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If you have a small room and want to enjoy better sound quality from your TV or computer, you might be looking for a soundbar that can fit in your limited space. Soundbars are compact speakers that can enhance the audio performance of your devices without taking up too much room. However, not all soundbars are created equal, and some might be more suitable for small rooms than others. In this article, we will review some of the best soundbars for small rooms based on their features, performance, and price. We will also list the pros and cons of each product to help you make an informed decision.
Sonos Beam 2
The Sonos Beam 2 is the best soundbar with a small design we’ve tested. It has the same compact design as the original Sonos Beam, measuring less than 26 inches in width. Thanks to its small footprint, it’ll fit easily beneath your computer monitor or TV stand without crowding the space. Also, unlike the first-gen model, this soundbar has Dolby Atmos support, meaning you can enjoy object-based formats on Blu-ray discs and streaming services. If you move to a bigger space, you can upgrade it with a subwoofer and satellites.
Despite its small size, this premium 5.0 bar uses psychoacoustics principles to widen its soundstage past the edges of the bar itself, providing a wide and cinematic feel that makes it seem like you’re right in the middle of the action. Its bass and treble are adjustable, meaning you can customize its sound, and there’s even a TruePlay room correction feature to optimize its output based on your room’s unique acoustics.
Pros:
- Dolby Atmos support
- Wide and immersive soundstage
- Adjustable bass and treble
- TruePlay room correction
- Upgradeable with subwoofer and satellites
Cons:
- Expensive
- No HDMI inputs
- No remote control
Samsung HW-S61A
The Samsung HW-S61A is the best compact lifestyle soundbar we’ve tested. It has a sleek and minimalist design that blends well with any decor. It measures only 26.8 inches in width and 2.4 inches in height, making it ideal for small rooms. It also comes with a wall-mount kit if you prefer to save some space on your TV stand or desk.
This 4.0 bar delivers a balanced and clear sound that works well for dialogue-heavy content like TV shows and podcasts. It also supports Dolby Digital Plus and DTS Virtual:X, which can create a virtual surround sound effect that adds some depth and height to your audio experience. It has a built-in subwoofer that produces decent bass, but you can also connect an external one if you want more punch.
Pros:
- Sleek and minimalist design
- Balanced and clear sound
- Dolby Digital Plus and DTS Virtual:X support
- Built-in subwoofer
- Wall-mount kit included
Cons:
- No HDMI inputs
- No EQ presets
- Limited bass extension
Yamaha SR-C20A
The Yamaha SR-C20A is the best soundbar for dialogue we’ve tested. It has a simple and compact design that measures only 23.6 inches in width and 2.5 inches in height, making it easy to place under your TV or monitor. It also has a built-in subwoofer that saves you some space and hassle.
This 2.1 bar has a dedicated dialogue enhancement mode that boosts the clarity and volume of voices, making them easier to hear over background noises. It also has a virtual surround mode that can create a wider soundstage with some directional cues. It supports Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround formats, which can improve the quality of your audio from compatible sources.
Pros:
- Simple and compact design
- Dialogue enhancement mode
- Virtual surround mode
- Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround support
- Built-in subwoofer
Cons:
- No HDMI inputs
- No remote control app
- No room correction feature
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini
The Polk Audio MagniFi Mini is the best soundbar for the music we’ve tested. It has a unique and stylish design that looks like a mini version of a full-sized soundbar. It measures only 13 inches in width and 3 inches in height, making it one of the smallest soundbars on the market. However, it also comes with a separate subwoofer that adds some bass to your music.
This 2.1 bar delivers a powerful and dynamic sound that can fill up a small room with ease. It has several EQ presets that let you adjust its sound profile according to your preferences or content type. It also supports Google Chromecast, which allows you to stream music from various online services and create a multi-room setup with other compatible speakers.
Pros:
- Unique and stylish design
- Powerful and dynamic sound
- Several EQ presets
- Google Chromecast support
- Separate subwoofer
Cons:
- No HDMI inputs
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support
- No dialogue enhancement feature
Roku Streambar
The Roku Streambar is the best soundbar with a built-in video streamer we’ve tested. It has a dual-purpose design that combines both audio and streaming in one device. It measures only 14 inches in width and 2.4 inches in height, making it a great option for a bedroom setup. It also has a 4K streamer onboard, which lets you access thousands of apps and channels from your TV.
This 2.0 bar has a decent sound quality that can improve the audio performance of your TV or computer. It has a dedicated voice mode that can enhance the clarity of dialogue, as well as a volume leveling mode that can reduce the loudness of commercials or explosions. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you pair your smartphone or tablet and play music wirelessly.
Pros:
- Dual-purpose design
- 4K streamer onboard
- Dedicated voice mode
- Volume leveling mode
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons:
- No HDMI inputs
- No subwoofer or satellites
- No virtual surround mode.
Conclusion
Soundbars are a great way to enhance the sound quality of your TV or computer, especially if you have a small room and limited space. However, not all soundbars are suitable for small rooms, and you need to consider their features, performance, and price before buying one. In this article, we reviewed some of the best soundbars for small rooms based on their design, sound, and functionality. We hope this article helped you find the best soundbar for your needs and preferences.
