Best Soundbars Under $500

It is quite accurate to say that getting one of the Best Soundbars Under $500 will give you the best balance of price and performance. Here you can see very good speakers, high-quality sounds and types of sound that are not often associated with sound bars. That’s why some of the best sound bars available are in this segment of the market. The next big step is in the $1000 category. We have prepared some of the best soundbars under $500. That said, each model has its own qualities.

What To Expect From Best Soundbars Under $500

There are many reasons why investing this type of money in a soundbar system scares many people. Some of the most common questions are about how far you can actually push a sound bar and about the possibility of getting a different type of system. That said, the best soundbars under $500 are anything but expensive boxes with small speakers. On the contrary, most models in this segment have more than good speakers. If you remove the Klipsch unit from our list and divide it, you will find 3.5 “drivers associated with a 10” subwoofer cone.

Not only that, but it comes with four drivers, two tweeters and this huge subwoofer. You will have trouble finding conventional speakers that contain as much heat. Performance caps are absolutely not a problem here. This segment of the market is also where stand-alone subwoofers are the norm and most of them are wireless. It means two things. First of all, you know that you get a weak and decent answer, regardless of the content of the soundbar. You can also place the soundbar where you want, without having to worry about cables.

Best Soundbars Under $500 Comparison Table

Best Soundbars Under $500
Soundbar Name Features Rating
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro Immersive sound
Great performance
9.5 out of 10
Sony HT-CT800 An elegant design
Tons of streaming options
9.3 out of 10
Q Acoustics Media 4 Exceptional Audio quality
The design is simple
9.2 out of 10
Klipsch HD Theater SB 3 Great sound quality
Balanced performance
9.0 out of 10
Yamaha YAS-203 Interesting design
Good performance
8.8 out of 10
LG Electronics SH7B An attractive and versatile design
Powerful performance
8.7 out of 10
Polk Audio Omni SB1 Plus Clean design, fits anywhere
Wireless subwoofer
8.5 out of 10

Design and Build Quality Of Best Soundbars Under $500

Then comes the design of the system. Unlike a $200 speaker segment, for example, the design of the soundbar is much more complex. We are talking about the careful positioning of transducers, cones and sound gates. All this is necessary if you want a flexible but saturated sound phase. What really places the best soundbars under $500 at a completely different level are the features. In this segment, you’ll find much more advanced audio control, with complex EQ modes and sound formatting options.

Top 10 Best TVs

Last but not least: there are satellite speakers. Much of the sound bars in this price range is at least provided with two satellites. In other words, you have access to a complete surround sound system that offers you a high level of immersion. This is not something you will see in the cheaper models. These are just a few of the reasons why investing in a $500 soundbar is worth it.

Here are the Best Soundbars Under $500, arranged according to the audio quality, built design, and price ratio:

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro

The Shockwafe Pro from Nakamichi contains a lot of heat in a very streamlined system. One of the first things you notice is the ten drivers placed to have the best effect. In addition, you also have a wireless subwoofer that saturates the lower end of the frequency range with very deep bass. Generally a good system. If we had to file a complaint with the Shockwafe Pro package (which, I tell you, turned out to be rather difficult), the satellite speakers would seem a little too loud compared to the subwoofer and the soundbar. This can create a strange directional effect, depending on how you place the speakers in a room. However, if you know it in advance, you can easily fix it with a smart placement.

Pros:

  • Immersive sound.
  • Great performance.
  • The abundance of speakers.

Cons:

  • Satellite volume control.

Check Price

Sony HT-CT800

We really appreciate what Sony has done with the HT-CT800. Starting from a design that works in almost any imaginable use situation, they have assembled a set of useful and meaningful features and options topped with a fantastic audio performance that will change your listening experience. To get the most out of what the HT-CT800 can offer, it’s helpful to have the time and energy to fully understand the variety of customization options, as they will make a huge difference to your listening experience. With the default settings, you can always disappoint at the beginning, depending on the listening location, but this problem needs to be resolved.

Pros:

  • An elegant, unassuming design.
  • Tons of streaming options.
  • Audio quality that really delivers.

