Best atmos soundbars 2023: Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2023: budget to premium home cinema sound

The best soundbar deals 2023: Sonos, Sony, JBL, Bose and more

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There’s no escaping it, TV speakers are pretty rubbish. Even the sets that promise the most room-filling, clearest audio via their built-in drivers are often massive letdowns compared to dedicated speakers.

Thankfully, soundbars are here to pick up the slack, and while some of the more basic options can be found at reasonable prices, the ones worth spending your money on with features like Dolby Atmos and 4K HDMI passthrough are usually a bit more expensive. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled some of the best soundbar deals around, meaning you can save some of your hard-earned cash and enjoy better TV audio.

As flat-panel technology improves and TVs get thinner, real estate for drivers is ever decreasing, and your TV’s in-built speakers have an almost impossible task of delivering sound that matches up with the dizzying visuals onscreen. But there is a cost-effective way to hear dialogue more clearly and up the ante with film soundtracks. Just grab yourself a great-value TV soundbar from some excellent brands currently discounted.

A soundbar is a simple solution to boost your TV’s sonic performance without cluttering your lounge with multiple speakers and a chunky AV amplifier. You just pop it in front of the TV, hook it up (either physically or wirelessly) and voila, you’re all set!

There are currently some extra-tasty deals to be snapped up on wallet-friendly TV soundbars, as well as some excellent savings on more premium options if you’re partnering with a bigger flagship TV. 

Not sure which model is right for you? We have buying guides with all the info on the best soundbars and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars that we’ve tested across a range of prices. And at the more affordable end of the market, our best budget soundbars page has you covered.

SOUNDBAR DEALS QUICK LINKS

• Richer Sounds: hot deals on soundbars, home cinema and hi-fi
• John Lewis save hundreds on the top soundbars
• Sevenoaks: clearance soundbars – get a huge discount on an ex-display model
• Currys: Soundbars under £200
• Argos: deals on soundbars

Best soundbar deals under £100

Hisense HS214 all-in-one soundbar was £129 now £99 at Amazon (save £30)
Hisense’s 65cm ‘bar with multiple connections (line-in, USB, Bluetooth, optical, HDMI out ARC), three Audio Modes (movie, music and news) and a bundled universal remote is a great way to upgrade your TV sound while spending very little.
Read the full Hisense HS214 review.

Best soundbar deals £100 to £250

Yamaha SR-C20A was £239 now £169 at Amazon (save £70)
Yamaha’s C20 soundbar offers upgraded TV audio on a compact scale – what’s not to like?
Read our full Yamaha SR-C20A review.

Denon DHT-S216 now £199 £149 at Amazon (save £50)
Denon is renowned for its stellar AVRs, but the company also makes some decent inexpensive soundbars. At this price, this Denon might not have top-tier features, but it’s a great starter soundbar for the price. It features Dolby Digital and DTS encoding, Bluetooth connection and HDMI Arc support.

Samsung S50B now £280 was £160 at Amazon (save £120)
A Dolby Atmos soundbar at this price is practically unheard of, and while we haven’t tested this Samsung option, we also can’t overlook this deal. With eARC, wireless streaming and support for Atmos and Virtual DTS:X, this 3.0 channel bar might be a Prime Day hidden gem.

Denon DHT-S316 was £279 now £199 at Amazon (save £80)
Like the look of the other Denon but fancy a soundbar with a bit more oomph? The DHT-S316 includes a dedicated wireless sub for enhanced bass without the clutter of cords. It also includes Dolby Digital and DTS encoding, alongside Denon’s speech enhancing mode.

Bose TV Speaker now £270 was £199 at Amazon (save £71)
This soundbar thrives on simplicity: there’s a one-connection set-up to your TV via an optical audio cable or an HDMI. You can use your current TV remote to control the volume of the speaker and it detects the signal from your TV when turned on and automatically turns on, too. There’s Bluetooth for streaming and setting for vocal clarity and extra bass too.
Read our full Bose TV Speaker review

Bose Solo 5 Soundbar £240 £150 at John Lewis (save £90)
Bose’s Solo 5 soundbar is a simple and effective way to improve your TV’s audio. It’s not got all the bells and whistles of more expensive soundbars, however, at £150 it’s a solid deal. Read our full Bose Solo 5 review.

Bose Solo Soundbar Series II was £180 now £169 at Amazon (save £11)
The second generation Solo Soundbar from Bose delivers the same prospect as the first: a simple upgrade to your TV’s sound. Connect it via an optical, AUX or coaxial cable and you’re set, or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth if you’d prefer. We haven’t tested this one, but considering the simple proposition, we’re fairly inclined to believe Bose that it will indeed provide more direct sound compared to your TV’s speakers.

