Top 5 soundbars: The 5 Best 5.1 Soundbars – Summer 2023: Reviews

Опубликовано: July 21, 2023 в 9:03 pm

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Категории: Soundbars

The 5 Best 5.1 Soundbars – Summer 2023: Reviews

  1. Table of Contents
  2. Intro
  3. Best Soundbar

    1. Best Upper Mid-Range

      1. Best Mid-Range

        1. Best Lower Mid-Range

          1. Best Budget

            1. Notable Mentions
            2. Recent Updates
            3. All Reviews
            4. Discussions

            Updated May 29, 2023 at 01:11 pm

            By Becca Fischer

            If you want to enjoy your favorite movies, video games, or even music in surround sound but don’t have space for a full home theater setup with satellite speakers, a 5.1 soundbar setup may be what you’re looking for. You can generally expect a 5.1 soundbar system to come with a fairly wide 5-channel bar and a separate subwoofer, but some models integrate the sub directly into the bar. This kind of setup won’t sound as natural as a more traditional home theater speaker system. However, it provides a more immersive listening experience than a two- or three-channel soundbar. Some 5.1 soundbars even have up-firing speakers to give the impression of height with Dolby Atmos content, which some Blu-rays and streaming services support.

            We’ve tested over 170 soundbars; below, you’ll find the best 5.1 soundbars to buy. Check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best budget soundbars, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

            1. Best 5.1 Soundbar

              Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

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              Mixed Usage

              8.2

              Dialogue/TV Shows

              8.3

              Music

              8.6

              Movies

              8. 0

              Channels

              5.1.2

              See all our test results

              The best 5.1 soundbar we’ve tested is the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. It’s a premium Dolby Atmos soundbar that’s a great choice for watching surround sound content. While it’s not currently available as a package deal, you can still buy the bar, the sub, and the satellites from the manufacturer separately and pair them together for a truly immersive sound. Like most premium bars, it has a room correction feature to optimize audio reproduction based on your room’s unique acoustics, which Bose calls ADAPTiQ. With it on, its sound profile is very neutral, so you don’t have any trouble following the dialogue in your favorite movies or distinguishing instruments in your favorite songs. Thanks to its sub, the bass has plenty of rumble, providing a cinematic feel for action-packed scenes and intense movie scores.

              This bar supports lots of different audio formats. If you watch many movies on streaming platforms, you’ve likely come across 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, and the bar plays back both with ease. That said, it doesn’t support DTS content. This format is rare on its own, but it’s often the fallback for higher quality DTS-HD MA formatted Blu-rays. If you watch a lot of Blu-rays or already have a Sonos ecosystem in your home, the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is a good alternative. Its soundstage performance isn’t quite as good as the Bose, but it still does a good job overall. There are also some options on the market with more than five channels, including the 11.1.4 Samsung HW-Q990C and the 7.1.4 Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc that offer an even more immersive experience. However, they’re a bit more expensive overall. If you’re sticking with a 5.1 setup, the Bose is the best of the best.

              See our review

            2. Best Upper Mid-Range 5.

              1 Soundbar

              Vizio Elevate

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              Mixed Usage

              7.9

              Dialogue/TV Shows

              8.2

              Music

              7.8

              Movies

              7.8

              Channels

              5.1.4

              See all our test results

              The Vizio Elevate is the best 5.1 soundbar in the upper mid-range that we’ve tested. It’s a premium 5.1.4 bar with a unique design, as the sides of the bar rotate upwards when you watch Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, which helps create a wider, more immersive soundstage. You can also turn this feature on when you watch 5.1 content, like Dolby Digital or DTS. Thanks to its two discrete satellites, it offers a clear and real representation of surround sound, and the action seems like it’s happening all around you, with sound effects coming from distinct locations. Unfortunately, you have to wire these satellites to the bar to get them to work, which can clutter your living space.

              With its dedicated subwoofer, this soundbar has no trouble reproducing the deep thump and rumble in action-heavy scenes or powerful movie scores. There’s a little extra boom in the bass though voices are still clear and present in the mix thanks to its balanced mids. You have some customization tools, but not as many as the most premium setups, like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. Without room correction, for example, it sounds a bit different depending on the acoustics of your space. Still, it’s a versatile pick that’s more affordable than the top-of-the-line models.

              See our review

            3. Best Mid-Range 5.

              1 Soundbar

              Vizio M Series M512a-H6

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              Mixed Usage

              8.2

              Dialogue/TV Shows

              8.4

              Music

              8.0

              Movies

              8.1

              Channels

              5.1.2

              See all our test results

              The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is the best 5.1 soundbar we’ve tested in the mid-range. It’s a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar that comes with a subwoofer and satellites right out of the box, and it does a great job for its price. You enjoy a clear and real performance with Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos content, so movies on your favorite streaming platforms seem to be taking place in the space around you. Naturally, it doesn’t perform as well as our top picks—since it lacks rotating sides like the Vizio Elevate, its soundstage isn’t as wide, and there aren’t any up-firing drivers on its satellites either to improve its Atmos performance. Still, it does a good job, especially with movies.

