Even on high-end models, most TV speakers suck. Bad speakers are the reason you might have trouble understanding the dialogue in shows and movies, and you don’t need a surround sound setup to do better—basically any soundbar will do wonders for your TV’s audio. Currently, Woot is giving you an opportunity to upgrade your sound system with a pretty good one: You can buy a “factory reconditioned” JBL or Yamaha soundbars for as little as $80.
The deal runs through Nov. 2, or until supplies last. Woot only ships to the 48 contiguous states in the U.S. If you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping; otherwise, it’ll be $6 to ship.
If you clicked because you saw $80 in the headline, here it is: This JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-one soundbar came out in 2019 and originally cost $200. As I noted last time it was on sale (for $2 more), it’s a good cheap option if you don’t need a subwoofer:
The JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-one is a solid option for those who want to upgrade from their TV speakers but don’t necessarily want to get multiple speakers or a subwoofer because of space. It’s “all-in-one” because it has bass already in it, with no need for other speakers. It also has easy installation with minimal wiring. An HDMI cable input allows you to connect it to your TV so you can control the volume with your TV’s remote. It also has Bluetooth and a USB input, so you can connect your devices to play directly from it.
Keep in mind that while this soundbar is marketed as a “surround sound” system, it can’t realistically “surround” you with a single speaker, and it will not sound like multiple speakers with a subwoofer. However, it does have a surround-sound feature that gives you the impression of surround sound. When it comes to respectable budget soundbars, you’d be lucky to find anything under $200, let alone under $100. For a single soundbar without a subwoofer, this JBL soundbar will improve most people’s TV speakers significantly. If you have limited space or think a subwoofer is too much for you, this all-in-one soundbar is a good option.
The Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is on sale for $179.99 (normally $399.95). It’s an upgrade from the JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-one, offering much more power and better bass. The selling point is JBL MultiBeam Technology, which is supposed to mimic the effect of surround sound and create a wider soundstage by bouncing sound off your walls. You can see a sound test and review here.
The Yamaha ATS-1090 is currently $99.99, and it has a suggested retail price of $219.95. This is Yamaha’s equivalent of the JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-one, and like that model, it lacks a separate subwoofer (though it claims to have one built-in). You can get an idea of how it will sound from this video. A feature distinguishing it from the JBL Bar 2.0 is its ability to be controlled with your Alexa through voice commands, and pto lay Spotify over Wi-Fi.
For those who have the space and don’t mind spending a bit more to have the extra punch of a subwoofer, here are your options:
The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass soundbar and subwoofer combo is currently going for $159.99 (normally $349.95). This is the older 2019 model, not the newer MK2, but the only real difference is a new look. This sound system lets you stream music via Bluetooth from your phone or tablet, and sets up easily with an HDMI cable. You can read the full specs from the JBL website here.
Yamaha’s ATS-C300 soundbar and subwoofer are $139.99 (suggested retail price is $279.95). It has most of the same features as the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass, but the subwoofer seems to be on the underpowered side. Some distinguishable features include a “Clear Voice” option for enhanced dialogue clarity and an “Adaptive Low Volume” for richer sound at low volumes. It’s wall mountable, too.