September 2024

Sound Bars: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of sound bars rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2024.

Summary

On 10 Sep 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 99 sound bar endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

59 sound bars were endorsed in total, only 20 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 10 Sep 2024, Sonos Beam Gen 2 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed sound bar with 8 expert endorsements.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking sound bars start at $99.99 (TCL Alto R1 Roku TV) and go up to $2199 (Devialet Dione). Median sound bar costs $579 (Bose Smart Soundbar 900).
$99.99
$2199

At a glance - September Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Sound Bar
Rtings.com
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
PCMag
What Hi-Fi
TechHive
World Wide Stereo
WIRED
SoundGuys
Digital Trends
1
- $489
Sonos Beam Gen 2
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact and stylish soundbar that delivers excellent audio quality for both music and movies, with versatile connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, making it a recommended choice for Sonos fans and those seeking high-quality audio enjoyment.
6
-
10
7
3
4
4
3
2
-
2
- $872
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is a high-end soundbar with impressive sound quality, expansive soundstage, and modern design, ideal for those seeking an immersive surround sound experience for movies and music.
-
5
9
4
4
-
2
10
-
2
3
- Check price
Samsung HW-Q990C
The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, immersive experience, and extensive connectivity options, making it a top choice for enhancing TV audio and creating a cinematic home theater experience.
-
-
-
6
-
5
-
5
-
1
4
- $998
Sony HT-A7000
The Sony HT-A7000 is a high-end soundbar with a neutral sound profile, wide and immersive soundstage, comprehensive connectivity options, and advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a great choice for enhancing the listening experience.
-
6
7
-
1
-
-
4
-
-
5
- $1998
Samsung HW-Q990D
1
-
4
-
6
-
-
-
-
-
6
+1 $398
Sony HT-S2000
The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly praised for its sound quality, clarity, and dialogue reproduction, making it suitable for both music and movie playback in larger rooms with high ceilings.
-
-
2
9
2
-
-
-
-
-
7
-1 Check price
Vizio M-Series 5.1
The Vizio M-Series 5.1 Soundbar is a versatile and affordable audio system that offers excellent sound quality, making it suitable for a variety of audio content, including music and movies, and is compatible with most TVs on the market.
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
6
-
9
8
- $264
Polk Audio React
The Polk Audio React soundbar is a versatile and budget-friendly device that offers big, detailed, and immersive sound for movies, music, and TV shows, with four audio modes and a variety of connectivity options.
-
-
-
-
-
1
11
-
-
-
9
+1 $243
Sonos Ray
The Sonos Ray soundbar is a high-quality and affordable option with excellent clarity and crispness in sound, Wi-Fi connectivity, multi-room setup capabilities, and compatibility with most TVs and wireless streaming devices.
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
12
10
-1 $1400
JBL Bar 1300X
The JBL Bar 1300X is a highly regarded soundbar that offers impressive sound quality, connectivity options, compatibility with various devices and streaming services, a sleek design, and a range of features, making it suitable for creating an immersive audio experience in various use cases.
-
-
11
2
-
-
-
7
-
-
11
- Check price
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini
The Polk Audio MagniFi Mini is a compact soundbar with various connectivity options, wireless subwoofer, and Google Cast compatibility, delivering clear and powerful sound suitable for small to medium-sized rooms.
-
7
-
5
-
-
14
-
-
-
12
+1 Check price
Roku Streambar Pro
The Roku Streambar Pro is a versatile and convenient all-in-one device that offers high-quality sound and streaming capabilities, with multiple connectivity options and virtual surround sound capabilities.
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
4
-
18
+1 $145
Roku Streambar
The Roku Streambar is a budget-friendly and versatile device that combines a 4K streaming player and a soundbar in one, offering clear dialogue and good tonal range for both music and movies.
-
-
-
-
8
2
-
-
-
-
19
+1 $499
Klipsch Flexus Core 200
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
10
20
+2 $450
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is a versatile and highly compatible soundbar with exceptional sound quality, a sleek design, and a range of connectivity options.
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
21
- $2199
Devialet Dione
The Devialet Dione soundbar is a high-end, innovative speaker that offers exceptional sound quality, powerful bass, and a sleek design, making it suitable for both music and movie playback.
-
4
-
-
-
-
8
-
-
-
22
+1 $1200
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus is a versatile and high-end soundbar that offers impressive sound quality, advanced features, and customization options for an immersive audio experience.
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
7
23
+1 Check price
Sony HT-A5000
The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is a high-end and versatile option for those looking for a premium sound experience with a neutral, slightly U-shaped sound profile, virtual surround sound options, and support for a wide range of audio formats.
-
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
-
8
24
+1 Check price
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre soundbar offers excellent sound quality, immersive audio experience, versatile connectivity options, and a sleek design, making it a highly praised and premium choice for music and movie enthusiasts.
-
-
-
-
-
8
-
15
-
-
25
+1 $210
ZVOX AccuVoice AV157
The ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 soundbar is a great option for those who struggle to hear TV dialogue, with its proprietary AccuVoice and SuperVoice technologies improving the intelligibility of spoken words and its dedicated center channel aiding in dialogue clarity.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12
-
11

