The best soundbars with a subwoofer for deep and powerful bass

Powerful bass is an important part of any well-rounded sound system. Without it, movies and TV shows can sound too bright and thin, lacking the weight and depth that proper low frequencies bring. Some soundbars use integrated woofers to provide bass, but models with a dedicated subwoofer unit offer the most impactful performance. To get room-shaking oomph while watching your favorite action flicks, we recommend buying a soundbar with a subwoofer.

After extensive hands-on testing, we recommend the Samsung HW-Q990C as the best soundbar with a subwoofer. This powerful multi-piece system offers immersive surround sound with Dolby Atmos support and deep bass via its eight-inch subwoofer. If you're looking for a more affordable and compact option, we also recommend the Yamaha YAS-209. This 2.1-channel system stands out thanks to its reasonable price and balanced low-end performance.

Of course, the best soundbars with subwoofers do more than just pump up the bass. Our picks also offer clean upper frequencies, a rich midrange, and helpful features like wireless streaming.

Top picks for the best soundbars with a subwoofer

Best overall: Samsung HW-Q990C - See at Amazon

Best midrange: Yamaha YAS-209 - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Samsung HW-Q990C is more of a full-fledged home theater system than a typical soundbar. With Dolby Atmos support, it spreads audio all around your room, including from above. This multi-piece package includes dual wireless satellite speakers, a primary bar with up-firing and side-firing drivers, and a powerful subwoofer.

During our tests, the Q990C offered fantastic sound for movies, TV shows, and music, with dynamic performance that auto-adjusts in real time using Samsung's Adaptive Sound feature. The system's 11.1.4-channel playback is spread effortlessly across components, moving between traditional surround sound and overhead effects with impressive fluidity. The subwoofer stands out with a side-firing eight-inch cone that digs deep into the lowest frequencies.

The system is fully loaded, with 22 audio drivers and support for every major sound format, including Dolby Atmos and its primary rival, DTS:X. You also get many connection options, from dual HDMI inputs to WiFi, with Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect support. We're disappointed that Google Chromecast isn't supported (an odd omission for a brand that makes Android phones), but Bluetooth is available as a backup.

System settings can be adjusted with the snazzy remote or via Samsung's SmartThings app. You also get Amazon Alexa or Bixby voice assistant control and a few Samsung-only features like Q-Symphony. That latter perk lets the bar work in concert with the built-in speakers on some of the best Samsung TVs, including top OLEDs like the S95D and S95F.

Buyers should note that Samsung sells slightly updated versions of this soundbar, including the new Q990F. That model adds HDMI 2.1 pass-through, which allows the bar to output gaming features like VRR (variable refresh rate) and 4K/120Hz when connected to a compatible console or PC. Its subwoofer also features a more compact design.

However, the Q990C is still the better overall value since it's often sold for much less. If you're after top-notch Dolby Atmos performance, the Samsung Q990C is the best soundbar with a subwoofer to get.

Check out our Samsung Q990C soundbar review.

Check out our guides to all the best soundbars, best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and best surround sound systems.

Best midrange

With versatile features and excellent sound quality, Yamaha's YAS-209 is an ideal midrange audio system. The package includes a stereo soundbar unit and a wireless subwoofer for dedicated bass.

Affordable soundbar and sub combos like this are difficult to find since many brands now favor modular systems that require you to buy an add-on subwoofer separately. Yamaha's YAS-209 bucks that trend with everything you need right in the box.

The YAS-209's design is sleek and simple, with a rounded body wrapped in acoustic fabric. The device's 2.1-channel playback offers balanced sound across frequencies. You don't get Dolby Atmos support, but Atmos isn't expected at this tier, and the system does offer DTS Virtual:X processing for simulating surround sound.

The 209's wireless subwoofer connects automatically, and its tall frame makes it easy to fit into various spaces. The bar and sub blend well together, moving seamlessly between registers to bring clarity to the high frequencies and a formidable punch down low. This provides a serious upgrade for virtually any TV's built-in speakers, and thanks to the HDMI ARC connection, you can control the bar with most TV remotes.

You also get features like WiFi support for high-quality streaming, built-in Alexa voice control with an integrated microphone, and even an HDMI pass-through input, something many entry-level and mid-tier soundbars omit. The one caveat is that the extra port doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR or 120Hz signals, but it's still a handy inclusion. Other connection options include a digital optical port for older TVs and Bluetooth for streaming.

You can spend a lot more on other soundbar and subwoofer combos, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a better deal for this much good stuff. Yamaha's YAS-209 is a reliable set-it-and-forget-it option with strong performance at a very accessible price.

Check out our complete guide to all of the best budget soundbars.

How we test soundbars with subwoofers

To find the best soundbars with subwoofers, our experts tested multiple models for several days with various sources. We've been reviewing home audio devices for over a decade and use that extensive experience to inform our testing parameters. Sound quality is our top priority, with a particular emphasis on potent and foundational bass. We also consider other factors, including supported audio formats, how easy each soundbar is to set up, and whether they provide advanced features like WiFi streaming, smart assistants, and multiple HDMI inputs.

We assess each soundbar's design, considering its aesthetic qualities and how well it fits into the average TV room. We then spend multiple days with each bar we evaluate, putting them through various tests with familiar material, from movies and TV shows to specific music playlists. We use different sound sources, from streaming services to physical media, with compressed and lossless audio tracks via apps like Amazon Music. We also use each bar for regular daily listening, striving to get a feel for what it is like to own it from a buyer's perspective.

