Top 12 Best Soundbar for Gaming 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

Best quality gaming soundbars provide realistic and mesmerizing sound effects that improve audio immersion and give you competitive advantage. If you’re a gaming enthusiast, you must get the best soundbar because high quality sound greatly affects gaming experience.

Some gamers use headset or hands-free to enhance their gaming experience. However, this is not the only way to improve sound quality as soundbars are the devices that can take the surround sound to the next level. If you’re in the market for buying the best soundbar for gaming, read this post as it has all you need to know.

Top-Rated Soundbar for Gaming

Our Top Picks for the Best Soundbar for Gaming

Samsung HW-Q90R Soundbar Review

The Samsung HW-Q90R soundbar is a high-end flagship soundbar is a perfect choice for all the gaming enthusiasts out there. The soundbar features four upward firing drivers and rear speakers. Not only this, it also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X which enhances the sound quality by far. The soundbar is a wide one that makes it ideal for big screens.

There are some controls present on the top of the soundbar and a simple LED that indicates whenever the soundbar has received any command. It can deliver object-based audio formats and that too through a 7.1.4 channel setup. There are 12 speakers which include a subwoofer along with 17 drivers. Overall, the soundbar is the best soundbar for computer gaming in the market and no other speaker matches the its full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X experience.

Design

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a cleverly designed soundbar that features a carbon silver finish and metal grilles. It is a wide soundbar and thus you’ll need good space under your TV to accommodate it. However, if you don’t have much space below the TV, you can opt for the wall mounting feature. The right and left speakers have the same metal grilles and overall design as the main unit.

The subwoofer uses an 8 inch driver with side firing that is supported by a rear bass port. The design of this soundbar resembles that of the HW-N950 as there are same metal grilles used along with solid construction. The width of the soundbar tells that it is designed for large screen sizes, such as those of 65 inches and more. The remote is ergonomically designed and is equipped with play/pause button, central navigation, and a button for setting bass, treble, audio sync, and the volume level of the speakers.

 

Setup

The Samsung soundbar is easy to setup; you just have to place the soundbar under the TV and place the subwoofer facing the room. Also, put the rear speakers behind the main listening position for clear audio quality. One thing to remember is that, the upward firing drivers need a flat and low ceiling to perform better. The subwoofer and the rears are wireless but you still have to plug them in.

You can easily connect any lossless sources to the soundbar directly. The rest sources can be connected to the TV and then pass the audio back through the HDMI-ARC. To run the soundbar you just have to select the sound mode, adjust the level of wireless sub, and set the volume. There are lots of control options available through the app and the remote control.

Performance

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a successful soundbar with great immersive audio capabilities. The sound quality is excellent because of the input of Harman Kardon. The left and the right speakers integrate with the subwoofer and produce the desired sounds. The soundbar delivers good stereo separation too. If you want to check the sound quality, you must start by listening to two channel music. The stereo separation also results in precise location of instruments which improve the overall sound quality.

The soundbar seems expensive for a soundbar but it offers amazing value. If you decide to build a similar 5.1.4 channel system with different devices such as speaker, soundbar, and sub-combo, you’ll find it more expensive. The HW-Q90R is a well-designed soundbar that features four upward firing drivers, wireless rear speakers, and wireless subwoofer. It delivers a decent set of features along with fully specified HDMI at this price.

Sonos Playbase Review

The Sonos Playbase is equipped with almost all the features that you need for a good gaming experience. It has a sleek and stylish design and can be placed directly under your monitor. It is equipped with 10 custom made drivers that can turn your room into a gaming arena. The soundbar features capacitive touch controls, Sonos app for wireless control, and compatibility with more than 80 music services.

You can use your voice to control Playbase if you have any Alexa or Google Assitant enabled device. The volume can be controlled using a TV remote. There are other features such as Dialogue enhancement, Night Mode, and Playbar that improve the user experience. The Sonos soundbar features 10 class-D digital amplifiers along with 6 mid-range drivers and a 10-driver speaker system. The sound quality from the soundbar is amazing and immersive.

