As for TVs, there are a lot of options available out there that offer the best video quality possible, and even within a highly affordable range. But somehow, most of these options are lacking in audio. If you also want powerful sound output with your setup, make sure you pick up a decent speaker by following these factors.
Speaker Form Factor: One of the first things that you should finalize before looking at the available number of options for your needs is which type of speaker you want to pair with your TV. While most users prefer to go with a soundbar for ideal output, a lot of buyers would rather have a complete home theater setup or an audiophile-grade reference monitor. All of these options have their own range of benefits and limitations.
Bass Response: The bass response is also something that you don’t want to neglect when you are buying a speaker set, especially if you are plugging one into your TV. If you are watching an action movie on your TV, there will be moments in the scene where the audio will have a lot of emphasis on the bass to create a thrilling experience. For that, you will need a speaker with a dedicated subwoofer, or with sufficient bass output capacity.
Driver Size: The drive size of the speakers define their loudness level as well as affect the installation for most buyers. Considering you are buying a speaker for your TV, then the installation part will be more important for you. If you already own a large TV and have little to no space left on your entertainment unit, you need to go with an option that features smaller drivers. Otherwise, always prefer the option that has a larger driver for best results.
There are a lot of brands out there that design speakers and offer them at an affordable range so that you can get the powerful sound output without spending a lot on your audio unit. However, choosing the perfect type of speaker can be a tiring task as there are hundreds of options available and each offers specific pros and cons. So, it is better to go through this list of the best external speakers that we have carefully shortlisted from the market instead of checking out each option individually. You can also consider referring to our “Buying Guide” for the best external speakers in case you want to know more about speakers in general.
Best External Speakers For TV List
Best External Speakers For TV
1. Edifier External Speakers For TV
Edifier is one of the best brand names when it comes to speakers and audio related accessories. Whether you want a set of car speakers, desktop speakers, or a compatible pair for your TV, Edifier has an option for you. We will start our list with the most famous option on the market right now for bookshelf speakers. The Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers are basically studio reference monitors that are capable of delivering a high-quality sound output and still manage to maintain a decent price-to-performance ratio. As for the power rating, the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers works at 42 Watts RMS value and offers dual AUX ports for audio input. Coming to the driver quality, the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers houses one 4 inches full-range driver paired with a 13 mm silk dome tweeter to maintain a strong audio level. You will also get a remote control to offer quicker access to the volume controls without having to go to the speaker every time. You will also receive a 2-year warranty period on the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers which is pretty nice to have on budget-range desktop reference monitors. Best Features:
Bookshelf-type speaker It has Auxiliary and RCA connectivity options 42 Watts speaker wattage rating Perfect choice for a mid-range external speaker set
Pros:
Most famous choice for a desktop studio speaker set High-quality full-range drivers and tweeters Ships with a dedicated remote control
Cons:
Bass response is not as good as other options
2. PHEANOO External Speakers For TV
While we are on the topic of famous choices, let us give you yet another highly popular option from PHEANOO. Apart from that, it is also one of the cheapest options that you can find on the market right now. In 2nd place, we have the PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar. While most budget external speakers, more importantly, soundbars, miss out on strong bass output, the PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar ships with a dedicated subwoofer to maintain a reliable bass output. Also, this is a 140 Watts soundbar and it is nearly the size of a standard desktop keyboard. So, the size of the PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar will surely be beneficial in compact spaces. With the high wattage rating, you also get up to 107 dB of output with the PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar. The PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar also offers you multiple connectivity options so that you can choose one that suits your connection the best. You can use the PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar via HDMI cable, optical cable, or the standard AUX audio cable. The PHEANOO 2.1 Compact Soundbar also has professionally tuned equalizer modes that allows you to set up the speaker output based on the content you are watching. Best Features:
