The 6 Best Soundbars With Subwoofer - Fall 2024

The best soundbar with subwoofer we've tested is the Samsung HW-Q990D. This premium 11.1.4 setup is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q990C and comes with a large, powerful subwoofer to bring all the thump and rumble in the bass range. Unlike the previous generation, this model supports HDMI 2.1, allowing you to passthrough higher bandwidth signals like 4k at 120Hz, making it a great choice for gamers with a newer console. It also has a versatile sound—dialogue and instruments sound crisp and clear, whether you're watching TV or listening to your favorite tunes. Since the bar is super customizable in terms of sound, you can adjust the amount of bass with its graphic EQ and other presets.

This top-of-the-line soundbar supports immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos, and its satellites help spread sound effects to the space all around you for a clear and real feel. Its stereo soundstage isn't as impressive as other premium models, like the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. These are good options, especially if you already own products in those manufacturers' respective ecosystems. However, the Sonos and the Bose don't have as many sound customization tools, which isn't ideal for everyone.

If you're looking for a premium bar with a subwoofer at a more affordable price, check out the LG S95TR. This 9.1.5 setup offers a couple of changes from its predecessor, the LG S95QR, including an up-firing center channel, which is advertised to improve its height performance. It also supports that will appeal to LG TV owners, like WOWCAST Ready, so you can wirelessly connect the bar to your LG TV, and WOW Orchestra, which uses your TV's speakers to further amp up the bar's sound. This Atmos-compatible bar features a balanced default sound that can be adjusted via the EQ presets in the app. The AI Sound Calibration feature helps tune the sound to your room to get the best out of your acoustic space; plus, it can get loud with minimal compression.

That said, it lacks the surround performance and HDMI 2.1 compatibility of the Samsung HW-Q990D, so if you value an immersive sound or you're looking to use your soundbar as a hub between your console and TV, the Samsung may be worth the additional outlay. Samsung TV owners that are on more of a budget will want to check out the Samsung HW-Q800D, which offers comparable performance and build quality to the LG, with the ability to integrate your Samsung TV's speakers instead via Q-Symphony. You can still enjoy its balanced sound and Atmos support without a compatible TV. That said, the LG's discrete satellite speakers still give it the edge when it comes to soundstage and surround performance.

If you're looking for a solid bar in the budget range, check out the Vizio V Series V51-H6, the best soundbar with a subwoofer in the budget category we've tested. Its dedicated subwoofer brings plenty of thump and rumble in the low bass, so you feel the excitement in bass-heavy genres like EDM and intense scenes in your favorite movies. You can use its bass and subwoofer level adjustments to customize its sound if you prefer a little more boom. Its midrange remains quite balanced, too, so you don't have any trouble following the action on your screen, even with its punchy bass.

This soundbar stands out from other similarly priced models thanks to the included rear satellites. These two speakers are a handy add-on, especially if you like to watch a lot of multi-channel content found on many different streaming platforms. Essentially, they bring greater clarity to your audio, so sound effects seem more real in the space around you, as if your favorite movies were taking place in your living room. That said, like most bars in its price range, it doesn't enable you to take advantage of more immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, which is unfortunate. However, if you don't watch much Atmos content, it's still a solid option for bass lovers at a wallet-friendly price.

Not everyone has space in their living room for a dedicated subwoofer. In these cases, bars with built-in subwoofers offer a great alternative. The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX is the best one we've tested, and it's one of the few bars with a built-in sub that can reproduce a similar low-frequency extension to the top models on our list. You feel the deep thump and rumble in your seat, whether listening to bass-heavy music or action-packed movie scenes. Simply bump up the bass using the included bass adjustment feature to ensure you hear these frequencies at the same volume as others.

This soundbar supports many commonly used audio formats, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. Thanks to its unique 3D virtual surround mode, sound comes from over and around you, replicating the experience you get from systems with wireless speakers. That said, it's a large and heavy soundbar, which may not be ideal depending on the setup of your living space. If you want a more compact soundbar with a solid bass performance, check out the Sonos Arc or the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Neither of these bars replicates a low-frequency extension as impressive as the Sennheiser, but they still bring a solid amount of bass for standalone bars.

If your space is pretty tight or you have fussy neighbors downstairs, consider one of the best all-in-one soundbars instead.

Depending on the shape and size of your living room, you may prefer a smaller and more compact soundbar like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers. At less than 26 inches in width, this soundbar easily fits into your existing setup. It keeps the same style as the original Sonos Beam, but the second generation adds support for Dolby Atmos content that you're likely to find on many different streaming platforms and Blu-rays. Despite its small size, the bar uses psychoacoustic principles to stretch sound well past the edges of the bar itself, so you feel as immersed in your audio as you would with some of the larger options on the market.

While the bar is available on its own, adding the Sub Mini dramatically improves its bass reproduction. The small subwoofer packs a punch in the bass range, so you feel the thump and rumble in action-packed movie scenes and bass-heavy music genres. Plus, the subwoofer levels are adjustable, so you can add even more punch to the bass if you like. You can access a room correction feature called Trueplay, which optimizes the bar's output based on your room's unique acoustics. That said, this setup doesn't get as loud as the larger models, and more astute audiophiles will recognize that it doesn't reproduce as much height with Atmos content. Still, it's a solid pick if you're low on space.

Similarly, if you have a larger and more open living space, you'll want a soundbar capable of filling the room with sound. In that case, the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC is your best bet. It's a unique 9.2.4 setup with two subwoofers and four satellites to bring an immersive sound to your living room. The extra sub balances the bass reproduction throughout your room, so you don't notice any 'holes' or gaps in the soundstage, while the added satellites bring sound effects all around your room for a clear and life-like feel. Whether you're listening to surround sound or height content like Atmos, you'll feel right in the middle of the action on the screen.

This bar is the upgraded version of the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch with additional features, including eARC support, meaning you can enjoy DTS:X content on your favorite Blu-rays. However, compared to top picks like the Samsung HW-Q990D, sound enhancement features are limited. It doesn't offer a true room correction feature either, as it doesn't have a microphone to analyze your living space. That said, its unique Spatial Surround Elevation technology lets you choose between three different sound presets based on the size of your room, which is a nice touch. This setup's hefty design isn't ideal for all living spaces, and you may not have room for the extra sub and satellites. Still, it's a solid choice if you have a unique shape in your listening area.