Search

Better TV Audio: From Simple Soundbars to Full Surround


Last updated February 6, 2026
Our team uses AI to gather and suggest products, but our experts
ensure every recommendation meets our high standards.
Better TV Audio: From Simple Soundbars to Full Surround

Key considerations

TV manufacturers have spent the last decade making screens thinner, which means the built-in speakers have nowhere to move air. The result is tinny sound and mumbled dialogue. You do not need to turn your living room into a cinema to fix this. A simple bar helps with clarity, while a full system brings the immersion. Focus on how much wiring you can tolerate and whether you have room for a subwoofer box on the floor. The goal is clear vocals and balanced sound, not just volume.

The All In One Solution

If you just want to hear voices clearly without running wires across the floor, start here. These single bars rely on internal processing to widen the soundstage. They will not rumble the couch, but they are a massive upgrade over built-in TV speakers for sitcoms and news. Look for three channels so dialogue gets a dedicated center driver.
Best Overall
Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar
$719
Runner Up
Beam (Gen 2) Smart Soundbar
Runner Up
Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Runner Up
HT-A5000 5.1.2ch Soundbar

Adding Bass With A Subwoofer

Action movies and prestige dramas feel flat without low-end weight. A dedicated subwoofer handles the deep frequencies that thin bars physically cannot produce. This setup gives you impact for explosions and engine revs. Wireless subs are standard now, so you only need a power outlet near the corner of the room, not a cable running back to the TV.
Best Overall
RP-1400SW 14" High Excursion Subwoofer
$1350
Runner Up
KEF - KC62 Subwoofer Each - Black
Runner Up
Lyngdorf BW-2 Reference High Bandwidth Subwoofer
Search Metto:
subwoofer

Surround Systems In A Box

Real immersion requires sound coming from behind you. These packages bundle a main bar, a subwoofer, and two rear satellite speakers. It is the easiest way to get true surround sound without buying a receiver. Setup takes ten minutes, but you will need to figure out where to plug in the rear speakers or hide the wires connecting them to the sub.
Best Overall
SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 System
$1199

The Av Receiver Route

This is for people who care about audio fidelity more than convenience. You buy a receiver and separate passive speakers. It costs more and takes up space, but the separation and power blow any soundbar away. You also get future-proofing since you can upgrade speakers one by one over time rather than throwing out the whole system.
Best Overall
ONKYO TX-RZ50 9.2-Channel THX Certified AV Receiver
$599
Runner Up
Denon AVR S760H 7.2ch 8K AV Receiver
Runner Up
Anthem MRX 1140 8k receiver
Runner Up
AVR-X3800H
Denon
AVR-X3800H
$799

Metto aggregates product information from across the web and recommended based on criteria. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Stay in the loop

New feature alerts, shopping Mettolists and suggested products delivered straight to your inbox.