Q: Is Sonos Better than bose?

Both speakers have a pristine sound quality and have built-in voice controls through Alexa and google assistant. But, when we come to pairing Bose is better than Sonos. Sonos only allows you to play songs through WiFi or airplay 2. While bose lets you stream music via Bluetooth, WiFi, and airplay.

Q: Should I buy a soundbar for a TV?

For most people, soundbars are the best way to have the better audio quality from a TV. Mostly TV speakers are not so good so you should have a separate soundbar for your TV.

How many watts should I need for a soundbar?

Watts are dependent on the audio quality of a soundbar. Better the audio quality, the greater the voltage will be. Normally watts range from 80W to 300W.

Best Soundbar Under $500 - Complete Reviews

So, you’re here means you are looking for some best soundbar under $500? But, the question is whether you can get decent sound performance in a budget of $500? Well, the answer varies. As some companies may offer you only the basics while others can give you great sound quality with some astonishing features?

Therefore, moving towards best soundbar will be a major sound upgrade for you and it is a fantastic way to improve your sound performance and your paper-thin TV or even your PC’s.

If you have decided to invest $500 in your soundbars, you can have many first-class speaker options. However, selecting the right soundbar system to spend your money on can be a tricky process. That’s why we have your back with a list of some best soundbar under $500.

Top Pick

Sonos Beam

★★★★★ 4.7/5

Budget Pick

Yamaha YAS-209

★★★★★ 4.3/5

Value to Money

LG SL4Y 2.1 Soundbar

★★★★★ 4.3/5

Inspecting Soundbar Under $500

During our research for a soundbar, the first thing we prioritize was the sound system and Performance. As no one wants to invest money in an expensive soundbar with cheap performance.

Within a price range of $500, you can easily find some phenomenal soundbar to improve your listening and TV experience.

Check some soundbars without subwoofer too.

5 Best Soundbars Under 500

Speaker Type	BRAND	Connectivity Technology
Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL SoundBar	Soundbar	Yamaha Audio	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI	Read More	Check On Amazon
LG SL4Y 2.1 Channel 300W Soundbar	Soundbar	LG	Bluetooth, HDMI	Read More	Check On Amazon
Vizio M Series 5.1(M51a-H6)	Soundbar	VIZIO	Bluetooth, HDMI	Read More	Check On Amazon
Bose Smart Soundbar 300	Soundbar	Bose	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI	Read More	Check On Amazon
Sonos Beam - Smart TV SoundBar	Soundbar	Sonos	Wireless	Read More	Check On Amazon

Infographic of Best Soundbars Under $500

In this range, you can find best soundbar having a number of channels varying from 2.1 to even 5.1 but we wrapped our research on 3.0 or 3.1 channel soundbars. So, you can have the benefit of having an extra center channel and some powerful deep bass.

On the performance side, we looked for a soundbar that offers options for deep bass and treble adjustment, as well as a soundbar with additional modes. Specifically, the surround mode changes the whole experience and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the film.

1. Yamaha YAS-209

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY

85%

SOUND RANGE

88%

VOICE DISTORTION

90%

VALUE

80%

Ratings:

★★★★★ 4.3/5

Specification

Drivers: Center unit: Front L/R: 1-3/4″ cone × 4, Tweeter: 1″ dome × 2, Subwoofer: 6-1/2″ cone
Output Power: 200 W
Power Consumption: Center unit: 25 W, 4.3 W(control through voice), External Subwoofer: 20 W
Weight: Center unit: 6 lbs., Subwoofer: 17.4 lbs
ARC: Yes
CEC: Yes
Surround Mode: Music, TV program, Movie, Sports, Game
Wireless Music Streaming: Yes
App Control: Yes
Inputs: HDMI, Optical
eARC: No
Audio format support: DTS:X
Wi-fi: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Soundbar Dimensions: 6.2 × 93 × 10.9cm
Weight: 2.7kg
Subwoofer Dimensions: 42 x 19.1 × 40.6cm
Weight: 7.9kg

Why would you buy it?

The Yamaha YAS-209 is a complete package with great sound, a wide sound field, an independent Wireless subwoofer for the low-end rumble, and is easy to set up.

For whom Yamaha YAS-209 is for?

