And here’s the really good news: you can find DTS Virtual:X processing in soundbars that cost well south of $200.

In particular, DTS Virtual:X is impressively effective at tricking your ears into thinking they’re hearing sound from behind and even above your head, even when the original audio is only in stereo (which will be the case if your TV only has RCA-style analog audio outputs). Many of the latest soundbars have become remarkably adept at teasing surround and 3D audio out of 5.1- or even 2.0-channel audio sources. The Best Digital-to-Analog Converter 1 Audioengine D1 24-Bit DAC Desktop Digital To Analogue Converter When people talk about compact, this is it. Related: 10 things to consider when shopping for a soundbarīesides having the right connectors, you should also consider a soundbar with a virtual surround or 3D mode. What you’re looking for is a 3.5mm audio jack (generally labeled “AUX In”) that connects to the twin RCA connectors on your TV via a Y-shaped adapter cable (read on for help with picking the right cables). You’ll see fewer current soundbars with an analog audio inputs than with optical connectors, but they’re still reasonably easy to find, particularly when it comes to budget soundbars in the sub-$200 range.

You’ll find plenty of soundbars on the market with optical and 3.5mm analog audio inputs that will work with older TVs.

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