Sony HT-S350 soundbar was £299 now £259 at Amazon (save £40)
Be quick and you can nab Sony’s 2.1-channel, 320W soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo cut-price at Amazon. 

Panasonic SC-HTB490 was £249 now £189 at Amazon (save £60)
This svelte soundbar, designed to be wall-mounted, has two full-range, forward-facing 4. 5 x 12cm drive units, two bass reflex ports adjacent to the drivers to help enhance lower frequencies within the narrow chassis, and a total power output of 160W. Its connectivity options are on the more basic side: you get HDMI (ARC), optical input, Bluetooth and a USB socket -so no wi-fi connectivity or streaming service support – but for those looking for a tidy, discrete soundbar this slender option might just fit the bill. 

Best soundbar deals £250 to £500

Bowers and Wilkins Panorama 3 was £899 now £499 at Peter Tyson (save £400)
Bowers & Wilkins’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar is a sleek, stand-alone system that delivers 3.1.2 channels of audio from a single unit. There’s Amazon Alexa onboard for hands-free voice commands and streaming is well catered for with AirPlay 2, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and Spotify Connect, while high-resolution listening is supported via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.
Read our full B&W Panorama 3 review.

Sony HT-S40R was £350 now £279 at Amazon (save £71)
Not one we’ve tested but wireless 5.1 systems at this price don’t come along every day. The catch is that it isn’t completely wireless, requiring an included compact wireless amplifier to power the rear speakers. But if you have the space to house it this looks to be a decent compact system with Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, a USB port, plus optical and analogue inputs. 

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 was £599 now £399 at Richer Sounds (save £200)
This is a good deal on what looks like a very good soundbar. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HEOS built-in and AirPlay 2 support combine to make it one of the more feature-rich of its kind we’ve seen. 

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) was £499 now £449 at Peter Tyson (save £50)
Sonos’s impressive mid-level soundbar is a top notch performer, especially at this price. Being a Sonos product, WIFI is on board as is HDMI eARC and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. REad our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review.

Best soundbar deals £500 to £1000

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 was £899 now £799 at Amazon (save £100)
This slick soundbar has all the specs you’d expect from Bose with wifi connectivity, Airplay, Bluetooth, Chromecast and multi-room streaming. Sonically it produces an impressively wide sound field and an articulate and crisp Dolby Atmos performance.
Read our full Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review.

Sonos Arc soundbar was £899 now £799 at Peter Tyson (save £130)
This soundbar delivers five-star Dolby Atmos performance and WiFi connectivity for easy music streaming and integration with other Sonos products. Read our full Sonos Arc review.

Best soundbar deals over £1000

Sony HT-A7000 was £1299 now £1099 at AO.com (save £200)
This five-star, Award-winning soundbar delivers amazing Atmos and a bountiful feature set that culminates in a truly impressive soundbar. Equally as impressive are these savings, meaning you can get one for £200 off the usual asking price right now.
Read our full Sony HT-A7000 review.

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus was £1299 now £1149 at Sevenoaks (save £150)
Sennheiser’s Ambeo Plus impresses with a wide, spacious soundfield, excellent musical ability and a fine spread of useful features and connectivity options. HDMI inputs are included as are a number of different steaming options, from Bluetooth to Spotify Connect. The Ambeo Plus sits among the best Dolby Atmos soundbars at this level. To get this price, use code GDSAVE100 at checkout. Read our full Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus review.

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Lewis Empson is a Staff Writer on What Hi-Fi?. He was previously Gaming and Digital editor for Cardiff University’s ‘Quench Magazine’, Lewis graduated in 2021 and has since worked on a selection of lifestyle magazines and regional newspapers. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming, gigs and regular cinema trips.

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ Dolby Atmos soundbar review

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The Sonos Arc has a new challenger
Tested at £799 / $899 / AU$1699

(Image: © Bluesound)

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

While not as musical as anticipated, the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ deftly handles virtual Dolby Atmos with precision and directness

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Pros

• +

  Satisfying Dolby Atmos delivery

• +

  Direct and solid presentation

• +

  Detailed, open sound

Cons

• –

  Music lacks drive and drama

• –

  No ‘native’ sound mode

• –

  No auto-detect of HDMI input

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi?
Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

As the computing inside our AV technology advances to the extent that software updates are frequently more impactful than hardware ones, the launch of a new product, rather than being the conclusion of its development, is often just the beginning of a long road of firmware updates until either processor capacity, or the engineers, are exhausted.

Bluesound’s Pulse Soundbar+ is the company’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar and is a prime example of this phenomenon, having launched back in March 2021 but only gaining its fundamental upgrade to handle virtual Dolby Atmos decoding eight months later. 

