This is our official list of the best 2.1 channel soundbar speakers on the market today. Scroll further down for full details on each product and more info on soundbar speakers.
Quick Look:
- 5.0 out of 5.0 stars VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.1 Channel
- 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Samsung HW-K450 2.1 Channel
- 4.5 out of 5.0 stars LG Electronics SH4 2.1 Channel 300W
- 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Samsung HW-J4000 2.1 Channel
- 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Panasonic SCHTB70 2.1-Channel
We know time is of the essence, so the above is a cheat sheet of what’s ahead, just in case your’re in a hurry. Otherwise, keep scrolling down for more detailed and constructive info on each item.
5 Highest Reviewed 2.1 Channel Soundbar Speakers
In the quest to make TVs ever slimmer, the built-in speakers have had to become worse alongside them. With less room on the display, speakers now sound flatter and tinnier than ever before. It’s because of this that soundbar speakers are now almost required to obtain good sound in any home entertainment setup with a flat panel display.
Soundbars are essentially one big speaker that sits outside your TV and basically replaces the cheaper speakers your TV employs. Now are they better than surrond sound speakers? Of course not. But they are certainly much cheaper, and some people can’t put surround sound in their living room due to noise or space issues. For those people, a soundbar is a great alternative.
Below are the five best soundbar speakers currently available on the market.
1.) VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.1 Channel Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer
The VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.1 Channel Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer is an ultra-affordable soundbar with detached subwoofer. It clocks in as the lowest price on this list in fact.
The soundbar offers Bluetooth music streaming, wireless subwoofer, and Dolby and DTS surround technologies. This one is a real powerhouse, delivering up to 100 dB of sound. Oddly, this one runs on 2 AAA batteries, which seems a bit old school.
Where it shines though is the quality. The sound will pump up the room with crystal clear audio and is a great addition to any home entertainment setup.
Pros:
- Excellent, clear sound
- Suitable for large TVS
- Great subwoofer
Cons:
- AAA batteries are a bit unusual
2.) Samsung HW-K450 2.1 Channel 300 Watt Wireless Audio Soundbar
The Samsung HW-K450 2.1 Channel 300 Watt Wireless Audio Soundbar is another offering from Samsung priced at a much affordable price point than our #4 on this list. Overall, the two are very similar, having detached subwoofers, Bluetooth, HDMI and optical connections, and wireless sync ability with Samsung TVs.
Where they differ is in the sound. This one sounds a bit more muffled than the #4 on the list, but for the major price difference it’s expected to see some quality degradation. This model is wireless surround ready and connects with the SWA-8000S wireless surround kit to turn your soundbar into a part of a full surround sound setup.
Pros:
- Affordable model
- Wireless surround compatible
- Bluetooth streaming
Cons:
- Doesn’t sound quite as good on its own compared with the HW-J4000
3.) LG Electronics SH4 2.1 Channel 300W Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer
The LG Electronics SH4 2.1 Channel 300W Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer is a sound bar that seems like it was made to be a direct competitor with the Samsung one reviewed previously. Also boasting Bluetooth streaming and a detached subwoofer with 300 Watts of power usage, it can be hard to spot the difference.
This model offers what LG calls adaptive sound control, which automatically adjusts the EQ or the sound profile to match what type of content is currently playing (music, movie, etc). Much like the Samsung model, the LG sound bar also has wireless syncing compatible only with LG TVs. So if that’s something that appeals, LG TV owners may want to grab this one.
The only thing missing from this one versus the Samsung model is the curved “surround” sound feature. It’s not sorely missed though, and overall the two are incredibly similar. This model is also much cheaper than the Samsung, so that’s another factor to consider.
Pros:
- Good sound and detached sub
- Much cheaper than Samsung model
- adaptive sound control
Cons:
- No surround feature
4.) Samsung HW-J4000 2.1 Channel 300 Watt Curved Wireless Audio Soundbar
The Samsung HW-J4000 2.1 Channel 300 Watt Curved Wireless Audio Soundbar is a more premium option, and it comes with a separate subwoofer. That means the lows by definition will be much clearer than the Panasonic offering.
Of course, such a feature comes at a cost. This soundbar consumes 300 Watts, double the power of the last soundbar on the list. Luckily, this model also offers Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming. Both optical and HDMI inputs can be used. Samsung TV owners can connect their TV to it through Bluetooth to avoid the cables, but it’s not recommended. Audio quality over Bluetooth is not nearly as good as wired.
The device is designed with a unique curve to create an interesting surround sound effect. It sounds good, although it’s not true surround sound.
Pros:
- Very good sound
- Detached subwoofer makes for good lows
- Cool surround effect
Cons:
- Quite pricey
5.) Panasonic SCHTB70 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Built-In Subwoofer
The Panasonic SCHTB70 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Built-In Subwoofer is a great, albeit simple soundbar for your home entertainment setup. The multi-positional speaker has a 4-way layout, and the included subwoofer advertises anti-vibration technology. Additionally, this entry has built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming via your mobile phone or other device.
In the end, it’s great for the price and energy usage is a low 150 Watts, but integrated subwoofers always leave something to be desired. For truly great lows, it’s really better to buy a soundbar with a separate subwoofer box.
Pros:
- Great value for the price
- Low power consumption
- Bluetooth
Cons:
- Integrated sub leaves something to be desired
Final Say
These are the best soundbar speakers currently available on the market. Hopefully this information has been valuable in helping you to choose a great new addition to your home theater setup.
Whether you’re looking for something super affordable or something with premium sound, a soundbar can be a great addition to your home entertainment setup, and is almost necessary for anyone rocking flat panel displays, which these days is almost everyone.