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APRIL 27, 2022 BY JOZEPH P

10 BEST SOUNDBARS FOR GOOD MUSIC EXPERIENCE IN EVERY BUDGET

best-soundbars-Best-Soundbars-Guiding

Image Credits: Guiding Tech

Do you still rewind multiple times to hear the dialogue properly? If the sound performance is lackluster, you can’t get the best out of your flat screen 4K TV. Most of the new flat screens have hidden speakers that deliver poor audio. Fortunately, the place where you lack behind is installing one of the best soundbars at your place.

A soundbar ensures an easy set-up and an enjoyable viewing experience. It is a dedicated speaker and can handle both ends of the volume spectrum. So now you can listen to the softly-spoken dialogues and get the full range of soundscapes found in the cinemas.

In this article, we have rounded up some of the best soundbars available in the market to make sure you enjoy fuss-free music.

10 Best Soundbars For Best Music

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Sony HT-X8500

Best for budget
Sony-HT-X8500

Image Credits: amazon

What We Like

Sony’s HT-X8500 delivers excellent sound in an affordable range.

Specifications

Dimensions 6.75 x 37.25 x 6.25 inches
Weight 1 pound
Connectivity 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI Out (ARC), analog audio in/out, Ethernet, optical audio in, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers Yes
Voice Assistant No
Price $299.99

Sony HT- X8500 allows you to experience cinematic 3D surround sound with its 2.1 channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundbar. Also, it features dual built-in subwoofers for deep bass. In addition, its elegant design fits perfectly in front of your TV.

Moreover, there are seven different sound modes to enhance your experience. So, you can change the sound modes with the click of a button based on what you watch. In addition, with the latest 4K HDR pass-through, the HT-X8500 is cut out for the latest home cinema formats.

Furthermore, you can connect your games console, UHD Blu-ray player, or your set-top box, as well as your TV with HDMI and optical digital inputs. Lastly, you can pair the HT-X8500 with your smartphone using Bluetooth to stream your favorite playlists wirelessly.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Dolby Atmos and DTS-X compatible Not the best performance
Affordable
Integrated subwoofer
Compact form
Different sound modes

Sonos Arc

Buy Now
Best for premium quality sound experience
Sony-HT-X8500

Image Credits: sonos

What We Like

Sonos Arc produces premium quality sound

Specifications

Dimensions 3.4 x 45 x 4.5 inches
Weight 21.9-pound
Connections HDMI ARC, Ethernet
Bluetooth No
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers No
Price $ 899.99

Sonos Arc is the only soundbar from the brand to deliver Dolby Atmos with vertical speakers. You can now surround yourself with the sound with its 3D Dolby Atmos. This feature maps the sounds in space for a 3D effect. So, you can experience the sound like you are there yourself. The sound itself is well-balanced, and it has great dynamism.

Also, the Sonos app connects all your streaming services, discovers new music on Sonos Radio, and personalizes settings. This soundbar syncs with your remote for streamlined control and no extra clutter.

Sonos Arc features touch-sensitive play/pause and volume controls with LEDs that indicate status. Furthermore, connectivity includes AirPlay2, ethernet, and eARC for Dolby Atmos for a seamless experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Detailed, dynamic sound Heavily reliant on your TV specs
Clear vocals
Strong bass
Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
Impressive Dolby Atmos 

Sony HT-A7000

Buy Now
Best for powerful sound
best-soundbars-Sonos-Arc

Image Credits: sony

What We Like

Sony HT-A7000’s integrated subwoofers deliver deep bass and clear dialogues.

Specifications

Dimensions ‎53.5 x 7.75 x 8.81 inches
Weight 19.18 pounds
Connections eARC, 2*HDMI 2.1, optical, USB, WiFi, Ethernet
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers No
Price $ 1,398

Sony delivers an excellent soundbar with Sony HT-A7000. This soundbar features South Field Optimization that calibrates your environment for an easy set-up. With two subwoofer choices, SA-SW3 and SA-SW5, and a set of rear speakers, SA-RS3S is optional equipment. So, this is designed to help you enhance the immersion of your content.

