Suppose you have just upgraded your Television or living room space and want to set up a home theatre system that lets you reminisce the pre-covid times where you enjoyed watching movies in theatres, then fear not, as we have got you covered. In this post, we have listed the best soundbar without subwoofer.
With the advancements in technology and the constant demand for all electronic devices to get thinner, lighter, and sleeker, televisions have adopted this modern design. As a result, the sound system on the Television takes a hit.
Often, the sound system/speakers in the Television tend to be the heaviest component and therefore turn into an obstacle for the engineers to devise a slimmer & sleeker Television.
Therefore, to optimise your experience and to fully utilise your new Television or living room setup, you must surely invest in a pair of Speakers.
However, buying a new pair of speakers requires a lot of effort, space, and money.
There are some decent subwoofers you can consider buying if you are trying to enhance your home theatre system.
Subwoofers enhance the bass and sub-bass, essentially expanding the output from the speakers.
They do, however, take up space.
Some soundbars come without subwoofers if you want the sound of a subwoofer without the inconvenience of buying one.
One might feel that this is not a wise investment and that the Television speakers might be sufficient.
But, if you are a gamer, music listener or even like to binge watch Netflix series, you understand the importance of a good sound system.
This article will offer you multiple options of some of the best soundbars without subwoofers available in the market at the moment.
Best Soundbar Without Subwoofers
- 1. Sonos Arc
- 2. Yamaha YAS-109
- 3. Roku Smart Soundbar
- 4. Sony HT-X8500
- 5. Sennheiser Ambeo
- 6. Sonos Beam
- 7. Bose Solo 5
- 8. Vizio SB3821-C6
- 9. TaoTronics
- 10. Megacra Soundbar
- 11. Sonos Playbar
- 12. Bose Soundbar
- 13. Samsung HW-Q950T Soundbar
- Best Soundbar Without Subwoofers
- Top 3 Best Soundbar Without Subwoofers
- 1. Sonos Arc – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
- 2. Yamaha YAS-109 – soundbar without subwoofer
- 3. Roku Smart soundbar – best budget soundbar without subwoofer
- 4. Sony HT-X8500
- 5. Sennheiser Ambeo
- 6. Sonos Beam
- 7. Bose Solo 5
- 8. Vizio SB3821-C6
- 9. TaoTronics
- 10. Megacra Soundbar
- 11. Sonos Playbar – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
- 12. Bose Soundbar – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
- 13. Samsung HW-Q950T – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
Top 3 Best Soundbar Without Subwoofers
1. Sonos Arc
What We Like
- Bluetooth
- Voice control
- 3D sound with Dolby Atmos
What Is Missing
- Mounting bracket is expensive
2. Yamaha YAS-109
What We Like
- DTS Virtual:X
- Dual Built-in Subwoofers
- Sound Bar Controller App
What Is Missing
- No Airplay 2
3. Roku Smart
What We Like
- Speech Clarity
- Powerful 4K streaming
- Premium sound quality
What Is Missing
- Bass is low
1. Sonos Arc – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc soundbar is one of the best speakers on this list.
It probably gets the Arc name thanks to its curved design and its curved sound pitching.
Therefore, allowing it to be placed directly under your Television without attracting too much attention.
It can also be sound controlled using Alexa, Siri and even google assistant.
The Sonos Arc uses Dolby’s new TrueHD and Dolby Optical Plus sound codecs to provide the highest quality uncompressed audio available on cutting-edge Blu-ray discs and some of the most common streaming platforms.
It also uses Dolby Atmos to improve the 3D soundscape by reflecting certain sounds off the walls around you, giving the impression that they are coming at you from all directions.
Setting up the Sonos is also extremely easy; it has fewer cable connections and an app through which you can control the soundbar.
Pros
- Bluetooth
- Sonos app
- Voice control
- Alexa built-in
- 3D sound with Dolby Atmos
- Full HD video recording and playback
Cons
- Mounting bracket is expensive
2. Yamaha YAS-109 – soundbar without subwoofer
Yamaha YAS-109
Dual subwoofers are integrated into the Yamaha YAS-109, which improve bass performance.