              It’s a good pick for stereo content as well. Out-of-the-box, its balanced sound means that voices and lead instruments in music are clear and present in the mix, and you don’t have any trouble following the dialogue in TV shows. It has a dedicated subwoofer, so action-packed scenes in your favorite movies as well as bass-heavy music bring plenty of thump and rumble. There’s no room correction feature, which isn’t a surprise given its price, so it sounds a little different, depending on the room you’re in. Fortunately, you can always use its bass and treble adjustments to make up for this or to switch up its sound to your liking. Overall, it’s a versatile choice.

              See our review

            4. Best Lower Mid-Range 5.

              1 Soundbar

              Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

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              Mixed Usage

              8.1

              Dialogue/TV Shows

              8.5

              Music

              7.9

              Movies

              8.0

              Channels

              5.1

              See all our test results

              For a more affordable 5.1 soundbar, consider the Vizio M Series M51ax-J6. This setup is a great choice for everything from movies to music to TV shows, and it especially shines with surround sound. Position its two included satellites anywhere you want to ensure that sound effects are spread throughout your room. As a result, you enjoy a more immersive sound overall, as effects seem like they’re coming from accurate locations in the space around you. Dialogue is clear and present in the mix, and its dedicated subwoofer brings out all the thump and rumble in more intense movie scenes. You’ll have to wire the satellites to the sub to get them to work, though, which may not be ideal for your room.

              That said, this soundbar offers many of the same customization tools as the manufacturer’s more premium options, so you can customize the bar’s bass and treble to get the sound you want. Its main difference compared to the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is evident when you watch Dolby Atmos content. The bar’s satellites only have front-firing drivers, unlike the M512a-H6, which also has up-firing drivers on its satellites. As a result, there’s a little less height reproduced in the soundstage. Drones seem like they’re flying past you rather than right over your head, for example. If you don’t watch a lot of Atmos content or aren’t too worried about the cinematic feel, you may find that it’s a better deal overall—but for the best possible Atmos performance, you’ll want to spend a little more.

              See our review

            5. Best Budget 5.1 Soundbar

              Vizio V Series V51-H6

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              Mixed Usage

              7.6

              Dialogue/TV Shows

              8.3

              Music

              7.8

              Movies

              7.0

              Channels

              5.1

              See all our test results

              The best budget 5.1 soundbar we’ve tested is the Vizio V Series V51-H6. It’s one of the few 5.1 soundbars available at this price point and offers a great price-to-performance ratio overall. The included satellite speakers are a real draw compared to similarly-priced models since they greatly improve the surround sound experience. Plug them in to enjoy a more clear and real feel with sound effects so you feel like you’re in the middle of the action on screen. You have to wire them into the subwoofer to get them to work, which is inconvenient, depending on your setup, but not a huge deal, given the wallet-friendly price.

              Compared to the Vizio M Series M51ax-J6, this soundbar offers many of the same sound enhancement features. Its bass and treble are adjustable, so you have some control over how the bar sounds. The main difference between these two setups is Dolby Atmos support—while the M Series can playback height content, the V Series can’t. Atmos is getting common on both streaming platforms and Blu-rays, so if you want to take advantage of this immersive audio format, you’ll want to opt for the M Series. However, if you aren’t an Atmos fan, you may find that the V Series is the better value pick overall.

              See our review

            Notable Mentions

            • Klipsch Cinema 1200:
              The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is another premium 5. 1 setup that’s a good alternative to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module if you love a bass-heavy sound. Its sub brings plenty of punch out-of-the-box, so your seat shakes with action-focused scenes. It doesn’t give the same immersive feel as the Bose, so it’s not as great for movies.
              See our review
            • Samsung HW-Q800C:
              The Samsung HW-Q800C is a versatile Dolby Atmos soundbar with many customization tools, including a graphic EQ. It’s a good alternative to the Vizio Elevate if you don’t have room for satellites, but as a result, its surround sound performance isn’t quite as good.
              See our review
            • LG SP9YA:
              The LG SP9YA is a 5.1.2 soundbar that’s a good alternative to the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 if you don’t have space in your setup for rear satellites. The tradeoff is evident with surround sound; you don’t get the same clear or real feel as the Vizio.
              See our review
            • Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6:
              The Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6 is a more affordable alternative to the original Vizio Elevate. They both support Atmos content, but since the M Series lacks up-firing drivers on its satellites, it doesn’t do as well with Atmos content. It has fewer wireless playback options on hand, too.
              See our review

            Recent Updates

            1. May 29, 2023:
              Replaced the Samsung HW-Q800B with the next-generation Samsung HW-Q800C in Notable Mentions. Minor text updates.

            2. Mar 31, 2023:
              Product picks remain accurate and available. Minor text updates for clarity.

            3. Jan 31, 2023:
              The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is no longer widely available, so we’ve replaced it with the next-generation Vizio M Series M51ax-J6.

