Do you need a soundbar with multiple HDMI inputs? Well, if you plan to connect more than one console or player to your TV, then you need one.
Like gaming headphones, there are speakers that give you a better gaming experience than others. Some of them are soundbars. In this article, I will review 6 of the best soundbars for gaming that have multiple HDMI inputs.
I will also answer burning questions such as:
Can you have a soundbar that has 3 HDMI inputs?
What soundbars allow you to connect more than one console at once?
What are the best surround sound soundbars for gaming?
Before we start reviewing, let's see why you need multiple HDMI inputs.
Why should you buy a soundbar with multiple HDMI inputs?
The answer is simple – convenience. Thanks to the ARC feature, you only need one HDMI output to connect your soundbar to the TV.
But if you have more than one console, or you need to have a Blu-Ray or laptop, you need more than one input. It's easier to have a dedicated HDMI port for each device, instead of plugging and unplugging everytime.
Besides, even if you already have a PS4 pro, you may still want to get the Xbox One X if you want access to some exclusive titles like Gears 5 and Sea of Thieves.
What to look for when buying a soundbar with multiple HDMI inputs?
Subwoofer
If the soundbar comes with a dedicated subwoofer, you can be sure that you'll at least have a decent bass production. You can still enjoy some soundbars without a subwoofer, but that low end makes the sound so much heavier.
Rear speakers
Some soundbars have rear satellite speakers, either wired or wireless. These speakers help to complete the surround sound experience, and make it more realistic. Without them, you can still have really good sound with your subwoofer and upwards firing soundbar speakers.
Surround sound
Does it have surround sound? Most soundbars achieve this by including upward and side firing speakers, so that you can have a more immersive sound. Sometimes, it may not be 100% accurate, but it's better than stereo production.
Top 6 soundbars with multiple HDMI inputs reviewed
Polk Audio MagniFi 2 Soundbar
Specifications:
- Connectivity Technology – Bluetooth, Infrared, Wi-Fi, USB, Auxiliary, HDMI
- Speaker Type – Soundbar
- Recommended Uses For Product – For Surround Sound Systems, For Televisions
- UNIVERSALLY COMPATIBLE WITH 4K and HD TVs
- WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC with built-in GOOGLE CHROMECAST
The Polk Audio MagniFi 2 consists of a slim soundbar and a cube-shaped subwoofer. The soundbar has 3 HDMI inputs and a single HDMI ARC output. This means you can connect your Xbox, PS4, DVD to the soundbar conveniently. You won't have to unplug one to connect another.
Other input options are Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB. with the USB port, you can connect your flash drive and play music.
You can choose to mount the soundbar on a wall or place it in front of your TV. For gaming, the latter option is more preferable, because you're more likely to be seated in front of your TV while gaming.
One other piece that comes with this unit is the remote. If you set it up well, it can also control some TVs from popular brands.
Now to the sound quality. If your game sound is well designed, you will enjoy the immersive surround that this speaker gives. It is compatible with 5.1 dolby digital and DTS audio formats.
With action packed games, you will have better awareness of where gunshots and footsteps are coming from. However, if a fast moving object is behind you – like a car or plane, getting the exact trajectory may be tricky. So, watch your back.
The bass is tight and solid. It brings in-game explosions and gunshots to life. But deeper sound effects may be missing, like the rumble of the nuclear missile launch in COD modern Warfare 4.
Pros
- The subwoofer gives a solid body to the game sound effects.
- With the surround sound, you can hear where gunshots and footsteps are while gaming.
- With the soundbar's remote you can control your TV – it makes everything easier.
Cons
- The bass is solid, but does not go very deep for those super-low rumbles.
- Fast-moving objects behind you may not have super-realistic positioning.
Bottomline: The Polk Audio MagniFi 2 Soundbar is suitable for gamers who also use their sound system for playing music and movies.
JBL Bar 3.1 – Channel 4K Ultra HD Soundbar
Specifications:
- Transmitter frequency: 5.2 / 5.8 GHz Dual Band
- Frequency response: 10Hz ~ 23 kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >80dB
- Audio Output Level: 2V
- Dimensions (transmitter & receiver): 2.6" x 2.3" x 1.1" (66mm x 59 mm x 29 mm)
The JBL Bar 3.1 package comes with a soundbar, subwoofer and remote. The subwoofer pairs automatically to the soundbar via a wireless connection. The soundbar has 3 HDMI inputs with one HDMI ARC output. Like the Polk Audio MagniFi 2, it allows easy connection of multiple consoles and players.
