If you’re struggling to understand voices in movies and shows, then a soundbar could be a great upgrade for your TV. It’s also perfect for improving your listening experience when listening to podcasts, audiobooks etc and casting wirelessly.
It can be tricky to figure out which soundbar wil give you the best voice clarity. Some soundbars can make dialogue super clear and easy to understand but others might make voices sound muddled and congested. How do you know what’s right for you? Getting something with a good balance of bass and treble in the audio is essential, plus an added dialogue enhancement feature could come in handy.
We tested out a whole bunch of soundbars and here’s what we’d recommend for speech. Plus, be sure to check our list of the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars if you’re into movies, and some great budget options if you don’t want to spend too much.
Nowadays, we’re taking a look at what the top soundbar for dialogue is. To be honest, current TV speakers aren’t really cutting it. A lot of people were finding that they had to turn the volume way up to hear conversations but when commercials or action scenes came on, it was way too loud. That was their biggest issue.
The Power of Clear Voice
If you’re in search of the best soundbar for dialogue, many come with a ‘clear voice’ feature with its own button on the remote. So, make sure to check if your soundbar has this capability. Don’t forget that a soundbar doesn’t always need to be used in Clear Voice Mode; it’s just an option that some soundbars offer.
Top Soundbars for Dialogue Review
Keeping my grandparents in mind, I wanted to keep this as clean as possible. That way, I don’t have to worry about getting a phone call from them scolding me for the language I use online! Also… To make things easy, I only chose soundbars that I know well and would feel confident in recommending to my grandparents. Surprise – one of these is actually set up in their living room as we speak!
1. SAMSUNG HW-S50A 3.0ch Soundbar
Kicking off our search for the best soundbar for dialogue is this amazing SAMSUNG HW-S50A 3.0ch Soundbar. Samsung never fails to produce great products and this soundbar is a perfect example. This one’s from their series, and it’s the smallest and most affordable option since it costs less than $200. The size of this soundbar is pretty small – 4.9 x 30.1 x 2.7 inches – so you won’t have to worry about it taking up too much room. Plus, the design looks great!
Even though it’s mainly plastic, this soundbar has a large section covered with grey fabric, which looks really nice, but also attracts dust and might get damaged easily. This soundbar has both HDMI and optical cables plus a USB port if you ever need to make updates. Pretty awesome!
The SAMSUNG HW-S50A 3.0ch Soundbar sounds really good. It comes with a sound mode button on the remote that allows you to switch between different audio settings, one of which is great for crystal clear dialogue. This setup has a 3.0 feature which includes a center speaker that produces really cool sound effects.
Bass isn’t the strongest here but if you’re after clear dialogue then I don’t think it should be a problem.If you decide to invest in a subwoofer or extra speakers, just be aware that Samsung’s audio components don’t always work with other brands. So it’s important to do your research first!
All in all, I was really impressed by the SAMSUNG HW-S50A 3.0ch Soundbar. It’s definitely a great product and it does its job very well. For me, the bass might not be as powerful as I’d like, but that’s just my opinion. If you want a soundbar with enhanced dialogue, you won’t be disappointed. Plus, at the price of under $200, this seems like a great deal!
Pros:
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This won’t take up much room
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This thing looks pretty cool to me
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The conversation is easy to understand
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I believe the cost is reasonably fair
Cons:
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The fabric covering is susceptible to damage
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Could use a bit more oomph in the low end
2. VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar
Next in line we have the awesome VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar – it’s more than just a regular soundbar. This is actually an entire home theatre system plus it supports Dolby Atmos too! Along with the soundbar, you’ll get two little satellite speakers and a subwoofer too!
You might be worried about the cost of this home theatre set but it’s only $328 on Amazon – an absolute bargain! In my opinion, this is one of the best ones I’ve seen in ages. I knew this had to be on our list for the best soundbars for dialogue so I’m excited to finally talk about it. Connection-wise you can use HDMI, optical and they even have a USB port in case there are any software updates.
Cool design-wise and the plastic bodies with fabric grille give a cohesive look to both the soundbar and satellite speakers. Plus, they put out awesome audio! Let’s kick off by discussing how dialogue sounds coming out of the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar ’cause that’s what we’re focusing on today. It sounds awesome!
The sound clarity, perfect volume and balance of dialogue to action keeps you on top of what’s going on in the movie, even if there’s a lot happening. This one has some great satellite speakers and subwoofer, plus Dolby Atmos which gives it an awesome cinema-style sound at a really good price. It’s super impressive!
When I got the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar for review, I wasn’t expecting much from its Dolby Atmos setup, considering its price. Man, was I wrong – this thing is incredible! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy Dolby Atmos without breaking the bank. The dialogue is articulate and vivid, and it can process any kind of audio out there!
Pros:
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This price is insane!
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I’m loving the aesthetics of this design – it’s so stylish!
