By Sohaib Shams
NBC Selected has released its 2026 buying guide for soundbars, naming top picks across budget, mid-range, and premium categories to address the common weakness of built-in TV speakers. The guide emphasizes that slim flatscreen designs often produce muffled dialogue and weak bass, making external speakers a necessary upgrade for most viewers.
Top Recommendations
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 earns the staff pick at $488, offering a compact 5.0-channel design with HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Dolby Atmos, and voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice Control. Former NBC Selected reporter Harry Rabinowitz, who has used the model for over two years, says it drastically improved his TV-watching experience with crystal-clear sound.
For budget buyers, the Roku Streambar SE at $99 combines a 2.0-channel soundbar with a Roku streaming device, adding HDMI ARC, optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and multiple voice assistants. The Sony HT-S400 at $258 provides a 2.1-channel system with a wireless subwoofer for stronger bass, though it lacks voice controls.
In the mid-range, the JBL Bar 500 MK2 5.1 at $650 delivers a 5.1-channel setup with Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam audio for wider sound dispersion, 4K Dolby Vision passthrough, and multi-room Alexa integration. The premium pick, Samsung's Q800F 5.1.2 Q Series at $538 (discounted from $1,100), features a 5.1.2-channel system with Dolby Atmos, extensive voice control options, and easy expansion for surround sound.
The Sonos Arc Ultra at $1,099 stands out as the best standalone soundbar with a 9.1.4-channel configuration, Dolby Atmos and TrueHD support, and multi-directional audio, though it does not include a subwoofer.
Expert Shopping Advice
Dolby Laboratories' John Couling advises matching channel configuration to room size: larger rooms benefit from 5.1.2 or higher, while smaller spaces may perform equally well with 3.1.2 or 2.1 systems. He notes that virtual surround processing can offer immersion at lower cost but cannot replicate physical surround sound.
Bang & Olufsen product manager Ole Moltsen recommends prioritizing bass capability, as this is typically lacking in TV speakers, and suggests relying on reviews to compare specifications across brands. Both experts agree that adding a subwoofer is the most effective way to improve low-frequency response.
Key Buying Considerations
The guide explains audio channel numbering (e.g., 5.1.2 indicates five main channels, one subwoofer, two height channels) and recommends HDMI eARC over optical for higher-resolution audio and two-way device control. It also notes that soundbars can ensure crisp dialogue for news, documentaries, and movies alike.
