10 BEST SOUNDBARS FOR GOOD MUSIC EXPERIENCE IN EVERY BUDGET
Image Credits: Guiding Tech
Do you still rewind multiple times to hear the dialogue properly? If the sound performance is lackluster, you can’t get the best out of your flat screen 4K TV. Most of the new flat screens have hidden speakers that deliver poor audio. Fortunately, the place where you lack behind is installing one of the best soundbars at your place.
A soundbar ensures an easy set-up and an enjoyable viewing experience. It is a dedicated speaker and can handle both ends of the volume spectrum. So now you can listen to the softly-spoken dialogues and get the full range of soundscapes found in the cinemas.
In this article, we have rounded up some of the best soundbars available in the market to make sure you enjoy fuss-free music.
10 Best Soundbars For Best Music
Buy NowSony HT-X8500
Best for budgetImage Credits: amazon
Sony’s HT-X8500 delivers excellent sound in an affordable range.
Specifications
Dimensions | 6.75 x 37.25 x 6.25 inches |
Weight | 1 pound |
Connectivity | 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI Out (ARC), analog audio in/out, Ethernet, optical audio in, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | Yes |
Voice Assistant | No |
Price | $299.99 |
Sony HT- X8500 allows you to experience cinematic 3D surround sound with its 2.1 channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundbar. Also, it features dual built-in subwoofers for deep bass. In addition, its elegant design fits perfectly in front of your TV.
Moreover, there are seven different sound modes to enhance your experience. So, you can change the sound modes with the click of a button based on what you watch. In addition, with the latest 4K HDR pass-through, the HT-X8500 is cut out for the latest home cinema formats.
Furthermore, you can connect your games console, UHD Blu-ray player, or your set-top box, as well as your TV with HDMI and optical digital inputs. Lastly, you can pair the HT-X8500 with your smartphone using Bluetooth to stream your favorite playlists wirelessly.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Dolby Atmos and DTS-X compatible | Not the best performance |
Affordable | |
Integrated subwoofer | |
Compact form | |
Different sound modes |
Sonos Arc
Buy NowImage Credits: sonos
Sonos Arc produces premium quality sound
Specifications
Dimensions | 3.4 x 45 x 4.5 inches |
Weight | 21.9-pound |
Connections | HDMI ARC, Ethernet |
Bluetooth | No |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | No |
Price | $ 899.99 |
Sonos Arc is the only soundbar from the brand to deliver Dolby Atmos with vertical speakers. You can now surround yourself with the sound with its 3D Dolby Atmos. This feature maps the sounds in space for a 3D effect. So, you can experience the sound like you are there yourself. The sound itself is well-balanced, and it has great dynamism.
Also, the Sonos app connects all your streaming services, discovers new music on Sonos Radio, and personalizes settings. This soundbar syncs with your remote for streamlined control and no extra clutter.
Sonos Arc features touch-sensitive play/pause and volume controls with LEDs that indicate status. Furthermore, connectivity includes AirPlay2, ethernet, and eARC for Dolby Atmos for a seamless experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Detailed, dynamic sound | Heavily reliant on your TV specs |
Clear vocals | |
Strong bass | |
Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant | |
Impressive Dolby Atmos |
Sony HT-A7000
Buy NowImage Credits: sony
Sony HT-A7000’s integrated subwoofers deliver deep bass and clear dialogues.
Specifications
Dimensions | 53.5 x 7.75 x 8.81 inches |
Weight | 19.18 pounds |
Connections | eARC, 2*HDMI 2.1, optical, USB, WiFi, Ethernet |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | No |
Price | $ 1,398 |
Sony delivers an excellent soundbar with Sony HT-A7000. This soundbar features South Field Optimization that calibrates your environment for an easy set-up. With two subwoofer choices, SA-SW3 and SA-SW5, and a set of rear speakers, SA-RS3S is optional equipment. So, this is designed to help you enhance the immersion of your content.
The HT-A7000 includes up-firing speakers for an overhead atmospheric sound. Also, it features side beam tweeters and an array of X-balanced speakers. Furthermore, its integrated subwoofers deliver deep bass and clear dialogue. This soundbar is also Voice Assistant compatible. This makes it one of the best soundbars due to it’s compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa.
Moreover, you can discover a new way of listening with its 360 Reality Audio for a truly immersive live concert or studio session experience. Lastly, an onscreen UI helps you quickly make more detailed adjustments to your HT-A7000 settings.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Excellent Atmos performance | No EQ controls |
Multiple features | |
Immersive Audio Enhancement | |
Sound Field Optimization | |
Customizable set-up |
Samsung HW-Q950A
Buy NowImage Credits: Samsung
Samsung HW-Q950A is a wireless soundbar that produces immersive audio.
