Looking for a soundbar for your new Hisense TV? Are you overwhelmed with all the choices? Do you know what to look for? Don’t worry – we have all the answers for you.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Soundbars For Hisense TV
- Our Top Pick: Hisense HS218
- Best Cheap: Hisense HS205
- Best Under $100: TCL Alto 6+
- Best Under $200: Polk Audio Signa S2
- Best Under $350: Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL
Our article about soundbars compatible with Hisense TV is here to guide you through the process and help you find the perfect soundbar for your Hisense TV. We will answer all the frequently asked questions about soundbars and give you some suggestions.
If you are just looking for suggestions, skip to our selection of the best soundbars for Hisense TV.
Page Contents
Our Top Picks
This post contains affiliate links. See the affiliate disclaimer here.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
|
Our Top Pick
 |
|
VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
|
Best Cheap
 |
|
VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
|
Best Under $100
 |
|
VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
|
Best Under $200
 |
|
VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
|
Best Under $350
 |
|
VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
|
Best Under $500
 |
|
VIEW ON AMAZON →Read Our Review → |
Are All Soundbars Compatible with Hisense TV?
There’s only one condition that a soundbar must meet to be compatible with Hisense TV or any other TV.
If the soundbar has at least one audio input that matches at least one audio output on your TV, you can connect that soundbar to TV, and they will work. In other words, they will be compatible.
However, that doesn’t mean that every soundbar with at least one matching port is a great choice for your TV.
For example, if your TV has HDMI ARC IN, optical OUT, and RCA output, and some soundbar has only RCA inputs, the soundbar and your TV will be compatible, but the match won’t be ideal. Even if the soundbar has an optical input, the match will still not be ideal.
The thing is – there’s a hierarchy between connections. The best way to connect your soundbar is via HDMI ARC. HDMI ARC offers the best performance and enables the highest transfer rates.
The second-best is a digital connection, either coaxial or optical. Finally, if there are no other options, you can go for the good-old RCA or 3.5mm audio connections.
So, if you want an ideal match, look for the soundbar that enables the best matching connection. If your TV has HDMI ARC IN, look for a soundbar with HDMI ARC support.
If your TV doesn’t have HDMI ARC but has optical/coax outputs, look for a soundbar with digital audio inputs.
The soundbar and your TV will be compatible even if the only matching ports are analog (RCA and AUX), but it’s smarter to look for a soundbar with HDMI ARC or digital audio connections.
Does Hisense Make Soundbars?
Hisense is much more popular for its TVs, but they also have a few soundbar models. There’s a cheap 2-channel soundbar (HS205), a little bit pricier 2.1-channel soundbar with a built-in subwoofer (HS214), and a soundbar with an external wireless subwoofer (HS218).
All the models are fairly affordable. Even the priciest HS218 is priced under $200. They all offer good performance for the price but don’t expect them to blow you away with their performance, features, and versatility.
Hisense soundbars
So, should you buy a Hisense soundbar for a Hisense TV? You don’t have to. Your new Hisense TV will work with almost any soundbar you buy.
However, there’re always some features or some small convenient functions that make the setup easier.
Some of those features will only work when the soundbar and TV are made by the same brand, but it’s not like you can’t live without those features.
The HS218 soundbar is, for example, Roku TV Ready and provides seamless integration with your Hisense Roku TV (or any other Roku TV), which basically means that the setup is shorter and that you can control the soundbar with your Roku remote.
So, it’s convenient, but it’s not like other soundbars made by any other brands won’t work with your Roku TV.
To conclude, if you like the features of those Hisense soundbars, if you like how they sound, and if the price is right for you, you can buy them. If you want some other soundbar, you can buy that other soundbar – it will work just fine.
How Do I Connect a Soundbar to Hisense TV?
It all depends on the available inputs on your soundbar and outputs on your TV. Ideally, you will use HDMI ARC. This connection enables the best sound quality and highest transfer rates.
It is especially desirable to use HDMI ARC if the soundbar has multiple HDMI inputs and if you want to connect some of the sources (like a Blu-ray player or gaming console) to the soundbar. HDMI ARC will allow you to pass the video from all kinds of sources, through the soundbar, to your TV, and, at the same time, receive the audio from your TV.
Since not all soundbars have HDMI ARC, you will sometimes have to use some other digital or maybe even analog connection. If HDMI ARC is not an option, the next best is some digital connection (optical or coaxial), especially if the soundbar comes with wireless surround speakers.
