Are you searching for the best soundbar without a subwoofer? You’re in luck!
We’ve compiled an extensive list of 7 top soundbars without subwoofers to help you decide which product to buy.
We will also guide you on how to place your soundbar, along with a few essential FAQs on setting up your soundbar.
Let’s get started!
🧐A Quick Preview of Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer In 2023
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | SAMSUNG – HWM650
| See Discounted PriceRead Full Review |
 | YAMAHA YAS108
| See Discounted Price Read Full Review |
 | SONOS BEAM
| See Discounted Price Read Full Review |
 | BOSE SOUNDBAR 700
| See Discounted Price Read Full Review |
 | VIZIO SB3820-C6
| See Discounted Price Read Full Review |
 | BESTISAN S6520 SOUNDBAR
| See Discounted Price Read Full Review |
 | BOSE SOLO 5
| See Discounted Price Read Full Review |
Also Read: Turning on Amplifier But Don't Have Your Remote? Here's your troubleshooting tutorial!
- 🧐A Quick Preview of Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer In 2023
- 🔰 Comparison of Soundbars Without Subwoofers
- #1 SAMSUNG HW-MS650
- #2 YAMAHA YAS108
- #3 SONOS BEAM
- #4 BOSE SOUNDBAR 700
- #5 VIZIO SB3820-C6
- #6 BESTISAN S6520 SOUNDBAR
- #7 BOSE SOLO 5
- 🎦 Setting Up Your Soundbar: Where And How To Place Your Soundbar?
- Essential Tips While Setting Up Your Soundbar
- 💡 Frequently Asked Questions
🔰 Comparison of Soundbars Without Subwoofers
| Product | Sound Quality | Build & Design | Connectivity | Easy to Install | Added Features | Final Score |
| SAMSUNG HW-MS650 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| YAMAHA YAS 108 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| SONOS BEAM | 7/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| BOSE SOUNDBAR 700 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| VIZIO SB3820-C6 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| BOSE SOLO 5 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| BESTISAN S6520S | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
#1 SAMSUNG HW-MS650
Pros
- Premium build and design.
- Stunning and detailed sound quality eliminates the need for a subwoofer.
- Feature-rich: Alexa Built-In, Samsung Multiroom App, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4K HDMI port, Distortion Canceling.
- Super easy to set up and get it running. If you have a Samsung Smart TV, all the better.
Cons
- Bulkier design.
- It lacks stereo definition at quieter volumes, which would put off only the very peculiar of high-fidelity listeners.
- At almost 42 inches long, it might look out of place with smaller TV sets.
Considered one of the best soundbars in the market, the Samsung HW-MS650 is a certified grade-A sound beast.
Also Read: The Simple Step-By-Step Guide To Reset Your Samsung Soundbar [Updated]
Sound Quality
It comes built with nine speakers, each with a dedicated amplifier driver. The system gives out a rich, crisp, and HD response. The stereo imaging is exceptional and gives a theater-like immersive listening experience with surround sound.
Deep Bass
The bass is deep; the high and mid-frequencies are crystal clear. There are multiple sound tuning presets to select. The soundbar is loud and dominant, given its size and build.
Features
The distortion canceling advanced technologies technology predicts and cancels out distortion before it happens, along with a “wide ranger” tweeter, which covers a significant frequency range – giving you the best audio experience.
Connectivity
There is a 4K HDMI connection port loop-through system, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, enabling you to play music through the smart soundbar using Samsung’s Multiroom application.
Design and Easy Setup
The HW-MS650 is designed flawlessly, with a sleek, high-quality build and a grille mesh covering the speakers. It looks premium, it looks polished, and it looks regal. It does stand a bit tall at 78mm, so you might want to consider the height at which your Samsung TV sits above the surface not to cover the IR sensor.
All in all, a premium soundbar that makes your TV-watching experience lavish and thick with audio indulgence.
#2 YAMAHA YAS108
Pros
- Immersive sound quality
- Loads of connectivity options, making it reasonably simple to set up.
- Dolby and DTS:X support is a plus.
- A balanced choice that lives up to its brand name.
Cons
- There are newer YAS versions available – like the 109.
- It has a weaker bass response comparatively, given its two mini built-in subwoofers.
- Lacks Wi-Fi connectivity.
Yamaha is a world-renowned audio company that never fails to impress. The YAS 108 is definitely the one that lives up to the brand name.
Also Read: Soundbar vs Bookshelf Speaker Compared
Sound Quality
Though no external wired or wireless subwoofer accompanies the soundbar, the Yamaha YAS 108 soundbar has two mini 3-inch built-in subwoofers. And the sound comes out thick and clean, given the two sets of tweeters that cover a decent frequency range.
There are several sound modes to choose from – 3D Surround fills the room with a significantly wider stereo sound. Bass Extension gives a pump to the bass but thins out the vocals.