Cons:

  • May require some tinkering to suit your room set-up.

Check Price

Q Acoustics Media 4

As fanatics of sound, we can not do without the incredible sound that Q Acoustics has managed to develop with the QM4. If you are looking for a product with many extras that look bright and low profile, this may not be the right choice for you. But if you’re all about running, you can not go wrong. This is another sound bar with an unusual shape, so you may need to create a not insignificant space for your listening position. This is not a huge problem, but it is something that should be taken into account when buying. The lack of HDMI transmission is also a little unfortunate, but not a decisive factor.

Pros:

  • The audio quality is utterly exceptional.
  • The design is simple.

Cons:

  • May not fit your space.
  • Not much in the way of extras, and lacks HDMI throughput.

Check Price

Klipsch HD Theater SB 3

Klipsch HD Theater SB3 is a combination of a soundbar and a subwoofer with very heavy basic components. We’re talking about big, high-quality drivers in the same soundbar, with a huge 10 “cone in the subwoofer, and on top of that, Klipsch has a balanced set of features that pretty much use all that power. the SB3, you may not find the size a problem. It is certainly one of the heaviest sound bars we encounter, and the bar itself and the subwoofer included must be placed carefully to reconcile comfort, space and listening experience Keep this in mind and you are well placed to solve the problem.

Best Soundbars Under $200

Pros:

  • Great sound quality.
  • Balanced performance.
  • Easy to use.

Cons:

  • Somewhat bulky.

Yamaha YAS-203

The Yamaha YAS-203 is a balanced and somewhat simplistic soundbar system. It has just enough power, but also comes with all the necessary features that make it fun to watch from your TV more enjoyable. The wireless character allows for easy installation, and the sound is quite relevant. In general, it’s a good choice for the money. We would have liked a visual feedback from the YAS-203 orders, as this can help with daily use, but it’s far from being a big complaint. Overall, the sheer performance Yamaha has brought to this model is one of the easiest favorites in this price range. An extremely solid offer from a reputable brand.

Pros:

  • Interesting design.
  • Good performance.
  • Good value for the money.

Cons:

  • No visual feedback on controls.

Check Price

LG Electronics SH7B

The SH7B is an excellent choice for those wishing to enhance their miracle experience on television and movies. It will certainly move to the next level with a confident, powerful and powerful performance that brings out the best of the soundtrack, effects, and dialogue. Although the music does not sound the best, it is by no means a dealbreaker. When watching visual media or playing games, the listening experience is optimal. This means that the SH7B is the weakest of the audio spectrum speakers. This is not a big problem, and the sound is more than enough, but if this is probably a problem for the type of display you have in mind, you can look elsewhere.

Pros:

  • An attractive, simple, and versatile design.
  • An assertive, powerful performance.
  • Good amounts of customization are available.

Cons:

  • Highs aren’t as nuanced as we would like.

Check Price

Polk Audio Omni SB1 Plus

Polk Audio Omni SB1 Plus is a compact soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, a wide range of functions and performance optimized for an exceptional viewing experience. Their VoiceAdjust technology allows you to really call these voices, making them perfectly clear. In the end, it has many limitations and benefits. The bass performance of the SB1 Plus is quite impressive for the combination of a soundbar and a subwoofer, which usually do not offer much in terms of presence. That said, there is a remarkable lack of dynamics, especially evident when you listen to music or at musical moments in the movies. It’s not the end of the world, but something to think about.

Pros:

  • Clean design that fits in anywhere.
  • A wireless subwoofer that packs a large cone.
  • VoiceAdjust feature makes all the difference.

Cons:

  • Not enough range when it comes to listening to music.

Check Price

Final Words

Good quality and best soundbars under $500 have the ability to deliver a much better sound experience than your TV or soundbar. Not only that, but you enter the entire audiophile sound field. The models mentioned above are among the Best Soundbars Under $500 in this segment of the market. Each has its own design that brings different qualities to the table. However, they are all capable of producing a very sophisticated sound scene at home. This means that you will enjoy the movies as expected.

Best Soundbars Under $100