Home Electronics TV The Best Soundbars Under $500 in 2022
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A soundbar can amp up the quality of the sounds you listen to. They can improve the quality of your favorite music or make your home theater even better. They can also work with your PC and enhance your gaming experience.
However, not all soundbars come with a cheap price tag. Additionally, a cheap price tag doesn’t necessarily mean poor quality.
Choosing a soundbar can be difficult, especially if you’re on a limited budget. But, we’ve rounded up some of the best ones available in the market today that are below $500.
This is the ideal soundbar if you’re searching for one that can fill your space with quality sound. The JBL 3.1 Bar has a dedicated center channel that will produce clear speech at loud volumes. Although this soundbar has its own remote control, having too many remote controls can occasionally be very annoying. JBL went above and beyond, making its soundbar compatible with your TV remote. As a result, you are able to store the soundbar remote out of the way and only use the TV remote to operate your soundbar. This JBL Bar 3.1’s frequency response ranges from 35 Hz to 20 kHz, giving you a fantastic amount of flexibility in the lows and highs. This 3.1 bar produces some great bass when combined with the wireless subwoofer. Overall, it sounds great for a variety of uses. The sound is accompanied by JBL Surround Sound and Dolby Digital, both of which are excellent in and of themselves. When you watch movies and TV, this will enhance the sound. Without having to buy a real surround sound system, it offers a simulated surround sound experience so that you can have an immersive, movie experience. Additionally, the JBL 3.1 soundbar enables 4K device connections. By using HDMI, you can connect to up to three devices instead of just one. You may link your smartphone or tablet to the bar using Bluetooth as well. You can rapidly switch the sound from your TV to your smart device with JBL SoundShift. You can’t go wrong with the JBL 3.1 Bar since it has you covered for all of your connections, and it delivers power and sound with amazing quality.
4K connectivityImpressive bass450 W of power
Doesn’t support DTS
A fantastic complement to your TV setup is the soundbar that Sonos has created. This would make a wonderful addition to any household because it has a central channel to make dialogue clear. Any TV setup will look great with the Sonos Beam’s small size and stylish design. The bar itself has a cloth cover that might rip more easily than a metal grill, but aside from that, it has a sturdy, well-built construction. Both HDMI ARC and optical connections are supported by this speaker when using the accompanying Optical to HDMI adaptor. Although the bar doesn’t have Bluetooth, it can connect via Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect to external devices with no hassle. Furthermore, the Sonos Beam supports Apple Airplay, making connectivity easier if you own Apple gadgets. The built-in Alexa is the icing on this fantastic soundbar’s cake. You can operate settings and interact with your soundbar hands-free. Although voice control has a lot of useful capabilities, what about the sound? Sonos has done a great job of providing a balanced sound that handles speech incredibly well. Because there isn’t a wireless subwoofer, some individuals might think that particular music and movie genres aren’t well represented, but you can easily enhance this soundbar by buying a separate subwoofer. With its side-firing speakers and Dolby Digital support, this soundbar offers an immersive viewing experience despite its lack of bass. It also performs well with TV shows and other dialog-intensive content. The center channel does a great job of emphasizing the dialog, and its Speak Enhancement feature makes it even better. Overall, the Sonos Beam smart tv soundbar is a fantastic choice for all applications, but it works especially well with audio that demands clear vocals.
High definition soundSpeech enhancementAlexa built-in
Doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity
Once again, Samsung has outdone itself by offering a premium soundbar at a competitive price. This bar uses cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless audio experience. This soundbar would be a great choice if you enjoy immersing yourself completely in a film. You will be able to see and hear incredible quality on the screen because it is compatible with 4K and HDR10! The HW-Q6CR produces a powerful sound that makes the entire space feel immersive. The sound is essentially mixed in this bar using Samsung Acoustic Beam technology, which then distributes the sound precisely in the direction that it appears to be coming from. Even though the sound is only coming from the one soundbar device and the wireless subwoofer, this is a fantastic technique to create the illusion of surround sound. Additionally, the HW-Q6CR has a few other features up its sleeve. It has the ability to recognize when you are playing games and instantly transition to game mode. Surround sound and a potent subwoofer will improve the game experience. On top of that, you can be sure that the voices will be clear and sharp even if you’re just relaxing at home and watching TV. You won’t have any trouble hearing any of the dialogue thanks to the dedicated center channel’s balanced sound. Although the soundbar lacks Wi-Fi, it does have Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, the Samsung OneRemote works flawlessly with the soundbar, so you can finally put away all of your other remote controls and use just one to operate everything. All things considered, anyone looking for a soundbar that can do it all should definitely get this one. This Samsung HW-Q6CR/ZA soundbar is great for movies, music, and even video games!