Clear voice enhances the dialogues and mid-range frequencies at a slight cost of some low frequencies. The Surround & Stereo mode is possibly the perfect, most balanced choice.
Also Read: Top 7 Outdoor Soundbars You Can't-Miss This Holiday Season
Features & Connectivity
The YAS 108 has several features and options for wired connections – 4K HDMI and ARC ports, an optical digital audio port, and even an analog output for an external subwoofer, making the system a little more future-proof.
A standout is being able to connect two Bluetooth devices at once. You could connect your Smart TV and a home-assistant device like Google Home simultaneously, although only one device can be used for playback at a time.
Design & Ease of Setup
The YAS 108 is not the best, the most slender-looking bar on the list, but it does makeup in the sound quality department. It’s 2 inches tall and can be placed on a wall or sit flat in front of the TV. However you place it, the gyroscope inside the bar will optimize the sound performance accordingly.
#3 SONOS BEAM
Pros
- Provides decent audio feedback, given its compact size and minimalist build.
- Perfect for dialogue-heavy visual content.
- Good mid-range response.
- AI assistant support – Alexa, Google, Siri.
Cons
- Setup takes a bit of extra work unless there is HDMI ARC support.
- The bass is lackluster.
- No Dolby Atmos support.
- Not recommended for a cinematic experience
Sonos is a brand that goes under the radar quite often. The Beam soundbar is an entry-level product that seems to do its job.
Sound Quality
The Sonos Beam is one of those soundbars that lives up to its size and build. It provides a satisfying sound experience and stereo quality while ensuring you can seamlessly experience your favorite movies and shows.
The Beam has an excellent mid-range response. The vocals shine through beautifully, with a crisp and clear sound. Dialogues are heard very clearly, though compromising heavily on the surround sound and bass areas.
The bar lacks audio enhancement technology support in Dolby but makes up for it as it can easily fill up a room when used.
Features
One standout feature is the Alexa built-in assistant, which supports Google Assistant AND Siri. A mic is attached to the device for voice control, which requires you to sit a little closer to capture your voice correctly. The Sonos App is also an excellent way to interact with the speaker.
Connectivity
The bar has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connections, along with HDMI ARC and an Ethernet port connectivity.
Design & Ease of Setup
The Sonos Beam is compact, minimalistic, sleek, and a perfect soundbar for smaller setups. The buttons atop the speaker are touch-sensitive and bode well with the look.
Setting up the Beam is a piece of cake if your TV supports HDMI ARC since the device then syncs up the audio-visual with your TV and has everything working with your TV remote. Then you can use the Sonos App to control everything since no separate remote comes with Beam.
If you don’t have HDMI ARC on your TV, it’s a bit of a hassle. An optical adapter is provided; you just have to plug in the HDMI cable to power up Beam through the optical connection port.
Then you have to configure your system using the Sonos App, which might take some experimentation to ensure your setup is perfect.
Sonos has updated it's privacy policy. Wanna check it out?
#4 BOSE SOUNDBAR 700
Pros
- Premium build and design.
- Exceptional sound, excellent stereo field.
- Smart speaker – includes Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Feature-rich: ADAPATiQ, PhaseGuide Technology, Dolby, DTS support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, remote.
Cons
- 5.1 Surround System is only available after you buy compatible Bose products.
- The glass top reflects the TV and can be distracting.
- Weaker bass response.
At best, the Bose Soundbar 700 is a mixed bag, but we’d instead let the excellent sound quality speak for itself.
Sound Quality
The Bose Soundbar 700 has four mid-range drivers, two on either side of the central tweeter. There is a vivid range of high frequencies and balanced mid-range response, which is expected from an audio tech giant such as Bose.
The soundbar is loud, and it can easily fill up almost any room.
Though it lacks a bass response compared to other powerful speakers with subwoofers, it manages to hold its own. The Dialogue is of crystal-clear quality.
If you were to play an orchestral concert, you’d feel like you were there. The stereo imaging of the 700 is wild. It certainly is a premium-quality speaker.
Features
The 700 has various amazing features – especially those that make it a smart speaker.
It includes Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which can be linked up using the Bose app, allowing you to access music services like Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer, and TuneIn.
Bose’s PhaseGuide and QuietPort technology are also crucial. PhaseGuide sends audio to the sides of the smart soundbar to create a wider front soundstage, and QuietPort is in charge of providing more precise, punchier bass. Dolby and DTS are also supported.
Connectivity
The 700 features a standard HDMI ARC port, or you can connect it to your TV with an optical cable, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and remote control.
Design & Ease of Setup
The 700 comes with a neat, premium-looking slender build with a tempered glass top, which is very susceptible to smudging. It stands 2.25 inches high, which shouldn’t block your TV sensors.
