It’s 2024 and more gaming sound bars will be released for fans of RPGs and shooter games. To that end, Player.com reviewed 10 gaming soundbars, but we picked only the five best speakers we heard. Highs, mids, and lows — The soundbars below are perfect for a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 match.
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5 Best Gaming Soundbars
Below is a list of the best soundbars to purchase in 2024. Yes, they offer surround sound up to 9.1 channels, and yes, that setup includes a subwoofer. That said, players seeking budget-friendly options will find a few options to check out. You can also check out our list of the best gaming earbuds here.
#1: Vizio V-Series 5.1 Sound Bar
The Vizio V-Series 5.1 Sound Bar is a marvellous piece of technology to add to your sitting room. To start with, the sound bar is optimised for 4K HDR content, which is technically all of your games. Thankfully, the PS5 is capable of HDR content, so it will bring your favourite characters and their environments to life. There’s also DTS Virtual:X, which intelligently bounces sounds around your living room.
Hence, all corners of your space, from the ceiling to the floor, will be filled with crystal-clear sound. Factor in the wireless subwoofer and two wired speakers and the sound is ridiculously detailed. So, you can add music to the list of good things this sound bar is capable of. For all those amazing features, including a punchy bass, the Vizio V-Series 5.1 Sound Bar is listed at $219.99. However, it’s always available at a discount during holidays, such as New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.
#2: JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System is a capable audio system with plenty of bass in the signature JBL style. Expect all sorts of bass, including the ones that boom and others that punch. Still, this soundbar system sounds terrific across the board. So, highs and mids are up there with the best. In other words, it’s great for playing games, music, movies, and more. To pull that off, it comes with a wireless 10-inch subwoofer and two battery-powered remote speakers.
Yes, you can move the speakers wherever you want. Together, all these speakers can output 820 Watts of raw power. Like the Vizio Sound Bar, you’ll also enjoy DTS:X and Dolby Atmos, two technologies that help bounce sound around your living room. On the grey side, the JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System costs $1,199.95. However, it’s currently on sale for $698.00. You should expect more discounts during the holidays.
#3: Bose Smart Soundbar 900
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is designed to improve your music and TV experience. Rich highs, mids, and lows will be introduced to all media content that you can consume. “Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and Forza Horizon have never sounded better!” This is what people who are new to surround sound systems will mention.
Unlike the JBL 9.1 Channel Soundbar System, you can’t split the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 into individual speakers. Instead, the system relies on some engineering voodoo to imitate the effect of your music coming from different directions. It works ridiculously well too, but we dare not rank it higher because of its price.
Bose is a household name that evokes a sense of luxury. So, a price tag of $799 and $899 for the black and white versions, respectively, is fitting. It’s also an impressive-looking soundbar, so it adds to your living room’s decor.
#4: Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2 Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar
The Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2 Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar impresses with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. So, the sound intelligently fills up your room as if you’re at a cinema. The sound is crystal clear, with deep lows and bright highs, which isn’t surprising considering its whopping price tag of $1,399.99. However, the soundbar is regularly on sale for around $998. Besides the top-tier sound quality, this sound bar can be controlled using voice assistance, so accessing your content is easier now than ever.
Games, music, films, and all other media content will sound much better with seven speakers blasting away. There’s also the Sound Field Optimization that detects the acoustics throughout the room and then smartly fills those spots with refreshing sound. With this soundbar and its various technologies, everyone has the best seats in the living room, so make sure your TV is at least 50 Inches to enjoy the experience. Don’t forget to grab a copy of Assassin’s Creed: Mirage if you’re into stealth games.
#5: Yamaha SR-C30A Sound Bar
The Yamaha SR-C30A Sound Bar is a capable soundbar with plenty of strengths, despite its modest price tag. You can get it for less than $300 and it offers clean sound throughout. After all, it’s still a Yamaha product, so expect clear highs and detailed mids. As for the bass, it’s not as punchy as the more expensive soundbars on this list, but it doesn’t disappoint.
It’s also not the biggest sound bar out there, so you can move it to your bedroom whenever you want. The Yamaha SR-C30A Sound Bar offers one HDMI eARC port, two optical audio inputs, and Bluetooth. Movies and music will also sound much better, though their surround sound performance isn’t the best. Still, gunshots and bombs will come in loud and clear.
Our Final Say: Gaming Soundbars Are Overlooked
The Vizio V-Series 5.1 Sound Bar will be the most obvious choice because of its great sound quality. Yes, two of its speakers are wired, but the sound bar offers you a lot of bang for your buck so don’t overlook it. However, if you want the best experience, you should go for the JBL 9.1 Channel Soundbar System. It offers deeper bass and two of its speakers are wireless, so you can rearrange the sound however you see fit. Just watch out for the high price tag.