The best soundbar in 2022: Boost your TV sound with these ...

Upgrade your TV sound with the pick of the best soundbar speakers ... delivering deep bass and clear treble for your favorite movies and TV ... Skiptomaincontent Tom'sGuide Tom'sGuide Search Subscribe RSS (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) UKUSAustraliaCanada TechnologyMagazines(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)Whysubscribe?Thebesttechtutorialsandin-depthreviewsTryasingleissueorsaveonasubscriptionIssuesdeliveredstraighttoyourdoorordeviceFrom$12.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab) BestPicks News Reviews HowTos Phones Streaming Deals More Opinion Antivirus Audio CloudBackup CloudStorage Fitness Gaming Home Laptops Bestmattresses Security SmartHome TV BestVPN Wearables Webhosting WhatToWatch AllTopics AboutUs Forums(opensinnewtab) TrendingWWDC2022MacBookAir2022iOS16iPhone14MoneySaver Tom'sGuideissupportedbyitsaudience.Whenyoupurchasethroughlinksonoursite,wemayearnanaffiliatecommission.Here’swhyyoucantrustus Includedinthisguide:1Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)2SonosArcCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)3YamahaYAS-209CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)4CreativeStagev2CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)5SonosRayCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)6BoseSmartSoundbar900CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)7PolkMagniFiMiniSoundbarCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)8SonosBeam(Gen2)CheckPrice(opensinnewtab)9JBLBar5.0MultiBeamCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)10RokuStreambarCheckPrice(opensinnewtab)11CleerCrescentSmartAudioSpeakerCheckPrice(opensinnewtab) (Imagecredit:Sonos) Ifyou'vespenttimechoosingtherightbig-screenTVforyou,youmaywonderwhyyouneedoneofourbestsoundbars.Thetruthisthataftercarefullyunboxingyourscreen,youmaybelessthanimpressedbythemediocresoundqualityfromthebuilt-inspeakerscomparedtoitsboldandpunchypictures. TheissueisthatasTVsgetthinner,thebuilt-inspeakersoftenhavetoshrinktofitinsidethetiniestofcabinetspaces,andthesoundlacksthekindofimpacttomatchtoday'sbigscreens.There'splentyofsophisticateddigitalsignalprocessing(DSP)techonboardtohelpgetthebestTVsoundoutputpossible,buteventhebestTVsaren’texemptfromsoundingthinandweedy.HowtoimproveyourTVsound AbigTVscreendeservestobepartneredwithagreat-soundingspeakerandmanynewsoundbarsnowcomewithDolbyAtmossupportforamoreimmersivesoundexperience.Withmultipledriverscoveringawidesoundareainfrontofyourscreen,evenarelativelyaffordablesoundbarcanoutperformtheintegratedspeakersonmostTVs.Asoundbarmakesaneffectivesoundupgradeformostscreens—andinmanycasescouldevenformthebasisofamuchmoreambitioussurroundsoundsetup,incorporatingwirelesssurroundspeakersandawiredorwirelesssubwoofer,forexample. We’vereviewedthebestsoundbarsinreal-worlddomesticsituationsjustastheywouldbeusedathome,andrankedeachbasedontheirperformance,featuresandvalue.Tomakesureyou’rechoosingtherightsoundbarforyourTVsoundneeds,readon...Top3bestsoundbarsin2022(opensinnewtab)Bestoverall:Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3 