Alexa is integrated into the soundbar, enabling you to power your smart home gadgets with your voice.
The Clear Voice technology, which is said to improve dialogue and vocals, is one of the features of the Yamaha YAS-109 that makes it perfect for watching movies.
The clear voice technology helps carry audio waves farther and clearer than conventional sound systems.
Additionally, its compact size coupled with advanced technologies makes it the best option if you have space restrictions making it ideal for a small flat or living room.
Pros
- Bluetooth
- Clear Voice
- Alexa Built-in
- DTS Virtual : X
- Dual Built-in Subwoofers
- Sound Bar Controller App
Cons
- No Airplay 2
3. Roku Smart soundbar – best budget soundbar without subwoofer
Roku Smart Soundbar
Roku is an American company that provides access to streaming multimedia content from a plethora of online services.
To summarize, it is an alternative to the Amazon firestick. One can view all sorts of content right from sports, TV series, movies for free in High definition.
The smart soundbar comes with multiple unique features, so to say.
The Speech Clarity feature can help you understand dialogues clearer, so you no longer need to use those subtitles.
The Sound Levelling feature can help you maintain a constant volume irrespective of the type of content being consumed.
While watching a movie, when there is a scene switch between an action scene to a song, this feature will help maintain a standard volume, so you do not have to adjust it manually.
If you like to watch television late at night, Night Mode will ensure you do not wake up your family or roommates by adjusting the volume accordingly.
Additionally, this speaker can also be voice-controlled and has a unique aesthetic depicted in a sleek black design.
The unique part of this model is that it can also be used as a streaming device. Therefore, giving the best value for your money.
Pros
- Bluetooth
- Speech Clarity
- Remote included
- Powerful 4K streaming
- Premium sound quality
Cons
- Bass is low
4. Sony HT-X8500
Sony HT-X8500
Key Highlights
- Dual built-in subwoofers
- 7.1.2ch Dolby Atmos/DTS X
- 4K HDR passthrough-enabled
The perfect Dolby Atmos soundbar that will not smash the bank.
As the name suggests, the Dolby Atmos feature creates the perfect surround sound atmosphere, videos that support this feature have an exceptional height and width of sound.
The HT X8500’s relatively lower price can be credited to its connectivity and features, but what’s perplexing is how amazing it sounds.
The soundbar’s build and finish, along with its design, are excellent, and its overall audio output is impressive in terms of precision and spatial appearance.
Like most other devices, it can also be accessed using Bluetooth from all your devices.
However, the most standout feature is the presence of metal grilles on the sleek body of the soundbar.
These grilles contribute to an aesthetic feel & look to this soundbar.
Moreover, the speaker also offers various modes that enhance every type of use, like gaming and sports.
Pros
- Bluetooth
- Dual built-in subwoofers
- 7.1.2ch Dolby Atmos/DTS X
- 4K HDR passthrough-enabled
- Voice enhancement for greater clarity
Cons
- Bass is low
5. Sennheiser Ambeo
Sennheiser Ambeo
Key Highlights
- Studio-grade audio experience
- 5.1.4 channel 3D sound experience
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H
Can we curate a list of audio-related appliances without including a Sennheiser product? Not! You guessed right.
The German giants have been one of the pioneers in the audio industry and take pride in the quality and durability of their products, which vary from earphones & headphones to speakers & soundbars.
The large soundbar is loaded with cutting-edge audio systems like the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for surround sound.
It also packs Sennheiser’s own Ambeo virtual 3Dimension sound system.
With the Ambeo, Sennheiser has firmly set its eyes on the home cinema market, though the bar’s Wi-Fi access means it can still serve as a powerful music device.
Although, being slightly more expensive, its sound quality is second to none.
It also heavily relies on Google home to stream wirelessly using Wi-Fi.