            4. Dec 02, 2022:
              Added the Vizio M Series M51a-H6 as ‘Best Lower Mid-Range’.

            5. Oct 04, 2022:
              Added the Samsung HW-Q800B and the Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6 to Notable Mentions. Minor updates to the text for clarity.

            All Reviews

            Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best 5.1 soundbars for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper soundbar wins over a pricier one if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no soundbars that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

            If you would like to choose for yourself, here’s the list of all our reviews of soundbars with 5.1 channels. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. No soundbar is perfect. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.

            Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus review: smaller ‘bar still packs a punch

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            The smaller Sennheiser soundbar still packs a punch
            Tested at £1299 / $1499 / AU$2400

            (Image: © Future)

            What Hi-Fi? Verdict

            It may be a more “normal” soundbar compared with the outrageous Ambeo Max, but the new Ambeo Plus impresses where it counts

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            Sennheiser’s original Ambeo soundbar (now renamed the Ambeo Soundbar Max) hit the scene a few short years ago and has, until now, remained the only child in Sennheiser’s soundbar family. It has remained in the spotlight since its launch in 2019, but it’s hard to ignore the elephant in the room (which is ironic as it is the elephant of the soundbar world): while its weighty and space-filling sound demands your attention, it’s also a weighty, space-filling behemoth of a unit.

            So let’s say you want that signature Sennheiser pedigree in a soundbar that doesn’t weigh almost 19kg. Enter, the Ambeo Plus, the Ambeo Max’s slightly less brash and bold cousin, which looks more like your traditional soundbar thanks to a slimmer profile and narrower build. But does this makeover sacrifice the Ambeo spirit? A little, but it’s still a very talented soundbar in its own right.

            Price

            (Image credit: Future)

            The Sennheiser Ambeo Plus starts at £1299 / $1500 / AU$2400, which is interesting for many reasons. First of all, we need to address the Ambeo Max, which originally retailed for £2199 / $2500 / AU$4000, making this new Ambeo seem like a relative bargain. However, since the Max has been knocking around for a few years, it has seen a considerable price decrease. We’ve seen it at £1799 / $2000 / AU$3195 across many retailers recently, making the value proposition of this new Ambeo in comparison to its beefier relation a little less clear cut. 

            • Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus at Sevenoaks for £1,099

            However, the bottom line is that the Ambeo Plus is still a fair whack cheaper than the Max. That, though, puts it in direct competition with Sony’s formidable HT-A7000 – a soundbar so good that it has just won Product of the Year for the second year in a row at the What Hi-Fi? Awards.

            The Ambeo Plus is a fully functional soundbar in its own right, but Sennheiser does offer a wireless subwoofer that can be purchased separately. The Sennheiser Ambeo Sub is a £599 / $700 / AU$1120 optional addition if you still have some money left over after the initial cost of entry.

            Build

            (Image credit: Future)

            Hardware is something that we can often depend on Sennheiser to impress us with, and the Ambeo is no exception. The soundbar is supremely solid and has a quality finish all round. With a smooth plastic construction that weighs just 6.3kg, the Ambeo Plus is a much more svelte and manoeuvrable soundbar compared to its more cumbersome sibling. 

            At 105cm long and just under 8cm in height, the Ambeo Plus is also much shorter and narrower than most other soundbars in its class, including the Sony HT-A7000 and Sonos Arc. The Ambeo is therefore notably compact for its class, making it a solid option if you’re working with a more confined set-up arrangement. 

            Features

            (Image credit: Future)

            Starting off with the port selection, you have eARC via an HDMI 2.1 socket, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, optical and RCA inputs, an ethernet connection and a USB socket for powering a streaming stick.

            The HDMI inputs are a sticking point here, as their 2.0 certification means they can’t support 4K/120Hz gaming (VRR isn’t supported either). The Sony HT-A7000 does feature 4K/120Hz support, so it’s a frustrating omission from Sennheiser – especially when you are already sacrificing one of your TV’s precious HDMI 2. 1 connectors for eARC. The Sennheiser at least trumps the Sonos Arc here, as that soundbar doesn’t include any HDMI passthrough connectors.

            The Sennheiser’s eARC connection is still worth celebrating as it allows for Dolby Atmos playback in the higher-quality True HD format, although all current streaming services use the lower-bitrate Dolby Digital+ format for delivering their Dolby Atmos soundtracks. It’s not just Dolby codecs getting the love here though, as DTS:X, MPEG-H and Sony 360 Reality Audio are also all supported.

            Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus tech specs

            (Image credit: Future)

            Inputs HDMI 2.0 x2, HDMI eARC x1, Optical, RCA line In

            Video Passthrough 4K HDR Dolby Vision

            Audio format support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, LPCM, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, Sony 360 Audio, MPEG-H

            Wi-fi? Yes

            Bluetooth 5.0

            Streaming Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect

            Dimensions (hwd) 7. 5 x 105 x 12cm

            Weight 6.3kg

            Wireless connectivity is also on board the Ambeo Plus, with Bluetooth 5.0 and wi-fi both playing integral parts for the Sennheiser Smart Control app. You’ll be using this app a lot both for initial set-up and in daily use of the soundbar, so we recommend taking the time to familiarise yourself with the various settings menus. Thankfully, the app is a breeze to use with plenty of helpful settings available to customise your Ambeo experience, and its snappy response and general convenience mean that we often reach for our phone before the dedicated remote that’s bundled with the soundbar. That’s not to discredit the remote, however, as it’s a sturdy and responsive controller with appreciated easy access to different sound presets.

