It’s no secret that a great sound system can make all the difference in the world when it comes to enjoying your favorite movies and TV shows. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on audio equipment. That’s where soundbars come in. A soundbar is a single unit that houses multiple speakers, typically allowing you to get much better sound quality than you would from your TV’s built-in speakers alone. And thanks to their increasing popularity, there are now a ton of great options available for under $300.
So if you’re in the market for a new sound system, be sure to check out one of these five amazing soundbars under $300:
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1 – Samsung HW-S50A
Pros
- Voice enhancement
- High-quality sound
- Bass performance
- wireless connection
- Dolby Digital
Cons
- Bad Tech Support
Overview
The Samsung HW-S50A is designed for natural and crisp surround sound thanks to its unique curved structure and rear-firing subwoofers. The sleek, modern design looks great in any home setting. Sound quality is excellent across all frequencies, and there are convenient controls on the device itself that allow you to adjust your sound experience. The Samsung HW-S50A is one of the best soundbars under 300.
A sound that envelops and surrounds you
Dolby Digital – DTS Virtual:X technology creates an enthralling virtual 3D surround sound that moves all around you, including above your head. Dolby Digital 5.1 is a surround sound format that allows for multiple speakers.
Center Speaker creates clear dialogue
Always hear what’s being said thanks to enhanced dialogue delivered by a dedicated center channel speaker that projects voices clearly.
Experts in the field of sound innovation
Experts at the Samsung Audio Lab have reviewed and approved this product. It has been scientifically tuned. Top audio engineers at Samsung’s California Audio Lab work together to create a perfectly balanced, room-filling sound experience.
Q-Symphony Harmony
Soundbar and Samsung TV work together to create a harmonious cinematic experience. Q-Symphony Audio tracks with each scene and is perfectly synchronized with the audio from your compatible Samsung TV* and soundbar, creating a harmonious cinematic experience.
Sound has been optimized for various types of content.
Take advantage of optimized sound for your favorite video content, including sports, games, movies, and more – thanks to technology that enhances whatever you’re watching on your computer or smartphone.
Design of the highest caliber
The soundbar’s refined, modern design elevates it to the level of being able to complement any design aesthetic.
Sound that fills the entire room in an all-in-one design
Everything you need is contained within a single soundbar, which includes two woofers and a tweeter, allowing you to enjoy rich sound throughout the house.
Music as it was intended to be listened to
Take your music to the next level with studio-grade clarity that crisply layers vocals and instrumentals so that you can hear each note as the artist intended it to be heard and understood.
The right amount of bass when you need it
Compatibility with Wireless Subwoofer creates an incredible sound. The deep bass soundbar is further enriched when you pair it with one of the wireless subwoofers that Samsung offers.
Connection to Wireless Rear Speakers for 360-degree sound
By connecting the SWA-9100S Wireless Rear Speaker Kit to your soundbar, you can eliminate the need for wires and complete your surround sound system. Because our wireless surround sound package is wireless, it can be placed anywhere in your home without the need for additional wires to connect to the soundbar. With the wireless connectivity of the rear speakers, it provides a more cinematic experience, with fewer tangles of wire. All this for a soundbar under 300.
2 – Yamaha SR-B20A
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Voice enhancement
- Amazing Surround sound experience
- Dolby Digital Decoding
Cons
- Customer support
Overview
The Yamaha SR-B20A is designed to provide instant immersion through a slick design and crisp sound. This soundbar provides an immediate upgrade to your sound system without taking up too much space. With this surround sound setup, you will get one of the best soundbars under 300 that provides a complete home theater system out of the box.
3D Surround Sound Technology
With a sound that comes from above and all around you, you can take your home cinema experience to new levels of enjoyment.
A single-bar solution, the SR-B20A includes DTS Virtual:X, which provides an immersive experience in exhilarating 3D surround sound.
Wall-Mounting Installation Made Simple
Keyholes for quick and easy wall-mounting installation, as well as a built-in gyroscope that adjusts sound output depending on whether the soundbar is positioned vertically or horizontally.
