When it comes to watching the big game, home audio matters just as much as TV quality. Consider adding a sound bar or a surround sound to you home theatre. The setup that’s right for you will depend on your lifestyle—there are great options in both categories at every price point. Keep reading to learn how to make the right decision for your viewing experience. Plus, you can shop watch party essentials at Best Buy.
Sound bar vs surround sound for game day viewing
Sound bar and surround sound systems deliver different results. If you’re asking yourself is a sound bar better than surround sound or vice versa, it’s time to reframe the way you view the two products. They aren’t just one product offered at two different price points; they’re two totally different systems that are designed to produce different effects.
Sound bars are compact stereo systems that emphasize delivering crisp, clear commentary or dialogue. They’re very quick and easy to set up and they’ll be a noticeable step up from your TV’s built-in audio. They’ll sound richer and clearer than your TV, and you’ll notice the upgrade while watching sports and movies. However, sound bars can’t offer that true surround sound experience. You’ll hear balanced, moving audio from your front on the left and right, but many won’t be able to “push” audio to sound like it’s coming from behind you.
Surround sound systems are all about immersion. They take a lot more setup to pull off well, but they can make you feel like you really are in the middle of the action. They wrap the audio all around you and help you fill up a larger room. Surround sound systems are great for households that love to host, because they deliver crisp, clear sound from multiple points in the room.
When a sound bar is the best choice for watching sports
Sound bars are a great choice for at-home viewing. They offer a simple, quick setup with minimal wiring, often setting up in under 5 minutes. They’re an excellent option for small rooms, and they’re a go-to for many same-day game upgrades. If you have friends coming over for a watch party at 5PM and it’s already 3PM, a sound bar is your best bet!
Sound bars often prioritize voices, not crowd noise. Try turning them on to Sports Mode and playing with their voice enhancement settings before the game starts.
Which rooms and setups to use sound bars in
Sound bars are a great option for many different rooms and scenarios. However, they really shine in smaller spaces! I like recommending them for apartments, condos, smaller living rooms, and especially enclosed dens. They’re often recommended more for sports than movies, but honestly? I think they do a great job with both.
When surround sound is the better choice for game day
Setting up a surround sound system is the single best way to achieve an immersive game day experience at home. Often, it’s a labour-intensive process that’ll require lots of tweaks and fine-tuning, but for many, it’s worth it.
A good surround sound setup gives you something that single-source audio cannot: a wraparound effect. Audio coming from in front, the sides, and behind you means that you can achieve stadium-like sound at home. With a surround sound system, you can really feel like you’re in the middle of all the crowd noise, cheering, and chants.
Surround sound is the ideal choice for hosting and group viewing, too. It’s great for larger rooms and big watch parties, ensuring even sound coverage for multiple seats. If you want your guests to be able to clearly hear the game even when they’re topping up their snack plate, surround sound is the way to go.
Speaker placement challenges with surround sound
Surround sound is the cream of the crop when it comes to immersive audio, but it’s not right for every room. You need enough space to set up multiple speakers, plus sturdy enough options for stands and placement that your speakers won’t be regularly knocked over. Make sure your room is large enough to accommodate multiple speakers or stands before you attempt to install.
One common issue to run into in open-concept spaces is not knowing where to put your system’s rear speakers. In media rooms and dens, you can easily install them against or on the back wall. In open-concept spaces, try opting instead for heavy, well-designed stands or a wide, stable console table. (As an added bonus, the console table will help break up your spaces into two distinct areas—plus, it’s a lot harder for kids and pets to knock over while running around.)
Which option is better for your game day setup?
Sound bars and surround sound are both great options for your at-home sports-viewing setup. Consider your room size, likelihood of moving, and how often you host before making your selection.
Choose a sound bar if…
- You want a simple, easy setup process
- You’re in a smaller space
- You want great sound and clear commentary from the front
- You move often and want to be able to pack up easily
Remember, many sound bar setups can be integrated into surround sound later on, particularly within the same brand ecosystem. If you’re not sure which option to go with, start with a sound bar that’s part of a surround sound lineup.
The best sound bars for sports
Start with simple … but leave yourself room to grow
Multi-speaker sound bar systems are a great way to introduce flexibility into your game day viewing experience. Options like this sound bar set from Samsung are one of the best sound bars for sports. This set works as a simple sound bar, but you can build the system out with additional Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speakers for a more immersive experience.
Choose simplicity
Simple setups like this Sony 2.0 channel sound bar are a great option for plug-and-play viewing. If you’re looking to upgrade from your TV’s built-in audio before a big game but you don’t want to get too involved with setup, try a sound bar like this one.
Choose surround sound if…
- You want the best sound quality available, no matter what
- Your TV is set up in a large TV room or open concept area
- You want to experience immersive crowd noise
- You host watch parties often and need a sound system that can keep up with a large group
The best surround sound systems for game day
Go wireless with multi-room support
I love the Sonos system! Whether for watching the big game or listening to a brand new album, this Sonos multi-room speaker system can easily adapt to your needs. And Sonos products perform excellently when used as a surround sound setup.
Tip: For the most immersive experience possible, make sure to recalibrate your audio every time you add a new speaker to your Sonos setup.
Invest in movie-quality sound for sports games
If you want the best of the best, a multi-speaker setup with high-quality Dolby Atmos sound is the way to go. This Brava system from Sony has 16 speakers and provides an amazing, immersive experience—whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie or a playoffs hockey game. It’s one of the best surround sound systems for sports that you can get at Best Buy Canada right now.
How we decide what’s best
At Best Buy Canada, curating a “Best of” or “Top X” list is a thoughtful and transparent process. We evaluate products based on brand reputation, popularity, customer interest, and relevance within their category. Our bloggers then bring deep product knowledge and hands-on experience to help identify the best options for you.
Testing goes far beyond unboxing—products are used in real-world scenarios, with our bloggers putting themselves in your shoes to better understand how a device or accessory performs day to day and whether it meets expectations. Where possible, they compare similar models and assess key factors such as design, performance, and category-specific features to offer well-rounded, informed recommendations. For niche or new product categories where broader hands-on testing might not be possible within that category as a whole, our skilled bloggers evaluate the products using every objective method they can.
In some cases, a blogger may not have direct experience with a specific product. When that happens, they draw on broader expertise, such as time spent with comparable items, an understanding of the brand’s current lineup, and its overall reputation. We also draw on insights from Best Buy’s in-house category experts and aggregate feedback from both trusted reviewers and customer ratings to make the best selections.
We’ll always be clear about the basis of our recommendations—whether they stem from first-hand testing or extensive research. Authenticity matters to us. Every “Best of” guide is built on objective insights, product knowledge, and a commitment to helping you make confident buying decisions.
Find the perfect sound bar or surround sound for your watch party
There’s no single “best” option when it comes to game day watch parties—but there are a number of great ones! Whether you go with the crisp, clear, easy-to-install sound bar or an immersive surround sound system, your next watch party is sure to be a hit.
Make sure to choose whichever system can best deliver crisp, clear audio to your space. Then, opt for immersion only if it works for your lifestyle.
Shop Watch Party essentials today, so you can get ready for the next big game day early.
