Netflix, HBO, Amazon prime â streaming platforms are slowly taking over the world. The same is true for cloud gaming services like Project XCloud. You can enjoy all the best TV shows, movies, and video games while sitting on your comfy couch in front of the TV. However, unless youâve got a 1000-dollar Television Set with a mighty soundbar, I bet the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired.
Thatâs why in this post, weâll talk about the best TV speakers under 200. For this price, youâll get ease of use, enhanced wireless connectivity (via Bluetooth), and, of course, superior audio quality. So, join me, and letâs take a look at the finest soundbars. Some of them are packed with subwoofers, while others come at an affordable price. Check them all out to find your perfect pick!
Table of Contents
Best TV Speakers Under $200 ()
Image | Product | |
---|---|---|
BEST CHOICE | Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar
| Check Price |
ALSO GREAT | VIZIO 2.1 Sound Bar SB3821-C6
| Check Price |
BEST VALUE | TaoTronics TT-SK023 Audio Speaker for TV
| Check Price |
NON-SLIP GRIP | SAMSUNG HW-T450 Home Theater System
| Check Price |
ERGONOMIC FIT | Yamaha ATS1080-R Sound Bar
| Check Price |
Best TV Speakers Under $200 Reviews
1. Bose Solo – Best Speakers for TV under $200
I want to start my list with the Bose Solo sound bar, as it has the best sound quality. And, thanks to the Dialogue mode, it provides even higher sound precision, allowing you to hear the subtlest details. Although it doesnât have a subwoofer, the low-frequency response is quite adequate, meaning youâll hear enough bass. Another standout feature is the lightweight and mobile construction.
This device weighs only 3.7 pounds and is very easy to move from one place to another. The advanced one-piece design, in turn, is quite universal â you wonât have a hard time trying to find the right spot for it. Youâll have to pay a top dollar for quality, though, as this sound bar system isnât particularly cheap. Itâs reasonably-priced, of course, but folks on a tight budget will probably find it to be a little steep.
Final Words
Precise, crispy, and clear, this sound bar will greatly improve the audio quality in your home theater. While itâs not very affordable, the lightweight, monolithic design, along with the Dialogue feature, makes it all worth your while. Bluetooth connectivity is a part of the deal as well, of course.
2. VIZIO – Best Bluetooth speakers for TV and Music Under 200
The fans of turning their TV sets into âentertainment centersâ will probably love what VIZIO has in stores for them. First of all, it boasts enhanced Bluetooth control. The wireless range is extended; plus, itâs very easy to set everything up so that you can control the sound bar through your Smartphone. On the technological side of things, VIZIO is also doing pretty fine. According to the engineers, youâll only get 1% of harmonic distortion on high volumes.
During my review, I was, indeed, pleased by how clear the sound was even when I was cranking it up to 11. Speaking of loudness, this sound bar has a pressure level of 100dB. So, basically, you wonât have to worry about it not being loud enough during a party or something like that. Itâs a bit fragile, though, and so are the remote and the included subwoofer (which sounds pretty decent). Make sure not to break anything!
Final Words
If you put loudness and wireless control first, I bet youâll like this sound bar + subwoofer pack. It wonât take you more than a couple of minutes to setup wireless Bluetooth control. And with 100dB of output power, youâll never run out of volume. VIZIOâs set is a bit fragile, however, and needs to be treated with care.
3. TaoTronics – Best TV Soundbar under $200
Are you limited in funds, but want to get a decent new soundbar for your TV? If thatâs the case, I have just the right pick for you. With TaoTronics, youâll have to spend a lot less than 200 bucks, and that makes it the cheapest product on the list. Now, donât expect the sound quality to be off the charts. In fact, itâs average at best, but still a lot better than the factory system that most TV sets come with.
Besides, with this soundbar, youâll get two wall mounting kits, which is a nice bonus. Both wired and wireless connections are supported (RCA, optical input, or Bluetooth 4.2). Add a fancy equalizer that can switch between three different settings (Game, Movie, and Music), and youâll get a safe bet. Yes, for a price this low, TaoTronics offers one of the best possible deals.
Final Words
It doesnât get better than this soundbar if youâre looking for a cheap replacement for the TVâs so-so audio system. It can be easily connected and fine-tuned, thanks to the plentitude of connection options and the advanced EQ. And when you open the package, youâll find two kits for wall mounting.
4. SAMSUNG – Best Soundbar with Dolby Audio for TV
Moving up the list, let us take a good look at what Samsung has to offer. This is one of the biggest tech companies on the planet, and they are highly competitive in the market of home electronics. When I first connected this bar to my TV, I was impressed by the quality of the two-speaker Dolby Digital sound. By the way, if you want true surround sound, you can buy the package that includes two extra rear speakers.
The next thing that caught my attention was the subwoofer, or, rather, how easily it handled the lowest bass frequencies. You wonât hear any of that cheap ârumblingâ with it â only precision bass sounds that can rock any crowd. Last, but not least, Samsungâs sound bar is incredibly sturdy and durable (crafted from premium materials). Too bad Bluetooth connectivity is laggy. The link is very âfragileâ and you lose control every once in a while without any reason.
Final Words
If not for the Bluetooth issues (the TV tends to refuse to link up), Iâd call this soundbar the best option for the average TV fan. It is durable, long-lasting, and features premium-quality Dolby audio. The included subwoofer is a bargain as well, as it makes the bass sounds really âpopâ and hit you in the face.