Build

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Although outwardly the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ bears more than a passing resemblance to its predecessors, internally there has been a significant change, and one that we presume will be a source of yet more improvements. The soundbar now sports a custom-specified ARM Cortex A53 quad-core chipset that the company says processes audio up to eight times faster than previous generations and, most importantly, can handle Dolby Atmos.

• Bluesound Pulse Soundbar (Black) at Amazon for £899

In terms of build, though, you’d be hard pushed to spot the difference between the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ and its forebear, the Soundbar 2i. There is now a new centre strip on the front face with touch controls for volume and power, though, and either side of this sits a pair of 25mm tweeters, 5cm midrange drivers and 10cm woofers, with a matching passive radiator behind a tight aluminium grille. All the drivers are front-facing and, being larger in diameter than those in most competing models, give the Pulse Soundbar+ its distinctive slim, tapered-but-tall build.

It’s a design consistent with previous models that, unfortunately, will be an instant turn-off for some potential buyers. There’s no getting around it: at 14cm high, Bluesound’s soundbars are taller than your average soundbar and, when placed on the same surface as a TV, will almost certainly block part of the screen. Bluesound is well aware of this and really intends for the Soundbar+ to be wall-mounted – there’s a bracket included in the box for this purpose and, to keep the installation tidy, the soundbar can be orientated with the cable cove at either the bottom or the top, with an internal accelerometer automatically sensing which way up the ‘bar is.

Features

(Image credit: Bluesound)

This recess at the rear includes inputs for HDMI eARC, optical, 3.5mm analogue and USB A, as well as an ethernet port and RCA output for an external sub. The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ can also connect wirelessly, via a dedicated wi-fi module, to a pair of Pulse Flex 2i speakers for surround sound and/or a Pulse Sub+ for extra bass.

There’s streaming onboard courtesy of Apple AirPlay, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth and the BluOS wireless system that integrates with services including Tidal and Spotify. The Soundbar+ supports hi-res audio file formats, and Bluesound is keen to stress its musical chops, insisting that it’s equally capable with both film and music.

Priced at £799 / $899 / AU$1699 in black, the Pulse Soundbar+ just undercuts its main rival, the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Sonos Arc (£899 / $899 / AU$1499) – unless, that is, you want it in white, in which case the Bluesound will then set you back £899 / $999 / AU$1799. While the Soundbar+ and Arc are both wi-fi-enabled soundbars that can be grouped with their respective brand’s smart speakers as part of an integrated multi-room set-up, the Sonos has dedicated upward-firing speakers while the Bluesound does not.

As mentioned, the Pulse Soundbar+ can be expanded by the addition of two Pulse Flex 2i speakers (£299 / $299 / AU$ 699) and a Pulse Sub+ (£749 / $749 / AU$ 1399), also available in black or white, while Sonos’ optional extras include its One SL speakers (£358 / $358 / AU$538 per pair) and a Sub (£749 / $749 / AU$1499).

Going all-in on either of these surround packages is a relatively pricey undertaking, and both Samsung and LG’s flagship packages include separate surrounds and subwoofers for less. However, like other premium manufacturers, Bluesound’s soundbar is designed to perform well in a standalone set-up, which is how we tested it – once we’d got creative with our TV cabinet. If wall mounting isn’t an option, but your TV sits too low to clear the Pulse Soundbar+, Bluesound sells a universal TV stand, the TS100 (£279 / $299 / AU$549), that will support both your screen and your speaker, no drilling required.

Surprisingly, given the Bluesound’s well-developed app and smart features, there’s no in-built room calibration. Still, there are several options for manually tailoring the sound, including bass and treble controls for the main soundbar and specific crossover and volume controls for a paired subwoofer.

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ tech spec

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Input HDMI eARC, optical, analogue 3.5mm

Supported Audio Formats FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, Dolby Atmos; Dolby Digital

Finishes x2 (black, white)

Streaming AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, BluOS

Bluetooth Two way with support for aptX HD

Voice control Amazon Alexa Skills; Actions on Google

Dimensions (hwd) 14 x 107 x 7cm

Weight 6.5kg

Three main listening modes can be engaged – music, movie and late-night – and there are two upmixing options that can be toggled on and off. Bluesound says that the Surround Upmixer takes any channel-based audio and synthesises it to a multi-channel Dolby surround configuration intended to make use of a set-up that includes the optional surrounds and sub.

Meanwhile, the Virtualizer is said to simulate more substantive speaker layouts, giving the listener a wider soundstage and the ‘effect’ of height. It’s a little disconcerting that if the Virtualizer isn’t engaged, then Dolby Atmos content will not be decoded as such. We’d prefer Atmos be supported by default rather than requiring activation in a frustratingly located sub-menu. In fact, we’d really like to see a ‘pure’ or ‘native’ option added so that stereo plays in stereo, surround plays in surround, and Atmos plays in Atmos.

