When selecting the right passive soundbar for your home theater or audio setup, only 3 factors should primarily rule your buying decision. Period. No other factors are more important than these 3 technical factors. We analyzed and selected the best products, considering these 3 factors for a passive soundbar. Learn about these 3 factors here –
The Most Important 3 Factors for Passive Soundbars –
- Number of Channels ( More the better ).
- Surround sound capability.
- Connectivity options ( i.e. – Bluetooth, AUX, Wi-fi, HDMI etc ).
To know all the factors in details before buying read our buying guide at the end of the article.
We tested and short-listed few quality passive soundbars. These products can complement your home theater systems and active speaker setup. Check the top 3 passive soundbar for ready reference below. For detailed individual product specification, read the product description later.
The Best Passive Soundbar List For 2021 :
Definitive Technology XTR-SSA5 Ultra Slim Surround Speaker Bar :
Definitive Technology XTR-SSA5 is an ultra-slim soundbar designed to sit under your TV unit or mount on the wall. This passive soundbar produces an imitation of 5-channel surround sound without demanding any extra system components. It has three aluminum dome tweeters, and ten active XTDD drivers configured for excellent audio output at all levels. By utilizing the spatial array technology, this device produces a 3D sound effect while enhancing different audio layers.
The final audio output is full-spectrum space-filling sound involving all sides of the room, regardless of the space. From improving your movie-watching experience to music, it tops in every genre. Definitive has added a lustrous black sheen to their soundbar, ensuring an optimal look. Its minimalistic build matches all standard living room interiors. Besides that, its body is solid and free of vibrations and distortions.
Dayton AudioBS36 36-Inch LCR Passive Speaker Bar :
The Dayton AudioBS36 is a compelling combination of audio excellence and high quality built. This LCR speaker bar comes equipped with long-excursion woofers that produce impactful bass audio and resounding sound effects. Besides that, it has three 5/8-inch aluminum tweeters and three ¾-inch paper cone woofers that add to the excellence of mid-range and high pitch audios. Together this configuration has a frequency response of 100Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Though for room-filling sound, this Dayton passive speaker bar will perform its best upon pairing with subwoofer and SAT-BK satellite speakers. The device looks quite sleek and compact while being heavy and glossy. It already comes with multiple cords that allow easy connectivity with TV and other devices. Users can even configure it with their Android, Windows, and iOS devices. The device is meant for both wall mounting and table-top placement.
KEF HTF7003 Passive Soundbar :
This KEF HTF7003 slim and oval profile passive soundbar takes away with its looks alone. When you plant it under the LCD, its sleek build will often send people without noticing the presence. Its aluminium enclosure contains one 19mm high fidelity driver per channel and two powerful 2-inch woofers. This configuration revolves thrice, ensuring the widest sound projections.
The full multi-dimensional sound being redirected from the walls and the ceiling takes the audio performance to top-notch. Even though this KEF device performs without any latest 3D technologies, it still manages to infuse the most realistic vibes. This passive soundbar is relatively light-weighted, making wall mounting more effortless and more convenient. Unlike several of its counterparts, it comes with a table-top stand and wall mounting brackets for the user’s ease.
Klipsch Gallery G-42 Passive Soundbar :
The Klipsch Gallery G-42 is a high-end and by far the best passive soundbar. It features four 3.5″ Cerametallic™ woofers and three horn-loaded 1″ Titanium Dome Linear Travel Suspension (LTS) tweeters. This configuration reproduces depth and details, ensuring superior audio performance. The highlight here is more than your regular tweeter, the one in this device project more volume per watt. Besides that, its flared horns keep the audio output more realistic while preventing distortion (floor and ceiling).
Users can pair this soundbar with other Klipsch Gallery speakers for a more dynamic and room-filling sound. The Klipsch Gallery G-42 barely takes much space and fits anywhere like a glove. You keep it on the shelf, under your Television, or mount it on the nearby wall; there are considerations for all possibilities. Lastly, its matte black finish will add to the aesthetic of your living room.
Comparative Study :
The Klipsch Gallery G-42 stands apart while functioning as a receiver. Users do not need to buy a separate receiver, taking into all the advantages.
Martin Logan Motion SLM X3 Ultra Slim 3-Channel Passive Soundbar :
Martin Logan Motion is a 3-channel ultra-slim passive soundbar for both table-top and wall-mounting facilities. It has four-way keyhole slots that makes installing the device close to the wall easier. Though if you want to keep it on shelves, it comes with two kick-stand feet for ease on that. This passive soundbar comes with three 1-inch x 1 ½ inch Folded Motion tweeters and six 4-inch extra-slim fiber cone woofers on the audio front.
