10 best soundbars

Usually, the TV is the centerpiece, the main object of the living room, the place of family relaxation and comfort. Modern multifunctional television receiver is a flat and extremely thin LCD screen with excellent video quality. At the same time, the thrifty design of high-tech TVs does not provide enough physical space to install audio drivers. As a result, the soundtrack of any television program is not of great quality and does not create the effect of complete audio immersion. If your living room does not have the space available to install a full-size speaker system that creates an immersive phenomenon, it is worth thinking about buying a soundbar. The best models of these devices are presented in this article.

The leader of the soundbar market - the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar model

The German company Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG has been working on the audio systems market for quite a long time. The company has accumulated huge and multiyear experience in the development and production of high quality and popular sound systems and entered the market of three dimensional immersive sound with a new model - Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar.

When designing the device specialists of the company took into account the most modern and creative technological solutions in the industry of audio systems, so the soundbar is in the premium price segment.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is equipped with 13 multidirectional audio drivers. The weight of the device is about 18.5 kg. The dimensions are 126.5 x 13.5 x 17.1 cm. The soundbar has 2 HDMI inputs, one HDMI eARC output, optical input, stereo RCA input, Ethernet port, subwoofer pre-out, input for 2.5mm microphone, Bluetooth and built-in Google Chromecast. The device is compatible with virtually all Dolby and DTS formats, including Atmos and DTS:X. The latter two immersive audio codecs allow you to create a three-dimensional sound field in the room where the soundbar is installed, the premium price of which is more than justified by its functionality and the presence of many useful options.

Sonos Beam - a smart soundbar

The American company Sonos Inc. specializes in the production of smart soundbars, which are very popular among music lovers due to the simplicity of their installation and setup. Any audio systems of the company are easy to integrate with each other and can work in synchronized mode. Sonos smart soundbars are controlled through a mobile app.

Practicing frequent releases of the latest audio systems, Sonos has brought the Sonos Beam smart soundbar to market. Built-in miniature microphones, picking up the tiniest nuances of your commands, transmit them to Alexa or Google Assistant voice assistants. Moreover, it is important to note that the consumer is not faced with the choice of a virtual voice assistant - because the soundbar is capable of working with two assistants. If your TV device has an HDMI ARC input that supports CEC consumer electronics control technology, you can also turn the TV on and off using voice commands.

The Sonos beam weighs only 2.8 kg, so it is easy to mount. The dimensions of the soundbar are 68.5 x 651 x 100 mm. There are various ports on the back of the device, including HDMI and Ethernet. The soundbar can be controlled wirelessly via Wi-Fi. The device works in Dolby Digital format, which is convenient for creating a home audio system based on Sonos brand synchronous audio speakers. However, the Sonos beam soundbar does not support the latest 3D audio codecs such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

If Sonos beam soundbar purchase costs do not fit into your budget, you can find a decent and less expensive alternative on the market of audio systems of this brand.

Samsung HW-Q70R stylish soundbar

The Samsung HW-Q70R, like the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar, is a premium soundbar. But unlike the latter, the set of options and functions of the Samsung soundbar is not so extensive. The design of the device is stylish, but it does not attract too much attention. The weight is 3.6 kg, the length is 109 cm. Inside the soundbar case there are 7 built-in loudspeakers, which allow imitating the 3.1.2 Atmos sound scheme. You can connect a wireless subwoofer to provide low-frequency sound.

The soundbar uses Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies that help the sound wave move independently throughout your room. The technologies used in the device allow you to better emulate surround sound and get realistic sound than a standard stereo system, and functioning in tandem with Samsung Acoustic Bea, provide panoramic, directional sound reproduction to enhance the effect of total immersion.

The Samsung HW-Q70R soundbar has a dedicated center channel that allows you to get adapted sound with optimal quality of its clear reproduction. When using the device in game mode, the reproduced audio is particularly clear and transmitted without delay.

The soundbar supports Alexa voice assistant and is compatible with smart devices. The Samsung HW-Q70R is integrated with a 4K pass-through system that allows you to combine high quality audio with high definition video. To create a full immersive surround sound effect, the audio system can be expanded by purchasing a set of wireless devices.

Versatile Roku Smart Soundbar

The soundbar features many options and special functionality. Like the JBL Link Bar, the 2-channel Roku Smart Soundbar can be controlled by Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistants. Soundbar users have the ability to watch the full range of channels and movies that Roku media player owners do. When you buy a Roku brand soundbar, you're essentially transforming your TV receiver into a smart TV.

