Best Soundbars With Subs for Deep Bass and Surround Sound (2026)

TV speakers are too thin to carry movie bass or a full music mix, so a separate subwoofer changes more than the volume. This guide compares eight best soundbars with subs for movies, music and everyday TV, from a complete surround system to a compact bar, and explains who each model suits and what it gives up.

Quick verdict: the best soundbars with subs at a glance

If you want one short answer, start with the Samsung HW-Q990F for a complete home theater, or the Samsung HW-Q800D for strong Atmos sound with fewer boxes. The other six picks cover a tighter budget, clearer dialogue, a compact room and an older Vizio system, so read the table and then the section that matches your room.

Our pick for most living rooms is the Samsung HW-Q990F, because it is the only system here that ships as a complete surround package with rear speakers in the box. If you want fewer boxes, the Samsung HW-Q800D keeps Dolby Atmos and a wireless subwoofer with optional rears you can add later, while the Samsung HW-B750F is the lowest-cost way to get a real subwoofer in this guide.

Quick comparison table

The table below gives the fastest way to compare the eight picks, with the channel layout, the subwoofer each system ships with, the sound formats and the connection that matters most. A separate subwoofer is the one feature every pick here shares, so the differences are the rear speakers, the height channels and the formats.

How we selected these soundbars

Every model here is a real product with published specifications from its manufacturer or from retailer and review listings. We compared channel layout, the subwoofer in the box, Dolby Atmos and DTS support, HDMI connections and expansion options, and we left out models that could not be verified or that duplicated a stronger pick.

This guide is based on published specifications and independent review coverage. It does not claim testing of its own, and it does not rank products by review scores, because scores use different methods and change with each update. Instead, each pick earns its place for a clear reason: the most complete system, the strongest mid-range Atmos bar, or the best fit for a small room.

Eight picks, from flagship surround to budget 5.1

Eight systems cover very different rooms and budgets, so the order below follows the decision most buyers face first: a complete system, a strong mid-range bar, or a focused fix for dialogue, price or size. Each section states what is in the box and what it gives up.

Samsung HW-Q990F: the complete 11.1.4 surround system

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the most complete system in this guide, and that is why it leads the list for movies. It ships as an 11.1.4-channel system with 23 speakers: a bar with 15 drivers, a wireless subwoofer with dual 8-inch drivers, and two wireless rear speakers with up-firing drivers.

For movie nights, a system with real rear and height speakers has a structural advantage over a single bar, and the HW-Q990F is the only pick here that provides both in the box. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported, and the two HDMI 2.1 inputs pass 4K at 120Hz, so a console can connect through the bar without giving up high refresh rates. Q-Symphony can play the soundbar together with the speakers of a compatible Samsung TV from 2022 to 2025. The bar is 48.5 inches wide, so it suits larger TVs, and the rears and subwoofer each need a power outlet.

Buy it if you want a full surround system in one purchase and you have room for four boxes. Skip it if your room is small, you do not want rear speakers, or your TV has no HDMI eARC port, since the highest-quality audio formats need that connection.

Samsung HW-Q800D: strong Atmos with fewer boxes

The Samsung HW-Q800D is the mid-range pick for buyers who want Dolby Atmos and a real subwoofer without the rear speakers of the flagship. Samsung and retailer listings describe a 5.1.2-channel system with 11 speakers, a wireless 8-inch subwoofer and 360 watts of total power, with up-firing and side-firing drivers in the bar.

For a living room that cannot fit rear speakers, the HW-Q800D keeps the height effects and the low end that matter most for movies, and optional SWA-9500S rear speakers can be added later to reach a fuller surround layout. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are both supported, with Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony for compatible Samsung TVs. The trade-off is the passthrough: the single HDMI input passes 4K at 60Hz only, so a console that needs 4K at 120Hz should connect to the TV instead.

Buy it if you want Atmos and deep bass in a three-box system and you may add rears later. Skip it if you need 4K at 120Hz passthrough through the bar, or if your room is large enough that the flagship system would fill it better.

Samsung HW-Q600F: entry-level Atmos with a wireless subwoofer

The Samsung HW-Q600F is the entry-level Atmos pick, and it earns that place with the two features that matter most at its tier: up-firing height drivers and a real wireless subwoofer. Retailer listings describe a 3.1.2-channel system with nine speakers and 380 watts, with the wattage figure retailer-listed, not from a Samsung spec page.

For buyers stepping up from TV speakers, the HW-Q600F gives Dolby Atmos height effects and low end, plus Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony for compatible Samsung TVs. The format limit matters: this model supports DTS Virtual:X, not DTS:X, so Blu-ray collections that rely on DTS:X will not get the full object-based treatment. Optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can be added later for true surround, and its HDMI passthrough handles 4K at 60Hz with HDR10+.

