The 4 Best Soundbars of 2022 | Reviews by Wirecutter

Lots of soundbars priced under $300 sound okay, but the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass actually sounds good. It has the clearest voice reproduction ... Weindependentlyrevieweverythingwerecommend.Whenyoubuythroughourlinks,wemayearnacommission.Learnmore›FYIWe’veaddednewsoundbarsfromHisense,LG,Samsung,andTCL—introducedatorinconjunctionwithCES2022—totheWhattolookforwardtosection.January11,2022Asthepopularityofstreamingservicescontinuestogrow—andthepictureandsoundqualityofthatcontentbothcontinuetoimprove—itmakesmoresensethanevertoinvestinagoodhomeaudio/videosystem.Asoundbaristhesimplestwaytogetatheater-likesurround-soundexperienceinthehome,andtheSamsungHW-Q900Asoundbaroffersthebestall-aroundpackage,withsimplesetup,excellentperformance,andanabundanceoffeatureandconnectionoptions.HowwepickandtestPaneltestingWe’veresumedtestingwithalisteningpanel,andweconcealedtheidentitiesofthesoundbarstoeliminatebias.NopricelimitWedidnotsetamaximumorminimumpriceforsoundbarstotest,andwehaverecommendationsfrom$80to$1,700.ConnectionscountAllofourtoppickshaveanHDMIARCconnection,whichisthemostconvenientwaytoconnectasoundbarandTV.MuchbetterbassSomeofthelatestsoundbarsincludesubwoofersthatourmeasurementsshowarecompetitivewithstandalonesubs.ReadmoreOurpickSamsungHW-Q900AThebesthigh-performancesoundbarTheSamsungHW-Q900Asoundedthebesttoourpanelists,creatingrealisticsurroundsoundwithoutextraspeakers.BuyingOptions$998*fromAmazon$1,200fromBestBuy$998fromWalmart*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$1,148.OurlisteningpanelpickedtheSamsungHW-Q900Aasthebest-soundingsystem,evenbeforetheylearnedthatit’sasimple,two-piecesetupconsistingofthesoundbarandasubwoofer.TheHW-Q900AcanplaybackthemoreimmersiveDolbyAtmosandDTS:Xaudioformats,andithasawealthofconnectionandcontrolfeatures,includingtwoHDMIinputs,anHDMIeARCconnectiontopasshigher-qualityaudiofromyourTV,built-inAmazonAlexavoicecontrol,andwirelessaudiostreamingthroughAppleAirPlay2andBluetooth.Thesoundbarincorporatesfrontspeakers,upward-firingspeakers,andside-firingsurroundspeakerstoproducearoom-fillingsoundwithmusicandmovies,andtherelativelycompact,wireless8-inchsubwooferoffersplentyofdeepbasswithlotsofpunchandsatisfyingcouchshake.(Optionalsurroundspeakersareavailable.)TheHW-Q900Aalsohasaneffectiveandusefuladaptivesystemthateliminatestheneedtochangesoundmodesbasedonthetypeofcontent(likemovies,music,orsports).Theonedownsideisthatthedisplayismountedontopsoit’shardertoseethevisualcuesfromaseatedposition,butourpanelistsdidn’tmindthismuch.AdvertisementRunner-upVizioElevateForevenmoreenvelopingsoundTheElevate,withdedicatedsurroundspeakersandasubwoofer,deliversadynamic,immersiveaudioexperience,butvoicesdon’tsoundasclearastheydothroughourtoppick.BuyingOptions$918*fromAmazon$961fromWalmart$1,000fromBestBuy*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$898.TheVizioElevateisthebestsoundbarforthosewhowantacompletesystemthatincludesasubwooferandseparaterearspeakers.ThebarfeaturesapairofmotorizedfrontspeakersthatautomaticallyturnupwardtobouncesoundeffectsofftheceilingwhenplayingDolbyAtmosandDTS:Xcontent,anditalsoincludesrearspeakerswiththeirownupward-firingdriversbuiltin.Theresultissomeofthemostenvelopingsoundwe’veheardfromasoundbar—butourpaneliststhoughtvoicessoundedclearerthroughourtoppick,andtheyprizeddialogueclarityoversonicenvelopment.Thewireless8-inchsubwooferhasimpressivelow-bassoutput,althoughnotmuchupper-basspunch.TheElevateispackedwithgreatfeatures,includingtwoHDMIinputs,BluetoothandChromecastmusicstreaming(butnotAirPlay2),numeroussoundadjustments,andadedicatedsignal-sensinginputthatletsyouconnectanAmazonEchoDotsothatthesoundbarworksasasmartspeaker.BudgetpickJBLBar2.1DeepBassRoom-fillingsoundatanaffordablepriceTheJBLBar2.1DeepBassplaysloud,putsoutplentyofbass,andsoundsexceptionallyclearwithlittleadjustmentneeded(oroffered).BuyingOptions$350fromAmazon$350fromWalmartLotsofsoundbarspricedunder$300soundokay,buttheJBLBar2.1DeepBassactuallysoundsgood.Ithastheclearestvoicereproductionwe’veheardinaninexpensivesoundbar,anditsrelativelylargesubwooferputsoutmoreanddeeperbassthanmostmodelswe’vetriedinthispricerange.Eventhoughit’sonlya2.1-channelsoundbarwithnooptionalsurroundspeakers,itproducesabig,envelopingsoundwithmoviesoundtracks.WithHDMIARC,oneHDMIinput,oneopticaldigitalaudioinput,andbuilt-inBluetooth,itofferswell-roundedconnectivityfortheprice.Itsuncomplicatedremoteprovidesfarfeweradjustmentsthanmostcompetitors,anditoffersnospecialsoundmodes,butwedon’tthinkthat’snecessarywiththispick.AlsogreatVizioM512a-H6Atech-packed,mid-pricedoptionTheM512a-H6givesyouafullyimmersive,surround-soundexperienceandplentyofinputsforanaffordableprice.BuyingOptions$500*fromBestBuy*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$698.Mostlow-andmid-pricedsoundbarsthatsupportDolbyAtmosand/orDTS:Xusedigitalsoundprocessingtosimulateamoreimmersivesurround-soundexperience,buttheVizioM512a-H6istherealdeal:asoundbarwithupward-firingspeakersforAtmosandDTS:X,aswellasseparatefront,center,andrightspeakers.Italsoincludesdedicatedsurroundspeakersthatconnect(viacables)tothewirelesssubwoofer.TheM512a-H6offersplentyofconnections,includingHDMIeARCandoneextraHDMIinput;USBandopticaldigitalaudioinputs;andtwoanaloginputs,oneofwhichhassignal-sensingthatletsthesoundbarworkjustlikeasmartspeakerwhenit’sconnectedtoanAmazonEchoDot.Numerousadjustmentsprovidetheabilityforfine-tuning.EverythingwerecommendOurpickSamsungHW-Q900AThebesthigh-performancesoundbarTheSamsungHW-Q900Asoundedthebesttoourpanelists,creatingrealisticsurroundsoundwithoutextraspeakers.BuyingOptions$998*fromAmazon$1,200fromBestBuy$998fromWalmart*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$1,148.Runner-upVizioElevateForevenmoreenvelopingsoundTheElevate,withdedicatedsurroundspeakersandasubwoofer,deliversadynamic,immersiveaudioexperience,butvoicesdon’tsoundasclearastheydothroughourtoppick.BuyingOptions$918*fromAmazon$961fromWalmart$1,000fromBestBuy*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$898.BudgetpickJBLBar2.1DeepBassRoom-fillingsoundatanaffordablepriceTheJBLBar2.1DeepBassplaysloud,putsoutplentyofbass,andsoundsexceptionallyclearwithlittleadjustmentneeded(oroffered).BuyingOptions$350fromAmazon$350fromWalmartAlsogreatVizioM512a-H6Atech-packed,mid-pricedoptionTheM512a-H6givesyouafullyimmersive,surround-soundexperienceandplentyofinputsforanaffordableprice.BuyingOptions$500*fromBestBuy*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$698.WhyyoushouldtrustusWhoshouldgetasoundbarHowwepickedHowwetestedOurpick:SamsungHW-Q900AAtmossoundbarFlawsbutnotdealbreakersRunner-up:VizioElevateAtmossoundbarBudgetpick:JBLBar2.1DeepBasssoundbarAgreatmid-pricedsoundbar:VizioM512a-H6OthergoodsoundbarsMeasurementsSustainabilityandenvironmentalimpactofsoundbarsWhattolookforwardtoThecompetitionWhyyoushouldtrustusIhavebeenreviewingaudiogearprofessionallysince1990,havingworkedasaneditororwriterforSoundStage,Sound&Vision,HomeTheaterReview,HomeTheaterMagazine,andnumerousotherpublications.Inthattime,I’veconductedandpublishedmoreblindtestsofaudioproductsthananyotherjournalistintheworld,andIamanacknowledgedexpertinaudiomeasurement.Ialsousedtoworkasaconsultantinsoundbardesignandtuningfornumerouscompanies(mostlyOEM/ODMcompaniesthatsupplyproductsforwell-knownbrands),andI’veevaluatedandmeasuredmorethan120soundbarsinfinalorprototypeform.Ourpanelistsforoursummer2021listeningtestswereLeRenaMajor,amusicindustryproandvotingmemberoftheRecordingAcademy(parentorganizationoftheGrammyAwards),andDanGonda,whoplayswoodwindinstrumentsinavarietyofjazzcombosandbigbandsinCaliforniaandisacertifiedAvidProToolsengineer(andmybandmateinthejazzgroupTonicTrio).Bothhaveparticipatedinatleastahalf-dozenlisteningtestsI’veconducted.WhoshouldgetasoundbarIfyouwantbettersoundthanyou’regettingfromyourTV’sbuilt-inspeakersbutdon’twanttopiecetogetherseparatecomponents(suchasanAVorstereoreceiverandaspeakerpackage),asoundbaristhewaytogo.Separatecomponentsalmostalwaysprovidebetterperformanceforyourdollar,buttheyalsotakeupmorespaceandrequireadditionalcables,andtheiroperationismorecomplicated.Agoodsoundbarstrikesabalancebetweenperformanceandconvenience,deliveringimprovedsoundqualityinapackagethat’seasiertosetupanduse.CanaGoodSoundbarRivalaTrueSurround-SoundSysteminaBlindListeningTest?Assoundbarperformancecontinuestoimprove,doesanyoneneedtoinvestinanAVreceiverandspeakerstogetgreatsound?Wedidblindteststofindout.Inaddition,today’ssoundbarsaren’tjustforTVandmoviewatching.MostalsosupportsomemethodofwirelessaudiostreamingoverBluetoothorWi-Fi.Thisfeatureallowsyoutostreammusicfrommobiledevicessuchassmartphones,tablets,computers,andportableaudioplayers.Ifyourtoppriorityisgettingthebestsurround-soundexperience,orifyouhavealotofsourcedevices(likeacablebox,gamingconsole,streamingmediaplayer,andmusicplayer)toconnecttoyourTV,you’rebetteroffwithanAVreceiverandamulti-channelspeakersystem.Ifyoujustneedasimpleaudiosetupwithnovideopass-through,youmightalsoconsiderwirelesspoweredbookshelfspeakersorastereoreceiverandapairofbookshelfspeakers.AnothersimplesolutionTheBestBookshelfSpeakersforMostStereosTheQAcoustics3020iisourfavoritepairofpassivebookshelfspeakers,whiletheEdifierS1000MKIIisagreatchoiceifyouneedapoweredspeakerset.HowwepickedTodecidewhichsoundbarstocallinfortesting,weconsideredthefollowingcriteria:Numberofchannels:Soundbarscanhaveanywherefromtwoto11channelsofsound.Asimple“2.0”(ortwo-channelwithoutsubwoofer)soundbarisusuallytheleastexpensiveandleastcomplex,butgenerallyitcan’tdeliveracinematicexperience.A“2.1”barincludesasoundbarandasubwoofer;thisisthemostcommontype,andmostarepricedunder$300.A“3.1”baraddsacenter-channelspeakerforbettervoiceclarity.A“5.1”baraddssurroundspeakers,whichmaybebuiltintotheendsofthesoundbarormightbeseparatespeakers.BarsthatincorporateDolbyAtmosareusuallylabeled“5.1.2”or“5.1.4,”meaningtheyaddtwoorfourupward-facingAtmosspeakerstobouncesoundeffectsofftheceiling.Becauseallofthesesoundbarsmightbeofinteresttodifferentpeople,wetriedeverythingwecouldgetourhandson.Wirelessaudiosupport:Weconsideredonlysoundbarsthathadtheabilitytostreammusicfromaphoneortablet,viaBluetoothorWi-Fi(orboth).Fortunately,mostnewsoundbarshavethiscapability.Wi-FisystemssuchasAirPlay,Chromecast,andSonosaremorecomplicatedtosetup,buttheyofferpotentiallybettersoundqualitythanBluetoothbecausetheydonotapplyadditionaldatacompressiontotheaudiosignal,andtheycanworkinconjunctionwithothercompatiblespeakersinamultiroomaudiosystemsetup.HDMIARCconnection:WeincludedonlysoundbarsthathaveanHDMIARC(AudioReturnChannel)jack,whichletsyoutransmitaudioviaasingleHDMIcablebetweentheTVandsoundbar.Thisfeatureisimportantbecauseitallowsthesoundbartoworklikeit’spartoftheTV:Whenyoupowerupyoursourcedevice(suchasastreamingmediaplayeroracable/satellitereceiver),boththeTVandthesoundbarshouldautomaticallypowerupandswitchtotheircorrectinputs,andtheremotefortheTVormediaplayerallowsyoutocontrolthesoundbar’svolume.Whenthisconnectionworksthewayit’ssupposedto,tech-phobicfamilymembersdon’teverhavetotouchabuttononthesoundbaroritsremote.HDMIinputs:Althoughsuchinputsarelessimportantina2.0-or2.1-channelsoundbar,thisfeaturemaybeessentialifyouhavea5.1-channelorAtmos-capablesoundbarandwanttogetthehighest-qualitysoundfromstreamingmediaplayers,Blu-rayplayers,andvideogameconsoles.ManyolderTVsequippedwithHDMIARC“dumbdown”a5.1orAtmossignalcominginthroughHDMIto2.0channels,whichtheythenpasstothesoundbar.ManyTVsreleasedinthepastfourorfiveyearscanpass5.1audioandDolbyAtmosoverHDMIARCbutinacompressedform.ThenewestTVsequippedwitheARC(enhancedAudioReturnChannel,partoftheHDMI2.1spec)canpassanuncompressedAtmossignal,butboththeTVandsoundbarmustsupporteARCforthattohappen.IfyoursoundbarhasHDMIinputs,youdon’thavetoworrywhichversionofARCyourgearsupportsbecauseyoucanconnectyoursourcesdirectlytothesoundbarinsteadoftotheTV.Price:Inpreviousversionsofthisguide,wesetapriceceilingof$1,000.AttherequestofWirecutterreaders,we’veeliminatedthepriceceilingforthisandfutureupdates.Configuration:Wetestedonlystandard,poweredsoundbarswithbuilt-inamplifiersandaudioprocessing,asopposedtopassivesoundbarsthatmustbeconnectedtoanAVreceiver.Wealsodeclinedtotestsoundbases,whichfitunderaTV;someofthosesoundprettygood,butmanyTVshavelegsthataretoowidelyspacedfortheTVtositstablyatopasoundbase.Forourlatestupdateinthesummerof2021,wetested15newmodels,includingtheBoseSmartSoundbar300;KlipschCinema6005.1andCinema1200;JBLBar5.0;LGSP8YAandSP9YA;MonopriceSB-600;PolkReact;RokuStreambarPro;SamsungHW-Q800A,HW-Q900AandHW-S60A;SonyHT-G700;andVizioM51a-H6andM512a-H6.FurtherreadingSoundbarNotWorking?HereAreSomeTroubleshootingTips.Assoundbarsgetmoreadvanced,theyalsogetmorecomplexandsensitivetosetuperrors.Herearesometipsforgettingyourstoworkcorrectly.HowwetestedFortunately,sincethedeploymentofCOVID-19vaccines,we’vebeenabletoresumeourbrand-concealedaudiotestswithalisteningpanel.Concealingtheidentitiesandconfigurationsofaudioproductsisessential;studieshaveshownthatlisteningresultscanbegreatlyskewedwhenlistenersknowtheidentitiesoftheproducts.Beforewedidthetestswithoutsidelisteners,Ispentatleastthreedaysusingeachsoundbarcasually,watchingTVprograms,atleastoneactionmovie,andafewfavoritemovieclips—andlisteningtoavarietyofmusic.Duringthesetests,Itriedoutthevarioussoundmodes,testedthedifferentconnectionoptions,andgotageneralfeelforhowthesoundbarsperformedandoperated.Ithenputeachofthesoundbarsthroughaformaltest,playingDolbyAtmosscenesfromBlu-raydiscsofMidwayandDivergent:InsurgentalongwithaudiophilefavoritessuchasTracyChapman’s“FastCar,”streamedviaWi-Fiwhenpossible,orBluetoothotherwise.Ialsocomparedthesoundbarsagainstourexistingpicks.Afterthisround,IpickedtheeightmodelsIthoughthadthebestchancetowinoverourpanelists.Forourpanelists,Iconcealedtheidentitiesofthesoundbarsbehindthin,blackfabric.Itoldthemnothingatallaboutthesoundbars,althoughtheycouldseethatatleastsomeofthesoundbarsuseddedicatedsurroundspeakers,whichwerearrayedon59-inch-tallbookshelvesbehindthem.Isetthevolumeofeachsoundbartothesameplaybacklevel,usingasoundpressurelevelmeterandashapednoisetonetakenfromaDolbyDigitalreceiver.IthenplayedthemthesamemovieandmusicselectionsIusedformytest,plusonemusictrackoftheirchoice.Duringthesetests,Iaskedthepaneliststopayparticularattentionto:howclearvoicessoundedinmusicandmoviesthebalanceofbasstomidrangetotreblehowcleanthebarssoundedwhencrankedupthevolume,depth,andclarityofthebassresponsehowenvelopingthesoundwaswithmoviesandmusichoweffectivethedifferentlisteningmodeswerehoweasythesoundbarwastosetupanduseWithsoundbarsthatofferedspecialsoundmodes,IgenerallyemployedthemodeintendedforthetypeofcontentIwaslisteningto—“movies”or“music,”forinstance—butIalsoexperimentedwithalloftheothermodesavailable.Forsoundbarswith4KHDRvideopass-through,ItestedwhetherthisfunctionworkedproperlywithanHDR-capableTV.Tospecificallytesteverysoundbarsystem’sbasscapabilitiesbeyondthelisteningtests,Imeasuredeachsystemusingthesameprocessweuseforourguidestothebesthigh-performancesubwooferandthebestbudgetsubwoofer.WeshowtheresultsintheMeasurementssectionbelow.Ourpick:SamsungHW-Q900AAtmossoundbarPhoto:BrentButterworthOurpickSamsungHW-Q900AThebesthigh-performancesoundbarTheSamsungHW-Q900Asoundedthebesttoourpanelists,creatingrealisticsurroundsoundwithoutextraspeakers.BuyingOptions$998*fromAmazon$1,200fromBestBuy$998fromWalmart*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$1,148.Eventhoughthetwo-pieceSamsungHW-Q900Aisaseasytosetupasabasic2.1-channelsoundbar,ourpaneliststhoughtitdeliveredthebestsoundofallthebarswetested—andtheyneverrealizedthatitdoesn’tincludeseparatesurroundspeakers.It’satrueseven-channelsoundbarthatincorporatesupward-firingAtmosspeakers,side-firingsurroundspeakers,andthreefrontspeakers,andit’scompatiblewiththeDolbyAtmosandDTS:Xformats.Italsoincludesanexcellent8-inchsubwoofer;twoHDMIinputsthatcanpass4Kandhighdynamicrangesignals;anHDMIeARCport;built-inAlexacapability;andaudiostreamingthroughAirPlay2andBluetooth.BothofourpanelistspickedtheHW-Q900Aastheirsonicfavorite,anditwasoneofmytwofavorites(alongwiththeKlipschCinema1200).TheyparticularlylovedthewaymoviedialoguesoundedthroughtheHW-Q900A.“Thedialoguestandsoutmore,andthevoicesinmusicsoundclearer,butnotinawaythatupsetsthebalanceofthemixes,”LeRenasaid.“Really,everythingseemedtosoundalittleclearerthroughthisone.”Thesoundwasn’tquiteasenvelopingasitwaswiththeVizioElevate,butitwasprettyclose.Infact,thepanelistsweresurprisedtolearnthattheHW-Q900Adidn’tuseseparatesurroundspeakersintherear.(ThosewhowantanevenmoreintensesurroundeffectcanaddtheSWA-9500SAtmos-enabledsurroundspeakers.)IgotastrongsenseofoverheadsoundwhenIusedtheHW-Q900AforsomeofthetestswedidformyrecentarticleonAtmosmusic.The8-inchsubwooferincludedwiththeHW-Q900Aproducesimpressivebassforitssize.OurCTA-2010measurementsshowedthatitsoutputaveraged111.7decibelsinthemid-bassand97.2dBinthelowbass—that’s7.4dBmoreand3dBless,respectively,thantheVizioElevate.Thismeansthat,comparedwiththeElevate,theQ900Awillgiveyoumoresenseofimpactwithcarcrashesandonscreenpunchesinmoviesoundtracks,butalittlebitlesscouchvibrationduringexplosions.Theonlysoundbarsubwooferwe’vetriedthatclearlyoutperformstheQ900A’sistheoneincludedwiththeKlipschCinema1200,whichismuchmorecostlyandalmosttwo-and-a-halftimesaslarge.OneespeciallyconvenientfeatureoftheHW-Q900AisitsAdaptiveSoundmode,whichanalyzeswhatyou’relisteningtoandadjuststhesoundtosuit.WefounditalwaysgaveussoundthatwasatleastasgoodaswhatwegotbymanuallyselectingtheStandard,SurroundorGamePromode.TheActiveVoiceAmplifiermodedoesaprettygoodjobofmakingdialogueeasiertounderstand.AnAutoEQmodeusestesttonesandaninternalmicrophonetoadjustthesubwoofer’sresponsetosuitaroom’sacoustics;itdidseemtoreducesomeofthesubwoofer’sboomandmadebassnotessoundalittleclearerandbetterdefined.There’salsoaQ-Symphonyfeaturethatroutessoundfromthesoundbar’ssurroundchannelsthroughaSamsungTV’sspeakerstocreateamoreenvelopingeffect,butwedidn’thaveachancetotryit.Fine-tuningofthesoundcanbedonethroughSamsung’sSmartThingsapp,whichismoreconvenientthandoingitthroughtheremotecontrol.TheHW-Q900AhastwoHDMIinputs,anHDMIeARCport,andanopticaldigitalaudioinput—butnotabasicanalogaudioinputtoconnectanon-digitalsourcelikeaturntable.Photo:BrentButterworthTheHW-Q900Aoffersadecentselectionofinputs,includingtwoHDMIinputsandanHDMIeARCjack,allofwhichsupport4KHDRvideopass-through.WithtwoHDMIinputsatyourdisposal,youcanconnect,say,avideo-streamingdeviceandaBlu-rayplayerorgameconsoledirectlytothesoundbarinsteadoftheTV—whichisespeciallyhelpfulifyourTVdoesn’tsupporteARCandyouwanttoenjoyuncompressedAtmosandDTS:Xaudio.There’salsoanopticaldigitalaudioinput.Youcanstreamaudiowirelesslyfromaphone,tablet,orcomputerusingAppleAirPlay2orBluetooth.AmazonAlexacapabilityisbuiltin,sotheHW-Q900Ahasthesamevoice-commandcapabilityasanAmazonEchosmartspeaker,andcanbeusedinamultiroomsystememployingAlexaorAirPlay2.TheHW-Q900Acomeswithasimpleremote,andyoucanuseSamsung’sSmartThingsapptomakemoreadvancedadjustments.Photo:BrentButterworthAt48½incheslong,thisbarisalittleonthelargesiderelativetomostmodelsnowonthemarket,andit’sbestsuitedforusewithTVs55inchesandlarger.Thesubwooferisrelativelycompact,though,atjust8.3incheswideby15.9inchestallanddeep.FlawsbutnotdealbreakersTheglaringflawintheHW-Q900A’sdesignisthatthealphanumericdisplaythatshowstheselectedinput,soundmode,andsuchismountedonthetopofthesoundbar,soyouhavetowalkuptothebartoseeit.ThisbafflingquirkinitiallycausedmetodismisstheHW-Q900A,butthepanelists’reactiontothesound,andtheirlackofconcernaboutthetop-mounteddisplay,mademereconsider.HavingtheAdaptiveSoundmode,whichforuseliminatedtheneedtoadjustthesound