Sound Bar
#18 $144.99 Roku Streambar
#25 $209.99 ZVOX AccuVoice AV157
#7 $231.38 Vizio M-Series 5.1
#9 $243.48 Sonos Ray
#8 $264 Polk Audio React
#6 $398 Sony HT-S2000
#20 $449.97 Bose Smart Soundbar 600
#11 $469.03 Polk Audio MagniFi Mini
#1 $488.88 Sonos Beam Gen 2
#19 $499 Klipsch Flexus Core 200
#2 $872.22 Sonos Arc
#4 $998 Sony HT-A7000
#22 $1199.95 Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus
#10 $1399.95 JBL Bar 1300X
#5 $1997.99 Samsung HW-Q990D
#21 $2199 Devialet Dione

We ranked Sonos Beam Gen 2 #1 in September 2024 because:

  • 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact and stylish soundbar that delivers excellent audio quality for both music and movies, with versatile connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, making it a recommended choice for Sonos fans and those seeking high-quality audio enjoyment.
Critic endorsements:
Rtings.com

Best Small Soundbar

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The perfect smaller soundbar for music

Expansive soundstage that's immersive
Support for HDMI eARC
Support for hi-res audio codecs

No upfiring drivers for real Atmos
No HDMI passthrough

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Midrange Sonos Soundbar

Big sound field for its size
Full and crisp sound, from low-mids to highs
Dolby Atmos audio sounds precise and immersive, even without rear speakers

Not much deep bass without optional (and pricey) subwoofer
No Bluetooth support
Trueplay audio tuning only available for iOS

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Awards 2023 winner. If space and budget are limited, there isn't a better virtual Dolby Atmos soundbar that we'd recommend

Effective handling of Dolby Atmos
Warm, refined sound
Streaming smarts

No additional HDMI ports
No Bluetooth
Doesn’t support DTS:X

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best mid-range soundbar, runner-up

Expansive sound
Dolby Atmost and HDMI eARC support
Can be upgraded to a full surround sound system with extra speakers and a subwoofer
Apple AirPlay 2 support in addition to Sonos' own fabled multi-room audio support

Virtualized height cues are subtle, and occasionally hissy
Drivers begin to struggle at high volume
DTS update didn't include DTS:X

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best Smart Sound Bar

Go to ranking

WIRED

The Smartest Soundbar

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best Smart Soundbar

Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support
Size
Dolby Digital Support
Easy Setup
Simple to connect other Sonos Speakers

Not the biggest sound
Price

Go to ranking

We ranked Sonos Arc #2 in September 2024 because:

  • 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Sonos Arc is a high-end soundbar with impressive sound quality, expansive soundstage, and modern design, ideal for those seeking an immersive surround sound experience for movies and music.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best Sonos soundbar overall

Clear vocals and focused sound
Strong, Sonos-quality bass
Alexa and Google Assistant built-in

Takes up quite a bit of space on a TV stand
Full Dolby Atmos requires add-on surrounds

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best soundbar for Sonos fans

Great dynamic range
Discrete all-in-one soundbar

Tall and chunky design
No HDMI passthrough

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best High-End Sonos Soundbar / Editors' Choice

Large sound field with powerful bass, even without a subwoofer
Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Can easily be expanded with satellites and a subwoofer
Dolby Atmos compatibility with angled tweeters

Expensive
Only works with pricey Sonos subwoofer

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Still one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for TV that we've heard

