, and smooth transmission in long distance with low consumption. This soundbar is so versatile you can place it almost anywhere. And with Bluetooth connectivity, you can play your favorite music anywhere. We’ve carefully engineered a custom sound bar material so we can provide you with true 3D stereo premium sound.
  • A DILIGENT DESIGN & 12 MONTHS WARRANTY - VMAI engineered the soundbar almost impossibly thin measuring less than 2.5-inch-high, and a jet-black surface. With luxury Touch-button design, you can control power/ volume on the side easily. VMAI sound bar comes with mount bracket in the package, which allows you to mount this elegant sound bar on your living room. Every VMAI sound bar will go through a strict quality test process before sending out. We offer 12 months warranty to our customer!
  • 2.1 CHANNEL IMMERSIVE SOUND EXPERIENCE - 120W Sound bar delivers noticeably better sound than your TV alone. With advanced technologies, TV sound bar delivers the clear audio your TV can’t. Sound bar with subwoofer produces powerful bass and surround sound, let you enjoy a dynamic home audio experience; With 110dB sound level pressure, VMAI sound bar delivers the heavy-bass performance, a detailed midrange, crisp treble, and beyond. Enjoy all the details of your music and movies.
  • MULTIPLE INPUT OPTIONS AND EASY SET UP - Aside from one of our newest feature Bluetooth 5.0 from your smartphones, tablet, PC and other Bluetooth enabled devices; there are also wired connection including HDMI ARC, Optical, USB (Flash drive only), and AUX input, compatible with TVs, projectors, computers, Blu-ray players, tablet, PS5, Amplifiers, and more! We upgraded the package to include both premium 5 ft Optical cable and 5 ft RCA to 3.5 mm cable.
  • FOUR DIFFERENT SOUND MODE - Music, Movie, News & 3D mode adjusting by using the included remote control! The remote also allows you to increase or reduce treble and bass based on your preference. The additional volume and power control are conveniently located at the right side of the sound bar.
  • Latest Bose soundbar — It’s the most immersive Bose voice control soundbar yet. Two custom-engineered upfiring dipole speakers work with Bose technologies to make it feel as if sound is coming from every direction — even overhead
  • Easy smart soundbar setup — The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 uses a single connection to any TV. Choose from the HDMI eARC connection or optical audio connection (both cables provided), connect the soundbar to a TV, hook it up to power, and turn it on
  • Voice control soundbar — Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology expands your voice capabilities like no other smart soundbar can. In addition to controlling your Dolby Atmos soundbar, you can control your TV, cable and more with just your voice
  • Dolby Atmos soundbar — This wireless Bluetooth soundbar lends an extra dimension of height to your sound. Proprietary Bose TrueSpace spatial processing analyzes and upmixes sounds for an enveloping listening experience in Dolby, stereo, and more
  • Sleek design — From material quality to construction and finishes to controls, Bose obsessed over every detail to produce a Bluetooth soundbar speaker that looks as astonishing as it sounds
  • Bose Music app — Download the Bose Music app to set up your Bluetooth soundbar speaker, set up Voice4Video, and browse your music in one place. It’s another simple way to control and group together compatible Bose products
  • Wireless soundbar streaming, your way — With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, you can wirelessly stream whatever you want, however you want
  • Built-in voice assistants (Alexa and Google Assistant) — Noise-rejecting microphones work together to listen in every direction for your commands, even when the music’s playing loudly. For times when you want privacy, just disable the microphones with the mic-off button
  • Infra-Red Learning Function: You don’t worry about using a lot of remote controls. You could use your TV/cable remote to control our sound bar, it is so convenient. More details about learning function, please check our user's manual kindly.
  • 40 Inches TV Sound Bar: Built-in 4 full range speakers and 2 tweeters speakers(total 100Watt) enjoy 105 dB of room filling,and built-in 2 bass reflex tubes, adds rich bass to your TV.
  • Upgraded Version: High-sensitivity remote control displays the different modes by means of different colored LED lights. Deep bass, improved power (Up to 100W).Powerful bass and crystal-clear sound for all your movies, music and TV shows. Fit for 40Inch--65Inch Smart TV.
  • DSP Technology and Multiple Interfaces: This technology let you have three choices for sound effects: news, movie and music. You can choose according to your current situation. This Sound bar has Optical, Coaxial, RCA, Aux in and USB, Bluetooth input.
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best soundbars for music?

A valuable product is determined by many factors (included below). The process of researching the best soundbars for music is pretty significant because of these features related to the products. However, rest assured that we are here to support your challenges.

