Question 1

What's the difference between a 2.1 and a 3.1 soundbar?

Accepted Answer

A 2.1 soundbar has two front channels (left and right) plus a subwoofer, while a 3.1 adds a dedicated centre channel. That centre channel handles dialogue — it's the most noticeable upgrade for TV watching, as voices become clearer and less muddled by music or effects. If you frequently struggle to hear speech clearly, the step from 2.1 to 3.1 is worth every penny.

Question 2

Do I need Dolby Atmos on a soundbar, or is it just marketing?

Accepted Answer

Dolby Atmos on a soundbar is real, but its impact depends heavily on your room. In a large room (4 metres or deeper), upward-firing height drivers create a convincing overhead audio effect that genuinely adds immersion to compatible content on Netflix or Disney+. In a small flat, the effect is far less pronounced — the sound bounces off a low ceiling and can feel gimmicky. If your room is compact, save the Atmos premium and invest in a better 3.1 bar instead.

Question 3

Is HDMI eARC really necessary, or will optical do the job?

Accepted Answer

For most casual TV viewers, optical (TOSLINK) is perfectly adequate — it handles Dolby Digital 5.1 without issue. However, if you want lossless audio formats (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio) or full Dolby Atmos passthrough, you need HDMI eARC. Optical simply doesn't have the bandwidth. If your TV supports eARC and you're spending above 146 £, there's no good reason not to use it.

Question 4

Can I add rear speakers to any soundbar later?

Accepted Answer

No — rear speaker compatibility is model-specific and must be checked before you buy. Some soundbars (particularly Samsung's Q-series and LG's higher-tier models) support proprietary wireless rear speakers, either included or sold separately. Many budget and mid-range bars have no rear speaker support at all. If building a full surround setup is your eventual goal, check the spec sheet for rear speaker compatibility before committing.

Question 5

Which soundbar brands offer the best value in the UK right now?

Accepted Answer

Sharp and TCL consistently offer the best value at the budget-to-mid level — their average prices are well below Samsung and LG, yet their channel configurations and wattage figures are competitive. Hisense is also worth considering in the mid-range. For premium buyers, LG edges out Samsung on audio refinement, while Sonos remains the choice for those who want multi-room integration and long-term software support. Samsung's sheer range means there's something at every price point, but not every model justifies its RRP.

Question 6

What's the biggest mistake people make when buying a soundbar?

Accepted Answer

Buying a soundbar that's too short for their TV. A bar that's significantly narrower than the screen looks odd and compresses the stereo image, undermining the spatial audio you paid for. Always check the soundbar's physical length against your TV's width — aim for at least 80% of the screen width. The second most common mistake is buying on wattage alone: a 400W bar with poor driver design will sound worse than a well-engineered 100W model.

Question 7

Are cheap soundbars under 57 £ worth buying in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only for the right use case. Entry-level bars from Sharp, Creative Labs, and Philips in this range are perfectly decent for a bedroom TV or a secondary room — they'll sound noticeably better than built-in TV speakers. However, don't expect wireless subwoofers, Dolby Atmos, or eARC at this price. For a main living room setup, we'd strongly recommend stretching to at least the 57 £–146 £ bracket where 2.1 configurations with proper bass become available.

Soundbar Speakers Price Comparison

Samsung S60D S-Series 5.0ch Lifestyle Soundbar (2024)

Samsung HW-C400/XU soundbar speaker Black 2.0 channels

HP S101 Black 2.5 W

Soundbar Speakers Price Comparison