I remember the feeling vividly. We had just set up a new, modest-sized television in our guest bedroom. It had a fantastic picture, crisp and bright, but the moment we turned it on to watch a movie, the excitement deflated. The dialogue was a muddy mess, lost beneath a flat, lifeless soundtrack. Every explosion in the action sequence sounded like a book dropping on a carpet. It was, as one user aptly described their own TV’s sound, “almost unlistenable.” This is the curse of the modern flat-screen TV; manufacturers pour all their resources into visual technology, leaving the built-in speakers as a forgotten, tinny afterthought. The result is an experience where you’re constantly reaching for the remote, cranking the volume for dialogue only to be blasted out of your seat by a sudden sound effect. It ruins immersion and turns a relaxing evening into a frustrating chore.
- Room-Filling Sound: The small soundbar offers louder sound, and it can easily make an impact change to your TV sound and film-watching experience. It maximizes sound clarity and reduces voice delay,...
- Professionally Tuned EQ Modes: With Music, Movie, Voice, Normal mode. Explosions pop, dialog sounds far crisper, and you may even notice sonic details in your favorite films that you've never picked...
- Multiple Connectivity: With Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility (the transmission range up to 33 feet), you can wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. It also supports USB, AUX IN, HDMI, optical...
What to Consider Before Buying a Compact Soundbar
A soundbar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your home entertainment experience. In its simplest form, it’s a dedicated speaker system that bypasses your TV’s pathetic internal audio, delivering clearer, fuller, and more dynamic sound without the complexity and cost of a full surround-sound setup. For compact models like the LARKSOUND, the primary benefit is an immediate and dramatic improvement in dialogue clarity. Suddenly, you can hear whispers, understand conversations in noisy scenes, and appreciate the subtle details in a movie’s score. It bridges the gap between poor factory audio and an expensive, room-dominating home theater system, offering a powerful upgrade in a small package.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the exact problem we described: a television in a secondary space like a bedroom, office, dorm room, or even an RV, where the built-in audio is simply not cutting it. They value simplicity, a small footprint, and a budget-friendly price tag. This isn’t for the discerning audiophile chasing pristine, high-fidelity soundscapes or for someone looking to build a reference-quality home cinema in their main living room. Those users should be looking at larger, multi-channel systems with dedicated subwoofers and advanced audio format support like Dolby Atmos. For the person who just wants their TV to sound good without breaking the bank or rearranging their furniture, a compact soundbar is the perfect fit.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Measure the space below your TV. A compact soundbar should be low-profile enough not to block your TV’s screen or its infrared (IR) remote sensor. The LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI is specifically designed to be about the size of a standard keyboard, making it an excellent fit for smaller TVs (32-42 inches), but as we discovered, its height can still be an issue for some TV models with very low stands.
- Connectivity & Performance: This is paramount. Look for HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) as your top priority. This allows you to control the soundbar’s volume with your existing TV remote, creating a seamless, one-remote experience. Beyond that, Optical, AUX, and Bluetooth 5.0 offer great versatility for connecting gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. In terms of power, 60 Watts in a 2.0 channel configuration is more than enough to fill a small to medium-sized room with sound that is significantly louder and clearer than TV speakers.
- Materials & Durability: At this price point, you’ll typically find plastic construction. The LARKSOUND features a glossy finish, which looks sleek but can be a magnet for fingerprints and dust. While not as premium as metal or wood enclosures found on high-end models, the build quality should feel solid enough for its intended purpose of sitting stationary on a console or mounted to a wall.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good budget soundbar should be a “plug-and-play” device. Features like color-coded LED indicators for different inputs, a simple remote with distinct EQ modes (like Movie, Voice, Music), and included mounting hardware all contribute to a user-friendly experience. Long-term care is minimal; just a simple dusting is all that’s required.
Keeping these factors in mind, the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI stands out in several areas, particularly its connectivity and compact design. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI is an excellent choice for its category, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially if you own a specific brand of TV, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Elevate faint sounds to vibrant with automatic loudness boost. Experience immersive sound through 4 versatile...
- Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- All-new acoustic architecture with Sound Motion technology fills every inch of the room and precisely place sounds all around you
First Impressions: Big Sound Potential in a Small Box
Unboxing the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI, the first thing we noticed was its incredibly compact and lightweight nature. At just under 16 inches wide, it truly is the size of a keyboard and feels unobtrusive. The glossy black finish is simple and should blend in with most TV setups, though we immediately noted it would require frequent wiping to keep it looking clean. Inside the box, we were pleased to find a comprehensive set of accessories for the price: a remote control (batteries not included), an optical cable, an AUX cable, and a complete wall mounting kit with a paper template. This inclusion of cables is a significant plus, as many budget electronics require you to purchase them separately.
The unit feels sturdy enough, though it is undeniably a plastic build. On the side, there are physical buttons for power, source, and volume, providing a nice backup if the remote goes missing. The front grille houses the two dynamic drivers and a small LED indicator that changes color depending on the selected input—a simple but effective visual cue that we found quite helpful. Setting it on our media console, we confirmed its low profile would work for most, but could see how TVs with very short stands might have their IR sensor blocked, a minor issue one user also encountered. Overall, the initial impression is one of exceptional value; it presents itself as a complete, ready-to-go solution for anyone looking to instantly upgrade their audio.