Design

The Sonos playbase has a compact design but is packed with plenty of features. The soundbar is equipped with three tweeters, one woofer, six midrange drivers, and the good thing is that each of the driver has its own amplifier. The soundbar is available in white or black color and has an overall streamlined aesthetic. There are few inputs and buttons; there is a single LED at the front that dictates the status of the device. For play/pause function, the soundbar has a touch-sensitive button.

The area surrounding the left and right of the play button allows you to control the volume. You can control other functions using the Sonos app or through the TV remote. There is a place to plug in the power cord at the back of the soundbar and there is an optional Ethernet port too along with an optical digital audio connection. The soundbar isn’t equipped with HDMI and this can cause trouble if your TV doesn’t have as many inputs as you require.

Setup

The Sonos Playbase is also easy to setup and operate. The soundbar is designed to be placed under the TV stand and it can’t be mounted on the wall. There are very little things that you have to do to setup the soundbar. You have to plug the speaker in the socket and then connect the digital optical audio cable to the display. The rest of the setup process is through the Sonos’ app; you just have to go through some screens such as to connect to WiFi and then move on.

The soundbar doesn’t come with a remote and thus you have to learn to do the settings using your TV’s remote control. You can also control the volume with the touch-sensitive buttons on the soundbar or use the app for that.  

Performance

The Sonos Playbase delivers an amazing performance for movies. The bass adds resonance to the dialogues when you’re watching your favorite movies or shows. At any volume, the music sounds amazing and the stereo separation is good too. The Playbase can sync with other Sonos speakers and this allows you to create a true surround sound setup.

To use the soundbar, you don’t need a receiver, you just have to plug and play and start with it. The optical-only connection limits you to Dolby Digital 5.1 and that’s one drawback. The Sonos Playbase is inexpensive and is a great option if you want to improve your movie watching and music listening experience.

Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar Review

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is a mid-range compact device with amazing audio performance. The soundbar has a self-contained audio system and is designed to fit anywhere easily. Though the subwoofer is built-in but the bar doesn’t compromise on size and has a slim design. The best thing that defines this soundbar’s performance is the Sony’s proprietary Vertical Sound Engine.

The soundbar has an inclusive 2.1 design and there are left and right mid-range drivers located on the sides of the integrated dual driver subwoofer. The good news for gamers is that it has a game mode that it is fine-tuned with the assistance of Sony PlayStation. The soundbar features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content too. Overall, the design and sound quality of the soundbar is exceptional and is perfect for gaming.

Design

The Sony HT-X8500 is a smart and slim soundbar; it is a narrow and long device with two wide-range drivers at both ends and dual subwoofers in the middle. You can place the soundbar in front of the TV on a table or wall mount it below the TV. Whatever way you choose place the soundbar, the best location is below the TV. The soundbar is a bit tall and thus if you place it on the same table as the TV, make sure that it doesn’t block the IR receiver or the bottom of the screen.

The HT-X8500 features a metal grille that covers the drivers. The top panel is textured and it gives a unique look to the soundbar. There are touch-sensitive buttons for source selection, power, Bluetooth, and volume control. There are six indicator lights for DTS:X, Atmos, Vertical Surround, HDMI, TV, and Bluetooth. The soundbar’s status is indicated through indicator lights and there is no display on it at all.

There are very few ports and inputs on this soundbar which include HDMI input, HDMI output, optical audio input, and a power input. The Soundbar features Dolby Vision support and allows HDMI pass-through of up to 4k resolution with HDMI-CEC and HDR.

 

Setup

The sony soundbar is a simple device and it is a single piece with no attachments. All you have to do is to power it up and connect to the TV through HDMI, especially the port that supports ARC/eARC. If your TV doesn’t support ARC/eARC, you’ll need optical audio port. You can use this connection directly for set-top boxes, PC, PS4, and game consoles. If you want to pair your smartphone or Bluetooth audio players, you’ll just have to hold down the Bluetooth button present on the soundbar and then follow the steps to pair it.

