How to Choose the Right Soundbar

Why a Soundbar Is the Smart TV Audio Upgrade

Modern flat-screen TVs are visually stunning but acoustically disappointing — thin panels simply don't have room for good speakers. A soundbar is the easiest, most effective way to dramatically improve your TV's audio without the complexity of a full surround sound system. This guide covers everything you need to know to choose the right soundbar for your TV and room.

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Soundbar Configurations

Standalone Soundbars (2.0 or 3.0)

A standalone soundbar without a separate subwoofer contains all drivers within the single bar enclosure. 2.0 models have left and right channels; 3.0 models add a centre channel for better dialogue clarity. They're compact and tidy but have limited bass performance compared to soundbars with a subwoofer. Best suited to smaller rooms or anyone who prioritises simplicity and minimal cables.

Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer (2.1)

Adding a separate wireless subwoofer dramatically improves bass performance for movie explosions, music bass, and gaming effects. The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the soundbar with no cable between them, so it can be placed anywhere in the room. This is the most popular soundbar configuration for Australian living rooms and delivers a substantial audio upgrade over any TV speaker setup.

Soundbar with Rear Speakers and Subwoofer (5.1)

Some soundbar systems include wireless rear satellite speakers in addition to a wireless subwoofer, creating a genuine surround sound experience without the complexity of a full AV receiver system. A great choice for households that want surround sound without running speaker cables through the room.

Dolby Atmos Soundbars

Dolby Atmos soundbars include upward-firing drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling to create a sense of height in the audio mix. Combined with the front and bass channels, they deliver a three-dimensional sound field from a single unit. Premium Atmos soundbars with rear speakers create a genuinely immersive cinema experience. Dolby Atmos content is widely available on Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV in Australia.

Key Features to Look For

Audio Formats Supported

Look for support for Dolby Digital, DTS, and for premium models, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. These formats are standard on Blu-ray and major Australian streaming services and deliver the best audio quality from supported content.

Connectivity

• HDMI ARC / eARC: The best connection option. A single HDMI cable carries high-quality audio from the TV to the soundbar and allows the TV remote to control the soundbar volume. eARC (Enhanced ARC) supports higher-bandwidth audio formats including lossless Dolby Atmos.
• Optical: A common alternative if your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC. Slightly lower audio quality ceiling but reliable and widely compatible.
• Bluetooth: Allows wireless music streaming from a phone or tablet.
• Wi-Fi: Found on premium models for wireless music streaming and multi-room audio integration.

Number of Channels

More channels mean more speakers and a more spatially accurate sound field. A 2.1 soundbar produces stereo audio with bass. A 5.1.2 Atmos soundbar with rear speakers and upward-firing drivers creates full surround with height.

Sound Modes

Sound modes optimised for different content types — movie, music, sport, game, news — adjust the audio processing for better results with each type. A night mode that reduces loud effects and boosts dialogue is a useful feature for watching TV late without disturbing others.

Size

Choose a soundbar that is the same width as or slightly narrower than your TV. Most soundbars are available in sizes optimised for 55 to 65 inch, 65 to 75 inch, or 75 inch and above TV configurations.

What to Expect at Different Price Points

Budget (Under $200)

Entry-level soundbars deliver a significant improvement over TV speakers with basic stereo audio or a simple subwoofer included.

Mid-Range ($200 to $600)

Mid-range soundbars offer wireless subwoofers, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, and in many models Dolby Atmos decoding. A well-chosen model in this range is a meaningful audio upgrade for most living rooms.

Premium ($600 and Above)

Premium soundbars deliver Dolby Atmos with upward-firing drivers, wireless rear speakers, eARC, Wi-Fi streaming, and the most immersive soundstage available from a soundbar system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size soundbar should I choose?

A soundbar should be roughly the same width as your TV or slightly shorter. A soundbar that is wider than the TV looks unbalanced. For a 65 inch TV, look for a soundbar in the 100 to 120 cm range.

Will a soundbar work with any TV?

Yes. Any soundbar with an optical input will work with any TV that has an optical audio output, which includes virtually all modern televisions. HDMI ARC requires both the TV and soundbar to support ARC, which is common on TVs from the past decade.

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