Powerful bassClear dialogGame Mode
Doesn’t offer Wi-Fi connectivity
This YAS-408 soundbar is the culmination of all that Yamaha has to offer. This soundbar meets your needs whether you want one that smoothly streams music or can handle speech. The Yamaha YAS-408 is a fantastic combination of extra features and excellent sound. It has been expertly planned and constructed to provide a sturdy soundbar. The YAS-408’s voice control with Alexa simplifies the experience, by allowing you to manage the soundbar without having to touch a remote or the soundbar itself. In addition to adjusting the sound simply by speaking, you can also connect your preferred smart device. With the YAS-408, you have many options for streaming music and videos from your smartphone or tablet thanks to the YAS-408’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. This soundbar will take care of your audio needs. Even though some people consider this mode to be of low quality, having the choice to use DTS Virtual:X virtual 3D surround sound allows you to experience lifelike entertainment. The voice quality of this soundbar really shines in contrast to the 3D surround sound setting. The speakers are configured so that the balanced drivers clearly enhance dialog. Additionally, you can switch on the Clear Voice enhancement mode to make the dialogue even clearer. Those who enjoy watching TV will benefit the most from this. Additionally, this soundbar is simply upgradeable. To make your sound even more immersive, you can easily add MusicCast speakers. Since many individuals like to gradually add to their system over time rather than purchasing a full system in one go, they will integrate flawlessly to make a comprehensive setup. Overall, the Yamaha YAS-408 is a fantastic and well-balanced soundbar that will easily satisfy all of your audio needs.
Clear VoiceEasily upgradableGreat vocal clarity
Sub-par 3D surround sound
This is definitely the choice for you if you’re trying to get a lot for your money. A complete home theater system is now available from Polk Audio at an affordable price. Even while a soundbar and a subwoofer alone might offer you a fantastic sound system, there are times when you just want the genuine thing. Even though it is a full 5.1 home theater system, the Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR is still under $500. Even though the primary soundbar is longer than other alternatives, you still get a wireless subwoofer and two wireless speakers to complete the setup. Given the steep price reduction, it’s understandable that the sound quality may be a little bit lesser than with other 5.1 channel systems, but this is still a fantastic deal. You can anticipate a full surround sound experience with this system. Seven drivers and tweeters on the soundbar itself ensure fantastic sound quality. The Polk Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology, which essentially widens the soundstage and provides a 3D surround sound experience, makes this even better. For anyone who enjoys watching movies and wants to become completely lost in the action, this combination is a match made in heaven. With the Voice Modify feature, you can also flexibly adjust the vocal clarity, ensuring that you will always be able to hear the whispers and mild speech in your favorite movies and TV series. To enjoy stunning graphics and high-quality audio, this system is also compatible with 4K and HD TV. Additionally, you have complete freedom to use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect your smartphone or tablet to the soundbar. There is no doubt that this Polk Audio system is the best if you want good value for your money!
Voice adjust technologyIncludes wireless subwoofer and two speakers
Soundbar is large
Even while this Samsung soundbar is a superb device on its own, the features truly stand out when used with a Samsung TV. If you want to someday have a complete home theater setup, it is very simple to update. This Samsung soundbar has been specifically created so that you can add to it in the future to form a complete setup. The Wireless Surround Kit, which may be purchased separately, is compatible with the HW-R650. Your soundbar and the Wireless Surround Kit will work together flawlessly to finish the setup and provide you with a full 5.1 channel system. This soundbar delivers excellent sound quality considering its cost. There is some punch behind the volume, and the overall sound is balanced. Additionally, you can make use of the clear spoken audio on its dedicated center channel. Additionally, thanks to Smart Sound Technology, the sound is dynamic and adaptable. This allows the soundbar to recognize what you are watching or listening to automatically and make the necessary modifications to your sound for that specific use. This is a fantastic alternative to messing around with the remote control and adjusting the settings all the time in search of the ideal balance. It’s reasonable to say that this soundbar will significantly simplify your life. Additionally, the Samsung HW-R650 has a Game Mode. This will enhance your entire experience and improve your sound effects, making it more immersive. You won’t be missing anything with the sturdy construction and excellent 340 W output of this soundbar. Overall, the HW-R650 is an excellent soundbar that boasts a ton of cool features, excellent sound quality and volume, as well as tried-and-true construction. Anyone would be happy to acquire this soundbar, but if you already own a Samsung TV, you will get much more enjoyment out of it.
Loud and balanced soundSmart sound technology
No 4K pass-through
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