Are you having problems finding a great soundbar with FM radio? We know it can be difficult, but don’t worry. We are here to help you with your search.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Soundbars With FM Radio
- Best Overall: Sony HT-G700
- Best Under $150: Pyle PSB-V200BT
- Best Cheap: TOPINCN
- GAOF
- GANE
Our article about the best soundbars with FM radio is here to give you some nice suggestions and help you learn a few things about soundbars.
Page Contents
Our Top Picks
This post contains affiliate links. See the affiliate disclaimer here.
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Our Rating: 4.3
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Our Rating: 4.2
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VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
Is Buying a Soundbar Worth It?
Yes. Absolutely. A soundbar is a smart investment. It doesn’t cost as much as a surround sound system, it’s compact, it doesn’t take up too much space, and it’s usually a huge improvement compared to your TV speakers.
It is much louder than your TV speakers, it delivers clearer sound, and it often comes with numerous sound adjustment options.
Soundbars often have special dialog and night modes. The first one is designed for improved speech intelligibility, and the second one is designed for watching movies at night.
Depending on the quality and price, some soundbars may also feature support for various surround sound audio formats. Some even support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and can simulate height effects.
Furthermore, advanced high-end soundbars support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. They may even have multiroom capabilities.
Some soundbars can also be paired with external wireless or wired subwoofer and wireless surround speakers.
Do All Soundbars Have Built-in FM Tuners?
No. In fact, most of today’s soundbars don’t have an FM tuner built inside. There were several bars with FM radio in the past, and they were made by reputable manufacturers, but all those models are now discontinued.
Most of today’s soundbars with an FM tuner are made by less reputable brands and Chinese generic brands. Finding a great-sounding soundbar with FM radio is much harder today than it was a few years ago.
So, having in mind what we’ve just said, buying a used soundbar made by some reputable brand is maybe even smarter than buying a new soundbar made by a generic brand.
Some of those discontinued soundbars are Samsung HT-E8200, Philips HTL2193B, LG LAS655K, LG SL6YF, etc.
Things to Look for When Buying a Soundbar with FM Tuner
Finding the right soundbar for your TV is not such a difficult task. You just have to consider a few important features and specs.
First of all, the dimensions of a soundbar can be very important. You don’t want a soundbar that’s much longer or much shorter than your TV.
Also, you don’t want your soundbar to block any part of your TV. That’s why you need to think about the placement and pay attention to the soundbar’s width and height.
Furthermore, you have to check the inputs/outputs. Cheaper soundbars may have just one optical input and/or one AUX/RCA input, while pricier units will also have HDMI ARC OUT, two or more HDMI inputs, optical/coaxial inputs, etc.
Buying the most versatile soundbar is not a priority – you just need a soundbar that meets your needs and allows you to connect all the audio/video sources.
Different soundbars have a different number of drivers built inside and different speaker layouts. Some soundbars may also come with a wireless or wired subwoofer, and some may come with a pair of wireless or wired surround speakers.
When buying a soundbar, you will come across categorizations like 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, etc. The first number describes the number of channels (not drivers) inside the soundbar.
If the first number is 2, it means that the drivers inside the soundbar are arranged in 2 channels (left and right). So, there can be more than 2 drivers inside (it could be two, four, or even eight) but they will be arranged in two channels.
If the first number is 3, it means that the drivers inside are arranged in 3 channels (left, center, and right). If the number is 5, it could mean that the soundbar has drivers arranged in 5 channels (left, center, right + side-firing surround left and right) or that the soundbar has drivers arranged in 3 channels and comes with two dedicated surround speakers.
The second number represents the subwoofer. Many modern soundbars come with a wireless/wired subwoofer, but there are also those that don’t come with a dedicated sub. If you are looking for a more immersive bass output, look for a soundbar with a subwoofer.
The next thing to check is power output. This spec could give you an idea of how loud a soundbar can be.
If you find wireless connectivity useful, you may want to buy a soundbar with Bluetooth connectivity or, even better, with Wi-Fi connectivity.
If you are planning on building a multiroom system, check if the soundbar has multiroom capabilities and if it’s compatible with the wireless speakers you want to buy. Keep in mind that, in most cases, you can only build a multiroom system of speakers made by the same manufacturer (only SONOS, or only Denon, or only Yamaha, etc.).
Finally, if you’re looking for a soundbar that can improve dialog intelligibility buy a soundbar that has a special sound mode for clear dialogs.
Hopefully, you now have all the information necessary to start your search. For some nice suggestions, check out our selection of the best soundbars with FM radio.