            The Ambeo Plus also features a plethora of wireless streaming options when it comes to music services. Bluetooth is the obvious catch-all when it comes to wireless streaming to the device, but you’ll also find Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Google Chromecast all built in. You’d be hard-pressed to find a device or service that you can’t hook up to the Ambeo Plus, and we’re pleased to report that getting music to play wirelessly on the Ambeo is a seamless process. In fact, Sennheiser gets bonus points for the integrated music player that pops up in the Smart Control app, meaning you can control your music and all the soundbar functions in one convenient place.

            Within the Smart Control app, you’ll find a plethora of ways to adapt and customise the Ambeo’s sound, including dedicated presets for different content (although the handy adaptive mode works nicely if you don’t want to fiddle), as well as ways to view and switch audio codecs. Here you will also find the namesake Ambeo button, which is used to switch the Ambeo mode on and off. But what exactly is Ambeo? It’s Sennheiser’s custom processing that enhances spatial immersive audio. It works alongside the likes of Dolby Atmos to further the immersive audio effect. In practice, it certainly creates the illusion of wider soundscapes, but it’s not without its downsides – more on that later.

            On the topic of immersive audio, we’d be remiss not to mention the Ambeo’s clever room calibration system. Using its array of four built-in, far-field, high-precision microphones, the Ambeo features a much more straightforward form of room calibration than its Max counterpart and other soundbar rivals. You don’t need to plug in and position an external microphone awkwardly until you reach the sweet spot, or waltz around your room scanning your walls and ceiling with your smartphone. Instead, you just tap the calibration button in the app and the soundbar does the rest. It only takes around three minutes to calibrate the soundbar, and it sounds much better for it with improvements to spatial sound.

            At last, we come to the speaker configuration of the Ambeo Plus. Housed within the modest chassis are nine speakers, comprising seven full-range aluminium drivers and dual 10cm subwoofers. Two of the full-range drivers and both subwoofers face upwards to reflect sound for overhead immersive audio, and another two drivers point diagonally outwards on the corners of the soundbar to create a wider spread of sound.

            Sound

            (Image credit: Future)

            It might be physically compact, particularly compared to its sibling, but the Ambeo Plus still has a frankly astonishing ability to fill a room with sound despite its much smaller footprint. There is a distinct difference between the Ambeo setting being on and off, and it really depends on personal preference as to whether you’ll want to use it.

            The Ambeo setting allows for a much broader soundstage – however, it can sacrifice precision as a result. In the early moments of Blade Runner 2049, the sweeping soundtrack feels thunderous with the impressively weighty bass of the soundbar, and it avoids the bottoming out and distortion that this scene can often expose in other devices. Officer K’s descent into the dystopian concrete jungle of Los Angeles feels appropriately spacious, with the ambient sounds of the city including humming vehicle engines and holographic advertisements punching through with clarity as well as feeling appropriately placed according to their position on-screen.

            It’s when we get to the infamous “Interlinked” baseline interview that the Ambeo mode seems to struggle somewhat, with the spacious sound feature not suiting the smaller-scale conversational scene. Admittedly, the interviewer’s voice is intended to be coming from a speaker device as he is not in the room, but the Ambeo’s vocal processing means that the voice sounds directionless and somewhat echoey, to the extent that it’s actually harder to follow what is being said. Switching off the Ambeo setting solves this, but it also somewhat reduces the spaciousness and scale of the presentation. It’s a shame that Sennheiser hasn’t quite created a best-of-both-worlds setting that offers a perfect balance between spatial sound and dialogue, but perhaps this is something that could be improved in a future software update.

            Switching to Netflix’s The King playing in Dolby Atmos, the Ambeo is totally in its element providing grand and spacious soundstages to match the epic scenes on screen. In the rousing speech performed by Timothée Chalamet’s Hal before the Battle of Agincourt, the Ambeo Plus’ impressively wide sound ensures his voice carries and fills the space authentically – making it feel at times as if we are really there among the soldiers. There is still that hint of slightly ill-defined direction at times with the Ambeo mode, though, and when it’s turned off the voices sound much more natural. It’s a tradeoff that we find consistently happening through using the Ambeo Plus, and one that depends on whether we prefer scale or a clearer and more authentic sound for a particular scene. 

            When the action ramps up and arrows go flying overhead, the Ambeo’s Dolby Atmos handling is spectacular, with a truly impressive sense of height achieved via the upward-firing speakers. As chainmail-clad soldiers smash into one another and chaos ensues, the Ambeo puts you at the heart of the action with thunderous metal clunks and battle cries erupting from all around. 