Another usability gripe is that the soundbar doesn’t automatically detect an eARC signal – you have to manually switch inputs within the BluOS app. Once configured, you can enable auto-detect on one source, but this only seems to function immediately after power-up, and not when switching from, for example, streaming to eARC.

This may seem like a minor inconvenience, and it probably wouldn’t bother some people as much as it did us while trying a range of content during testing. But considering the premise of the Pulse Soundbar+ is to be equally capable with both music and film, the fact that you can’t hot-swap between the two without going into the app is a bit of a drawback.

But on the whole, and for music playback, in particular, the BluOS app is a pleasure to use, especially in its slick integrated access to USB files, which puts almost every other soundbar we’ve tested to shame.

Sound

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Kicking off with Mad Max: Fury Road in Dolby Atmos (with the Virtualizer on), we’re immediately struck by the texture that the Pulse Soundbar+ can dig out. Soundbars often rely on overemphasised treble to give the impression of detail, but here there’s genuine insight throughout the frequency range. Everything is handled with nuance, from the granular sound of a lizard skittering across the desert wasteland to Max’s resonant internal monologue, to the guttural sounds of the car chase.

We’re similarly impressed by the first scene of Unbroken. There’s plenty of contrast between locations as the camera moves around the aircraft, and as soundscapes get busy there’s still plenty of separation and clarity. This scene highlights the Bluesound’s broad dynamic abilities, too, with realistic and engaging changes in volume between the different stations in the plane and satisfying heft to the flak fire. That said, there is evidently a ceiling that means the initial flypast of the Liberator bombers doesn’t quite reach the intended peak.

Although this is virtual Dolby Atmos, there’s something substantial and authentic to the presentation of the Pulse Soundbar+, which compensates somewhat for a soundstage that’s not as wide or high as that of the Sonos Arc. While realistic sensations of ‘height’ are unsurprisingly beyond the scope of the Pulse Soundbar+, given its lack of upward-firing drivers, there’s much more to Dolby Atmos than just sound coming from your ceiling, and the precision, location and movement that the Bluesound achieves is some of the best we’ve heard from a soundbar.

Swapping to The Social Network in 5.1, we try out the upmixing modes and find that they have little effect individually. Engage them both together, though, and a degree of extra spaciousness and atmosphere is added to the opening bar scene without the rapid-fire dialogue between the actors losing much in the way of clarity.

Given its larger-than-average and forward-facing drivers, we had high hopes for the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ as a music speaker, so it’s with some disappointment that we have to declare it merely decent on that front.

Playing Jane’s Addiction’s Ted, Just Admit It, we’re surprised to find that even after tinkering with the settings, it sounds a little flat and lacking in sparkle. The melodic drums in the intro lack some punch, the long reverberant snare sound in particular doesn’t have much in the way of sizzle. The busier, more chaotic sections of the track sound a bit cluttered, too.

That said, the Soundbar+ has depth and openness with vocals that is a real rarity for a soundbar. Whether it’s Perry Farrell’s demented wailing on Ted…, or when swapping to the more sparse Tom’s Diner by Suzanne Vega, the Pulse Soundbar+ projects voices nicely and without any harshness. There’s nice overall tonal balance, too, with well-judged, never-brash treble and naturally deep bass blending seamlessly with that textured midrange.

Playing George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, we try out the upmixing modes and, as with 5.1, they seem to have little effect individually. They make a much bigger difference when activated together, though, most noticeably by dramatically increasing volume but also adding a reverb effect that, while delivering a sense of greater spaciousness, also muddies the instrumentation.

While it’s worth experimenting, we feel the Bluesound is most musical when its upmixing is switched off, but even then it’s trumped by the Sonos Arc which, while noticeably more processed in its delivery, is punchier, better organised and more engaging overall.

Verdict

Unsurprisingly, pretty much every soundbar is marketed as if it’s equally well-equipped for music and movies. Of course, that’s rarely, if ever, the case, and our expectations were that the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ might, thanks to its large, forward-firing drivers, lose some ground to the best in class on movie sound but beat them with music.

Interestingly, that’s not the case. While not as enveloping as some, the Soundbar+’s Dolby Atmos delivery is impressively detailed, solid and satisfying, and it effectively combines spaciousness and clarity when playing non-Atmos soundtracks, too. It is, in fact, a slightly lacklustre musical performance (with a couple of usability niggles) that holds it back from the full five stars.

That said, if you’re in the market for a soundbar and are already firmly in the Bluesound camp, there’s plenty to like about the Pulse Soundbar+.