The Sony soundbar is easy to setup as you need two cables only; one for audio and the other for powering it up. Whether you’re choosing optical audio route or ARC, it’ll be easy to setup and take only a few minutes. The soundbar isn’t too suitable for mid to large rooms because the volume isn’t high enough.

Performance

The soundbar delivers amazing sound quality, but the sound doesn’t stretch out to all the corners of the room if it’s large. The extremes of the frequency range are good and the treble sparkles without destroying the sound quality. The soundbar is simple but it is very effective and is perfect for a home entertainment system. The soundbar is far better than the built-in speakers of the TV or monitor because the cinematic audio sounds superb.

The Sony HT-X8500 offers good value for money as it features Dolby Atmos and is cheaper than other sounbars of same configuration. The soundbar isn’t a premium one but is overall a decent mid-range one that is suitable for all TV types.

Yamaha YAS-108 Review

The Yamaha YAS-108 is a good quality soundbar and is packed with amazing features for all the gamers out there. The soundbar features Bluetooth support, 4K passthrough, and HDMI to mention some of the features. The device is quite compact and lightweight and still delivers amazing bass and high crisps. There are built-in subwoofers which eliminate the need of additional speakers.

The soundbar is equipped with 3D surround sound that enhances the voice and creates maximum immersion. It is an entry level soundbar with HDR support that allows the users to connect 4K Ultra HD sources to the soundbar directly. It also supports multiple Bluetooth connections which allows you to connect to two Bluetooth devices to the soundbar simultaneously.

Design

The Yamaha Yas-108 has a flat and low design and is designed to sit flat on the TV, or attach on the wall. The soundbar includes twin 3-inch subwoofers and two sets of dome tweeters and woofers that feature bass ports at both ends of the bar. The speaker has a built-in gyroscope that changes the sound according to the position of the device. The Yamaha soundbar is an entry level sounbar and there is no on-screen display. However, there is a series of LEDs that indicate the volume an input selection.

The sounbar has capacitive touch controls for volume, source selection, power, and mute. The remote control has physical buttons and has a good layout for a budget soundbar. The case of the soundbar is enclosed in a black mesh and it doesn’t take much space because of its compact design. Though it is small and compact, it is powerful enough to fill a medium sized room.

Setup

The Yamaha Yas-108 features an easy setup process. If you connect a streaming player to the HDMI in and the soundbar to your TV, you’ll be watching TV in some minutes. Pairing the device with Bluetooth for listening music is also a breeze. The soundbar also features a couple of mix and match sound modes that help you customize the sound according to your taste. There is surround mode, 3D surround, and stereo sound that you can choose from.  

Performance

The YAS-108 delivers amazing sound for its cost and size. It produces a wide sound field and crisp treble. It generates enough bass even without subwoofer and makes sure that the sound doesn’t distorts and rattles the floor. The dialogues are clear and music seems perfect too. The soundbar features strong 4K Ultra HD compatibility but doesn’t support Dolby Vision or HDR10+.

The YAS-108 is equipped with almost all the input ports you’ll need such as the HDMI, 3.5 mm analog, Toslink optical, and Bluetooth wireless. The YAS-108 doesn’t support the multi-room music streaming technology because there is no Wi-Fi. However, it supports multiple Bluetooth connections and it allows to connect two Bluetooth devices the soundbar at the same time. The remote control is excellent and the buttons are logically and neatly laid out. If you’re in the market for an entry level soundbar, the Yamaha YAS-108 is the favorite.

Bose SoundTouch 300 Review

The Bose SoundTouch 300 is designed not only for delivering excellent sound for gaming but also for producing great audio quality for any type of entertainment. The subwoofer highlights the base and the sound clarity is amazing. Though the soundbar is on the expensive side, but it is worth it because it is equipped with amazing features for the gaming enthusiasts.

