The Product Analyst: May 2020

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

What is the Best Soundbar for TCL Roku TV

Before you spend top dollar purchasing a sound-bar that looks great on paper and then realizing it doesn’t pair well with your TCL Roku TV, you can start by following our comparison guide. We have tested and listed below the best soundbars on the market for your TCL Roku TV.

Best Soundbars for TCL Roku TV Reviews

1. TCL Alto 7 + 2.1 Channel Home Theater Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

As with most electronics, pairing your TCL Roku TV with a soundbar of the same brand will ensure seamless sound and compatibility. If you don’t have the space for a wireless subwoofer, the TCL Alto 7 gives you the option to go for the product without one.

It’s a minimalistic and simple design that packs a loud sound. With the added subwoofer, you get a deeper and richer bass belted out from the system. The soundbar and subwoofer sound system combo offers distortion-free sound at any volume.

With 8 sound modes that optimize the content played onscreen and tweeters for clarity, you will experience nothing but the best with the Alto 7 soundbar.

It’s sound made simple and with the Bluetooth connectivity, you will be able to stream your beloved tunes and tracks from your mobile device. The setup is also easy as the Alto 7 gives you different options to connect to your TV.

Choose HDMI arc with simple HDMI cable connection, IR pass-through, optical audio or auxiliary input. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, they are all simple plug-and-play options.

Pros

Cons

2. Sony HT-S350 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

For those looking for the ultimate home theater experience, you can’t go wrong with the Sony HT-S350. With 320 watts of audio output power, feel the content on the screen come alive with every movie you watch.

Once paired with the powerful wireless subwoofer, the sound quality emitted from your sound system will be penetrated with rich and deep bass. The virtual home theater experience with your Roku TV is brought to you by the Dolby Atmos DTS:x sound system.

Also with sound modes, the Sony HT-S350 features 7 sound modes to choose from including cinema, music, news, sports, and standard.

Featuring Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming, you will be able to play your favorite tunes from anywhere in the house. All you need is your mobile device.

The voice enhancement feature on your Roku TV soundbar will isolate voices and amplify them over the background noise for even clearer audio. Setup is easy, just connect the soundbar to your TV via the HDMI arc.

Pros

Cons

3. Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Soundbar

Here is another sound-bar option with an included wireless subwoofer for the ultimate bass experience. It features 5 full-range drivers to immerse the entire room with the best audio quality at any volume.

With Dolby Digital technology, the Polk soundbar for your TCL Roku TV will minimize voice delays and maximize clarity of the audio.

The design of the soundbar itself is slim and sleek, made to fit into smaller spaces, and can even be mounted easily on the wall. The subwoofer is wireless, giving the user flexibility with the placement.

Upgrade your home theater with this soundbar and subwoofer combo with multiple connections such as HDMI arc, optical audio, or auxiliary input.

The built-in Bluetooth technology will also allow you to stream music directly from compatible mobile devices.

Pros

Cons

4. Sonos Beam Smart TV Soundbar

We love how this soundbar for your TCL Roku TV comes in two colors to match any interior decor. For those with limited space and cannot accommodate a separate subwoofer, the Sonos Beam soundbar is a great alternative.

It’s a smart soundbar with Amazon Alexa built-in for hands-free voice control. You can control the TV soundbar with not only your voice but also the included remote or compatible app you can download onto your device.

It can play anything, from movies to podcasts and your favorite music. Stream it seamlessly from your new soundbar. It’s also a small device that won’t take up much room.

The setup is simple, just connect it via the HDMI arc with the correct HDMI cable. Go from unboxing your new TV soundbar to enjoying high-quality audio in a matter of minutes!

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Cons

5. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar

Bose knows sound, and this single soundbar itself can drastically improve the sound quality of your TCL Roku TV. The best soundbar is easy to control, easy to set up and offers superior audio quality.

The Bose Solo 5 comes with a universal remote for you to set up dialogue mode to hear every word uttered onscreen more clearly than ever. With Bluetooth, you will be able to get your favorite music or podcast played through your soundbar.

