If you want the sound quality and dialogue clarity of cinematic movies without incurring the costs and hassles associated with full surround systems, a sleek, compact soundbar is needed. New models now feature Dolby Atmos audio and wireless music streaming in an effortless package.
Consider HDMI ARC connectivity for high-resolution audio directly to your television screen and upward-firing drivers to produce height effects (although these only work if mounted or placed clear of the screen). Also, take into account sound codec support.
Sony HT-S2000
The Sony HT-S2000 may not be the most powerful soundbar available, but its performance and features make it an excellent value. It uses a 3.1 channel arrangement and utilizes two ported subwoofers to deliver impressive bass output. Three X Balance driver units – including one discrete center channel, which improves vocal clarity – enhance vocal clarity. Directional audio imaging fills an entire room while Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support are included, though height effects must be downmixed into stereo, reducing their effect impact.
Sony’s Home Entertainment Connect app makes controlling their soundbars simple. Compatible with BRAVIA TVs and Android devices, this app enables quick access to system settings and manual. In addition, visual feedback for remote control commands is provided through an alphanumeric front-panel display displaying input selection and EQ mode selection, an especially welcome addition if using flat-panel TVs as their viewing medium.
The HT-S2000 comes equipped with both an HDMI eARC port for television viewing and an optical digital audio input port to connect older displays, supporting Dolby Digital and DTS content but lacking DTS-HD MA often found on Blu-ray discs. There’s also a USB type-A port to play music files stored on flash drives or connected computers; its latency performance is excellent, with only minor delays when listening to real-life content over both connections, plus provides enhanced audio when coupled with any of its wireless surround sound speakers/subwoofers sold separately by this brand.
Samsung HW-Q990D
Samsung’s soundbar stands out from its competition by featuring a true surround system with dedicated rear speakers and 15 drivers across the front left, center, front right, and side left/right/height channels (known as surround sound zones) to deliver an immersive listening experience – such as in The Martian where sound effects seem to come from all directions – an example being concrete toppling over and plenty of details surrounding our protagonist.
Unlike last year’s Q990C model, this one introduces HDMI 2.1 support, which enables 4k passthrough at 120Hz – perfect for gaming consoles and PCs as you don’t need to connect them via TV cables anymore! In addition, new audio features like Private Listening limits its sound output solely to satellites. At the same time, Sound Grouping lets you play two-channel content on all satellites for an authentic stereo experience.
Setup is straightforward, with the SmartThings app offering total control of your listening experience. Adjust individual levels for each surround channel or use its equalizer to optimize sound. Night Mode also helps reduce ambient noise.
SmartThings app also offers advanced settings you can tailor to your viewing habits and Game Pro settings you can activate by linking a compatible console via HDMI eARC or optical. These will automatically optimize sound settings for optimal gaming performance, giving directional sounds an edge in competitive titles.
LG SF150
Investing in a soundbar might be worthwhile if your TV’s speakers sound less engaging. These slim yet space-saving devices offer richer, more dynamic audio to add depth and dimension to movies and video games. Plus, many come equipped with voice assistant apps like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant built-in.
Majority Snowdon II is our entry-level recommendation and boasts clear, direct audio superior to TV alone. Utilizing a 3.1 channel setup with a subwoofer and 250W power output, its quality should easily outshone its price point. While lacking height channels for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support may be disappointing, the quality offered at such an accessible price point can compensate for that shortcoming.
Setup is simple with this device, allowing wireless connection via Bluetooth, Ethernet, or HDMI ARC connection to your TV wirelessly. Furthermore, there’s even a 3.5mm line-in input and preset EQ settings to fine-tune listening preferences – perfect for those wanting a simple upgrade to their setup without overthrowing everything they have! However, it’s best used for those wanting just a simple improvement on what is already present rather than a drastic overhaul of everything they have going.
The Sony SF150 is an economical alternative to its more premium cousin, the HT-A7000, providing excellent all-round audio performance suitable for most TVs. Though lacking features like sound field optimization room correction system and voice assistant compatibility, it still performs very well considering its price point. Plus, it’s significantly shorter, so it won’t block your TV screen’s bottom couple of inches! To fully experience its upward-firing drivers, however, ideally, mount it or place it on higher shelves so they have a clear line of sight toward your ceiling!
Sony HW-Q930C
This premium setup – featuring a wireless subwoofer and two satellite speakers – delivers immersive Dolby Atmos audio for your TV, similar to last year’s Samsung HW-Q990B setup. Designed to give a cinematic surround experience without needing an additional receiver, its premium performance also shines with music or TV shows.
Despite its compact size, its soundstage is wide and detailed due to a balanced frequency response from all three front speakers. It can get loud, although some compression may occur at higher volumes; dialogue is clear and intelligible while hard impact sounds erupt with cinematic flair; up-firing drivers on both the bar and satellites provide upfiring drivers designed to create height illusions via Dolby Atmos content; their default Standard mode may favor lower mids over upper frequencies for Dolby Atmos content playback.
The Q930C features audio customization tools, such as room correction and 7-band graphic EQ. It supports the most popular file formats – lossless and object-based – including lossless. HDMI 2.1 port supports 4k video signals at up to 120Hz, while its Q Symphony feature can help synchronize TV and soundbar for an enjoyable experience.
Your Q930C can be controlled in four ways – via remote, SmartThings App for iOS and Android devices, built-in Alexa voice recognition and buttons on its main bar component’s top edge. HDMI provides outstanding latency performance, with no noticeable lag between the audio you hear and visual on the TV screen; there may, however, be a slight delay with optical connections, which you can manually compensate for using the Audio Sync feature in the SmartThings App or by adjusting TV display settings directly. Its latency performance is excellent when connected via HDMI; latency performance via optical cables is somewhat lesser, with no noticeable delay between the audio you hear and visual on a TV screen compared with HDMI. However, there may be a slight delay over Optical that can be manually compensated using the Audio Sync feature or TV screen adjustment on the display itself.
Sony Dolby Atmos
Sony offers this stunning Dolby Atmos soundbar to create immersive surround sound for TV and movies, perfect for use as either a stand-alone soundbar or when combined with their SS-CSE Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers that mount above the front right and left speakers and bounce audio upwards towards the ceiling for an Atmos experience. Wires (not included) connect these SS-CSE speakers directly to an AV receiver or amp’s height channel outputs for optimal Atmos audio.
The HT-S2000 provides Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced capabilities (via future updates) through two up-firing speakers, dual side beam tweeters, and two rear bass modules that create an immersive surround experience. Its X-Balanced Speaker Unit reduces driver excursion for increased power and clarity, while its dual subwoofer provides punchy bass notes. Plus, it features a central channel to enhance dialogue when watching movies or TV shows!
Unlike traditional Dolby Atmos systems, the SS-CSE can be configured in two ways. It can be set up as an ordinary soundbar for your current TV mounted to the wall using brackets (not included) and wired directly into your AV receiver or amp’s rear height channel outputs for more discrete Atmos usage.
Both options can easily be expanded with Sony’s Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, the SS-CSE. These mount atop your front right and left speakers and bounce audio upwards toward the ceiling to create an immersive dome of sound that enhances what is happening on screen. To improve your home cinema system further, combine this upgrade with Sony’s optional wireless rear speakers (SS-W5) and subwoofer (SA-RS5) for an enthralling surround sound experience.