10 Best Soundbar With Optical Input 2025 in the United States

The Bose TV Speaker is a compact soundbar designed to improve your TV audio experience, especially for dialogue clarity. Its standout feature is the enhancement of speech, making it a great choice for those who often find themselves straining to understand conversations in movies or shows. With two angled full-range drivers, it offers a wider soundstage, which helps create a more immersive listening experience.

In terms of connectivity, the soundbar excels with multiple options, including HDMI ARC, optical in, and AUX in, allowing for easy setup and compatibility with various devices. The Bluetooth feature also lets you stream music directly from your phone or tablet, which adds to its versatility. Setting it up is straightforward, requiring just a single connection to your TV, and the included remote control offers additional features like dialogue mode and bass boost for a personalized listening experience.

The design is sleek and compact, standing only about 2 inches tall, making it suitable for tight spaces in front of your TV or easy wall mounting. It’s important to note that it lacks a built-in subwoofer, which means it may not deliver the deep bass some users expect for action movies or music genres heavy on bass. Additionally, while it’s marketed for home entertainment, the sound quality is primarily stereo, which might not satisfy audiophiles looking for surround sound capabilities.

The JBL Bar 9.1 is a standout soundbar for anyone looking to enhance their home audio experience, especially those who enjoy movies or gaming with immersive sound. With a powerful 820W output and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, it delivers exceptional sound quality that can fill a room, making it ideal for home theater setups. The detachable, battery-powered surround speakers are a significant highlight; they offer genuine surround sound without the hassle of wires, making installation straightforward. Additionally, the 300W, 10" subwoofer provides deep bass, enhancing the overall audio experience.

In terms of connectivity, it offers a range of options including optical, HDMI, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, catering to various devices and user preferences. The inclusion of Ultra HD 4K pass-through with Dolby Vision ensures compatibility with modern TVs and enhances your viewing experience. The built-in calibration feature is also handy, automatically adjusting the sound settings to suit your room, which is great for users unfamiliar with sound optimization.

There are a few considerations. The soundbar, while compact in design, may still require some space, especially when factoring in the position for the subwoofer and surround speakers. Though the included components like wall-mount brackets make mounting easier, the size may not be suitable for small rooms. Additionally, some users might find the wireless setup requires a bit of patience during initial configuration. While it offers premium features, it comes at a higher price point than basic soundbars, which might not appeal to budget-conscious consumers. If you're serious about sound quality and enjoy cinematic audio, the JBL Bar 9.1 is a compelling option that deserves consideration.

The Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar brings a lot of strengths to the table, especially for those looking to enhance their home entertainment setup. The sound quality is a standout feature thanks to its 5 full-range drivers and the wireless subwoofer, which ensures rich sound and deep bass. The exclusive VoiceAdjust technology and Dolby Digital Decoding improve voice clarity and reduce delays, making dialogue in shows and movies much clearer. It supports surround sound, which can enhance the immersive experience while watching movies or playing games.

The slim design means it can fit easily under most TVs without obstructing the bottom edge or the remote sensor, and it can also be wall-mounted if needed. Connectivity is versatile with options including HDMI ARC, optical input, AUX, and Bluetooth for wireless streaming, which provides flexibility for various setups and devices. The setup process is straightforward and quick, allowing users to get started within minutes using the included cables.

Some users may find the 25-watt maximum output power on the lower end compared to higher-end models, but it is still adequate for most living rooms and provides good value for its price range. Polk Audio is a well-regarded brand, known for reliable products. The sound bar is ideal for anyone wanting an easy-to-use, high-quality audio system with modern connectivity features for their home theater.