Choose from multiple connection options to your TV that is as easy as plugging in the proper cable. The Bose soundbar can be placed anywhere, on the wall, or on the entertainment unit to help your TV reach audio heights it couldn’t before.

The advanced technologies built into the Bose Solo 5 will show you why Bose has earned its name as an audio heavy-hitter in the industry.

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Cons

6. Yamaha YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer

It’s hard to beat a sound system with a soundbar and a separate subwoofer. The Yamaha YAS-207BL soundbar is the first in the world to incorporate DTS virtual: Virtual X 3D surround sound.

This the best soundbar, along with the other ones on the list for surround sound. Experience cinematic quality and the ultimate home theater experience with this combo. You will get the soundbar plus the subwoofer for deeper thumping bass.

The slim design of the TV sound-bar makes it easy to fit into any area. The wireless subwoofer makes placement flexible and can be moved around the room. We all want a device that’s easy to set up, and the HDMI arc, optical input, or coaxial cable makes it very straightforward.

Enjoy unlimited streaming with the built-in Bluetooth for you to enjoy all your favorite tunes.

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Cons

7. VIZIO 2.1 Sound Bar SB3821-C6 with Wireless Subwoofer

For the gamers out there who want to claim victorious wins with roaring applause, the Samsung 2.1 soundbar is great with the featured game mode. It also comes with the wireless subwoofer like many other options for thunderous bass.

The TV soundbar will analyze the content played onscreen and determine the best sound settings to enhance your experience. The Bluetooth and wireless connections are all you need to save you the hassle of dealing with clutter.

It also features a small wireless remote for easy control. Get ready to fill your room with 100 dB of expansive audio. The design of this soundbar is streamlined and fits in with any interior.

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Soundbar for TCL Roku TV Buying Guide

TCL Roku TVs, or any other TV, in fact, can benefit from enhanced sound quality with a soundbar. The built-in speakers might not cut it for you and if sound quality is important (for most people it is), then the right soundbar can improve your overall entertainment experience with your TCL Roku TV.

To help you make sure that your newly purchased soundbar will enhance your listening experience, here are a few factors that will help determine the standard.

What to Look for When Buying the Best Roku TV Soundbars

Connection

One simple area to look at before you pull the trigger on a new Roku TV soundbar is the connection. If there isn’t a way to connect the soundbar to your TV, then it doesn’t matter how great of a sound system you purchased.

Look for both digital and analog audio output as well as an HDMI arc. We would argue that the HDMI arc is optimal because it provides a two-way input and output from the soundbar to TV and vice versa. It also only requires the right HDMI cables for setup, which makes it easy.

For better surround sound and to initiate technology such as Dolby Atmos, you need the HDMI connection. So to ensure you get the best sound, look for soundbars with HDMI connection.

The best soundbar will have more than one connection.

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or Both

Wireless streaming can come from Bluetooth connectivity or Wi-Fi. Some best soundbars even have both. For your Roku TV, if you are someone who likes to be able to blast your favorite tracks from your soundbar, then definitely make sure your soundbar has a wireless connection.

Bluetooth is the easiest to get your hands on as most soundbars and your mobile devices will have Bluetooth built-in. Wi-Fi offers the same features as Bluetooth in terms of streaming, but there are even more added benefits. It can help you control your soundbar and get music permeating through every room.

You can even pair your device with Alexa, or Google Assistant for voice control – but more on that later.

Alexa and Other Virtual Assistants

The next question is if you need a virtual assistant built-in. What you need to consider, just like with the Google Home device, is that you will have an always-on mic in your living room (or wherever your Roku TV is). How comfortable are you with that fact?

If you feel like that is a gross invasion of privacy, then you can always opt for an option without an invisible presence. The benefits of having a virtual assistant is the voice control and hands-free convenience.

You can control your device with your voice and have no need for a primitive remote. The point of having a virtual assistant is strictly the convenience.

Dolby Atmos/Surround Sound

A lot of people worry about distortion and popping speakers when played at a higher volume. However, if you have Dolby Atmos or surround sound technology, the chances of you having to blast at a higher volume are lowered. Being surrounded by what’s being played onscreen means a lower volume setting.