Abrilliantlyimmersivesoundbarthat'ssuperbathandlingallkindsofTVandmoviesoundtracks.MusicispartoftheBritishhi-ficompany'sDNA,soit'snotsurprisingthatthePanorama3alsodoublesasaneffectivemusicsystem,makingitoneofthemostversatilemovieandmusicspeakersystemsattheprice.ViewDeal(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)Bestsmartsoundbar:SonosArc TheSonosArcoptimizesitssoundtoyourroomlikefewothers,thankstoitsTrueplayauto-tuningcapabilitiesandmeansyou'realwayssatinthebestseatinthehouseformoviesound.ItalsohasvoicecontrolsupportviaAlexaandGoogleAssistant.Thepricemaybehighbutthisisoneofthesmartestsoundbarsyoucanbuyrightnow.ViewDeal(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)Bestvalue:YamahaYAS-209  Thislong-runningsoundbarisstillgreatvalue.Itcomeswithawirelesssubwoofer,Bluetooth,andAlexavoicecontrol.IthasHDMIin/outports,alongwithopticaldigitalaudio,anddeliversgoodoverallsound.Dialoghasexcellentdepthandgravitas,andthe3DSurroundmodeisimpressivelywide.It'sgoodwithmusic,too.ViewDeal(opensinnewtab)Whatarethebestsoundbars?ThetopspotgoestotherecentlyreviewedBowers&WilkinsPanorama3soundbarforitsbrilliantlyimmersivehandlingofTVandmoviesoundtracks.IthassupportforDolbyAtmosmoviesoundtracksanddoublesasaneffectivemusicsystem,makingitoneofthemostversatilemovieandmusicspeakersystemsattheprice.     TheSonosArcisaclosesecondtotheBowers&Wilkinsforitsimpressiveauto-tuningcapabilitiesthattailorthesoundtoyourroom,andvoicecontrolsupportviaAlexaandGoogleAssistant.Thepricemaybehighbutthisreallyisoneofthebestsoundingandsmartestsoundbarsyoucanbuyrightnow. Amongtheoptionsforasmartsoundbarinthe$300to$400range,Yamaha'sYAS-209deliversgoodoverallsound—especiallyformusic—andhasresponsivevoicecontrolsvia Alexa.Thoseontighterbudgets,meanwhile,shouldconsiderourregularlymaintainedbestcheapsoundbarslist.Anddon'tforgettotakealookatthenewbudgetsoundbarfromSonosinourfullSonosRayreview.Wetestdozensofsoundbarsinourownhomeseveryyear,soreadontofindoutwhichofourtop-ratedmodelsarelikelytodelivertheverybestbig-screensoundforyou.ThebestsoundbarsyoucanbuyinJune2022(Imagecredit:Bowers&Wilkins)(opensinnewtab)1.Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3ThebestsoundbaroverallformoviesandmusicSpecificationsSize:2.6x47.6x5.5inchesInputs/outputs:HDMI;Digitaloptical;Ethernet;USB-C(serviceonly)Audiochannels:3.1.2Wireless:AirPlay2;BluetoothaptXAdaptive;SpotifyConnectSubwoofer:IntegratedPoweroutput:400WWallmountable:YesToday'sBestDealsViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(6found)Reasonstobuy+Lively,muscularandexpansivemoviesound+Properlyaccomplishedwithmusic+UsefultouchcontrolsandappReasonstoavoid-DolbyAtmoseffectnotaspronouncedassome-CloserivalscostlessAlthoughthemostexpensivemodelinthisbuyingguide,thePanorama3isBowers&Wilkins'mostaffordablesoundbartodate.It'smorecostlythantheSonosArcbutifit’ssoundqualityyouprize,thePanorama3iswortheverypenny.The3.1.2speakerconfigurationintegratesforward-firingleft,rightandcenterchannelsandforcinematicrumbleandpunchthereatwobuilt-insubwooferdriversalongwithDolbyAtmosElevationdriveunits. Poweredbyatotalof400wattsofClassDamplification,meansthePanorama3candealwiththosebigdynamicshiftssobelovedofcinematheworldoverwithoutbreakingsweatandisexpressiveandarticulatewheremusicisconcernedtoo.It'sextremelywelljudgedandcoherentwithallkindsofmusicandmoviecontent,whileDolbyAtmoscontentprojectswellbeyondtheconfinesofthespeakercabinet,andinalldirections.There’srealwidthtothesoundstagetheBowers&Wilkinsestablishes,andthere’sapropersensationofmovementaseffectspanfromonesideofthestagetotheotherassoundtrackareservedupwithplentyofconfidenceandnolittlestyle. ReadthefullBowers&WilkinsPanorama3review. (Imagecredit:Sonos)2.SonosArcThebestsmartsoundbarSpecificationsSize:45x4.5x3.4inchesInputs/outputs:Ethernet;HDMIARCAudiochannels:NotspecifiedWireless:Wi-FiandAirPlay2capableSubwoofer:NoWattage:NotspecifiedWallmountable:YesToday'sBestDealsViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(21found)Reasonstobuy+Clearvocalsandfocusedsound+Strong,Sonos-qualitybass+AlexaandGoogleAssistantbuilt-inReasonstoavoid-WilltakesupquiteabitofspaceonaTVstandTheSonosArcisthebestsoundbaryoucanbuyifyou’reabletosplurge.Thispremiumspeakerstandsoutwithitsgorgeouscurveddesign,whichisbuilttobeacenterpieceofyourlivingroomasmuchasit’smeanttoenhanceyourTV’ssound.Anditcertainlydoesn’tskimponsoundperformance,deliveringdeepbassandcleartrebleforyourfavoritemoviesandTVshowscompletewithDolbyAtmossupport. ThankstoSonos’TruePlaytechnology,theArccanautomaticallytuneitselftowhateverroomit’sintodeliverthecrispest,mostaccurateaudiopossible.ItalsosupportsvoicecontrolsviaAlexaandGoogleAssistant,makingitoneofthesmartestsoundbarsyoucanbuy.Ifyouhavealargerentertainmentarea—andbigbudget,theSonosArcisthetoppremiumsoundbaroutthere. ReadourfullSonosArcreview.(Imagecredit:Yamaha)3.YamahaYAS-209BestsoundbarspeakerwithasubwooferandAlexaSpecificationsSize:36.6x4.3x2.5inches(soundbar);36.6x4.3x2.5inches(subwoofer)Inputs/outputs:1xHDMIin;1xHDMIout;1xOpticalinAudiochannels:NotspecifiedWireless:Wi-Fi;Bluetooth4.2Subwoofer:Yes(wireless)Wattage:200W(soundbar)100W(subwoofer)Today'sBestDealsViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(8found)1Amazoncustomerreview(opensinnewtab)☆☆☆☆☆Reasonstobuy+Clearandintelligibledialog+Excellentformusic +AlexavoicecontrolReasonstoavoid-Subwooferlackspunchwithsomemovieeffects-Only1HDMIinputLaunchedin2019andstillgoingstrong,theYAS-209soundbarsisaimedatdeliveringgreatfeaturesatanaffordableprice.Thisexcellentpackagecomeswithawirelesssubwoofertoboostlow-endfrequenciesandhasAlexaintegrationonboard.Thesmartandversatilecombobringsmoviesoundtrackstolifewitharichandpowerfulsound,andhasanimpressivelywidesoundstagewhen3DSurroundmodeisenabled.Moviedialogiseasytounderstandandhasexcellentdepthandgravitas,andtheYamahadoublesasagreat-soundingmusicsystem,too. WejustwishtherewasmorethanoneHDMIportontheback,butevenso,theYAS-209hasalottolike.ReadourfullYamahaYAS-209review.