To be honest, often a Roku TV disappoints the users with its sound quality. Like, it blurs out the clarity and dialogue which makes it very difficult to figure out the dialogues clearly. Though, it is not true for all. However, if you are one of such users, then you should get your Roku TV a quality soundbar that will support your TV’s audio output and other needs as well.
Moreover, I am not saying that TCL Roku TV has poor audio quality, the only reason behind suggesting a soundbar is to make the audio quality better than before. Besides, with a quality soundbar, one can enjoy vivid and awesome sound quality without taking much space.
There are so many products for this purpose in the market, the real job is filtering out the right and the best ones. This job is not that easy as it sounds, because you have to find out the most compatible option for your Roku TV.
Therefore, to help you reduce your stress & time, here is a guide containing various information regarding Roku TV along with some well-known and best soundbar for Roku TV of various brands and different grades. From here you can find the device that suits your Roku TV the most and enhance your overall experience. So, let’s get started with some important things that you should know about Roku TV.
What types of connectivity are essential for Roku TV?
In order to stream various types of content on Roku TV, the users need to have Internet access. They can connect it with their home network wirelessly, also if they want they can go with the soundbars that come with a wired Ethernet connector. Another most asked question, is does a Roku TV requires any sort of cable connection?
The answer is No. The user can stream content on Roku TV or streaming player with zero involvement of any satellite subscription or traditional cable, but you need to have an internet connection.
Remember, an internet connection does not necessarily mean a Wi-Fi connection. You can use Ethernet port as well, and download content so that you can enjoy them offline o use a USB port for playing media.
Moving on, the Roku TV or streaming device can also be connected with the help of an HDMI® port with an HDMI cable. Interestingly, the Streaming stick of Roku connects with its own HDMI connector (built-in) directly. So, in this regard, you do not need an HDMI cable.
That said, the Roku Streambar, Roku Streaming Stick®, Roku Streambar Pro, Roku Smart Soundbar, in short, all the available Roku streaming devices will work with an HDMI connection in any TV. Isn’t it great?
Is a TCL soundbar must need for a TCL Roku TV?
No, yet for better performance you can get a TCL soundbar, but you can use any other soundbar as well which is compatible with Roku TV.
Further, there are many great devices that work great with TCL Roku TV, such as the Bose soundbar, Sonos Beam, Yamaha, etc.
The Most Important Thing To Consider
It can be frustrating if the soundbar doesn’t work perfectly with your Roku TV even after paying a great amount of money to buy it. Therefore, it is very important to know how the Roku TV connects to the soundbars. That said, the Roku TVs come with three connection options and you must check what connection option it has before buying. The connection options are:
- Analog Audio Output
- Digital Optical out
- HDMI ARC
Table: Quick comparison of Top 7 Soundbar for Roku TV
Details Review and Study on the Best Soundbar for Roku TV
Sony HT-S350 soundbar
This soundbar is an incredible device for the TCL Roku TV. The built-in speakers of TCL compliment nicely these pair of soundbars and as a result, it delivers excellent sound quality. Also, it comes with a vast range of features making it a great choice for your Roku TV.
You will get the Sony HT-S350 in the usual packaging, i.e. in an L-shaped box. The package includes an optical cable, a manual, batteries, as well as a remote which will help you to change the mode. Moreover, you will also get an HDMI ARC, a power adapter, and an optical audio input with it.
The soundbar has a good built quality with a matte black body. The finishing is also great and the size is also handy enough, which is around 35 inches wide and about 1.5 inches high. Therefore, you can easily place it under your Roku TV.
Also, on the top, you will find touch controls in order to turn the power and Bluetooth on or off, customize the volume, and switch source. Besides, it comes with a limited number of ports that are rear positioned so that the user can easily operate things. If the users want, they can also connect a sub to the HT-S350 soundbar wirelessly for the Roku TV.
Setup
The setup of the Sony HT-S350 is what I love the most. It is super easy and straightforward. You just need to plug in the subwoofer and bar, also connect a good speed HDMI cable to the HDMI ARC port of Roku TV, and the setup is done! However, this device does not come with any HDMI ARC.