HDMI ARC
All that is required is a single connection. Connecting your TV and sound bar is made possible by HDMI, which supports ARC (Audio Return Channel). It is possible to control the sound bar with your TV remote when using a compatible television and this single connection.
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as your smartphone or tablet, can be used to stream your favorite music, podcasts, and entertainment. Connect and switch between two devices with relative ease leveraging Bluetooth connectivity.
Remote control with Sound Bar App
It’s even easier to control your entertainment with the newly developed Sound Bar Remote App, which was recently released. The app allows you to switch between inputs, sound modes, Clear Voice and Bass Extension functions, as well as simple power on/off commands, all intuitively and easily from your smartphone or tablet. You can also use a TV remote control in conjunction with the sound bar remote to control your sound bar.
Immersive bass
Dual built-in subwoofers combined with dual bass reflex ports provide a rich and spacious bass range. Two woofers and two tweeters create sound detail and dimension for all your TV content.
Clear Dialog
Have you ever had trouble following the dialogue on television? Clear Voice enhances the audibility of dialogue and human voices in films and television programs, even when background music and sound effects are attempting to take center stage. All this in a soundbar under 300.
3 – LG SN6Y
Pros
- Wireless subwoofer
- wireless surround sound speakers
- Great sound quality
- Amazing audio performance
Cons
- Not as loud as other options.
Overview
With the LG SN6Y you can immerse yourself in the movies and music that you love where every detail should be heard. Create an immersive, multidimensional audio experience out of any movie, TV show, or playlist by using this software. Digital Theater System (DTS) Virtual:X surrounds the listener with Virtual Height and Virtual Surround channels, as well as improved bass and crystal-clear dialogue.
Expansion of Surround Sound to 5.1 channels
Take a deep breath and listen to the music. Imagine that you can hear noises all around you. For a complete cinematic audio experience, wirelessly connect additional surround sound speakers to the system. Rear Speaker Kit expansion delivers audio from behind the speakers for greater depth and immersive surround sound. 2.0 channel rear speaker kit expansion that makes this sound bar even more versatile.
High-Definition Audio (HD Audio)
An improved listening experience that is more lifelike High-Resolution Audio reproduces sound that is more accurate to the original. Higher sampling rates and bit depths result in sound quality that is superior to that of CDs. The audio resolution is stunning at 24-bit/96kHz, which is closer to the original sound.
Audio that changes depending on what you’re watching
News, sports, and entertainment. Drama. When you’re watching a movie, LG’s AI Sound Pro automatically adjusts the sound levels to bring out the treble or the bass, depending on the content. With crystal-clear, detailed audio, you can hear everything from intense action to dramatic dialogue in your entertainment.
See for yourself how straightforward premium sound can be.
The process of pairing is simple. Bluetooth® technology, optical, and HDMI ARC technology work together to provide the best possible sound quality and ease of connectivity.
4 – JBL Bar 2.1
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Full surround sound system
- Wireless Music Streaming
- Separate Subwoofer
Cons
- Dialog is not as clear as other options
Overview
The stylish JBL BAR 2.1 Deep Bass Soundbar is equipped with Bluetooth connection, Optical, HDMI in, and ARC connectivity, as well as Dolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound modes. It is available in black or white. Its four powerful full-range drivers, two 1″ tweeters, and JBL-engineered 6.5″ subwoofer, combined with its room-filling 300 Watts of total system power, create an immersive listening experience for the listener. Through the use of on-board Bluetooth, you can use the Bar 2.1 to stream music from your favorite device in addition to its ability to deliver a true JBL theater experience when used in conjunction with a flat panel TV (not included). Its elegant and low-profile design will look fantastic beneath your television set. That is amazing for soundbars under 300 JBL has one of the best BASS out of all of these options especially for a wireless subwoofer.
Powerful System
You are in complete command of the system thanks to its impressive 300W total system power. Your movies and music have never sounded better than they do now.
Immersive sound quality
JBL Surround Sound brings movies, games, sports, and music to life in a matter of seconds. Upgrade to a more immersive audio experience for your television without the need for additional wires or speakers.
