Do you really need a soundbar for your TV?

If you’ve bought a new TV in recent years, you’ll have noticed how slimline and frameless it is compared to your previous one. While this makes for an incredible viewing experience, it also means there’s less room for built-in speakers - and that’s where soundbars come in. But do you really need a soundbar to enjoy great sound, or is your TV's audio quality good enough on its own?

Yes - soundbars are a popular upgrade because modern flat-screen TVs often compromise on audio quality due to their slim design. A soundbar delivers clearer dialogue, richer bass, and a more immersive experience, making it ideal for movies, gaming, sports, and everyday viewing.

Not really, it just hasn’t improved in line with the visuals. Some premium smart TVs from brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL have excellent built-in speakers. But even when manufacturers use tech like advanced processing, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, built-in speakers still struggle to match the audio quality of a dedicated speaker system due to:

• Lack of bass – built-in TV speakers are too small to produce deep, rumbling woofer sounds, making action movies and music feel flat.

• Limited directionality – Without rear speakers or a surround sound system, TV audio lacks the depth needed for a true immersive audio experience.

• Volume limitations – Small TV speakers can’t push enough air to deliver great sound at high volumes without distortion.

Whether you have a soundbar on its own or with supplementary wireless subwoofer or surround speakers, it can enhance your TV’s sound in several ways:

• Better sound clarity – Dialogue and sound effects are clearer, especially in TV shows and movies.

• Stronger bass – A subwoofer delivers richer low-end sounds. Don’t just see the explosion, feel the rumble in your sofa.

• Surround sound experience – Soundbars support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, bouncing audio off walls for a cinematic experience.

• Wireless connectivity – Most models have Bluetooth and some have Wi-Fi and smart home compatibility (Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay).

• Multiple inputs – You can connect them via HDMI ARC, optical, or HDMI cable, making them versatile for gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming services.

If you live in a quiet household and tend to keep the volume low, or the telly’s more for background noise than anything, your TV’s built-in speakers may be fine on their own.

However, if you want sound that matches your TV’s incredible visuals, you struggle to hear dialogue clearly, or you want to use it to stream music or integrate with your smart home system, it’s well worth getting a soundbar.

Movies

1. Dune (2021) – Hans Zimmer’s powerful score, deep bass-heavy effects, and atmospheric surround sound make this a true cinematic experience. Careful the bass doesn’t attract those sandworms...

2. Top Gun: Maverick (2022) – The roaring jet engines, immersive cockpit sounds and energetic soundtrack sound incredible.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – The mix of high-speed chases, deep explosions and adrenaline-pumping sound effects benefits hugely from a woofer and rear speakers.

4. Interstellar (2014) – A perfect test for subwoofers, with deep rumbling space travel sequences and a soundtrack that deserves the best sound quality.

5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) – Intense fight scenes, gunfire, and an immersive surround sound experience make this a great test for your home entertainment’s audio setup.

TV shows

1. The Mandalorian (Disney+) – The blaster shots and spaceships of the Star Wars universe, coupled with Ludwig Göransson’s score, fill the living room.

2. Stranger Things (Netflix) – The eerie sound effects, '80s synth-heavy soundtrack and deep bass from the Upside Down do as much as the images to get you on the edge of your seat.

3. Game of Thrones (HBO/Binge) – Large-scale battle scenes, dragon roars and epic orchestral music are best experienced with an epic audio set up.

4. The Last of Us (HBO/Binge) – Atmospheric, suspenseful, and featuring surround sound effects that create a genuinely tense audio experience.

5. Formula 1: Drive to Survive (Netflix) – The roar of F1 engines and crowd noise make full use of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology.

Each of these showcases the best sound capabilities of a soundbar and subwoofer setup, creating a home theatre experience that just isn’t possible with standard TV speakers.

We deliver soundbars (and TVs, wireless speakers and everything else you need for your home theatre set up) to 95% of Australians with Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery!

Plus, we can usually get your order to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) when it's in stock. If you need some pointers on getting the best soundbar, read our Speakers and Audio Buying Guide, call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500 or message us via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.