Once the setup is done, you can control or set the volume using the Roku TV remote. But in order to do so, you need to customize few settings and then change the audio
output to the external receiver or sound.
Performance
Taking about the performance, the device delivers the power of around 320 watts, therefore it provides powerful and vivid sound quality as well as great bass response, enhancing the experience of the users.
However, the device has few drawbacks about which I will be talking later on.
Moving forward, the Sony HT-S350 has few great features, which include the voice mode. This mode helps to separate the movie’s dialogue from any sort of noise and chaos. Besides, it is great for small to medium rooms and it is best for movie streaming. Also, the Bluetooth works decent and the music played via it delivers nice output.
So, the overall performance of HT-S350 is nice. The sound quality is good, so are features and built quality.
Pros
There are many good things about this soundbar, but above all, I will keep its price range. It is affordable and at this price range, whatever it gives is fair enough. Besides, it has a quick and easy setup, nice Bluetooth connectivity, powerful audio and bass response.
Cons
The connectivity options of HT-S350 are very limited and the visual interface is also very poor. Moreover, the features are good but not great. Also, the sound could have been more balanced.
TCL Alto 7+ soundbar
Here comes a great TCL soundbar, in case you want to match it up with the TV’s brand. You can get it by spending a small amount of money which will serve you with awesome sound quality. This TCL soundbar is also great for movies. Plus, it works perfectly great with TCL manufactured Roku TVs’. Therefore, without any tension, you can enjoy your favorite shows, series, and movies with this soundbar.
The TCL Alto 7+ comes with all the components you need to operate them hassle-free. In the box, you will get the soundbar, a wireless sub, a remote, manual, cables, wall mounting kit, etc.
Taking about the design, it has a slim and long shape, plus it contains its logo on the body. Overall it looks good. Also, as I said earlier, this soundbar comes with remote control, but it also has physical buttons on the top of the bar, which will help the users to set the volume, turn the power on and off, source selection, turning on/ off the Bluetooth, or Bluetooth pairing.
This TCL Alto 7+ soundbar comes with a Bluetooth connectivity option for streaming contents wirelessly, optical input, only 1 HDMI ARC port but no HDMI input which is a big downside of this device.
Setup
Similar to the last soundbar discussed, this device also has a very easy setup. All you need to do is connect the Roku TV through HDMI ARC, then check whether the TV is ready to output sound through the selected port after you have picked the right input. Lastly, you need to enable the remote in order to control the device’s volume and other options like, playing or pausing the track, skipping a song, etc from the menu.
Moreover, via the remote, you can change the equalization settings. Sadly, it has no separate key for the sub-level. Therefore, you can not control things even if they get a bit rushy.
Performance
In spite of being a budget-friendly device, the TCL Alto 7+ comes with very attractive features, and also its performance is enough capable of competing with the high-end soundbars.
Whether it be the dialogue performance or sound clarity, the soundbar will please you. One can hear every single word of their favorite movies or shows distinctly during handling the background noises. Also, the movie mode is quite awesome; it adds up more depth and punches in the audio without any distortion.
If you ask me, how the TCL Alto 7+ is for music, the answer might not make you that happy. It is because the music mode is not as great as its movie mode. However, it is not either that bad to be honest.
Pros
The sound it provides is incredible; especially it is great for movies. Further, it has nice dialogue clarity, comes with a lot of cables, the bass is good, and so is the design.
Besides, the setup won’t bother you as it is too simple.
And most importantly, it is inexpensive, which means you can get it even if you have a tight budget.
Cons
A big downside of this device is its limited HDMI port. The user has to plug disc players, game consoles, or other devices, into the TV, as it has only 1 HDMI port. Moreover, the sub-level adjustment is missing here which is why the user can not control things even if they get a bit rushy.
Sonos Beam soundbar
Sonos is one of the most well-known brands which I believe you know. Besides, it is compatible with Roku TV and gives good output as well. This device is packed with some nice features attracting people to buy it. Plus, it can also fill up the gap of entry-level home equipment.