(Imagecredit:Future)4.CreativeStageV2Thebestlow-costsoundbarandsubwoofercomboSpecificationsSize:26.8x3x3.9inches,4.4poundsInputs/outputs:Optical,3.5mm,HDMIARC,USBAudiochannels:2.1Bluetooth:YesSubwoofer:YesWattage:160WWallmountable:YesToday'sBestDealsViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatLenovoUSA(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(6found)Reasonstobuy+Verycheap+Variedports+AdjustablesoundReasonstoavoid-Shortsubwoofercable-PlasticattractsdustCheapandcompactbutdeceptivelyrich-sounding,theCreativeStageV2isanotherfantasticchoiceforthoseontightbudgets.Thededicatedsubwoofertreatslowerfrequenciesmuchbetterthanthemajorityofcut-pricestandalonesoundbars,andtheclearnessofdialogimpressedinourtesting.There'salsoa"Surround"modethatwidensthesoundstagebeyondtheStageV2'smodestdimensions,andyoucantweakthesoundevenfurtherwithbassandtrebleboostsettings.Connectivityisverygoodforthemoney,too—inadditiontotheexpectedopticaland3.5mminputs,there'sHDMIARC,USBandBluetoothtoplaywithtoo.ReadourfullCreativeStageV2review.(Imagecredit:Tom'sGuide)5.SonosRaySpecificationsSize:22x3.5x2.8inchesAudioinputs:OpticaldigitalAudiochannels:2.0Bluetooth:YesSubwoofer:OptionalWattage:NotspecifiedWallmountable:YesToday'sBestDealsViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatWorldWideStereo(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(8found)Reasonstobuy+Pleasinglycompact+Nicelybalancedsound+Alltheusualplus-pointsofSonosmulti-roomReasonstoavoid-Notthemostexpansivesound-NoHDMIThebrandnewSonosRayisthecompany'smostaffordablesoundbaryetandhasaasoundthat'sunified,confidentanddetailed.It'scompatiblewithDolbyDigital5.1andDTSDigitalSurroundinformationbutsisessentiallyastereospeaker.Nevertheless,it’sgotthepunchtopropelaHollywoodblockbusterforwards,andthedeftpowersofcommunicationtomakesureyounevermissamoment’snuancewheredialogueisconcerned.It’sevenquiteanengaginglistenwhenusedasamusicspeaker,too.  IfyoualreadyhaveaSonosspeakerortwo,andareafterausefullycompactsoundbarwithsomegenuineperformancehighlights,gorightahead:theSonosRayisheretocharmanddelightyou.Ifyou’reunconcernedaboutwidermulti-roompossibilities,though,thissoundbarisfarfromtheonlygameintown—andit’spossibletobuyjustasmuchofthegoodstufftheRaydeliverswithoutspendingquiteasmuchasSonosisasking.ReadourfullSonosRayreview.(Imagecredit:Future)6.BoseSmartSoundbar900BestsoundbarwithDolbyAtmosandmultiroomSpecificationsSize:41.14x4.21x2.29inchesInputs/outputs:HDMIeARC;Opticalin;Ethernetport;ADAPTiQ;SubwooferoutAudiochannels:5.0.2Wireless:Wi-Fi;Bluetooth(4.2);AirPlay2Subwoofer:No(optional)Wattage:NotspecifiedWallmountable:Yes(viaoptionalkit)Today'sBestDeals(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(30found)Reasonstobuy+Slimandsleekdesign+Automaticroomcorrection+AlexaandGoogleAssistantbuilt-in+DolbyAtmossupport+GoodoveralllevelsofsoundformoviesReasonstoavoid-Bassoutputisso-so-NotsogreatformusiclisteningBose’sfirstsoundbartosupportimmersivesurroundsoundtechnologythroughDolbyAtmos,alsooffersmultiroomaudio,integratedvoiceassistantsandthesreevenroomforexpansionviawirelessBosesurroundsandawiredsubwoofer.LiketheSonosArcit'spricedat$899,buttheBoseseparatesitselfwithasmallerandmoresleekdesign,butwhileitsoundsgoodoverall,itcan’tmatchtheArcwhenitcomestobassandvirtualsurroundsound.Easytosetupwithplentyofoptionstohelpyoutunethesoundtoyourownsurroundings,theBoseperformswellwithmovies,althoughtheadditionofasubwooferwouldgivemoviesoundtracksausefulfurtherboost.DolbyAtmoseffectscomeacrosswell,butbasslevelscangetabetoverzealouswhenplayingmusic.All-in-all,theBoseiswell-featuredandagoodchoiceforthosealreadysigneduptoitsecosystembutultimatelyisoutperformedbytheSonosArcatthesameprice.      