The soundbar has a stylish design as it features a tempered glass top and a mesh front along with LEDs at the top left side. The soundbar can be mounted on the wall or placed on a table. It is a 3.0 channel soundbar equipped with ‘PhaseGuide’ technology and ‘QuietPort’ that makes sure that the bass is good. It also features HDMI and ARC-enabled output along with Dolby digital and DTS decoding. There is a 3.5 mm headphone jack available too.

Design

The SoundTouch 300 is one of the best-looking sounbars available on the market. It features a tempered glass top and a mesh front with various input LEDs on the top. The soundbar can be mounted on the wall and placed on the top of a table. There are very few controls on the unit, like there are no power or volume buttons, but there are buttons on the side. However, the remote control is comprehensive and allow you to perform various functions with ease.

The soundbar doesn’t feature 2.1 configuration, because there’s no subwoofer. The base of the soundbar is equipped with two non-slip rubber pads that allow it to stand firmly on the surface. There are various connections at the back, which include HDMI with ARC, optical digital audio input, HDMI loop through, Ethernet, Adaptiq microphone input, Acoustimas jack, and micro USB connection. The soundbar looks sleek and stylish and is lightweight too.

Under the case, there are four full-range drivers and a centered tweeter; all of them are front facing. The bass ports are present on the rear panel and are supported by phase guides on both ends of the soundbar.

 

Setup

Connecting the soundbar via Bluetooth is very easy, there’s an NFC field on the top panel for the compatible devices. The app for the soundbar is free and it allows you to connect the soundbar to your home network easily. You can also access the music library and control some music zones within your place.

The soundbar can also be accessed through the SoundTouch app that is available for Android and iOS. The app is designed for streaming music from smartphone mainly and there are no other controls. With the app you can also access Amazon music, Spotify, Pandora, and other devices.

Performance

The audio is crisp and clear but if you increase the bass to a high level, the sound rumbles a bit. The overall stereo image is wide and there is a surround sound effect too. The app allows you to increase the center channel volume that helps in decreasing the wideness. The soundbar does a perfect job with the dialogues as they appear clear and sharp.

The immersive presentation is good for movies but if you want full surround sound system, you can pair the ST300 with the brand’s speakers. The soundbar is also compatible with Bose SoundTouch wireless multi-room system that includes smaller Bluetooth speakers. If you have an HDMI ARC-enabled TV, then the Bose SoundTouch 300 is a breeze to use. Also, the 4K HDMI support will make it easier for connecting the next gen AV components.

Creative Sound BlasterX Katana Review

The Creative SoundBlaster soundbar has a strong build and is a bit heavier as compared to other models discussed here. The speaker is angled upwards and the design is overall excellent for delivering good audio quality. There are separate speakers on the side too that project the sound to the sides slightly. The soundbar is equipped with 7.1 surround sound which delivers exceptional sound.

The soundbar though heavy, has a compact design and it doesn’t occupy much space. You can easily stream high resolution WAV and FLAC audio files because it’s got a DAC capable of 24-bit/96 Hz lossless playback via optical or USB. The soundbar is powerful with perfect volume and excellent bass that can improve your gaming experience by far. The soundbar delivers excellent value for money and is one of the best budget soundbars for gaming.

Design

The Sound BlasterX Katana has a sturdy design and has an attractive floating look. The speaker is positioned slightly upward toward the user which makes an excellent design audio-wise. There are separate speakers on each end that are covered by grille and they project the sound towards the sides slightly. The soundbar has a heavy weight feel but it looks sleek and slim because it has a low height and depth. The device has a brushed aluminum finish which gives a premium look to the whole unit.

The subwoofer and the soundbar, both are constructed from plastic but the aluminum finish gives a heavy duty look. The soundbar comes in a large box, which is too large mainly because of the subwoofer. There are buttons and dual speakers but they won’t be used too much because you’ll be heaving remote control with you.

