Soundbar Deals & Offers
19 active deals91,139 commentsAll Soundbar discounts and offers overview - May 2024
Soundbars in Short
Soundbars produce clear dialogue, rich music and dramatic special effects that viewers crave and most TV speakers fail to deliver. They’re also easy to use and their sleek forms match today’s flat-screen televisions. What’s more, they do all this without breaking the bank.
Today’s flat-screen TVs deliver the kind of stunning picture quality that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago and at a price point, we can all afford. They also look great, bringing a minimalist vibe to any space. But as for the audio, that’s a different story. The problem is that with the TV’s slim frames, there’s just no place to put the kind of loudspeakers that churn out that rich, deep bass or crisp, thrilling treble modern consumers demand.
One option is to hook the TV up to an AV receiver with multiple speakers. Other than the expense and often baffling connectivity options, this solution tends to be overkill. Most of us just want to turn on our TVs and start enjoying quality video and audio without having to faff around with plugs and controls. Fortunately, there’s a solution that’s simple, elegant and economical.
Unknown just a few years ago, Soundbars are now ubiquitous and come in a wide range of styles, types and price points. Manufacturers include mainstream electronics firms, such as Philips and Sony, along with dedicated, high-end audio companies such as Bose and Klipsch.
So What is a Soundbar?
As the name suggests, most are bar-shaped structures around 40 inches or longer in length, containing loudspeakers, an amplification system (in the case of active models), and a range of control and connectivity options. You simply place the unit on the stand under your TV or affix it to the wall on a bracket, hook it up to your television with a simple lead, flip a switch: start enjoying far better audio quality than you ever got from your TV’s own audio system.
Most units hold between two and five speakers. Some feature speakers angling outward at each end to produce a sense of space. In addition, most higher-end models feature a separate sub-woofer to deliver the rich bass that creates such a powerful effect when viewing sports programmes, movies, concerts and more.
Soundbar Reviews: The Verdict
If you’re a serious audiophile who plans to use the system to listen to music, or if you crave the full movie theatre or concert hall effect at home, you’d be better served investing in a component stereo or home theatre system. For most of us, however, soundbars work just great. They’re simple to use and deliver just the level of audio quality we need for a satisfying viewing experience while keeping our rooms uncluttered. And on top of that, they don’t cost the earth. What’s not to like?
Features
Most soundbars are refreshingly minimalist in form and function but some offer features that offer greater control over your unit.
- Controls
Most models simply feature an on-off switch, volume control, and connection panel at the back. Higher-end soundbars may also feature built-in controls to alter tone as well as volume. You can adjust bass or treble, for example, to suit your taste and enhance your listening experience. Some models feature presets with customised modes for speech, movies, different types of music, along with concert hall and other effects.
- Displays
In line with their minimalism, many makers of soundbars implement no display at all, save a power light. More advanced models offer LCD displays, generally taking the form of a number that indicates the volume level. Other displays can advise you as to which source the soundbar is currently hooked in. If you’re using a simple HDMI or AV input from your TV, the type of display probably won’t be important.
- AV Receivers
One question many buyers ask is whether it’s possible to connect a soundbar to an AV receiver. As receivers and most soundbars both contain amplifiers, it seems like a recipe for conflict. One point to consider is that the amplifiers in receivers tend to be more powerful than those in soundbars. That means it could be better to connect the receiver to external loudspeakers rather than to an active soundbar. Another option is to acquire a passive soundbar that has no amplification circuitry.
Finally, a few soundbar models are designed to be able to work with receivers. So if this is a priority, you should check for this feature when doing your research.
How the Top Soundbars Stack Up
Soundbars are generally great additions to any home entertainment system. So, with that said, here are how some of the technical aspects of some of the most popular devices on the market stack up against each other.
Sonos Beam | JBL Bar Studio | SAMSUNG HW-T450/XU 2.1 Sound Bar | |
Dimensions | 68.5 x 651 x 100 mm | 58 x 614 x 86 mm | 431 x 932 x 228 mm |
Weight | 2.8 kg | 1.4 kg | 1.5 kg |
TV Connection | HDMI or Optical Audio | USB, HDMI, Optical Audio | HDMI, Optical Audio, Bluetooth |
Speakers | 1 tweeter, 4 full-range woofers | 2 tweeters, 2 full-range woofers | 2 tweeters, 1 separate bass unit |
Media Input | AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, HDMI | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, HDMI | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, USB |
Wifi Connectivity | Yes | No | No |
Special Features | No | No | A.I. driven sound balancing |
Soundbar Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
How to Find the Right Soundbar
Be sure to match the size of your chosen unit to the size of your TV. Take measurements of the height, width and depth of the area where you plan to position your soundbar.
You’ll also need to consider the size of your rooms. Soundbars are just fine for use in small to medium sized spaces, but larger areas may demand the use of more powerful AV receiver and speaker systems.
Decide whether you want to place your soundbar under your television on a cabinet or stand, or mount it on the wall. If the former, be sure there’s enough space to safely position it that it doesn’t block your TV’s remote control sensor.
If you’re investing in a platform-style model, be sure it can take the weight of your TV.
If you plan to acquire a model with separate subwoofer, consider where you’re going to position it. Choosing a wireless model will give you greater options, but bear in mind it will require a power source.
Check the connectivity options on your TV. Most modern televisions feature HDMI, optical and AV audio outputs, which are all you need for basic use.
If your TV features Dolby or some other enhanced digital audio output, you might want to choose a soundbar with built-in decoders that can render it.
Check that your soundbar comes with all the cables you need. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy them separately.
The best Soundbar Accessories
Once you've capitalised on a soundbar offer, you might want to consider some accessories or additional products to make sure you're getting the most out of your investment.
FAQs
Yes, soundbars are far and away the most cost effective options to create a home theatre environment and upgrade your entertainment experience.
Yes, most soundbars have wireless and/or bluetooth connectivity.
Yes, there are a variety of speaker systems that include multiple speakers and a separate woofer unit, giving you the ability to place the speakers wherever you want in the room to create a full surround sound experience.
Yes, as long as your television is a modern HD unit you will be able to attach a soundbar directly to your TV.
Yes, every soundbar will need it's own power source, although most will be able to wirelessly connect to smart devices once the speaker has been plugged in.
Where to Buy Your New Soundbar
You’ll find quality soundbars at great prices at all the major UK vendors including Amazon, eBay and Argos. Bargains abound in the run-up to the Festive Season, especially before and during Black Friday, these are a great time to look for a soundbar sale. Another good time to snap up a good soundbar deal is at the start of the academic year in September, when retailers offer soundbar deals to students. Meanwhile, in March, vendors push end-of-the-line appliances in readiness for the introduction of new models. Regardless, hotukdeals will always be the best place to start your shopping when looking for a cheap soundbar for yourself or a loved one.
The Best Soundbar Offers at hotukdeals
Whether you're looking for a louder Bluetooth speaker or something that takes movie night to a whole new level, you can rest assured that hotukdeals is still the best place in the UK to begin your search not only for the best soundbar deals but for any electronics product. We constantly post the best soundbar sales, deals, and offers from around the UK to make sure members never pay more than necessary.