This configuration delivers best-in-class mid-bass sound along with excellent high notes. With that, it has a dedicated center channel and right + left stereo sound. It has polyester film capacitors in series, parallel low DF electrolytic capacitors, a 3000 Hz crossover with custom air core coil, and low DCR steel laminate inductors. Audio experts have ensured equipping the device with the best configuration for the ultimate performance. Lastly, it is compatible with 4-, 6- and 8-ohm impedance receivers.
Comparative Study :
The Martin Logan Motion is one of the best passive soundbars for home usage. On the one hand, it tops the chart with its magnificent audio performance. On the other hand, its ultra-slim physical build and enclosure make mounting supremely easy. Even users who aren’t well versed with such tasks can swiftly get done with the same.
KEF HTF8003 Passive Soundbar :
The KEF HTF8003 is a two-way reflexive passive soundbar with a high gloss black finish. Inside the aluminum build, there is a 3-inch woofer, a 3-inch bass/midrange driver combined with a 5/8-inch tweeter, a 3-inch auxiliary bass radiator, and a KEF Uni-Q® driver with a 3-inch bass/midrange driver. This configuration creates a focused audio source distributing sound evenly in the entire room.
Besides that, its Bass-reflex design ensures extra bass. Use it for streaming music, watching movies, or pairing with your bookshelf speaker; it will take all the experiences to a notch above. It has a sensitivity of 87 dB, an impedance of 8 ohms, and produces an audio frequency within the range of 70 Hz to 22 kHz. This soundbar is meant for pairing with TV sets with screen sizes 42 inches or above only. Users can mount it on the wall or place it over a flat surface. Lastly, the device comes with five years of warranty.
Dayton Audio BS41 41″ LCR Speaker Bar :
The Dayton Audio BS41 41” LCR Speaker Bar is designed for accurate audio reproduction. It comes equipped with three 5/8-inch tweeters and three 4-inch woofers. Its peak power output is 150Watts whereas RMS is 100 Watts. Upon pairing with a receiver, it reproduces loud thumping bass, clear vocals, and overall, a room-filling impressive sound.
Users can pair this soundbar with 5.1 and 7.1 channel receivers. Its audio frequency response is 50Hz to 22kHz. It makes up perfectly for them all, from streaming those musical numbers to adding up for the sci-fi movies. Users can mount it on the wall or place it neatly below the Television. Or it also is an excellent alternative for a center speaker or those huge bookshelf speakers.
Comparative Study :
The Dayton Audio BS41 41” LCR Speaker Bar works excellently with or without a subwoofer. However, a subwoofer does add a noticeable change to its performance. But unlike other soundbars, it doesn’t necessarily need one and performs excellent alone as well.
Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 Passive Soundbar :
The Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 is undoubtedly one of the best passive soundbars. This soundbar includes four rear channel speakers and five front-firing speakers. These front-firing speakers behave as the center, right and left channels. They also have a 1-inch ferromagnetic fluid damped pure aluminum dome tweeter that adds in for high frequencies.
Besides that, its advanced Spatial Array Technology creates an illusion of five different speakers’ places in parts of the room, making it a room-filling audio output. This feature also means that users can plant this soundbar in any room, irrespective of its size. Lately, damping technology has created an improved surround sound effect for audio. This soundbar from Definitive Technology is designed for both table-top placement and wall-mounting. Pairing it can be tricky, especially for users who aren’t very precise about wire systems.
Comparative Study :
The Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 has all the excellence of what a passive soundbar could have. It reproduces loud and clear audio and highlights all the finer nuances of sound.
Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 Passive Soundbar :
The Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-42 passive soundbar is capable of filling a smaller room. You will feel like sitting in a middle of a multiplex. Its Spatial Array technology creates an impressive surround sound effect without bouncing sound waves off the wall. It produces 3-dimensional imaging for stereo sources and multiple channels. It is another device from Definitive that creates the illusion of sound emanating from five room directions.
Besides that, its Balanced Dual Surround System (BDSS) technology prepares for dual surrounds to the speaker cones. It results in a more precise output with low or no distortion. For users who want to get off rear channel speakers, this soundbar provides an immersive home theatre experience.
Monitor Audio SB-4 Passive Soundbar :
The Monitor Audio SB-4 is a long and sleek passive soundbar. This device is meant for pairing with larger screens (70 inches and more) and slim-panel TVs. It is equipped with three channels, left, right, and center, producing surround sound. All the channels have two 4-inch mid/bass drivers, a single 1-inch dome tweeter, and an auxiliary bass radiator.