Best Overall – Sony HT-G700
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.8]
Impressions
HT-G700 is a more than 10-years-old model and it’s been discontinued. However, you can still buy a used one from Amazon.
The system consists of a soundbar and a subwoofer. It comes with a remote, AM/FM antennas, mounting equipment, a proprietary speaker cable (for connecting the soundbar to the subwoofer), one optical cable, and operating instructions.
The installation is simple and fast. You have all the mounting equipment included so you don’t have to buy anything. In case you own a compatible Sony Bravia TV (there’s a list of compatible TVs in the user manual), you can attach the soundbar to the bottom of the TV.
In most of today’s soundbar/subwoofer combo systems and soundbar-based surround sound systems, a soundbar represents the hub.
All the inputs/outputs and all the controls are located on the soundbar. HT-G700 is a bit different. In this case, the subwoofer is the hub and has all the connections. On the back of the soundbar, there are just three speaker connectors and power input.
The rear panel of the subwoofer is where all the magic happens. The subwoofer houses 3 speaker connectors (used to send audio from the subwoofer to the soundbar), 3 HDMI inputs, one HDMI ARC output, two RCA inputs, two optical inputs, one coaxial input, and AM/FM antenna connectors. So, the HT-G700 is very versatile, much more versatile than today’s soundbar/subwoofer combos.
Some basic controls are also located on the front panel of the subwoofer. You have four buttons – power, volume controls, and input selector.
A tiny display is also located on the front panel. Remote gives you much better control of the system. It has an intuitive button layout and it’s perfectly responsive.
When connected to Sony Bravia TVs, you can use the so-called Bravia Sync feature, which allows you to control volume and turn off both units with one remote.
HT-G700 supports only the most basic surround sound formats – LPCM, DD 5.1, and DTS 5.1. The system features several sound modes (EQ presets) including standard, movie, music, drama, news, sports, and game.
You can adjust the bass and treble levels manually. You can also use the night mode, which balances the sound and reduces the bass response at low volumes.
The subwoofer houses one 5″ bass driver. The soundbar houses three drivers – two racetrack style 1.6″x2.9″ woofers (L and R channels) and one 1.6″ cone woofer (center channel). All three drivers are full-range. The combined power output of the system is rated at 400W.
The system delivers a very balanced, detailed, and transparent sound. The bass is punchy but not too deep. The bass enthusiasts will not be amazed. The system is loud enough for small to medium-sized rooms.
Advantages
- Comes with all the necessary mounting equipment
- Comes with a user-friendly and responsive remote
- Stylish, attractive design
- Very slim soundbar (less than 3″ tall)
- Can be attached to the bottom panel of compatible Sony Bravia TVs
- Great versatility – 3 HDMI IN, 1 HDMI ARC OUT, 2 optical, 1 coax, 2 RCA,
- Built-in AM and FM tuners
- Supports LPCM, DD 5.1, and DTS 5.1
- Features various sound modes – night mode, standard, movie, music, drama, news, sports, and game
- Adjustable bass and treble
- Well-balanced and detailed sound reproduction with a nice and punchy bass
Disadvantages
- Lacks 4K pass-through
- Lacks Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Lacks dedicated sound mode for improved dialog intelligibility
Best Soundbar with FM Radio Under $150 – Pyle PSB-V200BT
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.6]
Impressions
Pyle PSB-V200BT is much simpler, less versatile, and definitely not as pretty as the previously reviewed Sony HT-CT350. On the other hand, it’s also cheaper and it features Bluetooth connectivity.
The soundbar comes with a simple remote, power cable, AUX cable, and a user manual.
The unit has a boxy and somewhat unattractive design. On the front, you have 4 speakers, protected with metal grilles, and a simple control panel with a display and some inputs in the middle.
This panel has some basic control buttons that allow you to select the input, control the playback, search for FM stations, and adjust the volume. An SD card slot and a USB port are also located on the front.
On the rear panel, you have two RCA inputs and one AUX input. There are no HDMI inputs/outputs or other digital audio inputs.
Pyle PSB-V200BT has a built-in FM tuner. The reception is decent and you can save up to 30 favorite stations as presets.
The unit also features Bluetooth connectivity (BT 2.1 with EDR). The wireless connection works fine but the range is mediocre (less than 25ft).
PSB-V200BT can only receive stereo sound but it can simulate 3D surround sound thanks to the SRS 3D technology. The surround sound simulation is not impressive.
Inside the unit, you have one 5.25” mid-woofer, two full-range 3” woofers, and two 1” tweeters. The advertised RMS power output is 150W.
