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Best soundbars in Australia

We read hundreds of customer reviews to find the seven best soundbars to improve your home listening experience.

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Tim Falk
Updated . What changed?
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The best soundbars in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the best soundbars on this list based on extensive research, real customer reviews and personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Sonos Arc

Best overall

Sonos Arc
Image: Supplied/Finder

Finder Score:

★★★★★
Read Sonos Arc Review

Pros

  • Great audio quality
  • Even better with a Sonos Sub and surround speakers

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Best features may not work if your TV isn't new enough

Why we chose it

With plenty of impressive features, an average rating of 4.7/5 from JB Hi-Fi customers and lots of positive reviews around the World Wide Web, the Sonos Arc is our best overall pick.

The Arc features 11 Class-D digital amplifiers, 8 elliptical woofers and 3 silk-dome tweeters. It can be controlled using your voice, via remote, through a compatible app or by using Apple Airplay 2. You can use the app to adjust bass, treble and volume, plus use Trueplay software to tune the Arc to suit the acoustics of your space.

For more information, check out our full review of the Sonos Arc.

Samsung HW-T650

Best under $700

Samsung HW-T650
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Built-in centre speaker
  • Wireless subwoofer

Cons

  • No Dolby Atmos
  • Some users criticise sound quality

Why we chose it

If you're searching for a mid-range soundbar, there are plenty of reasons why the Samsung HW-T650 is well worth a closer look. Priced at less than $600, this 3.1-channel soundbar boasts positive ratings from customers at retailers like The Good Guys and Harvey Norman.

Designed to offer 3D surround sound, the HW-T650 features a built-in centre speaker and a 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer. An HDMI ARC connection allows for high-quality sound, although it's possible to connect to your TV wirelessly using Bluetooth. You can also control the soundbar by using your Samsung TV remote.

Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080

Best soundbar under $300

Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Dual built-in subwoofers
  • Low-profile design

Cons

  • Some buyers would prefer a separate subwoofer for better bass
  • Not suitable for larger spaces

Why we chose it

If you're on a tight budget, make sure you check out this impressive unit from Yamaha. With lots of positive reviews from customers at stores like The Good Guys and Bing Lee, it's our choice as the best soundbar under $300.

With a 120W total output, this model can be mounted on the wall or placed in front of your TV. It features dual built-in subwoofers, virtual 3D surround sound thanks to DTS Virtual:X and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming from your mobile or Amazon Alexa. The Yamaha also includes Bluetooth Multipoint so you can connect two devices at the same time.

LG SN7Y

Best Dolby Atmos soundbar

LG SN7Y
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Affordable Atmos option
  • Room calibratio

Cons

  • No rear speakers
  • There are still cheaper soundbars with Dolby Atmos

Why we chose it

If you're in the market for a Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Sonos Arc, which we chose as our best overall pick, is obviously a top contender. But if you're looking for something a whole lot more affordable, the LG SN7Y has been well received by consumers and tech reviewers.

This 3.1.2-channel soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and is the result of a partnership with Meridian. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity, 4K pass-through and a room-calibration feature that lets you tailor sound delivery based on the size and shape of your room.

Yamaha MusicCast YSP-2700

Best premium

Yamaha MusicCast YSP-2700
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Surround sound
  • Multi-room audio options thanks to Yamaha MusicCast

Cons

  • May not be suited to every space
  • Some users report having to tinker with settings during the set-up process

Why we chose it

The Yamaha MusicCast YSP-2700 scores an average of 4.8/5 or higher from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and The Good Guys customers. It also scores an average of 4.5/5 from more than 15 ratings on productreview.com.au, so it's our pick if you're shopping for a high-end soundbar.

This 7.1-channel surround sound system features 16 speakers designed to create "beams of sound". It's also quite sleek, with the height of the centre unit measuring 51mm, and features a wireless cubic subwoofer for bass.

JBL Bar 2.0

Best soundbar for small spaces

JBL Bar 2.0
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Affordable option
  • Sleek design

Cons

  • Lacks advanced features
  • Some users would prefer better bass performance

Why we chose it

If you're looking for an affordable soundbar to suit a smaller room, the JBL Bar 2.0 is well worth checking out. It's been positively rated by consumers and can be purchased for under $300.

This two-channel all-in-one soundbar features Dolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound technology. It boasts a low profile to help it fit easily in front of your TV, while it features built-in Bluetooth so you can stream music from your mobile device. Other features include HDMI ARC or optical cable connection and a remote control.

Sonos Beam 2

Best smart soundbar

Sonos Beam 2
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Big sound from a compact design
  • Good 3D audio with an easy set-up

Cons

  • Lack of passthrough means it relies on new TVs
  • Reliant on the broader Sonos ecosystem

Why we chose it

Last but not least on our list of the best soundbars in Australia, the Sonos Beam 2 builds on the original gen by including eARC and Dolby Atmos support.

It's easy to set up, works with voice assistants and works 40% faster this time around. This allows for improved depth of sound and speaker array - all of which contributes to better sound overall.

It also supports Trueplay, which dynamically adjusts the sound by sensing the acoustics of your room. The downside here is that there is no Android support for this yet.

It's worth noting, however, that the HDMI ARC to HMDI eARC upgrade has raised an issue. While allowing for HDMI 2.1 future proofs the soundbar and is great news for anyone with an Xbox Series X or PlayStation - it means there is only one HDMI port on the soundbar itself. This means your TV has to handle passthrough which may only be possible on more modern televisions

You can read more about the Sonos Beam 2 in our full review.