Soundbar-type speaker It has Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, AUX connectivity options 140 Watts speaker wattage rating Supports wireless connectivity
Pros:
Affordable as well as popular choice for external TV speaker Size is certainly a strong point of this soundbar High power rating despite the smaller size
Cons:
Overall sound quality is better with other options
3. Bose External Speakers For TV
Bose is also one of the brands that has been in the audio industry for decades now. Apart from high-end bookshelf speakers and car speakers, Bose also designs soundbars that are ideal for TVs. The Bose TV Soundbar is our 3rd choice for this list of the best external speakers for TV and yet another compact soundbar compared to many other options on the market. This unit includes dual full-range drivers to offer realistic stereo separation even though the soundbar itself is quite small. This soundbar is specifically designed for movies and manages to emphasize on the voices and dialogues to offer a clearer output. It is pretty easy to set up the Bose TV Soundbar since it allows wireless connectivity along with RCA, USB, AUX, and optical ports. You can also buy specific wall brackets for the Bose TV Soundbar and mount it directly on the wall for the best results. You can also pair this soundbar with any subwoofer of your choice and get a strong bass output if required. The Bose TV Soundbar also features a handy remote control with a simplistic design and quick control options. Best Features:
Soundbar-type speaker It has RCA, Bluetooth, Auxiliary, USB, Optical connectivity options Comes with a simple and elegant remote Only 2 inches tall in height
Pros:
Made by a reliable speaker brand Compact size and form factor Specifically designed for pairing with a TV
Cons:
Overall driver quality could have been better
4. Wohome External Speakers For TV
Even if you are on a tight budget, you should not compromise on the quality or features for your external speakers. And for that reason, this external speaker from Wohome is a primary choice for thousands of buyers. The Wohome Small Sound Bar is yet another slim yet affordable soundbar that we have on our list today. In fact, this is the cheapest external speaker that you can pair with your TV and still get an efficient output. This is a 16 inches wide sound bar powered by dual HiFi full-range audio drivers. These drives are capable of offering a rich bass presence along with a suitable bass output. And on top of that, you also get the built-in DSP technology support for precise sound performance. To further personalize the sound production, you can choose between 5 pre-defined equalizer modes for the soundbar and make the output quality match the content or type of music. Apart from the standard wired connectivity options such as RCA, AUX, Optical, and HDMI, the Wohome Small Sound Bar also features wireless connection via Bluetooth v5.0 for a stable connection and long range. Best Features:
Soundbar-type speaker It has RCA, Bluetooth, Auxiliary, USB, Optical connectivity options 50 Watts speaker wattage rating 5 built-in equalizer modes
Pros:
It has built-in DSP technology for precise sound performance 16 inches wide and 3 inches tall soundbar for easy installation HiFi full-range audio drivers
Cons:
Driver size is quite small
5. Klipsch External Speakers For TV
Klipsch also will be a familiar brand name for you since it usually comes up whenever we are discussing high-end reference monitors, car speakers, and portable wireless speakers. This time, we are introducing a complete home theater setup from Klipsch that ensures the best experience with a TV. There are not a lot of options on the market that can beat a full-fledged 5.1 home theater setup such as the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack in terms of audio levels and quality. This is also rather a budget option compared to a few options that we have covered on this guide and still offers highly powerful 75 watts drivers with up to 125 watts peak power capacity. While the included subwoofer of the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack is quite small, the other 4 driver units are also quite compact and easily fit most setups. The Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack has an exclusive Tractrix Horn technology that ensures the production of the most natural sound. And the aluminum tweeters paired with that definitely makes it possible to deliver. The tweeters also have LTS or linear travel suspension that further minimizes the distortion in the audio and maintain a stable audio production. The tweeters of the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System are 19 mm in size whereas the woofer driver is a 3.5 inches unit. Best Features:
Complete home-theater setup It has wired/wireless connectivity options 75 Watts speaker wattage rating 19 mm tweeters and 3.5 inches woofer driver
Pros:
Powered by Tractrix Horn technology Linear travel suspension for little to no audio disturbance High quality wireless connection
Cons:
Dolby Atmos support is missing
6. SEREONIC External Speakers For TV
Wouldn’t we all like to have a portable speaker connected to our TV at all times so that we can listen to the TV from anywhere in the house? This option from SEREONIC makes it possible and is a great companion for elderly folks. In some cases, the portability of an external speaker is more important than its maximum sound level. For such instances, the SEREONIC Portable Wireless TV Speaker is a perfect choice. This is basically a wireless portable designed for the elderly audience so that they can have a portable speaker near them to enjoy the TV. For wireless connectivity, the SEREONIC Portable Wireless TV Speakers offers 2.4 GHz wireless connection, offering up to 100 feet range for the speaker. It also enables zero-latency audio output and a stable connectivity while you are moving the speaker. This is a battery-powered portable speaker that can be easily charged via a USB connection. Once its battery is full, you will get about 8 hours of battery backup which is pretty good for its purpose. Although, the speaker does take about 3 hours for a full-charge which can be a problem for some users. It is also compatible with only PCM audio technology so you will have to switch from Dolby or DTS sound technology to PCM in order to use the SEREONIC Portable Wireless TV Speakers. Best Features:
Portable wireless speaker It has wireless connectivity option It has up to 100 feet wireless range Works on 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity
Pros:
Onboard volume control for quick access Easy to use all around the house Up to 8 hours of battery capacity
Cons:
Not the best option for high-end audio output.
7. Q Acoustics External Speakers For TV
If you want your stereo drivers physically distant from one another, you should pair your TV with a set of desktop speakers. And for that, the compact option from Q Acoustics is a really good choice. The Q Acoustics 3020i Bookshelf Speaker is yet another great option from our picks for the best external speakers for a TV that are actually bookshelf-type desktop speakers. This set offers HiFi audio output with a nearly 25% larger design to offer wider audio scaling and more powerful bass performance. And for high notes, it features 0.9-inch high-frequency drivers present on top of the full-range drivers. The primary drivers of the Q Acoustics 3020i Bookshelf Speaker are 5 inches in size, offering a frequency response range of 64 Hz to 30 kHz. Compared to most other options, the bass performance of the Q Acoustics 3020i Bookshelf Speaker is more powerful despite missing out on a dedicated subwoofer. Q Acoustics has also improved the designs in this version of the speakers by introducing a computer-aided internal bracing placement. Best Features:
Bookshelf-type speaker It has wired connectivity option 75 Watts speaker wattage rating 60 Hz to 30 kHz frequency response range
Pros:
Powerful full-range drivers and tweeters HiFi audio output quality Special internal bracing placement
Cons:
Very expensive choice for a compact set of bookshelf speakers
8. Sony External Speakers For TV
We are all quite familiar with the brand Sony since it has a high-end option available for almost all types of electronic devices, especially the ones that are focused on entertainment. Following that, Sony has also created the most powerful soundbar you can have right now for your external TV. The Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar is the perfect option on our list today to pair with a high-end premium smart TV. This also happens to be one of the most powerful soundbars we have included on this list, offering 500 Watts power output capacity. Plus, it also brings support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound technology to further improve the sound output quality. The Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar operates on the vertical surround engine, offering 360 spatial sound mapping to maintain a distinct audio signature based on the source of the sound. There are 2 HDMI 2.1 output ports available on the Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar, along with one HDMI 2.1 input port. So, the HDMI passthrough feature of this soundbar makes it possible to enjoy the high-fidelity sound output while you are gaming on your TV at 4K or even 8K resolution. You can also choose from 2 additional compatible subwoofers or 2 rear speakers option to further improve your setup. There are a total of 9 separate audio drivers present inside the Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar, 2 of which are up-firing speakers and 2 are side beam tweeters. Best Features:
Soundbar-type speaker It has Bluetooth, HDMI connectivity options 500 Watts speaker wattage rating It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound enhancement technology
Pros:
One of the most powerful soundbars on the market HDMI 2.1 passthrough technology to enable fast-paced gaming Built-in support for Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Apple Airplay 2
Cons:
It costs as much as a new premium smart TV
9. Bang & Olufsen External Speakers For TV
Portable soundbars are the most preferred options for a TV as they offer an easier installation method and wireless connectivity option. The same goes for this soundbar made by Bang & Olufsen, a renowned brand for audio devices. The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage Soundbar is also one of the premium range options that we are including on our picks today. One of the strong suits of the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage Soundbar is its build quality. With an aluminum design, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage Soundbar also brings flawless wireless connectivity to the soundbar for ease of installation and usage. And you will be able to experience the soundbar at its full potential thanks to the Dolby Atmos surround sound support. Compared to many other premium soundbars on the market, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage Soundbar is one of the compact options measuring about 44 x 7 x 3 inches in size. Still, you will get 11 drivers cramped inside the soundbar including dedicated subwoofers for a rich and fulfilling sound experience. As for the design, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage Soundbar features one of the most attractive color options that most users would prefer for a simple yet elegant entertainment center. Best Features:
Soundbar-type speaker It has WiFi, HDMI connectivity options Combined performance of 11 drivers Customizable sound equalizer via dedicated mobile app
Pros:
Compact option with rich performance Supports Dolby Atmos surround sound Excellent design and color choices
Cons:
Very expensive option for the specifications
10. SENNHEISER External Speakers For TV
Sennheiser is also one of the brands that is highly preferred by audiophile audiences since the quality and performance of Sennheiser products are simply out of the league. Sennheiser also has a similar soundbar that you can pair as an external speaker for your TV. The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar is yet another highly powerful option from our list for which the power output capacity ranges up to 500 Watts. It is a mesh of 13 sound drivers in total so you will get a fulfilling experience from the soundbar whether it is high-end frequency output or a powerful bass response. Sennheiser is also promising as low as 30 Hz frequency response which indicates a resonating bass output. The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar is also backed by Sennheiser’s AMBEO sound technology to deliver precise 3D sound output and advanced room calibration to automatically adjust the output based on the speaker’s location. For further personalizations, the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar features a built-in equalizer and 3 preset modes for the 3D AMBEO technology. You will also get support for popular sound enhancement technologies such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H. Best Features:
Bookshelf-type speaker It has wired/wireless connectivity options 500 Watts speaker wattage rating Provides a crisp and precise 3D sound output
Pros:
It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H technology Soundbar consists of 13 separate sound drivers As low as 30 Hz response for powerful bass output
Cons:
Very expensive option compared to other soundbars on the market
11. Roku External Speakers For TV
One of the best options for an external speaker for a TV are portable speakers as you can manually adjust the positions and distance of the units. But, this speaker set from Roku takes it a step further by adding the number of speakers in the set. The Roku Wireless Speakers is a set of 4 independent wireless speakers that you can pair together and create the most realistic 3D surround sound atmosphere in your room. You can keep the speakers wherever you want in your room and connect it to your TV via Bluetooth. Even though these speakers are relatively much smaller than other options, the Roku Wireless Speakers still offer clear high-frequency notes without any distortion. You will also have the option to boost voice volume or enable speech clarity on the speaker when you are watching a movie. The Roku Wireless Speakers are compatible with Roku smart TV, Roku soundbar, and even the Roku Streambar to make the installation possible for a lot of buyers. These speakers also receive frequency software updates from Roku so that you can expect the performance of the speaker to be intact by the change in audio technologies. Best Features:
Set of 4 portable speakers It has Bluetooth connectivity option Continuous software support from Roku Comes in a pack of 4
Pros:
Wireless connectivity options makes the setup much easier High-frequency response along with a dynamic bass output Creates a realistic 3D sound environment
Cons:
Compatible with only Roku media devices
12. HECATE External Speakers For TV
Unlike most other options available out there for speakers, there is a separate range present just for high-end gaming setups. So, we will fish our picks for the best external speakers with the gaming speaker set from HECATE. The HECATE G5000 Bluetooth Computer Gaming Speakers are a great offering from HECATE, a sub-brand of Edifier which specifically designs audio peripherals for gaming and content streaming applications. The HECATE G5000 Bluetooth Gaming Speakers are also high-resolution audio output speakers offering 88 Watts RMS power rating delivered by a ¾-inch titanium dome tweeter and a 4 inches mid-bass driver available on each unit. There are dual DSP chips installed within each speaker that can offer 3 different sound modes suitable for your application. As you can see, the design of the HECATE G5000 Bluetooth Gaming Speakers is rather unique and features a futuristic approach to housing. On the inside, it has an aluminum panel for structural integrity and strength. You will also get RGB LED illumination on the speakers, which is exclusive to this option. The built-in DSP technology of the HECATE G5000 Bluetooth Gaming Speakers makes it possible to maintain precise crossover frequency control and manage the audio to an accurate level. Best Features:
Bookshelf-type speaker It has Bluetooth, Auxiliary, USB connectivity options 88 Watts speaker wattage rating Built-in dual DSP chips
Pros:
Best option for couch gaming setup Speakers features a futuristic design and RGB illumination 4 inches mid-bass drivers and ¾-inch tweeters
Cons:
Size might be problematic at the time of installation
Buying Guide For The Best External Speakers For TV
External speakers are not that cheap, especially if you are looking at high-end options to pair with your similarly premium smart TV. So, you would certainly want to pick up the perfect option available in your budget that pairs with your viewing experience and offers good reliability for the long term. Unlike desktop speakers, there are many additional factors that come into play when you are planning to buy external speakers for a TV such as a speaker size, connectivity option, installation space, speaker type, etc. You should be aware of the impact of these factors in your application in order to get the product for your home. So, we have prepared this buying guide for the best external speakers for TV to offer a comprehensive insight into such factors. We will strongly recommend you go through our buying guide before you finalize your speaker choice. This information will also help you in case you are referring a speaker set to your friend or family.
1. Wattage Rating
Unlike display devices, it is quite difficult to gauge the output of a speaker since you won’t be using the speakers at their max volume capacity at all times, but you will need to know whether the speaker can handle the volume levels if needed. Fortunately, you can do that by considering the wattage rating of the speakers. This is simply the power output capacity of the external speakers where you can find out exactly how much output you can expect from a speaker set. There are 2 types of wattage rating that affect the overall power output capacity of the speaker drivers which are RMS power rating and peak power rating. The RMS rating is the continuous power output capacity of the drivers, meaning the drivers can be operated at their RMS wattage capacity at all times. The peak rating on the other hand refers to the maximum output available from the drivers. As you can imagine, peak wattage rating is limited to a short period of time, and it is basically a momentary high sound level that the drivers can achieve.
2. Frequency Response
Apart from the loudness level, you also need to pay attention to the sound quality of the speaker you are buying. Otherwise, you might end up with a speaker pair that offers a loud output, but the sound output is sort of muddy and lacks in terms of audio quality. For that, you should take a look at the frequency response of the speaker. If you are already familiar with the factor, you must know that there is a speaker response graph designed for all speakers. This curve can show you how the driver will react to a specific range of frequency. A lot of audiophiles prefer to look at the frequency response graph to get an idea about the quality of the speaker driver. On the other hand, even the frequency response range of the speaker will tell you enough about the output quality. For example, if the speaker offers compatibility with low frequencies such as 20 Hz or 30 Hz, you will be able to experience a powerful bass output. In simpler terms, a wider frequency response range represents better speaker driver quality.