Setup

The Katana is a bit difficult to setup because the subwoofer must be connected to the soundbar using a short cable. The power cable of the soundbar connects to the external power pack first and then it goes into the wall socket. All the inputs are present at the back and the layout is overall quite simple. From left to right you’ll see the subwoofer connector, power input, aux in, mic in, optical input, 3.5 mm jack, and a USB input.

If you have the Sound Blaster Connect desktop app, you can play from a playlist too, but this feature is only available for PC. You can also connect your PS4 using the optical input and you’ll be playing your favorite game within minutes. The speaker is equipped with Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder and features 24-bit high res DEC which you can use through the USB connection.

Performance

The SoundBlasterX Katana is very loud and you can hear everything at max volume even if you’re in other room. The subwoofer does a good job in separating the low end from the other elements in the music. The soundbar produces good sound and is an ideal choice if you’re up for setting a home theatre room. The soundbar is powerful and slim and has got Bluetooth. It has superb volume and bass levels and has a space saving design. The Katana comes in very handy if you have a super wide screen with a 21:9 aspect ratio.

Dell AC511 Review

If you’re looking for something that is affordable and functional both, then Dell AC511 is perfect for you. The Dell AC511 is the best budget soundbar for gaming. You can connect the device to your PC using a USB for a gaming experience that is enriched with thumping lows and all around immersion. It has an integrated volume control knob which allows you to adjust the sound quickly according to your comfort level.

The sound quality of this soundbar is awesome and it will deliver the sound which you expect from large speakers. The soundbar is compatible with all the latest Dell monitors such as the Ultra Sharp monitors, E model, and P model. The music is very crisp and clear from this soundbar and there is a headphone jack which allows you to listen to the music privately. The soundbar is very simple to use and there is no extra software to run the device.

Auna Areal Bar 460 Review

The Auna Areas Bar 460 is one of the best soundbars in terms of connectivity and price. The good thing is that the soundbar is available with many different connections which include stereo, TV, Blu-Ray, DVD, and even video game consoles. The soundbar is equipped with expert control panel that allows you to choose various functions that you want to perform. There is a remote control available too that allows you to have good control over the soundbar.

The soundbar has a power of 60 watts which allows you to listen better to the games, shows, movies, and music. The subwoofer 2.1 can emit distortion free audio and there are two integrated broadband speakers of 6.5 cm each. There is a 3.5 mm Aux in jack and RCA input for HiFi. The wireless connections include Bluetooth and WiFi.

Creative Stage Air Review

The Creative Stage Air looks like a mini sound bar because of its compactness. It can easily sit below your gaming monitor and can provide an amazing and immersive sound while you play your favorite games. It streams via Bluetooth and has a 3.5 mm aux port too. Overall, the Stage soundbar delivers excellent audio quality for this price.

The soundbar is equipped with 5W drivers inside and though the output isn’t too loud, but it is clear and crisp. The soundbar comes with a subwoofer that gives solid performance for improving gaming performance.

Design

The Creative Stage Air has a shiny plastic exterior and it features a perforated grille at the front that covers the dual full-range drivers and a passive bass radiator. Behind the grille you’ll find a status LED that will indicate whether the speaker is on or off. There are four buttons present on the right which include volume, Bluetooth pairing, track navigation, and power. The back panel features a micro USB port, a 3.5 mm aux input and a USB port for playing MP3.

Setup

The instructions for setting up the soundbar are present on the product’s website. The good thing is that if you can’t have a wired connection, you can have it paired via Bluetooth. The Stage Air features Bluetooth 4.2 and works with SBC audio codec only. So, if you’re looking forward to stream through AAC for iOS and macOS or aptX for Android or Windows, you won’t get the best results.

The Stage Air is equipped with battery power that lasts for 6 hours. The Creative Stage Air offers various setup options; the soundbar performs best when placed in a closed setting as compared to a large living room.

