A standard 16:9 55 inch TV will have a width of around 48″ which means your ideal soundbar should be around 40-50 inches in width.
So the goal is to have the soundbar be similar in width to the TV, this serves an aesthetic function but don’t get caught up trying to find a soundbar with the exact same width as the TV.
But, to save you some time as we know how difficult it is to find the best soundbar, we’ve compiled a list of the best soundbars for 55 inch displays.
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Soundbar Name | Soundbar | Key Features | Star Rating | Check Price |
Samsung HW-Q990B |  |
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Sony HT-A7000 |  |
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround |  |
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Klipsch Cinema 800 |  |
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LG S95QR |  |
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Page Contents
1. Samsung HW-Q990B | Best Overall Soundbar For 55 Inch TV
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 11.1.4
- Dimensions: 48.5″ x 2.7″ x 5.4″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby ATMOS, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT (*ATMOS Music)
Reasons To Buy:
- Impressive room correction capabilities
- Bass is suitable for watching movies
- Decent Atmos support
- Premium design
Reasons To Avoid:
- No Chromecast support
Review:
When it comes to playing movies, there’s no other soundbar that I’d choose over the Samsung HW-Q990B, there are plenty of reasons why, but the main reason is its immersiveness.
Its immersiveness is driven by its surround-sound capabilities that far excel other soundbars in its category. The Q990B is able to analyze the environment, and apply parameters that are best suited for your room.
And when you’re watching movies, especially movies with a lot of low-frequency noises, a deep and rumbly subwoofer can be a huge addition to the immersive experience, and the Q990B’s subwoofer is able to deliver that.
Aside from its raw performance, the Q990B fits within our parameters for a 55-inch display which is 40-50 inches, so you have no reason to worry about the soundbar looking good aesthetically.
However a small downside for the Q990B is its inability to support Chromecast, this will limit the streaming potential, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to work around it.
Alternatively: the Samsung HW-Q950A is a great alternative as it has many of the features the Q990B has, it may be a little cheaper, but it still lacks Chromecast which may be a turn-off.
So if you’d like a soundbar that can support Chromecast, and deliver a great movie experience, I’d recommend the LG S95QR, it’s a 9.1.5 soundbar with deep bass, room correction, and of course, Chromecast, But in terms of raw performance, I’d still have to recommend the Q990B
2. Klipsch Cinema 800 | Great Beginner Soundbar For 55 Inch TV
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi, Aux
- Surround-Sound Config: 3.1
- Dimensions: 47.8″, 2.8″, 3.3″
- Streaming Support: Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Digital Surround, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Perfect for listening to music
- Decent bass for watching movies
Reasons To Avoid:
- No room correction
- Lack of bass, not suitable for extended home theater usage
Review:
For a more balanced approach, the Klipsch Cinema 800 is able to perform most things to an acceptable standard, it has Dolby Atmos support, so it has some level of immersion
Not everyone is looking for an overkill soundbar like the Samsung HW-Q990B, for this reason, I’m recommending you my favorite affordable soundbar which is the Klipsch Cinema 800.
From a performance perspective, the Klipsch Cinema 800 will outperform the standard speakers on any 55 inch TV, so if you’re looking for something that’s better, then the Cinema 800 can perform decently in movies, music, and TV shows.
As for the dimensions, the Klipsch Cinema 800 is 47 inches, so it will look aesthetically pleasing if you were to place the soundbar underneath the TV, you should have minimal clearance issues with a 55-inch TV.
So if you’re looking for a soundbar that can outperform your standard speakers, it’s pretty good, but if you’re looking for an exceptional surround-sound experience, then the Klipsch Cinema 800 will suffer in that perspective.
However, if you’re a fan of music, then the Klipsch Cinema 800 is able to produce deep bass, which can also be immersive for watching movies, especially action-packed movies.
Alternatively: the Klipsch Cinema 800 is great in terms of bass production, dialogue reproduction, and price, but if you want a little more performance, the alternative I’d recommend would be the Klipsch Cinema 1200. It’s a step up from the Klipsch Cinema 800, the surround-sound performance has been improved, and it has good Atmos performance.
3. LG SP9YA | Best Soundbar For Watching TV Shows
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI, HDMI eArc, Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 5.1.2
- Dimensions: 48.1 x 2.3 x 5.8″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: None Built In
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Decent Bass
- Gets loud
- Dialogue enhancing features
Reasons To Avoid:
- Poor surround-sound reproduction
Review:
The SP9YA is a soundbar that excels pretty well when it comes to dialogue reproduction, it can easily correct hard-to-hear vocals and speech which is a huge benefit for TV shows.
