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The 4 Best Soundbars With Subwoofers in 2024

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Lawrence Bonk
Lawrence Bonk Avatar
Lawrence Bonk
Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.
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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Evan Shephard Avatar
Evan Shephard
A highly experienced and adept professional in display and audio calibration, he excels in home theater design and precise calibration techniques. With over a decade of specialization in this field, he is not only a certified tester but also carries a prestigious ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) certification. This credential underscores his expertise and commitment to delivering superior quality in audiovisual experiences, further enhancing his value in the realm of display and audio expertise.
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    Updated Apr 3, 2024 12:56 PM

    Published

    ·

    10 min read
    best soundbar with subwoofer guide that shows the top best soundbar model
    IN THIS GUIDE

    A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

    When you’re seeking the best soundbar with a subwoofer, it’s crucial to consider the sound quality and connectivity options. A dedicated subwoofer delivers deep, powerful bass, enhancing your listening experience with thumping lows that standalone soundbars can’t match. Ensuring there’s enough space for your setup is essential since subwoofers can be bulky. Testing these soundbars involves evaluating their low-end roll-off, maximum volume, and total harmonic distortion to guarantee they deliver clear, immersive sound without unwanted noise or distortion.

    For our buying guide, we analyzed 140+ soundbars and filtered through 394,661 reviews, with the 4 winning models certified as tested. Alarmingly, 92% of experts were untrustworthy, producing fake reviews. Our unique process uses True Score and a proprietary Trust Rating system to ensure authenticity, eliminating fake reviews. These winning soundbars excelled, offering the best balance of quality, reliability, and value for your home audio setup.

    How Did We Rank the Best Soundbars With Subwoofers?

    Crafting our buying guide for the best soundbars with subwoofers involved a detailed examination of over 200 websites. We assessed various testing methods, delved into customer reviews, and consulted expert evaluations. Through this analysis, we identified the critical factors: 2 required test results, 2 nice-to-have test results, and 1 must-have specifications. Our guide reflects a precise ranking based on our true score system, ensuring you get the best soundbar recommendations.

    Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

    ?️ Minimum Specifications

    • Must have subwoofer (independent)

    ? Test Criteria

    • Low-End Roll Off: A low-end roll-off of <45 Hz to ensure there is plenty of thump and rumble in the bass to enhance your music or movie-watching experience.
    • Volume Output: The soundbar should be able to deliver a powerful and immersive sound performance, exceeding 91 decibels in volume output.

    ? “Nice To Haves”

    • Latency: With a latency under 100 milliseconds, it ensures minimal delay in data transmission or audio processing.
    • Total Harmonic Distortion: A total harmonic distortion (THD) below 1% at 80 decibels to guarantee high-fidelity audio reproduction without unwanted frequencies.

    Latest Updates

    • 04/03/2024: Published the list of the best soundbars with a subwoofer based on our True Score system.

    Top Soundbars With Subwoofer For 2024

    Prices accurate at the time of publishing

    See how we test the testers

    To secure a spot on our list, a Soundbars With Subwoofer must meet our criteria for audio performance and quality. If it doesn’t meet these standards, it won’t be featured!

    • Best Overall

      Runner Up

      Best Value

      Best Budget

      gr recommended award

      Best Mid-Range

      Premium Pick

      Samsung Q990B

      The Samsung Q990B combines powerful volume with exceptional clarity and deep bass, thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. Premium in every aspect, it’s ideal for those seeking unparalleled audio immersion.

