To truly enjoy movies and TV shows, you don’t only need a high-definition TV and a top-notch streaming device, but also a decent-quality audio system. And soundbars are one of the best options on the market right now. They fit pretty much any environment, do a great job of boosting the sound quality, and take minutes to install. So today, our focus will be on finding the Best Soundbar for Apple TV 4K.
Overall, we’ll take a look at five top-notch soundbars from market-leading brands. They come at a reasonable price and work flawlessly with Apple TV. Next, in the Buyer’s Guide and FAQ, we’ll talk about the key factors that set an average-at-best bar from a worthy pick. Alright, without further ado, let’s get right to it!
Table of Contents
Best Soundbar for Apple TV 4K Review
1. Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control for Apple TV 4K
We start the list with Bose Solo 5, and the first thing that’ll catch your attention is the included RC. It can control not only the bar, but also the bass and the TV, but it’s just too big and not particularly handy. And this is a bit strange, considering the design of the actual bar, which is quite trendy and sleek. The materials used in manufacturing, the shape of the bar, and the controls – everything looks great, except for the remote.
Another big pro – the bar is light-weighted and easy to move around or place on fragile surfaces, such as a glass table, for instance. And there is this useful auto shut-off feature that kicks in when you move away from the bar. Sometimes, we forget to turn our devices off, but it won’t be a problem with Sol 5, because the soundbar will shut itself off automatically.
The Pros:
- Features a slim and sleek design
- Handy auto shut-off feature
- Light-weighted, easy to carry
The Cons:
- The remote could be smaller
Verdict
Bose Solo 5 is a great-looking and light-weighted soundbar with an auto shut-off feature. If a big remote with lots of buttons (and the ability to control both the bar and the TV) is not an issue for you, this bar will be a reasonable investment. The sound quality is decent, too.
2. JBL Bar 5.1 – Best Soundbar For Apple TV
This right here is one of the most powerful audio systems out there. On top of that, it boasts excellent audio quality. The level of detail is fantastic (all over the frequency range). You won’t hear any distortion or “dips” in the lows, mids, or highs. The build quality is another thing worth mentioning. JBL is known for following the highest standards of manufacturing and engineering, and this system is no exception to that rule.
The price is a bit steep, though, compared to the market average, but for a soundbar of such caliber, it’s no surprise. If you appreciate premium sound quality and want to get the most out of your Apple TV, this might be the right choice for you. Movies, video games, TV shows – this audio system (bar + subwoofer) can handle it all.
The Pros:
- Crips highs and punchy lows
- Solid build/engineering quality
- 550w of total system power
The Cons:
- Slightly on the expensive side
Verdict
JBL is a very powerful audio system that provides not only a loud sound but also a clear, detailed, and pleasant one. If you’re not on a tight budget, you’re gonna like this high-quality audio system. Just don’t crank the volume to 11 at night, or you’ll wake your neighbors.
3. Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim – Best Soundbar For Apple TV 4k 2022
Here, we have another example of a fine audio system, this time by Polk. What’s great about this system, except for the decent sound, it’s easy to install, connect, and enjoy. It will take you +/- 30 minutes, and if something goes wrong, or there is something you didn’t understand, refer to the included quick start. It’s a very detailed, helpful guide. As for the remote, it does not have tons of buttons that you’re never going to use.
Instead, it has all the go-to options with large, easy-to-see buttons. Yes, it’s easy to use and looks the part. As for the only downside, for some unknown reason, sometimes, it takes about 10 seconds for the bar to respond. Not that it is a huge problem, especially considering all the good stuff this system has onboard. But keep that in mind and don’t panic if such a thing happens.
The Pros:
- Fast, straightforward installation
- Packs a helpful quick start guide
- Top-notch, handy remove control
The Cons:
- Might take 5-15 seconds to respond
Verdict
The best thing about this bar – it takes very little time and effort to install. Plus, a quick start guide is at your disposal if you need any help. Unfortunately, the bar is somewhat slow, and it may take some time to respond. As for the remote, it’s quite useful and has an extended range.