Why? Well, because optical and coaxial connections can pass 5.1 Dolby and DTS audio, and you need those formats if you are trying to achieve a true surround sound effect.
Some cheap soundbars made by no-name brands may have just analog inputs. In that case, you will have no other option but to use either RCA or AUX cable.
If your TV doesn’t have analog audio outputs, make sure that your soundbar has digital inputs. If you have a TV with only digital audio outputs and a soundbar with only analog inputs, you will have to buy a DAC that converts digital audio signal (optical, coax, HDMI) to analog (RCA, AUX).
What to Look for When Buying a Soundbar for Hisense TV?
Finding the right soundbar for your Hisense TV is not much different from looking for the right soundbar for any TV. If you want seamless integration with Roku Hisense TV, you can go for one of those three Hisense soundbars.
But you don’t have to. Many soundbars are viable options for your new Hisense TV. You just have to define the budget, set your requirements, and be reasonable.
First of all, check the available inputs. If you want to connect your video sources to the soundbar, you need a bar with HDMI inputs and HDMI ARC output.
If you’re going to connect all your video sources to your TV, a soundbar with only one HDMI ARC output or with digital audio inputs will do just fine.
Second, define the kind of soundbar you want. If you are a bass fan, look for a soundbar with an external subwoofer. Soundbars are relatively small and can’t really produce that deep and powerful bass.
If you’re looking for a real surround sound effect, look for a soundbar with wireless surround speakers. Those soundbar-based systems are pricier than single soundbars and soundbar/subwoofer systems, but they are definitely worth it.
If you want Bluetooth connectivity, or wi-fi connectivity, or Airplay, or Chromecast, or multiroom support, or any other additional feature, make sure that your soundbar has it. Just be aware that soundbars that support all these features are usually quite expensive.
Most of them are priced well over $500. Some of them are even priced over $1000.
Now that you know the basics, let’s move onto the reviews. Our selection of best soundbars for Hisense TV includes soundbars from different price ranges and with different feature sets. We did our best to include something for every budget and every TV size. Hopefully, this list will help you find the perfect soundbar for your new Hisense TV.
Best Hisense Soundbar/Subwoofer System – Hisense HS218
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.7]
Impressions
If you’re looking for seamless integration, buying a Hisense soundbar for Hisense TV is the best option. HS218 is a soundbar/subwoofer combo and it’s the most advanced soundbar from Hisense.
Besides the soundbar and subwoofer, you’ll get a remote, power cable, HDMI cable, optical cable, and a mounting kit. The soundbar is 37.8″ long and 2.3″ tall. It’s super-slim and can fit under any TV.
Some controls are located on the soundbar’s right panel. There, you have four buttons – power, volume controls, and input selector.
The soundbar has one HDMI ARC port and two backup connections – optical input and 3.5mm audio input. Also, there’s a USB port on the back. You can use it to play audio files (WAV/WMA/MP3).
HS218 also features Bluetooth connectivity (BT 4.2). It delivers average performance – 30ft range and stable connection within the advertised range.
The unit is fully compatible with Roku TVs, and you can control both – your TV and this soundbar with one Roku remote.
The soundbar has four built-in speakers arranged in 2 channels. The subwoofer has a side-firing driver and a front-firing bass-reflex port. The total output power of the system is 200W (4 x 30W + 80W).
HS218 has three special sound modes – movie, music, and news. There’s no dedicated mode for improved intelligibility, but you can use the news mode for that purpose.
The sound output is fairly loud and nicely balanced. According to the specs, this system can reach very low frequencies (down to 40Hz), but that doesn’t seem right.
The subwoofer delivers a nice punch and makes a good match for the soundbar, but can’t deliver anything under 100Hz. The mids are clear, and the highs are articulate.
Advantages
- Affordable (priced under $150)
- Super-slim
- Simple and intuitive controls
- Satisfying versatility – HDMI ARC, optical, AUX, USB
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Three sound modes – movie, music, news
- Balanced and accurate sound reproduction
Disadvantages
- Lack HDMI inputs
- Lacks wi-fi connectivity
Best Cheap Hisense Soundbar – Hisense HS205
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.6]
Impressions
Looking for a more compact and fairly cheap solution? HS205 might be the right soundbar for you. It’s about the same size as the previous HS218 but doesn’t come with a subwoofer. The packaging also includes HDMI and optical cables, remote, and a mounting kit.