Aside from the HDMI option, you can also connect to the soundbar via optical, 3.5mm aux, USB and Bluetooth. But if you wish to enjoy full HD transmission of audio and video, HDMI is the way to go.
The subwoofer does the job as we expect, giving solid, loud bass to your sound production. If you're gaming in a regular sized apartment, you won't need to turn your JBL Bar all the way up. It gets very loud even before you hit the maximum volume.
You will surely enjoy some of the immersion that the surround sound brings. It makes your gaming soundstage wider with more depth. But the position of the sounds are not 100% accurate. So if you're playing a fast moving action game like COD, you should be aware.
Pros
- The JBL surround sound gives an immersive gaming experience.
- The bass is solid, and makes game explosions, gunshots and special effects sound great.
- The JBL Bar 3.1 is a versatile system that works for games, movies, music and even the news.
Cons
- The slight midrange dip may cause some dialogue to be muffled under explosion sounds.
- The surround sound is not totally accurate when it comes to giving precise direction of objects off-screen.
Bottomline: The JBL Bar 3.1 is great for overall entertainment in smaller spaces – good for gaming, movies and music.
SAMSUNG HW-Q950A 11.1.4ch Soundbar
Specifications:
- Transmitter frequency: 5.2 / 5.8 GHz Dual Band
- Frequency response: 10Hz ~ 23 kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >80dB
- Audio Output Level: 2V
- Dimensions (transmitter & receiver): 2.6" x 2.3" x 1.1" (66mm x 59 mm x 29 mm)
The Samsung Hw-Q950A is a surround sound system that gives you enough value for its cost. It comes with two HDMI inputs and one HDMI ARC output.
Of course, HDMI gives you the best of audio and video transmission formats. However, there are other ways to connect your TV or other device to the soundbar. You can use Bluetooth, WiFi or Apple airplay.
This sound system comes with 4 units – the subwoofer, soundbar and two satellite speakers. The satellite speakers are for rear placement in the surround sound system. All these units connect to each other wirelessly.
You can choose to mount the soundbar on a wall or just place it in front of your TV. Even if it's far from your sitting position,you can control it with the remote or through voice command. It supports Amazon's Alexa, but doesn't work with Siri or Google Assistant.
The subwoofer has a built-in mic for automatic room correction. This enables the soundbar to adjust its sound to fit your room after calibrating itself.
The surround sound experience with this soundbar is an actual mini cinema experience. It combines intense explosive sound effects with crisp dialogues. The midrange is not recessed like most other soundbars, especially when surround sound mode is on.
It's compatible with all the surround sound formars like DTS, Dolby Atmos, Digital Plus, DTS:X, etc.
Pros
- The Samsung HW-Q950A gives the true surround sound immersive experience.
- The soundbar gives you intense solid bass without overshadowing dialogue or quieter sounds.
- The auto room correction gives you the best sound possible for your space.
Cons
- It could be an expensive choice for a lot of people.
- It requires Amazon Echo to work with Alexa.
Bottomline: If you want top class surround sound, the Samsung HW-Q950A gives you just that. It's worth the price.
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro
Specifications:
- Connectivity Technology RCA, HDMI
- Recommended Uses For Product: For Surround Sound Systems, For Televisions
- Connect up to 6 devices via 1 HDMI ARC, 3 HDMI, 1 Optical and 1 Coaxial inputs.
- 52-key backlit remote
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro is another soundbar home theatre unit that comes with rear speakers. But unlike the Samsung HW-Q950A, it is a 7.1.4 system, and it has 3 HDMI inputs and one HDMI ARC output. Other connection options include Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux, optical, coaxial and USB.
You need to be resourceful when setting up this soundbar system, because the four speakers are connected by wires. You don't want the cables to litter your floors. After connecting them, you don't need to do much anymore.
There are presets that you can use for music, movies, gaming, sports, night mode and even news. However, if you prefer to do your own settings, you can switch off the DSP and do your thing.
For gaming especially, the surround sound is super immersive. The rear speakers especially help to give an accurate placement of off-screen objects. So, even when your FOV is not wide enough, you can locate enemies in COD just by sound.
The dialogue is also crisp and clear. It's not overshadowed by the bass. This makes the Shockwafe Pro great for games like RDR and Hitman, where dialogues can be crucial.
