When it comes to gaming regardless of PC or console games, the two things that matters most are image quality seen from your TV or monitor and the other one, of course, is sound quality. Which brings us the soundbar; an external audio device that’s capable of enhancing the existing sounds of your game.
Soundbars vs. speakers for gaming
Soundbars are named as such due to the elongated form factor reminiscent of a chocolate bar. They usually come with or without a separate subwoofer for added bass response. Soundbars are slim in sizes and do not take up a lot of spaces, so they can easily fit on a shelf, desk or even mounted on the wall.
Moreover, soundbars are particularly ideal for those who live in a small apartment or simply do not want to invest in typically large and bulky traditional home theatre speakers. Of course, that doesn’t mean speakers are not worthy of an investment. Threatre speakers are customisable and provide different surround sounds such as Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 system.
Not to mention serious audiophiles would normally consider home theatre speakers, given the larger form factors designed to give you a bigger, cinema-like sound quality.
However, if you are looking to stick to purchasing the former or just need something basic yet good, we have rounded up a list of the best soundbars for gaming.
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Here’s an all-rounder of a soundbar from Samsung, complete with a total of 8 speakers at 360W that runs on Dolby 5.1 channel. It comes with the brand’s Acoustic Beam technology that helps to create a wider and immersive 360-degree sound effect. Gamers can look forward to its Game Mode feature, which optimises specifically for the sound of the game.
If you own a Samsung TV, you can easily connect the soundbar to the television with minimal fuss, thanks to its simple plug-and-play connectivity. Streaming music from your smart device is just as easy since the soundbar supports wireless Bluetooth connection as well.
Design-wise, the Samsung HW-N650’s minimalist design and low form factor mean you can easily fit the soundbar comfortably in front of most modern TVs. The accompanying wireless subwoofer is another big plus, offering flexibility when it comes to placement. All in all, you add more punch to the overall sound system regardless of gaming, watching movies or listening to your favourite music.
Can’t afford to splurge on a soundbar for your gaming needs? Well, thanks to the likes of Dell AC511M, you can now own one without spending a fortune. The only biggest exception is that the model is designed for PC uses. As for the highlights, the soundbar utilises a simple plug-and-play setup via USB connection.
In term of sound quality, you can expect crisp stereo audio with an integrated volume knob for sound adjustment. Additionally, its minimalist design is compact enough without sacrificing much of your desktop space. Lastly, there’s a headphone jack to let you enjoy your, say late-night private gaming session.
Suitable for PC gamers, this slim and lightweight Creative Sound BlasterX Katana boasts a sleek, brushed-aluminium exterior with programmable RGB lighting that beams underneath. This is especially exciting if you choose to play your favourite games in the dark.
The Creative SoundBlasterX Katana comes with a total of 5 drivers including two up-firing midbass drivers, two high-excursion tweeters and one long-throw driver found in the subwoofer. All of those are combined to produce a detailed, room-filling audio. Moreover, the soundbar supports Virtual 7.1 channel audio input signals via USB connection for a robust 3D audio effect.
Enjoy crisp surround-sound system with the Yamaha YSP-2700, which boasts a total power output at 107W while supporting both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio. Since it utilises 7.1 output channel, you can enjoy dynamic sound range coupled with 16 28mm beam drivers while playing your favourite game on a PS4 or other console.
The Yamaha YSP-2700 is also blessed with multiple connectivity options ranging from Bluetooth to WiFi and AirPlay. You can even take control of the soundbar’s CINEMA DSP feature to enjoy 3D sound effect specially created for different audio environments including Movie, Music and Entertainment modes.
Given the brand being synonymous with high-quality gaming hardware, Razer’s Leviathan has everything you need to make your gameplay sounds immersive. It boasts a 5.1 surround sound, complete with two 2.5” full-range drivers and two 0.74” tweeters as well as a separate subwoofer that has its own 5.25” downward-facing speaker. You can expect crystal-clear sound quality with rich bass all around.
The Razer Leviathan also comes equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 and its aptX technology, both of which helps to provide amazing wireless sound quality at up to 10 metres long.
Ideal for gaming and movies, the Samsung HW-Q60R/XM boasts the brand’s Acoustic Beam technology that fills your room to the brim with an immersive 360-degree sound. Then, there’s Adaptive Sound, which basically works by optimising every sound on each scene for clearer audio regardless of whether the main characters are talking to each other or background noises.
Other highlights include a built-in 4K pass-through and HDMI connection that allows you to enjoy lossless 4K quality content in both images and audio. The soundbar also has a dedicated central speaker for a well-balanced sound and a separate, wireless subwoofer capable of producing a deep bass response.
If budget’s not an issue, you might want to consider this high-end Sony HTST5000. This powerful soundbar boasts a three-dimensional 7.1 2ch S-Force Pro Front Surround technology and Dolby Atmos system to give you a spectacular 360-degree sound all around. Perfect for when you game in the living room!
The Sony HTST5000 doesn’t skimp on the connection either, offering multiple choices from HDMI to AUX and USB. Also, the soundbar supports wireless connection via NFC or Bluetooth that allows you to stream music easily from your mobile devices such as smartphone and laptop.