Sound Bars & Home Theater Systems  

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Soundbar for Your TV

Modern televisions deliver breathtaking visuals, but their ultra-thin physical designs create a severe limitation for audio. Because flat-screen displays are exceptionally slim, there is simply no physical space to house robust TV speakers. The built-in drivers on most displays are usually tiny and fire downward or backward, resulting in muddy dialogue, hollow bass, and an overall flat acoustic profile.

If you find yourself constantly turning the volume up to hear what characters are saying, only to scramble for the remote control when an action scene explodes, you are experiencing the limitations of television audio. Addressing this problem requires a dedicated audio solution. Investing in a sound bar for TV viewing is the most effective, space-saving way to drastically improve sound quality and bring true cinematic audio into your living room.

Kohl’s is a great place to shop for affordable soundbars for a small TV setup in your first home. Look for compact models with Bluetooth connectivity and simple HDMI or optical cable setup to improve TV sound without taking up much space.

Is It Worth Buying a Soundbar?

For the vast majority of home theater setups, adding a soundbar is absolutely worth the investment. A dedicated soundbar drastically improves upon your display's built-in audio by projecting sound directly toward the seating area rather than bouncing it off the wall behind the screen.

These devices house larger, higher-quality speakers specifically tuned for vocal clarity and dynamic range. A high-quality soundbar ensures that subtle ambient noises are crisp, dialogue is perfectly legible, and loud moments feel impactful. Unlike a traditional AV receiver paired with multiple wired speakers, a soundbar system offers a streamlined, plug-and-play solution that instantly elevates your entertainment experience without requiring you to run cables through your walls.

Do You Need a Subwoofer and Rear Speakers?

When choosing your configuration, you will need to decide between a standalone one-piece unit or a multi-speaker setup.

All-in-one soundbars keep every speaker in one bar, and some include built-in subwoofers. They work well in small rooms or for a clean setup, but they can’t match the deep bass of a separate subwoofer. For stronger, more immersive bass, a wireless subwoofer is the better choice and can usually go almost anywhere in the room. If you want true surround sound, look for systems with rear speakers, since they perform better than virtual surround. Many premium models include a soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers in one package.

Shopping Locally: Finding a Soundbar Near Me

Buying online is easy, but shopping locally lets you check a soundbar’s size and make sure it fits under your TV without blocking the screen. If you search for a soundbar near you, options include home theater stores and big-box retailers. Shop the entire electronics selection at Kohl's today.