ReadourfullBoseSmartSoundbar900review(Imagecredit:PolkAudio)(opensinnewtab)7.PolkMagniFiMiniThebestsoundbarforsmallerspacesSpecificationsSize:13.4x4.3x3.1inchesInputs/Outputs:HDMI,DigitalOptical,Ethernet,USBAudioChannels:5.1,stereoBluetooth:YesSubwoofer:YesWattage:N/AWallMountable:NoToday'sBestDeals(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(9found)446Amazoncustomerreviews(opensinnewtab)☆☆☆☆☆Reasonstobuy+Powerfulbassandclearvocals+Wirelesssubwoofer+GoogleCastaudiointegrationReasonstoavoid-Noonscreendisplayormobileapp-HarshtrebleNosoundbarpackshugeaudiointoatinypackagequitelikethePolkMagniFiMinidoes.Thisunassumingspeakerwillfitseamlesslyintoanysetup,anddeliverscrispdialogueanddeepbasswiththehelpofitsincludedwirelesssubwoofer.Plus,withGoogleCastsupport,theMagniFiMinidoublesasagreathomemusicspeaker.TheMagniFiMinigetsloudenoughtofillmostbedroomsandsmallapartments,andwefounditreliableforgettingimmersedinmoviesandTVshows.Factorinahandyremoteandaneasysetupprocess,andyou'vegotthebestsoundbaroutthereforfolksshortonspace. Andat$300,itwon'tsetyoubackmuch,either.ReadourfullPolkMagniFiMinireview.(Imagecredit:Future)8.SonosBeam(Gen2)Thebest-soundingsoundbarforsmallTVsSpecificationsSize:25.6x2.3x3.9inches,6.2poundsInputs/Outputs:HDMIeARC,Ethernet,Wi-Fi,AppleAirPlay2AudioChannels:StereoBluetooth:NoSubwoofer:NoWattage:NotstatedWallMountable:NoToday'sBestDealsViewatCrutchfield(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(11found)Reasonstobuy+Impressivesoundforitssize+3DaudiowithsupportforDolbyAtmos+ReliableTruePlaytuning+Bestoptionfor55-inchandsmallerTVsReasonstoavoid-Expensive-SomenewformatsnotavailableatlaunchAnupgradetooneofthebestsoundbarsavailable,thesecond-genSonosBeambringsanewCPU,tweakedprofiles,moreaudioformats,andHDMIeArcsupportintothemix.Thedrivershavebeenre-tuned,resultinginacrispercentralchannelthatemphasizesvocalclarityanddialog.DolbyAtmosandotherhome-theatersoundformatsgrantyounumerouswaystoexperiencewide3Dsoundinyourlivingroom.OtheruniquefeatureslikeNFCforseamlesssetup,aswellasTruePlaytocuratesoundtoyourspaceandoptimalcouchposition,bringmorevaluetothissmallspeakersystem.Italsopairsperfectlywith55-inch(orsmaller)HDTVs.YoushouldknowthatSonosproductsdon’tcomecheapandthepricetagonthisbeautymightbeabitsteepfortheaverageconsumer.ThosewhocanafforditwillfindthistobeawelcomeadditiontotheirecosystemofSonosproducts.ReadourfullSonosBeam(Gen2)review.(Imagecredit:Future)9.JBLBar5.0MultiBeamThebestsoundbarforaffordableAtmosSpecificationsSize:27.9x2.3x3.9inchesInputs/Outputs:HDMIARC,DigitalOptical,Ethernet,USBAudioChannels:5.0Bluetooth:YesSubwoofer:NoWattage:250WWallMountable:YesToday'sBestDeals(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatNewegg(opensinnewtab)Reasonstobuy+GoodDolbyAtmosperformance+Autocalibration+Doesn'tneedasubwooferReasonstoavoid-Limitedsoundcontrols-NomobileappYetmoreproofthatyoudon'tneedtospendbigtogetqualityDolbyAtmosintegration,theJBLBar5.0MultiBeamdefiesitsstandaloneformfactorwitharespectableattemptatdigitalsurroundsound—nottomentionpowerfulbass,evenwithoutasubwoofer.Althoughwe'dhavelikedafewmorewaystomanuallyadjustthesoundoutput,theBar5.0MultiBeamalsofeaturesahandyautocalibrationfeaturethattunesAtmosplaybackforthedimensionsofyourlivingroomspecifically.Thishelpscontributetoastrongsenseofaudiopositioning,againsomethingyoucan'talwaysbesureaboutwithsinglesoundbars.Still,itworks,andisjustanotherreasontheBar5.0MultiBeamisoneofthebestsoundbars.ReadourfullJBLBar5.0MultiBeamreview.