Certain soundbars are even able to produce near surround-sound with Dolby DTS:X technology even without rear speakers. Having a subwoofer (wireless or built-in) will also help your Roku TV achieve the experience you crave.

Certain systems are customizable and can be expanded upon with the addition of additional speakers and subwoofers to create your very own personalized home theater system.

Subwoofer

Speaking of subwoofers, we now move on to the next section. Some soundbars have subs built-in, but as you can imagine due to the size alone, a wireless subwoofer will outperform a smaller built-in version any day of the week. Your best bet and the best soundbar for deep and pumping bass is one with a wireless sub.

You can also choose wired subs, but that limits the placement of both your soundbar and the wireless sub itself [1]. If you have a wireless option, the flexibility it grants you in terms of placement is unlimited. If you don’t plan to move your entertainment system, then a wired option could get you the results you are looking for.

Size and Placement

A soundbar should usually be around 2 inches smaller than the width of your TCL TV. The best soundbar will be small and compact for you to easily move around and slide into smaller spaces but not compromise the audio output quality.

In other words, the small size that keeps it out of your way shouldn’t affect your experience. Are you going to mount it on the wall or place it on a shelf or on the entertainment unit? If you plan to mount it, you should make sure the sound-bar for your Roku TV comes with a mounting kit.

Don’t place the bar too far from your TV and keep it pointed directly at you with minimal obstruction so you won’t need to increase the volume by much.

Remote

Most soundbars come with remote control, but do you really need one? If you have a universal remote that you use to control your whole setup, then perhaps it can be configured to include your new sound-bar as well.

It could be more problematic when you control everything with just one remote. However, if your new device has a compatible app, then you can probably control it from your phone as well.

Front Panel Display

It’s surprising how this feature often goes unnoticed, but it can be very helpful. A bar with a front panel display can show information such as the volume, the input (HDMI), and even the time. Imagine controlling the sound-bar with your Roku TV and not knowing what settings you have inputted.

Some soundbars like some Vizio options offer compelling LED displays that can make reading information (especially at night) much easier. The HDMI, volume, time, sound modes, etc. will be displayed clearly. While some may find a front panel display unnecessary, others may find it infinitely useful.

Sound-Modes or SmartSound Technology

It’s also important to be able to customize how the sound is being played from your device. The best choice for your TV is a sound-bar with sound-modes or smart-sound tech. The former allows you to choose from different modes that enhance the content.

For example, movie mode will enhance the speech and optimize every little detail to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. The latter will automatically analyze the content played onscreen and determine the best setting for superior sounds.

Channels

How many channels does your sound-bar have? The channel reflects how many speakers sound is emitted from on your sound-bar. The more channels you have, the more likely it is to achieve surround-sound.

2 or 3 channel soundbars are easily found on the market, but to get that expansive sound, you need to find soundbars with 5 (industry standard for surrounding sound) and above. Ones with rear speakers are also coveted because they produce the 3D effect.

Our Top Pick: TCL Alto 7 + 2.1 Channel Home Theater Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

The best sound-bar for your TCL Roku TV will preferably be one of the same brands. It will offer unsurpassed transition and will be guaranteed to work with or without the HDMI arc. This is why Alto 7 is the best option and also our top choice.

It offers great quality notes for such a slim device and the added wireless subwoofer offers flexible placement and further enhances the bass. It plays crystal clear tones at any volume thanks to the distortion-free technology.

As said, the best soundbars will have many modes and the Alto 7 is no exception. With 8 different sound-modes, the sound-bar will optimize any content. The setup is also incredibly easy and the tweeters will make your Bluetooth streaming content more precise.

To make sure you find the best option for your home entertainment system, just follow our buying guide to save yourself some time. If you don’t know where to start, our top list will also provide guidance.