Buy it if you want the lowest-cost route to Atmos height effects with a subwoofer in the box. Skip it if you need DTS:X, 4K at 120Hz passthrough, or a wider bar for a large TV.

Samsung HW-B750F: the affordable 5.1 package

The Samsung HW-B750F is the affordable pick in this guide, and it earns that place by including the two things that matter most at its tier: a dedicated centre channel and a real wireless subwoofer. Samsung lists a 5.1-channel system with six speakers, a 6-inch wireless subwoofer and 400 watts of total power.

For the tightest budgets, the HW-B750F is a practical step up from TV speakers without the cost or the boxes of a premium system. The centre channel keeps dialogue clear, the subwoofer adds the low end that a bar alone cannot produce, and optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can be added later for true surround. There is no Dolby Atmos and no HDMI eARC port, so this is a 5.1 system that plays surround sound well rather than a height-effects system. The 40.6-inch bar connects through HDMI ARC or optical, with Bluetooth for music.

Buy it if you want a complete bar-and-subwoofer package at the lowest tier in this guide and you can live without Dolby Atmos. Skip it if you need Dolby Atmos, DTS:X or an eARC connection, or if your TV is small enough that a 40-inch bar will overhang the stand.

LG S60T: clearer dialogue for everyday LG TVs

The LG S60T is the pick for viewers whose main complaint is dialogue, not bass, and who still want a subwoofer in the box. Retail listings describe a 3.1-channel system with 340 watts of total power and a wireless subwoofer, with the wattage figure coming from retail listings rather than an LG spec page read here.

For everyday TV, the dedicated centre channel is the feature that matters most, because it anchors speech to the screen while the subwoofer handles the low end. The S60T suits LG NanoCell and UHD TVs of 49 inches and up, and its 3.1 layout keeps the box count low: one bar and one subwoofer, with no rear speakers to place. There is no Dolby Atmos here, so this is a straightforward upgrade for dialogue and bass rather than a height-effects system.

Buy it if dialogue clarity and a simple two-box setup matter more than Atmos height effects. Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos, rear speakers in the box, or a system built for a large open room.

Sony HT-S2000: a compact bar with an optional external subwoofer

The Sony HT-S2000 is the compact pick in this guide, and it needs a plain explanation: its subwoofer is built into the bar, not a separate box. Sony and retailer listings describe a 3.1-channel bar with five speakers, 250 watts of total power and a built-in dual subwoofer, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X delivered through the Vertical Surround Engine.

For a small room, the built-in subwoofer keeps the system to a single box, and the bar is 800 millimetres wide, about 31.5 inches. The important expansion is the optional external subwoofer: the SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 can be added later for deeper bass, and SA-RS3S rear speakers can be added for surround. The HDMI count rests on retailer and Sony Australia sources, which list one HDMI eARC output and no separate HDMI input.

Buy it if you want one compact box now and the option to add a real external subwoofer later. Skip it if you want a separate subwoofer in the box on day one, or if you need an HDMI input on the bar itself.

JBL Bar 500: the simplest 5.1 setup in this guide

The JBL Bar 500 is the simplest way to get a 5.1 system with a large subwoofer and no rear speakers to place. JBL lists a 5.1-channel system with 590 watts of total power, split between a 290-watt bar and a 300-watt wireless subwoofer with a 10-inch driver; some secondary listings show 440 watts, and the JBL figure is used here.

For movies and music in a mid-size room, the 10-inch subwoofer gives action scenes and bass-heavy tracks a weight that a compact bar cannot match. MultiBeam creates a wider soundstage from the bar alone, PureVoice clarifies dialogue, and Dolby Atmos is supported through HDMI eARC with 4K Dolby Vision passthrough. The limits are clear: there is no DTS support, and no rear speakers can be added later, so the 5.1 layout is virtual rather than physical surround.

Buy it if you want big bass and a simple setup with no rears to place or charge. Skip it if you need DTS, if you want to add rear speakers later, or if your room is small enough that a 10-inch subwoofer would overwhelm it.

Vizio M512a-H6: an older Atmos system with more connections

The Vizio M512a-H6 is the oldest model in this guide, and that age is the first thing to check before buying. Vizio support pages describe a 5.1.2-channel system with 11 speakers, two up-firing height drivers, a wireless subwoofer and two wired surround speakers, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X both supported.

For buyers who find it in stock, the M512a-H6 offers both an HDMI eARC port and a separate HDMI input, plus an optical input and a remote in the box. The wired surrounds connect to the subwoofer, so the subwoofer placement decides where the rear speakers can sit. Because this is an older model, Vizio's own store now lists newer bars instead, so check the seller, the condition and the return terms before buying.

Buy it if you find a new unit from a trusted seller and you want Atmos, DTS:X and an HDMI input at a lower tier. Skip it if you cannot verify the condition, if you want wireless rear speakers, or if you would rather buy a current model with a straightforward warranty path.