      Samsung Q990B Review →

      True Score

      85
      90
      12

      Experts

      89
      802

      Customers

      Absolutely Fresh

      SAVE $1
      $1,899.99
      $489.99
      See Deal

      Category Snapshot

      Soundbars

      • Total Brands/Products Tested

        25 Brands, 149 Products

      • Top 2 Brands

        Bose, Sonos

      • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

        $100-$1,500

      • Average True Score

        77.25

      • Important Test Criteria

        Low & High-End Roll Off (Hz)

        Max Volume (dB)

      • Most Trusted Testers

        rtings and tech gear lab logos

      • Top Soundbar Experts

        Becca Fischer, Matt Bento

      • Recommended Retailer

      • Typical Warranty

        1 year

      • Covered by Insurance

        Yes – AKKO

    • Best Overall

      Runner Up

      Best Value

      Best Budget

      gr recommended award

      Best Mid-Range

      Premium Pick

      Samsung HW-Q800C

      Offering audiophile-grade clarity and deep bass, the Samsung HW-Q800C excels across all content. With Dolby Atmos and low latency, it’s perfect for enhancing movies and competitive gaming.

      Samsung HW-Q800C Review →

      True Score

      83
      86
      3

      Experts

      90
      882

      Customers

      Absolutely Fresh

      SAVE $370
      $997.99
      $627.95
      See Deal

    • Best Overall

      Runner Up

      Best Value

      Best Budget

      gr recommended award

      Best Mid-Range

      Premium Pick

      Vizio V21X J8

      Affordable and compact, the Vizio V21X-J8 impresses with robust volume and fast latency. Despite its budget-friendly price, it delivers clear dialogue and booming bass, making it a great value pick.

      Vizio V21X J8 Review →

      True Score

      80
      81
      2

      Experts

      89
      9k

      Customers

      Absolutely Fresh

      SAVE $20
      $159.99
      $139.99
      See Deal

    • Best Overall

      Runner Up

      Best Value

      Best Budget

      gr recommended award

      Best Mid-Range

      Premium Pick

      Bose Smart Soundbar 600

      The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 fills any space with high-decibel, distortion-free sound. With Dolby Atmos and swift latency, it’s a mid-range powerhouse for movies, music, and gaming.

      Bose Smart Soundbar 600 Review →

      True Score

      78
      79
      15

      Experts

      86
      2k

      Customers

      Mixed Reviews

      SAVE $269
      $499.00
      $229.99
      See Deal

    Which Criteria Matter for Testing Best Soundbars With Subwoofers?

    By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these soundbars and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a soundbar that will sound great.

    CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
    Low End Roll Off< 45 HzYesThe point at which bass begins to sharply fall below the target response point on a frequency response graph, making harder to hear.
    Max Volume> 91 dBYesThe maximum volume that a soundbar reaches when it’s output it turned up to 100%.
    Total Harmonic Distortion< 1No (nice to have)The amount of distortion introduced by the soundbar when it processes an audio signal at a given volume (typically 80, 85 or maximum dB output.)
    Latency< 100 msNo (nice to have)The time it takes for a soundbar to process audio signal from a source and output it through the speakers.

    Our Trusted Data Sources

    (Publication category Score is 80%+)

    We looked at 120+ soundbar reviewers and while 10 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for soundbars.

    1. Becca Fischer – Rtings, MuckRack
    2. Matt Bento- Techgear Lab, MuckRack
    3. Sam Moore – Sound Guys, MuckRack

    Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every soundbar review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

    Soundbars Test Data & Results

    1. Low end roll off test result

    When it comes to getting the most bass you can out of your soundbar, low-end roll off is a great indicator of just how deep the bass on it can get. If a soundbar doesn’t have a roll off that starts deep enough into the bass part of the audio spectrum, then it’ll result in quiet or even absent bass, which removes most of the punch and impact of not only music, but also movies and video games. the longer it takes bass to roll off, the better.

    When it comes to most soundbars for most use cases, we recommend a roll off that doesn’t start until at least 45 Hz, but it only gets better the further you go down. It’s worth noting that the roll off will only get so low, so don’t expect to find soundbars hitting the teens for roll off, but it isn’t uncommon for very bass-forward options to hit 30 Hz before roll off starts. By aiming for at least 45 Hz, you have a much better chance of getting the deep, rumbling bass you’re looking for out of your music, movies or games.

    Low end roll off

    < 45 Hz

    Acceptable range of performance

    Definition: The point at which bass begins to sharply decline and becomes rapidly inaudible.