The HT-A7000 includes up-firing speakers for an overhead atmospheric sound. Also, it features side beam tweeters and an array of X-balanced speakers. Furthermore, its integrated subwoofers deliver deep bass and clear dialogue. This soundbar is also Voice Assistant compatible. This makes it one of the best soundbars due to it’s compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa.

Moreover, you can discover a new way of listening with its 360 Reality Audio for a truly immersive live concert or studio session experience. Lastly, an onscreen UI helps you quickly make more detailed adjustments to your HT-A7000 settings.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Excellent Atmos performance No EQ controls
Multiple features
Immersive Audio Enhancement 
Sound Field Optimization
Customizable set-up 

Samsung HW-Q950A

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Best for immersive sound
Sony-HT-X8500

Image Credits: Samsung

What We Like

Samsung HW-Q950A is a wireless soundbar that produces immersive audio.

Specifications

Dimensions 5.4 x 48.5 x 2.7 inches
Weight 27.2 pounds
Connections HDMI input (ARC) x 2, HDMI output x 1, optical digital x 1, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers Yes
Price $1,549.99

Samsung HW-Q950A lets you explore realistic 3D audio with sound precisely projected from all sides with the latest acoustic technologies. It features 11 channels, one subwoofer, and four up-firing channels. So, you can enjoy the ultimate audio entertainment experience.

Furthermore, with Q-Symphony, the sound from your TV and soundbar speakers are perfectly synched. The HW-Q950A lets you customize the sound for the space you are in with automatically calibrated tones and rich bass. Also, with Alexa built into the soundbar, you can activate voice commands without needing another device.

Moreover, this soundbar is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible. So, you can easily connect your soundbar to your TV for a seamless listening experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Powerful sound Expensive for a soundbar
Slender design
Built-in Voice Assistant
Wall-mountable
Remote controller 

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Buy Now
Best for beginners
Sonos-Beam-Gen

Image Credits: Sonos

What We Like

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) produces incredible sound for a small speaker without a subwoofer.

Specifications

Dimensions 25.59 x 3.94 x 2.76 inches
Weight 6.35 pounds
Connections 1 x HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Bluetooth No
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers No
Price $ 449

Sonos enriches your entertainment with its compact soundbar with Dolby Atmos. With Sonos Beam (Gen 2), you can enjoy vibrant bass, crystal-clear dialogues, and a panoramic soundstage. Also, it lets you stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from your favorite services even when the TV is off.

Furthermore, you can control your TV remote and Apple AirPlay 2 using Alexa or Google Assistant with the Sonos app. The Sonos Beam has a 40% faster chip that pushes the sonic limits for this size soundbar. So, it creates two new audio paths for a 3D surround sound experience.

Moreover, the advanced audio processing ensures balanced sound from wall to wall at any volume level. With the Night Sound in the app, you can reduce the loud effects and enhance quieter ones. These features make Sonos Beam a formidable competitor on this list!

Relatively/comparatively pricier/pricey

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Easy to set up No additional HDMI ports
Effective Dolby Atmos
Reasonable price
Reliable TruePlay tuning
Compact

Yamaha YAS-207

Buy Now
Best for surround sound
Yamaha-YAS

Image Credits: amazon

What We Like

Yamaha YAS-207 is the best when it comes to virtual surround sound experience.

Specifications

Dimensions 2.08 x 5.15 x 35 inches
Weight 9.88 pounds
Connections 1 x HDMI
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos No
Built-in subwoofers Yes
Price $ 219.95

Yamaha YAS-207 offers a minimalistic look for theater-quality sound. It fits discreetly in front of your TV, or it can be wall-mounted. With DTS Virtual:X, the YAS-207 delivers 3D surround sound that seems to move around the listener.

Furthermore, this soundbar is equipped with six-speaker drivers and an acoustically-engineered cabinet. As a result, it lets you hear all the details that your TV’s built-in speakers cannot reproduce. Also, the YAS-207 features a Clear Voice mode that brings dialogues and narration to the front.