However, the central channel has one auxiliary bass radiator extra. Both woofers and tweeters are made of C-CAM, a unique lightweight allow that allows drivers to respond quickly to the audio signal. This, with the audio reproduction, makes up for clarity and precision. The same also adds to smoother high-end notes. Besides that, its single through-bolt driver fixing ensures better mid-band clarity and mechanical de-coupling. For mounting & placement, this soundbar from Monitor Audio features silicone rubber feet and wall fixing brackets.
Monitor Audio SB-3 Passive Soundbar :
The Monitor Audio SB-3 is a low-profile passive soundbar in the range. It is dedicatedly designed for pairing with larger flat-panel TVs over 60 inches. Its internal configuration is similar to the SB-4 model from the similar brand. It has three distinct channels (right, left & center), each of them having one 4-inch mid-bass driver, one 1-inch gold dome tweeter, and one auxiliary bass radiator.
However, the center channel has one auxiliary bass radiator extra. This soundbar produces RMS of 100 watts, sensitivity of 84-87 dB, the audio frequency response of 80 Hz to 30 kHz, the crossover is 80-120 Hz, the impedance of 8 ohms, and maximum SPL is 104 dB. This entire configuration makes up for a high-end audio reproduction. Its outer cabinet is a high-quality MDF make while it is internally braced for robustness. The device is designed for both table-top placement and wall mounting.
Klipsch Heritage Theater Passive Bar :
The Klipsch Heritage is the ultimate high-end theatre passive soundbar. It comes with dedicated right, left, and center channels that add to for maximum surround sound. Besides that, it is integrated with the Tractrix Horn-Loaded technology and titanium tweeters. These tweeters come with a custom-made Linear Travel Suspension design that reproduces audio without distortion and with greater high-end accuracy.
The device has spun cerametallic woofers that combine with tweeters to produce the cleanest and most natural audio. It can handle a peak power output of 300 Watts whereas nominal power of 75 Watts. This Klipsch device has a sensitivity of 92dB @ 2.83V/1M, the maximum continuous sound output is 108 dB, and an audio frequency response of 95 Hz to 20 kHz.
Comparative Study :
Though the Klipsch Heritage Theater Passive Bar is one typical competitor in the list, that keeps it apart is its build and looks. Available in two styles, American Walnut and Satin Black Ash, it has furniture-grade wood veneers finish that adds to the style. Users who have refined wooden interiors can rest assured about bringing this matching device to their living room gadget collection.
Atlantic Technology FS3 Passive Soundbar Speaker System :
The Atlantic Technology FS3 is one of the best passive soundbar systems in the range. With three channels, it comprises one 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter with extra-wide dispersion and two 3.5-inch CPP woofers (on each channel). What keeps the drivers in place is the dense resonance-free mounting plate. This facility lets the sound waves project outwards seamlessly without distortion.
Users can pair this device with a high-grade crossover network for crystal clear clarity, deep bass, and expansive sound. It is a slim, low-profile soundbar which makes placing or mounting is relatively easy. Whatever way you like, the box comes with all the mounting hardware. The soundbar is designed to pair with flat TVs from 42 to 65-inch screens. From streaming music to watching a movie, it is ideal for all.
Niles CSF48P CSF48P/48″ Passive Soundbar System :
The Niles CSF48P CSF48P/48 is another three-channel passive soundbar system. It comes integrated with three passive sealed and self-contained loudspeaker modules. Every module features two 2-inch x 3-inch poly cone woofers and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter. It can handle 300-Watt power (100 Watt per channel) and has an audio frequency response of 65 Hz to 25,000 Hz.
The USP of this device is its pioneering Cynema Soundfield design. It provides users with adjustable speaker spacing for all three channels. This further allows keeping the self-contained speaker modules upon their existing wall stud configuration without a new drill or modification studs. The device also comes with a removable metal magnetic MicroPerf grille that users can paint in any shade to match their home décor. Lastly, the best and most appealing part is that this Niles soundbar has a ten-year manufacturing warranty on all manufacturing defects.
Monitor Audio SB 2 High Performance Passive Soundbar :
The Monitor Audio SB 2 High-Performance Passive Soundbar houses three channels for excellent surround sound. Every single track consists of a 1-inch C-CAM gold dome tweeter, an individual 4-inch C-CAM (Ceramic-coated Aluminum/Magnesium) mid-bass, along a sealed ABR. The device can handle a peak power of 40Watts, its Nominal Impedance is 8 ohms and has an audio frequency response of (-3 dB) 90 Hz to 30 kHz.