3. Driver Specification
The driver of the speaker is basically the unit that vibrates or produces sound. So technically, this is the most important component of the speaker set that directly affects the quality of the output. As you may already know, larger drivers are designed for bass output whereas smaller ones are integrated into the system as tweeters for high-frequency output. While larger drivers do offer a great bass response, it also results in an addition to the overall size of the speaker which can be a deal-breaker if you are pairing the speakers with a TV. Therefore, 4 to 8 inches subwoofer drivers are generally preferred for external speaker sets for TVs as they can offer a wide frequency response and still manage to minimize the form factor of the speaker. But, this factor is most important when you are looking at a home theater setup or a desktop speaker pair. Another great choice for TVs is a sound bar that has multiple built-in drivers to ensure you get the same frequency response but without the additional size. Some sound bars are also shipped with a dedicated subwoofer so that you don’t miss out on the bass response.
4. Power Requirement
This is also an essential factor to which a lot of buyers do not pay attention. As we have mentioned earlier, high-wattage speakers are capable of producing stronger sound output. But, such units also tend to consume more power, sometimes the power consumption might even exceed that of your smart TV. So to avoid unnecessarily high energy bills, you need to carefully check the power requirements of the speaker before you place your order. If you want a basic speaker setup to pair with your TV, then you should probably consider a mid-range option since you won’t be using the high-wattage speakers at their full potential anyway. On the other hand, if you are into music and are willing to listen to high-quality music on your TV, then you will definitely need a powerful external speaker set. Apart from that, you also need to consider the necessity of an amplifier to pair with your speaker. Most of the time, high-power speakers are not capable of performing up to their full potential because of inefficient power supply. This can be solved by connecting your speaker set with a powerful amplifier. Most audiophile-grade speakers come with a built-in amplifier that solves the problem for you.
Conclusion
If you are not satisfied with the audio output quality of your TV, you won’t be able to enjoy the content that you are watching on it irrespective of the display quality. So, most TVs need to be paired with a powerful set of external speakers to get reliable sound output. While buying an external speaker, or a set of external speakers for your TV, you need to consider both the audio quality as well the audio level up to which the speaker can perform without any distortion. For that, you need to consider a lot of factors that affect these parameters such as driver specifications, speaker wattage rating, frequency response, etc. If this is your first time buying an external speaker, you should consider going through our buying guide for the best external speakers before you choose an option for your TV. We also have some handpicked recommendations lined up for you right here that can be an ideal option for a lot of users.
If you are on a tight budget after purchasing a premium smart TV recently, you should go with the Wohome External Speakers For TV since it is the cheapest option on our list and still offers decent specifications. This is a 50 Watts soundbar that comes in an ultra-slim form factor to make the installation much easier. Plus, it also supports wireless audio transmission to avoid the hassle of cable connectivity. The Wohome Small Sound Bar features 2 HiFi full-range audio drivers that you can personalize via 5 different equalizer modes. It also supports built-in DSP technology for precise sound performance. On the other hand, if you want a low-profile external speaker without any compromise on the audio levels or the audio quality, the SENNHEISER External Speakers For TV will be perfect for you. Despite being a single sound bar unit, the SENNHEISER AMBEO Soundbar packs a 13-driver set that includes six 4 inches woofers, five 1-inch tweeters, and two 3.5 inches full-range drivers. With that, the SENNHEISER AMBEO Soundbar is capable of delivering a powerful bass output with a frequency response support of 30 Hz to 20 kHz. It also has the built-in AMBEO audio technology that creates life-like surround sound and gives you a 3D sound experience. Lastly, we will recommend going with the Edifier External Speakers For TV since this has been the trusted choice for thousands of users and works perfectly with a TV despite being a desktop monitor set. The classic wooden finish of the speaker not only encapsulates the drivers in safe housing but also offers a pretty elegant appearance that will match almost any decor. The bass driver on the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers is a 4 inches unit paired with a 13 mm silk dome tweeter for high-end frequencies. You will also get 2 years of warranty on the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers which is quite good for the price.
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