It certainly enhances the look of your room with its high-quality design. It comes in two colors – Glossy Black and Arctic White.
You have to wear an ADAPTiQ headset while setting up the system and using the Bose App; the PhaseGuide technology is primed to enhance the soundstage of the 700.
ADAPTiQ automated calibration analyzes a wide range of frequencies by sweeping across the room and finding the perfect spot for optimal performance.
Truly a top-tier feature that should be implemented by other companies as well.
#5 VIZIO SB3820-C6
Pros
- The minimalistic design looks premium.
- Fantastic sound quality, especially the bass response.
- Dolby Digital, DTS TruSurround, and DTS TruVolume support.
- Multiple connectivity options.
- Bass and treble control.
Cons
- Customers have mentioned the soundbar takes a few days of continuous use to open up in terms of sound.
- Lack of HDMI support.
VIZIO is making noticeable progress in the audio tech domain. The SB3820-C6 soundbar makes a case for VIZIO as a reputable audio brand.
Sound Quality
The 38-inch SB3820-C6 has outstanding sound quality, especially in the bass end, even though the speaker has a 2.0 channel module. The Deep Bass technology indeed does its job.
The soundbar can deliver loud sounds up to 100 dB without fear of distortion and gives out clear sound, as there is less than 1% harmonic distortion even at higher volumes and larger spaces.
The balanced mid and upper range adds character and vibrance to the sound. Given how underrated the brand is, the SB3820-C6 is an absolute gem in the sound department.
Features
In the name of Dolby, DTS TruSurround, and DTS TruVolume support, premium audio technology adds the cherry on top of a vivid audio environment.
The soundbar is one of the few supporting such audio technology in this category. There is also bass and treble control, stereo, and surround sound mode presets.
Connectivity
Bluetooth is the staple connectivity option, including 3.5mm RCA, coaxial, optical, and USB ports.
Also Read: Vizio Soundbar Not Pairing [The Smartest Troubleshooting]
Design & Ease of Setup
You should include the SB3820-C6 within a complete home theater system or entertainment center if you plan to build one.
#6 BESTISAN S6520 SOUNDBAR
Pros
- Superb sound quality and a good bass response.
- Rich stereo field.
- Sleek, firm, and concise build.
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
- Multiple connectivity options.
Cons
- Lacks HDMI support.
- No Dolby or DTS support.
- It falls in the taller category at 4.1 inches high, which might block your TV IR sensor if placed in front of it.
The Bestisan Soundbar is a surprising addition to this list, but deservingly so. It is a speaker that can compete with the best but still comes at an affordable price.
Sound Quality
For a singular soundbar, the S6520 does a fine job. The strength of the bar lies in visual content, like movies and video games, with exceptional dialogue clarity.
The bar comes equipped with two 3-inch drivers with a couple of one-inch tweeters in the middle that provide an appropriate stereo field, and the bass end is unexpectedly good enough to make you feel the vibrations from the rumble.
The bar is clearly room-filling and gives an excellent value-for-money sound. Though there is a lack of Dolby Digital support, it isn’t really noticeable.
Features & Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0 offers splendid connectivity. The S6520 has three equalizer presets – movie, music, and dialogue, to fine-tune your experience.
A notable omission is the HDMI support. You can connect the bar using an RCA cable, Auxiliary port, USB, optical port, or Bluetooth.
Design & Ease of Setup
The build is sleek, with a plastic outer case and an additional wall mount configuration.
It gives a premium-looking feel in smaller room settings and is lavish enough with bigger setups. Setup is a breeze, just connect with your preferred choice of cable, and use the remote to control the device functions.
#7 BOSE SOLO 5
Pros
- Compact and rugged design.
- The universal remote is good, though noticeably bigger than your average soundbar remote.
- Good mid and high-range frequency response.
Cons
- Lack of depth in bass.
- The stereo field is bland and doesn’t offer surround sound.
- Lacks HDMI support.
- No Dolby or DTS support.
Moving on to more budget-friendly Bose audio products, the Solo 5 is a decent choice that offers just what it sells, nothing more, nothing less.
Sound Quality
The Bose Solo 5 is a neat offering, loud enough to grip you and flexible enough to blend in with your setup. The compact 2.0 channel speaker lacks character in the bass end but makes up for a commendable mid and high-range frequency response.
There is a dedicated bass boost and dialogue mode option, which does improve its performance a tad bit.
There is an apparent missing stereo field, and the speaker isn’t really dynamic in terms of sound. It does the job, though barely, for you to enjoy your content. As a Bluetooth speaker, it works really well.
Features & Connectivity
There is a considerable amount of lack of features in the Solo 5. Though there is Bluetooth support and a remote that helps you control the device easily, there are limited options for connectivity.
It lacks HDMI support, which is surprising given its Bose. Optical, coaxial, and 3.5mm RCA cables are the options to connect the soundbar to your TV.