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This has Dolby Atmos!
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This sound system has extra satellite speakers plus a dedicated subwoofer for crystal-clear sound!
Cons:
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Dolby Atmos is cool, but let’s face it, it’s about as basic as can be
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The cloth grille is at risk of getting damaged quickly
3. Sonos Beam
Everyone seems to love the Sonos Beam – I hadn’t seen anyone express otherwise yet. We had to include a Sonos product on our list of best soundbars for dialogue, and this was it. This is an amazing design – it’s only 25.6″ x 2.6″ x 4.0, so if you’re limited on space but still want a soundbar, this is perfect for you!
This usually costs around $400, but it’s worth shopping around if you want to get it cheaper. Sonos offers the Beam in both black and white which looks nice. I’m a big fan of the curvy style of the Beam, it kind of has an elegant feel to it.
The Sonos Beam has a fabric grille, which is quite common among other brands. It does have an HDMI slot at the back but not an optical port. Fret not though as they do provide you with an HDMI to optical cable in the box!
I haven’t tried out a Sonos product and wasn’t too impressed with the audio quality. But this does provide better dialogue clarity, which is great if you have difficulty understanding dialogues in movies or TV shows. You won’t be disappointed with the sound – it’s quite amazing. It produces a good amount of bass, which is really impressive given that it doesn’t have a subwoofer.
Sonos soundbars have outstanding audio quality, but they no longer come with remote controls. To use them, you need to download and use their app on your phone. Personally I think this is inconvenient; my grandparents wouldn’t buy this product at all. It’s a bummer that this doesn’t have its own remote, otherwise I would’ve recommended it to you for sure.
I absolutely love the Sonos Beam and there’s no denying it! The remote control is just a plus. This soundbar is incredible! Its compact size and amazing sound quality make it a real winner – no wonder it’s still one of the most popular models out there. I’m really eager to find out what Sonos will come up with next, like a Sonos Beam II with Dolby Atmos would be amazing!
Pros:
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This thing looks awesome with its curvy design
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Shop around and you can get it for about $400
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Wow, this makes conversations so much clearer
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Size doesn’t matter with this one – it’s sure to surprise you with its capabilities!
Cons:
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Some folks might have a problem not having a remote
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I bet the white one will be a total dust collector!
4. Bose Smart Soundbar 700
Had to put the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 on our best soundbar list ‘cuz it’s one of my favorites! Second only to the 900, of course. Alright, so this soundbar is pretty pricey at nearly $800 – way more than any of the other ones we’ve taken a look at. But it’s got so many top-notch features that make it worth it.
The 900 model has seen some pretty good discounts, going as low as 650 bucks. It’s definitely got a great aesthetic, with the top covered in glass and metal grille on the front. In terms of looks, I have yet to find a soundbar cooler than this one. This speaker’s dimensions are 4.25 x 38.5 x 2.25 inches, which is pretty decent. It offers great connectivity with HDMI, optical and Bluetooth so you can connect to your phone and stream music easily.
This thing has pretty much all the sound options you could ask for. You can adjust the dialogue to your preference and get just the sound you’re looking for. This soundbar comes with an insane remote that gives you total control over the audio output.
The bass on this thing is awesome, the mid-range is brilliant and it’ll do just about everything apart from Dolby Atmos (which the 900 does have). Seriously, if anyone tests this out they’d be totally amazed by the sound quality.
Man, I’ve said so much about the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 on here, I’m sure some people are totally over it. Admittedly, even though this soundbar is discounted now that Bose released the Smart Soundbar 900, it’s still one of the priciest options on this list. This soundbar has been a great addition to my living room and I’m really loving it. I’m gonna keep it until I can somehow get myself a 900 – wish me luck!
Pros:
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This soundbar is beyond cool-looking!
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You can really tell it’s put together nicely
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Dialogue and sound are seriously awesome!
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Online shopping can get you this item for cheaper than the retail price of $800.
Cons:
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Out of all the soundbars we have checked out today, this one’s the priciest
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The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 has taken the lead over its competitors.
5. Klipsch Cinema 800
The Klipsch Cinema 800 is a 3.1 audio system. Unlike the Cinema 600, it can handle Dolby Atmos though it will convert the sound to stereo for playback. It’s got an even sound profile making it perfect for most types of audio.You can upgrade the sound system to 5.1 by buying extra speakers from the manufacturer, but be aware that its output quality for surround and Atmos isn’t great.
The Klipsch Cinema 800 is one of the top soundbars for dialogue. It’s a 3.1 setup that’s great if you listen to a lot of shows and podcasts. You’ll be able to hear every little detail and enjoy your audio at its best. If you want to save money and space, 3.1 systems are better than those meant for movies only. The sound profile is neutral and balanced in the mid-range, so voices come out clearly and with detail.