    Units of Measurement: Hz (Hertz)

    Tools to Measure: Oscilloscope

    Why It’s Important:
    If bass takes longer to start rolling off, it’ll generally be more present in the audible parts of the audio spectrum put out by a soundbar, giving sound “punch” and “depth.”

    Low end roll off (in Hz; lower is better)

    2. max volume test result

    max volume

    >91 dB

    Acceptable range of performance

    Definition: The maximum volume that a soundbar is able to hit when the output is turned all the way up.

    Units of Measurement: dB (Decibels)

    Tools to Measure: Sound level or decibel meter

    Why It’s Important:
    Max volume is how you ensure you’ve got enough volume to fill large rooms and helps ensure clarity at normal listening levels.

    Maximum volume is the easiest aspect of a soundbar to understand: it’s just how loud the soundbar itself will actually get. What’s less clear is why a soundbar getting loud is so important. While higher max volumes give you the ability the fill rooms with sound or use a soundbar as makeshift party speakers, they’re also responsible for helping ensure that audio stays clear when listening at normal listening levels.

    This is commonly referred to as “headroom”, and having enough headroom on a soundbar means that the soundbar is able to play back sounds at a high enough level (and with good enough clarity) that the volume level you’ll normally listen to music, movies or games with will sound perfectly clear and distortion free. We recommend your soundbar have no less than 91 dB of maximum volume and the higher you go, the better your soundbar is at filling larger and larger rooms.

    Max Volume (in dB; higher is better)

    3. latency test result

    latency

    < 100 ms

    Acceptable range of performance

    Definition: Time it takes for the soundbar to process and produce the sound it receives from the source


    Units of Measurement: milliseconds (ms)


    Tools to Measure: Software

    Why It’s Important:
    Long delays create mismatches between audio and video, which breaks immersion and frustrates gamers.

    Large amounts of latency create problems when trying to sync up audio and video. While you’ve got a bit of wiggle room with how much of a delay can exist between the audio that comes out of your soundbar and the images on your TV, it’s not a ton. If there’s too much latency the mismatch starts to become obvious, and people start looking like they stopped talking while dialogue is still playing. This is especially concerning for gamers, who rely on audio and video to sync up well enough that the footprints you hear around the corner are accurately getting closer.

    It’s for these reasons we recommend a latency less than 100 ms. For most content, this is a low enough delay that any mismatch is going to be largely unnoticed. If you’re a highly competitive gamer and don’t want to do calibration out of the box to line up the A/V, the lowest latency you can find is going to work best. For music and moves, though, 100 ms or less will work great.

    Latency (in milliseconds; lower is better)

    4. total harmonic distortion test result

    Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures the fidelity of soundbars by indicating the percentage of unwanted harmonics added to the original audio. A THD under 1 ensures minimal distortion, critical for preserving audio quality across music, movies and games. This low distortion level enhances clarity, maintains detail, and ensures a high-fidelity listening experience, crucial for understanding dialogues, appreciating music nuances, and immersing in game sounds.

    We believe soundbars should have less than 1% THD because this helps confirm their ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of audio without perceptible distortion. We say “perceptible” because it’s impossible to remove all distortion, but you can reduce it to the point it’s impossible to notice. Low THD also helps improve your comfort by preventing fatigue during extended use, making it an essential for anyone that marathons movies, games or music.

    harmonic distortion

    < 1

    Acceptable range of performance

    Definition: The amount of distortion that exists in an audio signal when it is played back at a target volume.

    Units of Measurement: None or %

    Tools to Measure: Audio Analyzer

    Why It’s Important:
    High levels of distortion ruin audio quality. Keeping distortion low helps keep music accurate and high-fidelity.

