But there are also some newer, pricier models that have enough power to fill even a larger room. Many inexpensive sound bars can be great if you have a small or medium space and want a simple way to enhance your TV’s sound. Note that many less-expensive sound bars have less power and fewer features than a component audio system, so they’re not the best choice for a very large room, nor for audiophiles craving a theaterlike experience. That means a sound bar with a Good rating for sound will sound better than a TV with a Good rating. We judge them more like speakers designed for listening to music. In our ratings, a sound bar speaker is held to a higher standard than a TV for audio quality.
Here's an important note for CR members, who can access all our ratings.
