A passive soundbar may offer higher sound quality and greater flexibility, but it’ll also be more challenging to set up. Therefore, I shared the complete details of the Top 5 Best Passive Soundbars to assist you in selecting one that will present you with the least hassle while maintaining the highest possible level of quality.
Top 5 Best Passive Soundbars in 2023
Definitive Technology XTR-SSA5 Ultra Slim Surround Speaker Bar
Are you looking to elevate your home theater experience but don’t have room for a complete set of surround sound speakers?
The Definitive Technology XTR-SSA5 Ultra Slim Surround Speaker Bar is a sleek, modern solution that claims to fill your living space with high-definition, room-filling sound without taking up too much space.
The soundbar is only 2.25 inches thick, making it one of the thinnest soundbars on the market. It can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand.
It has three channels (left, center, and right) and two built-in subwoofers. This provides robust and immersive sound for movies, TV shows, and music.
Acoustic Array Technology is used in soundbars to deliver wide and balanced sound. This technology uses a combination of drivers and reflectors to create a soundstage wider than the soundbar itself.
The soundbar also features ten anodized aluminum XTDD drivers. These drivers deliver powerful bass and mids.
The soundbar has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can stream music from your smartphone or tablet.
The soundbar has a remote control, so you can easily adjust the volume, change the input, and select the sound mode.
Key Features:
- Ultra-slim design (2.25 inches thick)
- Three channels (left, center, and right) and two built-in subwoofers
- Acoustic Array Technology
- Pure aluminum dome tweeters
- Anodized aluminum XTDD drivers
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Remote control
Specifications
- Dimensions: 39.4 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Channels: 3.1 (left, center, right, and two subwoofers)
- Drivers: 3 pure aluminum dome tweeters, 10 anodized aluminum XTDD drivers
- Amplifier power: 120 watts
- Inputs: HDMI ARC, optical, analog, Bluetooth
- Outputs: HDMI
Pros
- Ultra-slim design
- Powerful sound
- Immersive soundstage
- Clear and detailed highs
- Powerful bass and mids
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Remote control
Cons
- Requires a separate amplifier
- Not as versatile as an active soundbar
- Can be a bit pricey
Martin Logan Motion SLM X3 Ultra-Slim 3-Channel Passive Soundbar
The MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 is a passive 3-channel soundbar that is very thin and has excellent sound for your home theater or radio. It has three Folded Motion tweeters and six 4-inch ultra-slim fiber cone woofers, which work together to make a wide, deep soundstage.
The Folded Motion tweeters use a pleated diaphragm to move air more efficiently than a standard dome tweeter. This gives the sound less distortion and makes it smoother and more realistic. The woofers are made of a lightweight, high-strength fiber that lets them move more air for a better bass sound.
The Motion SLM X3 also has a high-pass filter that helps keep the sounds from the soundbar and subwoofer separate. This ensures that the subwoofer only plays low sounds and that the soundbar handles the mids and highs.
The soundbar comes in black or white; you can put it on the wall or on a shelf. It has the hardware you need to place it and a remote control.
Key Features:
- Ultra-slim design (2 inches thick)
- 3-channel passive soundbar
- Three-Folded Motion Tweeters
- Six 4-inch ultra-slim fiber cone woofers
- High-pass filter
- Wall-mountable or shelf-mountable
- Remote control included
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 48″ W x 6.3″ H x 2″ D
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Speaker Configuration: 3-channel passive soundbar
- Drivers:
- Three 1″ x 1.4″ Folded Motion tweeters
- Six 4″ ultra-slim fiber cone woofers
- Frequency Response: 120–25,000 Hz ±3dB
- Sensitivity: 93 dB/2.83 volts/meter
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Crossover Frequency: 3,000 Hz (2-way design)
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 20—140 watts per channel
Pros
- Ultra-slim design
- Great sound quality
- Folded Motion tweeters
- Powerful bass
- Wall-mountable
- Remote control included
Cons
- Passive soundbar (requires a home theater receiver)
- Can be a bit pricey
KEF HTF8003 Soundbar Speaker
The KEF HTF8003 is a three-channel speaker with great sound from a single, slim box. It has three separate loudspeakers, each with a KEF Uni-Q driver and a bass driver. This means it can play the full range of sounds, from deep bass to soaring highs, with clarity and accuracy.
The KEF Uni-Q driver is a patented technology that puts the tweeter in the center of the middle cone from an acoustic point of view. This makes a single-point source that spreads the sound image evenly throughout the room so everyone can hear the full richness of music or movie soundtracks.
There are also different sound modes on the HTF8003 that you can use to change the sound to your liking. Movie, Music, Speech, and Night are some of these forms. In the Movie mode, the sound effects are amplified to make the experience more realistic. The Speech mode makes it easier to hear what people are saying, and the Night mode lowers the volume of loud sounds so you can watch TV without bothering other people.