This is the best soundbar under $500 for those who need the best bass performance of a TV. It includes additional features such as control voice and support for audio spectrum formats such as DTS Virtual. This soundbar will provide you cinematic surround sound in your home.

Alexa

The YAS-209 includes Amazon Alexa, so if you want to play your favorite playlist on the bar, just ask. Alexa doesn’t just play a few songs but also does a lot of other things too.

You can plan your day with the latest weather and traffic conditions. Create shopping lists, set reminders, and alarms, and control connected smart home devices (like lights and thermostats).

You can do everything with just your voice.

Voice Control

No problem!

The YAS-209 has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you can wirelessly stream music, audiobooks, and podcasts directly from your connected mobile device.

Touch Control Buttons

At the top of the soundbar, there is a row of touch control buttons that are used to control the volume, input switching, and microphone.

There is a row of small LEDs too, each with a source or feature name. In the absence of a display, these LEDs light up in various configurations to indicate that you have changed the settings which I personally feel is very useful.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

Yamaha’s new YAS-209 soundbar delivers offers an embarrassingly rich experience at this price, from Wi-Fi connectivity and Alexa to multiple EQ modes and (eventually) multi-room sound. Overall sound of this soundbar delivers you better sound because it have seprate subwoofer.

There are several reasons to choose the best soundbar under $500; it gives you immense volume, rumbling bass, and a panoramic surround sound experience.

2. LG SL4Y 2.1 Channel 300W Soundbar

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY

90%

SOUND RANGE

85%

VOICE DISTORTION

89%

VALUE

77%

Ratings:

★★★★★ 4.3/5

Specification

Total Power: 300W
TV Remote Compatibility: Yes
Dynamic Range Control: Yes (App)
Wireless Surround Sound Ready: SPK8-S
Bluetooth Streaming: Yes
USB Playback: Yes
Channels: 2.1ch
LPCM: Yes
Dolby Digital: Yes
DTS Digital Surround: Yes
MP3: Yes

Why would you buy it?

If you need powerful bass that the soundbar alone can’t provide, this LG model is available for you with a wireless external wireless subwoofer.

Believe me that no one can beat the price of this package!

LGSL4Y-Design

The design of the LG SL4Y is very sleek that’s why it looks great on many TVs. The soundbar is suitable for 40-inch (or slightly larger) TVs, so it’s about the same width as of TV and fits well. But that doesn’t even mean that you can’t use this with other TVs. Obviously, you can.

The simple and stylish black design is so attractive. In any case, just looking at the wide speakers, it’s not easy to imagine that you’re talking on a budget soundbar. There are several buttons to the right of the crease too that you can use to control volume and different functions, and to on or off the bar.

There are three connections on the backside of the soundbar. The first connection is for a plugin in or plugs out and the other is for USB devices. For example, you can connect audio gear to it to play music. If you find it easier, you can also play music via Bluetooth.

In addition, there is an optical connection where you can connect the soundbar to the TV. But, unfortunately, the LG SL4Y has no HDMI connection and cannot connect to the Internet via WiFi.

Installation of LGSL4Y

As there are many options available in the LGSL4Y soundbar so this is not difficult to connect the soundbar within no time.

Via Cable

Sadly, there is no audio cable included. So, you should have a cable or you have to buy it separately. Once you have an audio cable in your hands then it is too easy to install this

You just need to plugin the cable into your TV and the other end to a soundbar. Make sure to switch off your TV speakers so that you can’t hear the sound twice.

I know, nobody wants this!

Via Bluetooth

You can connect your soundbars via Bluetooth within no time too. Just switch on your phone’s and soundbar’s Bluetooth by using the function button on the soundbar.

Then tap on the name of the soundbar you want to connect. Then at the same time screen of the soundbar LGSL4Y will show the name of the paired device and you’re good to go.

Audio Quality of LGSL4Y

Obviously, the most important factor of a soundbar is its sound performance and bass. You can have a soundbar even if other parts are disappointing but the quality of sound is top-notch.

Fortunately, there are several audio modes available in LGSL4Y including filming and different bass options. The sound performance of LGSL4Y is much better than your normal TV sound.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The LG SL4Y is currently not the most expensive soundbar, but it’s certainly not the cheapest. With 300 watts of power, you get something from a wide speaker, but unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly meet your expectations. In any case, the sound is better than TV speakers.

