TV speaker, soundbar or surround sound system? All TVs will benefit from separate speakers, no matter how you connect them. Soundbars are the most practical upgrade for cinefiles, while a more complex multi-speaker surround-sound system will offer the best in immersive theatre.
TV speakers: what to look for
These are the questions to ask yourself before you begin your search for the best TV speakers for you...
What connectivity do I need?
The inputs needed will depend on the age and intelligence of your TV – the latest smart designs often come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless convenience. If you have an older model, be sure your chosen speaker or soundbar has either an HDMI or optical cable.
Can my existing speakers work with the TV?
Very possibly, if they have the right inputs. Apple’s impressive HomePod speakers work wirelessly with your TV, but only if you have an Apple TV box plugged into the back. Likewise, Amazon’s Echo devices can be connected via Bluetooth or if you’re using Fire TV. Find out more about the other voice-controlled speakers on the market to see if yours matches up with TV speakers.
choosing the right speakers for you
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Best TV speakers on the market
Best wireless TV speakers
Audio Pro A28
These may look like normal stereo bookshelf speakers, but there’s so much more going on. They’re active speakers, so there is no need for a separate amplifier; there’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity – with Spotify Connect – and they can slip seamlessly into a multiroom set-up, with Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Audio Pro’s own multi-room systems onboard.
They have a HDMI ARC input, meaning you can plug them directly into your TV, Blu-Ray or AV system and enjoy a brilliantly wide soundbar-beating soundstage. audiopro.com
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Best soundbar speaker for TV listening
Sonos Ray
Yes, it is technically a soundbar, but at about half the width (55.9cm) and half the price of most comparably sounding designs, it does a superb job enhancing the quality of your television’s audio. Simply connect to your TV via optical cable and use the Sonos smartphone app to tune the speaker’s sound output to the shape and size of your room. This may sound fanciful, but it really works, and you’ll be impressed by the scale of playback from such a compact unit.
As it is part of the Sonos multi-room family, you can stream audio to it over Wi‑Fi and, for true cinematic sound, create a complete surround-sound system with a pair of Era 100 speakers and Sub Mini subwoofer. sonos.com
The best all-round TV speaker
Sony HT-AX7
Appreciating that many of us no longer watch on a traditional TV, Sony has created this innovative fabric-covered Bluetooth speaker to enhance the audio from any screen, be that tablet, smartphone, laptop or even a Bluetooth-enabled smart television.
This Portable Theatre System has a battery life of 30 hours and when you want to enjoy a more immersive experience, the two ‘pucks’ on top of the main speaker unit lift off and become wireless satellite speakers that you position around you.
I’m a fan of established brands taking a chance on something new, and think Sony has done a superb job here. Compared to the sounds from mobile devices, the audio upgrade is an immeasurable improvement. This was especially true when I paired it with my portable projector (the Nebula Capsule) and watched Beethoven’s Ninth - Symphony for the World (Netflix) on an 80" screen, in spatial audio, while lazing in bed.
Innovation comes at a price, and if you only want to listen to music there are better options available – there’s no Wi-Fi, no HDMI or Optical outputs – but I love the wireless simplicity and the fact the satellite speakers effectively pull you into the onscreen action, even if you are (and whisper it) watching on your smartphone. sony.co.uk
