If you’re still gaming on your TV’s built-in speakers, let me just say: I’ve been there, and I don’t envy you. Explosions sound like someone slapping a tin tray, dialogue gets buried under background noise, and those “epic” cutscenes feel… well, not very epic.
That was me until I decided to step up and try a soundbar. And to be completely honest with you, it changed everything. I could actually hear footsteps sneaking up behind me in Call of Duty, and when a dragon roared in Elden Ring, my living room shook in the best possible way.
But getting there wasn’t easy, because the world of soundbars is full of pitfalls.
Do you go all-in with a premium setup? Or do you save some money and go with something a bit more modest? And which soundbars are good enough to handle both gaming precision and cinematic audio for movies and music?
That’s what I’m here to help you get to the bottom of (and hopefully save you from another night of tinny TV audio misery).
What Makes a Great Gaming & Audio Soundbar?
If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s this: not all soundbars are created equal.
Some are basically glorified Bluetooth speakers, while others are powerful enough to replace a full surround setup. Which begs the question, what should you actually pay attention to when choosing one? Here’s what I always look at.
Key Features to Look for in a Soundbar
The Best Soundbar: My Top Picks
So after plenty of testing (and a few disappointments), here’s a round-up of soundbars that are worth your money.
The Premium Pick: Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a soundbar that delivers both simplicity and power.
With Dolby Atmos support, the Sonos Arc Ultra creates a spacious, immersive soundstage that makes games feel more alive. Footsteps are easier to locate in shooters, and ambient effects in RPGs surround you in a way standard TV speakers can’t touch. Dialogue is crisp, highs are detailed, and while the bass is solid on its own, adding the Sonos Sub 4 takes it up a notch.
If you want full immersion, pairing the Arc Ultra and Sub 4 with two Sonos Era 100 speakers effectively turns the system into a 5.1.2 surround setup. The result is a package that balances plug-and-play convenience with premium performance.
There is a catch, though, because it’s expensive and you’re tied to the Sonos ecosystem. But if you’re after a clean, no-fuss setup that still delivers spine-tingling impact for both gaming and movies? This is the one to beat.
The Audiophile Pick: KEF XIO
The KEF XIO is for people who take sound very seriously. KEF has poured its hi-fi expertise into this bar, using its Uni-Q driver array to deliver exceptional imaging and clarity. It supports all the essentials (like Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC, and high-res streaming), but what really hits you is how effortlessly clean it sounds; no muddiness, no distortion, just proper, reference-grade audio.
The only downside is that it’s not cheap, and setup takes a bit more fiddling than a Sonos. But once it’s dialled in, the XIO turns your gaming sessions into a full cinematic experience.
The Everyday Pick: Sonos Beam Gen 2
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the smaller sibling to the Arc Ultra, bringing many of the same features in a more compact package. It supports Dolby Atmos, offers surprisingly rich sound for its size, and it’s fully integrated with the Sonos ecosystem. Ideal for apartments and smaller gaming setups.
On its own, it doesn’t deliver the same expansive soundstage or deep bass as the Arc Ultra, but it’s more than enough for immersive gaming and streaming. Add a Sub 4 later if you want more impact, but even out of the box, the Beam Gen 2 is one of the best mid-range soundbars for anyone who wants a plug-and-play system that can handle games, movies, and music with ease.
4 Myths About Gaming Soundbars Debunked
Soundbars have come a long way, but there are still some stubborn misconceptions that keep gamers from taking them seriously. Let’s set the record straight.
Myth 1: Soundbars can’t do surround sound
While a single bar can’t replicate a full 7.1 system, modern models like the Sonos Arc Ultra use Dolby Atmos to create a convincing sense of height and space. Add in the Sub 4 and Era 100 surrounds, and you’re well into home cinema territory without the cable chaos.
Myth 2: They’re just for movies, not gaming
Soundbars are certainly not just for watching the latest blockbuster. Features like Dolby Atmos and wide soundstages make them absolutely brilliant for games too. With a good soundbar, footsteps become easier to track in shooters, and environmental effects in RPGs feel more immersive. Add in low-latency modes on some models, and you’ve got audio that keeps up with the action without lag or muddiness.
Myth 3: Bigger always means better
Not necessarily. Slim bars won’t rattle the windows, but they dramatically improve clarity, especially for dialogue-heavy games. In smaller rooms, a compact bar can often sound better than oversized gear that overwhelms the space.
Myth 4: You need an AV receiver for great audio
That was true a decade ago. Today, premium soundbars like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or Arc Ultra deliver cinematic quality without the setup headaches of traditional amps and multiple speakers.
Finding the Perfect Soundbar for Your Gaming Setup
With so many options on the table, the best soundbar for you comes down to how you play, where you play, and how much you’re willing to spend.
Here’s how I’d break it down:
- For apartment dwellers or smaller spaces, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the sweet spot. It’s compact, still supports Dolby Atmos, and has the flexibility to grow with add-ons later if you want more bass or surrounds.
- For serious console and PC gamers who want immersion and cinematic impact, the Sonos Arc Ultra is the obvious pick. Pair it with the Sonos Sub 4 for proper low-end rumble, and throw in Era 100 surrounds if you want the full 5.1.2 experience without the wiring mess of traditional setups.
- And for the true audiophiles who care about imaging, tonal accuracy, and every micro-detail in a soundtrack, the KEF XIO is in a league of its own. Yes, it’s pricier and takes more effort to set up, but the payoff is worth it if you want the best possible audio experience.
In short, the Beam Gen 2 is the balanced middle ground, the Arc Ultra is the premium choice for all-out immersion, and the KEF XIO is the no-compromise option for people who take sound as seriously as their gameplay.
The Bottom Line on Gaming Soundbars
Gaming audio has finally caught up with the visuals, and a good soundbar can make just as much difference as upgrading your TV or console.
Soundbars will never completely replace a full hi-fi system, but the gap has narrowed enough that most people don’t need to bother with the complexity of receivers and speaker arrays. What you gain in convenience, you no longer lose in performance, especially with premium setups.