3. Vizio M Series 5.1(M51a-H6)

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY

87%

SOUND RANGE

90%

VOICE DISTORTION

83%

VALUE

78%

Ratings:

★★★★★ 3.3/5

Specification

Sound Bar Size: 36″ (914.40mm)
Subwoofer Size: 6″ (152.40mm)
Sound Pressure Level: 102dB
Subwoofer Frequency Response: 45Hz
Sound Bar Buttons: Power button, Input button, Bluetooth button, Volume UP button, Volume DOWN button
Optical Audio Input: Yes
USB Input: Yes
IR Receiver: Up to 30 feet
HDMI Input: Yes
Sound Bar Weight: 5.53lbs (2.5kg)
Powerful subwoofer and 3D surround sound

Why would you buy it?

As interest in the Dolby digital Atmos audio format for movies and shows grows, you need a soundbar that can deliver overhead sound which makes it the best soundbar under $500.

Vision M series 5.1(M51a-H6) Design

The M51a-H6 looks higher than the actual cost. It has an elegant design, rounded edges, and a less prominent charcoal color. The M51a-H6 is a pretty compact soundbar that features a wireless subwooferthat is so impressive watch for movies.

The main soundbar having a size of 35.98″ x 2.24″ x 3.54″ inches has 6 drivers, all facing forward. For the Atmos soundbar, there is no driver that glows upwards to increase height. The top of the soundbar has the power, input, Bluetooth pairing, volume control, and the front left LED indicates the volume level.

When you change the input mode or sound mode, different light combinations will also flash. When you enable Dolby Audio, you will see a green light. At the rear, there is an HDMI output for connecting to a TV and an HDMI input for external devices such as streaming boxes and gaming consoles.

There is also an optical digital audio input, a USB input, and two 3.5mm auxiliary inputs. One auxiliary input is used to connect to the TV and the other labeled Aux VA is used for the voice speaker.

Sound Quality And Performance

No matter how good the virtual ambient sound is, nothing beats the real ambient sound. The M51a-H6 satellite speakers can enhance the immersive experience of watching movies and playing games.

With the support of Dolby Atmos content and DTS: X, the effect is more accurate and stunning. This player features Dolby Digital providing a rich surround sound experience.

The M51a-V6 is one of the best soundbars under $500 I’ve ever tested, with a maximum volume of over 100 decibels.

The sound is distorted to that level, but the sound is pretty clean even at 90 dB. you can expect sound quality equal to mounted speakers in a single room(usually like 15 to 30 feet in length).

Configuration

You have many different ways to place the sound bar, satellite sound speakers, and wireless subwoofer. But, Vizio’s recommended placement is to place the soundbar under the TV stand or mount on a wall, the satellite behind it, and the powerful subwoofer next to it sitting.

This can help you to properly do wires connecting the satellite to the powerful subwoofer plus 3D surround sound speakers, which keeps the wiring in place.

You can also combine satellite speakers with a soundbar to place a separate subwoofer next to your TV. In that case, switch the satellite adjustment from the [Settings] menu to the own remote control.

Personally, I used an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output of the M51a-V6 to the eARC HDMI port of the TV. This connection allows you to control the volume using your TV remote control. However, when I turned on the TV, the M51a-H6 was not turned on, so I had to use the Vizio remote control.

There are other settings too to process the settings menu. There are many ways to create your favorite sound, especially for cheap soundbars.

Pros

Dolby Atmos
Amazing wireless subwoofers
Very affordable
Have many audio and input options
Excellent sound quality
A wireless sub provides overall bass performance with crip and clear.

Cons

Verdict

The M51a-H6 can provide true 5.1 ambient sound, and its cost is about the same or less than the soundbar which requires the use of virtual ambiance to achieve its effect. You have a lot of flexibility with speaker placement, connection options, audio configuration, and more. And that’s good.

However, no one offers satellite sound wireless speakers or Dolby Atmos support. If you’re looking for true 5.1 ambient sound in the Atmos and want some best soundbar under $500, the M51a-H6 is for you.

Struggling to find a soundbar with built-in subwoofer?.