(Imagecredit:Tom'sGuide)10.RokuStreambarThebestsoundbarwithintegratedmediaplayerSpecificationsSize:14x4.2x2.4inchesInputs/Outputs:HDMI,USB,opticalaudioAudioChannels:StereoBluetooth:YesSubwoofer:NoWattage:N/AWallMountable:YesToday'sBestDeals(opensinnewtab)ViewatAmazon(opensinnewtab)ViewatWalmart(opensinnewtab)ViewatBestBuy(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(12found)Reasonstobuy+4Kstreaming+Clear,loudsound+CompactdesignReasonstoavoid-Relativelyweakbass-NoEthernetportTheRokuStreambarisRoku'ssecondsoundbarouting,andjustmightbethecompany'sbestyet.Thisuniqueall-in-onedeviceisbothacompactsoundbaranda4KRokustreamingplayeratonce,allowingyoutoenjoygreatsoundforshowsandmovieswhiletappingintoyourfavoritestreamingservicesallfromthesamehardware.Don'tletitssizefoolyou,though—theStreambardeliversimpressivesoundforitssizeandprice.Packingfour1.9-inchdrivers,thissmallsoundbarcaneasilyfillalivingroomwithcrispaudioforyournextNetflixorDisneyPlusbinge.Andsinceyou'regettingRokusoftwareinside,you'llbeabletowatchjustabouteverystreamingserviceoutthere,withanintuitiveinterfaceandanincludedremotefornavigation.Betteryet,youcanpairtheStreambartotheRokuTVWirelessSpeakersandRokuWirelessSubwooferifyouwantevenmoreimmersivesound.ReadourfullRokuStreambarreview.(Imagecredit:Future)11.CleerCrescentBestsmart3DsoundbarwithsleekaestheticsSpecificationsSize:4.7x26x7.2inches,12.3poundsInputs/Outputs:3.5mmauxin,opticalin,EthernetAudioChannels:StereoBluetooth:YesSubwoofer:YesWattage:50W(total)WallMountable:NoToday'sBestDealsCheckAmazon(opensinnewtab)Reasonstobuy+Goodsoundwithdistinctplaybackmodes+Luxestyling+GoogleAssistantisreliableReasonstoavoid-Veryexpensive-3DModeneedsspecificseatingpositionTakethecleanappearanceofHarmanKardon’swirelessspeakersandcombineitwiththeultramodernappearanceoftheBowers&WilkinsZeppelinwirelesssmartspeakerandyougettheCleerCrescent.However,thissoundbarisn’tjustaboutitsstrikinglooks.Underneaththewide,goldenwedgedesign are someseriousspecs,including eightfront-facing,full-rangedriversandtwolargerwoofers.TheCrescentproduceswidesoundthatiselevatedthroughthreedistinctplaybackmodes:RoomFillforconsistentsoundtofilluplargespaces, StereoWideningtoexpandthesoundstage,and3Dtocreatedigital 3Dsurroundsoundeffects.Allofthemworkwell,alongwiththebuilt-inGoogleAssistant.Onecaveatabout3DModeisthatyouneedtobeinasmallspotfortheCrescent’sbeamformingtechnologytodeliverthedesiredeffects.Thespeakerdoesn’tcomecheapeither. ReadourfullCleerCrescentreview.HowtochoosethebestsoundbarforyouThereareanumberoffactorsthatplayintodecidingwhichsoundbaryoushouldbuy.Sizewilllikelybeprohibitiveformostcustomers;youobviouslyneedasoundbarthatwillsuityourTVandspaceconstraintswithinyourentertainmentconsole.And,becauseasoundbarisoneofthecenterpiecesofyourhometheatersetup,ithastolookgoodandfitstylistically.Thenyouhavetofactorinthesizeoftheroomyou'redealingwith,andthedistanceviewerswouldtypicallybesittingfromtheTV.Ifyou'redealingwithalargerspace,it'sprobablybesttotargetsoundbarsthatcomewithasubwoofer—you'llsurelyappreciatetheextrabass.Connectivityiscrucialtoo,bothintermsofwiredandwirelessaccess.NoteverysoundbarcomeswithanHDMIport;someforceyoutomakedowithopticalaudio.That'sperfectlyfineifyouwanttouseyourTVasapass-through,butthosewhoareindireneedofmoreHDMIports—becausetheircapacityislimitedbetweengameconsoles,streamingboxesandsoon—willneedtoprioritizeoptionsthatofferthoseadditionalconnections.Finally,moreofthebestsoundbarsareembracingDolbyAtmos,whichisasurroundsoundtechnologydesignedtosimulatetheimmersive3Daudioyou'dgetfromamovietheater.ThebigdifferencebetweenAtmosandtraditionalsurroundsoundisthatyou'llhearsoundmoveupanddownandnotjustside-to-side,allowingyoutogetextraimmersedwhen,say,acarfliesoverheadinanactionmovie.TherearealreadylotsofsoundbarsthatsupportAtmos,includingtheLGSJ9,SonyHT-ST5000,andYamahaYSP-5600.HowwetestthebestsoundbarsWhentestingforinclusioninourbestsoundbarspage,weplayarangeofmedia—includingmovies,musicandgames—inordertoevaluateoverallsoundquality.Wealsotestanycompanionsoftwarethatmaycomewithasoundbar,andfactorinhoweasyitistosetupanduseeachdevice.Otherfeaturesweconsiderincludeasoundbar'sinputs,outputsandabilitytobewallmounted,allofwhichdeterminehowwellitwillworkwithyourhomeentertainmentsetup.Wealsotakeintoaccounteachsoundbar'swattage,itssupportedaudiochannelsandwhetheritincludesasubwoofer—allfactorsthatgreatlyaffecthoweachspeakerwillsoundinyourlivingroom.Oncetestingiscompleted,weratethebestsoundbarsbasedonourfive-pointsystem(1=worst,5=best).ProductsthathitnearlyeverymarkareawardedanEditor'sChoicebadge.Roundupoftoday'sbestdealsReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)Bowers&WilkinsPanorama3(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$999(opensinnewtab)$954(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)SonosArc(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$899(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)YamahaYAS-209(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$349.95(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)CreativeStagev2(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$119.99(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)SonosRay(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$279(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)BoseSmartSoundbar900(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$899(opensinnewtab)$799(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)PolkMagniFiMiniSoundbar(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$119(opensinnewtab)$109(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)Seeallprices(opensinnewtab)SonosBeam(Gen2)(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$449(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)JBLBar5.0MultiBeam(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$399.95(opensinnewtab)$349.95(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesReducedPrice(opensinnewtab)RokuStreambar(opensinnewtab)(opensinnewtab)$129.99(opensinnewtab)$98.87(opensinnewtab)View(opensinnewtab)SeeallpricesWecheckover250millionproductseverydayforthebestpricespoweredby