The post What is the Best Soundbar for TCL Roku TV appeared first on The Product Analyst.

from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/soundbar/best-for-tcl-roku-tv/

What is the Best Soundbar for Samsung TV

Samsung TVs are leading devices in the entertainment industry, but there is no doubt that the built-in speakers of your Samsung TV are no match for a soundbar. To get that surround sound you crave, you need to get the best soundbars out there.

Let’s start by giving you a list of the best Samsung TV soundbars on the market.

Best Soundbars for Samsung TV Reviews

1. Samsung Harman Kardon 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar HW-Q70R with Wireless Subwoofer

This is one of the best Samsung TV soundbars we’ve come across on the market. Being of the Samsung brand, you know it works seamlessly with your Samsung TV. It comes with Dolby Atmos and DTS X technology. It will create the experience of enveloping surround sound.

The whopping 7 built-in speakers (including rear speakers) will provide sound coming at you in all directions. The sound from the soundbar and subwoofer is delivered so precisely that you won’t miss anything happening onscreen.

This amazing soundbar and subwoofer combination features smart sound technology which analyzes the content played on your screen to deliver optimized sound.

Pros

Cons

2. Sonos Beam - Smart TV Soundbar with Amazon Alexa Built-in

The Sonos Beam is one of the soundbars for your Samsung TV with the best sound quality and the great compact design also makes the placement easier than bulkier designs. What was previously difficult to hear on your TV such as whispers and subtle sound effects will now permeate the room.

Not only can you play what’s showing on the TV, but you can also play music, podcasts, video games, and anything else you can think of. This amazing soundbar comes with smart voice control and is compatible with Alexa.

The simple set-up catapults this choice to the higher end of our list. The soundbar is customizable with the ability to be paired with a Sonos subwoofer for added bass. Everything can be synced wirelessly with Wi-Fi for you to control the soundbar from different rooms in the house.

Other than Amazon Alexa, Sonos Beam is compatible with Apple devices for airplay and comes with an HDMI arc and can be mounted on the wall.

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Cons

3. Samsung 2.1 Soundbar HW-R450 with Wireless Subwoofer

For those looking for something a little bit heavy duty, we have a Samsung soundbar for your Samsung TV that comes with its own wireless subwoofer. While a soundbar can be great for your living room TV, it’s still not comparable to having a subwoofer pump out rich bass.

The Samsung soundbar features smart sound technology that analyzes the sound of your TV shows, and whichever content you are playing and optimizes the sound setting to ensure you experience the best sound quality.

There’s even game mode included in this soundbar, which allows you to feel the rush of adrenaline more prominently than before when you claim your victories. One of the best parts about this soundbar and subwoofer combo is the wireless connectivity.

Soundbars come with subwoofers sometimes and that can lead to a lot of clutter and unsightly wires that can be solved with the Bluetooth connectivity. Samsung soundbars are built for Samsung TVs and work seamlessly together to provide you with unsurpassed entertainment experiences.

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4. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control

Just a single soundbar from the famous Bose name can enhance your sound experience and make entertainment more enjoyable. Enjoy clear audio your Samsung TV is just incapable of providing without a soundbar.

The Bose soundbar also features Bluetooth connectivity for you to not only enjoy content from your Samsung TV but also stream music from your mobile devices. Say goodbye to wires and hello to a hassle-free setup.

The Bose Solo 5 soundbar features one connection to your TV via optical audio input, coaxial audio input, or 3.5 aux input. The universal remote allows you to control the sound, TV, Bluetooth, and more.

The small device can be wall-mounted or placed on your entertainment unit. With either option, it keeps out of your way.

Pros

Cons

5. Yamaha YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Bluetooth

The Yamaha sounding bars with a wireless subwoofer is the first one on the market to pioneer DTS x virtual technology. The sleek the design makes placement flexible for you freely mount the soundbar and move the subwoofer.

Bluetooth is also available with this device for wireless setup. You can also choose the HDMI input, optical or analog connection.

The included remote can control everything at once in the palm of your hand and there’s even an app for the soundbar! It’s never been easier to immerse yourself with expansive sound from such a small device.

