Belly Up to the Bar

For the last decade, soundbars—simple, elongated speakers designed to fit elegantly under a TV screen—were considered a poor man’s home theater. But thanks to technological innovations and improving designs, today’s soundbars have become viable replacements for home theater systems. And some are even good enough to replace a modest stereo system.

The appeal of soundbars is undeniable. They take up very little space, and they can be surprisingly affordable—prices start at less than $100, and good ones are