The built-in speakers on modern smart TVs provide excellent sound quality for most audiences. However, those who need even more immersion from their TV opt for the best external sound systems to get an immersive and booming sound experience for a theatrical audio experience at home. The best soundbars and sound systems come with powerful subwoofers and multichannel speaker setups to reproduce a theatre-like sound immersion. Moreover, the best sound systems also come with sound-enhancement technologies such as Dolby Audio and THX certifications among others, ensuring captivating sound experiences that bring movies to life.
Further, most sound systems also allow you to wirelessly stream music by connecting your smartphone via Bluetooth, so you can also use them as a standalone sound system to play your favourite music playlists. That said, choosing from the wide variety of sound systems available on the market can be a difficult task. This is where we make it easy for you to select the best sound systems with this article. For this article, we are focusing on the best sound systems available on the market under Rs 30,000 range. The list includes sound systems from popular brands such as Sony, Logitech, JBL, and more. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Things to consider while buying sound systems
- Space requirements: Consider the space constraints of your TV setup. For instance, if you plan to keep the speakers in front of the TV, ensure the desk space allows you to place the speakers alongside any other TV accessories. This is important because as you go up the higher wattage sound systems, the soundbar size increases to allow for bigger and fuller sound reproduction. Otherwise, consider a compact sound system, but you’ll be compromising on sound quality. That’s not to say, bigger is always better — manufacturers can still use several tricks, including efficiently designed acoustical chambers, to get you improved sound quality while still being as compact as possible.
- Wattage: This one is simple: the higher the wattage of a sound system, the fuller and more booming and punchy sound you’ll get out of it. So, if you want to create a mini theatrical system at home that can mimic the traditional theatre sound, get a higher-wattage sound system. In addition to these, ensure the manufacturer certifies the sound system with sound enhancement technologies certifications such as Dolby Atmos/Digital/Audio and DTS Virtual:X among others for immersive and adaptive sound.
- Connectivity: Connectivity is one of the most important factors in any sound system. As such, ensure that you get a wide range of options including Optica, HDMI ARC/eARC, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and more so you can get the most out of your TV system.
- Multichannel sound: Most sound systems in the Rs 30,000 range are either 2.1 channel- or 5.1 channel systems. Of course, 5.1 is better than 2.1 in creating a more realistic sound. But you also have 7.1 channel systems as you go higher up the price bracket. As explained above, if you want immersive sound at all costs, get sound systems with higher channels.
Best sound systems under Rs 30,000 you can buy on Amazon India
Sony HT-S40R
The Sony HT-S40R is a quite popular 5.1 channel sound system that comes under the Rs 30,000 price range. It is quite a value-for-money deal considering the number of features it packs for the asking price. The Sony HT-S40R comes with a 600W power output, which is achieved through a set of rear speakers (with an amplifier), a powerful subwoofer, and a 3-channel soundbar. This ensures a punchy and fuller sound that is both pleasing as well as immersive. Further, rear speakers connect through a wireless connection via the wireless amplifier, which means you don't have to deal with any wire clutter.
Moreover, the company has added support for Dolby Audio with Dolby Digital audio enhancement technologies. Connectivity options include HDMI, Optical, and Audio Input (analogue). Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream your favourite music from your smartphone as well. It also lets you switch between 4 audio modes -- Auto, Standard, Cinema, and Music for more control of the sound profile. Finally, Sony HT-S40R also includes dialogue enhancement options so the dialogues sound better for a great movie-watching experience.
Sony HT-S20R
The Sony HT-S20R is yet another good option for your smart TV setup. The affordable home theatre system comes with a [powerful total 400W power output. The setup works over the 5.1 channel surround sound configuration, which includes a 3-channel soundbar, rear speakers, and external subwoofers. The sound system is also Dolby Audio compatible and gets Dolby Digital support as well. This one also gets Bluetooth support to let you wirelessly stream music from your smartphone. Further, it comes with USB Plug and Play functionality to let you play music from pen drives, for instance. The highlighting thing about Sony HT-S20R is that it comes with an HDMI ARC port, which lets you connect the speaker system to the TV with a single cable, thereby letting you avoid any cable clutter in front the TV. Apart from that you also get optical and analog connection options for added flexibility. The TV remote control includes Auto, Standard, Cinema, and Music modes so you can fine-tune the audio experience. If you want an excellently well-rounded home theatre system on a budget, the Sony HT-S20R is no doubt one of the best options out there.
Yamaha NS-P41
Yamaha NS-P41 will enhance any traditional- and modern TV setups and provide a smooth, clear, and expansive sound with its 5.1-channel sound system. The compact and classical design of Yamaha NS-P41 not only makes it easy to place it anywhere easily but also adds to the look of the modern interior of your room. Yamaha NS-P41 produces rich, thumping bass and sparkling highs to give you a next-level audio immersion. Moreover, Yahama says it has used advanced Twisted Flare Port technology in designing the chamber to reproduce realistic bass notes that are both powerful and punchy. Not only that but the company has also worked to ensure the mid-tones are well represented with high accuracy. This nuanced tuning on the Yamaha NS-P41 ensures watching movies and listening to your favourite playlists is a much better experience. Further, a powerful amplifier is powering the sound system so you get accurate sound reproduction across the full frequency range. Users say the Yamaha NS-P41 is an excellent sound system and provides a balanced sound response, and fits in their small rooms easily -- just like we explained.