The bar is 37.4″ long and only 2.4″ tall, so finding the right place for it should not be a problem. In terms of appearance and features, HS205 is quite similar to HS218.
Some basic controls are on the top, and for additional functions (like sound modes), you can use the remote. On the back, there’s a series of inputs. For connecting your Hisense TV, there’s a single HDMI ARC OUT port.
The soundbar also has one optical, one 3.5mm audio input, and a USB port for music playback.
Just like HS218, HS205 features Bluetooth 4.2. It delivers an average range of 30ft, and it performs flawlessly as long as you are within the range.
There are three EQ modes – movies, music, and news. Again, there’s no special mode for improved intelligibility, but the news mode does improve the dialog clarity.
Like the HS218, HS205 is Roku-ready and provides seamless integration with Hisense Roku TVs.
The unit has two speakers arranged in two channels. The advertised output is 60W. The sound output is balanced. The emphasis is on the midrange. The bass is lacking.
Advantages
- Super-cheap (priced under $70)
- Slim and attractive design
- Simple and intuitive controls (remote included)
- Satisfying versatility – HDMI ARC, optical, AUX, USB
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Three sound modes – movie, music, news
- Balanced sound reproduction
Disadvantages
- Severe lack of bass
Best Soundbar for Hisense TV Under $100 – TCL Alto 6+
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.7]
Impressions
Alto 6+ is a simple 2.1 system, just like the previously reviewed HS218. In terms of performance, it’s somewhere between HS205 and HS218. The unit has the same features as the previous two soundbars, and it’s also Roku-ready.
The box contains your soundbar and a wireless subwoofer with power cables, HDMI cable, optical cable, and a wall-mounting kit.
The bar is 31.5″ long and 2.4″ tall. It houses two oval drivers (1.75″ x 3.94″). A semi-transparent black fabric grille protects the drivers. The soundbar housing is made of plastic. There are five control buttons on the top for some basic settings (power, input, Bluetooth, volume).
The connectivity is satisfying. All the ports are on the rear panel. You have an HDMI ARC OUT port, which is the best way to connect your TV.
There’re also two backup options – optical audio input and 3.5mm input. Finally, you have a USB port that you can use for music playback. If you are a fan of wireless streaming, you will be happy to know that this unit also features Bluetooth connectivity.
The unit is Roku-ready and provides seamless integration and quick setup with Roku TVs (like those made by TLC and Hisense). You can choose between three sound modes – movies, music, and news.
The sound output is quite enjoyable. It’s well-balanced, with a nice amount of punch. The mids are particularly clear. The highs are somewhat rolled off but far from lifeless.
Advantages
- Affordable (priced under $100)
- Slim design
- Simple and intuitive controls (remote included)
- Satisfying versatility – HDMI ARC, optical, AUX, USB
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Three sound modes – movie, music, news
- Balanced sound reproduction
Disadvantages
- Cheap plastic construction
- Lacks HDMI inputs
Best Soundbar for Hisense TV Under $200 – Polk Audio Signa S2
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.9]
Impressions
Polk is known for its affordable and great-performing speakers and soundbars. Signa S2 is a simple entry-level soundbar/subwoofer 2.1 system. In terms of features, it’s similar to the previous three bars, but there are also some additional functions like speech enhancement mode and night mode.
The system comes with power cables, HDMI and optical cables, remote, and a wall-mounting kit. Everything is made of plastic. The front panel and a part of the top panel are covered by a soft black fabric grille. The soundbar is 35.4″ long and only 2″ tall. It’s one of the slimmest soundbars on the market.
Some basic controls are on the top panel (power, input, Bluetooth, volume). To activate different modes or adjust bass, you have to use the remote.
On the rear panel, you have three connections – HDMI ARC output, optical input, and an AUX input. Besides physical connections, you also have Bluetooth connectivity, so you can stream audio wirelessly from your phone and other Bluetooth sources.
When it comes to special sound modes, Signa S2 has a little bit more to offer than the previous three units. There’s the music mode, movie mode, night mode, and three levels of Polk’s Voice Adjust, which is a dedicated speech enhancement mode.
The night mode levels the sound output and makes it more uniform. The Voice Adjust does a very good job when it comes to improving dialog clarity.
The soundbar houses four drivers, arranged in two channels. On each side, there’s an oval 1.25″ x 4.4″ midrange driver and 1″ tweeter. The subwoofer houses one 6″ bass driver.