    Total Harmonic Distortion (lower is better)

    Best Soundbars With Subwoofer: Mistakes To Avoid

    1. Ignoring Compatibility: One of the most common mistakes is overlooking compatibility with your existing setup. Ensure that the soundbar you choose is compatible with your TV’s audio output connections. Additionally, verify compatibility with other devices you plan to connect, such as gaming consoles or streaming devices. Some soundbars support HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), while others may rely on optical or Bluetooth connections. Make sure the soundbar you select fits seamlessly into your existing setup to avoid headaches later on. For avid gamers, considering the best gaming soundbar is important as they are designed to enhance the audio experience, providing immersive sound that complements the visuals of your games.

    2. Overlooking Room Size: Another mistake is failing to consider the size of the room where you’ll be using the soundbar. A soundbar’s performance can vary significantly based on the size and layout of the room. For larger rooms, you may need a soundbar with more powerful drivers and a larger subwoofer to fill the space with rich, immersive sound. Conversely, in smaller rooms, an oversized soundbar might be overpowering. Take measurements of your room and consider factors like acoustics and furniture placement to choose a soundbar that provides balanced audio throughout the space. Proper soundbar placement is crucial, as it affects the sound’s directionality and how it fills the room. Additionally, when deciding between a soundbar vs surround sound, consider the size and acoustics of your room to determine which system can better deliver an immersive audio experience suitable for your environment.

    3. Neglecting Sound Quality for Looks: Don’t sacrifice sound quality for fancy features or a sleek design. While aesthetics are important, the primary function of a soundbar is to enhance your audio experience. Pay attention to factors like frequency response, driver size, and audio processing technologies to ensure that the soundbar delivers clear dialogue, rich bass, and immersive soundscapes. Reading reviews and listening to demos can help you gauge the sound quality of different models before making a purchase. Our Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage review highlights its exceptional sound quality and elegant design, making it a noteworthy option for those valuing aesthetics without compromising on audio excellence.

    4. Failing to Consider Future Needs: Finally, avoid the mistake of only considering your current needs when choosing a soundbar. Technology evolves rapidly, and your audio setup should be able to adapt to future advancements. Look for soundbars with features like firmware updates, expandable connectivity options, and compatibility with emerging audio formats like Dolby Atmos. Investing in a soundbar that can grow with your needs will save you from having to upgrade prematurely. For instance, if you want to expand your home theater and use a projector, you should consider the top soundbar for a projector to ensure clear and dynamic sound for an enhanced movie experience.

    The Best Soundbars With Subwoofer Tests Compared

    Product
    True Score
    Low End Roll Off
    High End Roll Off
    Max Volume Test
    Latency
    THD @ 80dB

    Samsung Q990B

    • Best for Samsung

    85

    • 35.13 Hz

    • 11,329.22 Hz

    • 101 db

    • 89 ms

    • 0.3 dB

    $489.99
    $1,900
    $1
    See Deal

    Samsung HW-Q800C

    • Best for Small

    83

    • 35.13 Hz

    • 16,974.66 Hz

    • 97.2 db

    • 49 ms

    • 0.23 dB

    $627.95
    $998
    $370
    See Deal

    Vizio V21X J8

    • Best for Subwoofer

    80

    • 35.13 Hz

    • 12,901.59 Hz

    • 94.5 db

    • 45 ms

    • 0.53 dB

    $139.99
    $160
    $20
    See Deal

    Bose Smart Soundbar 600

    • Best for Dolby Atmos

    78

    • 34.62 Hz

    • 12,534.31 Hz

    • 101.8 db

    • 50 ms

    • 0.2 dB

    $229.99
    $499
    $269
    See Deal

    Soundbars With Subwoofer Questions (FAQ)

    What should I look for in a soundbar with a subwoofer?

    Look for a soundbar with a subwoofer that offers a good balance between power and clarity. Key features include wattage, frequency response, and connectivity options like Bluetooth or HDMI ARC. Compatibility with your TV and other devices is also crucial.

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    About Gadget Review’s Editorial Process

    Our guides, reviews, and news are driven by thorough human research and use our Trust Rating system and the True Score. AI assists in refining our content, ensuring that every article is engaging, clear and succinct. See how we write our content here →

    Lawrence Bonk Avatar
    Lawrence Bonk
    Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.
    All Articles by Lawrence Bonk

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