Performance

The Stage Air soundbar is equipped with 5W drivers and thus the output isn’t too large. The bass is prominent and the highs are flat while the treble is the weakest. There are no particular audio modes to boost fidelity. You can use this soundbar just to boost the small speakers because this soundbar doesn’t have a large footprint. Overall, the Creative Stage Air offers a good sound and it comes with a subwoofer. However, if you’re a gamer you must look for a soundbar that is louder than this.

TaoTronics Gaming Review

The TaoTronics Gaming is a premium quality soundbar with LEDs. It features vibrant and bright RGB accents that matches with your PC and improve your gaming performance. You just have to connect through your Bluetooth or use a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable that will allow you to achieve dynamic stereo audio.

The soundbar features a user-friendly control panel that is equipped with easy volume adjustments. The front of the speaker is covered with speaker grille on the entire surface and the back has an optical input which allows you to connect it to the TV or PC. There is a built-in LED display which tells you when its switched on.

Razer Leviathan Review

The Razer Leviathan is a cool gaming soundbar that supports auxiliary and Bluetooth signals and optical audio. The soundbar enhances the gaming experience and the loud bassy sound may also inspire the movies and music lovers. This is Razer’s first soundbar and is designed to save space on the gaming desk. The soundbar is designed to work under the monitor as well as HDTV. The Razer soundbar includes Bluetooth connectivity and a subwoofer too.

Design

The soundbar is around 20 inches long and fits nicely on the desktop under your monitor. It has a black perforated grill on the front with the Razer logo in the middle. The grill is a bit transparent and you can see the drivers and tweeters through it. The soundbar requires a wired connection that provides power to the subwoofer too.

There is a large power button on the top of the soundbar, and there are other controls present on the top edge. You can control the volume and choose your input too such as the 3.5 mm analog or Bluetooth, or the optical digital audio. You can also use the sound modes such as the movie, game or music.

Setup

You can use the digital optical cable to connect the soundbar to the monitor. The soundbar includes NFC to connect to the Android devices with a touch. You can also connect it to an iPhone device using Bluetooth. The soundbar supports aptX that improves the fidelity of the streamed music. After you’ve connected the soundbar, it offers some adjustments so that you customize the sound quality. You can adjust the placement of the soundbar so that it directs better sound towards you while gaming.

Performance

The Razer Leviathan produces good sound and if you love low-end effects and surround sound, you’ll love it. The Razer soundbar delivers enough sound to fill a large room but we recommend placing it close to you so that you get the best sound quality while gaming. While playing Battle Royale games, the soundbar will help you have a more immersive experience as compared to the speakers present in your monitor.

The Razer soundbar is aimed at gamers and the loud bass and surround sound improves the overall gaming experience. There is no remote control available for the soundbar and you can control it using the controls provided on the device. The soundbar is powerful and it works for any console.

Razer Leviathan Review

Bose Solo 5 has a small size and is very easy to use. The gaming soundbar offers good clarity to dialogue and is perfect for a low profile setup. It is a budget soundbar with ultra-compact design and also comes with a universal remote for ease of use. It has a beautiful design and makes sure that your desk is clutter free. The sound quality is no doubt better than those of your monitor, and thus it improves the overall gaming experience.

The Bose Solo 5 falls short when it comes to wireless subwoofer and it also lacks a front panel display. Also, the soundbar is good for a small sized setup only. Overall, the Bose Solo 5 gaming soundbar is very easy to use and is available at a very reasonable price. If you’re looking forward to boost the sound quality of your gaming rig in a budget, the Bose Solo 5 will never disappoint you and will enhance your gameplay.

Design

The Bose Solo 5 has a simple design, as mentioned earlier. The soundbar is designed with the purpose of sitting underneath the screen of your monitor easily. There are no switches and buttons on the soundbar and the overall design is plain; there’s just a black grille at the front and black plastic at the top and the sides. There are two drivers behind the grille positioned at the center and is angled a bit for delivering a wider sound field.

There are some LED indicators that change their color and let you know when some features are enabled. The LED indicators also change their color whenever you change their volume. You can control the soundbar using the remote which is a bit on the heavy side.