            An Atmos demo included as part of the Sennheiser Smart Control App really highlights the capabilities of this soundbar, proving its worth when it comes to height, width and clarity. It’s a short test that flexes the Ambeo’s muscles, and we’d recommend taking a look when you first set the soundbar up as it’s both a great way to become acquainted with the ’bar and a flashy and impressive first taste of its Atmos potential.

            Finally, the Ambeo Plus is as talented musically as it is with films. Playing the theme from the latest Bond flick, No Time To Die, by Billie Eilish via Tidal Connect, the Sennheiser dazzles with sparkling vocals and grand orchestral sweeps. Both Eilish’s voice and the orchestral score sound detailed and natural, with a solid sense of dynamics throughout the track. 

            Verdict

            (Image credit: Future)

            It’s easy to see the Ambeo Plus as a scaled-back relative to the Ambeo Max – it’s smaller, tamer and is just a much more typical soundbar overall. However, it still feels like an Ambeo device, as Sennheiser hasn’t sacrificed the spacious and grand presentation as a compromise.

            There is undoubtedly tough competition from Sony and Sonos here, with the HT-A7000 just edging the Ambeo out, but it’s so close – to the point that the Ambeo Plus provides a welcome alternative to the Sony. The Sonos Arc is also a great choice and is a lot cheaper, but the Sennheiser dwarfs it in terms of connectivity and feels like a more fully-featured soundbar overall. 

            The name Ambeo Plus is the only truly confusing aspect of this device, as it suggests that this is the step-up from another Ambeo soundbar yet it’s only this and the Max in the lineup. So, could we see an even cheaper Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar on the horizon? It certainly seems possible.

            In the here and now, though, if you want a Dolby Atmos soundbar that creates a vast room-filling sound from a compact chassis, the Ambeo Plus has to go on your shortlist.

            SCORES

            • Sound 5
            • Features 5
            • Build 5

            MORE:

            Read our full Sonos Arc review 

            Also consider the Sony HT-A7000

            Read our Sonos Beam Gen 2 review

            Best soundbars: excellent TV speakers at budget to premium prices

            Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus: Price Comparison

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            What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world’s leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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            TOP 10 Best TV Soundbars in 2023

            The sound quality from your TV speakers often leaves a lot to be desired, but hooking up a multi-speaker surround sound system can be a hassle. The best alternative is the soundbar, which offers vastly improved sound quality in a relatively compact package that can be placed in front of your TV.

            Depending on your budget, your soundbar can do much more than play sound from your TV—some high-end options offer AirPlay and Chromecast compatibility, while others offer music service integration for wireless music playback. There are even some that offer compatibility with virtual assistants such as Google Assistant and Yandex Alice, allowing you to control the soundbar with your voice.

            With so many options available, which one is best for your needs? Here’s our pick of the best soundbars available in 2023, along with the top features to consider when choosing a soundbar.

            Best TV soundbars in 2023


            1. JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is the best soundbar overall

            JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is the best overall

            • Looks great
            • Impressive connectivity
            • Impressive sound
            • Expensive
            • Wide Assembly
            • No Dolby Atmos
            • The

            JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is our favorite TV soundbar right now. The soundbar looks glossy, and while it may lack standard connectivity like an aux input, it more than makes up for it with the inclusion of AirPlay 2 and Chromecast along with optical input, HDMI and Bluetooth.

            Using JBL’s own cinema-grade MultiBeam technology in the system, the Bar 5.1 Surround sounds incredible, with the ability to easily project sound around the room in impressive detail, creating an immersive viewing experience. It is backed by a 10″ wireless subwoofer that delivers thunderous bass, adjustable with the included remote control.

            Overall, the JBL Bar 5.1 offers both excellent value for money and flawless performance.


            2. Denon DHT-S416 – Best for booming bass

            Denon DHT-S416 – Best for booming bass

            • Incredible sound
            • Powerful bass
            • Premium design
            • No remote control
            • No display
            • Application with errors

            The Denon DHT-S516H Soundbar meets many of the demands of tech-savvy consumers: it sounds great, with crisp highs and booming bass that you can really feel in your chest, a wide, immersive sound environment and a variety of connectivity options from AirPlay to YouTube Music and other compatible services means you’ll likely use the system as your primary speaker for everything music-related, not just TV.

            Admittedly, this is high-end, but it’s worth noting that you get a similar offering without a subwoofer from the rival Sonos Arc. The only real downside is the lack of a remote control – the soundbar’s controls revolve around an app available for iPhone and Android, and it’s not the most convenient way to control the soundbar.


            3. Creative Stage 360 ​​Best Value Soundbar

            Creative Stage 360 ​​Best Value Soundbar

            • Support Dolby Atmos
            • Excellent sound quality
            • Subwoofer included
            • 2.1 system
            • Unused USB port
            • No 3.5 mm inlet

            If you’re looking for a soundbar with the best value for money that doesn’t compromise on sound quality, the Creative Stage 360 ​​is a good option. It’s affordable but can still include premium features like Dolby Atmos, and the mix of HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth connectivity makes it a versatile option, though a standard 3.5mm port would be appreciated.

