For action-packed scenes & bass-heavy music: Setups with proper "thump"
When looking for the right soundbar, everyone sooner or later faces one question: Do I need an additional subwoofer? The answer is usually positive. After all, an external subwoofer gives the setup even more power and provides much more impressive low tones than most soundbars with an integrated subwoofer can. Especially fans of action-packed movies or bass-heavy music genres should by no means do without a sub.
Of course, you also need enough space in the room to fit a soundbar and a subwoofer. The models we present to you in this category all come with a wireless subwoofer, which means you can place them anywhere in the room. The only requirement is, of course, a power source nearby.
You lack space for an external subwoofer? Have a look at our list of the best soundbars without subwoofer!
Best Soundbar with subwoofer: Samsung HW-Q900A
- 406W total power
- 160W Subwoofer (Max)
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
- Upfiring Speakers
- SpaceFit Sound+ & Q-Symphony
- Auto EQ
- High Volume
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple Airplay2
- Built-In Amazon Alexa
- No integrated Chromecast
Samsung’s Q900A is a high-quality 7.1.2 system that has almost everything you could want from a soundbar and subwoofer. The two combined provide a total power of 406 watts and the woofer has a very good, deep bass. Overall, the sound profile of the setup is very balanced, making it suitable for use with content of various types. In addition, the bar gets quite loud, which also allows it to be used in large rooms or at parties. If you don’t like the preset sound, you can use the wide range of settings to customize the sound to your liking. Among them is a graphic equalizer, for example. Of course, the subwoofer’s intensity can also be controlled separately.
However, the external subwoofer not only ensures that you can feel the deep rumble and boom in action scenes, but also plays a role in the room correction feature. Since it has a built-in microphone, it allows the setup to detect your room conditions and adjust the sound accordingly. This feature also enhances the effect of surround sound as well as Dolby AtmosDolby Atmos is a 3D sound format that adds sounds from above to surround sound systems and can also assign additional information to sounds so that they can be reproduced even more realistically. and DTS:XJust like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X is also a 3D sound format, with which the surround sound is expanded by height speakers. In addition, it is also an object-based sound format, whereby additional information is assigned to sounds, making them sound even more realistic. content.
The Q900A has not skimped on smart features either. Thanks to its built-in Amazon Alexa, you can conveniently control it via voice command, and you don’t have to miss Apple’s Airplay and Bluetooth connectivity either. Only Chromecast is not integrated.
Affordable 3.1 alternative: Samsung HW-A650
- Price
- Weaker bass
- Only DTS Virtual:X
- No Wi-Fi and Apple Airplay
With the HW-A650, Samsung delivers another soundbar with an external subwoofer that is much more affordable than the Q-series model. In contrast, however, it comes without height channels and can only generate virtual 3D sound. Surround content is also mixed down to stereo, making the listening experience less immersive. However, the A650 also has many settings for optimizing the sound and a graphic equalizer. In addition, it has a BassBoost mode, which is supposed to give the setup an extra punch. Nevertheless, the bass overall is less noticeable than in the expensive model from Samsung.
The included sound adjustment feature and a separate center speaker make the A650 very suitable for playing dialogue-heavy content. However, the Bluetooth connection has to be used for streaming, since the soundbar does not support a network connection or Apple Airplay.
3.1.2 Setup with a lot of power: LG DSP8YA
- Integrated Chromecast
- No graphic equalizer
- Downmix of surround content into stereo
LG’s SP8YA also comes with an external subwoofer and provides decent bass. The 3.1.2 setup can play uncompressed Dolby AtmosDolby Atmos is a 3D sound format that adds sounds from above to surround sound systems and can also assign additional information to sounds so that they can be reproduced even more realistically. sound thanks to its two up-firingThese speakers are positioned diagonally upwards so that the reflection of the sound from the ceiling reaches the viewers from above. They are mainly used for 3D sound formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. speakers and the HDMI 2.1 port with eARCEnhanced Audio Return Chanel: A significant increase in the data transfer rate, which means that audio signals no longer need to be compressed before being transmitted to the music system. This noticeably increases audio quality.. In combination with a very high maximum volume, one may dream of a cinema atmosphere in their own four walls. Unfortunately, however, surround content is downmixed to stereo so that the soundbar can reproduce it, which results in a less immersive listening experience.
If the bass of the SP8YA is still not enough for you in the default setting, you can activate an additional BassBlast feature that adds an extra dose of thump. Furthermore, a room correction function and various other settings for sound optimization are available, but you won’t find a graphic equalizer.
The soundbar can be operated conveniently using LG’s app. Voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant is also possible, but an external third-party device is required for that. Otherwise, nothing stands in the way of streaming from a smartphone thanks to the integrated Chromecast, Apple Airplay and Bluetooth connectivity.
Soundbars with Subwoofer in comparison
 Samsung HW-Q900A |  Samsung HW-A650 |  LG DSP8YA | |
| Channels | 7.1.2 | 3.1 (5.1.2 virtual) | 3.1.2 |
| Dolby Atmos | |||
| DTS | DTS HD-Master + DTS:X | DTS HD-Master + DTS:X | |
| HDMI 2.1 | 2x In + 1x Out | 1x In + 1x Out | |
| eARC | |||
| WLAN | |||
| Room size | up to 40 m2 | up to 40 m2 | up to 40 m2 |
| Subwoofer | External | External | External |
| Satellites | |||
| Dimensions Height x Width x Depth HxWxD | 69,5 x 1232 x 138 mm | 58 x 980 x 105 mm | 57 x 1060 x 119 mm |
Frequently asked questions about Soundbars with Subwoofer
Is it better to have a subwoofer with a soundbar?
A soundbar does not necessarily need a subwoofer in order to sound well. However, many soundbars cannot reproduce low frequencies that good. If you really want to feel the deep rumble in action-packed scenes, you should go for a setup with an external subwoofer.
What does a subwoofer do with a soundbar?
A subwoofer helps to produce low frequencies. That means, it adds punch and rumble to TV shows and movies, that your soundbar may not be able to produce on its own.
Do soundbars have built-in subwoofers?
Some soundbars do have built-in subwoofers. These are often referred to as ‘all-in-one soundbars’ or ‘one-body soundbars’.