Users can pair this device with TV panels from 50 to 60 inches, and it combines effortlessly with all modern TV sets. Though it ideally makes up for small to medium rooms, you can also use it in large rooms by pairing it with a subwoofer. Lastly, the soundbar is both cabinet top-mountable and wall mountable. It comes with two inconspicuous silicone feet for added stability for added stability.
A soundbar is a great way to upgrade your TV’s sound. It replaces the thin factory-installed speakers of your flat-panel TV and makes the audio more robust and dynamic. A soundbar may be active or passive. An active soundbar comes with built-in crossover components and an integrated amplifier. A passive soundbar needs to be connected to an external A/V receiver and amplifier. An active soundbar offers a comprehensive solution for your audio needs. It houses all the sound components in a single enclosure. A passive soundbar, on the other hand, offers unbeatable scalability. You can club it with any crossover setting and sound management system. You can experiment with different speaker-amplifier combinations and add as many amplifiers as you want. You can also upgrade or downgrade your system as you like with minimal hassle. In short, a passive system gives you the freedom to work your sound system any way you want. Plus, it is inexpensive and generally doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. A soundbar is a sound system with an array of speakers inside a single slender cabinet. An active soundbar has built-in amplification and digital signal processing. It is more or less self-sufficient and does not require additional support, other than maybe a subwoofer. A passive soundbar does not have internal amplification and digital signal processing. Its drivers need to be powered by an external amp or AV receiver. It is not a single-unit system and requires the support of additional devices. To work a passive soundbar, you need to have a fundamental understanding of how sound systems work. Passive bars tend to have a complicated set-up and if you don’t have some basic knowledge about them you might feel a little lost. You can add any amplifier/receiver you like, and connect with more number and types of sources. You can decode a large number of audio formats, and play around with different crossover settings to get the best soundbar-subwoofer combination. If you want to try out a different bar-amp combo, just get the right amp and crossover settings that suit your requirement, and make the switch. You won’t have to buy a brand new sound system to do this. Passive soundbar are also a cheaper option if you already have an amplifier. While pairing a passive bar with an amp, note their power ratings and impendences. You want to make sure they are compatible if you don’t want to be stuck with bad audio. While they have their advantages, passive soundbars are not without drawbacks. For one, they can be quite cumbersome and difficult to manage, store and transport. As they involve multiple devices and lots of wires, they occupy more space and have a cluttered look. While buying a passive soundbar, take note of the speaker configuration and capacity. Keep in mind how you wish to set up the bar in terms of receiver, amplifier and additional speakers. Look for the appropriate inputs and outputs, number of channels, sound technology, etc that will support your set up. Also consider your TV’s screen size. The soundbar must match the TV in width or it can be a tad smaller. If it is longer and sticks out of the edge of the TV screen, it will look odd. Furthermore, you need to plan ahead where you wish to install the soundbar, and accordingly choose the right size, color and shape. The main difference between a passive and an active soundbar is that the former does not have a built-in amplifier whereas the latter does. A passive soundbar only has speakers (which might be a combination of woofers, mid-range drivers, full-range speakers and tweeters). It needs a separate amplifier or receiver to power itself. An active speaker, on the other hand, comes pre-fitted with an amplifier and is a single all-in-one self-powered unit. A passive speaker is generally more expensive than an active one, which is surprising considering it lacks an amplifier. But the truth is that passive soundbars have high-quality drivers far better in design and durability than active soundbars. Hence, even though active bars have built-in amplification, their cost is relatively low. A passive soundbar is more complicated. You will need a basic understanding of sound systems to be able to set it up on your own. It is preferred by audiophiles who wish to personalize their home entertainment systems. A powered soundbar has a simple plug-and-play functionality. It is ideal for people who are only looking to improve their TV sound and want a hassle-free solution. Being a set of two units, a passive soundbar requires more space. But it is lighter and easier to upgrade than an active bar. If an active soundbar breaks down, the entire gadget has to be replaced. But if a passive soundbar breaks down, only the soundbar has to be replaced while the amplifier can stay the same and be used to drive the new soundbar. The first thing you need to consider while selecting a passive soundbar is the number of channels. The larger your room, the more the number of channels you will need. For an average-sized living room though, a 3-channel soundbar with left, right and center channels is fine. But, if you want true surround sound, a 5- or more channel soundbar would be a better choice. Make sure your soundbar supports the latest sound formats. Dolby Digital and DTS are the standard codecs at the moment. They lock dialogues to the screen and place sounds at precise points across the room for a realistic sound