            Unlike other entry-level soundbars, the Creative Stage 360 ​​comes with a free subwoofer to enhance your home theater experience. It’s wired, not wireless, but that shouldn’t be a big deal for most consumers.

            Of course, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of more premium soundbars, including a full 5.1 speaker system that offers easier 2.1 setup and AirPlay/Chromecast support, but it fits a lot of the bill at a lower price than us. seen before.


            4. Sonos Beam – best compact soundbar

            Sonos Beam – best compact soundbar

            • Sonos sound quality
            • AirPlay and digital assistant
            • Compact design
            • No subwoofer
            • Connectable via HDMI only
            • No remote control

            If you’re looking for a Sonos soundbar, the Beam is the best choice for most consumers, offering a combination of great sound quality and an attractive price.

            The Beam’s main advantage over the Playbase and other Sonos soundbars is its size: it’s much more compact than any other soundbar in our chart, making it ideal for small spaces. But, despite its small size, there are no victims in the audio system.

            Offers excellent sound quality, although it should be noted that the Beam, like most other Sonos speakers, does not come with a subwoofer.


            5. Sonos Arc – the most versatile soundbar

            Sonos Arc – the most versatile

            • Spacious sound
            • Dolby Atmos
            • Smart functionality
            • Expensive
            • No HDMI pass-through
            • No subwoofer

            It took a while, but Sonos replaced their original soundbar with the fantastic Arc.

            In addition to all the usual features you get from Sonos soundbars like multi-room, Arc is all about spatial sound thanks to omnidirectional drivers and Dolby Atmos support.

            This is one of the best TV soundbars we’ve ever tested, and it looks quite nice.

            It also benefits from eARC HDMI, although the issue here – aside from the high cost of the Arc – is making sure your best TV is compatible to get the most out of the soundbar. There’s also no HDMI pass-through, making things harder for those with limited ports.


            6. Samsung HW-Q930B is the best soundbar with Dolby Atmos

            Samsung HW-Q930B – Samsung’s Best Soundbar

            • Most Immersive Dolby Atmos Sound
            • Powerful yet nuanced and balanced sound
            • Extended number of channels
            • Not very good with music
            • High-pitched treble can sometimes sound harsh.
            • Dear

            The Samsung HW-Q930B is a big change in the company’s approach to Dolby Atmos soundbars. Despite being about half the price of Samsung’s 2022 flagship soundbar (HW-Q990B), HW-Q930B consists of four components: main soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers. In fact, it delivers an attractive 9.1.4 channel count, just two channels less than the class-leading 11.1.4 Q990B configuration, making it the best Dolby Atmos soundbar for the price.

            The HW-Q930B matches most of the soundbar’s features, including HDMI pass-through with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, and playback of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats that represent the best of movies and music.


            7. Sony HT-G700

            Sony HT-G700

            • Impressively wide and high sound
            • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
            • 4K HDR via HDMI
            • Cannot control true altitude
            • Not as dynamic as more expensive
            • variants

            The Sony HT-G700 is an excellent choice for performance, price and sound. It is a combination of a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer, and the soundbar is sized to fit 48″ TVs and up.

            Along with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the HT-G700 is equipped with an HDMI eARC port, as well as a second HDMI pass-through port and an optical digital input. There are no audio streaming features other than Bluetooth.


            8. Samsung HW-Q990B

            Samsung HW-Q990B

            • Striking Dolby Atmos Positioning
            • Excellent communication
            • Non-4K 120Hz HDMI Through
            • Music is not as strong as movies

            9The 0002 Samsung HW-Q990B continues the company’s tradition of giving its flagship soundbar four physical units, but this year the total number of channels remains at 16. Never mind. Adding new control, balance and precision to the sheer power and channel count of its predecessors, the Q990B creates the most complete and immersive surround sound we’ve ever heard from a Dolby Atmos soundbar.

            The Samsung Q990B has finally added a proper built-in automatic calibration system – Space Fit – to its flagship soundbar. There is an HDMI pass-through system with two HDMI inputs in addition to an HDMI eARC connection to a TV, and it supports 4K HDR video, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. It is also the first Samsung soundbar to support Dolby Atmos wireless streaming when used with compatible Samsung TVs.


            9. Sony HT-A7000

            Sony HT-A7000

            • Reliable Low Level
            • Excellent Performance Atmos
            • Multifunctional
            • No VRR or ALLM
            • Equalizer control would be nice
            • Slightly confusing style

            Sony is in great shape, making some of the best TV soundbars. The award-winning HT-A7000 is no different. This Dolby Atmos soundbar is a 7.1.2 soundbar. It consists of two upward firing drivers, two firing tweeters, five front facing speakers and a built-in dual subwoofer in one cabinet. Through a combination of speaker layout and psychoacoustic techniques, the Sony HT-A700 delivers a wide and high soundstage whether you’re watching immersive content or not, while maintaining musicality, presence and detail.