Moreover, this Yamaha soundbar is ideal for playing music. With the powerful subwoofers, it produces deep and impactful bass. It is always counted among the best soundbars for surround and 3D sound. Also, you can now stream your favorite playlist from your mobile devices via Bluetooth. Lastly, the free downloadable Home Theater Controller app gives you the smart operability of the YAS-207 via Bluetooth.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Resonant and immersive audio Single HDMI input
Dynamic sound
Slim design
Built-in Voice Assistant
Integrated subwoofers

Samsung HW-Q950T

Buy Now
Best soundbar with expansive channel support
Samsung-HW-Q950T

Image Credits: Samsung

What We Like

Samsung delivers powerful sound with enhanced precision and dynamism

Specifications

Dimensions ‎51 x 24 x 11 inches
Weight 50.2 pounds
Connections HDMI input (ARC) x 2, HDMI output x 1, optical digital x 1, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers No
Price $1,799.99

Samsung HW-Q950T is from the top-of-the-line Q Series soundbar that delivers top-notch audio. With the Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, you can enjoy 3D True surround sound. Also, its 9.1.4 system is solid for a soundbar, and it enhances the audio quality.

The HW-Q950T supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and even lets you connect with certain phones just by tapping against the soundbar.

Moreover, it comprises nine channels, one subwoofer channel, and four up-firing channels, So you are completely surrounded by the audio. With the Game Pro Mode, you can connect your console to the soundbar for an optimal gaming experience.

In addition, the HDMI eARC allows you to hear the quality sound even when connected to other devices via your TV like DVD players or game consoles.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Powerful sound Hefty price
Expansive channel support
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible
Supports Dolby Atmos

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar

Buy Now
Best for audiophiles
Sennheiser-Ambeo

Image Credits: Sennheiser

What We Like

Sennheiser Ambeo delivers stellar audio with a deep bass.

Specifications

Dimensions ‎‎49.8 x 6.73 x 5.31 inches
Weight 40.7 pounds
Connections 4 x HDMI, optical digital, RCA line in
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers No
Price $ 1,999.95

The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is one of its kind. It is a premium soundbar with multiple features. This soundbar includes Dolby Atmos, DTS :X support, and a 4K HDR pass-through. Also, you get auto-calibration and four HDMI inputs.

Furthermore, the Ambeo soundbar provides a fully immersive 5.1.4 channel 3D sound experience with deep 30Hz bass. As a result, you don’t even need an additional subwoofer. It also lets you customize your sound with a built-in equalizer and AMBEO audio technology.

Moreover, with the integrated Upmix Technology, you can turn your home stereo or 5.1 audio into a 3D surround sound experience. Lastly, the Ambeo soundbar features five dedicated high-fidelity tweeters. As a result, it delivers studio-quality sound.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Rich sound Bit costly
Impressive surround sound Bulky build
Exceptional bass
HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi support
Luxurious features

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Buy Now
Best soundbar with built-in Chromecast
Bar-5.0-MultiBeam-jbl

Image Credits: JBL

What We Like

JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam offers the best Dolby Atmos in an affordable range

Specifications

Dimensions 27.0 x 2.3 x 3.9 inches
Weight 2.8 kgs
Connections HDMI in, HDMI out (HDCP 2.3 compliant, eARC & 4K HDR passthrough), Ethernet, Optical
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers No
Price $ 399.95

JBL Bar 5.0 is an audio powerhouse even without any subwoofers. So if you are concerned about space, there is no need to worry! This compact soundbar does not crowd your space. Also, the JBL Bar 5.0 produces powerful bass that defies its size.

Furthermore, the built-in Virtual Dolby Atmos delivers an immersive and exciting 3D sound experience. In addition, the JBL Multibeam technology creates an expansive soundstage by projecting sound across the room. So, you can hear every detail from your TV.

Moreover, with the HDMI eARC, you can enjoy higher-quality audio, including Virtual Dolby Atmos on your JBL Bar 5.0. You can also calibrate the soundbar with the best surround audio effect based on your preferences. Lastly, the built-in Chromecast and Alexa allow you to listen to the same music in different rooms or different music in each room.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Dolby Virtual Atmos No mobile app
Multi-room options
AirPlay, Chromecast, and Bluetooth streaming
No requirement for a subwoofer

Polk MagniFi Mini

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Best for small spaces
Polk-MagniFi-Mini

Image Credits: polkaudio

What We Like

The Polk MagniFi Mini packs excellent audio into a small body.