Convincing Dolby Atmos
Dynamic, detailed and weighty
All of the usual Sonos smarts

Music could be better projected
Heavily reliant on your TV’s specs
No Bluetooth or DTS:X support

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best All-in-One Soundbar

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Standalone Upgrade

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best expandable Dolby Atmos soundbar

Excellent surround sound
Easy and simple setup
Decent Dolby Atmos from a single speaker
Choice of Alexa or Google Assistant

No HDMI inputs
Not ideal for all music genres

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend sound bars.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of sound bars, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for September 2024 ranking

We ranked Samsung HW-Q990C #3 in September 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung HW-Q990C as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 4 Sep 2023)
The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, immersive experience, and extensive connectivity options, making it a top choice for enhancing TV audio and creating a cinematic home theater experience.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best for Samsung TVs

Detailed, immersive 11.1.4-channel audio
Powerful bass
Supports Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect
Built-in Alexa voice control
Q-Symphony support for compatible Samsung TVs

Expensive
Only supports SBC codec for Bluetooth
Minor upgrades from previous model

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best high-end soundbar

Big, immersive, yet detailed and subtle sound
Syncs its audio with Samsung TVs
SpaceFit Sound room correction
AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect support

No discrete volume for built-in Alexa
Power cords for satellite speakers are too short
Q-Symphony and wireless Dolby Atmos require a Samsung TV
No Chromecast

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best for Dolby Atmos Surround Sound

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best soundbar for most people

Great sound for movies and music
Impressive volume capabilities
Clear dialog
Immersive Dolby Atmos experience

No support for HDMI 2.1
A bit expensive

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony HT-A7000 #4 in September 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sony HT-A7000 as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 2 May 2023)
The Sony HT-A7000 is a high-end soundbar with a neutral sound profile, wide and immersive soundstage, comprehensive connectivity options, and advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a great choice for enhancing the listening experience.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best Sony soundbar

High build quality
Best for surround format support
Clear sound with dialog

Small display
Subwoofer sold separately
High price compared to rivals

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best soundbar for gaming

Exceptionally detailed dialogue
Not one, but two HDMI 2.1 ports
Support for all major spatial audio formats

Trebles lack accurate clarity
Confusing LED display

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Awards 2023 winner. Powerful, room-filling Dolby Atmos from a single TV soundbar

Robust low-end
Excellent Atmos performance
Feature-rich

No VRR or ALLM at launch
EQ controls would be nice
Slightly confused styling

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best for Gaming

Go to ranking

We ranked Samsung HW-Q990D #5 in September 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung HW-Q990D as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Rtings.com

Best Soundbar

Go to ranking

TechRadar

The best soundbar for Dolby Atmos surround sound

Fully immersive sound
Powerful but with great detail
Supports 4K 120Hz for gaming

Expensive
Front LED display difficult to see

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Samsung's latest soundbar package manages to outdo the previous generation, stepping into five-star territory.

Large, immersive sound
Dynamic, weighty and detailed
Two HDMI 2.1 inputs

Occasional bassy crackle
Hard-to-read display

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony HT-S2000 #6 in September 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 7 Dec 2023)
The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly praised for its sound quality, clarity, and dialogue reproduction, making it suitable for both music and movie playback in larger rooms with high ceilings.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

The best budget soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Extremely effective dialogue clarity
Support for spatial audio codecs
Improving value thanks to price drops

No Wi-Fi or AirPlay support
Lacks voice assistant

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Spatial Audio for the Price

Large sound field with strong horizontal directional imaging
Sculpted signature makes film content exciting and keeps dialogue clear

Weak low-end with no subwoofer
No height channels for vertical directional imaging
Lacks Wi-Fi audio streaming

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Sony’s budget Dolby Atmos soundbar is exceptional value for money

Simple plug-and-play functionality
Crisp, clear dialogue
Solid dynamics

Not loads of bass weight
Sound Field mode is a miss
Not as full-bodied as rivals

Go to ranking

We ranked Vizio M-Series 5.1 #7 in September 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Vizio M-Series 5.1 Soundbar is a versatile and affordable audio system that offers excellent sound quality, making it suitable for a variety of audio content, including music and movies, and is compatible with most TVs on the market.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best mid-range soundbar

