Which soundbar and which TV should I choose?

Gone are the days of sitting around a small television only capable of showing a limited number of channels with a terrible signal. In less than a hundred years, television is at the forefront of media, offering high-quality pictures with exceptional sound. Whilst this is an amazing example of the powers of technology, it can feel a tad overwhelming trying to decide what TV to buy if you’re ready for an upgrade.

Nowadays, most customers also buy a soundbar to sit underneath or in front of their TV. Soundbars are a great way of taking your TV sound to the next level, and lots of people wouldn’t even consider purchasing a TV without one. Thin and elongated soundbars are an excellent addition if you’re looking for a better sound experience with minimal fuss. Not only do they provide similar audio to surround sound (perfect for your movie nights), but with most soundbars you can wirelessly connect your smartphone, making use of a living room speaker, a great choice if you have guests to entertain.

To help you on your mission of sourcing a new TV and soundbar, we’ve created a detailed guide filled with our top 3 recommendations for each device.

Firstly, is the Samsung QE65Q80BATXXU (2022) 65-inch Q80B QLED 4K HDR 1500 Smart TV. Samsung’s Q80B QLED 4K TV brings the cinema experience straight to your home. With 3D surround sound, you’ll feel you’re actually on the screen, running away from dinosaurs or hiding from zombies if that’s your thing.

With 6 multi-dimensional speakers, this Samsung TV automatically adjusts the brightness and upscales the resolution of whatever you’re watching, whether it be the night-time news or a new Hollywood blockbuster. This means you can wave goodbye to glare and adjusting your blinds and say hello to an immersive experience. With the Samsung Smart Hub, you can take advantage of a vast array of 4K films, TV shows and all the catch-up apps you could ever need! Placing everything on one platform gives you the time to enjoy all the shows and films you love without having to search far and wide for them.

As a smart TV, the Samsung Q80B QLED 4K can seamlessly pair with a soundbar to take the audio experience one step further. One of our most highly recommended soundbars is the Bose TV Speaker Soundbar. Small but effective, this Bose device improves overall TV sound whilst simultaneously delivering spatial and natural audio, ultimately resulting in clarified speech. This makes it a great addition to your home if you’re into dramas, news, or sports. Through dialogue mode, forget about trying to turn the subtitles on and instead sit back and relax, hearing elevated vocals the way they were intended.

This device operates through Bluetooth connectivity and can connect to any TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI™ cable. Its remote also includes a “Bass” button for additional rich sound. Pretty remarkable for a speaker of its size. You can also expand your system to include a wired subwoofer by adding a Bose Bass Module and a 3.5mm audio cable.

Our second top TV recommendation is the Sony XR65A80KU (2022) 65-inch Bravia XR 4K HDR OLED Google TV. This incredible TV uses Cognitive Processing technology to understand how humans truly see and hear. This results in immersive viewing and allows you to hear TV dialogue without turning up the volume. Finding it difficult to hear the audio in your movie? Voice Zoom technology works immediately, analysing and enhancing audio for complete clarity.

With additional 3D Surround Upscaling, you can experience surround sound without swapping your living room for the local cinema. Light sensor technology works wonders within this Sony TV, creating ambience and mood-setting. In addition, light sensors also help you see whatever you are watching clearly and free from obstruction, no matter the weather outside.

When it seems that the Sony XR6580KU has given all it has to offer, there’s still more! Acoustic Auto Calibration means that your TV can detect your position wherever you are in the room so that you can still enjoy the same sound level as you would if you were sitting centre stage.

We recommend connecting a soundbar such as the Sony HTG700CEK Soundbar with Dolby Atmos for additional sound benefits. Dolby Atmos fills any room with immersive surround sound making your home the perfect place to host movie nights or streaming parties. Dolby Atmos means that audio is not limited to vertical or horizontal movement but can instead be enjoyed through the entire space of your room, resulting in a mesmerising blend of sound and audio.

However, our top TV recommendation at Snellings is the Samsung QE65S95BATXXU (2022) 65-inch Quantum Dot OLED 4K HDR Smart TV. This new Samsung OLED TV combines natural brightness with colour to create a beautiful picture every time you turn on the TV! With self-illuminating pixels and a powerful AI-Powered processor, you’ll never have to worry about not being able to see the full depth of your favourite TV show or movie again.

This Samsung TV achieves great heights by combining 20 multi-layer neural networks to analyse images and restore the moments that matter. Ultimately, this means you and your loved ones can gather to watch all forms of media in 4K, whether that is sports, movies, or TV shows, even if they’ve not been filmed that way! This stunning Samsung TV makes the perfect addition to any home that prides itself on a minimalist feel. Super-stylish and ultra-slim, this device has been crafted to provide beautiful views whether you nab the armchair or the sofa.

With multi-channel speakers, you won’t constantly reach for the remote to higher the volume. Go that extra mile and immerse yourself in the action of the movies by adding a soundbar. Our number one soundbar recommendation is the Sonos Arc Smart Soundbar for TV Movies and Music. Doing exactly what it says on the tin, this Sonos soundbar is the best way to watch TV and movies. It also provides excellent bass levels and acoustics for music, and whether you use it for a solo dance workout in your living room or a family party, the choices are endless. It also makes a great speaker for gaming, offering a surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos technology.

Unlike other soundbars, the Sonos Arc Smart Soundbar uses voice enhancement technology so you can hear every line of every show, never having to rewind and turn up the volume again. Created with the assistance of Oscar-winning sound engineers, the Sonos Arc stands proudly above the rest, providing a quality cinema experience to all who sit down to watch. This clever little device also includes built-in Google Assistant and Amazon, meaning your cupboards or TV stand won’t be cluttered with multiple smart devices. Whether you’re playing music, checking the weather, or listening to an audiobook, the Sonos Arc can provide all you need.

Knowing what to expect from a TV and soundbar can help you take the plunge. It’s also helpful to consider what you want from your new devices, hence why we’ve created our top product buying guide. If you’re ready to buy, simply purchase online today or pop into one of our Norfolk stores! Alternatively, you can chat with a member of our team who will be happy to answer any queries or concerns.