4. Bose Smart Soundbar 300

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY

85%

SOUND RANGE

89%

VOICE DISTORTION

83%

VALUE

76%

Ratings:

★★★★★ 4.5/5

Specification

Connectivity Type: Bluetooth, WIFI, HDMI
Speaker Type: Soundbar
Mounting Type: Wall mount
Alexa: Built-in Support
Dimensions: 2.21″ H x 26.58″ W x 4.02″ D
Performance: Spacious, clear sound
App Control: Bose Music app
Design: Matte-finished top
Remote: Included

Why would you buy it?

Looking for clarity and versatility when using ARC connections? You can easily set up this soundbar with just a single HDMI cable.

Bose Smart sound bar 300 Performance

You’ll not have such an amazing performance from any else soundbar under 500. Five full-range drivers of bose smart soundbar 300 deliver the clear and wide sound which makes it the best soundbar for X box games, TV, watching movies, and much more.

Built-in Alexa

Alexa is an amazing technology of amazon and google which allows you to control your devices with just like your virtual surround sound speakers via Dolby Digital Decoding.

Bose smart soundbar 300 has a built-in Alexa and google smart assistant for control your voice . The built-in mic of bose smart soundbar 300 has a great noise-canceling system which allows you to use voice commands more efficiently.

Simple Sync

Bose soundbar calls the unique and remarkable features as “SimpleSync”.

Online Quote Manual shows that you can connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones, or a speaker or soundbar to play on your Bose smart speaker. While many Bluetooth speakers and headphones can be connected via SimpleSync, many Bose products are optimized to play sound in sync with Bose smart speakers.

In short, you can play the same song on different Bose speakers at the same time by just connecting them with simple sync.

Bose Music App

With the Bose Music app, in addition to setting up your soundbar and voice assistant, you can browse all your music and jump seamlessly between stations, playlists, and services without leaving the app.

Design

Bose soundbar under 500 adds a bass module to enhance the bass, adds speakers around the Bose to expand the sound stage, or add both for a more cinematic home theater experience. The Smart Soundbar 300 is part of the Bose Smart series of products, which were all designed to work wirelessly.

Create a set of multiple speakers for seamless music playback throughout the house. You can also pair the soundbar to select a Bose portable Bluetooth speaker for a one-to-one connection via Bose SimpleSync technology.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

The Smart Bose Soundbar 300 is suitable for mixed-use. The bar features an exciting V-shaped sound profile suitable for rock and pop music.

There are no basses that affect the depth of the movie sound, but there are bass adjustment features that will help you to adjust the sound. If you prefer vocal-centric content, you can create clear and accurate conversations. But, unfortunately, the bar does not support Atmos.

5. Sonos Beam

OVERALL SCORE

AUDIBLE FREQUENCY

83%

SOUND RANGE

86%

VOICE DISTORTION

92%

VALUE

75%

Ratings:

★★★★★ 4.7/5

Specification

Connectivity Technology: Wireless
Speaker Type: Soundbar
Mountain Type: Table Top
Dimensions: 25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches
Built-in Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Bluetooth: Yes
HDMI ARC: Yes
Number of HDMI Inputs: 1
App controllable: Yes
No of Drivers: 5

Why would you buy it?

If you are thinking of some audio equipment that doesn’t look outdated or old then you must go towards Sonas Beam with incredible sound.

Design

Touch controls are at the top of the soundbar to let you choose to turn up / down the volume, previous/next track, play/pause, and mute the microphone.

LEDs indicate soundbar status, mute silence, and audio feedback. On the back are an HDMI connection, an Ethernet port, a power connection, and a pairing button. The beam is available in a black and white finish and looks stylish but unobtrusive — all pieces are Sonos products.

Although it looks better than the Playbar and Playbase, the Arc may now be the most convincing crown claim of the best Sonos product and best soundbar under $500. However, the Sonos Beam is small and lightweight enough to easily fit in most living rooms, unlike other Sonos TV speakers that require a hell of space.

Connectivity

You can connect to your TV via HDMI (first time in Sonos soundbars) or digital optical audio. Beam uses Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet to stream audio and connect to other Sonos speakers on the network for multi-room audio and personally, this feature works amazingly great. You can also use a wired Ethernet cable for network access.