The sound output is well-balanced. There’s a nice amount of bass. It’s not overwhelming or too boomy. The mids are dynamic and balanced.
The highs are articulate and consistent. The whole system sounds pretty good. The only problem is noticeable distortion at high volumes (above 80%).
Advantages
- Priced under $200
- Ultra-slim (2″ tall)
- Satisfying build quality
- Intuitive controls and user-friendly remote
- Versatile connectivity – HDMI ARC, optical IN, AUX, Bluetooth
- Music, movies, and night modes
- Polk’s Voice Adjust technology for improved dialog clarity
- Well-balanced sound output with a nice amount of punch
Disadvantages
- Distortion at high volumes
Best Under $350 – Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.9]
Impressions
It’s really hard not to be a fan of Yamaha soundbars. They look great, their performance usually exceeds the price tag, and they are quite feature-packed. YAS-209BL is one of our favorites under $350.
It’s not the most advanced soundbar on the market, but you can hardly get much better for the price.
The system consists of a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer. The packaging also includes a user-friendly remote, optical cable (no HDMI cable), power cables, wall-mounting template, and a user manual.
The soundbar is made of very hard plastic and then wrapped in a nice premium black fabric. It’s 36.6″ long and just 2.5″ tall. On the top, there’s a control panel with 6 touch-sensitive buttons (power, mic-mute, Alexa, input, volume) and a series of LED input and mode indicators.
All the inputs are on the back. You have one HDMI ARC output for connecting your Hisense TV, one HDMI input, optical input, Ethernet port, and a USB port (for updates only). The soundbar doesn’t have an AUX input or headphone output.
Besides physical inputs/outputs, the unit also features Bluetooth connectivity (BT 4.2) with a standard 30ft range and wi-fi connectivity (only 2.4GHz).
To control the system, you can use the buttons on the top (basic settings), the included remote, or the Soundbar Controller app (Android/iOS).
The app has a nice and user-friendly interface, but it’s unstable – it crashes and disconnects quite often. On top of all that, there’s a built-in Alexa so you can control the soundbar with your voice.
The unit has quite a few sound modes including movie, TV, music, sports, game, and stereo. Thanks to DTS Virtual:X support, the soundbar can also simulate surround sound (3D surround). Finally, there’s a dedicated dialog enhancement feature called the Clear Voice.
The soundbar houses 4 drivers – two 1.75″ woofers and two 1″ dome tweeters. They are arranged in two channels. The subwoofer houses one 6.5″ bass driver and has a front-firing bass reflex port. The max power output of the entire system is 200W.
The sound output is quite enjoyable and fairly loud. The bass is fast and punchy, the mids are dynamic and clear, and the highs are consistent and engaging.
You can adjust the bass levels manually. If you want more bass, you can activate the bass extension mode. However, the bass tends to sound boomy in that mode, especially at high volumes.
Advantages
- Great performance and feature set for the price
- Attractive design
- Various control options – control panel, remote, Soundbar Controller app
- Versatile connectivity – HDMI ARC OUT, HDMI IN, optical
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Alexa built-in
- Various sound modes – movie, TV, music, sports, game, and stereo
- 3D surround sound simulation
- Clear Voice for improved dialog clarity
- Adjustable bass levels
- Engaging and loud sound output
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t work with other voice assistants (only Alexa)
- Doesn’t support MusicCast (lacks multiroom capabilities)
- Unstable Soundbar controller app
- Lacks 3.5mm analog audio input
Best Soundbar for Hisense TV Under $500 – JBL Bar 5.1
Editor’s Rating: [usr 4.9]
Impressions
JBL Bar 5.1 is one of those wireless surround sound systems centered around a soundbar. It’s one of our top suggestions when it comes to soundbar-based systems under $500. It looks attractive, it’s versatile, it sounds great, and it delivers a real surround sound experience (not a simulation).
The system comes in premium packaging. Besides the speakers, soundbar, and subwoofer, you will get all the necessary power cables, a set of connection cables (HDMI, optical, AUX), calibration microphone, remote, mounting kit, and user manual.
The whole system looks very premium. The soundbar and the surround speakers are wrapped in a strong aluminum grille. The bar is 45″ long and only 2.3″ tall.
The included speakers are fully wireless. They have a built-in rechargeable battery. To charge them, you have to connect them to the soundbar (no cables required). The soundbar looks very clean. There’s a nice display on the front, hidden behind the grille.