Buying guide: choose by room, connections and bass

A soundbar with a subwoofer is a room purchase as much as an electronics purchase, so the checks below matter more than the channel count on the box. Measure the TV stand, find the HDMI port on the TV, and think about where a subwoofer and any rear speakers will sit.

Best soundbars with subs for a small room: what changes

A small room changes the subwoofer choice before it changes anything else, because a large subwoofer in a bedroom can overwhelm dialogue. A compact bar with a smaller subwoofer, such as the Sony HT-S2000 or the LG S60T, fits a bedroom or a small apartment living room better than the flagship Samsung system.

For a small room, the bar width matters as well: a 55-inch TV is about 48 inches wide, so a bar between 31 and 41 inches wide looks balanced and fits the stand without overhang. Night modes and dialogue modes are worth using in a small room, because they keep bass from carrying through walls late at night.

Subwoofer placement, size and wireless range

A wireless subwoofer still needs a power outlet, so the word wireless describes the audio connection, not the power. Place the subwoofer near the front of the room, close to the bar, and keep it away from walls that rattle, because a subwoofer pressed into a corner can boom and blur dialogue.

Subwoofer size follows room size: a 6-inch driver suits a bedroom or a small living room, an 8-inch driver suits a typical living room, and a 10-inch driver suits a larger room or a household that watches a lot of action movies. A separate subwoofer is the single most noticeable upgrade over TV speakers, because a slim bar cannot move enough air for deep bass on its own.

Connections, formats and TV compatibility

The connection on the back of the TV decides which sound formats the soundbar can receive, so check it before you buy. HDMI eARC carries the highest-quality audio, including Dolby Atmos from Dolby TrueHD, while standard HDMI ARC carries compressed Atmos and Dolby Digital 5.1, and optical carries Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo but not Atmos.

Most picks in this guide use HDMI eARC, with one exception: the Samsung HW-B750F uses standard HDMI ARC, which fits its Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X formats. The Samsung HW-Q990F and HW-Q800D both offer an HDMI input, while the Sony HT-S2000 and the LG S60T expect every source to connect to the TV first. Dolby Atmos adds height to the sound, DTS:X adds a similar object-based effect, and DTS matters mainly for Blu-ray collections and some streaming titles.

Budget tiers and the costs buyers often miss

The price tier of the bar is only part of the cost, so plan for the extras before you decide. A single bar needs one HDMI cable and a power outlet, while a full system needs power outlets for the subwoofer and each rear speaker, plus a mount if the bar does not sit on the TV unit.

Optional subwoofers and rears for the Sony and Samsung bars are sold separately, so a bar can cost far more once the system is complete. If the household rents or moves often, a single bar such as the Sony HT-S2000 is easier to pack and set up again than a system with fixed rear speakers, and the older Vizio pick should be checked for condition and returns first.

Frequently asked questions about soundbars with subwoofers

The questions below cover the doubts that come up most often before a purchase, from whether rear speakers are needed to whether a subwoofer can be added later. Each answer follows the same rule as the rest of this guide: it states what the specifications support, and it names the case where the answer changes.

Do I need rear speakers as well as a subwoofer?

No, not for most buyers, because a subwoofer and rear speakers solve different problems. A subwoofer adds the low end that a slim bar cannot produce, while rear speakers add the surround effect that places sound behind the sofa, so a household that watches mostly news and drama can stop at a bar and a subwoofer.

Is a wireless subwoofer really wireless?

Only partly, because the audio signal travels wirelessly from the bar to the subwoofer, but the subwoofer still plugs into a power outlet. That means the subwoofer can sit away from the bar without an audio cable, yet it still needs a free socket nearby, and the rear speakers in a full system need power outlets of their own as well.

Can the best soundbars with subs work with any TV?

Yes, in most cases, as long as the TV has an HDMI ARC or eARC port or an optical output to connect the bar. HDMI eARC is the best option for Dolby Atmos, while older TVs with only an optical output can still use most bars in this guide for Dolby Digital 5.1, so check the ports on the back of the TV before choosing a model.

Can I add a subwoofer to a soundbar that does not include one?

Sometimes, but only when the manufacturer sells a matching subwoofer for that exact model. The Sony HT-S2000 accepts the optional SA-SW3 or SA-SW5, and several Samsung bars accept optional rear speakers, while a bar with no expansion port cannot gain a subwoofer later, so check the accessory list before buying a bar alone.

Conclusion

Start with the Samsung HW-Q990F for a complete home theater in one box, or the Samsung HW-Q800D for strong Atmos sound with fewer boxes. If budget or dialogue matters more, the Samsung HW-B750F and the LG S60T cover those needs well. Measure your TV and room, check the HDMI connection, and choose the system you will enjoy every day.