Soundbars have come a long way over the years, with most offering gaming modes, Dolby Atmos, and other features that can actually help improve your gameplay. Let’s face it, you can’t effectively camp in COD if you can’t hear people coming behind you.
Here are the best soundbars for gaming available today.
Q: Are Soundbars Good for Gaming?
For console gamers, soundbars can be a great way to improve the audio quality, especially when using a soundbar with up-firing Dolby Atmos speakers.
From immersive movies to intricate game sounds, the Samsung HW-Q950T offers a complex layer of sounds, making the audio quality absolutely incredible. Even at higher volumes, this soundbar can fill a loud room without distortion, allowing you to enjoy every level of sound.
Granted, you won’t be using the Samsung HW-Q950T for a desktop gaming setup, but for movies and next-gen consoles, it’s one of the best, premium soundbars for gaming around.
Despite its compact form, the Razer Leviathan has two 0.74-inch tweeters and two 2.5-inch full-range drivers hidden behind its iconic logo on the front of the soundbar. The subwoofer discreetly packs a 5.25-inch driver and delivers rich bass sound that won’t crackle or distort at higher volumes. If you’re listening to music, you may find the bass a little too overwhelming, but it’s undeniable you’re going to get an immersive gaming experience here.
The only major downfall of the Razer Leviathan is that it doesn’t offer true 5.1 surround sound; it’s simulated. You’ll need to work your way through the presets to combat the lack of left and right channels, but the affordable price tag does make this easier to swallow.
When the soundbar is placed on your desk, you could be forgiven for mistaking the Sound BlasterX Katana as floating. The RGB lights are something to marvel at, but the complications occur when trying to house the soundbar and subwoofer in the same area. Since the subwoofer is tethered to the soundbar with a relatively short cable, it can be difficult to get everything to look and feel just so.
Mid-range, treble detail and bass are all balanced very well, but it will be hard to push the Sound BlasterX Katana to its limits since the sound can be pretty deafening even at lower volumes. This is why it’s great for desktop gaming, saving space, producing decent sound quality, and looking fantastic.
Due to the lack of a subwoofer driver, you won’t be able to get deep, low frequencies from the LG Ultragear GP9. However, mids and highs are especially great, and the GP9 does a good job at not muddying audio when it gets complex. It’s also very immersive when gaming, however, it can’t hit the same kind of simulated surround sound you can get from some headsets.
But, if you’re looking for a great gaming soundbar that looks the part and comes with the option to plug in your headset, the LG Ultragear GP9 is great value for money, if you can get it when it goes on offer.
Sticking with the default mode, the Sony HT-A5000 sounds balanced and clear. However, thanks to Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine and DTS Virtual:X, PS5 owners will be able to enjoy surround sound in and out of the game, like never before.
And, if you want to expand your soundstage even further, you can add two Sony wireless subwoofers and wireless satellites, offering even better immersion, especially in larger spaces.
While the JBL Bar 5.1 is geared more towards movie buffs, it also works well when gaming, offering a really immersive experience. It’s easy to set up and you can get going pretty much straight away. Audio is clear, not muddied, and the dedicated voice driver means dialogue in and out of game won’t get lost.
However, if you prefer listening to music while you’re gaming, the JBL Bar 5.1 isn’t the best choice. With weak mids, it doesn’t allow for such a complex soundstage as other soundbars can achieve at a cheaper price.
For PC gamers, soundbars can be great for long gaming sessions, giving you a break from wearing headsets for prolonged periods, that can often become uncomfortable.
Q: Can I Use a Soundbar for a Gaming PC?
Yes, most soundbars come with multiple inputs, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical input, or AUX. This means there are plenty of ways to not only connect your soundbar to your gaming PC but often they can also be connected to games consoles and even your TV.