The sound is loud enough for medium-sized rooms. It’s not very bassy, but there’s a nice punch to complement the midrange reproduction. Bass and treble can be adjusted with the included remote.
Advantages
- Affordable (priced under $150)
- 2 RCA inputs + 1 AUX input
- USB port
- SD card slot
- FM tuner
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Fairly loud and balanced sound
- 3D surround sound simulation
Disadvantages
- Mediocre connectivity
- Lacks HDMI inputs and digital audio inputs
- Outdated Bluetooth version
- Cheap-looking remote
Best Cheap Soundbar with FM radio – TOPINCN
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.1]
Impressions
TOPINCN is definitely not on par with the previous two soundbars. This one is, like many others, made by some generic brand and offers very modest connectivity and performance.
TOPINCN is basically a portable Bluetooth speaker that can be used as a soundbar. It has a simple cuboid shape and it’s all plastic. It looks cheap, but that should not be a surprise since it actually is very cheap (priced around $30).
The unit is only 11.5in wide, so it’s not a good choice for large displays and for medium and large rooms. This is something you can buy for your kids’ room.
All the controls are located on the top panel, in the right corner. You have six buttons used to control all the settings.
The remote is not included in the package. On the front panel, in the right corner, there’s a simple 4-digit display showing the source and frequency.
Inputs are located on the rear panel. There is only one audio input for connecting analog sources (3.5mm audio input).
The speaker also has a USB port and an SD card slot. Finally, there’s a micro USB port for power supply and battery charging.
The speaker has a built-in 1,200mAh battery. It will deliver up to 10 hours of playtime at moderate volumes.
Aside from physical connections, you have a built-in FM tuner and Bluetooth connectivity.
The sound output is kind of thin. It’s just slightly louder than those speakers built inside smaller TVs (20-30″). The bass is seriously lacking.
Advantages
- Cheap
- Simple control button layout
- AUX input
- USB port and SD card slot for music playback
- FM tuner
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Portable (has a built-in 1,200mAh battery)
- Viable choice for small TVs and small rooms
Disadvantages
- Looks cheap
- Poor build quality
- Lacks digital audio inputs
- Mediocre overall performance
GAOF TV Soundbar
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.4]
Impressions
Like the previous speaker, this one is also made by some generic brand. It delivers slightly better performance and offers better connectivity, but it’s also a cheap plasticky speaker and doesn’t look very durable.
The thing we don’t like the most is the price – considering the overall performance, this thing is highly overpriced.
GAOF soundbar comes with a charging cable (micro USB), AUX audio cable, RCA cable, optical cable, remote, and user manual.
The soundbar is only 21.5″wide, so it’s not a good match for large TVs (30″ screens max) or for large rooms.
You have some basic controls (5 buttons) in the right corner of the front panel. For additional controls, you have to use the remote.
All the inputs are on the back. There are three inputs for connecting external sources – optical input, AUX input, and RCA input. You also have a USB port and an SD card slot. Finally, there’s a micro USB port for power supply and battery charging.
GAOF soundbar also has an FM tuner built inside and it features Bluetooth connectivity (BT 5.0).
Like the previous TOPINCN, GAOF is also a Bluetooth portable speaker. It has a built-in 2,000mAh battery. The battery delivers 6h of continuous playtime at moderate volumes (less than 3h at full blast).
The speaker houses two 10W full-range drivers. The sound is balanced and, considering the speaker size, it’s also quite loud.
Advantages
- Intuitive and easy-to-use controls
- Comes with a remote
- Fairly versatile – AUX input, RCA input, optical input
- USB port and SD card slot for music playback
- FM tuner
- Bluetooth connectivity (BT 5.0)
- Portable – has a built-in battery
- 6h of continuous playtime
- Balanced, fairly loud sound output
Disadvantages
- Overpriced
- Plastic build
- Cheap-looking remote
- Lacks HDMI inputs
GANE Soundbar
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.2]
Impressions
Just like the previous GAOF soundbar, the GANE soundbar is made by some generic brand. It has similar features, and the same plastic build, and it’s also highly overpriced. Things like this shouldn’t cost more than $100 (or rather $50).
The soundbar is only 21.5″ wide, and it’s a good match for smaller displays (up to 30″). It’s not a good choice for large TVs and large (or even medium-sized) rooms.
The soundbar has a very simple cuboid design. It’s entirely made of plastic. The speakers are protected with a semi-transparent black aluminum grille. Some basic controls (power, input, volume) are located on the top panel. For more control over the playback, you can use the included remote.
On the back, there’s an RCA input, an SD card slot, and a power/charging port.