Having a closer look at the following factors would benefit you a lot. These are the most important things among various ones you need to consider:

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Bluetooth is an important soundbar feature that allows you stream music from compatible phones, tablets and computers to your soundbar. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stream music from your Spotify account or access cloud music libraries.

Subwoofer

In large rooms, a soundbar with an external subwoofer (or dedicated soundbar) can be more effective than one without it. A subwoofer that is well made will enhance low-end sound quality and add a cinematic vibe to your system. A sub that is poorly designed can cause a drop in sound quality. A soundbase is a great option if you need bass, but aren't able to fit an external sub. They include an integrated subwoofer.

Wired/wireless Speakers

Some soundbars allow for wired and wireless connection to other speakers. Some soundbars only support a subwoofer. However, a few models offer "surround sound" connectivity, which allows you to connect other speakers to the rear of the room to replicate 5.1. You can purchase these speakers separately or as a bundle at an extra cost.

Number Of Channels And Speakers

A soundbar with just 2.1 channels may be enough to enhance the audio quality of your TV. A 5.1 and 7.1 models might offer better sound quality when you watch TV/movies or listen to audio. Dolby Atmos is available on 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 models. This technology allows for a richer experience. It involves placing speakers higher than the roof, to create sound from above.

Size

To ensure that the unit will not block the screen, or interfere with the remote control or display of your TV's remote, check its dimensions. You should also check that the design of the unit matches your TV.

Ease Of Set-up And Use

It is easy to hook up the soundbar with your TV or other device and get started using it immediately. This can be gauged by looking at the manual or reading some user reviews.

Connectivity

Soundbars typically only require one cable to connect with your TV. HDMI is the best choice. Make sure that your soundbar is equipped with all necessary ports for connecting to Blu-ray players and USB storage. You should check if your soundbar has a pass-through function that transmits 4K HDR video from your 4K HDR TV.

Additional Features

You might also want these features in your soundbar:
There are special sound modes for various audio types, such as watching movies, listening to music, or gaming. You can adjust the treble and bass settings depending on what you are watching/listening too.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice-controlled music.
Front-panel displays that display important information, such as volume levels. Make sure to check if this display is able to be switched off when it's not in use so that it does not become distracting.

FAQs

Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Sound Bar?

Wireless sound bars often come with a subwoofer. You can also add your own wireless subwoofer to the sound bars that do not have one. If you desire an immersive experience, you'll want it.

Are Soundbars Really Worth It?

They are well worth the investment when compared to how loud your TV sounds. A soundbar costs only $100 and can make your TV viewing experience 10x better. A soundbar can make it easier to understand speech by allowing TV speakers to face down.

Can A Sound Bar Be Used As A Center Speaker?

There are some that can and others that can't, but it's not something we recommend. Although a passive soundbar could technically be used to provide center channel speakers, this is not what it was designed for. This is like asking a pitcher to play both catch and second base instead of the only position that he excels at.

Can You Add Speakers To A Sound Bar?

There are both yes and no. Some sound bars have additional speakers that can be added to the system, which brings you closer to home theatre sound. If the soundbar is multi-room compatible, then wireless rear speakers can be added. This is a good option for those who have or want to install a multi-room sound system in their home.

Will A Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?

Modern TVs have very tiny speakers which bounce sound off of your TV. As a result, they can be distant and harsh. A soundbar can be added to most TVs to improve their sound quality, particularly when it comes down to reproducing spoken words. It will also allow you to listen to music.

Where Do I Place My Soundbar?

The soundbars can be placed directly in front of your TV using a stand, or any other type of furniture. They are usually less than 2 inches high so they won't interfere with the infrared remote port of your TV or block it. Some soundbars are also wall-mountable and include brackets. There are third-party kits that can be used to mount soundbars on the wall.

Can You Use A Soundbar To Play Music?

A soundbar can make music play through your TV much more enjoyable. Bluetooth is a feature that many soundbars offer, so you won't have to turn on the TV to hear your music. A soundbar that has a wireless subwoofer will work best to reproduce deep bass and dynamics.

Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?

There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, you can still use your soundbar with any TV. It is helpful sometimes to match soundbar and TV brands. New soundbars often use HDMI ARC to transmit the audio from the TV's speakers through the soundbar. If both of your devices have this port, you are good. An optical connection is available on some older soundbars, and almost all TVs have them.

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About Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons is a writer who loves home theater and HiFi audio. As the editor of TheAudioInsights, he has helped countless people enjoy the best possible sound quality in their homes. He is an audiophile who takes great pleasure in helping others find the perfect audio equipment for their needs. When he's not writing or editing, Dan enjoys listening to music and spending time with his family.