4. VIZIO – Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar for Apple TV 4K
This audio system doesn’t include a separate subwoofer, but, thanks to the built-in dual subwoofers, it manages to handle the low-end surprisingly well. As a result, we have a very compact, slim audio system in our hands that comes at a reasonable price and sounds great. Next, the customer support agents are friendly, client-oriented, and will answer all your questions and help if something goes wrong.
So, feel free to check with them if you’re having trouble with the bar. Is there a con to this bar? Yes, there is. Connecting it to your TV with an HDMI cable and making it work does present a challenge. You’ll get it to work eventually, but it may take a lot of time and effort. This is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, though, with a pretty accurate imitation of a 3D sound landscape.
The Pros:
- Built-in dual subwoofers
- Dolby Atmos for surround sound
- Great customer support
The Cons:
- HDMI is a bit tricky to use
Verdict
With built-in subwoofers, this slim and stylish-looking bar can provide a decent low-end. The only downside making it work with HDMI may take some effort. On the bright side, if anything goes wrong, you can always reach out to friendly customer support.
5. Bestisan – Best Cheap Soundbar for Apple TV 4K
If you wanna fill your room with clear sound from music or video games, this bar will suit you perfectly. As for the price, you’ll find it to be fair. It’s the most affordable option on the list, actually. Plus, it offers lots of options to choose from – you’ll definitely find one that suits your home theater setup. The only minor con: there is no digital reader telling you what volume level you are on right now.
Without a proper indicator, you just have to go by your ear – not a very wise decision on Bestisan’s side. To brighten things up a bit, delivery is fast, and you won’t have to wait for days before the soundbar arrives at your doorstep. For a cheap bar, it sounds decent, though, and will be a huge improvement over the built-in TV speakers.
The Pros:
- The most affordable bar on the list
- Lots of configurations to pick from
- Fast delivery within the US
The Cons:
- No volume indicator
Verdict
This bar may be the most affordable one on the list, but the sound quality is pretty good. And there are some additional options you can choose from, that vary in price. Unfortunately, there’s no volume indicator, so you’ll have to play the “guessing game”. But, overall Bestisan is a good soundbar, and they deliver it fast enough.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best Choice  | Bose Solo 5
| Check Price |
Also great  | JBL Bar 5.1
| Check Price |
Best Value  | Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim
| Check Price |
Non-Slip Grip  | VIZIO
| Check Price |
Ergonomic Fit  | Bestisan
| Check Price |
Buyer’s Guide
#1: Connectivity Technologies
As you may have noticed, most bars these days have either HDMI or Bluetooth. In some cases, they have both, which is preferable for a lot of reasons. Yes, you may come across connections like a 3.5mm or coaxial now and then, but they are remnants of the past. More and more modern TVs, TV boxes, and soundbars have only HDMI and Bluetooth. More connections usually mean a higher price, so the manufacturers try to keep only the necessary inputs/outputs.
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the golden standard for 2022. Used for wired connections, it’s extremely reliable, delivers impeccable audio quality, and is very easy to use. All you need is an HDMI cord, which is available at pretty much any local store or online. Bluetooth, in turn, is for wireless connections. No cords are required – not at all. Just pair it up with the TV or Apple TV 4K, and fire away!
Another nice Bluetooth feature is that you can stream your music from your phone through the soundbar. It takes about a minute or less and the tunes from your Smartphone (or tablet, or any other device) fill the room. Needless to say that a decent soundbar (especially if there is a subwoofer included) has more volume and ensures a more detailed sound than your phone’s speaker.
This is especially true for the low-end: that’s where the difference between the phone’s speaker and the bar becomes evident.
#2: The Package
Imagine this: you just got your shiny new soundbar, but to connect it you need a cable that you don’t have right now. Unfortunately, this is something that many audiophiles have to deal with these days. So, pay extra attention to the package and check whether it includes all the necessary stuff to mount and connect the bar, or not. Not only will you need some cables (like HDMI), but brackets and screws too, as well as power cords.