This speaker is not for pocket-friendly customers. It is for people who are unwilling to compromise on the sound quality at any cost.
You have to trust the brand Sennheiser, a brand that very rarely disappoints.
Pros
- Seamless control
- Studio-grade audio experience
- Frequency response: 30 Hz to 20 kHz (-3 dB)
- 5.1.4 channel 3D sound experience
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H
Cons
- App needs improvements
6. Sonos Beam
Sonos Beam
Like its counterpart, the Sonos Beam packs everything the Sonos Arc provides except the Dolby Atmos feature.
Although it is significantly cheaper, the absence of the Dolby Atmos results in the lack of bass and surround sound.
However, this can be overcomed by adding the Sonos One SL and the Sonos Sub, respectively. As of now, this soundbar supports Amazon’s Alexa only.
The soundbar is extremely compact and therefore does not require a lot of space.
Additionally, one can also connect to this soundbar using an ethernet cable which provides a stable connection.
You do not feel the absence of a subwoofer, thanks to the incredible sound quality this soundbar offers.
Overall, this soundbar is the polar opposite of Sennheiser’s Ambeo soundbar in terms of price.
Pros
- Night Mode
- Alexa built-in
- App included
- Voice control
- Wall mountable
- Speech Enhancement
Cons
- Installation cost could be high
7. Bose Solo 5
Bose Solo 5
Key Highlights
- Universal remote
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Dialogue mode to make every word stand out
The Solo 5 is a 2.0-channel soundbar with a lightweight, elegant build quality.
While the bass is superior to that of the televisions, it lacks the balance of the mid and high-range sounds.
It includes a dialogue mode that helps make every word stand out, meaning that you do not forget a single sentence.
Moreover, this soundbar is a good alternative for movie lovers and for people looking for a good speaker device for the elderly or someone who may fail to understand speech clearly.
The Solo 5 is easy to attach to other Bose devices and monitor through the Bose mobile app.
Although, it does come with a universal remote that allows you to control it from one device.
The measurements of this soundbar are 3.4*21.5*2.8 inches, and it weighs around 3.7 pounds.
Batteries can power it, and it is a low-cost solution that is ideal for any house.
Overall, the speaker has three modes of accessibility: cables, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, offering you a range of choices regarding connecting different devices.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Universal remote
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Optical digital audio cable
- Dialogue mode to make every word stand out
Cons
- Not ideal for large rooms
8. Vizio SB3821-C6
Vizio SB3821-C6
Key Highlights
- DTS Virtual:X
- Dolby Audio Technology built-in
- Two built-in subwoofers for bass
When it comes to consumer electronics, VIZIO is another well-known brand.
The Sound Bar is lightweight enough to sit on top of a small or medium-sized Television.
It can be placed on the Television stand or mounted on the wall, and it will have clear audio in the building.
It offers the Deep Bass Modules without having a subwoofer so you can notice lower frequencies.
The soundbar achieves sound with less than 1% overall harmonic distortion and a broad frequency range of 60Hz to 19kHz owing to VIZIO’s deep bass technology.
You may use the remote control or a Bluetooth link to control the soundbar.
The soundbar is not fine, but its dynamic and powerful performance gives your television’s built-in speakers a serious enhancement.
The VirtualX technology also performs well, leading to a more immersive viewing experience.
Although it has its flaws and drawbacks, the soundbar is undeniably great value for money.
The soundbar is 5.75 pounds and measures 38*3*3 inches.
The soundbar is operated by two AAA batteries, which can be utilised without wires.
When in use, this unit produces 100 Watts and has superior sound quality.
It fits well with VIZIO televisions; however, you may need additional cables to connect it to the television from another manufacturer.
Pros
- DTS Virtual:X
- All cables included
- Dolby Audio Technology built-in
- Designed to fit with any TV setup
- Two built-in subwoofers for bass
Cons
- No app included
9. TaoTronics
TaoTronics
Key Highlights
- Bluetooth 5.0
- One Button Operation
- 6 drivers cover a full range of frequencies
The TaoTronics soundbar is a lesser-known brand that still produces excellent music.