The center channel speakers are able to correct quiet voices by making them sound louder, and muffled unclear voices are enhanced by the dialogue-enhancing feature for a more crisp-sounding delivery.
For movies, the dialogue-enhancing feature is definitely a benefit, and my favorite aspect for movies that the SN9YG offers is its bass adjustments which are able to reproduce low-frequency noises well, this is great for immersion.
Also, the soundbar comes with a room calibration feature, and this feature will scan the environment and adjust any settings that complement your room well, this is ideal for music.
However, one downside to the SP9YA is its poor surround-sound performance, it isn’t able to reproduce Dolby Atmos content well which is a huge downside to movie lovers.
Alternatively: between the SP9YA and the Sonos Arc soundbar, some will pick the SP9YA for the bass and the EQ presets, but others will pick the Sonos Arc for its superior surround-sound performance. So if you prefer surround sound and you want to watch movies at a higher standard, I’d recommend the Sonos Arc soundbar.
4. JBL Bar 5.1 Surround | True Budget Option For 55 Inch TV
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI, HDMI ARC, Optical, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 5.1
- Dimensions: 40.0 x 2.3 x 3.9″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Chromecast
- Virtual Assistant: None Built In
- Audio Support: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital,
Reasons To Buy:
- Decent Wifi Connectivity
- Room Correction
Reasons To Avoid:
- Poor surround-sound reproduction
Review:
The JBL Bar 5.1 surround sound is a budget soundbar with a few decent aspects such as its deep bass which can be appreciated with certain action-packed movies, or bass heavy music/instrumentals.
It also supports room correction capabilities which is helpful for adjusting the soundbar to your specific rooms, this is ideal to get the best experience possible.
Also, it has decent dialogue reproduction capabilities, we know how annoying it can be when you want to watch a movie or TV show, and the voices are hard to distinguish from everything else going on, so this soundbar is able to correct some of these issues.
In terms of physical attributes, the soundbar itself is 40 inches wide, which means it’s decent for 55-inch TVs, it shouldn’t look too out of place if you place it underneath the TV.
For movies, the soundbar is definitely a step up from standard TV speakers, but compared to other speakers on this list, the JBL Bar 5.1 does fall behind when it comes to surround-sound capabilities.
This is further evident through its lack of Dolby Atmos support, and the subwoofer may sound too boomy which can ruin the immersive experience of certain movies.
Alternatively: the Sonos Beam has a slight edge in terms of surround sound performance, this is because it supports Dolby Atmos content and its decently wide sound space. But the Sonos beam does lack a subwoofer which means you will lose the immersive feel of the JBL Bar 5.1. You can choose to add a subwoofer if you insist which will make the Sonos Beam undoubtedly better than the JBL Bar 5.1.
5. Sony HT-A7000 | Best Mid-Tier Soundbar For 55 Inch TV
Specifications:
- Connectivity: Aux, Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI, HDMI eArc, LAN (RJ-45), Optical, USB, WiFi
- Surround-Sound Config: 7.1.2
- Dimensions: 51.2 x 3.1 x 5.6″
- Streaming Support: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify
- Virtual Assistant: Alexa, Google
- Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS 96/24, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X
Reasons To Buy:
- Fantastic option for multiple uses
- Great room correction capabilities
- Plenty of wireless feedback options
- Sturdy design
Reasons To Avoid:
- Doesn’t get very loud
- Low bass
Review:
For a multipurpose soundbar, the Sony A7000 isn’t a bad pick, it’s able to do most things well such as playing movies, listening to music, and watching TV shows.
When using the Sony A7000, my favorite aspect was the dialogue reproduction capabilities which makes watching TV shows easier as the vocals are louder and clearer.
Additionally, it has room correcting features which will automatically optimize the soundbar based on how your room is, this will give the best listening experience possible.
However, the Sony A7000 lacks bass, and this has a noticeable effect when you’re watching action movies. When compared to other soundbars with an adequate enough subwoofer, it does fall behind.
And for the dimensions, it is 51 inches long which means it falls slightly outside of the set parameters of 40-50 inches, but it shouldn’t be too bad considering a 55-inch TV has a width of 47.9 inches,
Alternatively: the Sony HT-ST5000 is a more competent soundbar in many aspects, it fixes the bass issues the Sony A7000 has, and the surround-sound performance is undoubtedly better thanks to its decent Dolby Atmos performance.
How To Pick A Soundbar For A 55 Inch TV?
Picking a soundbar for a 55-inch TV isn’t too difficult, the goal is to pick a soundbar that closely matches the size of the TV which is 47.9 inches for a 55 inches display.
However, you won’t find a soundbar that perfectly matches your 55-inch TV, so we’re using a set parameter(40-50) which should give you enough options to select the right soundbar for you.