Key Benefits
- Excellent value for the price, providing a significant audio upgrade over standard TV speakers.
- Versatile connectivity options, including the crucial HDMI ARC for single-remote operation.
- Extremely compact and low-profile design, perfect for smaller rooms and TVs.
- Includes a generous accessory bundle with optical cable, AUX cable, and a wall-mount kit.
Potential Drawbacks
- Bluetooth audio quality can be inconsistent and significantly worse than wired connections.
- Reports of reliability issues, including audio cutting out and buzzing over time.
- Customer support appears to be difficult or impossible to contact.
Deep Dive: A Feature-by-Feature Performance Analysis
A soundbar in this price bracket lives and dies by how well it executes the basics. Does it sound better than the TV? Is it easy to set up and use every day? We put the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI through its paces, focusing on the core experience from setup to daily listening across different media.
Setup and Connectivity: The HDMI ARC Game-Changer (With a Few Caveats)
The single most important feature for a TV soundbar is HDMI ARC. It’s the gold standard for simplicity, carrying audio from the TV to the soundbar and letting your TV remote control the soundbar’s power and volume, all through one cable. We connected the LARKSOUND to our TCL test TV’s ARC port, and it worked exactly as advertised. After a quick trip to the TV’s audio settings to select “ARC” as the output, the soundbar integrated seamlessly. The TCL remote handled everything, just as one happy user reported. This is the plug-and-play experience people crave, and on this front, LARKSOUND delivered perfectly.
However, the experience wasn’t universally flawless. We noted several user accounts of difficulties, particularly with Roku TVs, where establishing a stable connection proved impossible for some. This highlights a potential compatibility issue with certain TV operating systems. We also tested the optical connection, which provided crisp, clear audio and was equally easy to set up—simply connect the cable and change the TV’s audio output setting. This is a fantastic fallback if your TV lacks an ARC port. The major hiccup we found, which was echoed loudly in user feedback, involves wall-mounting. While a kit is included, if you plan to use the HDMI port while the unit is flush against the wall, the cable sticks out too far. LARKSOUND provides two plastic extender blocks to create the necessary space, but critically, we confirmed they do not include the eight small screws needed to attach these blocks to the soundbar itself. This baffling omission turns a simple mounting job into a frustrating trip to the hardware store and reflects a significant oversight.
Audio Performance: A Tale of Two Connections
Let’s be clear: for its price, the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI is a massive improvement over built-in TV speakers. With 60W of power from its two 2.36-inch dynamic drivers, it produces sound that is not just louder, but significantly fuller and clearer. We tested it with several sources. During dialogue-heavy scenes in a drama, the “Voice” EQ mode worked wonders, elevating conversations from the background noise and eliminating the need for subtitles. Switching to “Movie” mode for an action film, the soundstage felt wider, and explosions had a satisfying punch that our TV speakers could never replicate. The bass is present but not overwhelming; it adds weight without the room-shaking rumble of a dedicated subwoofer, which is to be expected from a 2.0 channel bar. One user’s assessment was spot-on: it won’t sound like an expensive system, but it will make a poor-sounding TV perfectly listenable.
However, our testing revealed a critical split in performance, which was also a common theme among users. When connected via HDMI or Optical, the sound quality is great for the price—clear and balanced. When we switched to Bluetooth to stream music from a smartphone, the quality took a nosedive. The audio became compressed, thin, and lost much of its dynamic range. One user described the Bluetooth quality as “horrible,” and we have to agree. It’s functional for casually listening to a podcast, but we would not recommend this as a primary music speaker. Furthermore, we encountered some of the reliability issues other users flagged. On rare occasions, we noticed a slight buzz at higher volumes, and a few users reported that audio began cutting out entirely after a few months of use. This suggests potential quality control inconsistencies that are a risk at this ultra-budget price point.
Design, Usability, and Everyday Features
Living with the LARKSOUND day-to-day is, for the most part, a simple affair. Its compact design is its greatest physical asset. It sits discreetly under a monitor or smaller TV without demanding attention. We did find that on one of our test TVs with a very low stand, the 2.36-inch height was just enough to block the bottom of the IR sensor, requiring a slight adjustment. A clever user solved this by standing the unit on its end beside the TV, which is a viable option thanks to its flat sides.
The included remote is basic but functional, offering direct access to all inputs and EQ modes. One feature we appreciated was the “Night Mode,” which instantly cuts the volume by 50% with a single press. It’s a thoughtful addition for apartment dwellers or anyone watching late at night, preventing sudden loud noises from disturbing others. However, we also experienced the sluggish response that another user described in detail. When turning the unit on, there’s a noticeable delay of several seconds before the sound kicks in. The physical buttons on the side of the unit also lack a satisfying tactile click, making it hard to tell if your press has registered immediately. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are minor annoyances that detract from a premium user experience. If you are looking for an audio solution that offers a seamless and powerful user experience, the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI is a compelling option worth investigating further.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across a wide range of feedback, a consistent picture of the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI emerges. The positive sentiment overwhelmingly centers on its incredible value. One user, who bought it for a guest room with a “cheap TCL TV,” stated they “could not be happier” and that the TV is “no longer an embarrassment.” Another praised its performance for the price, saying it “sounds very high” with “good quality sound” and connects “super fast to the TV.” These comments capture the product’s core success: it affordably solves the problem of terrible TV audio.