SCORES

• Build 5
• Features 4
• Sound 4

MORE:

Read our review of the Sonos Arc

Also consider the Bose Smart Soundbar 900

Check out our Sony HT-A7000 review

These are the best soundbars 2022: the best TV speakers you can buy

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar: Price Comparison

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Read more about how we test

The best soundbars for TV in 2023: top-rated

The term soundbar derives its name from two words: sound and bar. The first means sound, and the second means a bar, rack or crossbar. A soundbar is a horizontal speaker system with multiple speakers. Place it either on top of the TV or below. This format of the speaker system turned out to be very convenient and enjoys great success. What is the best soundbar to buy? In this review, we have collected the best devices in our humble opinion.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar is a good budget option if you want to get good sound for your TV and pay very little for it.

A total of four loudspeakers with a total output of 30 watts are used here. This acoustics received support for Bluetooth 5.0, that is, you can connect it wirelessly if the TV has a Bluetooth module. However, you can use a wired connection – it’s already to your taste. On the side are buttons to control the system. In addition, you can use a proprietary application for control.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar has good sound for the money and pretty decent low frequencies.

• Very compact size
• Good sound quality
• Quick connection via Bluetooth
• Easy to mount on the wall
• Great design
• Cost

Cons

• No remote control

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 30 W

• Subwoofer: no

The Samsung HW-Q990B soundbar is an expensive speaker system. The kit includes not only the soundbar itself, but also a subwoofer, as well as rear speakers. The soundbar has 16 channels.

Needless to say, the Samsung HW-Q990B sounds incredible? This is especially true for Blu-ray movies with 4K resolution with Dolby Atmos, in which the sound stage can fill even a large room, not to mention small rooms. But when it comes to listening to music, experts are not so good about the device: yes, the sound is good, but for music it is better to use a different audio system.

Samsung HW-Q990B can be combined with the built-in acoustics of Samsung TVs, there is support for wireless content playback, as well as voice control.

• Smart technology
• Low frequencies
• Great sound
• Stylish look
• Wi-Fi enabled
• Subwoofer automatically calibrated

Cons

• Cost

• Configuration: 11.1.4

• Speaker type: active

• Total power: 656 W

• Subwoofer: yes

If you think that Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar is the same Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar, then you are wrong, because they are two different devices.

Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar is offered in two colors at once: it can be either black or white. It has a very laconic body design, and convenient control keys are located on top. In total there are four speakers with a total power of 28 watts. It is possible to connect to a TV via Bluetooth technology.

For its price, this soundbar sounds very good, we have not met any dissatisfied. At the same time, small distortions of the sound can be noted, which are noticed at maximum volume. But, tell me honestly, will you turn on the sound to its fullest? We highly doubt it.

• Nice design
• Inexpensive
• Decent sound for its class
• Soundbar Mounts
• Build Quality
• Many interfaces

Cons

• No remote control

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 28 W

• Subwoofer: no

JBL Bar 5. 1 Surround

Cool system from JBL. There is a nuance that you can see in the image: in addition to the soundbar, there is a subwoofer in the kit. It’s great, but it’s worth considering the fact that this subwoofer takes up a lot of space.

Total system power – 550 W! It delivers great sound, including great bass. JBL Bar 5.1 Surround can be used not only for watching movies, but also for listening to music. The soundbar itself has 5 speakers, each of which is capable of delivering 50 watts!

Supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay 2. Comes with a remote control, but it does not support wireless control of the system, but the app does.

• Powerful bass
• Balanced settings for watching movies
• Great sound
• HDMI ARC
• Easy connection
• Loud

Cons

• Display is hard to read

• Standard: 5.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 250 W

• Subwoofer: yes

LG is not far behind. It also has soundbars, we will tell you about the SP7 model.

It consists of two devices: the soundbar itself and the subwoofer. The total power reaches 440W! The LG SP7 is best matched with LG TVs in terms of design, soundbar mode control from the TV remote control, and TV Sound Share technology, where the sound from the TV is processed and played back through the soundbar, which greatly enhances the sound quality.

The LG SP7 delivers 24-bit high resolution audio at 96 kHz sampling rate, resulting in more accurate and detailed audio reproduction. Of course, the LG SP7 is great for both watching movies and listening to music.

• High power
• Good, correct sound
• 5.1
• Handy remote
• Modern technologies
• Works great with LG TVs

Cons

• Cost

• Standard: 5.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 440 W

• Subwoofer: yes

2-channel soundbar from Sony, which does not come with a subwoofer, which, by the way, has a great effect on its cost.

Despite its classic appearance, the Sony HT-S100 sounds very good. The total power of the system reaches 120W! It can be easily used not only for watching movies, but also for listening to music.