The Sonos Beam is a small soundbar with a dimension of 650mm x 100mm x 68.5mm. It is perfect for any small room which can easily be placed anywhere including beneath the TV, Anyone who is in search of a compact or handy soundbar for his/her Roku TV can get this one. Similar to its size, the weight of the Sonos Beam is also light, so you can mount it on the wall as well.
Besides, it has a sleek design which gives a similar look to somewhere in between Sonos Play 5 and Sonos One. Moreover, it is available in two colors, white & black.
It is a touch-sensitive device, having touch controls for Roku TV on the upper side of the bar. Through these controls, you can set the volume, change track, mute the microphone and obviously play or pause the track.
Furthermore, the user will also get an HDMI slot, Wi-Fi button, Ethernet, and power button. The Sonos Beam does not come with any remote control which I don’t consider as a drawback because Sonos soundbars have never come with any remote control before as well, plus the users can easily control the bar with the existing Roku TV remote as well as the Sonos app. Not only that, but Amazon’s Alexa can also help them in this regard.
Setup
This setup is also hassle-free. Let me tell you the process in steps:
- Plug the bar into power along with the HDMI ARC port on the Roku TV.
- After that, open your phone and click on the Sonos app in order to connect to the Wi-Fi ( install the app if you haven’t).
- From this, the Sonos app will tell you the rest of the process.
Easy, isn’t it?
Note that, the user needs to sign in to his/her Amazon account while the setup, for enabling Alexa for voice controls.
Performance
The Sonos Beam has a good range of features including voice control. Also, it produces a room-filling sound in spite of its tiny dimension, which is why you can also use it in any medium-sized room.
This device is great for movies and music as well. It produces clear dialogue and rich & impactful audio. Even you don’t require any extra sub with this device, it naturally delivers huge dialogue clarity making your experience more lively.
The same goes for music playback. The Sonos Beam does a great job in both of the sectors. So, whether it be movies or music, this Sonos soundbar provides awesome clarity and great bass response.
Pros
It has a great handy and compact design making it perfect for small and medium-sized rooms. The sound quality is superb; whether it be movies or music, this Sonos soundbar provides awesome clarity and great bass response. And the price is decent.
Cons
It does not support Dolby Atmos. Besides, there is no doubt that the sound is awesome, but sometimes it sounds murky, which however lasts only for a few seconds. TBH it is not even a con, just had to let you know.
Bose SoundTouch 700
A good combination of gorgeous built and nice sound is what the users get from the Bose SoundTouch 700. It is one of the excellent flagship soundbars for your Roku TV.
So far I have written about so many soundbars for Roku TV, all with nice design and good built quality. But this one’s design is my favorite! It is an outstanding minimalist device for TCL Roku TV.
Its build will impress you for sure, once you see it in real. Its sleek appearance, nice slim body, and black finishing make it looks great. Additionally, there are zero controls on the soundbar, even there is no display. It just has a few LEDs on the left side, indicating its current status. I find its look vintage and classy.
Also, the SoundTouch 700 of Bose comes without a subwoofer. However, if you want one, you need to buy it from their manufacturer.
Moreover, there are few connections in the back consisting of 1 HDMI input along with an output supporting ARC, digital optical audio output, Acoustimass jack, a microphone input of 3.5 mm, 1 micro-USB connection, and Ethernet.
Further, it supports wireless connection as it comes with built-in Bluetooth (with NFC) and Wi-Fi In addition to that, one can also control the soundbar through the universal remote as well as the SoundTouch app.
Setup
The Bose SoundTouch 700 has a bit of an absurd or lengthy setup. Here at first, the user needs to connect the sources to the Soundbar and then connect it to the Roku TV.
Then you will see a calibration microphone that is included in the Bose SoundTouch 700’s package; use it for tuning the output. After that, press any preset key and then wait so that the tones play via the system in order to get started. You have to repeat this whole process 5 times(!); each time in a different position.
The process might sound a bit, but actually, it’s not. It is just lengthy.
Performance
Even if the setup is bizarre, do it. Trust me, once you complete it, the outcome will make the time tasted for the setup worth it.
The Bose SoundTouch 700 gives you a flawless performance, with great sound, and decent bass. To be more elaborative about the sound, it is expansive, loud, and clear making the dialogue feels vivid.
On the downside, the dialogue sometimes sounds unnecessarily a bit sharp, though it’s very rare. Other than that, it gives you a nice ambiance for the max part.
This soundbar is a good choice for both movies and music playback. It overall provides a composed as well as an immersive sound and even if the volume is very high the sound won’t crack.
Pros
Its sleek appearance, nice slim body, and black finishing make it looks great. The soundbar is great for both movies and music which provides a composed as well as an immersive sound.
Cons
The Bose SoundTouch 700 does not come with any sub, the setup is a bit messy, and also the dialogue sometimes sounds unnecessarily a bit sharp.
Yamaha Audio YAS-209
This is another budget-friendly soundbar that too from a well know brand, Yamaha. It delivers high performance and suits the TCL Roku TVs perfectly.
Yamaha has never made the design its priority, it emphasizes more on the sound quality; after all, soundbars are made to be heard. Yet the design of Audio YAS-209 is not that bad. It also has a slim and sleek design that can fit easily anywhere in your room.
The round-shaped form factor at its top looks impressive. Besides, it comes with touch controls that are easily accessible, plus it displays LEDs on the panel’s front side. Also in the box, you will have 2 power cables, a remote along with batteries, and an optical audio cable. Like any other remote, this remote also lets the user control play or pause, to adjust volume as well as make sub-level adjustments, etc.
Moreover, on the back of the device, there are ports for optical and HDMI inputs, an analog jack of 3.5mm as well as a Bluetooth connection for audio streaming from the user’s phone or Tab. Find out also Best Soundbar With Multiple HDMI Inputs.
Setup
The setup of Yamaha Audio YAS-209 is straightforward if the user uses an optical cable.
The steps are very simple and short. First, connect the HDMI ARC with the cable on the Roku TV by using the port. This will provide a powerful and clear sound to & from the TV.
Also with that, the user can control the device’s volume as well as power using the TV remote. Lastly, the user has to engage the ARC on the Roku TV’s settings menu. And the setup is done.
Performance
To cut a long story short, Yamaha delivers high performance at a very affordable price.
The Yamaha Audio YAS-209 provides rich sound and powerful bass. It successfully separates the movie’s dialogue from any sort of noise & chaos and provides distinct sounds capturing the dialogues as well as background details nicely.
For both movies and music, this device is recommended. But, some users claimed that the music playback is weak. However, for me, it worked great. It produces clear dialogue and rich & impactful audio. It unearths the tiniest details of all the effects making it crystal clear and lets the users draw deeper into it.
Pros
It has a decent slim and sleek design that produces rick bass and powerful sound. This Yamaha soundbar also supports 4K. The highs are very clear and detailed. It comes at an affordable price.
Cons
It only has HDMI input and some users claimed that the music playback is weak.
Polk Audio Command Bar
This soundbar from Polk doesn’t just make the users Roku TV sound great; it also plays the role of a fruitful smart assistant in their living room.
The design of the Polk Audio Command Bar is okay. It looks quite basic and nothing that exceptional. The size is good enough (which is 2-inch in height, 4-inch in-depth, and 43-inch in width) to fit underneath the user’s TV.
The device has a nice material finishing and a good built quality as well. You will find it in only one color, that is black. Also, in order to get a great deal check Amazon.
On the middle of the Polk Audio Command Bar, you can see blue light which works as the link to Alexa as well as the buttons for microphone management & volume controls.
Moreover, there is an optional audio port, 2 HDMI input, and 1 HDMI ARC output on the soundbars’ rear. The user will also get a powered USB port for connecting the USB cable.
Besides, with the soundbar, you will also get a manual, a remote, Standard Polk fare’s step-up featuring an Alexa button on the to, plus you will get a subwoofer paired with it.
Setup
In terms of setup, the Polk Audio Command Bar is not at all the device that makes you worried. Like in the other TCL devices, here also you need to connect the soundbar to your Roku TV through the HDMI. Then you have to download a free app named the Polk Connect app. Then log in to your Amazon account to let the Polk Audio Command soundbar use Alexa.
After these steps are done, then Alexa will guide you and do the rest. Isn’t it easy? Note that, after finishing the setup, Alexa can also help you change the preset audio modes as well as do other functions.
Performance
For both music and movies, this device is great. It has a nice balance and overall great output. Moreover, the bass frequency range is super nice at this price, which I think is excellent for the starters.
Besides, the Polk Audio Command soundbar also delivers resonant dialogue plus nice ramble at the low-end effects. However, the subwoofer fails to produce perfect detailing, and honestly, I expected more from this sub.
Other than that, the performance is really nice, especially in terms of listening the soundbar delivers great sound quality with awesome depth providing a vivid experience to its users.
Pros
It is an affordable soundbar that is great for both movies and music providing a composed as well as an immersive sound. Moreover, the setup is also easy and has some good features, like built-in Amazon Alexa.
Cons
The Polk Connect app does not have sufficient features. Besides, the fire TV is missing and the included subwoofer fails to produce perfect detailing.
TCL Alto 9+ 3.1 Dolby
Another TCL product, TCL Alto 9+ 3.1 Dolby soundbar is a great device for Roku TV. Its design is quite similar to the previous TCL device talked about in this article. However, it is undoubtedly more updated and has upgraded features as well.
It plunges in the center channel up ahead of the side channels in order to enhance the clarity of the dialogue delivery along with the overall experience. Besides, it also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Setup
For setup, connect the Roku TV through HDMI ARC, then check whether the TV is ready to output sound through the selected port after you have picked the right input. Lastly, you need to enable the remote in order to control the device’s volume and other options like, playing or pausing the track, skipping a song, etc from the menu.
Performance
Like most other TCL devices, the TCL Alto 9+ 3.1 Dolby soundbar comes with a subwoofer that enhances the overall sound quality of your Roku TV. It creates a decent multi-dimensional and balanced sound-stage that any user will desire for enjoying his/her favorite movies. In short, the audio output of the Alto 9+ 3.1 Dolby soundbar is excellent
Furthermore, this device is combined with the Ray Danz Tech. This technology helps to create a room-filling and realistic audio output. In addition to that, the soundbar is backed with the Dolby Atmos, which is why I would suggest you get it; because it helps in producing more depth to the audio and thus makes your overall experience EXCELLENT.
Pros
This device is combined with the Ray Danz Technology which helps to create a room-filling and realistic audio output. Plus, it is backed with the Dolby Atmos helping to produce more depth to the audio and nice dialogue clarity. Besides, it also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Cons
Its design is a bit bulky.
So, here I am done with the list. But I want to mention one more soundbar from Roku; consider it as a special mention or an alternative. It is for those who want a soundbar from the same brand as their TV. So, have a look at Roku Smart Soundbar for Roku TV.
Roku Smart Soundbar For Roku TV
Getting straight to the point, this Roku soundbar comes with a built-in Roku layer. With its help, you can binge free movies, series & TV shows anytime you want.
Moreover, its sound output is not at all bad. The device eradicates the background noise from the surroundings to provide enhanced clarity at the time of listening to music, movies & others.
Interestingly, the Roku Smart Soundbar turns down the volume of the commercials on its own, ensuring a developed listening experience like never before. Besides, it has a night mode letting it stream safely at night. Cool right?
Pros
Firstly, the Roku Smart Soundbar is a flagship product from Roku, which is a big plus point if you are looking for a device for Roku TV. Besides, it comes with night mode, eradicates the background noise, the user interface is simple and of course, it is super easy to install & use.
Cons
The Roku Smart Soundbar lacks a subwoofer.
How to connect the soundbar to Roku TV?
This is the most common question from mostly those who just bought a Roku TV.
Don’t worry guys, the process is very easy. Firstly figure out which type of connection you desire to use. It’s better to choose the one which is compatible with both the devices, which means your Roku TV as well as your soundbar.
Connect the devices using the manual, and once it is done, turn on the TV. Remember, you should ensure whether the inputs are pushed in properly and securely or not. Otherwise, this will lead to failure to connect the soundbar with your Roku TV.
Then go to the settings option and choose any connection from RCA, digital optic, HDMI ARC, and other options that you have.
Again, check the connections, if all is okay then test the audio. Also find out How to Connect Roku TV to Wi-Fi Without a Remote.
Look at the steps given below for a better understanding:
- Connect your soundbar to your TCL Roku TV
- Turn both of them on.
- Open the “settings” option on your Roku TV
- Click on the action “control other devices”
- Then enable the connection that you have chosen
- After that pull up the audio control of the system on the main menu
- Again enable the connection that you have chosen
- Finally return to the home page/screen and test the sound. It should work now.
Moreover, if your soundbar supports Dolby technology, then set your device to the DTS or Dolby D+ mode in order to get the best sound your device can offer.
Also, if you are unsure about whether your soundbar supports DTS, Dolby Atmos, or Dolby digital tech, you can check the labels in the box or search online.
If your soundbar supports any of these techniques or technologies, do the following thing:
- Open the “settings” option of the TCL Roku TV
- Choose the option named “audio”
- Set the options of any of the surround sound technologies you want or the one that your device supports
- Then repeat the steps in the “audio mode”
- And finally return to the home screen of your Roku TV and enjoy the surround sound.
How to connect Bluetooth Soundbar to Roku TV?
You can use any Roku compatible app on your smartphone and it will let your phone (both Android and iOS), as well as your PC to be used as a connector, specifically a Bluetooth connector between your Roku TV and the soundbar. Thus in this way you can connect any Bluetooth soundbar to Roku TV.
How to connect soundbar with optical cable to a TCL TV?
Before getting into this, let me inform you that there are HDMI cables that are separately sold in the market. If your device does not come with an HDMI cable then buy one.
You can connect your soundbar to TCL TV with an optical cable in the following process:
- Connect HDMI cable’s one end to the HDMI IN port on the TCL TV.
- Then in a similar way connect the other end to the OUT port (ARC) of your TV on the soundbar.
- Lastly, in order to hear TV audio, connect the optical audio cable from the optical digital audio out to the OPTICAL IN of your TCL TV on the soundbar.
And it’s done!
Bottom line
As you can see, there are quite a lot of options when it comes to soundbars for Roku TV, which includes many well-known brands as well. You have got a number of options of high-quality soundbars to choose from.
The list I have presented above talks about the great ones that anyone can consider investing his/her cash on. Now, which one among them or outside them you should pick, that totally depends on you.
But, don’t forget that you must buy a good soundbar for Roku TV that is compatible with it. Actually not only compatible with Roku TV but also universally compatible, so that even if you change your TV’s brand in the future, you have a soundbar compatible with the other models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This FAQs here to solve your problems that might arise while walking in the pavement of finding Best Soundbar for Roku TV. Let’s find out more!
Do the Roku TVs only support soundbar from Roku?
Not at all, Roku is also compatible with some other brands except for the TCL. While buying soundbars from other brands, check the compatibility.
Is a TCL soundbar must be needed for a TCL Roku TV?
No, yet for better performance you can get a TCL soundbar, but you can use any other soundbar as well which is compatible with Roku TV.
Further, there are many great devices that work great with TCL Roku TV, such as the Bose soundbar, Sonos Beam, Yamaha, etc.
Is a subwoofer really mandatory for a Roku TV?
Most of the time, soundbars for Roku TV come with a built-in subwoofer. But having a sub is not mandatory, however, having it is definitely good because it enhances the sound quality a lot.
Will I get Bluetooth connectivity with the TCL Roku TV?
They come with Bluetooth connectivity.
Do the Roku TVs always require a soundbar?
Not really, they do not have that bad audio quality. But if you prefer better performance you should get one.
Does a Roku TV require any sort of cable connection?
No. The user can stream content on Roku TV or streaming player with zero involvement of any satellite subscription or traditional cable, but you need to have an internet connection.
Student and Tech journalist.