LeeDunkley (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) (opensinnewtab) AudioEditor AsaformereditoroftheU.K.'sHi-FiChoicemagazine,LeeispassionateaboutallkindsofaudiotechandhasbeenprovidingsoundadvicetoenableconsumerstomakeinformedbuyingdecisionssincehejoinedWhich?magazineasaproducttesterinthe1990s.LeecoversallthingsaudioforTom'sGuide,includingheadphones,wirelessspeakersandsoundbarsandlovestoconnectandsharethemindfulnessbenefitsthatlisteningtomusicintheverybestqualitycanbring. Withcontributionsfrom MichaelGowan SimonLucas Topics Audio GiftGuide Speakers Seeallcomments(13) 13Comments Commentfromtheforums Gottatellya,it'sspendybutincrediblesound.Both'musically'andfortheater/surroundreflection.TheB&WPanorama2improvedontheoriginalsignificantly.HDMIinputs,includingaforth'bi-directional'HDMIconnectorsoyourtvcanbereroutedthroughthesoundbaritself.Suboutandyou'resetinamedium,evenlargelivingroom.WhiletheBoseisanexcellentbar,thePanoisaMONSTERincomparison..IMHO,andasalwaysyourmileagemayvary;) J Reply IcanseeIneedtodomoreresearch... Reply IamverycuriouswhytherearenoreviewofanyofthenewBosesoundbars(theCinemate15,120or130).Iwasconsideringbuyingoneofthembutfoundabsolutelynoreviewsofthem. Reply Sonyisbest.Beatsoverratedboseeasy! Reply CreativeSoundBlasterROARfor$149isthebestoutthere. Reply HeyTom's, IjustboughtaToshiba40"1080withaDTS(digitaloutput)andamtryingtoupgradesomewhatbutsomeoneoncetoldmeitisaloteasiertospendtolittlemoneythantoomuch.Anyway,2.1isattractiveforabunchofreasonsbutIreadthatthatwasnotsurroundsoundandwithonlytwospeakerswasreallyforlisteningtomusic.SoIstartedlookingatthe5.1don'treallyneedthewooferifthereisonebuiltinbutwhatIammostinterestedinthehavingthe"centerspeakers"asmywifeandihavetroublewithspeech/dialogetcandhavereadthatthatgoesthroughthecenterspeakersandyoucanincreasethevolumethereandhavebetterspeachrecognition.So,anyway,iseethatyouareonlyrecommendingthe2.1systemshereandsoitlookslikeyoudon'tagreewiththeneedfor5.1 Reply TherenomentionofNiroorevenNakamichi Reply best"soundbar"isapairofstereospeakers.........seriouslyjustasmallbookshelfspeakeroneachsideofyourtvifyoudon'thaveroomforsomethinglarge.I'msorryoneofthosepeoplestillfindingithardtobelievehowanythingin"bar"formtakesoffsoeasily,evenifitscrap.IfindithardtobelievetheBoseisatoppickconsideringmostaudiositesgaveitanaverageratingandpoorvalueformoney.DidyouactuallyreviewtheBosesystem?orjustpopitinthearticlebecauseofthenameoramazonreviews? Reply Can'tbelievenoonereviewsthePhillipsFidelioHTL7180.WirelesssubANDwirelesssurrounds.$350. Reply GoldenearSuperCinema3darray...best999.99I'veeverspent.Soundsbetterthananyofthiscraphere,looksfantastic,couldn'tbehappier.Thislistisajoke Reply ViewAll13Comments Showmorecomments BeIntheKnow Getinstantaccesstobreakingnews,thehottestreviews,greatdealsandhelpfultips. ContactmewithnewsandoffersfromotherFuturebrands Receiveemailfromusonbehalfofourtrustedpartnersorsponsors ThankyouforsigninguptoTom'sGuide.Youwillreceiveaverificationemailshortly. Therewasaproblem.Pleaserefreshthepageandtryagain. 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