Like two previous soundbars, the GANE soundbar has an FM tuner and features Bluetooth connectivity. The Bluetooth range is mediocre (less than 30ft), and the connection is stable within that range.
GANE is portable. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and can deliver up to 5h of playtime. The recharge takes less than 2 hours.
The soundbar houses four 5W speakers arranged in two channels. The sound lacks bass, but the mids are clean and articulate, and the highs are fairly consistent and accurate.
Advantages
- A good match for smaller TVs (up to 30″)
- Intuitive and easy-to-use controls
- Comes with a remote
- RCA input
- SD card slot for music playback
- FM tuner
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Portable – has a built-in battery
- Accurate and fairly detailed midrange and treble reproduction
Disadvantages
- Highly overpriced
- Plastic build
- Cheap-looking remote
- Poor connectivity
- Lacks bass
This concludes our selection of the best soundbars with FM radio. For additional info about soundbars in general and about soundbars with FM radio, read the following text. If you need any advice or want to share your thoughts on the subject, leave us a comment below.
Do soundbars have FM radio?
Unfortunately, most of today’s soundbars don’t come with a built-in FM tuner. This feature was much more popular a few years ago, but today’s soundbars rarely have FM radio.
You can choose between a few models made by generic brands, a few models made by more popular brands, and a few discontinued models made by reputable manufacturers (Samsung HT-E8200, Philips HTL2193B, LG LAS655K, LG SL6YF, etc.).
Do Samsung soundbars have FM radio?
Today’s Samsung soundbars don’t have FM radio. Some 8 years ago, Samsung introduced a model called HT-E8200. This model had an FM radio. Unfortunately, this model was discontinued.
What is the best soundbar with FM radio?
The best advice we can give you is to go for some of the discontinued models made by reputable manufacturers (Samsung HT-E8200, Sony HT-CT350, Philips HTL2193B, LG LAS655K, LG SL6YF, etc.). However, all the above-mentioned models are pretty hard to find these days. You could try finding a used one on eBay.
If you’re interested in new soundbars, check out our selection of the best soundbars with FM radio. Keep in mind that most of these models are made by generic Chinese manufacturers and don’t really deliver great performance.
Are soundbars good for music?
They are a decent choice for music, but they are not as good as a pair of good-quality bookshelf speakers.
Are soundbars good for dialogs?
Almost every soundbar is a significant improvement over your TV speakers. They deliver louder, more detailed, and clearer sound than your TV speakers. Most soundbars also have special sound modes (EQ presets) designed for improved dialog clarity.
How much do soundbars cost?
The price of soundbars varies. The cheapest no-name soundbars cost $100 or less, while high-end soundbars with numerous advanced features cost well over $1000. You can get a great-sounding soundbar for less than $300. If you want Wi-Fi connectivity, you will probably have to pay more than $300.
Should I get a soundbar or speakers?
Both options will improve the overall sound quality and will be a significant upgrade. Speakers may deliver better stereo separation and a larger soundstage.
They are also a slightly better choice for music. Soundbars, on the other hand, are more compact and often come with advanced features that speakers don’t have (like special sound modes, wi-fi connectivity, etc.).
What soundbar size do I need for a 55-inch TV?
You need a soundbar that’s not much wider or much shorter than your TV. A 55-inch TV is 47in long, which means that the perfect soundbar width should be 40-50in.
What is the difference between a 2.1 and 3.1 soundbar?
The difference is in the number of channels. A 2.1 soundbar will have two or multiple drivers arranged in two channels (L and R), while a 3.1 soundbar will have three channels (left, center, and right).
Do Watts matter in a soundbar?
Wattage, along with sensitivity, tells you how loud a speaker/soundbar can be.
What is the best inexpensive soundbar?
One of the brands we like to recommend when it comes to budget soundbars is VIZIO. Yamaha, Denon, and Pyle also have a few reasonably priced soundbar models.
Related posts:
- Do Soundbars Have Optical Input?
- 9 Best Soundbars for LG TV (2023)
- Best Soundbars for 65-Inch TV (2023)
- What Are the Loudest Soundbars On the Market?
- Should You Use Surround Sound for Listening to Music?
- Is 7.1 Surround Sound Better Than Stereo for Gaming?
- Can a Sound Bar Replace a Subwoofer? A Simple Answer
- Is a Cheap Soundbar Worth It? What You Need to Know
I found out very accurate and realistic your reviews. The Sony HT G700 is a great option.
Have you considered the Sherwood S9 too?
It is about the same era tho.
Thanks for your information.