The dialogue mode and bass boost modes add extra points to its arsenal, but almost every soundbar trumps the Solo 5 in offering more convenient features under the same category.
Design & Ease of Setup
The Solo 5 is a minimal, straight-to-the-point compact soundbar. Installing it in a smaller room with a smaller TV is better. The built quality is excellent and sturdy.
Setup is a breeze, just connect your choice of cable to your TV, and you’re good to go. You can use Bluetooth to connect to the speaker and play your favorite music.
There are no displays on the speaker and no control buttons either.
🎦 Setting Up Your Soundbar: Where And How To Place Your Soundbar?
Ideally, the best place for your soundbar is the front of a room and below the TV. But it depends on the room and your purpose as well.
Let us guide you on how to set up your soundbar speaker system!
Placing Your Soundbar:
The usual location to install a Soundbar is to mount it below your TV using wall mounts that might be provided with your soundbar. Placing them above the TV is also OK if it makes sense acoustically.
For example,
The soundbar can take up more sonic space if the speakers are more upward-directed or the ceiling is a bit high. Or it can be placed on a table, stand, cabinet, or any other piece of furniture.
Your room also plays a vital role in where the audio device is positioned.
Placing Below The TV:
The most common position since it’s the most aesthetically pleasing, as almost every soundbar is designed to mount or placed below the TV.
When a soundbar is placed under the television, it is mainly supposed to be at sitting level. The audio output is transmitted straight to you, eliminating any echo or reverb.
Most importantly, because the wiring is easily concealable and easy to manage, the cables can be connected without any hassle directly to the ports of the TV. And if there is a piece of furniture that can hold up the soundbar, there is no need for mounting.
Placing Above The TV:
Apart from aesthetic reasons, positioning a soundbar above the TV is usually done for particular reasons.
If your TV is set at a lower-than-average height, it will make sense to position the soundbar above the TV.
And if the soundbar has speakers that transmit sound upwards, then it is wise to install them above the TV, so they can take more sonic space and use the acoustics of the ceiling to reflect the sound from the walls.
Nevertheless, there are also a couple of advantages to this – like no blocking of the IR remote sensor and being away from dangers like water spills or accidental thumps.
Can I Position My Soundbar Vertically?
Well, in hindsight, you can. But it is advisable not to unless you are dealing with vertical soundbars since every soundbar has a specific design that is supposed to transmit sound in a fixed sonic direction.
For example, If you place your soundbar vertically, the sound might feel like it’s coming from the floor and the ceiling. It can also mess up the acoustic response and cause a weird auditory environment, removing the lushness of a rich, wide stereo sound.
Essential Tips While Setting Up Your Soundbar
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is a soundbar better than a subwoofer?
A subwoofer is the sub-bass system or the ‘bass box’, usually an add-on to the main speaker system, the soundbar.
It helps produce the low-end frequencies that an average soundbar cannot.
A smart soundbar does not necessarily need an external subwoofer, though.
Q2. When should you not use a subwoofer?
A subwoofer is unnecessary if your soundbar is sufficient to fulfill your audio needs. A subwoofer takes up space and requires a well-thought-out position to maximize its impact.
Although a subwoofer is a huge addition to your theater audio system setup.
Q3. How do I know if my soundbar works with my TV?
If your soundbar and TV both support HDMI ARC, they’re compatible. If not, you need optical and HDMI connections between your TV and the soundbar. Usually, you can activate ARC on your TV by following your TV’s HDMI settings. But mostly, almost all current-generation television sets and soundbars are compatible.
Q4. How to connect my TV to my soundbar?
This varies from the make and version of your soundbar and your TV. In most cases, you have to connect your HDMI cable to the HDMI ARC port of your soundbar, with one end into your TV’s HDMI IN port.
3.5 mm RCA cables can also be used if available and supported. Given that your soundbar has those features, you also get Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options for wireless connectivity if you own a Smart TV.
Q5. Are soundbars better than TV Speakers?
Absolutely. Since most television sets have adapted to a more sleek and slimmer flat screen design, there is little space for audio technology to be implemented to enhance the sound of TV speakers.
Soundbars are made primarily with audio enhancement in mind, so they’re always better than TV speakers.
About the Author
Rach Wellard
Rach Wellard is the driving force behind Sound & Solitude. Her mission is to help you discover the profound impact of sound in your daily life and to explore the beauty of solitude. With a deep passion for the connection between soundscapes and emotions, she brings a unique blend of expertise and personal dedication to our platform.
Rach understands that every individual's auditory journey is unique, and she’s here to guide you every step of the way. As a devoted audiophile, Rach’s discerning ear carefully selects the most exceptional products that align with your desires for Sound or Solitude. In a world filled with noise and chaos, Sound & Solitude serves as your sanctuary.
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