The HTF8003 is easy to use and has a bracket for the wall and a stand for the table. It also comes with a remote control that lets you change the volume, the input, and the sound modes.
The KEF HTF8003 is a great choice if you want a soundbar that gives you great sound and is easy to use. It works well in small to medium-sized rooms and can be used with various home theater receivers.
Key Features:
- 3-channel soundbar
- Three discrete loudspeakers with KEF Uni-Q drivers
- ABR for extended bass output
- Variety of sound modes
- Easy to use
- Wall mount bracket and table stand included
- Remote control included
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 38.1″ W x 2.4″ H x 2.2″ D
- Weight: 10.6 lbs
- Speaker Configuration: 3-channel soundbar
- Drivers:
- Three 3″ Uni-Q drivers with 0.6″ aluminum tweeters
- Three 3″ ABRs
- Frequency Response: 70Hz – 22kHz ±3dB
- Sensitivity: 87dB/2.83 volts/meter
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Crossover Frequency: 2,200 Hz
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 30—120 watts per channel
- Input: HDMI ARC, Optical, Analog (3.5mm)
Pros
- Amazing sound quality
- Discrete loudspeakers with KEF Uni-Q drivers
- Variety of sound modes
- Easy to use
- Wall mount bracket and table stand included
- Remote control included
Cons
- Can be a bit pricey
- Requires a home theater receiver
Polk Audio Signature Series S35
The Polk Audio Signature Series S35 is a center speaker for your home theater system, giving you clear, detailed music. It has a 1″ Terylene dome tweeter and six 3″ Dynamic Balance® woofers, which work together to make a wide, deep soundstage.
The Terylene tweeter is a high-quality tweeter that makes high sounds that are clear and full. The Dynamic Balance® woofers are made of mica-reinforced polypropylene, which is light but strong. This lets them move more air, which gives them a better bass sound.
The S35 also has Polk’s proprietary Power Port technology, which adds bass power. Power Port is a bass reflex port meant to improve the airflow from the woofers, making the bass sound louder and fuller.
The S35 is made to be flexible, with horizontal or vertical placement choices. It works like a left, right, or center channel speaker. You can hang it on the wall or your TV stand.
Key Features:
- 1″ Terylene dome tweeter
- Six 3″ Dynamic Balance® woofers
- Power Port technology
- Horizontal or vertical placement
- Wall-mountable or shelf-mountable
- Available in black or walnut
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 24.4″ W x 4.13″ H x 6.12″ D
- Weight: 14 lbs
- Speaker Type: Center channel
- Enclosure Type: Sealed
- RMS Power: 75 watts
- Peak Power Handling: 150 watts
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Frequency Response: 53Hz–40kHz ±3dB
- Sensitivity: 88dB/2.83 volts/meter
- Drivers:
- 1″ Terylene dome tweeter
- Six 3″ Dynamic Balance® woofers
- Crossover Frequency: 2,200 Hz
- Port Type: Power Port
Pros
- Clear, detailed sound
- Powerful bass
- Versatile placement options
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not as powerful as some other center channel speakers
- Not as well-known as some other brands
Dayton Audio BS36 36” LCR Speaker Bar
The Dayton Audio BS36 36″ LCR Speaker Bar is a 3-channel speaker bar that combines left, center, and right channel speakers into a single, easy-to-mount cabinet. It has three 3-3/4″ paper cone woofers and three 5/8″ metal tweeters, which work together to make a soundstage that is wide and full.
The paper cone woofers are made to make deep, rich bass, while the metal tweeters are made to make clear, detailed highs. The BS36 also has a high-pass filter that helps keep the sounds from the soundbar and subwoofer separate. This ensures that the subwoofer only plays low sounds and that the soundbar handles the mids and highs.
The BS36 is easy to set up and comes with rubber speaker feet for placing on a tabletop. Using the hanging bracket that comes with it, it can also be put on the wall.
Key Features:
- 3-channel speaker bar
- Three 3-3/4″ paper cone woofers
- Three 5/8″ aluminum tweeters
- High-pass filter
- Wall-mountable or tabletop mountable
- Rubber speaker feet included
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 36″ W x 4-3/4″ H x 4-1/4″ D
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Speaker Configuration: 3-channel speaker bar
- Drivers:
- Three 3-3/4″ paper cone woofers
- Three 5/8″ aluminum tweeters
- Frequency Response: 100-20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 87 dB 1W/1m
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Power Handling: 50 watts RMS/80 watts max
- Crossover Frequency: 2,000 Hz
- Input: Optical, Analog (3.5mm)
Pros
- Compact and affordable
- Clear, detailed sound
- Easy to install
- Wall-mountable or tabletop mountable
Cons
- Not as powerful as some other soundbars
- Not as well-known as some other brands
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