Pros

Cons

Buying Guide for Samsung TV-compatible Soundbars

Samsung TVs are guaranteed to work well with a Samsung soundbar, but there are a lot of other options from reliable brands that work just as well. To find the best soundbar for Samsung TV, you need to narrow down your needs.

Finding the best soundbar is not about the brand, but more about the features and functions that suit your unique needs. In order to help you eliminate the bells and whistles that may cost you a lot of extra cash but not give you what’s relevant, we have come up with the following features to look for.

Channels

The channels refer to how many areas sound is projected from your soundbar. The numbers read like this: if you have a 2.1 soundbar, this means you have 2 channels and 1 subwoofer. The former number is the number of channels and the latter is the number of subwoofers.

2 and 3 channels are pretty standard and available on the market at a cheaper cost. If you are going for surround sound, you will be looking at at least 5 channels, which include rear speakers, as this is the industry standard for surround sound.

Some models even include Dolby Atmos and DTS x technology that provides an immersive experience. Depending on the sound quality you want, the number of channels, and whether your soundbar includes Dolby Atmos and DTS technology will vary.

In a nutshell, the higher the numbers, the more expansive the sound. For surrounding sound, go for 5 channels and above.

Placement

Next, you should think about where you want to place your soundbar [1]. This may not seem like something important, but it actually affects the sound. You also do not want to obstruct your view of the TV and have enough room on the wall or entertainment unit.

A few inches in front of or below your tv (if you wall mount it) is optimal. Make sure it’s not next to any heat sources and has a direct line of sight to you to provide clear audio.

Size

The size ties into the placement of your soundbar. As a rule of thumb, your soundbar should be narrower than your Samsung TV and should be large enough to fill the room with thumping bass.

The placement will also limit the size of your soundbar. For example, if you plan to place it on the entertainment unit, you need to make sure you have enough space to accommodate it.

HDMI

HDMI inputs are important because they give you the option to switch between video source components. Many HDMI connections now support the HDMI arc and allow for one single connection to your TV.

If your TV has an HDMI port, it makes connecting other devices that also feature these ports easier. Once you connect the devices via HDMI, the sound will come out through the soundbar rather than the TV.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth connection allows you to stream wirelessly from any device. It also saves you the clutter you would have with HDMI inputs and other connected sources.

With Bluetooth, you also have the option to send music to headsets and speakers if they offer two-way Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi

Models that feature Wi-Fi make them easy to control and allow access to music apps such as Spotify and Pandora. Wi-Fi controls will let you control the device from anywhere in your house as well with minimal hassle.

Expansive/Immersive Audio (Dolby Atmos)

Looking for that surrounding sound? The best soundbar also provides a quick-fix to your craving for expansive sound. Other than the number of channels, technology such as Dolby Atmos is featured in the best soundbar.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby DTS bring sound to a three-dimensional space which helps add to the amazing sound your best soundbar for Samsung Tv can potentially bring you.

Inputs

Look for soundbars with at least one digital input and one analog. The analog allows you to connect your soundbar to a Samsung TV, stereos, CD players, and other analog devices.

In recent years, digital inputs can connect Blu Ray players via an HDMI cable.

Subwoofer

If you are looking for a soundbar with impressive bass, then you need a subwoofer. Built-in subwoofers are incomparable to a wireless sub with larger speakers. Some soundbars even allow you to customize the bass and treble permeating from the subwoofer.

If you have minimal space, some soundbars have subwoofers built-in that can reduce the hassle of setting up an external one. If you have the room and are looking for the best soundbars with bass, then pivot towards the ones that come with a large extension.

Voice Control/Alexa or Remote Control

To make things even easier in this digital age, think about voice control and compatibility with Amazon Alexa. Hands-free options of control are always favored among avid tech-users and can allow you to multitask.

Tell Alexa what you want to be done. She is the perfect invisible assistant that will make the best soundbars a pleasurable experience to use.

Soundbars that come with or are compatible with a universal remote will also make your life much easier. A lot of Samsung TV soundbars also have an app that can be used to control your device just in case you don’t want the hassle of having multiple remotes.