You can also connect via Bluetooth. There is a USB port. Touch buttons are used for control.

• Famous brand
• Sound quality
• Good for music
• Many technologies
• Bluetooth connection

Cons

• Not found

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 120 W

• Subwoofer: no

The JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One looks great. In the kit you will find a convenient and at the same time simple control panel.

On the rear panel you can find a small bass reflex subwoofer, and on top are small control buttons. The total system power reaches 80 W, which provides a very high volume margin. And the sound quality? It’s wonderful! Even at maximum volume, there are no wheezing, the sound itself is very clear, and there are plenty of low frequencies.

TV connection type – via HDMI. However, you can use the Bluetooth wireless protocol.

You can update the software manually.

• Good bass
• Small sizes
• HDMI ARC
• Nice looking
• Firmware update
• Remote control with batteries included

Cons

• Low mid dip

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 80 W

• Subwoofer: no

Excellent soundbar from Sony. As you can see, it comes with a subwoofer. The total system power is 330 watts.

Sony HT-S400 received a lot of interesting features. For example, it uses a unique sound field processing technology that delivers cinematic surround sound. X-Balanced Speaker Unit and Separated Notch Edge technologies enhance voice clarity in a movie or TV program. Front speakers support X-Balanced Speaker Unit technology: they retain sound pressure, suppress vibrations, etc. The kit comes with a very convenient remote control system.

Needless to say, the sound quality of the Sony HT-S400 is excellent?

• Good bass
• Good value
• Cool technology
• Looks good
• Famous brand
• Wireless subwoofer

Cons

• Not found

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 330 W

• Subwoofer: yes

What about the budget segment? There is a choice, here is one of the options for you – OKLICK OK-535S.

This is a simple soundbar, but it supports, for example, the Bluetooth connection, it also has a wired connection via USB and a 3.5 mm plug. In total there are two speakers, with a total power of 6 watts. Few? Still, it’s enough to make many TVs sound much better.

The device does not have a subwoofer, so we will not talk about low frequencies. However, for the money – this is a good device.

• Cheap and cheerful
• Value for money
• Easy connection
• Compact
• Normal sound for the money
• Yes Bluetooth

Cons

• No bottoms

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 6 W

• Subwoofer: no

Device from Samsung. The set includes a soundbar, subwoofer and remote control.

The system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies that let you hear the finest nuances of sound. If you have a Samsung TV, you can use the Q-Symphony mode, which synchronizes the soundbar’s speakers with the TV’s speakers and works together. There is a game mode Game Mode Pro, in which you are surrounded by powerful immersive sound due to the subwoofer.

Total system power 360W. The sound quality is excellent, the device is also suitable for listening to music.

• Stylish
• Easy connection
• Decent sound
• Samsung TV support
• Sounds even better with rear speakers
• Can be adjusted

Cons

• Expensive

• Standard: 3.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 360 W

• Subwoofer: yes

This Xiaomi soundbar comes with a subwoofer. The total system power is 100 watts.

Looks good, but not everyone will be satisfied with the fabric mesh on the soundbar. There are two sound modes, one of which greatly improves the sound. Bluetooth support is available, with users recommending a wired connection.

For such money, there are no cons as such, but keep in mind that the control panel is not included in the kit.

• Not a bad option for your money
• Bluetooth
• Hardware included
• Sound matches the price
• Clear instructions
• Low frequencies available

Cons

• Touch buttons for an amateur

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 100 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Cool audio system from Polk. It is completed with a wireless subwoofer, the total power of the system reaches 160 watts.

What are the benefits? At least the presence of an HDMI ARC input, excellent sound for both watching movies and listening to music, as well as good coordination between the soundbar and subwoofer. There are no problems with lower frequencies.

As for the maximum sound level, turn it to its fullest with caution, as distortion is possible. And that’s okay. Branded remote control included.

• Powerful Bass
• Clear voices
• No subwoofer wire
• Availability AUX
• Reasonable price
• All wires in box

Cons

• Switches off after 10 minutes of silence

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 160 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Unlike other soundbars, in the case of LG SJ3, the company did not cover the speakers. Agree, the device looks unusual.

Includes a wireless subwoofer that can power up to 300W total system power. It uses the company’s own technology of adaptive sound control, which is able to improve the quality of voice reproduction, which is especially true, for example, in news programs. LG Auto Sound Engine technology can optimize the sound frequency balance, so that even at the maximum volume level there is no distortion.

LG SJ3 can be controlled by LG TV remote control. Connection is possible via Bluetooth. The sound quality is excellent, especially for the money.

