We're in the midst of the NFL Season, and for those of us who watch every game at home, a sound system is essential to make the living room feel like a real-life stadium.
You can achieve this instantly with a surround-sound setup, using a soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers. And it doesn't have to break the bank, with the best-selling LG S55TR currently discounted to just $197 at Walmart.
Finding the best soundbar for live sports means looking for clear dialogue, booming roars (hence the subwoofer), and spatial sound – to feel like you're really there. In our experience, this usually costs upwards of $600, so to see this LG system at such a low price makes it a steal.
This LG Soundbar Will Give Your Living Room Realistic Stadium Sound
To elevate game night sound, you need three essentials: Strong bass for depth, spatial and surround sound for immersion, and clear vocals to distinguish crowds and commentators.
The LG S55TR has them all, and with it, you'll instantly wow friends with your fall hosting upgrade. A dedicated subwoofer delivers the bass, and you can position it anywhere in the room depending on how much you want to feel the impact. Imagine: Every crowd eruption and every kick of the ball being felt throughout the room.
And with two rear speakers creating multi-directional sound, you're not just hearing the deep impact of every blow, you're being surrounded by the exhilarating crowd roars and noises of the game. Combined with LG's AI Sound Pro, which learns and optimizes based on what you're watching, you'll hear clarity even in the fast-paced movements.
'Sports enthusiasts need an uninterrupted dialogue and sound at an even level to relish the excitement of every play and the surrounding atmosphere,' shares Allen Lie, tech leader and content specialist at FreSound, adding, 'Soundbars with deep bass capabilities appreciate crowd noise and bass more, which helps in creating an even more absorbing atmosphere.'
I've set up sound systems like these before, and while it might seem complicated to hook four speakers up to your TV, it's actually incredibly simple. The subwoofer and two rear speakers connect wirelessly to the soundbar, so all you need to do is plug them into the mains after connecting the soundbar to the TV. It couldn't be a simpler smart home setup.
It's the same arrangement as the Samsung HW-QS750F that is one of our favorite soundbars on test. Having the four separate speakers each delivering their own noise makes for a truly invigorating viewing experience, whatever you're watching. And the LG model costs $100s less at this price.
Pairing your usual game day hosting essentials with this sophisticated sound system will impress your guests far more than you would without the booming sound of a live game in your living room. Luckily, these are hallmarks of a well-designed movie room, too, as sound systems that can handle roaring sports games can usually handle loud action movies.
The LG S55TR is discounted to $197 at Walmart.
What to Shop
Here are a few more top picks to turbocharge your game night.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Four separate speakers, including a booming subwoofer and surround-sound speakers, the discounted LG S55TR will power your game night like never before at a really great price point.
With the same setup as the LG soundbar above, but with more advanced hardware that packs a deeper punch, the Samsung HW-QS750F is one of the top soundbars you can buy, especially for live sports. The subwoofer and rear speaker combination delivers incredibly detailed and powerful sound that truly surrounds you.
Read more in my full Samsung HW-QS750F review.
If you can afford it, you won't achieve better audio than the Sonos Arc Ultra. It floored us on test, delivering awe-inspiring surround sound from a single soundbar that requires hardly any setup at all.
Read more in my full Sonos Arc Ultra review.
This acacia wood snack tray is perfect for serving anything from chips to dips and the perfect game night accessory.
Keep your drinks cold and on hand with this electric cooler, which can store up to 30 12-oz cans.
Or for a more permanent entertainment room drinks solution, this affordable mini fridge will have you enjoying fresh, cold goods at any time.
Next, nail your pre-guest cleaning checklist, and read our tips for hosting formal parties.