,helpedalot,asdidtheeasy-to-accessadjustmentsintheSmartThingsapp.Thealphanumericdisplayislocatedonthetopofthesoundbar,soit’simpossibletoseewhenyou’reseatedacrosstheroom.Photo:BrentButterworthUnlikemanycompetingmodels,theHW-Q900Ahasnoanaloginput.Thismightbeaconcernforcertainsituations,suchasconnectingaturntableoranoldercomputerwithoutHDMI.Ifyouneedtoconnectananalogsource,you’llhavetouseananalog-to-digitalconverter,aswedidforourlabmeasurements.Runner-up:VizioElevateAtmossoundbarPhoto:MichaelHessionRunner-upVizioElevateForevenmoreenvelopingsoundTheElevate,withdedicatedsurroundspeakersandasubwoofer,deliversadynamic,immersiveaudioexperience,butvoicesdon’tsoundasclearastheydothroughourtoppick.BuyingOptions$918*fromAmazon$961fromWalmart$1,000fromBestBuy*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$898.TheVizioElevate(P514a-H6)isafull-featuredAtmossoundbarthatproducesanimmersivesurroundeffectnearlyasrealisticasyou’dhearfromafullsurround-soundspeakersystem.ItincorporatesmotorizedfrontspeakersthatturnupwardautomaticallywithAtmosandDTS:Xcontentandturnforwardtoexpandthesoundstagewith5.1-channelmoviesoundtracksandstereomusic.TheElevatealsoincludestwoseparaterearspeakerswithupward-firingAtmosdriversandapowerful8-inchsubwoofer.Ourpanelistsfeltthatourtoppick,theSamsungHW-Q900A,producedclearerdialogueandrequiredlessadjustmenttogetoptimumsound,butthattheElevateproducedamoreenvelopingsound.TheElevatehastwoHDMIinputsthatcanpass4Kandhighdynamicrangevideo,plusanHDMIeARCportandasignal-sensinginputtoattachanAmazonEchoDotandaddsmart-speakerfunctionality.TheElevateisoneofthemostdynamicsoundbarswe’vetested.Itimpressedourpanelistswithitsabilitytofillalargeroomwithabig,clearsound,withoutsoundingdistortedorharshwhenwepushedthevolume.AlthoughourpanelistspreferredtheSamsungHW-Q900Aoverallbecauseitproducedclearerdialogue,theElevatestilloffersbetterdialogueclaritythanmostsoundbarsdo,andthere’sadialogueleveladjustmentthatcanmakevoiceseasiertohearwhennecessary.Eachrearspeakercontainsaforward-facingfull-rangedriverandanupward-facingAtmosfull-rangedriver.Therearspeakersmustbeconnectedviaspeakercabletothesubwooferforpower.Photo:MichaelHessionThe8-inchsubwooferisinthesameclassastheoneincludedwiththeSamsungHW-Q900A;theonlysoundbarsubwooferwe’veheardthatisclearlybetteristhemuchlarger12-inchmodelincludedwiththeKlipschCinema1200.OurCTA-2010measurementsshowedthatthesubwoofer’soutputaveraged104.3decibelsinthemid-bassand100.2dBinthelowbass.Thatmeansitsmid-basspunchisn’tespeciallystrong,butitslow-basspowerbeatsallbuttheCinema1200.Sowhenacharacteronscreengetspunched,forexample,youmaynotfeelitinyourchestquiteasstronglyaswiththeSamsungHW-Q900AortheJBLBar2.1DeepBass,butwhentheearthquakeshitinSanAndreas,you’llfeelmorevibrationinyourcouch.IntheMoviesoundmode,thesubwoofer’soutputistooloud,evenwhenturnedallthewaydown,andtheexcessivevolumetendstomakethesubwooferdistort.Thisisoneofthemajorcomplaintswe’vereadabouttheElevate,butthefixiseasy:JustswitchtotheMusicorDirectsoundmode,eitherofwhichworksverywellwithmoviesandwillletyougetthesubwoofer’svolumeundercontrol.Keepinmind,however,thattheDialoguecontrol,whichwefounduseful,doesn’tworkinDirectmode.Also,sincetherearspeakersarecabledtothesubwoofer,youwillprobablyhavetoinstallthesubwoofertowardthebackoftheroom,whichmeansthatthelowesttonesofmalevoicesmaycomefrombehindyou,whichcanbedistracting.Inadditiontoopticaldigitalaudioandanalogaudioinputs,theElevatehasadedicatedAuxVAanalogaudioinputintendedforvoice-commanddevicessuchastheAmazonEchoDotspeaker.Photo:BrentButterworthTheElevateoffersanHDMIeARCconnectionplustwoHDMIinputsthatsupport4KHDRpass-through.Photo:BrentButterworthInadditiontoopticaldigitalaudioandanalogaudioinputs,theElevatehasadedicatedAuxVAanalogaudioinputintendedforvoice-commanddevicessuchastheAmazonEchoDotspeaker.Photo:BrentButterworthTheElevateoffersanamplearrayofinputs—mostnotably,itprovidestwoHDMIinputs(inadditiontotheHDMIeARCjack)thatsupport4KHDRvideopass-throughandDolbyAtmosandDTS:Xdecoding.Thebaralsoincludesanopticaldigitalaudioinput,aUSBinputthatacceptsWAVandMP3audiofiles,ananalogaudioinput,andanextraanaloginputwithsignalsensing.Usingthatlastinput,youcanconnectanAmazonEchoDot,andtheElevatewillworkjustlikeadedicatedsmartspeaker;thebarsensesthesignalcomingfromtheEchoDotandautomaticallyswitchestothatinput.However,wefoundtheElevatetendedtocutoffthefirstfewsecondsoftheDot’sreplies,soinsteadofhearing“Thetimeis4p.m.”whenweaskedwhattimeitwas,weheardonly“...m.”SmartspeakersthathaveBluetoothoutput,suchastheGoogleHomeMini,canperformthesamefunctionusingtheElevate’sBluetoothconnection.Thesubwooferiswireless,soyoucanplaceitalmostanywhere,andthetwosmallrearspeakersconnectdirectlytothebackofthesubwoofervia25-footcables.Thelongcablesprovidesomeflexibilityinwhereyoucanpositionboththesubwooferandthesurrounds,butyoustillhavetodealwiththepresenceofcables.Theaccessoriesboxprovidesallthecablesyouneed.Thenewandimprovedremotecontrolisilluminatedandhasbuttonsfordedicatedcontrolmenusinsteadofasinglemenubuttontoaccessalladjustments.Photo:MichaelHessionVizio’sSmartCastMobileappletsyouconnectthroughGoogleChromecastforstreamingfromamobiledevicetothesoundbar.Setupoftheappistime-consumingandcomplicated;ittookusthreetriestogetallthewaythroughtheprocess(andwe’renotsurewhatwedidrightthatthirdtime).Theappalsoprovidesremotecontrolofthesoundbar,withdirectaccesstoalladjustments.Thiswouldbeeveneasierandfastertousethantheremote,ifthesoundbarrespondedreliablytotheapp,whichitusuallydidn’tinourexperience.Thegoodnewsis,otherthanChromecaststreaming,there’snothingyoureallyneedintheapp—andifyouuseBluetoothforstreaming,youhavelittlereasontobotherwiththeapp.WeinitiallyheardsomecomplaintsaboutHDMIconnectionissueswiththeElevate,resultinginproblemssuchaslip-syncerrorsandthesurroundspeakersnotworking,althoughwe’veseenfewersuchcommentsoverthepastseveralmonths.Forhelpindiagnosingandfixingtheseissues,readourblogonsoundbartroubleshootingtips.Onemorecomplication:EverytimeyouwanttolistentoaBluetoothsourcethroughtheElevate,youhavetoswitchtotheBluetoothsourcemode—whichmeansgrabbingtheremoteorpressingthebuttononthesoundbar’stoppanel.Incontrast,someothersoundbarshavealways-activeBluetooth,sowheneveryouhittheConnectbuttononyoursmartphoneortablet,itautomaticallyswitchesthesoundbarintoBluetoothplaybackmode.Budgetpick:JBLBar2.1DeepBasssoundbarPhoto:BrentButterworthBudgetpickJBLBar2.1DeepBassRoom-fillingsoundatanaffordablepriceTheJBLBar2.1DeepBassplaysloud,putsoutplentyofbass,andsoundsexceptionallyclearwithlittleadjustmentneeded(oroffered).BuyingOptions$350fromAmazon$350fromWalmartTheJBLBar2.1DeepBassrepresentsabigstepforwardinsoundqualityfor2.1-channelsoundbar-and-subwoofersystems.Lotsofsoundbarspricedunder$300soundokay,buttheJBLBar2.1DeepBassactuallysoundsgood.Thebesttestamenttoitsqualityisitsremote,whichoffersonlyonesound-tweakingcontrol:asubwooferleveladjustment.Mostothersoundbarsofferavarietyofmodesformusic,movies,games,sports,andthelike,alongwithothercontrolstoalterthesoundtoyourliking.TheBar2.1DeepBassdoesn’thavethose,andinouropinionitdoesn’tneedthem.Ithasmoreconnectionoptionsthanyou’lloftenseeinitspricerange,butitlacksmanyfeaturesfoundinourpricierpicks,suchasWi-Fimusicstreaming,Atmos/DTS:Xsupport,andvoicecontrol.