Specifications
Dimensions | 5.4 x 48.5 x 2.7 inches |
Weight | 27.2 pounds |
Connections | HDMI input (ARC) x 2, HDMI output x 1, optical digital x 1, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | Yes |
Price | $1,549.99 |
Samsung HW-Q950A lets you explore realistic 3D audio with sound precisely projected from all sides with the latest acoustic technologies. It features 11 channels, one subwoofer, and four up-firing channels. So, you can enjoy the ultimate audio entertainment experience.
Furthermore, with Q-Symphony, the sound from your TV and soundbar speakers are perfectly synched. The HW-Q950A lets you customize the sound for the space you are in with automatically calibrated tones and rich bass. Also, with Alexa built into the soundbar, you can activate voice commands without needing another device.
Moreover, this soundbar is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible. So, you can easily connect your soundbar to your TV for a seamless listening experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Powerful sound | Expensive for a soundbar |
Slender design | |
Built-in Voice Assistant | |
Wall-mountable | |
Remote controller |
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Buy NowImage Credits: Sonos
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) produces incredible sound for a small speaker without a subwoofer.
Specifications
Dimensions | 25.59 x 3.94 x 2.76 inches |
Weight | 6.35 pounds |
Connections | 1 x HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
Bluetooth | No |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | No |
Price | $ 449 |
Sonos enriches your entertainment with its compact soundbar with Dolby Atmos. With Sonos Beam (Gen 2), you can enjoy vibrant bass, crystal-clear dialogues, and a panoramic soundstage. Also, it lets you stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from your favorite services even when the TV is off.
Furthermore, you can control your TV remote and Apple AirPlay 2 using Alexa or Google Assistant with the Sonos app. The Sonos Beam has a 40% faster chip that pushes the sonic limits for this size soundbar. So, it creates two new audio paths for a 3D surround sound experience.
Moreover, the advanced audio processing ensures balanced sound from wall to wall at any volume level. With the Night Sound in the app, you can reduce the loud effects and enhance quieter ones. These features make Sonos Beam a formidable competitor on this list!
Relatively/comparatively pricier/pricey
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Easy to set up | No additional HDMI ports |
Effective Dolby Atmos | |
Reasonable price | |
Reliable TruePlay tuning | |
Compact |
Yamaha YAS-207
Buy NowImage Credits: amazon
Yamaha YAS-207 is the best when it comes to virtual surround sound experience.
Specifications
Dimensions | 2.08 x 5.15 x 35 inches |
Weight | 9.88 pounds |
Connections | 1 x HDMI |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | No |
Built-in subwoofers | Yes |
Price | $ 219.95 |
Yamaha YAS-207 offers a minimalistic look for theater-quality sound. It fits discreetly in front of your TV, or it can be wall-mounted. With DTS Virtual:X, the YAS-207 delivers 3D surround sound that seems to move around the listener.
Furthermore, this soundbar is equipped with six-speaker drivers and an acoustically-engineered cabinet. As a result, it lets you hear all the details that your TV’s built-in speakers cannot reproduce. Also, the YAS-207 features a Clear Voice mode that brings dialogues and narration to the front.
Moreover, this Yamaha soundbar is ideal for playing music. With the powerful subwoofers, it produces deep and impactful bass. It is always counted among the best soundbars for surround and 3D sound. Also, you can now stream your favorite playlist from your mobile devices via Bluetooth. Lastly, the free downloadable Home Theater Controller app gives you the smart operability of the YAS-207 via Bluetooth.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Resonant and immersive audio | Single HDMI input |
Dynamic sound | |
Slim design | |
Built-in Voice Assistant | |
Integrated subwoofers |
Samsung HW-Q950T
Buy NowImage Credits: Samsung
Samsung delivers powerful sound with enhanced precision and dynamism
Specifications
Dimensions | 51 x 24 x 11 inches |
Weight | 50.2 pounds |
Connections | HDMI input (ARC) x 2, HDMI output x 1, optical digital x 1, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | No |
Price | $1,799.99 |
Samsung HW-Q950T is from the top-of-the-line Q Series soundbar that delivers top-notch audio. With the Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, you can enjoy 3D True surround sound. Also, its 9.1.4 system is solid for a soundbar, and it enhances the audio quality.
The HW-Q950T supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and even lets you connect with certain phones just by tapping against the soundbar.
Moreover, it comprises nine channels, one subwoofer channel, and four up-firing channels, So you are completely surrounded by the audio. With the Game Pro Mode, you can connect your console to the soundbar for an optimal gaming experience.
In addition, the HDMI eARC allows you to hear the quality sound even when connected to other devices via your TV like DVD players or game consoles.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Powerful sound | Hefty price |
Expansive channel support | |
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible | |
Supports Dolby Atmos |
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
Buy NowImage Credits: Sennheiser
Sennheiser Ambeo delivers stellar audio with a deep bass.