On the top, there are four control buttons (power, input, volume). On the back, there are three HDMI inputs, one HDMI ARC output, optical input, 3.5mm input, and a USB port.
The soundbar also features Bluetooth 4.2, so you can stream audio from your phone or some other Bluetooth-enabled device.
The remote allows you to choose one of six sound modes – movie, music, standard, sports, voice, and night mode. You can also use the remote to adjust the bass or surround levels.
The soundbar houses six woofers (2.25″ each) and three tweeters (1.25″ each). The drivers are arranged in three channels. The included sub houses a huge 10″ bass driver and a rear-firing bass reflex port. The combined power output is 510W, and the max SPL (maximum loudness) is 104dB.
The overall performance of the system is very good. The bass tends to be a bit overwhelming but you can easily adjust it to get a more balanced output.
The low-end reproduction is fast and dynamic. The bass is powerful, the mids are clean and balanced, and the highs are consistent.
Advantages
- True wireless surround sound (comes with a subwoofer and two wireless surround speakers)
- Elegant design
- Premium build quality
- Great versatility – 3 HDMI inputs, one HDMI ARC output, optical input, AUX input
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Fully wireless, battery-operated surround speakers (10h playtime per charge, 3h recharge)
- Nice selection of EQ presets – movie, music, standard, sports, voice, and night mode
- Adjustable bass and surround levels
- Powerful bass
- Great performance for the price
Disadvantages
- Lacks app
- Lacks wi-fi
- Overwhelming bass (but easily adjustable)
This concludes our selection of the best soundbars for Hisense TV. We hope it helped you find the right soundbar for your needs.
For more info about soundbars compatible with Hisense TV and soundbars in general, check out the following sections of our article. If you have any questions, or if want to give us some suggestions, leave us a comment below.
Can You Use Any Soundbar With Any TV?
If the soundbar and TV have matching ports, then you can consider them compatible. Most of today’s soundbars can be used with most of today’s TV.
How Do I Know if My Hisense TV is Compatible with a Soundbar?
As explained in the previous answer and in the introduction, if your new soundbar and your TV have at least one pair of matching ports (one audio output on your TV and one audio input on your soundbar), then they are compatible.
What is the Best Soundbar for Hisense TV?
If you want seamless integration with your Hisense TV and quick setup, try some of the Hisense soundbars. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to buy a Hisense soundbar. Your Hisense TV will work with most of today’s soundbars.
Since Hisense soundbars are not the most advanced or best-performing on the market, you may want to try some other brand. For suggestions, check out our selection of the best soundbars for Hisense TV.
Is It Better to Connect the Soundbar with HDMI or Optical?
Using an HDMI ARC connection is the best option for connecting your soundbar and your TV. If that option is available, go for it. If that connection is not available, you should use either coax or optical connection.
Are Soundbars Worth It?
Yes, they most definitely are. First of all, they deliver a much louder and clearer sound than your built-in TV speakers.
Second, they come with some special settings that your TV doesn’t have. For example, they may have special sound modes designed for improved intelligibility (speech enhancement modes), as well as some other sound modes for different types of content and for various use scenarios.
Furthermore, some soundbars come with a subwoofer that additionally improves the bass reproduction, and some even have additional surround speakers for an improved surround sound experience.
Soundbars may even have some features that your TV doesn’t. For example, they may support some multiroom platforms (SONOS, HEOS, MusicCast, Bose Smart Home), which allows you to incorporate your soundbar into a large multiroom speaker system.
Can I Use a Soundbar with an Older TV?
Yes, you can. It would be best if your old TV would have some audio outputs that match audio inputs on your soundbars.
However, even if your TV has only analog outputs and your soundbar has only digital inputs, you can connect them, but you will need an additional piece of equipment. That piece of equipment is called analog-to-digital converter (RCA to optical, RCA to coax).
Musou Analog-to-Digital Converter
Can You Use Both – HDMI and Optical Audio?
Yes, you can use both inputs on your soundbar. For example, you can have your TV connected via HDMI ARC, and your CD player connected via optical. However, you can’t use both at the same time.
Can You Hook Up Extra Speakers to a Soundbar?
Some soundbars support this feature, but not all of them. If you’re planning on buying surround speakers in the future, make sure that the soundbar can work with surround speakers.
Have in mind that even if the soundbar supports extra speakers, you can’t hook up just any speakers to it. In most cases, the soundbars support only wireless connection with select wireless speakers (usually a special speaker series made by the same manufacturer as the soundbar).