(Ifyou’researchingforanevenlower-pricedbudgetsoundbar,checkoutOthergoodsoundbarstoseemorerecommendations.)Inourtests,welovedthewaytheBar2.1DeepBasssoundedwithmovies.Eventhoughit’sonlya2.1-channelsoundbar,withnooptionalsurroundspeakers,thebarproducedaspacious,wraparoundsoundeffectthatmadeusfeelalmostasifwewerehearingsurroundspeakers.Italsohadtheclearestvoicereproductionwe’veheardinaninexpensivesoundbar,anditsrelativelylargesubwooferputoutmoreanddeeperbassthanmostunder-$400models.Wemeasuredthesubwoofer’smid-bassoutputat110.5dBanditslow-bassoutputat87.9dB.ItactuallyoutpunchedtheVizioElevate’ssubwooferinthemid-bass,althoughitfellfarshortofthelow-bass(couch-shaking)performanceoftheElevateandtheSamsungHW-Q900A.Still,it’smuchbetterthantheothersubwoofersthatcomewithinexpensive2.1soundbarswe’vetested—whichdidn’tevenhaveenoughlow-bassoutputforustocalculateanaverageinthatrange.(NotethatJBLhasanearlier,pre-2019,non–DeepBassBar2.1availableatalowerprice.Wehaven’theardthatmodel,butaJBLrepresentativeinformedusthattheDeepBassmodel,unsurprisingly,hasimprovedbassperformance.)TheremoteincludedwiththeBar2.1isrefreshinglysimple,withinput,volume/mute,andpowercontrols—plusabassbuttonforadjustingthesubwooferlevel.Photo:BrentButterworthWhat’sevenmoresurprisingisthattheBar2.1DeepBasssoundsgreatwithmusic,too.Mostinexpensivesoundbarsmanglethesoundofsingers’voices,oftenmakingthemseemcoarseandroughandcreatinga“cuppedhands”effect(asifthesingershadcuppedtheirhandsaroundtheirmouths).TheBar2.1DeepBassavoidsthoseproblemsentirely;itisn’tareplacementforasmallstereo,butitiseasilysatisfyingenoughforbackgroundmusicandlightlisteningwhileyou’reputteringaroundthehouse.TheBar2.1hasanHDMIinputandoutput,plusopticaldigitalandUSBports—butnoanalogaudioinput.Photo:BrentButterworthWithHDMIARC,anHDMIinput(thatdoesn’tsupport4KorHDRpass-through),oneopticaldigitalaudioinput,andBluetoothsupport,theBar2.1DeepBassoffersalotofconnectivityfortheprice,butitlacksananalogaudioinput,whichmaybeadeal-killerforpeoplewhowanttouseitwitholderTVs.Theremoteoffersfarfeweradjustmentsthanthoseofmostcompetitors,butithaseverythingyoureallyneedandiseasiertonavigatethanmost.TheBar2.1DeepBassmeasures38incheswideby2¼incheshigh,soit’ssmallandshortenoughtofitonmostTVfurniture.The6½-inchsubwooferis15incheshighby9½incheswideanddeep,soit’salittleonthelargeside,butthat’spartofwhyitperformsthewayitdoes.Agreatmid-pricedsoundbar:VizioM512a-H6Photo:BrentButterworthAlsogreatVizioM512a-H6Atech-packed,mid-pricedoptionTheM512a-H6givesyouafullyimmersive,surround-soundexperienceandplentyofinputsforanaffordableprice.BuyingOptions$500*fromBestBuy*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$698.TheVizioM512a-H6isthebestsoundbartogetifyouwantrealhometheatersoundinacompactandaffordablepackage.Itincorporatesafull5.1.2-channelsurround-soundsystem:left,center,andrightspeakersinthebar,withupward-firingspeakersforimmersivesound,plusawirelesssubwooferandsurroundspeakers.DolbyAtmosandDTS:Xcapabilityareincluded,alongwithanHDMIeARCconnectionandanextra4KHDR-capableHDMIinput,soyoucangetimmersivesoundevenifyourTVdoesn’thaveeARC.Theremotecontrolalsoincludeslotsofsound-adjustmentcapability,althoughthelackofanalphanumericdisplayonthesoundbarmakestheadjustmentsalittlemoredifficult.Theenveloping,immersivesoundoftheM512a-H6iswhatmadeitstandoutformeandourpanelists;ithasabiggerandmorespaciouscharacterthanprobablyanyothersoundbarwe’veheardinthemid-three-figurespricerange.Whetherwewerelisteningtomusicorwatchingmovies,wefeltthatthesoundhadasmooth,warmcharacterthatmadeitgenerallymorepleasanttolistentothanmostsoundbars.Atthefactory-defaultsettings,thebassistooloudandthedialogueinmoviestendstogetlostinbusyscenes.Butbybringingthecenter-channellevelupandthesubwooferleveldown(bothaccomplishedeasilythroughtheremote,whichhasitsownalphanumericdisplay),wewereabletogettheM512a-H6soundingverygood.Sonically,thedifferencebetweenit,theSamsungHW-Q900A,andtheVizioElevateisthatthemoreexpensivebarsplaylouder,soundalittleclearer,andhavedeeperandmorepowerfulbass.Despiteitssmall,6-inchwoofer,thesubwooferperformswell,averaging104.1dBinthemid-bassand90.1dBinthelowbass.TheformernumberisaboutthesameastheVizioElevate’smuchlargersubachieves,althoughthelow-bassnumberfallsabout10dBshortoftheElevate,orroughlyhalfasloud.Soifyouwantyourcouchtoshake,you’llhavetospendmore.AswiththeElevate,theM512a-H6’ssurroundspeakersconnecttothesubwoofer,whichmeansthesubwooferwillprobablyhavetogointhebackoftheroom.Andthatmeansthatyoumayoccasionallynoticethelowestnotesofmalevoicescomingfrombehindyou,whichcanbedistracting,butourpanelistsdidn’tcomplainaboutthis,andIrarelynoticedit.TheM512a-H6hasoneHDMIinputandanHDMIeARCconnection,plusopticaldigitalaudioandUSBports.Photo:BrentButterworthLikethemoreexpensiveElevate,theM512a-H6hasasignal-sensingAuxVAporttoconnectasmartspeaker.Photo:BrentButterworthTheM512a-H6lacksafront-paneldisplaybuthastop-panelbuttonsforpower,source,Bluetooth,andvolume.Photo:BrentButterworthTheremote’salphanumericdisplaymakeshandlingadjustmentsabiteasier.Photo:BrentButterworthTheM512a-H6comeswithseparatesurroundspeakersthatconnectviacablestothesubwoofer.Photo:BrentButterworthTheM512a-H6hasoneHDMIinputandanHDMIeARCconnection,plusopticaldigitalaudioandUSBports.Photo:BrentButterworthTheM512a-H6hasBluetooth,butitdoesn’thaveWi-Fi,soyoumayloseabitofsoundqualitywhenyou’relisteningtostreamingservicessuchasSpotifyandAppleMusic.LiketheElevate,ithasasignal-sensinganaloginputthatcanbeconnectedtoanAmazonEchoDot,whichallowstheM512a-H6tofunctionjustlikeasmartspeaker—nomatterwhatyou’relisteningto,thebarwillswitchovertotheEchoDotwhenyouaskAlexaaquestionorissueitacommand.UnliketheElevate,though,theM512a-H6makesthisswitchwithnoapparentdelay,sononeofAlexa’srepliesarecutoff.ConnectinganEchoDotalsoallowstheM512a-H6tofunctionaspartofanAlexa-basedmultiroommusicsystem.There’sanadditionalanalogaudioinputandanopticaldigitalaudioinput,plusaUSBinputforconnectiontoacomputer,althoughtheUSBinputacceptsonlyWAVfiles.TheM512a-H6measures40incheslong,soitfitswellwithscreensdowntoabout50inchesinsize.Thesubwoofer,atjust11.8inchesdeep,8.7incheswideand9.8incheshigh,shouldbesmallenoughtotuckbehindacouchorunderanendtable.OthergoodsoundbarsIfyouwantasuper-affordable,super-compactsoundbarwithstreamingbuiltin:Considerthe$100RokuStreambar,a14-inch-long,2.0-channel,HDMI-equippedbarwiththeequivalentofaRokuStreamingStick+4KHDRstreamer(acurrentpickinourbestmediastreamingdevicesguide)builtin.TheStreambarsoundsmuchclearer,louder,andfullerthanalmostanyTVspeakers,andit’sbetterthanmostinexpensive2.0soundbars.Inourtests,wefounditniceforallbuttheloudestmovies,aswellasforstreamingmusicfromSpotifyandYouTubethroughRoku,anditincludesBluetoothandAppleAirPlay2support.Formorebass,youcanaddtheRokuWirelessSubwoofer;at100.4dBinourmeasurements,itsmid-bassoutputwasn’timpressive,butits87.4dBlow-bassoutputmakesitcompetitivewiththesubwooferincludedwiththeJBLBar2.1DeepBass.YoucanalsoaddtheRokuTVWirelessSpeakersforsurroundchannels,buttheycostmorethantheStreambardoes.IfyouwanttoimproveyourTV’ssoundbutdon’twanttofoolwithasubwoofer:The$200JBLBar2.0isbasicallyashorter(24incheslong),subwoofer-lessversionoftheBar2.1DeepBass,withHDMIARCandopticaldigitalaudioconnections,asimilarlysimpleremote,andaclear,spacioussoundinmoviesandmusic.Itproducesmorebassandamoreenvelopingsurround-soundeffectthantheRokuStreambardoes,butitgivesyounowaytoaddasubwooferorsurroundspeakers.Ifyoudon’tneedtheRokuStreambar’sstreamingcapabilities,wethinktheBar2.0isyourbestbetforaninexpensive,HDMI-equipped2.0soundbar.Ifyouwantasoundbarthat’sslim,simple,andunder$100:The$80TaoTronicsTT-SK023soundssogoodforitssizeandpricethatweseriouslyconsideredmakingitapick—eventhoughitdoesn’thaveanHDMIARCportanditcan’tmatchthefullsoundoftheJBLBar2.0orRokuStreambar.IfyoucangetbywithjustBluetoothplusanalogandopticaldigitalinputs,it’sagreatchoiceforavacationhomeorkidsroom.Ifyouwantahigh-performancesoundbarwithoutasubwooferorsurroundspeakers:TheSonosArc,aformerpick.Itoffersgreatsound(withDolbyAtmossupport,butnotDTS:X),easyoperation,andbuilt-invoicecontrolviaAmazonAlexaorGoogleAssistant.YougetthesameextensiveaccesstostreamingservicesthatotherSonosspeakersoffer,plusAirPlay2support(butnotBluetooth).Thebarincorporates11speakerdriverstotalandproducesanextremelyspacious,realistichometheatersound,especiallywithAtmosmaterial.YoucanaddtheSonosSubandvariousSonosspeakersassurroundspeakers,butthatincreasesthecostconsiderably.ThedownsidesarethatitlacksaremotecontrolandanHDMIinputtodirectlyconnectasource,buttheHDMIARCportallowsforeasyconnectionandcontrolthroughyourTV.TheSonosBeamGen2issimilarandabouthalftheprice,butit’ssmallersoitdoesn’tplayasloudorofferasmuchbass.Ifyouwantagreatone-piecesoundbarbutdon’twanttouseSonos:TheBoseSmartSoundbar900issimilartotheSonosArcinthatit’saone-pieceAtmossoundbarwithoptionalsubwooferandsurroundspeakers,it’spricedaboutthesame,ithasasingleHDMIeARCjack,anditproducesexceptionallyenvelopingandspacioussound.TheSmartSoundbar900incorporatesBose’sADAPTiQautomaticroomcalibrationsystem,whichseemstoworkwell,astheSmartSoundbarsoundsabitclearerondialoguethantheSonosArcdoes,althoughitcan’tmatchtheArc’sbassperformance.ItincorporatesAmazonAlexa,AppleAirPlay2,SpotifyConnect,andBluetooth,soitworkswellwithaudiogearfrommanyothercompanies.(BosehasalsoannouncedthatGoogleChromecastwillbeincludedinanupdatetoallSmartSoundbar900slaterthisyear.)Italsohasaslim,beautifuldesignandanincludedremotecontrol.IthasanopticalaudioinputandcanalsotransmitsoundtocertainBoseBluetoothspeakersandheadphonesforlisteninginasecondroom.ItlacksextraHDMIinputs,DTS:Xsupport,andananaloginput.Ifyouwantasoundbarthatcompeteswithareceiver-basedhometheatersystem:TheKlipschCinema1200probablycomestheclosesttothatideal.The5.1.4-channel,Atmos-capablesystemcreatesimmersivesoundwithupward-firingdriversbuiltintothesoundbarandintotheincludedwirelesssurroundspeakers.Whilethesystemdidn’tsoundquiteasenvelopingtoourpanelistsastheSamsungHW-Q900AandVizioElevatedid,thedialogueclaritywasexcellent,andthesystemsoundedcleanandclearevenwhenplayedveryloud—especiallythesubwoofer,whichproduced114.5dBmid-bassoutputand107.1dBlow-bassoutput.Thismeansthatduringon-screenexplosions,you’llfeelsomerealshakeinyourcouchversusthemerevibrationsyou’llfeelwiththeHW-Q900AandElevate.Anoutputonthesubwooferletsyouaddasecondsubwooferifyouwantevenmorebass.TheCinema1200includesAlexa,GoogleAssistant,AirPlay2,andtwoHDMIinputs,plusanHDMIeARCconnection—butyoucouldeasilyputtogetherasolidreceiver-basedsystemwithseparatespeakersforthesameprice.Ifyouwantbuilt-inAmazonAlexacapabilityatalowerpricethantheSamsungHW-Q900A:ConsidertheYamahaYAS-209,apreviouspick.The2.1-channelYAS-209deliversabig,balancedsoundinafairlycompactform,anditincludesBluetoothandHDMIvideoswitching(with4KHDRpass-through).Youcan’taddsurroundspeakers,though.Wedidn’thaveachancetomeasureitsbassoutput,butweneverfounditlackinginthatregard.MeasurementsTospecificallytesteachsoundbarsystem’sbasscapabilities,wemeasuredeachsystemusingthesameCTA-2010outputmeasurementsprocessweuseforourbesthigh-performancesubwooferandbestbudgetsubwooferguides.Thesemeasurementsprovideapreciseassessmentofaspeaker’sorsubwoofer’sbasscapabilities.Belowisachartthatshowstheresultsformostofourrecommendedsoundbars;forourtoppicks,weoutlinetheaveragesformid-bass(63to40Hz)andlowbass(31.5to20Hz)inthediscussionsabove.Thischartshowsthemaximumoutputindecibelsofthesubwoofersincludedwiththesoundbars—orthebassoutputofthesoundbaritselfifitdoesn’tcomewithasubwoofer.Thehigherandflattertheline,themorepowerfulthebassis,andgenerallythebetterthedevicesounds.Somelinesareshorterbecausethosemodelscouldn’tproducemeasurablebassoutputatthelowertestfrequencies.Chart:WirecutterWealsotriedrunningfrequency-responsemeasurementstoseehowevenlyeachsoundbarreproducedfrequenciesacrosstheentiresonicrange.But,asexpected,thistestturnedouttobeamostlyfruitlesseffortbecausethesurround-soundsimulationusedinthemajorityofsoundbars(evenwhenthesurroundeffectsaredeactivated)caninsomecasescreateextremeanomaliesthataredifficultorimpossibleforameasurementmicrophoneandanaudioanalyzertosortout—nomatteriftheysoundgreattohumanearsandbrains.SustainabilityandenvironmentalimpactofsoundbarsManyreadersareconcernedabouthowthemanufacturing,shipping,andnormaluseoftheproductswerecommendimpacttheworldwelivein.Wetakethatseriouslytoo,whichiswhywe’veaskedthemanufacturersofallourpickstoanswersomebasicquestionsaboutmaterials