            In terms of height and fidelity, the performance is similar to that of the Sonos Arc, but the width of the soundstage and its forward projection are more convincing. It’s not the same as direct sound from a top or side speaker, but it’s effective and incredibly engaging, enriching the viewing experience. The built-in subwoofer is also particularly impressive with its tight, controlled and powerful performance.


            10. Sonos Beam Gen2

            Sonos Beam Gen2

            • Effective Dolby Atmos
            • Warm, sophisticated sound
            • Streaming Minds
            • No additional HDMI ports
            • No Bluetooth
            • Does not support DTS:X

            Delivering Dolby Atmos from a small chassis is no small feat. The award-winning Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers compelling, immersive performance even without a vertical speaker. Instead, when watching Atmos content, two of the soundbar’s five front-facing arrays are dedicated to reproducing overhead and surround sounds. Packed with massive processing power, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 uses HRTF (Head Related Transfer Function) psychoacoustic technology to give the impression of height without having to stand upright.

            While authentic overhead sounds may be too much for this diminutive performer, its Atmos-format virtual transmission outperforms any similarly priced soundbar, and even slightly more expensive ones. Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping spatial soundscape with rich, detailed sound as well as palpable movement and depth.


            Read next: Best smartphones with stereo speakers in 2023

            Tips for choosing a soundbar

            What connection ports do I need for my soundbar?

            The most important factor to consider when buying a soundbar is how you connect it to your TV. The most common way to connect a soundbar is with an optical cable, and most modern TVs support it, but it’s probably worth checking to see if your TV has one before buying a soundbar. You’ll also find soundbars with HDMI connectivity to any ARC-enabled TV – again, it’s worth making sure your TV supports Audio Return Channel before spending the money.

            Most soundbars have more than just optical and HDMI—many have aux and stereo jack ports—and while they offer lower quality analog channels, the advantage is that either will work with just about any TV (and other devices that support 3.5mm).

            It’s all about wireless now, so if you want to play music from your best smartphone or best tablet, we recommend investing in a soundbar with Bluetooth connectivity. Admittedly, this is a pretty standard feature, and all the soundbars featured here offer Bluetooth support, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

            Some soundbars go even further by offering wireless connectivity via AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, but these soundbars tend to be at the higher end of the market.

            Does amplifier power matter?

            Some manufacturers try to impress consumers with huge amplifier power ratings, but don’t pay too much attention to this. Even if the power figures are accurate, power is not a true representation of loudness, as speaker sensitivity also plays a role when it comes to overall loudness.

            Do you need a subwoofer?

            Although there are exceptions to this rule, most standalone soundbars simply cannot reproduce full range sound, so many send bass tones to a separate subwoofer. A dedicated subwoofer delivers far deeper, richer bass than any standalone soundbar, making explosions, gunfire and soundtracks from Hollywood blockbusters and the latest AAA games sound incredible.

            There are two types of subwoofer – active and passive – the latter does not have a built-in amplifier and therefore the need for mains power. This was made possible by using a wire to connect the subwoofer to the soundbar and using an amplifier inside the soundbar, but if you’re looking for a wireless subwoofer, you’ll need a second plug nearby to power the subwoofer separately.

            Can the soundbar be mounted on a wall?

            This is getting more and more popular, but the ability to wall mount the soundbar is not a universally supported feature. This is possible, depending on the design of the soundbar, and any wall-mounted soundbar will come with all the brackets and parts you’ll need to mount it – except for a drill, of course!

            5 best soundbars with wireless rears

            03.10.2022

            Author: Konstantin Perov

            In the realities of modern technology, various immersive audio formats are becoming increasingly common, with the help of which surround sound is created. However, to realize this effect, an increasing number of columns is required. The key problem here is that in parallel there is a decrease in the overall thickness of TVs, which makes it extremely problematic to place sufficiently large and high-quality speakers in them. Special soundbars became the solution to the problem. They provide high quality sound and at the same time are extremely compact devices that do not take up much space in the apartment. At the same time, an increasing number of models with wireless rear channels have recently become. As part of this material, we will consider the top five soundbars with wireless rears that can be used to create a home theater.

            JBL Bar 9.1

            The model was presented at the exhibition in 2021 and immediately at the time of the announcement was able to impress with its incredible technical characteristics. In particular, this is the first device that has 10 channels in such a compact size. The presence of such a large number of channels is due to the need to support the Dolby Atmos format. The power of the device is an impressive 800 watts. Wireless mode of operation allows you to optimally organize the work of the entire speaker system.

            JBL Bar 9.1 is capable of running on a charge for 10 hours, which is enough even for the most avid movie lovers. Charging takes place directly in the central unit. This soundbar model supports 4K format and has support for Dolby Vision. Thus, you can be sure that you will get not only high-quality sound, but also a great picture that will make your movie experience unforgettable. It is noted that JBL Bar 9.1 has a huge number of options that allow you to use it not only for watching movies. In particular, there is support for Apple Airplay 2, Google Chromecast and, of course, Bluetooth. Thanks to this, you can listen to music in the best quality.