When testing sound quality, we look at many elements, from dynamics and dialogue clarity to tonal balance across the treble, midrange, and bass registers. To find the best soundbar with subwoofer pairings, we look closely at low-frequency performance, with an ear toward smooth, accurate, and musical bass with good balance and fluidity between the subwoofer and soundbar. Any obvious difference between the tonal color of the subwoofer and the bar is grounds for dismissal.

Finally, we test parameters like WiFi and Bluetooth reliability, navigation of connected apps and settings, and the responsiveness and accuracy of smart assistants, where applicable.

For more info on our review methodology, visit our page detailing how we test tech gear.

What to look for in a soundbar with a subwoofer

Once you've established that you want a soundbar with a subwoofer, there are a few factors we recommend focusing on as you hone your search. First, you'll want to check for good connectivity options. Most modern soundbars have HDMI ARC or eARC, which makes it simple to connect to an HDMI ARC-compatible TV and use its remote to control power and volume.

All of the best TVs sold today have this feature, but if your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC or eARC (it should be labeled in the inputs cubby), you can often use an optical connection as an alternative. However, HDMI ARC is required to play Dolby Atmos. Check out our guide to the best HDMI cables for top recommendations to use with soundbars and TVs.

Virtually every modern soundbar includes Bluetooth support, but higher-quality systems also have WiFi for over-the-air updates and better streaming quality. Features like AirPlay 2 for iPhones, Chromecast for Android devices, and Spotify Connect are also relatively standard, making it easy to play songs from the best music streaming services. The more options your bar supports, the better.

Soundbars may also offer built-in voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. If you're interested in using your soundbar as a smart home hub or controller, you'll want to ensure the bar has built-in microphones for voice commands.

With a soundbar subwoofer combo, you'll find 2.1-channel configurations at the low end, and advanced systems with Dolby Atmos multi-channel configurations like 5.1.2 at the high end. The first number in the series represents the ear-level channels in the soundbar, the middle number represents the subwoofer (bass) channel, and the last number defines how many height or up-firing channels the bar supports (if any) for Dolby Atmos.

Speaking of Dolby Atmos, you'll pay a premium to get a soundbar that supports it or its primary rival, DTS:X. Sometimes called 3D, spatial, or object-based audio, these advanced formats include traditional surround sound channels on the horizontal plane and height channels to add a vertical element that creates a deeper sense of immersion. Check out our Dolby Atmos guide for more details.

Soundbar with subwoofer FAQs

Why should I get a soundbar with a subwoofer?

The simple answer is physics. Though advanced acoustics and digital processing can deliver solid bass, they're no match for bigger speaker drivers. The larger drivers inside dedicated subwoofers can physically move more air, which helps recreate the low-frequency waveforms that eventually make their way to our ears with authenticity and accuracy. A subwoofer is all but necessary if you're looking for powerful explosions, floor-rattling thunder, and rich, low musical performance.

Can I add a subwoofer to a soundbar later?

Some soundbars offer the option to add a subwoofer or surround sound speakers after the fact. These are called "modular" systems, allowing you to buy extra components later.

Some soundbars, including options from Klipsch and Sennheiser, even have a standard subwoofer output, letting you connect a traditional subwoofer from any brand.Others, like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Bose Smart Soundbar, require the purchase of a specific subwoofer made by the same company. Check out our guides to the best Bose soundbars and best Sonos soundbars for subwoofer recommendations specific to those brands.

On the downside, many brands charge a major premium for soundbar models that use modular designs. If you're on a budget and bass is an important factor, we recommend buying a soundbar and subwoofer combo from the start to get the best value.

What size soundbar and subwoofer should I get?

Size is always an important factor when purchasing a soundbar. The first thing to consider is whether your entertainment console is long enough to support your soundbar of choice. Many soundbars range from 36 to 46 inches or longer, especially for high-performance bars with many drivers, such as those that support Dolby Atmos. Check out our guide to the best TV stands for wide console recommendations.

You'll also want to ensure your soundbar won't block your TV screen, especially if your TV sits on a stand rather than being mounted on a wall. Most soundbars are designed to sit around three inches tall or less, but you'll want to do some measurements to avoid an issue.

For the soundbars on this list, you'll also want to ensure you have space for your subwoofer. Subwoofers can range from tall and skinny to short and stout, so again, do some measurements to ensure you've got good placement options. Most setups work well with the subwoofer placed on the ground to the left or right of the TV console, but it's best to have some room to experiment.

Finally, if you want a soundbar with separate surround sound (or satellite) speakers, make sure you've got stands or shelves that will allow you to properly place the speakers slightly behind and to the sides of the main listening position. Dolby offers some helpful speaker configuration guides for this purpose. You'll also want to ensure you have power outlets in reach for wireless surround speakers or long enough cables to plug in wired options comfortably.

What is an HDMI ARC connection?

An HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) connection can send audio signals to and from connected devices. HDMI Arc ports are found on many of the best smart TVs, soundbars, and AV receivers.

Standard HDMI ARC connections can transmit stereo audio signals and compressed surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, DTS, and lossy Dolby Atmos via the Dolby Digital Plus format.

Some newer components feature an HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) connection, an updated version of HDMI ARC that can support higher-bandwidth audio for better sound quality. Though specific format support varies by device, HDMI eARC connections can transmit lossless Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, and DTS:X tracks.

Most TVs and soundbars with HDMI ARC and eARC connections also support a related feature known as CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). This handy function lets you use your TV's remote to control power and volume on a connected soundbar.

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