,lifecycle,andothersustainabilityissues.WhileourproductrecommendationsarebasedcompletelyonthecriteriaoutlinedinHowwepickedandHowwetested,weofferthisinformationtosupplementthedecisionofanyreaderwhousesenvironmentalimpactasadecidingfactorintheirpurchases.Wealsorecognizethatthismaynotpaintacompletepictureofaproduct’ssupplychainandlifecycleimpact.Forsoundbars,weaskedmanufacturerswhetherthepackagingand/ortheproductsuserecycledmaterials,andwhetherthepackagingandtheproductsarerecyclable.Theformerisabigplus.Thelattershouldbeaplus,ideally,becausemostelectronicscontainmanyrecyclablematerials,butthemethodsofrecyclingtheseproductsmayhavetheirownadverseimpacts.Weaskedwhethertheproduct’sfirmwarecanbeupdatedbytheconsumer;updatablefirmwarecanextendaproduct’slifebecauseitcanallowbugstobefixedornewfeaturestobeadded.SamsungsaysthecartonfortheHW-Q900Aisrecyclable,buttheinteriorfoamisnot—althoughthefoamismarkedasrecyclable.Norecycledmaterialsareusedintheproduct,andtheproductisnotrecyclable.TheproductcanbeupdatedthroughUSBorovertheinternet.Thecompanyalsohasawebpagethatexplainswhatit’sdoingtomakeitspackagingmoresustainable.Viziowouldnotcommentonwhetheritsproductsandpackagingarerecyclableormadefromrecycledmaterials.However,Viziooffersanationwidetake-backrecyclingprogramforitsproducts,sitsonthee-StewardsLeadershipCouncil,andhasparticipatedintheEPASustainableMaterialsManagementChallengesince2016.Consumerscanfindoutwheretodropofforsendproductsforrecyclingatthecompany’senvironmentalpage.FirmwareontheElevateandtheM512a-H6canbeupdatedusingdownloadedfirmwareinstalledthroughaUSBstick,andtheElevatecanalsobeupdatedovertheinternet.JBLsaystheBar2.1DeepBassincorporatesnorecycledorrecyclablematerials,butitspackagingismadefromrecyclablepaperandplastic.ThefirmwarecanbeupdatedthroughaUSBstick,withsoftwaredownloadedfromjbl.com.WhattolookforwardtoSeveralnewsoundbarswereannouncedatorinconjunctionwithCES2022inLasVegas,althoughpriceandavailabilityinformationwasunavailableformostofthem.LG’snewlineincludestheS95QR,aDolbyAtmos/DTS:X-equippedbarthataddsanextracenterspeakerthatfiresupward,andalsoaddsextradriverstoitsrearspeakersforamorespacioussurround-soundeffect.ItincludesLG’sAIRoomCalibration,whichautomaticallyadjuststhesoundtosuittheacousticsofaroom.Samsung’sHW-S800BUltra-Slimsoundbar,featuredinourBestofCES2022article,isaDolbyAtmos/DTS:Xbarthatmeasuresjust1.4incheshighand1.6inchesdeep,andincludesapowerfulmini-subwoofer.ItalsoofferswirelessDolbyAtmoscapabilitywhenusedwithacompatible2022SamsungTV.TCLannouncedfournewsoundbarmodels:3.1-and5.1-channelmodelsintheAlto-7line,and5.1.2-and7.1.4-channelmodelsintheAlto-9line.AllfeatureTCL’sMasterRoomCalibrationtechnology,whichthecompanysaysoptimizesthesoundfortheacousticsofaroom.Allareslatedtobeavailableforthe2022holidayseason,buttheonlyoneforwhichwecouldgetspecificsisthe$600X9374,whichisexpectedtobeavailableinAugust.Hisense’sU5120GfeaturesDTS:X,andtheU5120GWincorporatesDolbyAtmosandupward-firingspeakerstoaddtotheimmersiveeffect.Theformerisscheduledforlaunchinthefall,thelatterinthespring.ThecompetitionWe’vetestedanumberofsoundbarsoverthecourseofseveralyears—toomanytolistthemallhere.Thefollowingisalistofsomeofthenewerandmorenoteworthymodelswe’vetestedorconsidered:TheBoseSmartSoundbar300soundsveryclear,natural,andenvelopingwithmoviesandmusic,butforaone-piecesoundbarwithnoAtmoscapability,it’sexpensive.TheDaliKatchOnewasformerlylistedinOthergoodsoundbars,andwestilllikeitalot.Itstwotweeters,fourmidrange-wooferdrivers,andfourbass-reinforcingpassiveradiatorsgiveitanexceptionallyclearandenvelopingsound.Italsohasasubwooferoutputthatletsyouaddyourownsubwoofer—potentiallyonethat’salotbetterthanthosetypicallyincludedwithsoundbars.IthasHDMIARC,twoopticaldigitalaudioinputs,oneanalogaudioinput,andBluetooth,butitlacksHDMIinputsandAtmossupport.Anker’stwo-channelSoundcoreInfiniProperformswellforitssizeandprice,withgooddynamicsandagenerallyfull,balancedsound.However,inourteststheremoteoftenfailedtoexecutepowerandsound-modecommands(theSoundcoreappprovedmorereliable),andhavingtheindicatorlightsonthetoppanelinsteadofonthefrontmadeithardforustoseethefeedbackweneeded.Weweresurprisedtohearhowspaciousthesmall,relativelysimpleJBLBar5.0sounded,andifyouwantaverysimplesolutionforenvelopingsound,it’sgreat.Butforasoundbarwithoutasubwoofer(oranoptiontoaddone),it’spricey.WestronglyconsideredmakingtheAtmos-equippedJBLBar9.1ourtoppickbecauseitsoundedsogood—atleastasgoodastheVizioElevate.LiketheBar2.1,theBar9.1hadsurprisinglynaturalvocalclarity,andits10-inchsubwoofer’samplebassblendedwellwiththemidrangeandtreblefromthesoundbar.Butthedetachable,wirelesssurroundspeakersdidn’tholdachargeforlong,anditwasahugepaintohavetokeeprechargingthem.TheLGQP5Eclairputsoutabig,full,clearsoundconsideringthesoundbarislessthan1footlong,butit’sexpensivefora2.1-channelsoundbaranddoesn’tproducethespacious,envelopingsoundthatagood,largermodelcanoffer.TheLGSP8YAisanAtmos-equippedsoundbarthat’slesspriceythantheSamsungHW-Q900A,butinourtests,wefeltitsacrificedalotofperformance,witharough,boxysoundonvoicesandrelativelylowmaximumvolume.Withitsbuilt-in,upward-firingAtmosspeakers,theLGSP9YAisafairlyclosecompetitortotheSamsungHW-Q900A,butourpanelistsfeltitboostedthelowertrebleunnaturally,makingvoicesstandouttoomuch,andthatitssoundwasn’tasenvelopingastheHW-S900A’s.Foritsprice,the2.0-channelMonopriceSB-300offerslotsofgreatfeaturesandagenerousselectionofinputs,anditfitswellwithmostmoviesandmusic,butitmaderattlingnoiseswhenwecrankedupthesoundonactionmovies.TheMonopriceSB-600isaffordablypricedforabarwithDolbyAtmosandupward-firingimmersivespeakers,butwewereunabletogetanHDMIARCconnectionworkingwithit,evenusingthesameTVandMonopricecablingthatworkedfinewiththeSB-300.Nakamichi’sShockwafeUltra9.2islessasoundbaroptionandmoreahometheatersystemthatomitstheseparateAVreceiver.Thepackageincludesfourwiredsurroundspeakersandtwo10-inchwirelesssubwoofers—that’smoregearthanthetypicalsoundbarshopperprobablywants,sothissystemisbestsuitedforthehometheaterenthusiastwhowantsafullyimmersiveaudioexperiencebutdoesn’twanttobuyallthepiecesseparately.Inourtests,itsdynamicoutputwasfantasticforlargerrooms,anditslow-endpresencewasgreat.Highfrequencieswerealittlemuted—notquiteascrisp,clear,andairy—sothissystemdidn’tperformaswellonmusic.Butwethinkmovieloverswouldloveit.Nakamichi’sShockwafeElite7.2isthemoredirectcompetitor,price-wise,toourtoppick,butliketheUltra9.2,itdoesn’tofferthesimplicityandeaseofsetupthatmostpeoplebuyingasoundbar(insteadofafullhometheatersystem)wouldwant.Polk’sCommandBarisaformerpickforthebestsmartsoundbarwithAlexa.WethinkthesimilarlypricedYamahaYAS-209soundsalittlebetter,withmoremidrangeandbasspresenceandabitlessemphasisonthehighfrequencies.Plus,theYamahasoundbarhasamoretraditionalshape,amoreresponsiveremote,andahelpfulcontrolapp.ThePolkMagniFi2isapowerful,Chromecast-equipped,4.1-channelsoundbarwitha3Dmodethat’sintendedtosimulateAtmos,butwefoundthatithadaweird,echoeysoundthatdidn’tworkwellformovies.Evenwith3Dmodeoff,ittendedtosoundechoeyandweirdlyswishywhenplayingmusic.ThePolkReactisa2.0-channelsoundbarwithAlexacapability,andtheoptiontoaddawirelesssubwooferandsurrounds.Weliketheàlacarteconcept,butthesoundbardoesn’tplayveryloudanditdidn’tsoundasenvelopingassomeothermodelswetested.ThePolkSignaS3comesprettyclosetotheJBLBar2.1DeepBassinperformance,withpowerfulbass,clearvocalsanddialogue,andadialogueenhancementadjustmentthatmakesvoicesalittleeasiertodistinguish.Butitdoesn’tsoundquiteasnaturalastheBar2.1,anditsbasscomesacrossasrelativelyboomy.AlthoughtheRokuTVWirelessSpeakerstargetthesameaudienceasabudgetsoundbar,they’recompatibleonlywithRoku-brandedTVs,suchastheTCLsetswerecommendinourguideto4KTVsonabudget.Checkoutourseparatepostaboutthesespeakerstolearnmore.TheRokuStreambarProupdatesthepreviousSmartSoundbarwithavirtualsurroundmode.ComparedtotheStreambar,itsoundsalittleedgyonmoviedialogueandvocalsinmusic,anditdoesn’tseemtoproducemuchmorebassorasignificantlyhighermaximumvolume.TheSamsungHW-Q800A3.1.2-channelbarproducedgoodAtmoseffects,butsoundedroughonvocalsinmusic,anditssubwoofersoundsexcessivelyboomyunlessitsvolumeissetnearzero.Samsung’sHW-Q800Tisafeature-packed,Atmos-equipped,3.1-channelsoundbar.Itsoundedprettygoodwithmusicinourtests,butmoviedialoguesoundedalittlecoarseandthin,anditdidn’tplayasloudassomesimilarlypricedcompetitors.TheSamsungHW-S60A5.0-channelbarisdesignedforusewithoutasubwoofer,butthewayit’stunedmakesitsoundthinnerandlesssatisfyingthansomeothersubwoofer-lessbarswe’vetested.TheSamsungHW-S60T2.0-channelsoundbarhasside-firinghornspeakersplusAlexabuiltin,butinourtestsitlentanedgy,harshsoundtodialogueanddistortedbadlywithdeepbasseffectsfrommovies.TheSonyHT-A5000producesdramaticoverheadspeakereffectswithAtmossoundtracks,butitseemstoemphasizetheupperrangeofvoicesinawaythatmakesthesoundratherglaring—anddespitealarge,button-filledremoteandadedicatedsmartphoneapp,wecouldfindnowaytofine-tunethesound.TheSonyHT-G700seemedtoaddsomeechotostereomusicthatwewereunabletodefeat,andevenfora3.1-channelsoundbar,itsDolbyAtmoseffectsdidn’tsoundveryimmersive.Sony’sHT-Z9F3.1-channelsoundbarsystemisaformerrunner-up.Inourtests,itproducedabig,spacious,dynamicsoundthatwelikedwithmovies—butcomparedwithourtoppick,itssubwooferwassmaller,itshighendwasalittleharsher,anditdidn’tsoundasgoodwithmusic.Youcanaddoptionalwirelesssurroundsforabout$300,buttheresultismorecomplicatedtosetupandusethanmanysoundbars.WelikedtheaffordableSonyHT-S3502.1-channelsoundbar—justnotquiteenoughtomakeitapick.Wefounditeasytosetupanduse(withHDMIARC,opticaldigital,andBluetooth),ithadgooddynamiccapability,the6.3-inchsubwooferproducedsolid(andsolidlycontrolled)bass,anddialogueclaritywasgood.However,itcouldsoundharshwhenwepushedthevolume.TCL’sAlto7+isalow-priced2.1-channelsystemwithawirelesssubwoofer.It’sasolidperformer,butother2.1modelsoffersuperiorbuildquality,dynamiccapability,andbass/midrangeperformance—andyoucan’tadjustthesubanddialoguelevels,whichmakesithardertotailortoyourroomandhearingneeds.TheunusualtrapezoidalshapeoftheVizioM21d-H8one-piecesoundbarcaughtourattention,butitsoundedratherspaceyanddisembodied,anditproducedbarelyanybass.TheVizioM51a-H6producedaveryenvelopingsoundforasmall5.1soundbar,butdialoguesoundedmoresibilantthanitdidthroughsomeotheraffordablesoundbarswetested.Thetwo-channelVizioSB362An-F6offeredprettygooddynamicsforitssizeandprice,withcleandialogueandanice,envelopingsoundwithmovies.However,ithadverylittlebassandnoHDMI.TheVizioSB46514-F6Atmossoundbarisaprevioustoppick.AlthoughtheElevatehasreplacedit,theSB46514-F6isstillavailable,asofNovember2021.WeliketheElevatealotbetterbecauseofitsextrafeaturesandmoreuser-friendlyremote,buttheSB46514-F6comesprettyclosetotheElevate’sperformance,soitmightbeagoodchoiceifyoufinditatanirresistibleprice.Forsuchacompactandaffordable2.1soundbar,Vizio’sV21-H8soundsprettygood,andweloveitsauto-detectinginputfeature,whichletsitworklikeanAlexaspeakerwhenconnectedtoanAmazonEchoDot.Butmoviedialogueinourtestssometimessoundedcoarseandrough,anditstinysubwoofer,thoughgoodforitssize,failedtocomeclosetothepowerofthosethataccompaniedtheJBLBar2.1DeepBassandPolkSignaS3.TheVizioV51-H6carriesanamazinglylowpricefora5.1soundbar,andithadexcellentdialoguereproductionandabig,envelopingsoundinourtests.ButbecauseitusesbasicallythesametinysubwooferastheV21-H8,thecrossoverfrequencybetweenthesoundbarandthesubwooferisveryhigh.Andbecausetherearsurroundspeakershadtobeconnectedtothesubwoofer,weneededtopositionthesubwooferinthebackoftheroom—asaresult,weheardbassandlowermidrangenotescomingfrombehindus,whichdroveuscrazy.Ifyou’rejustlookingforasimpleoptiontodealwithdialogueclarityanddon’tneedallthebellsandwhistlesofafull-fledgedsoundbar,Zvox’sAccuVoiceTVspeakersareagoodchoice,astheyusehearing-aidtechnologytoimprovedialogueclarity.WetestedtheAV203andtheSB380,bothofwhichhavesixpresetAccuVoicelevels.Withboth,wefoundthetechtobemoreeffectivethanthe“voice”modesonmostsoundbarsatrenderingdialogueclearly—butthemoreyoustepuptheAccuVoiceeffect,thelessnaturaleverythingelsesounds.AboutyourguideBrentButterworthBrentButterworthisaseniorstaffwritercoveringaudioandmusicalinstrumentsatWirecutter.Since1989,hehasservedasaneditororwriteronaudio-focusedwebsitesandmagazinessuchasHomeTheater,Sound&Vision,SoundStage,andJazzTimes.Heregularlygigsondoublebass(andoccasionallyukulele)withLosAngeles–areajazzgroups.FurtherreadingGeartoGetBetterSoundFromYourTVbyGrantClauserTVsaremadeforgreatpictures,sowerecommendthebestwaystogetgreatsoundtoo.SoundbarNotWorking?HereAreSomeTroubleshootingTips.byBrentButterworthAssoundbarsgetmoreadvanced,theyalsogetmorecomplexandsensitivetosetuperrors.Herearesometipsforgettingyourstoworkcorrectly.CanaGoodSoundbarRivalaTrueSurround-SoundSysteminaBlindListeningTest?byBrentButterworthAssoundbarperformancecontinuestoimprove,doesanyoneneedtoinvestinanAVreceiverandspeakerstogetgreatsound?Wedidblindteststofindout.TroubleHearingTVDialogue?TheRightSoundbarCanHelp.byBrentButterworthManysoundbarsoffervoice-enhancementmodestoimprovedialogueclarity,butdotheyreallywork?Weaskedsixhardofhearingpeopletogivethematry.EditDismiss