Like other Sonos soundbars, the Sonos Beam has no remote control. It can be controlled using the remote control of an existing TV with wireless connectivity and voice controlled system. Alternatively, if your TV supports HDMI ARC-CEC, you can control it using Alexa and Amazon voice commands.

Alexa and Google Assistant

Alexa responded to common requests in large rooms. Notify the weather, set a timer, and turn on the WeMo switch. If you also have a connection to Fire TV, you can play the show on Netflix or Hulu, but there’s a slight delay before Fire TV actually does the operation after the command.

For example, if you ask to pause a show, it will take a few seconds to stop the show. Alexa is very useful for controlling music playback via the Sonos app. You can play, pause, and skip tracks. But I can’t find the playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.

Sonos Beam performs all the basic controls the voice of Google Assistant, such as weather checking, music programs, and controlling smart home devices. However, you are not free to talk to either virtual assistant at the same time because you have to switch between Google Assistant and Alexa manually.

Audio Quality And Performance

It offer you panoramic sound, that produced by the beam is broader than you can imagine, and the treble, midrange, and bass are well-balanced.

However, if you’re used to the sound quality of the Sonos Playbar or Playbase, you’re unlikely to be overwhelmed with audio. There’s a lot of bass, but the floor doesn’t move without adding a wireless sub. LOL…

Setup

Even with all the available features, Sonos makes it easy to set up the Beam. Let’s start with the Sonos app. If you do not have a Sonos account, you can easily create on their official site. You can see the model and settings there for connecting the Sonos Beam to the HDMI ARC port on your TV.

Make sure to log in to your Amazon account during setup to enable Alexa. Very few soundbars can match Sonos in terms of environmental sound adaptation.

Beam includes Sonos TruePlay which automatically adjusts the sound of the speakers for best performance in the room where they are installed.

TruePlay uses the phone’s microphone to measure the sound of the whole room. You can also manually adjust the bass and treble. While watching the video, you can use the speech enhancement feature to enhance the middle channel and night mode to lower the bass level.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

With AirPlay 2 and Google Assistant support, sonas speakers won’t be out of date quickly. It gives a broad and balanced sound overall. The small size of the soundbar is a bonus, but in exchange for its compact form, it gives the living bass produced by other Sonos speakers.

FAQ's

Is Sonos Better than bose?

Both speakers have a pristine sound quality and have built-in voice controls through Alexa and google assistant. Still, when we come to pairing Bose, it is better than Sonos. Sonos only allows you to play songs through WiFi or airplay 2. While bose lets you live music via Bluetooth, WiFi, and airplay.

Are soundbars worth the money?

Definitely yes, soundbars are worth it because they add an amazing experience to your listening. They also come with some other useful features that allow you to connect other media devices in the home too.

Best Soundbars Under $500 Based on User Review

Speaker Type	BRAND	Connectivity Technology
Samsung \|HW-Q600A \| 3.1.2ch \| Soundbar	Soundbar	SAMSUNG	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI	Check On Amazon
Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar	Soundbar	Polk Audio	Wireless, HDMI	Check On Amazon
Samsung HW-A450/ZA 2.1ch Soundbar	Soundbar	SAMSUNG	Bluetooth	Check On Amazon
Bose Smart Soundbar 300	SubWoofer	Majority	RCA, Bluetooth, USB, Auxillary	Check On Amazon
Bose TV Speaker- Small Soundbar	Soundbar	Bose	Bluetooth, Auxillary, HDMI	Check On Amazon
BESTISAN TV Sound Bar with Dual Bass Ports	Soundbar	MEGACRA	RCA, Bluetooth	Check On Amazon
Soundbar with Subwoofer,2.1CH with 3D Surround Sound	Subwoofer	PHEANOO	Bluetooth, USB, Auxillary, HDMI	Check On Amazon
Vili Nice 16-Inch Soundbars for TV	3D, Soundbar	Vili Nice	RCA, Bluetooth, USB, Auxillary	Check On Amazon
KMOUK TV Sound Bar, Bluetooth 5.0	Dual Speaker	KMOUK	RCA, Bluetooth, Auxillary	Check On Amazon
Klipsch Cinema 400 Sound Bar	Subwoofer	Klipsch	HDMI	Check On Amazon

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