As panel technology advances, television manufacturers seem to have forgotten the importance of quality audio to a set’s performance. Therefore, even high-end TVs come with less-than-decent speakers nowadays. That not only limits the clarity of music or dialog but also negatively impact cinematic moments such as explosions.
Thankfully, we have soundbars for those who are not willing to settle for lackluster built-in TV speakers but want to avoid the cost (or clutter) of home theater systems. Unfortunately, the market is crowded with soundbar offerings, most of which are subpar, to say the least. To make the shopping experience less daunting, we have compiled a list of ten of the best budget sound bars that will offer you the best listening experience without breaking the bank.
1. Kuufer SW-28-001
The SW-28-001 is Kuufer’s loud and clear stereo offering in the budget section. It is a 2.1 Channel sound system with six speakers making a total of 40 Watts. It comes with a built-in digital amplifier with DSP and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity. It also includes RCA, Aux, optical, coaxial, and USB connections.
It features stainless steel construction and its oval shape makes for better sound and heat dissipation. It measures 33 inches and can be wall-mounted or placed below or above the TV. It sounds really great for a cheap sound bar and ranks highly among consumers. The company’s 18-month warranty is an additional plus. However, buyers have to purchase wall-mounting accessories separately.
2. Meidong KY-3000
Meidong is known for providing some of the best-sounding affordable soundbars on the market. The KY-3000 offers high-resolution sound thanks to a 12-speakers setup and a competitive 72 Watts of power. The speakers are tuned to a 2.0-Channel configuration which allows for a home-theater-like performance.
It is well-built for its price with aluminum alloy construction and looks expensive due to decent craftsmanship. It comes standard with Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity good for 33 ft plus other connection options including RCA, 3.5 mm aux, and optical inputs. It is lightweight, wall-mountable, easy to install, and powerful. Although, it lacks a subwoofer and at 43 inches it is a tad large for some.
3. Megacra Sound Bar S7020
This is a cheap soundbar with surprisingly good acoustics. It is a 28-Inch 2.0 Channel soundbar with four speakers and two bass reflex tubes delivering a 40-Watt output – enough for an average-sized room. Its Bluetooth 4.0 connection spans 33 feet and the integrated DSP tech delivers commendable clarity.
The S7020 avails USB, coaxial, optical, and RCA connections alongside a 3.5mm cable. It is easy to connect and includes a wall-mounting template. Also worth noting is the company’s lifetime technical support. It sounds great but feels a little cheap: which is okay for its price range.
4. Silvernetic Bluetooth Surround TV Soundbar
This 2.0 Channel offering promises a great surround-sound experience with a 40-Watt output from two 20-Watt speakers. It measures 32 inches and will fill small to average spaces with crisp stereo sound. It includes optical-in, 3.5 mm line-in, RCA, and Bluetooth connections.
This affordable soundbar features three equalizer modes: Music, Movie, and Voice. You can also customize your listening experience with the available bass and treble tweaks. Measuring 32 inches, it is ideal for similar-sized or smaller television sets. It boasts a clean-looking design and a well-balanced sound but lacks a subwoofer and an HDMI connection.
5. Megacra UP-S9920
The 38-inch UP-S9920 offers two bass reflex ports to produce impressive mid- and low-range frequencies. It combines two tweeters to boost performance to up to 105 dB and boasts of less than one-percent distortion. That makes this soundbar a great improvement to TV speakers, especially if listening in high volumes. It also helps that it comes with four full-range drivers and ranks at 80 Watts.
Connection options are optical, coaxial, RCA, 3.5-mm aux, and Bluetooth. It offers 3D capability, full remote control, and three listening modes. Also, the UP-S9920 provides a dynamic range, with minimal distortion. It is no power tower, but it is not a slacker either.
6. Mighty Rock SDB-0215
The SDB-0215 is a 30.1-inch soundbar with dual 15w speakers. Its portable size and modest wattage make it suitable for small rooms. It features a Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, an RCA cable, and a 3.5 mm cable for versatile connectivity. It is a 2.0 Channel sound system with intuitive controls and decent clarity.
Aesthetically, it is one of the most stylish soundbars in its price range and will fit into most settings. However, the limited Bluetooth technology may be a concern to some.
7. Joly Joy 4330357710
This is a sleek, slim offering with a total output of 30 Watts. It comes with Aux, 3.5mm jack, USB, optical, and Bluetooth connections. It offers three audio modes namely Music, Dialogue, and Movie for a more selective listening experience and allows for the addition of a subwoofer.
It is 33.5 inches long and it performs as well whether placed below the television or mounted on the wall. It offers impressive clarity and full remote control although audiophiles will find it wanting.
8. Zaecany Super Bass
This is a portable 16-Inch speaker with a 2.0 Channel sound system and 3D capability. It delivers a 10-Watt output which makes it more suitable for watching movies and listening to dialogues than for parties. It gets Bluetooth and cable connections and has a TF card slot.
It comes with a built-in 2000mA rechargeable battery good for up to 6 to 7 hours of audio playback. It includes a built-in microphone and supports HPP, HSP, A2DP, and AVRCP formats that allow music streaming.
9. Transpeed TS-5801
The TS-5801 2.0 Channel soundbar featuring six speakers with a 40-Watt output. It is German-designed with a commendable finish and solid structure. It is one of the best budget sound bars in terms of surround sound and audio clarity. It includes Bluetooth 4.2 with a 33-inch span and several wired connections including AUX, RCA input, and USB.
It provides five Equalizer modes: jazz, pop, classical, country, and rock. You can either place or mount it below or above the television. The company gives a one-year warranty and a 40-day money-back guarantee.
10. Mighty Rock KY-2018
Also from Mighty Rock, the KY-2018 is a 30-inch 2.0 Channel soundbar with two speakers delivering up to 15 Watts. Bluetooth capability makes up its wireless connectivity department and its wired connections include RCA, optical, and auxiliary. It comes with a modern design complete with logically-placed buttons and a mounting platform.
Like its larger sibling, the KY-2018 is an elegant offering with impressive audio clarity. It also ranks highly among users for its solid stereo sound. However, the company still needs to work on upgrading the Bluetooth tech.
You might also like:
