Paweł Koper
In the audio world, there’s a belief that a "true" 5.1 system comes at a hefty price. However, we know that most of you simply want an answer to the question: "What soundbar for the TV?", while still not losing the magic of Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround sound. The market has recently been saturated with models that instead of digitally simulating sound behind you, simply place actual speakers there.
Let’s take a look at the sets that fill this gap. You can treat this overview as a loose compilation of what you’ll find in the store today, and the order in which the soundbars are positioned should be considered random.
Are rear speakers in a soundbar necessary?
If you want something more than just a "louder and more powerful TV," then yes. Physical satellites make a colossal difference in sound reception. Here are 3 main reasons why it's worth choosing a set with rears:
1. True surround sound
The biggest advantage of sets with satellites is true surround sound. Many soundbars try to trick us by "bouncing" sound off walls or ceilings to create the illusion of space. In practice, this effect depends on the shape of the room and furniture arrangement, and very rarely is it perfect. By choosing a set with satellites, we can be sure that when a character approaches from behind in a film, we will hear it exactly where the director intended.
2. Aesthetics
Additionally, such systems are designed with the aesthetics of modern and, let's be honest, increasingly smaller apartments in mind. Forget about the tangled mess of cables running through the living room. The rear speakers are usually wireless. They are sleek, compact, and unobtrusive, so we don’t have to clutter the living room with five large columns the size of wardrobes. The only thing you need to remember is that in some of the cheapest options, the rear speakers need to be connected with very thin speaker wire.
3. Price
It won’t be a surprise when we say that such setups will objectively perform worse than professional home theatres costing thousands. However, for 99% of users, the difference compared to standard speakers built into the television will be breathtaking. For a fraction of the cost of a decent audio system, you still get solid bass, clear dialogue, and surround effects that transform an evening’s viewing into a cinematic experience, which is something that the television alone cannot achieve.
Best recommended soundbars with satellites
This is a choice for those who want to buy a solid audio set for years but do not intend to spend several thousand on a home cinema. You get here the best possible value for money. These models offer excellent sound and true wireless satellites that just need to be plugged in (or they just need to be charged).
Samsung HW-Q990F
If you're looking for the absolute number one, the choice has remained the same for years, although with each generation it becomes even better. The Samsung HW-Q990F is undoubtedly the most popular and polished option in the mainstream market. At least that's what many publications claim. Samsung has held the top spot in soundbar sales for over a decade for good reason – and their flagship series showcases "technological" dominance over the competition in the same budget range. The Q990 model offers a powerful 11.1.4 system that, thanks to 22 built-in speakers, creates a dome of sound around the viewer (see the video below). It's equipment that self-calibrates to the room, and its integration with televisions means that the control of the entire home cinema comes down to a single remote. It's a "safe" choice because it's simply flawless in its class.
JBL Bar 1000
For fans of physical impact, the JBL Bar 1000 is a better choice. It has a powerful 10-inch subwoofer and a unique approach to the lack of wires – the rear satellites are detachable and have their own batteries. You can place them anywhere during the screening, and then plug them back into the base. This is a set designed for concerts and action movies, where dynamics and bass take centre stage.
Polk Audio MagniFi Max AX SR
An interesting alternative to mass-market brands is Polk Audio. The MagniFi Max AX SR model is a proposition for those who prefer natural, musical sound instead of digital effects. Polk has a great VoiceAdjust system that allows you to boost the volume of the dialogue without drowning out the rest of the background. This is a very sensible choice if you often complain that you can't clearly hear the actors' speech in movies.
TCL Q85H Pro
The lineup of pricier soundbars (although this one isn't that expensive) is rounded off by the TCL Q85H Pro, which is the perfect complement for owners of QD-MINI-LED televisions from this brand. It offers a massive power of 860 W in a 7.1.4 system and proprietary Ray-Danz technology, ensuring that the sound is wide and clear. This is a solid example that shows you can create powerful, modern sound without spending a fortune.
Cheapest recommended Soundbars with satellites
In this category of "cheapest," the most important fact is that for a reasonable price, you can get real surround sound in DOLBY ATMOS format thanks to external satellites, rather than just a digital simulation. This solution completely changes the experience of watching films. However, it's worth keeping one technical aspect in mind: in budget sets, the rear speakers usually require a wired connection (between themselves or to a separate module). While they connect wirelessly to the soundbar, saving us from dragging cables all over the lounge, a small "mess" on the rear wall may still remain.
Samsung HW-QS750F
The Samsung HW-QS750F is a proposition for those looking for intelligent solutions. The system operates in a 5.1.2 configuration and generates 465 W of power. The greatest enjoyment from this set will be experienced by owners of Samsung televisions thanks to the Q-Symphony feature, which combines the power of the soundbar with the speakers in the TV housing. This is the only "rotating" model available on the market. The main bar can be rotated by 90 degrees to make it even slimmer. However, it is worth remembering the issue of speaker installation: although the satellites communicate with the soundbar wirelessly, in this model they are connected by wires, which we need to hide somewhere behind the room.
Hisense AX5140Q
Hisense AX5140Q is the cheapest model in this comparison, offering a completely wireless connection. Each of the rear speakers only requires plugging into power, which eliminates the need to hide signal cables on the floor. The AX5140Q features a total of four upward-firing channels (5.1.4 system) and a powerful total output of 600 W.
LG S70TR
Although LG is not associated with sound, you can still find something sensible at a reasonable price. In the S70TR model, LG has opted for a unique solution: an additional upward-facing centre speaker. According to the manufacturer, this solution ensures that dialogues don't "drown" in sound effects, and the voices of the actors seem to come directly from the screen. It integrates seamlessly with the webOS system in LG televisions.
Bravia Theatre System 6 (HT-S60)
The lineup of budget soundbars with satellites is capped off by a classic of the genre, Sony's HT-S60. The set offers up to 1000W and a real 5.1 system, but in a traditional setup: the satellites are wired to the subwoofer. While this requires a bit of planning when laying out the cables, in return, you get a powerful punch.
Top soundbars with satellites
Here, we focus primarily on performance, genuine reviews and opinions without considering the price. Although their quality-to-price ratio doesn't always stack up perfectly against traditional home theatres, they are a great option for those who don't want to mess around with setting up large speakers and running thick cables.
Sony Bravia Theater 9
This is a proposition for those looking for uncompromising sound scale for Japanese televisions. Theater 9 is a powerful soundbar, which by itself costs quite a bit and is usually sold solo. However, the true power of spatial sound is only revealed in a full set – after purchasing a subwoofer (e.g. SA-SW5) and rear speakers (SA-RS5). This is equipment for people who want to build a home cinema in stages, aiming for the highest quality sound that can easily fill even a very large living room.
Sonos Arc Ultra
If budget isn't an issue and aesthetics are as important as sound, the Sonos Arc Ultra is unparalleled. It's a system for those who don't want to waste time on complicated setup – it just needs to work and look good. By adding satellites from the Era series and a subwoofer, you'll create a setup that perfectly blends into modern interiors. This is hi-end in a "user-friendly" version, where you pay for design, ecosystem, and excellent spatial experiences.
As you can see, the choice is really extensive, and what we've described here is just a fraction of what you can find on the market. The best part is that true surround sound is no longer reserved for those with unlimited budgets. Today's offerings are so broad and diverse that regardless of whether you have a living room the size of a hangar or a small studio, you're sure to find a system that will work perfectly for you. Home cinema in 2026 is no longer just a tangle of wires and large speakers, but above all, convenience and sound that really gets the job done.