Specifications
Dimensions | 49.8 x 6.73 x 5.31 inches |
Weight | 40.7 pounds |
Connections | 4 x HDMI, optical digital, RCA line in |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | No |
Price | $ 1,999.95 |
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is one of its kind. It is a premium soundbar with multiple features. This soundbar includes Dolby Atmos, DTS :X support, and a 4K HDR pass-through. Also, you get auto-calibration and four HDMI inputs.
Furthermore, the Ambeo soundbar provides a fully immersive 5.1.4 channel 3D sound experience with deep 30Hz bass. As a result, you don’t even need an additional subwoofer. It also lets you customize your sound with a built-in equalizer and AMBEO audio technology.
Moreover, with the integrated Upmix Technology, you can turn your home stereo or 5.1 audio into a 3D surround sound experience. Lastly, the Ambeo soundbar features five dedicated high-fidelity tweeters. As a result, it delivers studio-quality sound.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Rich sound | Bit costly |
Impressive surround sound | Bulky build |
Exceptional bass | |
HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi support | |
Luxurious features |
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Buy NowImage Credits: JBL
JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam offers the best Dolby Atmos in an affordable range
Specifications
Dimensions | 27.0 x 2.3 x 3.9 inches |
Weight | 2.8 kgs |
Connections | HDMI in, HDMI out (HDCP 2.3 compliant, eARC & 4K HDR passthrough), Ethernet, Optical |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | No |
Price | $ 399.95 |
JBL Bar 5.0 is an audio powerhouse even without any subwoofers. So if you are concerned about space, there is no need to worry! This compact soundbar does not crowd your space. Also, the JBL Bar 5.0 produces powerful bass that defies its size.
Furthermore, the built-in Virtual Dolby Atmos delivers an immersive and exciting 3D sound experience. In addition, the JBL Multibeam technology creates an expansive soundstage by projecting sound across the room. So, you can hear every detail from your TV.
Moreover, with the HDMI eARC, you can enjoy higher-quality audio, including Virtual Dolby Atmos on your JBL Bar 5.0. You can also calibrate the soundbar with the best surround audio effect based on your preferences. Lastly, the built-in Chromecast and Alexa allow you to listen to the same music in different rooms or different music in each room.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Dolby Virtual Atmos | No mobile app |
Multi-room options | |
AirPlay, Chromecast, and Bluetooth streaming | |
No requirement for a subwoofer |
Polk MagniFi Mini
Buy NowImage Credits: polkaudio
The Polk MagniFi Mini packs excellent audio into a small body.
Specifications
Dimensions | 4.3 x 13.4 x 3.2 inches |
Weight | 12.5 pounds |
Connections | HDMI, Digital Optical, Ethernet, USB |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Wi-Fi | No |
Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Built-in subwoofers | Yes |
Price | $ 299 |
Polk MagniFi Mini packs a punch above its weight. It may look small, but it delivers a powerful sound that defies its size. In addition, it is compatible with most TVs and easy to set up. The MagniFi Mini features Polk’s Voice Adjust that lets you customize the voice levels in the soundbar according to your preferences. This is counted in the best soundbars with its similar products with respect to its size.
Moreover, this mini soundbar is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Google Cast compatible. So, you can stream your music wirelessly from your devices. Furthermore, with one-button EQ settings for Movies, Music, and Sports, you can optimize the soundbar and subwoofer to ensure you get the best experience. Lastly, it also comes with a handy remote.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Powerful bass | No mobile app |
Clear vocals | |
Wireless subwoofer | |
Quick and easy set-up | |
Google Cast audio integration |
Why You Should Buy a Soundbar
What good is a TV if you can’t hear the sound properly? Unfortunately, the audio quality is largely missing as TV sizes have reduced. In addition, the speakers are somehow crammed into the tiny spaces as the TVs have become flat. Thus, soundbars have been introduced to abridge the sound quality gap. A soundbar makes an effective sound upgrade and provides an optimal listening experience.
Buyer’s Guide to Best Soundbars
Soundbars are getting popular these days, with the diminishing size of TVs. However, with so many choices in the market, it is essential to get a soundbar that meets your requirements. Therefore, we have made the task easier for you and compiled a list of all the points you need to consider before making a pick.
Types – Before you buy, it is essential to know the different types of soundbars.
The number of channels – If you want to enhance your TV sound, a soundbar with 2.1 channels (two front channels and a separate subwoofer) could be enough. However, if you want authentic surround sound, you should buy a soundbar with additional subwoofers and rear speakers for multichannel sound.
Size – If space is your concern, you should get a soundbar that is compact and fits in your space. You could go for a larger-sized soundbar if you have a larger space. However, it is better to get small-sized soundbars to not block the remote control’s line of sight to the TV.
Connections – Usually, you need one cable to connect a soundbar with your TV. While some soundbars rely on optical cables, HDMI is preferable. The HDMI interface supports more audio formats than the optical, which means you will get higher quality, more immersive sound with HDMI.