 

Setup

The Setup of Bose Solo 5 is straight forward, you just have to place the soundbar on the stand and then place the monitor over it. All of the home theatre gear connects directly to the monitor (most probably through HDMI) then you connect your screen’s audio output to the soundbar. Just plug in the soundbar’s power cord and that’s all. The soundbar has two bass ports at the back and thus you should make sure that the soundbar is placed few inches apart from the wall.

Performance

The dimensions of the Bose Solo 5 are too small, and they effect on its performance too. Keep in mind that if you have a small screen, it will benefit more from the Bose Solo 5 soundbar as compared to a larger screen. The voices are projected better and in good clarity; you won’t have to use the dialogue mode that is included in the soundbar modes. The midrange is direct and focused, and features a crisp and controlled treble.

The bass lacks and the soundbar falls short when it comes to action scenes such as impact to huge explosions. You can also use the bass boost option which can make the sound a little more substantial, but this way the midrange clarity is sacrificed. The Bose Solo 5 is a nice soundbar if you think of boosting the overall sound quality of your gaming monitor.

Things you MUST KNOW before choosing your Best Soundbar for Gaming

Including a good quality soundbar to your gaming rig can provide that extra oomph to your gameplay and keep you more immersed. There are a plethora of soundbars available on the market and thus it is imperative that you make the right choice for yourself. There are some factors that you must consider before you buy the best soundbar for computer gaming. Following are the factors that you must consider:

Size and Design

It is very necessary that you consider the design and size of the soundbar you’re going to choose. A soundbar should match the size of your PC station or desktop so that its comfortable to use. Make sure that you are able to place the soundbar easily on the desk without sacrificing your comfort. Ease of setup and installation should also be considered; the most advanced and powerful soundbars take only some minutes for installation.

Connectivity Options

Go for a soundbar that has many connectivity options and is compatible with your PC or laptop. Go for a model that is adapted to function for PC and television both so that you don’t have to buy different soundbars for each of them. Some soundbars use optical cables but HDMI is so far the best connectivity option. The HDMI supports more audio formats as compared to the optical cables and thus offers a more immersive experience.

Subwoofers

Some soundbars have dedicated subwoofers that are connected either wirelessly or with a wired connection. While others are not equipped with subwoofers for which you can buy separately. A subwoofer is needed if you want the feature of ‘reproduction of low-frequency audio’ in your soundbars. This feature allows you to listen to the exploding bombs, roaming vehicles, and the whumping sound of a helicopter’s blade.

Sound Quality

Look for the number of speakers that are included in the unit and whether there is additional equipment to improve the sound quality or not. Also, consider the channels; two channels means it has left and right channel while three channels mean there is a center channel too and so on. Some soundbars also support Dolby Atmos surround sound which refer to the dedicated drivers that produce bouncing sound and fire upward towards the ceiling.

What is a gaming Soundbar?

A gaming soundbar is one that delivers acoustics in an outward arc. This makes sure that the sound output is proper and enough to fill a gaming room. Most of the gaming soundbars have an elongated construction which is designed for placing it parallel to the display. A good quality soundbar provides an immersive surround sound experience. This soundbar will allow you to capture each and every footstep that your enemy takes so that you remain attentive all the time and enjoy the high quality cinematic soundtracks with peace.

How does a gaming Soundbar work?

A gaming soundbar works similar to a regular speaker as it produces the output sound through the electroacoustic transduction method. The soundbar first converts the audio signals into audible sound waves and then deliver the sound into the environment in the form of sound waves. A gaming soundbar produces a detailed output, and thus it differs from a speaker in this regard. Soundbars have a unique design that allows them to project the sound waves in curve form for good sound quality and distance. Soundbars thus offer many benefits to the PC and console gaming.

What are the benefits of a Soundbar for Gamers?