Sound Modes

To make sure you get the best sound quality, you need to make sure your soundbar for your Samsung TV has different sound modes or smart sound technology.

Smart sound technology in a soundbar will analyze the content played on your TV determine the optimal settings to give you the best experience.

However, with audio modes, you can manually choose the settings you prefer. Popular sound modes for the best soundbars include movie mode, news mode, game mode, music mode, and more.

Customization

Some soundbars have the option of connecting an entire home theater system together to simulate a theater experience. You can maybe hook up more speakers in different rooms via HDMI or wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth and Wifi.

This option is important for those looking for cinematic sound right from their own home. Dolby digital on top of multiple speakers will fill your house with the content being played so you can enjoy it from room to room.

What Soundbar is Compatible with Samsung TV?

While having a Samsung soundbar will guarantee it to be compatible with your TV, there are also other brands that can work well too. It’s all about the connection. If your devices both feature an HDMI arc, then they will work well together.

Before you buy yourself the best soundbar for Samsung TV, check your connections first.

What is the Best TV Soundbar to Buy?

Going with larger and well-known brands that always produce reliable products such as Bose, Yamaha, Samsung, Sony, and more are the safest options. However, with the brand name comes a higher price tag.

As we mentioned before, it’s about the features of the soundbar and not the brand. Think about what it is you desire in terms of sound quality to determine what you want.

For example, we would recommend a soundbar with HDMI, Dolby Atmos, and DTX technology, have a sleek design and features 5 or more channels with at least 1 subwoofer (built-in or wireless).

Voice controls and sound modes are important for those who want convenience, but if you are simply looking for better sound, then the channels and subwoofer are what really matter. Many people might fall for all the fancy frills and pay extra for things they won’t often use.

Look through our checklist and make sure you find a soundbar that has everything you need and not a bunch of features you won’t use.

What is the Best Connection for a Soundbar?

There are a few main methods to connect your soundbar to your TV, but which is the best one?

HDMI – This is the number 1 suggestion and one most recommended by tech enthusiasts. These cables are able to carry large amounts of uncompressed data and can handle the more heavy-duty soundbars with 5 channels or more and more than 1 subwoofer.

Newer cinematic sound technology such as DTSx and Dolby Atmos may need an HDMI connection and only work with it.

Digital Optical or Coaxial cable – which works well for devices looking at up to 5.1 channels and subwoofers. The difference between the two is just the shape of the connector – Optical being square and coaxial being round.

Line out or RCA (3.5mm) – This is the lowest quality connection and works well with analog devices but may not deliver the full power of the sound capability on digital devices. However, they still work if the first two options are not available.

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi – This saves you the clutter of unsightly cables and keeps your entertainment area neat and tidy. However, wireless connections are more easily interrupted and can be unreliable at times.

Where Should I Place my Soundbar?

We always recommend placing it below the TV, whether it’s on the wall or on the entertainment stand. Make sure it doesn’t block the screen and nothing obstructs the speakers. Placing the bar inside the cabinet is not ideal, especially if your device has Dolby Atmos or audio capability of the like.

Make sure the sounding bar is as close to the TV as possible for stable connection and performance. The audio exuded from the device should be in a direct line to you. You should keep in mind as well that the placement should be easy for you to control.

Whether you are controlling the sounding bar with a remote or not, pointing it at a sounding bar mounted too high could be difficult for the sensor to detect.

Our Top Pick: Samsung Harman Kardon 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Our top choice for soundbars is the Samsung Harman Kardon 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbars. Not only does it come with a separate subwoofer to pump out the bass, but it’s also a 3.1.2 sounding bar that features 7 speakers!

One of the best parts of this bar is the adaptive sound technology. This helps customize your cinematic experience. Your device will determine the content played on TV and adapt the settings to deliver the most optimized sound.

The Dolby technology will immerse you in clear audio that comes at you in all different directions, bringing what’s on the screen to life.

The post What is the Best Soundbar for Samsung TV appeared first on The Product Analyst.

from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/soundbar/best-for-samsung-tv/