Unfortunately, this system isn’t as versatile as the others available. It has to convert surround sound content like Dolby Digital and DTS into stereo which can be a bit of a letdown in terms of sound quality. If you watch a lot of movies, then the Samsung HW-Q950A is worth looking into. But if you’re mainly into TV shows, then the Cinema 800 system is perfect for you.
The Klipsch Cinema 800 really stands out when it comes to music. It has a super balanced sound that works on lots of different types of music, plus the dedicated sub gives a thumpy low-bass. Perfect for EDM lovers and other bass-heavy genres! The sound enhancements features of this bar are great; it has a graphic EQ and presets. But it doesn’t get as loud as other bars we’ve used.
Pros:
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Graphic EQ and presets
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Extended low-bass
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A feature that lets you adjust conversation levels
Cons:
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No room correction.
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Bad performance for sound and atmosphere
6. Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is an excellent soundbar from last year. You can use it as a standalone device, or easily upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for an even better experience by adding a subwoofer and surround satellites. This soundbar is pretty versatile, but the low-bass needs some work. It also has a bit of distortion when it’s cranked up too loud and tends to sound a bit too bright even with the room correction feature. This bar is super cool and looks great – plus, it has the Google Assistant and Alexa built in, which is a nice bonus.
Great sound doesn’t have to come with a huge setup. For those who are short on space, the Sonos Arc is an ideal choice since it’s a standalone bar minus the bulky subwoofer. This bar is top-notch, with a soundstage that wraps around you and gives you the feeling of being right in the middle of whatever movie or show you’re watching. It’s great for streaming just about anything, including Dolby Atmos films. The bar’s audio is a bit bright, with even mids so that conversations stand out and higher pitched voices sound amazing. You can use the bass/treble settings to make the sound more neutral if you want.
If your soundbar doesn’t include a subwoofer, it might not be able to give you that thumping bass sound in movies and TV shows. Fortunately, you can always add one later if you decide to do so by buying it separately from the satellites. If you’ve got extra space, check out the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar with a built-in subwoofer. It’s bigger and heavier, but gives a great sound experience.
The Sonos Arc is really versatile – it’s a good fit for multi-purpose use. Plus, you can get even better sound quality out of it with Trueplay, if you’ve got an iOS device. Trueplay adjusts the audio based on characteristics of your room so you get an optimal experience. It has quite a bright sound, however vocals and lead instruments are still audible. For surround and Atmos content, it can get the job done but won’t be as good as when you have a fully set up.
Pros:
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This thing looks great and is super sturdy
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Supports Atmos
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Great stereo soundstage
Cons:
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Crunched up visuals when you turn the volume all the way up
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No full EQ
7. Vizio V Series V51-H6
The Vizio V Series V51-H6 is a great budget option if you’re looking for a 5.1 setup in 2020. It has neutral sound which makes it perfect for listening to any type of audio, and it also adds some extra punch to your bass. This system has an awesome subwoofer that gives you the deep thump and rumble of bass and two satellite speakers that really amplify your surround sound. The downside is it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos content.
The one we tested that works best for vocal clarity and fits within a tight budget is the Vizio V Series V51-H6. This 5.1 setup comes cheaper than the Vizio M512a-H6 but still performs great overall. You can set up this audio system easily – one subwoofer and two satellite speakers. It has an awesome dialogue enhancement feature which can help make voices clear and crisp, plus the night mode is great for when you want to listen without bothering anyone late at night. Watching movies with surround sound will let you get fully immersed in the audio.
You won’t get the same level of features as the best soundbars out there, and it doesn’t have support for Dolby Atmos. That’s something you’d expect in this price range though. If you don’t have a big budget, it’s still useful for vocal clarity in both surround sound and TV shows. Unfortunately, the soundstage isn’t quite as immersive as some of the pricier models.
The Vizio V51-H6 is great for everyday use. It has a balanced sound with some added punch in the low frequencies, which makes it suitable for many audio types. With this system, you get a center channel for better dialogue clarity and two surround speakers to add depth to the experience. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have support for Dolby Atmos audio. It doesn’t have fancy features like sound correction or a graphic EQ, which are usually only found with more expensive systems.
Pros:
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Dialogue enhancement feature
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Bluetooth-compatible
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Four EQ presets
Cons:
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Doesn’t support Atmos content
Conclusion
Wow, these are amazing! You’ll get a sound quality that’s so much better than what you’d get with your TV speakers. Seriously, it’s like a million times better. If you want full clarity while talking, any of these soundbars will do the job. Right now, I really like the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, but it doesn’t mean I’m choosing it as the best soundbar for dialogue.
After weighing all the factors, I’ve decided to go with the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar. It has Dolby Atmos which provides an amazing surround sound experience. This device has excellent voice clarity, like wow! But what really makes it a winner in my book is the fact that you can get all these features for less than $350 – amazing!