The Roku brand device supports HD, 4K and HDR. Volume and sound quality can be customized to the consumer using Roku options such as sound clarity, sound equalizer and night mode. The soundbar is installed by simply connecting it to the HDMI ARC input. An HDMI cable is included. Bluetooth allows you to stream audio from your smartphone to the soundbar. An optional subwoofer is available for $179.

The soundbar and TV receiver are controlled by a virtual remote control installed in the Roku app. The device supports Dolby Audio and PCM. The soundbar is compatible with TV sets, which are equipped with an optical output or HDMI ARC output. There is also an option to broadcast audio stream via USB 2.0. In terms of price-options-functionality, the Roku Smart Soundbar has no equal competitors.

Vizio SB3821-C6 budget soundbar

The 2.1 soundbar is paired with a wireless subwoofer, which is included. Streaming audio content from your phone is done via Bluetooth, built into the soundbar. The design of the device is modest.

Though Vizio SB3621 C6 soundbar is in the economy class category, nevertheless the device supports the popular Dolby Digital format, which provides surround sound. Certainly, the reproduced sound is not three-dimensional, as, for example, when using Dolby Atmos format, but its quality in the budget variant of the soundbar is rather satisfactory. The device also supports DTS TruSurround and TruVolume formats. The package includes the Vizio SB3621 C6 38" soundbar itself. 2.1, a wireless subwoofer, an optical cable and a remote control. The audio system cannot be expanded to the 5.1 level. However, it should be emphasized that the cost of the device almost corresponds to the presence of options and functionality and fully reflects the achieved balance between sound quality, price and the budget of the consumer.

What you need to know about the best soundbars

2.1 and 5.1 format standards

If you are a frequent visitor of electronics stores and read technical specifications of audio systems, then you probably paid attention to the numerical designations in the model names, for example, 2.1 or 5.1. These numbers indicate the number of channels in the soundbar configuration. The first number is the number of full-range channels declared in the system, and the second number refers to the low-frequency effects channel used by the subwoofer. So, a 2.1. system setup means there are two audio channels (left and right) plus one channel for the subwoofer. A 5.1 setup provides five full-range audio channels and one subwoofer for bass enhancement.

If the unit is compatible with the Atmos format, an extra digit appears at the end of the model numeric code. For example, if your soundbar's installation data states 4 Atmos speakers, the numeric code looks like this - 5.1.4.

Soundbars and surround sound

Can soundbars create surround sound effects? No, they can't. But as is usually the case in life, every rule has exceptions. A 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system creates surround sound by having a large number of audio speakers artfully placed in specific places in the room. One speaker can be in front of you, another behind you, a third at your side, a fourth on the ceiling, etc. Working in synchronized mode, the audio speakers create the effect of your presence "right in the epicenter of the event". Since the soundbar is a single unit, it is almost impossible to achieve surround sound effects.

The soundbar can enhance the surround sound effect and make it more intense and realistic by placing it in front of your full-range speaker system. Or, to simulate surround sound, you can install small multidirectional sound drivers in the soundbar. But in any case, if your living room is not too big or you are not planning to create a home theater, the quality of playback of various audio files by most soundbars meets the requirements of many audiophiles.

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About the subwoofer

When creating a complete home audio system, should you include a subwoofer? Many audiophiles ask themselves this question, thinking first of all about the improvement of sound quality and about the possible considerable expenses. Experts unambiguously advise not to buy a subwoofer, because if you have already purchased one of the best models of soundbars, the sound quality due to the addition of a subwoofer to the audio system will not improve. This is due to the fact that, following current trends in TV receiver design, subwoofers are becoming thinner and thinner, and the narrowing of the physical space leads to a significant weakening of the bass sound.

On the other hand, for fans of action or western movies, perhaps having subwoofers that enhance sound depth is a must. The only thing to keep in mind is that subwoofers are usually quite bulky and will require additional space to accommodate them. If you are a supporter of architectural style minimalism and cleanliness and order in your apartment are important for you, you should think beforehand where you will install subwoofers. But in any case, we believe that for a small apartment it is not advisable to buy subwoofers.

The importance of DSP

DSP, or DSP, is a processor for digital processing of audio or video signals. For example, in smartphones, DSP decodes MP3 files, processes and converts the sound waves of your voice commands into a digital format that the voice assistant understands, or converts Bluetooth codecs into digital and analog signals.

