Soundbars are the way to go if you own a flat-panel TV and don’t like bulk. Designed to float below the display, they complement its thin profile, take up less real estate and can be easier to install than most other speaker options. It’s no wonder manufacturers of TVs are getting into the business of making and selling soundbars. Toshiba is one of the latest to get into the game with its SBX4250 Sound Bar Speaker System. Available for $329.99 and measuring 3.6 inches tall, and 2.2 inches deep, it can be mounted to the wall or sit on a mantel or entertainment console—well suited for 40-inch or larger flat-panel TVs. It comes with both HDMI and optical audio inputs, and pumps out 300 watts of audio.

In addition to helping to create a surround-sound effect through SRS TruSurround HD technology, the soundbar is designed to stream music from a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet or PC – without any additional wiring.

The SBX4250 comes in a matte-black finish with a semi-transparent metal grille. Inside are four midrange speakers and two tweeters; a wireless subwoofer and remote control are included.

Lisa Montgomery - Contributing Writer

Lisa Montgomery has been writing about home technology for 15 years, with a focus on the impact of electronics on a modern lifestyle.