Logitech Z906
Logitech also has the Logitech Z906 5.1-channel sound system on the market for those who love powerful audio beats. The Logitech Z906 comes with powerful 1,000W sound output along with a 165W 'powered' subwoofer. This setup promises a premium and immersive sound experience. Moreover, it also gets THX certification for premium sound quality assurance. The sound system is also Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround certified. Logitech Z906 also lets you individually control each speaker's volume and the subwoofer with the wireless remote. You can also configure the speaker in 2.1, 4.1, and surround sound channels so you get to fine-tune the audio experience to your personal preference and the content being played. Connecting devices such as TV, DVD player, Xbox and PlayStation, Nintendo, mobile, stereo, and more become extremely easy thanks to the wide range of connectivity options. Logitech Z906 lets you connect up to 6 supported devices via the 3.5mm port, RCA, six-channel direct, digital coaxial, and optical port. Users who purchased the Logitech Z906 praise it for the premium sound quality it provides and also its value-for-money aspect.
ZEBRONICS Zeb-Juke BAR
Zebronics makes some of the best value-for-money consumer electronics on the market. And the company's Zeb-Juke BAR is just as affordable while still packing all the essential features of a good sound system. The Zeb-Juke BAR comes with a wide range of connectivity options HDMI ARC, Optical input, Bluetooth 5.0, and AUX ports. It also has a USB plug-and-play to let you play songs via a pen drive. It has a 525W total sonnd output for a powerful sound response. The 5.1-channel sound system includes a 150W subwoofer, a 225W soundbar with a triple driver setup, and 75W dual wireless satellites (interconnected via a cable). Further, the soundbar is wall-mountable so you can save space in front of the TV to place other accessories. It also gets Dolby Audio certification for clear and detailed sound response. Overall, the elegantly designed ZEBRONICS Zeb-Juke BAR is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a sound system that does most things right while still being under the budget.
Samsung Soundbar {HW-B67E/XL}
Samsung Soundbar {HW-B67E/XL} is a quality alternative for anyone who is after feature-packed specs in the sound system. This feature-packed sound system from Samsung offers reliable performance and features a 5.1-channel 3D sound system with 9 speakers. The sound system puts an emphasis on rich bass reproduction with the powerful subwoofer. And the overall sound is further improved by the Dolby Atmos/DTS Virtual:X sound technologies. It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity and lets you connect up to two mobile phones and switch between them easily. There is an HDMI connectivity option as well for wired connectivity. The sound system also comes with a Night Mode, which lets you silently watch movies in the bedroom. There is a Voice Enhance sound mode as well to enhance the EQ to provide clear dialogue in the movies. Further, it also gets a Game Mode, which apart from improving the sound clarity in games, provides exact sound direction clues by using a Cross-talk cancellation technology for a competitive advantage. Further, it also removes any distracting noises from games. Finally, it also has Adaptive sound lite technology to ensure adaptive sound for content like sports and movies.
Denon DHT-S316
Denon DHT-S316 sound system promises to provide theatre-quality sound with the help of Dolby Digital, DTS Decoding, and the built-in Denon Dialogue Enhancer. The DHT-S316 is outfitted with two-way, stereo speakers, and a powerful amplifier, along with high-quality tweeters. The sound system has a low-profile design and is extremely easy to set up so you can start using it right away. It comes with a variety of connectivity options including HDMI ARC, Optical, and 3.5m ports. Denon DHT-S316 is optimized to offer clear dialogue while watching movies -- just select the Movie mode and enjoy your favorite movies to their fullest. Further, there is a Night mode for nighttime movie watching and a Music mode to bring your favorite tunes to life. The sound system also lets you connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to stream music wirelessly. You can also wall-mount the DHT-S316 with the keyring holes. Lastly, the company also supplies a separate subwoofer that features a bass reflex port for enhanced bass reproduction.
JBL Cinema SB271
The affordable JBL Cinema SB271 is one of the best sound systems that you can add to your TV setup. The low-profile design of the Cinema SB271 makes it easy to place anywhere. And its 220W powerful sound ensures a booming powerful sound. The 2.1-channel configuration includes two full-range drivers on the soundbar and wireless subwoofer. You also get pre-defined presets so you can select the sound modes -- such as Music, Movies, News, and more -- for an adaptive sound experience. The Cinema SB271 incorporates JBL's signature sound along with Dolby Digital Audio compatibility. Further, a dedicated Voice mode is also present on the Cinema SB271 for enhanced clarity of voice while watching movies and other content. Connectivity-wise, you get options like HDMI ARC, Optical input as well as Bluetooth for wireless streaming. The Cinema SB271 is also compatible with TV remotes for added convenience. Finally, it also gets Smart Standby Mode, which not only conserves energy but also helps instantly wake up the sound system as soon as you connect any device to the sound system.
