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You don’t strictly need one — but most people should get one. A 4K TV upgrades the picture, not the sound. Modern TVs are thin, which leaves no room for good speakers, so audio is often the weakest part of an otherwise great TV.
Why TV speakers disappoint
Slim panels force tiny, downward- or rear-firing speakers. The result is thin sound, weak bass, and dialogue that’s hard to follow during action scenes. A soundbar fixes all three for a modest price.
When a soundbar is worth it
- You watch movies, sports, or games and want impact and clear dialogue.
- You find yourself turning on subtitles to follow speech.
- Your TV is 55 inches or larger — the bigger the screen, the more the weak audio stands out.
When you can skip it
- You mostly watch casual daytime TV at low volume.
- You already have an AV receiver and speakers.
What to look for
Even an entry-level 2.1 soundbar (bar + subwoofer) is a big upgrade. For movies, look for Dolby Atmos support and HDMI eARC for the best connection to your TV.
Setting up a room? Pair this with our TV Viewing Distance Calculator, and browse soundbars on Amazon. More in our audio hub.