Pros
- The rear speakers give a full immersive theater experience.
- The bass response reaches deep and makes the sound effects solid.
- You don't need any technical knowledge to get good sound, just select a preset that suits your purpose.
Cons
- It can be tricky to set this up without having wires lying around.
- The Shockwafe pro does not have automatic room correction.
Bottomline: If you want the full surround experience with accurate object positioning, the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro is a great option.
Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Surround Bar
Specifications:
- Transmitter frequency: 5.2 / 5.8 GHz Dual Band
- Frequency response: 10Hz ~ 23 kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >80dB
- Audio Output Level: 2V
- Dimensions (transmitter & receiver): 2.6" x 2.3" x 1.1" (66mm x 59 mm x 29 mm)
The Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR is a soundbar system with a subwoofer, soundbar and two satellite speakers. These speakers will be easier to set up than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro, simply because they connect to the soundbar without cables.
Aside from the wireless connection, the satellite speakers are compact and portable, which makes the placement quite easy. If you prefer to mount the soundbar on a wall, you can easily do that. But it makes your sound setup a little tricky.
When placed in front of the TV, you can easily tell where the other speakers go. Just ensure that nothing is blocking the upward firing speakers' sound from reaching the ceiling.
The MagniFi Max SR comes with its own remote. However, if your TV is CEC enabled, you can use the TV remote to control the soundbar.
If you get the speaker placement right, you're in for an immersive gaming experience. The Polk SDA surround feature ensures that. Also, the subwoofer provides bass as low as 35Hz.
You will feel this depth in the low bass sound effects in your game, and it manages to stay out of the midrange and treble.
When you use surround sound, you can't have a flat response, but it still sounds good.
Pros
- The MagniFi Max SR consists of wireless satellite speakers and a subwoofer, so its setup is cleaner.
- The deep bass makes the surround bar a great choice for action-packed gaming.
- With a CEC-enabled TV, you only need one remote for both the soundbar and TV.
Cons
- Speaker placement needs some technical knowledge, especially if you're wall-mounting.
- For sound purists, you can't have a flat response with surround sound in this soundbar.
Bottomline: The Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR is great for a truly immersive surround experience in smaller spaces.
Samsung Harman Kardon 5.1.2 Soundbar HW-Q80R
Specifications:
- Transmitter frequency: 5.2 / 5.8 GHz Dual Band
- Frequency response: 10Hz ~ 23 kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >80dB
- Audio Output Level: 2V
- Dimensions (transmitter & receiver): 2.6" x 2.3" x 1.1" (66mm x 59 mm x 29 mm)
The HW-Q80R is a soundbar that only comes with a subwoofer, but gives you the option of adding rear speakers later on. The subwoofer pairs automatically to the soundbar via a wireless connection. If you choose to add rear speakers later, they will also be wireless.
To connect your Xbox, PS4 or PS5 to this soundbar, you only need to use the HDMI. if you happen to have more than one console, you can connect both via the HDMI inputs. This Samsung soundbar has 2 HDMI inputs and one HDMI ARC output. And of course, it comes with its own remote.
In terms of sound quality, we would usually expect great sound from Samsung, and they delivered. The surround serve is truly immersive, although it gets much better with rear speakers. You can pinpoint where objects are with your eyes closed.
Truthfully, COD, GTA, Battlefield and other action gamers would love this setup to bits. The bass is solid and has a little more heft than midrange and treble. Game explosions really rock on this system.
Pros
- The bass is solid and impressive, giving your game explosive and gunshot effects more life.
- The HW-Q80R supports all the high quality surround formats.
- With this soundbar, you always have the option to improve your setup with two wireless satellite speakers.
Cons
- During intense action gaming, some dialogues and quieter sounds may be muffled.
- Even though it has side and upwards firing speakers, most of the sound comes from the front.
Bottomline: If you want to keep your options open in terms of adding rear speakers, the Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q80R is the speaker for you.
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Conclusion
In this article, I have reviewed 6 soundbars for gaming.
My top 3 picks are JBL Bar 3.1, Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro, and Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Surround Bar.
My number one reason for choosing these three is that they all have 3 HDMI inputs. This allows me to connect my PS4, Blu-Ray and occasionally, my laptop. I don't have to disconnect one to connect the other.
Also, the Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR stands out because it has wireless rear speakers that are portable, and easy to set up. Since all of the soundbars have surround sound to an extent, my major distinguishing factor is convenience.