Forget Watching NFL Playoffs on a Tinny TV – This Budget Fire TV Soundbar Brings Dialogue and Bass to Life (and It's on Sale)

Bad TV audio is instantly noticeable, especially when you're watching thrilling NFL games live and want to catch all the action. Dealing with muffled dialogue, flat sound, and no sense of surrounding atmosphere can really remove the immersive experience of sporting events, blockbuster movies, and shows at home.

But the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, now just $189.99 at Amazon, has genuinely changed how my TV sounds – and how much I enjoy watching it – especially during atmospheric live sports. I wasn't expecting such a sharp improvement in audio quality across the board at this price, but it's a genuine upgrade and transformed my at-home enjoyment of events and films.

It's one of the best soundbars if you're on a budget, especially now that it's discounted by $60 for a limited time.

Elevated audio on a budget

Fire TV Soundbar Plus | was $249.99, now $189.99 at Amazon (save $60)

For less than $200, most soundbars don't sound this good. But the Fire TV Soundbar Plus delivers clearer dialogue and deeper bass, along with directional sound that stops audio from feeling flat, especially in live sporting events with crowd noise, such as the NFL playoffs.

Read more in my full Fire TV Soundbar Plus review.

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How the Fire TV Soundbar Plus Will Get Rid of Tinny TV Audio

For $189.99, I expected the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, which I reviewed, to be a mild improvement that would boost volume but not much else. I was wrong.

Instead, it’s transformed how my TV sounds, turning thin, flat audio into an experience that fills the room. This helps bring that delicious atmosphere so often found at live sports events right into my room. Dialogue is also sharper, bass has real presence, and scenes feel more dimensional, rather than stuck inside the screen.

After testing premium models like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar – that cost four times as much – budget options usually feel like a huge downgrade.

And while this Amazon-branded soundbar may not match those flagships for sonic precision, it delivers sound far beyond what its low, discounted price suggests.

A big reason is how it handles bass. Unlike affordable soundbars that rely on digitally recreating low-end frequencies, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has two built-in subwoofers.

That hardware is rare and makes such a difference, especially during live or action-packed TV. Low-end sounds feel weightier and more controlled, adding drama to action scenes and atmosphere to documentaries.

Watching Our Planet II, the crash of waves carried a physical depth my TV speakers couldn't come close to, while Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 had the kind of low rumble that builds tension rather than overwhelming the room.

And if you're ever rewinding your TV because of muffled dialogue, you'll be glad to hear that the Fire TV Soundbar Plus makes every voice sound clearer.

Cheap soundbars often amplify everything at once, as I found somewhat in the Sonos Ray, which can leave voices drowning under music and effects. Here, speech comes through confidently, even during busy scenes, which is a welcome change if you’re tired of relying on subtitles. Just make sure you avoid this common soundbar placement mistake.

The Fire TV Soundbar Plus also supports Dolby Atmos, which helps create a sense of space that goes beyond standard stereo sound. It’s not the most expansive surround experience I’ve heard, but it adds height and directionality.

During The Trial of the Chicago 7, overlapping courtroom arguments felt more separated, with voices coming from distinct positions rather than straight from the screen.

If you want stronger surround effects and deeper bass, the Yamaha True X Bar 40A for $299.99 at Amazon offers a step up.

But with the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, setup is a breeze. There’s no app, no fiddly connections. Just plug in the HDMI and power cables, and it's ready. Controls are handled directly on the remote.

For under $200, this budget soundbar does more than fix tinny TV audio; it makes watching movies or shows at home, and enjoying live sports from afar, feel more engaging, without a premium investment.

The Fire TV Soundbar Plus is discounted to $189.99 at Amazon.

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While you're looking at upgrading your home entertainment setup, spending a little more can bring clearer, deeper, and more engaging sound.

All prices correct at time of publication.

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