Amazon prices last updated on 26 June, 2022 at 11:14 am
eBay prices last updated on 26 June, 2022 at 11:40 pm

Methodology

15
Brands considered
50+
Products compared
7
Best soundbars chosen
  • We compared soundbars from 15 leading brands.
  • We based our recommendations on in-house expert testing as well as reviews from real customers (as of September 2020) and key product features.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

What is a soundbar?

Modern TVs may produce crystal-clear pictures and outstanding image quality, but their slimline design doesn't leave a lot of room for quality speakers.

A soundbar is a compact speaker system designed to provide an alternative to a multi-speaker sound system. These long, narrow boxes sit underneath your TV screen and enhance the TV's sound quality. While dedicated surround sound systems produce the best results, they have several drawbacks. Not only can they be complicated to set up and use, they can also clutter up a room and require more wires and cables.

Soundbars pack several speakers and the electronics that power them into an unobtrusive, slimline box. They're easy to set up and can mimic the effect of a home theatre system to greatly improve the sound from your TV. Soundbars are also cheaper than surround sound systems, allowing you to vastly improve your home viewing experience without breaking the bank.

Types of soundbars

One way to distinguish between soundbars is to consider whether or not they have a subwoofer. The subwoofer is designed to boost the bass, providing better quality low-frequency sounds and adding an extra punch to your viewing experience.

  • Soundbars without subwoofers. Some soundbars, often cheaper models, don't feature a subwoofer at all. While they offer a noticeable step up in quality from your TV's sound, if you want superior sound quality or you watch a lot of action movies, chances are you'll prefer a model with a subwoofer.
  • Soundbars with built-in subwoofers. These models provide improved bass performance but incorporate the woofer into the soundbar to save space.
  • Soundbars with separate subwoofers. For best results, you may want to consider a model with an external subwoofer. These are usually wireless and just need to be plugged into a power outlet.

There's also a fourth option to consider: a soundbase. A soundbase is a large, flat base that your TV sits on top of and that has room for bigger speakers. While they can generally produce better sound than soundbars, they're not all that widely available.

How to compare soundbars

When choosing a soundbar, you'll need to consider your budget, the size of your living room and the sound quality you want. This will allow you to buy a soundbar that's the perfect fit for your needs.

Make sure you consider the following factors when comparing products:

Number of channels and speakers

If you simply want to improve the sound from your TV, a soundbar with 2.1 channels might be all you need. However, for even better performance when watching TV/movies and listening to audio, a 5.1 or 7.1 model might be a better choice. 5.1.2 or 7.1.2 models support Dolby Atmos, which is designed to produce a more immersive experience by angling speakers upwards to the roof to simulate sound coming from above.

Connectivity

Most soundbars only need one cable to connect to your TV – HDMI is the preferred choice. You'll need to make sure your soundbar has all the necessary ports to connect to things like Blu-ray players, games consoles and USB storage. If you have a high dynamic range (HDR) 4K TV, check whether the soundbar includes a pass-through feature that allows it to transmit 4K HDR video to your TV.

Ease of set-up and use

How easy is the soundbar to connect to your TV and other devices and start using straight away? You can get a gauge of this by taking a look at the user manual and checking out some independent user reviews online.

Size

Check the dimensions of the unit to make sure it will fit under or in front of your TV without blocking the screen or the remote sensor. Also check whether its design and overall look match your TV – for example, purely from an aesthetic perspective, you may want a model that closely matches the width of your TV.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Bluetooth functionality is a common soundbar feature and allows you to stream music to your soundbar from a compatible phone, tablet or computer. Wi-Fi connectivity is also important to allow you to listen to your cloud music library or use a streaming service such as Spotify.

Price

Soundbar prices vary substantially between models and brands. You could spend a few hundred dollars and achieve a dramatic improvement in sound quality over what your TV offers, but top-spec models run to well over $1,000.

Remote control

Some soundbars come with their own remote but others can be controlled via your TV remote. If a remote is included, make sure it has an intuitive layout and is easy to use.

App

Many soundbars can also be controlled using a smartphone app. Research what this app allows you to do and how easy it is to use.

Warranty

Check the length of the manufacturer's warranty (one year is a common figure) and exactly what it covers.

Additional features

Additional features you may want to look for in a soundbar include:

  • Special sound modes designed for different types of audio, for example watching a movie, gaming or listening to music. Some models allow you to adjust treble, bass and other settings based on what you're watching/listening to.
  • Compatibility with services such as Google Assistant or Alexa to allow you to play voice-controlled music. For example, check out our review of the Alexa-enabled Sonos Beam.
  • A front-panel display that displays important info, for example, volume level. Check to see whether this display can be turned off when not needed so it doesn't become too distracting.

Soundbar speaker configuration

One of the major points of confusion for anyone unfamiliar with soundbars and speaker systems is the numbers used to describe different products – 2.1, 5.0, 7.1.2 and so on. What do these numbers mean?

They're used to indicate how many built-in speakers and channels a soundbar has. Speakers are assigned to specific channels, allowing different frequencies to be isolated and directed to different speakers and make it seem like the sound is coming from all around you.

  • The first number in the sequence refers to how many channels a soundbar has. The more channels it has, the better it can mimic the surround sound experience.
  • The second number specifies whether it has a subwoofer to provide better low-frequency sound quality.
  • The third number is used to indicate the number of upward-firing speakers, which are used to bounce sound off the roof and create a sense of height. The inclusion of the third number indicates that a soundbar supports Dolby Atmos.

So, generally speaking, the higher the numbers, the better a soundbar should be able to imitate surround sound.

Best rated soundbar award breakdown

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