5. Yamaha – Best Powered Speakers under $200 for TV
Just like Samsung, Yamaha is one of the obvious leaders in the field. And with it, you can expect to get an ultra-slim, sleek, and eye-grabbing design. It doesnât even look like a âtraditionalâ soundbar, to be honest, but thatâs one of its big pros. For the price, it sounds pretty great, too, especially if you like pop and dance music. I want to also mention that thereâs a built-in subwoofer inside of this bar.
Yes, even though itâs well hidden, the woofer produces deep bass sounds like a champ. And what about the things that I didnât like, you might ask? My biggest complaint â the remote is way too cheap. It breaks easily, the buttons are, well, cheap, and it doesnât always work properly. On the other hand, this isnât a very big con, as Bluetooth can turn your phone into an even better remote controller.
Final Words
Yamaha is known for its top-of-the-line electronic devices, and this sound bar wonât leave you disappointed. The built-in subwoofer, trendy design, and, overall, excellent sound quality are all worth paying for. Bluetooth connectivity is on par with the rivals as well. So, you can just put the faulty remote aside.
Buyerâs Guide
Knowledge is power â youâve heard that phrase before, right? Well, itâs a universal rule, and applies to pretty much any new device/gadget that you want to buy online/at a local store. Thatâs why I decided to create this Buyerâs Guide. It will tell you everything there is to know about soundbars. Youâll learn about the most important aspects that need to be considered before making a purchase. The list includes sound quality, design, connectivity, and extras.
Sound Quality
Let me say right from the start that a sound bar under 200 canât be as good as something that costs 1K bucks, or more. At the same time, thanks to the heavy competition, these days, itâs possible to greatly improve your TV setâs audio quality with something even cheaper. So, pay extra attention to the actual speakers inside of the bar and how good (or bad) they sound. For the surround audio effect, youâll need at least five speakers.
However, while most people believe that Dolby audio canât be achieved with only two speakers, thatâs not true. Dolby Digital and DTS are available with two-channel (two-speaker) sound bars as well.
Design
In terms of sound quality, the design doesnât really play a major role (if any). That doesnât mean itâs not one of the most important factors when shopping for a new sound bar, though. Now, most available devices arenât at all intriguing: we just get a long, rectangular shape that looks like a plank, or, well, a bar. But, some companies still manage to come up with unique, sleep designs and thus appeal to a wide range of potential customers.
Ease of Use/Connectivity
Good news: you wonât need a science degree to make sense of the wires, as sound bars usually only have one cable. It plugs into the TV, which means itâs one of those âconnect-and-forgetâ types of things. Connectivity is an entirely different thing. This term is used to describe any deviceâs compatibility with other gadgets â a Smartphone, to be precise. Thanks to the Bluetooth standard, it wonât take long to link your phone with the sound bar.
That way, youâll turn the sound system into a set of speakers and be able to control most of its functions/features remotely. But donât get too much into the wireless technology, and make sure to check the specs for all the available âinsâ. Iâm talking about the coaxial and optical audio inputs, along with the 3.5-millimeter aux/analog input and RCA. It would be great to get a smart assistant like Siri or Alexa, but thatâs usually not available in this price range.
Extras
Almost every single speaker set/soundbar comes with a remote. A subwoofer, however, is not always a part of the deal. And while some sound bars have built-in âsubsâ, they mostly donât sound that great. So, in my opinion, if you want to improve the audio quality in your home theater, a subwoofer is a must. And thatâs true not only for the audiophiles that love to listen to music through their TVs but also for movies and shows.
Speaking of the remote, it must be easy to use, have a decent wireless control range, and be crafted from durable materials. Thereâs nothing worse than a remote that breaks when you accidentally drop it. Oh, and look for a set of mount kits if you want your sound bar hanging on the wall. Thatâs pretty much it. Obviously, when on a tight budget, it would be wiser to go with a modest package with no extras, as it will cost less.
FAQ
Can I buy a subwoofer separately?
Yes, of course, you can, and the market is full of âstandaloneâ subwoofers in different price categories. But do some research and never go blindly, as there may be some connectivity issues. Even if your sound bar has a dedicated output, that doesnât necessarily mean that you can just get any subwoofer and plug it in. Again, make sure youâre 100% confident that the two devices will pair up, and only then make an order.
Will my soundbar work with Google Assistant of Alexa?
AI-powered assistants are the next big thing these days, and they make our lives a lot easier. Thereâs a catch, though: not all soundbars fully support the modern virtual assistants. So, definitely check the specs or get in contact with customer support before committing with your hard-earned bucks. Usually, the higher the sound systemâs price, the more likely it will be compatible with the likes of Siri, Alexa, and Googleâs Assistant.
Unfortunately, youâll have a very hard time finding enhanced connectivity like that in a sound bar/speaker set that costs less than 200 bucks.
Can I listen to music from my phone on a sound bar?
Wireless audio streaming from Smartphones and tablets is very well possible, yes. That means you can enjoy the sound quality of the bar no matter where itâs positioned in the room. Since even the most advanced and expensive phones canât compete with a soundbar in terms of audio quality, this is a very good and useful feature.
Conclusion
Sound quality might not be the first thing that you think about when purchasing a new TV. But, over the years, we start to understand the importance of a high-end sound system. Surround (Dolby) audio, wireless control, and that âhome theater experienceâ are all worth investing in. Now, the best thing about sound bars/speakers â they donât really cost that much. Today, I introduced you to five market-leading bars for your TV.
They were all meticulously tested to reveal all the strong sides along with the disadvantages. So, pay extra attention to my reviews, especially the pros/cons and the verdicts. And donât forget to refer to the Buyerâs Guide and the FAQ section for guidance. Trust me: youâll never want to go back to the factory TV speakers once you get used to premium sound quality!
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