The closer you match the width of your display, the better for aesthetics and performance with getting audio from both sides of the TV. A slightly smaller soundbar is definitely better than a slightly larger soundbar.
Should My Soundbar Have Bluetooth?
A soundbar that supports BlueTooth makes it easier to connect devices such as your phone, tablet, and remotes so you can remotely control the audio of your soundbar.
If your soundbar supports Bluetooth it will make it easier to connect devices such as your phone, remote, and tablet. This is so you can remotely control the audio of your soundbar.
Most 55-inch smart TVs should come equipped with Bluetooth which means you can connect your soundbar to your TV without the use of a cable.
Cables can be messy, so if you like aesthetics, you can select Bluetooth, but if you prefer performance over looks, then it’s better to use optical or HDMI to connect your soundbar to your TV.
Is Soundbar Surround-Sound Important For 55-Inch TV?
Most soundbars have the intention of replicating surround sound as closely as possible, so yes surround sound is definitely important for your soundbar.
Surround sound will create an immersive experience for most content you’ll watch, this includes movies and TV shows. Also, surround sound can make music far more enjoyable.
So when picking a soundbar for surround sound, ensure it has at least 3 audio channels, and ensure it supports certain surround-sound formats such as Dolby Atmos.
Surround Sound Formats
- Dolby Atmos – Supports height with upwards firing drivers.
- DTS – Alternative to Dolby Digital
- Dolby Digital – Contains up to 6 discrete audio channels.
- DTS:X – Supports upwards firing drivers for height sound effects
A good soundbar will support multiple surround-sound formats which will be a massive step up from standard speakers that come with a 55 inch TV.
When picking a soundbar for surround sound, ensure that it has the 4 important surround sound formats which are Dolby Atmos, DTS, Dolby Digital, and DTS:X.
When using your 55-inch smart TV, many streaming services will support these audio formats. For example, Netflix and Disney+ will support Dolby Atmos, and Amazon prime will support Dolby Digital, so it’s good to have a soundbar capable of both if you intend on using both platforms.
How To Connect Soundbar To A 55 Inch TV?
Connecting your soundbar to your TV is pretty simple, and you have a few options you can use to achieve this. The easiest way is to use an optical cable, which connects the output of the display to the input port of the soundbar.
However the easiest route isn’t always the best, the problem with optical is that it doesn’t support surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD.
The best cable alternative would be HDMI, this is because it will transmit higher-quality audio and it will support surround-sound formats for enhancing your movie experience.
HDMI Video & Audio Passthrough
Ensure that your TV and your soundbar support HDMI passthrough, this is when the audio and the video are transmitted from a source directly to the soundbar.
If your soundbar has HDMI passthrough support, it should have at least one HDMI IN port to receive audio and video, and one HDMI OUT port to send the signal to your 55 inch display.
Finally, ensure that your soundbar supports HDMI eARC, and use eARC-supported cables so everything runs smoothly.
Also Read: Why Do Soundbars Have HDMI Ports
Subwoofer
The subwoofer is a big thing for movie and music lovers, this is because the subwoofer enhances low-frequency noises which are common in certain types of movies (action), and music.
Most decent soundbars should come with a subwoofer, but not all subwoofers that come with soundbars are of decent quality, so ensure you do your due diligence when selecting a soundbar.
Satellite Wireless Speakers
Satellite speakers are additional speakers that come with soundbars, and you usually place them at the rear side of the listening area to enhance the surround-sound performance.
Satellite speakers aim to naturally create a surround-sound experience which is far better than a soundbar without satellite speakers. These types of speakers are common with mid-high end soundbars.
Dialogue/Voice Enhancing Features
Dialogue-enhancing capabilities are critical if you intend on watching TV shows, or certain types of movies, this is because some TV shows make it hard to understand what the actors are actually saying.
The additional clarity of the vocals can help viewers grasp TV shows and by extension, you’ll be able to enjoy TV shows far more than if you were to view them without a soundbar.
Conclusion – What’s The Best Soundbar For LG CX 55 Inch?
Best Performing – soundbar would have to be the Samsung HW-Q990B, it does everything well such as surround-sound bass reproduction, vocal reproduction, and room correcting. It only lacks Chromecast which is easy to work around.
Mid Tier – the Sony HT-A7000 is definitely a decent soundbar when it comes to multipurpose use. If you like doing everything, then the HT A7000 will deliver an experience that is better compared to speakers that come with 55-inch TVs.
Budget Tier – would have to be the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround, it’s definitely a step up from standard TV speakers, but it will lack in terms of surround sound and bass.
Also Read: Best Soundbar For 65 Inch TV
Also Read: Best Soundbar For 50 Inch TV
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