This is not only about the money, but rather about the time that you’re gonna have to spend looking for the right cables and mounting gear. There are lots of different options on the market, and for the average home theater owner, it can be quite challenging to find the right ones when they have to buy the cables separately.
The same goes for the brackets, of course. Again, it’s much better and more convenient when everything required to connect the bar to the Apple streaming device and get it to work is right there in the box. True, a generous package tends to cost a bit extra, but it will be money well spent.
FAQ
What’s The Most Important Thing In A Soundbar?
The audio quality, of course. True, the power/volume level, the number of speakers, and design also play a key role. However, the quality of sound is the main reason we buy audio systems in the first place. And, we want an accurate response all over the frequency range. Ideally, you should go for a soundbar that sounds equally great when playing music, movies, and video games.
The ultimate goal is to hear the sound the way it was meant to be heard. No distortions or tweaking of any kind. Audio precision/definition doesn’t depend on the number of speakers, as some may assume. There are three parts of the frequency range, low, mid, and high. And a good sound system must be able to handle them all properly, with no drops or dips in the spectrum.
I’m talking about a balanced, accurate representation of the bass, the “meaty” mids, and the crispy highs. Cheap and low-quality soundbars make the highs louder, and they start to sizzle and hiss. Obviously, that’s something that you should avoid, along with weak bass output.
What Are Subwoofers For?
Subwoofer’s main, or, rather the only job is to deal with the low-end. Most of the time, audio systems consist of a soundbar and a subwoofer. But sometimes, engineers go for the so-called built-in subwoofers. Yes, there are lots of high-end 2.0 systems with built-in subwoofers that handle the low-end perfectly. Now, without a separate or a built-in subwoofer, the low-end will fail. So, for the audio system to be able to provide high-quality sound, a subwoofer is a must.
Separate subwoofers connect to the bar either via a cable or wireless. More and more manufacturers these days prefer wireless connections for a lot of reasons. No need for an additional cable is one of those reasons. This type of connection is done via Bluetooth. Subwoofers (built-in or not) are heavy because of the big, heavy coils. Thus, the easiest way to tell if there is a built-in subwoofer is to check the soundbar’s weight.
If it’s heavy enough, there’s definitely a subwoofer in there. Of course, having a woofer does not automatically mean that you’ll get a perfect low-end. As a general rule, the cheaper the sub, the less exciting the bass will be. You won’t get any punch or “oomph” with it.
Is A Surround Sound System Better Than A 2.0 Set?
Let’s put it this way: most people prefer surround sound when it comes to movies and video games. The same can be said about music (especially live shows).More content these days is made to be heard on multichannel audio systems, with movies and TV shows being on the front edge. Therefore, if you want to experience your favorite tracks and films the way they’re supposed to be experienced, 3D sound is a must.
The thing is – Dolby Atmos and other technologies create a believable, immersive landscape that completely changes the way we perceive audio. Surround sound dives you into a movie or video game and makes you feel like you’re a part of what’s happening on the screen. And the better the audio system, the better the immersion will be. So, yes, 3D sound is much better than a standard 2.0-speaker set, and, lucky for us, most soundbars have it.
Conclusion
And that’s it for today! If you’re looking for a can’t-go-wrong-with soundbar, pay extra attention to Bose Solo 5. It’s a great-looking and light-weighted bar, for everyday use. Next, we’ve got the JBL 5.1soundbar: superb audio and lots of power are guaranteed. Polk Audio Signa is another sound system worth our praise and it comes with a lovely remote control. The VIZIO soundbar, in turn, has built-in subwoofers that put external woofers to shame.
And finally, we have the most affordable, yet decent soundbar by Bestisan. Folks on a limited budget will definitely appreciate the fine balance of price and quality. I’m more than confident that you’ll find the perfect bar for your Apple TV 4K on the list. Check the pros, cons, and verdict once again, and take your pick!
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