experience. You can also consider Dolby Atmos and DTS:X if budget is not a constraint. These technologies offer true surround sound with overhead effect and automatic sound adjustments according to the size and layout of the room. A lot of soundbars come with pre-set sound modes that optimize the soundtrack based on the content. For instance, Movie Mode elevates dialogues and special effects. Music mode enhances the notes of different instruments, no matter how high or low, with precise placement. Therefore, it might be a good idea to get your hands on a gadget that is able to do justice to all kinds of audio. Another important factor to consider is the size of your TV screen. For cleaner aesthetics, it is advisable to get a soundbar that has the same width (or length) as your TV or is a few inches shorter. If it protrudes outside the TV’s edge, it can look odd. Where you want to place your soundbar is another crucial factor. If your TV is on a wall, the soundbar can go underneath it, or above, as you prefer. But if the TV is on a media console or table, the soundbar has to be such that after it is installed in front of the TV on the same console/table, it does not block the TV’s remote sensors and screen. Here the height of the soundbar is key. If your TV stand is not too high, you might have to go for a slim-profile soundbar. Do check if the soundbar has the necessary ports to connect with your TV, amplifier/receiver and/or other devices like subwoofer. An added advantage is if it also supports HDMI. It will simplify the connection with the TV and you will be able to send signals using a single HDMI cable. If you want bigger bass, we suggest you buy a soundbar-subwoofer combo. You can place the bar near the TV and the sub can be placed next to the couch. Subs are available in wired and wireless variants. If sound quality is your priority and you don’t mind the extra wiring, you should buy a wired sub. If you want a clutter-free installation and freedom to place the sub anywhere you want, a wireless sub is recommended. If you already have an amplifier, make sure the power handling capacity of the soundbar matches the amplifier power. This is where your technical know-how will come into play. We suggest you do some research online and also speak to a couple of dealers before making a purchase.What is a Passive Soundbar ?
Know how before selecting a Passive Sound bar for your audio setup :
How is a passive soundbar different from an active soundbar ?
Buying Guide of Passive Soundbar :
Channels
Dolby Digital and DTS technology
Sound mode
TV screen size
Placement
Connectivity
Subwoofer
Compatibility with amplifier
Best Soundbar – Subwoofer Setup Best Soundbar for your Television Curved soundbars for curved television Mini compact soundbars for small places
I was considering to buy a high end soundbar to enhance the audio quality of my television. Would it make sense to buy a passive soundbar ? What is your opinion ?
Hey Pratt, Thanks for asking. We recommend to buy a passive soundbar when you have a powerful amplification source to feed to the passive soundbar or speaker. Generally a passive sound system does not come with in-built amplification system. So, I would say, if you just want to enhance the overall audio quality then a decent soundbar is suffice. You may check our recommendation at – https://bestwaterproofspeaker.com/best-soundbar-home-theater-and-tv/
How does one hook up a passive speaker? Do the cables correspond with Right surround, front right, center, etc? And is there a way to imitate rear speakers when making your own cabinet?
This depends primarily on the number of channels the system supports. So, connect accordingly.
Thanks for sharing so much details about the passive sound bar but I am yet to understand whether I should settle for a passive one or active ? Any suggestion here.
Robin, the difference between a active or passive sound source is very obvious. I would request you to read some details on the same before buying the right one for your use. You may check the following article – https://bestwaterproofspeaker.com/active-speakers-vs-passive-speakers/ .
Which company is the leader among passive soundbar manufacturers ?
There is nothing as such like all time best or leader. But at recent times we think definitive technology is one of the most prominent manufacturer in passive soundbar and speaker category.
Does it make sense to build up the home theater audio with audio components as subs, soundbars ( active and passive ) and other items ? Or it better to buy a readymade surround sound setup ?
Hi Shawn,
It actually depends on what you wants to achieve with the setup. There are pros and cons of everything. You may find this article helpful to decide – https://bestwaterproofspeaker.com/soundbar-vs-surround-sound-complete-guide/
Thanks for providing detailed product reviews for almost all the passive soundbars available in the market. It’s a very informative list.
Hi Blythe, yeah we do update our product list often to make our readers know about the latest products available in the market. Keep visiting us to know more about these products.
I’d like to know what is the slimmest passive soundbar with a decent performance ?
Hello, first of all there is no direct relation between passive soundbar performance and slim looks. But to answer your query, there are few slim passive soundbar with good performance. You can consider products such as – Definitive Technology XTR-SSA5 Ultra Slim Surround Speaker Bar, Martin Logan Motion SLM X3 Ultra Slim Soundbar and Definitive Technology Mythos XTR-SSA3 Passive Soundbar.
Hello, the left center and right channels of my amplifier are not functioning is it advisable to tap it to main bass channel? If that is possible then how many channels should i consider when buying a passive soundbar