Bluetooth-enabled, with regular audio wire, RCA, and optical input options as well.
The TaoTronics Soundbar can be used via any smartphone as it has both wired and wireless connectivity.
It has three equaliser modes, enabling you to fine-tune the sound for songs, movies, and video games.
This sound bar is perfect for small rooms.
This is due to the vibration and reverberation that can be heard at extremely high frequencies, which are usually used in wider rooms.
The model weighs 3.9 pounds and measures 31.5*2.36*2.36 inches.
Moreover, it can be hung on your wall or placed on your Television stand if you have sufficient space.
This soundbar would fit in with every Television or living room setting.
If you are pockets are not too deep this can potentially be your best bet. Although cheap, it packs all the necessary audio sound one requires.
Pros
- Boosted bass
- Bluetooth 5.0
- USB charging cord
- One Button Operation
- 6 drivers cover a full range of frequencies
Cons
- No app included
10. Megacra Soundbar
Megacra
Another inexpensive option, the Megacra soundbar comes with Two 3-inch full-range drivers and two 1-inch tweeters that are housed in the all-plastic casing, which produces crisp tones.
It has three equaliser modes: movie, music, and news, to help ensure the highest quality sound is created.
An optional remote control helps you to quickly control these modes as well as the sound.
Optical, RCA, Auxiliary, USB, and Bluetooth connections are all available.
This soundbar does not require an external subwoofer because it has filled drivers and dual bass ports that provide superior bass quality.
Additionally, one does not have to think about sound distortion, because the volume can be adjusted with the remote.
The MEGACRA Soundbar measures 28*4*4.1 inches, and its black style complements every decor.
You can use the remote to turn the device on and off when you have set it up, but you can still keep it on standby while you are not using it.
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Booming Bass
- Advanced audio settings
- 3 Different Equalizer Modes
- Compatible with Multi Devices
Cons
- No app included
11. Sonos Playbar – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
Sonos Playbar
In the field of audio devices, Sonos is another behemoth.
One of their older versions is the Sonos Playbar. However, it still is a quality product that makes this list.
Nine devoted speaker drivers with matching class D amplifiers are included in the Sonos Playbar.
Six of the drivers concentrate on mid-range sounds. The remaining three tweeters aid with staggered sounds and behaviour matching of audio.
Additionally, the Sonos Playbar is a wall-mounted soundbar that can be used to watch movies, listen to music, and watch Television shows.
It eliminates the need for a subwoofer by helping you to hear dialogue and bass frequencies clearly.
Moreover, it can be installed on your Television stand or fixed on the wall, and it will automatically tune itself for the best audio output.
The Playbar was engineered by award winning sound engineers to emphasise the human voice.
It accepts optical input and has a night mode that is ideal for viewing Television later in the evening.
The measurements of this unit are 35.5*5.6*3.4 inches, with a weight of 11.9 pounds.
Moreover, this is the soundbar for you if you want a flexible and easy way to upgrade your sound system.
It is not outrageously priced, but it is not the cheapest, so you will get decent value for your money.
Pros
- Sonos app
- Night Mode
- Wall mountable
- Speech Enhancement
Cons
- App needs improvements
12. Bose Soundbar – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
Bose Soundbar
Bose is renowned for its high-quality audio devices all over the world. The Bose Soundbar 700 is no different.
Four mid-range drivers and a single centre channel driver are used in the Soundbar 700.
Additionally, the low-profile transducers were specially designed using Bose’s patented innovation to provide excellent visibility without having a bulky outer shell.
The Bose Soundbar 700 aims to immerse audiences in a wide spectrum of tones and sounds by virtually removing interference with their Technology and precisely directing sound with a guide.
Moreover, the Bose Soundbar 700 has Alexa voice command and a noise-rejection microphone setup that can pick up the voice.