• Adequate size
• Unusual design
• Excellent integration with LG TV
• Convenient wall mount
• Sound quality
• All necessary connection interfaces

Cons

• Equalizer setting missing

• Standard: 2.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 300 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Stylish soundbar from Polk. Despite the simple appearance, the power of the device can reach 100 watts!

What are the advantages of Polk Audio Signa Solo? For example, there is support for Bluetooth connection, independent dialogue level adjustment, simple operation, built-in bass driver, virtual surround sound.

In the kit you will find a compact control panel with a large number of buttons.

• Sound good
• Normal value
• Switched on with TV
• Quality build
• Bluetooth
• Cinema effect

Cons

• Very small remote control

• Standard: 2.0

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 100 W

• Subwoofer: no

One of the most powerful soundbars in our review is the JBL Bar 9.1.

JBL Bar 9.1 supports Dolby Atmos technology. Supplied with a remote control and subwoofer, the total system power is as much as 820W! Please note that the speakers can be detached from the soundbar, which can be very convenient. There is support for Bluetooth, AirPlay, wireless music playback. Low frequencies are extremely good, although we understand that not everyone will like them. However, frequencies can be adjusted.

Users also note the very high build quality and materials.

• Incredibly powerful
• Detachable speakers
• Great sound
• Huge functionality
• Dolby Atmos
• Built-in optimum listening position calibration

Cons

• Standard: 9.1

• Speaker type: soundbar, active

• Total power: 820 W

• Subwoofer: yes

Dolby Atmos Premium Soundbars – Reviews and Articles

Obviously, soundbars as a means of sounding television panels and projectors were created as a compromise solution when a full-fledged audio system cannot be used. Nevertheless, the models assembled here can be safely called the elite of this segment of audio equipment, many of them have functionality that in some places even surpasses a conventional DC.

Loewe klang bar5 mr

One hundred years ago, the Loewe brothers founded Radiofrequenz in Berlin, followed by the vacuum tube company Loewe-Audion, and shortly thereafter Loewe Radio, a loudspeaker and resistor company. In 1929, the development of televisions began, and two years later the first sample was presented at the Berlin Radio Exhibition. Last year, Loewe won the Picture and Sound Expert Association’s Cinema Solution Award for its klang bar5 mr soundbar with sub5 subwoofer that supports Dolby Atmos/DTS:X and can be used with TVs from 55 inches. The base configuration provides native support for the 5.1.2 configuration, and with the addition of compatible Loewe speakers, it can be increased to 7.1.2. The workmanship and sound quality is traditionally German, premium, the functionality is also pleasing, protocols such as DTS Play-Fi, Apple AirPlay and Google Home are supported.

Canton Smart Sounddeck 100

Germany’s largest loudspeaker manufacturer Canton, founded by four HECO employees, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Its name is a combination of the Latin word cantare (to sing) and the German word ton (sound), and the logo shows a crescendo infographically. The Smart Sounddeck 100 model is an all-in-one system, moreover, despite the declared 2.1 format, we practically have a full-fledged three-way stereo pair. Judge for yourself: two pairs of 4-inch woofers and a pair of 2-inch mid-range speakers with aluminum cones are complemented by a pair of 0.75-inch woven tweeters, the crossover frequencies are 150 and 3000 Hz, the total power of the built-in amplifiers is 300 watts. Add to this a full-fledged HDMI connection (three inputs and one output with 4K support), Google Chromecast and Bluetooth, and you have a universal system for music, movies and other home entertainment.

Klipsch Cinema 800

In January 2019, at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, Klipsch shows prototype soundbars, from which a series of models was subsequently formed under the indices 40, 44, 48 and 54. About a year later they were significantly modernized and renamed, now they are models 400, 600, 800 and 1200. The meaning of both the original and current labeling is extremely simple, in the first case it was the width of the saunas themselves dbar in inches, and in the second – the total power of the system.

The Cinema 800 is constructed using wood and, with a height of less than three inches, fits easily under a wall-hung or stand-mounted TV. The audiophile enclosed cabinet houses two pairs of 3″ composite fiber oval cone midrange drivers and three 1″ soft dome tweeters loaded with 90° x 90° Tractrix horns. Incidentally, these horns are 30 years old and are proprietary Klipsch designs designed to reduce acoustic resonances and the associated impedance swings that impede speaker-crossover interaction.

The subwoofer uses a 10-inch woofer, the connection is made wireless, but the panel also has a traditional wired output. In addition to HDMI with support for eARC Audio Return Channel, HDCP 2.3 and 8K HDR, as well as Bluetooth 5.0, you can connect to the panel through a traditional optical input. The kit comes with a backlit remote control and supports Dolby Atmos, and in addition, there is Wi-Fi with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Spotify Connect, as well as a proprietary application for controlling the system. The total power of the amplifiers in the system, as we have already said, is 800 W, and its weight is almost 10 kg, so there is no doubt about the qualitative potential of the model.

