Can’t hear what’s playing on TV? It’s not your ears, its the flat screen. These affordable soundbars can help
Modern flat‑screen TVs often have tiny built‑in speakers that struggle to reproduce clear dialogue and full‑range audio. Affordable soundbars can significantly improve the listening experience without the need for expensive home‑theater systems. The article highlights several recommended models, including the Vizio AIO and Sony Theater Bar 5, with prices starting around $128 and $348 respectively.
- ▪Flat‑screen TV speakers are typically too small to deliver balanced sound, making dialogue difficult to hear.
- ▪A dedicated soundbar can enhance TV audio for as little as $100, offering better bass, clarity, and dialogue comprehension.
- ▪The Vizio AIO soundbar, priced around $128, provides strong bass and clear mids despite its compact size.
- ▪Sony’s Theater Bar 5, costing about $348, adds a subwoofer for improved performance in small to medium rooms.
- ▪Both soundbars lack advanced features like Wi‑Fi or extensive equalizers, relying on HDMI ARC/eARC connections for control.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — Tech |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jul/29/tv-speakers-soundbars |
| Publication time | Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:15:34 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-29T14:38:08.435Z |
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Basis: Derived from the published RSS/Atom feed. Contact: [email protected]. Reviewed: 2026-07-24.
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Photograph: Courtesy of BoseView image in fullscreen Photograph: Courtesy of BoseThe Filter USLife and styleCan’t hear what’s playing on TV? It’s not your ears, its the flat screen. These affordable soundbars can helpGet rid of subtitles to hear what movies and TV shows are supposed to sound like – for as little as $130 I tested 42 pairs of wireless earbuds to find the best in the US, and I never want to listen to Fast Car again Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Ryan WaniataWed 29 Jul 2026 10.15 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.Your TV sounds awful.
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