Specifications

Dimensions ‎‎4.3 x 13.4 x 3.2 inches
Weight 12.5 pounds
Connections HDMI, Digital Optical, Ethernet, USB
Bluetooth Yes
Wi-Fi No
Dolby Atmos Yes
Built-in subwoofers Yes
Price $ 299

Polk MagniFi Mini packs a punch above its weight. It may look small, but it delivers a powerful sound that defies its size. In addition, it is compatible with most TVs and easy to set up. The MagniFi Mini features Polk’s Voice Adjust that lets you customize the voice levels in the soundbar according to your preferences. This is counted in the best soundbars with its similar products with respect to its size.

Moreover, this mini soundbar is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Google Cast compatible. So, you can stream your music wirelessly from your devices. Furthermore, with one-button EQ settings for Movies, Music, and Sports, you can optimize the soundbar and subwoofer to ensure you get the best experience. Lastly, it also comes with a handy remote.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Powerful bass No mobile app
Clear vocals
Wireless subwoofer
Quick and easy set-up
Google Cast audio integration

Why You Should Buy a Soundbar

What good is a TV if you can’t hear the sound properly? Unfortunately, the audio quality is largely missing as TV sizes have reduced. In addition, the speakers are somehow crammed into the tiny spaces as the TVs have become flat. Thus, soundbars have been introduced to abridge the sound quality gap. A soundbar makes an effective sound upgrade and provides an optimal listening experience.

Buyer’s Guide to Best Soundbars

best-soundbars-Buyers-Guide-to-Soundbars

Soundbars are getting popular these days, with the diminishing size of TVs. However, with so many choices in the market, it is essential to get a soundbar that meets your requirements. Therefore, we have made the task easier for you and compiled a list of all the points you need to consider before making a pick.

Types – Before you buy, it is essential to know the different types of soundbars.

  • Active Sound Bars – These soundbars are plug-and-play, and all amplification is built into the soundbar itself.
  • Passive Sound – Passive soundbars require a separate amplifier for their channels to work. These soundbars produce better audio quality than most modern high-resolution sound system solutions.
  • The number of channels – If you want to enhance your TV sound, a soundbar with 2.1 channels (two front channels and a separate subwoofer) could be enough. However, if you want authentic surround sound, you should buy a soundbar with additional subwoofers and rear speakers for multichannel sound.

    Size – If space is your concern, you should get a soundbar that is compact and fits in your space. You could go for a larger-sized soundbar if you have a larger space. However, it is better to get small-sized soundbars to not block the remote control’s line of sight to the TV.

    Connections – Usually, you need one cable to connect a soundbar with your TV. While some soundbars rely on optical cables, HDMI is preferable. The HDMI interface supports more audio formats than the optical, which means you will get higher quality, more immersive sound with HDMI.

    FAQs:

    Subwoofers are a type of speaker that boosts the lowest frequencies —specifically 20-200 Hz— that a traditional two-channel or surround sound set-up cannot reproduce on its own. These low frequencies come from instruments such as the kick drum, bass guitar, and pipe organ, as well as movie sound effects.

    A 2.1 system only has Left and Right channels in the front and a subwoofer. A 5.1 system includes five speakers, including front, left, right, and center speakers. Also, It contains rear left and right speakers and a subwoofer for a surround sound experience.

    If you want to feel surrounded by your TV’s sound and the sound effects to come from every direction, you need a complete surround sound system. The best soundbars in the market are known for their premium surround sound experience.

    DTS and Dolby are the two most popular surround sound formats. Both of them use audio compression technologies, which allow moviemakers to record surround sound that can be produced in cinemas, and homes. DTS is encoded at a higher bit rate and is therefore considered by some experts to be of better quality. However, some say that Dolby technology is more advanced and produces better sound quality at a lower bit rate.