A sound system fixes the biggest weakness of modern TVs — thin, tinny built-in speakers. A soundbar is the simple fix, sitting under the TV with a single cable; a full home theatre system adds surround speakers and a subwoofer for proper cinema sound. The right choice depends on your room, budget and how much wiring you'll accept. Start with whether you want simple or immersive, then match it to your room size.
Soundbar or home theatre system?
The two approaches differ in effort and effect:
- Soundbar: one bar under the TV, as a sound bar with subwoofer, connected by a single HDMI cable. Big improvement over TV speakers with minimal setup and no wires around the room.
- Home theatre system: separate front, centre and rear speakers plus a subwoofer and receiver, giving true surround sound. Better and more immersive, but it takes wiring, placement and space.
Choose a soundbar for simplicity, or a full system if you want proper surround and don't mind the setup.
What does a subwoofer add?
A subwoofer handles the low bass frequencies that small speakers physically can't produce, which is what gives explosions weight, music a foundation and voices body. Because bass is hard to locate by ear, you can place a subwoofer fairly freely — usually near a wall or corner, which reinforces the output. Adding one transforms how a system sounds far more than most people expect, which is why many soundbars are sold with a wireless sub. If a system sounds thin despite being clear, a subwoofer is usually what's missing.
How do you connect a sound system to a TV?
The cleanest connection is HDMI ARC or eARC, which carries audio from the TV to the soundbar or receiver over one cable and lets the TV remote control the volume. Look for an HDMI port on your TV labelled ARC or eARC. If that's not available, optical (Toslink) is the next best, though it doesn't pass the highest-quality formats or allow remote volume control as neatly. Bluetooth suits casual music but adds lag for video. Tip: after connecting, turn the TV's internal speakers off in the settings so the audio doesn't double up.
Common questions
Is a soundbar better than TV speakers?
Yes, substantially — TVs are too thin to fit decent speakers, so even an entry-level soundbar improves clarity and dialogue noticeably, especially with a subwoofer for bass.
What is HDMI ARC?
Audio Return Channel sends sound from the TV to a soundbar or receiver over one HDMI cable, and lets the TV remote control the volume. It's the cleanest way to connect audio.
Do I need a subwoofer?
A subwoofer produces the deep bass small speakers can't, adding weight to film effects and music. If a system sounds thin but clear, a sub is usually what's missing.
What is 5.1 surround sound?
Five speakers — front left, centre, front right and two rears — plus one subwoofer, giving sound from around the room. The centre speaker carries most dialogue.
Can I pay for a sound system with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our sound systems start from $49, which is four fortnightly payments of $12.25.
Complete your setup
A sound system works with the rest of your setup. Add a TV to pair it with, speakers for more sound, and a wall mount for the screen.
A $49 soundbar splits into four fortnightly payments of $12.25 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.
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