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Best Soundbar Under 800 - the best TV speakers you can buy

Jamie-LeeLona Dalton
  Jun 5, 2023 11:59 PM

Have you found that no matter how thin and colourful of the Best Soundbar Under 800 become, there's always a notable contrast between a new flat screen's sparkling picture quality and its lacklustre sound performance? That's because almost all modern sets, regardless of size, have subpar speakers hidden away in increasingly scant frames. But fortunately, simply adding a soundbar to your set-up is an easy way to get a more engaging, clear and enjoyable viewing experience.


OVERVIEW

The majority of soundbars are self-contained and small enough to fit in front of or below your television. The greatest speakers are those that do not require extra surrounds or subwoofers to fill the space. However, there are typically opportunities to extend to a more comprehensive surround system if needed, or there are multi-box systems that link wirelessly, so there are no trip hazards caused by cords.

If you're wondering why a certain model, such as isn't included on our list, it's because we do not endorse it. We regularly add new models to our purchasing guide and edit our assessments to reflect new software releases, so you can be confident that we've compiled the best of what's presently available.

The 6 Best Soundbars - Summer 2022: Reviews - RTINGS.com


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BUYING GUIDE

How to select the optimal soundbar

  • Size

Before making a purchase, there are a few things to consider. Consider the measurements of your television to determine the size of your new soundbar. You don't want it to be dwarfed by the screen, but pairing a big bar with a little TV may appear odd, like a tiny head resting on too broad shoulders. Examine the specifications and compare the width of the bar to that of your television. If you must set the soundbar in front of your TV, you don't want it to obscure half the screen, and upward-firing drivers require a clear line of sight to your ceiling to be effective.

Some soundbars have external subwoofers for additional low-end extension and back speakers for surround sound effects, while others are compatible with other speakers from the same manufacturer. If floor-shaking bass is a top priority for you, then you should investigate these models.

The Sony HT-A7000 is an outstanding, future-proofed, all-in-one performer with excellent integration

  • Functionality and connection.

Numerous contemporary soundbars have ARC and eARC-enabled HDMI connections that support high bandwidth multichannel audio codecs as well as optical inputs for older televisions. If your TV supports ARC/eARC, you'll be able to adjust the volume of your soundbar using its remote. Consider whether having a separate physical remote for the soundbar is vital to you, or whether you're okay using a smartphone app to adjust settings.

The dinky Sonos Beam delivers a refined sound and excellent Dolby Atmos interpretation

  • Bluetooth connection and wifi streaming 

Like as Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast are available on the vast majority of contemporary soundbars. Some additionally have microphones with voice assistant compatibility or capabilities. If you have external devices such as gaming consoles or a 4K Blu-ray player, look for HDMI passthrough connectors that might make your setup more versatile.

If you want to choose a soundbar that creates an immersive home theater experience, you should prioritize models that are compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. Some soundbars do this virtually through processing, while others have upward-firing speakers to create height effects. If you are interested in the latter, keep in mind that the outcome will be more effective if you have low ceilings to reflect the sound and that the top of the soundbar must be exposed and set away from the TV screen.

If you value high-quality 3D audio, you should ensure that both your TV and possible soundbar support Dolby TrueHD and eARC. The ARC standard can support Dolby Atmos, but only in its lossy Dolby Digital Plus version, whereas Dolby TrueHD can give full-fat, lossless Dolby Atmos in all its splendor.

Consider the stuff you'll be watching and the sources you'll be connecting. If you just use Freeview, many of these technologies will be superfluous. But if you're streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video in 4K HDR, you'll want to extract the highest audio quality possible to ensure that your material sounds as amazing as it looks. Check out our article on how to choose and set up a soundbar for a comprehensive overview.

Sonos Arc Easily one of the best soundbars we've heard at the money.


CONCLUSION

We've included a list of various connectivity choices next to every best soundbar under 800 on our list. The vast majority of soundbars will connect to your TV through optical or HDMI cables—HDMI being better in most circumstances.

If your TV and soundbar both have an HDMI-ARC connector (the cable port looks like HDMI, but it's branded ARC), try connecting that method. It will allow you to utilize the volume buttons on your TV remote to control the soundbar's volume. Also make sure CEC is enabled. Use an optical cable only if HDMI isn't available.

Finally, check your TV audio options to make sure your TV's internal speakers are turned to off (so you don't get any odd audio fluttering) and determine the optimum areas to position your speakers and sub.

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