Soundbars differ from manufacturer to manufacturer; all of them are loaded with lots of features and a variety of gear. There are extra features like multiple speakers, subwoofers, and remote controls that are equipped in a soundbar and it all depends on the model you choose. Soundbars have many benefits for gaming, some of which are as follows:

• If you’re looking forward to enjoy quality sound and immersive experience, a soundbar is a must. Not only will it add more value to your gameplay, but will also allow you to achieve more in a short time. This is because it will enable you to hear the minute details with amplified basses and nice tones.
• Soundbars provide a crisp and clear sound regardless of the platform you use for gaming. Whether you’re playing on a console or PC, you’ll be enjoying an immersive sound experience that will keep you involved in your gameplay. Also, some of the best gaming soundbars are equipped with Bluetooth technology and plug-and-play designs that promote universal connectivity.
• Gaming soundbars have a sleek and stylish design and they are designed to sit parallel to the screen. These soundbars come in a variety of form factors and you can choose one according to your preference. You can get the fancier soundbars that are equipped with LED illumination to complement your gaming rig.
• Many gamers prefer playing with headsets for a good sound experience, but soundbars are another good option for those who want to enjoy immersive sound with true-to-life audio. If you’re playing your favorite FPS game, you can easily pinpoint your enemy’s location or track from where the bullets have been fired.

How to install a Soundbar?

Gaming soundbars come with different installation requirements, and you must go through the instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid any mistake. Some are very easy to install; they just offer plug-and-play designs and are equipped with wireless and Bluetooth connectivity for pairing the device to the screen. The good thing is that, the most expensive and most powerful soundbars are easy to setup and you can have the running in a few minutes. Following are the factors which you need to consider before installing a soundbar:

Soundbar Placement

Soundbar placement is an important factor for installation. If your gaming rig is on a stand, shelf, table, or cabinet, you can place the soundbar just below the monitor. This is the best location since the sound will come directly from the area that you’re looking at; and that is the best option for gaming. For proper placement of the soundbar, you must first measure the space between the bottom of the TV and the stand or table. This way you’ll be able to make sure that the soundbar doesn’t block the screen.

Soundbar Connections

Once you have placed your soundbar in a good location, the next step is to make the connections. If you’re mounting the soundbar on the wall, make sure that connections are made before you are going to mount the soundbar. The positioning of the connections may vary but the basic ones for all soundbars include digital coaxial, digital optical, and analog stereo connections. The advanced soundbar connections include HDMI, subwoofer output, and Ethernet port.

Soundbar Setup

If your soundbar has a subwoofer, you’ll first need to find a place for soundbar. You’ll have to make sure that the soundbar is near the AC power outlet and delivers perfect sound from that location. After placing the soundbar, you’ll have to balance the subwoofer’s bass response with the soundbar so that the sound is in synchronization and is neither too soft nor too loud.

Some soundbars come with subwoofers and surround speakers, both. In such systems, the subwoofers are connected wirelessly to the soundbar but the speakers are connected to the soundbar through cables. To get the best sound from the speakers, place them about ten to twenty degrees behind the listening location. Also, make sure that the speakers are some inches away from walls or corners of the rooms.

Connecting to PC

Gaming soundbars are normally equipped with multiple options for connecting to the PC. Most of the gaming soundbars use Bluetooth for the connection, however, some of them use a cable that goes directly into the PC audio output. Gaming soundbars are very flexible and they offer a lot of connection options to the users. No matter how you decide to connect your soundbar to the PC, the process is simple and the sound quality is superb.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The above soundbars are perfect for gaming and they’ve been picked because of their performance, features, and quality. While testing the soundbars, we played various games, music, and movies and then evaluated the overall sound quality. We also considered the soundbar’s wattage, ability to be mounted, input/output, and supported media channels.

All the soundbars reviewed in this post are perfect for gaming. If you’re not on a budget, we recommend going for the Samsung HW-Q90R and Sonos playbase as they are equipped with some amazing features for the gamers. If budget is a constraint, you can buy the Sony HT-X8500 which is a mid-range one and is equipped with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.