Amazing Bass sound quality
Why just listen to the bass when you can get a sense of what it feels like? Sound is delivered by the 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer in a deep and thrilling manner. This is one of the most powerful wireless subwoofer that is on the list.
5 – Sonos Beam
Pros
- Dolby Digital
- Wifi
- Great Sound
- HDMI eARC
- Separate Wireless Subwoofer
Cons
- PRICE
Overview
The Sonos Beam is slightly higher than 300 but I felt that it deserved a spot on this list for the simple fact that a few extra dollars invested will bring you to the elite tier of sound quality. When paired with the Sonos wireless subwoofer it is one of the systems on the market. Sound bars don’t get any better than this.
Insanely smart
When combined with a 40 percent faster chip, a soundbar of this size can achieve virtual surround sound, with two new audio paths being created for the best possible experience.
Beautiful Design
The new precisely perforated grille elevates the elegant design and blends seamlessly into your home, whether you choose to mount Beam on furniture or place it on a tabletop or shelf.
Dolby Atmos
When you watch a movie with Dolby Atmos, you’ll hear planes flying overhead, footsteps moving across the room, and the music enveloping your senses.
Epic Dialogue
Oscar-winning sound engineers worked with Beam to fine-tune the sound so that you can hear every word and follow the story at all times. Turn on Speech Enhancement in the Sonos app if characters are whispering or the action is intensifying for even greater clarity during those moments.
Amazing audio quality
At any volume level, advanced audio processing ensures that the sound is evenly distributed from wall to wall. When you want to watch TV but need to keep the volume down, use the Night Sound feature in the app to reduce the intensity of loud effects while enhancing quieter ones, and vice versa.
Designed for Music
Take advantage of support for the highest-resolution formats, including Dolby Atmos Music, to stream music from all of your favorite services in detailed stereo sound and to experience more dimensions of the song.
Simple setup
With only two cables and step-by-step instructions provided by the Sonos app, you can go from unboxing to incredible sound in minutes.
TruePlay Tuning
As a result, Trueplay tuning technology adjusts the sound to the specific acoustics of the room, ensuring that your content always sounds exactly as it should.
Expandable
With a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, you can create an even more immersive environment. You won’t have to worry about running wires across the room because everything connects quickly and easily over WiFi. Don’t stop at adding one wireless subwoofer, with Sonos you can add two wireless subwoofer to your system!
Things to consider
There are a lot of options when it comes to sound bars, that is why it was hard to narrow down the best soundbars under 300. For the most part, the purpose of a soundbar is to either supplement or completely replace your existing home theater speaker system with a less obtrusive device or, more simply, to upgrade the sound quality of your television’s built-in speakers. In part because speaker (or driver) clarity is dependent on the vibration of moving parts in a small space, modern super-thin LED and OLED televisions generally don’t produce very good sound in their respective categories of quality. You might think your TV’s sound is fine, but after listening to your favorite movies, TV shows, or music through a high-quality soundbar, you’ll have a different perspective.
Soundbars aren’t the only way to improve the audio in your living room or home theater, but they are by far the most affordable and convenient option available. Because a soundbar is only temporary, it is ideal if you live in an apartment or a small space, or if you simply do not want to spend the significant funds necessary to install a surround system or mounted speakers in your home. A soundbar is an inexpensive and temporary way to significantly improve the audio quality of your television viewing experience.
HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC
You can click here for a more in-depth article where I break down these technologies. It is recommended that you connect your soundbar via HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC, not only because these connections allow for newer TVs (circa 2017 and later) to pass advanced audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, but also because these connections typically allow you to control the soundbar’s power and volume with your TV remote—without the need to program said remote. (Depending on your television, you may need to enable HDMI CEC in the settings menu.)
The optical audio connection, which is also included as standard on virtually all soundbars, is capable of transporting 2.1- and 5.1-channel surround sound, but that’s about the extent of its capabilities. It is necessary to use HDMI ARC or eARC in order for a more advanced soundbar with Dolby Atmos to function properly (which typically includes up-firing speakers).