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX AX

MagniFi MAX AX is Polk Audio’s flagship model with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support and a wireless subwoofer. In addition, music streaming via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast or Spotify Connect is available here. The eleven speaker array, including two high-height and two wireless rear channels, work with Polk’s patented SDA technology to deliver immersive sound with a stunningly realistic 3D soundstage. The 10″ down-firing subwoofer is the most powerful Polk Audio soundbar subwoofer, delivering the deep, airy bass that Polk is known for. Wireless signal transmission provides convenient placement. Polk’s patented VoiceAdjust technology for clear speech works with the optimized MagniFi Max AX center speaker to raise speech louder than the rest of the soundtrack. The intuitive front panel OLED display dims when not in use. The soundbar can be installed under the TV or mounted on the wall. The included remote control allows you to control most TV models.

Creative SXFI Carrier

The SXFI Carrier soundbar features a 7-speaker system, each individually driven by a dedicated DSP-controlled amplifier. The placement of these speakers is closely related to the acoustic concept developed by Dolby. Each one is built with premium components to deliver high-quality, high-definition home theater audio. The included wireless subwoofer with 10″ speaker in a deceptively small package is capable of fighting above its weight class. The grandeur and drama of the on-screen action that we all love cinemas for is now achieved with this compact subwoofer with rich bass.

In SXFI Carrier, by integrating specially designed low distortion drivers and intelligent voice enhancement algorithm, it was possible to make sounding speech extremely clear, lively and understandable. Further enhancement comes from voice processing technology that is purposefully tuned to intelligently detect and enhance vocals and speech, so you can easily follow the story.

Achieving accurate and powerful bass reproduction in rooms of all sizes and shapes is no easy task. Working on its solution, Creative engineers conducted countless experiments with different spaces. Acoustic design and DSP processing were then combined to carefully calculate low frequencies to ensure optimal bass reproduction in a variety of room types. The SXFI Carrier subwoofer produces powerful and high-quality low frequencies that are really impressive. Get clean, deep bass without rumble and dirt. Detailed and accurate sound without distortion will not overload your hearing.

Denon Home 550

The Home 550 is a powerful and compact soundbar that adds great surround sound to your TV. Users will also be able to play music from popular music services, from mobile devices and from home network in high resolution using the convenient HEOS app. The Home 550 soundbar can be used with optional Denon Home 150, 250 or 350 compact wireless speakers to create a full-length home theater experience, which can be connected to the soundbar as surround back channels. And users looking for more impressive bass can purchase the DSW-1H Wireless Subwoofer for even more realistic sound. The main thing is that the new soundbar is focused not only on cinema, but also on high-quality music reproduction. With cutting-edge audio technology, professionally tuned DSP and 6 speakers, this soundbar offers everything home audio lovers need without taking up too much space under your TV. With support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound and 4K video, the Denon Home 550 is a modern, compact home theater system. For added convenience, the soundbar’s touch control panel automatically lights up when your hand approaches, allowing you to quickly change the volume or skip to the next track without using the app or remote control. In addition, the remote control and the HEOS app have three quick select buttons. Thanks to this, users can remember and instantly turn on not only different sound sources, but also save different sound settings for each source. All Denon Home models, including the Denon Home 550, provide quick access to streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL and more, as well as high-definition music files on your mobile devices or home network via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth connectivity. Built-in HEOS technology gives users wireless access to thousands of albums and millions of songs, all easily controlled from the free HEOS smartphone app. Listeners can play different music in each room, or group all HEOS and Denon Home devices together to play the same music in Multiroom throughout the home or office. The soundbar is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 to play music from Apple devices.

Sonos Arc

The Arc is a slim soundbar with Dolby Atmos support and built-in AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This model is suitable for watching TV, movies, games and even listening to music. Arc delivers breathtakingly realistic sound. Trueplay technology optimizes the sound for the room in which the Arc is installed, calibrating the channels for precise localization. Trueplay takes into account the size and configuration of the room in which the speakers are located and adjusts them for the best sound. All setup is done with one touch through the Sonos app on your mobile device. The Arc is equipped with 11 high-performance drivers, including eight elliptical full-range drivers and three silk tweeters. Each emitter has its own amplifying module in class D.

Tone Winner AT-02

Tone Winner AT-02 is an active TV soundbar. It features high-quality wireless transmission technology and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D audio standards. The top of the AT-02 soundbar consists of two 3-inch full-range speakers that form a high-altitude sound channel. The height speakers form a certain angle strictly in accordance with the requirements of panoramic sound, sending a sound signal to the ceiling, and then reflecting it down to the listener.