DSP technology is widely used in built-in equalizers. For example, in the Apple AirPods Pro earmuffs, DSP technical solutions using multiple sensors that read online external noise and sound reflections in the ear canal allow the strength, clarity and purity of sound to be adapted during flight. As DSPs improve, they can be used to provide surround object-oriented sound, a technology already used in such Sony developments as 360 Reality Audio and Creative's SXFI. When processing audio signals, these technological solutions take into account the specific characteristics of the human ear to adapt sounds and create a fully immersive audio effect.

If you are a true and enthusiastic music lover, you should probably consider purchasing a DSP analog to calibrate your speaker system and optimize the playback of audio content.

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What Dolby Vision and DTS are, as well as Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos

Dolby and DTS technologies are used in a wide variety of gadgets and devices, from DVD players to top-of-the-line soundbars. The technologies were developed by two competing companies, each of which is superior in some ways and in some ways inferior in others.

Dolby Vision is a video format that allows for more dynamic images, characterized by impressive brightness, high definition and contrast. The technology, as the name implies, is not used in the loudspeaker industry.

DTS and Dolby Digital audio codecs

Technologies are used to pack, compress, decompress, and transmit audio data in a digital format. Essentially, Dolby Digital and DTS are audio codecs that are used in surround sound technology. These codecs ensure that audio data that is not perceptible to the human ear is removed and that the loss of important audio data is minimized in the transmission process. Each of the competing audio codecs uses unique encoding technology and different bitrates, but the end result is the same: crystal clear surround sound.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are the latest codecs for consumer audio systems. The most significant difference between the two audio codecs is in the way the speakers are placed. To create an ambient sound effect, Dolby Atmos technology involves placing additional speakers above the listener. As a result, when watching, for example, a scene in a home theater with an airplane flying overhead, the viewer hears the roar of the engines right above his head. Not all devices are equipped with additional speakers for their ceiling installation. Therefore, some soundbars (such as the LG SKY10 model) use overhead directional audio drivers with subsequent reflection of sound waves off the ceiling to simulate an ambient sound effect.

DTS:X technology does not require speakers to be installed in a specific configuration. To use this audio codec in practice, a compatible receiver, such as a soundbar, is required.

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What is HDMI eARC?

Reverse Audio Channel (i.e., ARC) technology in HDMI is used to transmit audio and video signals from devices to the television receiver over a single HDMI cable. The letter e (enhanced - faster) has been added to the acronym ARC. In other words, if the soundbar uses HDMI eARC technology, the conversion of analog audio and video signals to digital signals will be significantly faster, subject to TV compatibility. This technological solution allows surround sound codecs such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to deliver more audio content. The eARC technology, figuratively speaking, is the installation of a pipe with a larger diameter and correspondingly with a more significant bandwidth. It should also be noted that the best top-end soundbars have HDMI inputs.

What is a 4K soundbar?

If you have a modern 4K TV and would like to use a soundbar as a speaker system in your home theater, you should opt for a device compatible with 4K technology. Such soundbars are not necessary if you plan to use the devices for listening to music. Nevertheless, it seems reasonable to purchase a soundbar that supports 4K pass-through technology, which allows you to transmit the device's audio signals directly to the TV receiver without losing picture quality. For example, the soundbar of Bose SoundTouch 300 model has the built-in option of 4K pass-through function.

What soundbars we should pay attention to

• Bose Soundbar 700 - supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants, Dolby Digital and DTS audio codecs, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless data transfers, and Apple AirPlay 2. For a more percussive, impulsive sound it is necessary to buy Bose bass module and surround speakers. In this case the cost of the soundbar will increase more than 2 times.

   

• The Klipsch R-20B Bluetooth soundbar is an updated version of the model that was previously on this list. The price is $200 less than the cost of the old model. Great offer.

   

• Polk Audio Signa S2 - virtually as good as the top-of-the-line Vizio SB3621 C6 model in the budget price segment. Comes complete with a subwoofer. It is ideal for living in apartments.

   

• Sonos Playbar is the most recognized brand. The line of Sonos soundbars is rather extensive. It requires two cables - one power cable and one optical cable. Works great in the Sonos brand ecosystem.

   

• Yamaha YAS-207BL - priced in the $250 range. Additional options are HDMI ARC, 4K pass-through and CEC compatibility. Excellent price-performance-functionality ratio.

   

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