Continuing the discussion of eARC, some soundbars (often the more expensive ones) may be equipped with an HDMI eARC connection rather than the more common HDMI ARC port. “Enhanced Audio Return Channel” is an abbreviation for “enhanced Audio Return Channel,” and it is intended to provide high-quality, uncompressed audio from your TV (including high-quality Dolby Atmos), as well as to address any sync issues between on-screen video and the soundbar’s audio. In spite of the fact that eARC is becoming more common, there are only two things you should be aware of when it comes to soundbar connection. First and foremost, the “enhanced” features of eARC are only available if both your sound system and television are compatible with eARC. Second, HDMI eARC should function in the same way as HDMI ARC in all other respects.
What to look for in your sound bar.
When shopping for a soundbar, the most important factors to consider are the price, audio output, and connectivity, with the latter two factors being oftentimes directly related to the first. Extras like Dolby Atmos, satellite surround speakers, or a wide range of decoding/pass-through options for advanced or lossless audio modes are unlikely to be available if you’re working with a limited budget. However, you can expect to receive multiple speaker drivers, at the very least a stereo (left/right) setup, as well as an external subwoofer.
In the audio spectrum, tweeters are smaller speakers (drivers) that are used to reproduce frequencies in the high-mid and high (treble) range. Speakers (drivers) assigned to the midrange frequencies of the audio spectrum and the bass/sub-bass frequencies of the audio spectrum are referred to as woofers or subwoofers.
Should you get a Subwoofer?
2.1-channel configurations are common in soundbars, which means that the sound is delivered through left and right stereo channels, with a separate subwoofer to handle lower frequencies (which makes up the “.1” of the equation). A 2.0-channel soundbar is sufficient for the majority of content, and in smaller apartments, a soundbar without a subwoofer or one with built-in woofers, rather than a separate cabinet, may even be preferred over a separate cabinet.
For those looking for cinematic rumble in their entertainment—be it movies, television, or video games—you’ll want to seriously consider a soundbar that includes a separate subwoofer. It cannot be overstated how much this will enhance action scenes and other dramatic moments, while also assisting thinner bars in filling in some of the gaps in the frequency spectrum created by their smaller drivers. There are only a few instances in which low-frequency sound can be handled effectively without the use of a subwoofer, such as Sonos’ Arc soundbar.
Surround sound and Dolby Atmos/DTS:X are both available.
A separate set of surround sound speakers that can be placed behind you in a multi-channel configuration is also available with some soundbars. This type of soundbar can better immerse you in your favorite shows and movies when they are fed content that has been mixed in surround sound. This is especially true when the different channels are properly balanced between them. In some cases, satellite surround speakers can even be added later on after the initial installation.
In addition, soundbars with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support typically include upfiring speakers (either two or four), which can bounce sound off the ceiling and appear to be coming from above, completely immersing you in a hemispheric globe of sound. This type of soundbar, which is only effective with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X-enabled content, provides the most immersive listening experience possible. It is comparable to the experience of sitting in a high-quality theater. In addition, some soundbars are only compatible with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, with the sound being virtualized through digital signal processing or even wave-guide technology, with varying degrees of efficacy depending on the model.
In either case, you will pay a higher price for this technology, and you may also have more speakers to distribute throughout your TV room, so these considerations must be taken into account before making your decision.
Final Thought
If you’re an audiophile, you’ll probably want to opt for a separate soundbar and speakers package that has the kind of detailed sounds that will satisfy your discerning ear. However, if you just want better sounds at much lower prices than many home theater systems or individual components can offer, a 2.1-channel soundbar may be the perfect solution.
Although there are many models available today, we’ve rounded up the best soundbars under 300 for this article to make things a little easier on you. Overall, most of these options offer good value and superior performance to TV speakers at any price range. Soundbars can definitely be a worthwhile investment that will deliver better audio quality for your home entertainment system.
No matter which soundbar you choose, don’t forget to check out our buying guide, which has all of the information you need for making an informed decision about your new purchase. Soundbars are usually simple enough where there’s no harm in taking a little extra time with your research before committing to buy one.
Please also check out my other articles here where I review other products that you should consider.
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