The 5 Best Soundbars For Dialogue - Summer 2022 Reviews

The best soundbar for dialogue that we've tested is the Klipsch Cinema 800. It's a simple 3.1 setup that's suitable if you listen to a lot of stereo content like TV shows and podcasts. This content isn't designed for use with satellite speakers, so a 3.1 setup helps you save space and money compared to more movie-centric models. Right out of the box, its sound profile is neutral, with a balanced mid-range that ensures voices reproduce with clarity and detail.

Unfortunately, it's not as versatile as other setups on the market. It has to downmix surround sound content like Dolby Digital and DTS into stereo to play it, which doesn't sound as immersive. If you watch a lot of movies on streaming platforms and Blu-rays, you'll want to check out other setups like the Samsung HW-Q950A, but if you mostly watch TV shows, Cinema 800 is a solid pick.

If you're shopping on a budget, the best soundbar for vocal clarity that we've tested is the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. It's a 5.1.2 setup with versatile performance, meaning you can enjoy clear and detailed dialogue in both movies and TV shows. Even at its more affordable price point, you still get the standard selection of enhancement tools, including a night mode and a dialogue enhancement feature. If you like to watch movies, you'll appreciate the included satellite speakers, which enhance surround sound by making it seem like the action is taking place all around you. There are two up-firing drivers built into the bar, which ricochet sound off the ceiling to create the illusion of height with Dolby Atmos movies.

You won't find as many features when you compare the bar to more premium options on the market, like the Samsung HW-Q950A or the Klipsch Cinema 800. There's no graphic EQ to help you adjust its sound, and there isn't a room correction feature, meaning it can sound a bit different depending on the room you're in. Its Atmos and surround performances aren't quite as great, either. If you're on a budget, it's still a versatile setup.

The best soundbar for vocal clarity in the budget range that we tested is the Vizio V Series V51-H6. This 5.1 setup is an even more affordable option than the Vizio M Series M512a-H6, and it's still a good choice overall. It's a fairly simple setup with a dedicated subwoofer and two discrete satellite speakers. You can use its dialogue enhancement feature to make voices more clear and crisp, as well as its night mode to enhance vocal clarity when you're listening at night and don't want to bother anyone around you. When watching movies, its surround speakers help immerse you in sound.

Of course, it's not quite as versatile as the top picks. Notably, this bar doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, which is pretty typical for soundbars in this price range. Its soundstage isn't as wide and immersive-sounding, either. If you're on a tight budget, it's a good bar for vocal clarity in both surround sound and TV shows.

If you don't have a lot of space for your setup, a standalone bar like the Sonos Arc is a good option since it doesn't come with a subwoofer that takes up more room. It's a really premium bar with a wide and immersive soundstage that makes it seem like your favorite movies are happening all around you, and it's a great choice for everything from TV shows to Dolby Atmos movies found on lots of streaming services. The bar's sound profile is slightly bright, with balanced mids that ensure dialogue is clear and present, and higher-pitched voices sparkle in the mix. You can use its bass and treble adjustments to get a more neutral sound.

Naturally, without a dedicated subwoofer, the bar really struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble in the low-bass found during action-packed movies. If you change your mind down the line, you can always add a subwoofer and satellites that you can buy separately. Or, if you have the space, you can look at the larger, heavier Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar with an integrated subwoofer.

Compact soundbars like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) are a solid option for those in small apartments. It has a very small design like the original Sonos Beam, so it easily fits your existing setup without taking up a lot of space. The next generation also adds support for Dolby Atmos content, which is great if you like to watch lots of movies. You can enhance the dialogue, too, and use the night mode to reduce the dynamic range, so you hear voices clearly at night without bothering those around you.

Compared to the Sonos Arc, the smaller Beam's Atmos performance isn't quite as impressive. It doesn't get as loud, either, meaning it's not suitable if you want to fill up a large room with sound. If you're low on space, it's still a versatile soundbar that you can upgrade with a sub and satellites down the line.