It has a smooth finish and outstanding sound quality. The soundbar is compatible with WiFi and Bluetooth.
Additionally, you can download music from Spotify and other applications using the WiFi compatibility, and you can set up the soundbar using the Bose music app.
This soundbar has a quality glass top and measures 38.5*2.25*4.25 inches. It has HDMI-ARC communication as well as an optical audio input for a more immersive experience.
The soundbar is one of the more expensive choices, but it is well worth the money for the best sound.
Bose as a brand almost never disappoints. Additionally, majority of their products come with worldwide warranties.
Therefore, you are not only paying for a quality product but also service if anything goes wrong.
Pros
- Bluetooth
- Built-in Alexa
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Bose Music app
- TV voice control
- Bose SimpleSync
Cons
- App needs improvements
13. Samsung HW-Q950T – Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
Samsung HW-Q950T
Key Highlights
- Alexa Built-in
- 3D True Surround Sound
- Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. Dual technology
The Q950T holds Samsung at the top of the 3D audio soundbar league, only being overshadowed by the Sonos Arc.
With 14 different sound channels, it blends Samsung’s fearsome strength with improved accuracy and dynamism.
Additionally, because of its slimmer design, it can fit under a larger range of televisions.
For a soundbar, the 9.1.4 setup is very impressive, and it is specifically designed for the object-based sound delights of today’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats.
Audio streaming over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is enabled, including high resolution Audio file formats, and some phones can be connected simply by pressing them against the soundbar’s bodywork.
Two HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC support for receiving lossless Dolby Atmos and an optical digital audio interface are all standard for a premium soundbar.
Pros
- Alexa Built-in
- App Included
- Up-Firing Rear Speakers
- 3D True Surround Sound
- Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. Dual technology
Cons
- App needs improvements
Final Thoughts On Best Soundbar Without Subwoofer
Buying a soundbar can come of as quite tricky as most soundbars these days are quite heavily priced.
Therefore, before making the investment one must do a lot of research and find a soundbar that resonates with them on all levels like the price, durability, design, portability, and mode of use.
Additionally, if you just want to back your new slim and sleek 4K enabled Television with an audio that can aid its visuals then you must invest in a soundbar.
Most of the soundbars mentioned above, just like the audio they produce are smooth, sleek, and engineered to perfection.
Honestly in today’s market us consumers are spoilt for choice and more often than not have the ball in our court with no one guarding us.
Not only, do we have options that vary based on our budget but also ones that change based on the design, usage, and durability.
I have suggested laptops for an individual’s house setup, for example a certain speaker is more suited for a smaller home/space whilst some are not and vice versa.
Majority of the soundbars on this list are meant to sit in front of your television, however depending on how the room is set out, they can also be wall-mounted above or to the side of it.
This gives you full power over the appearance of your home entertainment system.
Given the fact that most of the soundbars on this list do have front-facing speakers, all of them are capable of transmitting sound in such a manner that it sounds as though there is loud noise flowing from any direction.
Therefore, its best to first understand the main if not sole purpose for your soundbar, for example you would want a bigger and bass heavy speaker if you enjoy watching horror movies with the folks.
Whereas you prefer a much smaller speaker if its just for day to day streaming of YouTube or to boost your confidence whilst working out.
Moreover, it is always better to pick a reputed global brand that offers you a multiple year global warranty and quality service if and when required.
However, if you are not blessed financially you could always pick a soundbar that caters to your needs accordingly.
Like the more lesser known yet economical or rather cheaper brands can be a good bet.
But, nonetheless, whether you want to purchase these speakers as an upgrade to your existing Television speakers or are genuinely looking for an enhanced theatre like experience or want to create an atmosphere for your gaming setup just look up this list.
It is fairly clear and explains in detail what one requires based on their usage.
It can seem quite daunting at first, but this article will hopefully make things much easier and help you land the perfect set of speakers.
Let us know your views about the best soundbar without subwoofer in the comment section.
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