            The design of the device deserves special attention. Thanks to him, the model was even able to win the prestigious Red Dot award. Among the advantages can be noted the elegance and simplicity of the case. The device looks stylish, but not overloaded with signs of technogenicity, which allows you to easily place the soundbar in any apartment. The weight of all the components of the device is an impressive 16 kg, but this is not surprising, since the JBL Bar 9.1 is a complete compact theater system, thanks to which you can immerse yourself in the world of cinema even more with incredible sound.

            It is worth emphasizing that the device is very easy to install at home, it does not require any specific knowledge and skills.

            Klipsch Cinema 1200

            Klipsch was founded in 1946, and its first global product, a TV with built-in speakers, was released in 1957. Despite the use of advanced solutions, the device was too far ahead of its time, therefore it did not receive wide popularity among people. To date, the company has gone incredibly far with its Klipsch Cinema 1200 product, which consists of a panel, subwoofer and wireless rear channels. Communication is maintained at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Along with this, a special HDMI cable for connection is also included. The model is characterized by an extremely compact size, so it can be easily placed under a TV hanging on the wall. Of course, the device can be placed next to the TV, standing on the rack. The height of the soundbar is only 75mm.

            Inside, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 has 3 pairs of 3-inch composite fiber drivers using oval cones. Nearby are three inch tweeters. By using this design, you can significantly reduce the level of acoustic resonances, which, as you know, lead to impedance drops that disrupt the operation of the driver and filter.

            Along with this, the device also has high-altitude channels, which are placed in the rear speakers. If we consider the subwoofer, it is worth noting that it can be connected both with a cable and “over the air”, which significantly increases ease of use. There is also a standard optical input. To control the system, a special remote control with backlight is provided in the kit. The Klipsch Cinema 1200 supports a wide range of modern connection standards and has a total amplifier output of 1200 watts. This device is guaranteed to please its owners with high-quality sound.

            Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

            Polk is rightfully considered one of the most experienced manufacturers in the audio industry, since the company began its activity 50 years ago. The Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR combines all the latest technologies to deliver impressive results. So, the 5.1 configuration for this device is basic, unlike a large number of similar systems, where it is provided only as an option. The essence of this configuration is an extended set, which includes not only a subwoofer and a front panel, but also all the necessary wireless rear channels. There are three HDMI switching inputs, the base supports 4K format. You can use the built-in Google Chromecast to listen to all your favorite music. It will be possible to connect other speakers to the ecosystem, as well as use the voice control function. Of course, the device has all the acoustic equipment typical for flagships. All this is necessary in order to provide incredible sound quality to meet the needs.

            As such, the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR has all the features and functionality you need to become a multimedia center in your apartment, and not just act as a nice addition to your TV.

            Samsung HW-Q950A

            The flagship model from the leading company in the production of equipment from South Korea. The main feature of this device can be called the largest number of emitters – there are already 22 of them! The total power of all built-in amplifiers exceeds 600W. At the heart of the Samsung HW-Q950A is a 11.1.4 multi-channel system that supports Dolby Atmos. The most important advantage of the model is the ability to synchronize with the TV speakers, which creates even more surround sound. Of course, this has a positive effect on the overall sound quality and impressions of using the system.

            The proprietary customization system used deserves special attention. For example, you can quickly connect your phone to the system by simply bringing it to the soundbar, after which automatic synchronization will occur. Of course, there is compatibility with Apple devices thanks to support for the Airplay 2 format. You can also control the system using the remote control that is included in the package. In general, the presence of applications allows you to control the entire system from any mobile device, which greatly increases the convenience, and the use of all modern technologies and software solutions ensures that you will enjoy the sound every time you turn on the system.

            Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 and MusicCast 20

            Yamaha is without any doubt a legend in the world of various audio equipment manufacturers. The company released the first sound projector in 2004, and it was this device that marked the beginning of the era of soundbars. Significant progress was achieved a year later, when the company developed a special technology with which you can combine many devices into a single network for management. This can be considered the beginning of the use of multi-room technology. In 2015, the company managed to significantly improve this technology. Since then, this standard has been supported by receivers, wireless speakers, amplifiers, soundbars and many other similar components. The most important advantage is the possibility of using both wired and wireless connections. Moreover, all devices can be zoned to organize a sound system.

            The power of the system is 100 W, which, with a total panel weight of 3 kg and compact dimensions, can be considered an incredible result. It is important to emphasize that Yamaha paid great attention not only to the hardware, but also to the development of modern software algorithms, which brings the sound to a completely different level of quality. The panel has HDMI inputs and outputs, as well as support for 4K, Dolby Vision, and a 4:4:4 color scheme. All modern streaming services Spotify, deezer, qobuz are also supported.

            To control the system, you can use not only a proprietary application, but also a voice assistant from Google. This greatly improves the usability. Of course, the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 and MusicCast 20 have standard analog and optical inputs.

            However, the main advantage of MusicCast technology in the system is that it can be easily expanded by devices that support this format.