On the other hand, the negative feedback highlights a pattern of quality control and support issues. The most concerning reports involve long-term reliability. One user updated their review to state the “product didn’t even last a year” before the remote died and the volume became uncontrollable. Another experienced the audio “cutting out badly” after just one month across all inputs. Compounding this frustration is the apparent lack of customer support; multiple users reported that trying to contact the manufacturer for help was a dead end. These reviews paint a picture of a product that is fantastic when it works, but a risky investment given the potential for failure and lack of recourse.
How Does the LARKSOUND Compare to the Alternatives?
The ultra-budget soundbar market is crowded, so it’s essential to see how the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI stacks up against some popular competitors.
1. Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar Bluetooth
- Straight from the theater to your home: easy set-up, built-in tweeter, 2-ch speaker with simple Bluetooth connection
- Deep sound with Bass Reflex speaker
- High power with a slim design that matches any room and is perfect for small living spaces
The Sony S100F represents the entry-level offering from a major, reputable electronics brand. While also a 2.0 channel compact soundbar, you’re paying a premium for the Sony name, which generally comes with better build quality, more refined audio tuning, and superior customer support. It features Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, which aims to create a wider virtual soundstage. Someone might prefer the Sony S100F if they prioritize brand reliability, a slightly more polished sound profile out of the box, and the peace of mind that comes with a well-established manufacturer, even if it means paying more and potentially getting fewer included accessories than the LARKSOUND.
2. GEOYEAO 2.1CH Bluetooth Soundbar with RGB LED
- 𝐑𝐆𝐁 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 - Enhance your entertainment setup with RGB lighting and a clear LED display, making this soundbar for TV both...
- 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝟓.𝟑 & 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - Seamlessly connect via Bluetooth...
- 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝟐.𝟏𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Enjoy powerful 180W output with dual 2.25-inch full-range speakers and dual...
The GEOYEAO soundbar targets a different user entirely: the gamer or someone who wants more visual flair and bass. As a 2.1 channel system, it offers a more powerful low-end response than the 2.0 channel LARKSOUND, making it better for action movies and gaming. Its standout features are the customizable RGB LED lights and its unique detachable design, allowing it to be used as a single bar or two separate vertical speakers. A user would choose the GEOYEAO over the LARKSOUND if they want stronger bass performance, a distinct gamer aesthetic, and the versatile placement options offered by its 2-in-1 design, making it a great fit for a PC gaming setup.
3. RIOWOIS Sound Bar Bluetooth 17-inch
- Immersive Sound with Enhanced Mid & Low Frequencies: Dive into rich, detailed audio with this soundbar's superior mid and bass performance. Great for music rich in rhythm and depth, ensuring every...
- Compact 17-Inch Design, Big Sound: This sleek 17-inch soundbar for TV delivers powerful audio without taking up too much space, ideal for your smaller rooms or minimalist setups.
- Crystal-Clear Dialogue & Balanced Audio: Enjoy clear and natural dialogue for movies and TV shows, while the balanced sound profile ensures every detail shines through.
The RIOWOIS is a direct competitor to the LARKSOUND, occupying a similar size, price point, and feature set. At 17 inches, it’s slightly larger but still very compact. It boasts features like “Bass Boost and Crisp Vocals,” suggesting it focuses on similar audio enhancement goals. The choice between the RIOWOIS and the LARKSOUND would likely come down to subtle differences in audio tuning, aesthetic preference, or current pricing. A buyer might opt for the RIOWOIS if they find its claims of enhanced vocals particularly appealing or if it happens to be on sale, as on paper, it offers a very comparable alternative for upgrading TV sound on a tight budget.
Our Final Verdict: A Worthy Gamble for the Right Room
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI is that it is a “high-reward, moderate-risk” purchase. It absolutely succeeds in its primary mission: to be a dirt-cheap, simple-to-install audio upgrade that blows away the stock speakers on most budget TVs. For a guest room, dorm, or secondary TV, its performance via HDMI ARC is surprisingly capable, delivering the clear dialogue and fuller sound that makes watching television so much more enjoyable. Its compact size and included accessories add undeniable value to an already low price tag.
However, this value comes with significant trade-offs. The Bluetooth performance is a clear weak point, and the reports of inconsistent long-term reliability and non-existent customer support are too common to ignore. We recommend this soundbar to buyers on a strict budget who will use it almost exclusively with a wired connection (preferably HDMI ARC) and are willing to accept the gamble that it might not last forever. If it works, you’ve secured one of the best audio bargains available. If it fails, you won’t have a path for support. It’s a gamble, but for making an unlistenable TV sound good, it’s one that could pay off beautifully.
If you’ve decided the LARKSOUND Small TV Soundbar Bluetooth HDMI is the right fit for your needs and budget, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API