Labor Day audio sales are packed with discounts that look better than they are. These six stood out because the savings are actually meaningful, the products are worth owning, or both. There’s a little bit of everything here, from a cheap TV audio upgrade to a full-blown surround setup.
Samsung HW-Q990F
Best Buy has the Samsung HW-Q990F for $999.99, down from $1,999.99, and this is the deal I’d look at first if I were building a serious home theater. It’s an 11.1.4-channel system with a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, so you’re getting the whole setup rather than starting with a bar and adding pieces later. Half off makes the usual flagship price much easier to stomach.
Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is $899 at Best Buy, saving you $200. That’s still a lot of money for a soundbar, but our Arc Ultra review highlights stronger bass, clearer dialogue, and a more convincing spatial presentation than the original Arc. I’d look at this one if you want premium TV audio without filling the room with extra speakers.
Sonos Era 300
If music matters more than movies, the Sonos Era 300 is now $379 at Best Buy instead of $479. Spatial audio is the big selling point, and it was one of the strongest parts of our Era 300 review. Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 also make it easier to live with than older Sonos speakers, especially if you’re not completely locked into the Sonos ecosystem.
JBL PartyBox Stage 320
The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is $549.95 at Best Buy, $80 off its usual $629.95 price. This is the odd one out, in a good way. The PartyBox Stage 320 impressed us with how loud and clear it gets, and the removable battery, wheels, lights, and karaoke features make it the obvious pick if your idea of “audio gear” involves people coming over.
TCL S55H
You don’t have to spend much to make a TV sound noticeably better. The TCL S55H is $119.99 at Best Buy, saving $40, and it includes a wireless subwoofer along with Dolby Atmos support. No, it’s not going to sound like the Samsung setup at the top of this list. But if you’re still using your TV’s built-in speakers, this is a cheap and simple upgrade.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus
Amazon has knocked $100 off the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, bringing it to $149.99. Its 3.1-channel design includes a built-in subwoofer and dedicated center channel, which is useful if dialogue tends to get buried in whatever you’re watching. Our Fire TV Soundbar Plus review also found setup refreshingly simple, though the surround effect is fairly restrained despite the Dolby Atmos badge.