Aggressively exciting audio performance
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
HDMI with eARC
Can be augmented with a smart speaker via 3.5mm input or Bluetooth

Bass can be boomy versus tight
No Wi-Fi adapter

Go to ranking

WIRED

Dolby Atmos for Under $500

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best budget soundbar

eARC, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X support
Impressive subwoofer
Seamless surround effects
Comprehensive control
Excellent fidelity

One HDMI input
Less suitable for larger rooms

Go to ranking

We ranked Polk Audio React #8 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Polk Audio React as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Polk Audio React soundbar is a versatile and budget-friendly device that offers big, detailed, and immersive sound for movies, music, and TV shows, with four audio modes and a variety of connectivity options.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best budget soundbar

Clean, nuanced sound given its price tag
Alexa onboard, including multi-room audio support
Expandable with wireless subwoofer and surround speaker options
Night mode and dialog volume level adjustments

No support for Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, or DTS Virtual:X
HDMI ARC only (doesn't support eARC)
Remote control buttons are flat and difficult to find in the dark

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best Sound Bar Under $300

Go to ranking

We ranked Sonos Ray #9 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sonos Ray as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Sonos Ray soundbar is a high-quality and affordable option with excellent clarity and crispness in sound, Wi-Fi connectivity, multi-room setup capabilities, and compatibility with most TVs and wireless streaming devices.
Critic endorsements:
World Wide Stereo

The Best Compact Sound Bar Under $300

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Most versatile budget soundbar

Compact for versatile placement
Impressive sound for its size
Expandable to a full 5.1 system
Easy setup and control

Pricey for a small soundbar
Lacks a bit of midrange detail

Go to ranking

We ranked JBL Bar 1300X #10 in September 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 21 Jul 2023)
The JBL Bar 1300X is a highly regarded soundbar that offers impressive sound quality, connectivity options, compatibility with various devices and streaming services, a sleek design, and a range of features, making it suitable for creating an immersive audio experience in various use cases.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

The best soundbar for flexibility

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing
Rechargeable wireless surround speakers
Four HDMI ports (one with eARC)

Pricey
No HDMI 4K 120Hz pass-through
Surround speakers need regular recharging

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best for Spatial Audio / Editors' Choice

Accurate spatial audio with height channels
Thunderous subwoofer
Detachable wireless rear satellites
Alexa MRM, Apple AirPlay, and Google Cast support

Expensive
Satellites need to be charged regularly

Go to ranking

WIRED

For Those Who Hate Wires

Go to ranking

We ranked Polk Audio MagniFi Mini #11 in September 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Polk Audio MagniFi Mini is a compact soundbar with various connectivity options, wireless subwoofer, and Google Cast compatibility, delivering clear and powerful sound suitable for small to medium-sized rooms.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best small soundbar

Powerful bass and clear vocals
Wireless subwoofer
Google Cast audio integration

No onscreen display or mobile app
High frequencies can sound harsh

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Small Soundbar

Powerful sound for the size
Strong bass from the subwoofer
Plenty of wireless streaming options

Spatial audio falls flat

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best Small Sound Bar Under $500

Go to ranking

We ranked Roku Streambar Pro #12 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Roku Streambar Pro is a versatile and convenient all-in-one device that offers high-quality sound and streaming capabilities, with multiple connectivity options and virtual surround sound capabilities.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best for Media Streaming / Editors' Choice

Affordable
Solid audio performance
Lots of media streaming options
Remote with headphone jack

Relatively weak bass response

Go to ranking

SoundGuys

Best Features

Integrated Roku Player
HDMI ARC output
Google Assistant and Alexa support
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming
Remote access via Roku app
Value

Sound clarity lacking

Go to ranking

We ranked Roku Streambar #13 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 20 May 2023)
The Roku Streambar is a budget-friendly and versatile device that combines a 4K streaming player and a soundbar in one, offering clear dialogue and good tonal range for both music and movies.
Critic endorsements:
What Hi-Fi

A great value budget soundbar with streaming onboard

Direct, well-projected sound
Great feature list
Can go loud

Doesn't sound cinematic

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best budget soundbar, runner-up

A pretty good soundbar integrated with a very good media streamer
Excellent remote control, with support for voice commands
Can be upgraded with a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers
Can also stream content from a NAS box or USB drive

Not as good as a speaker as it is a streamer
A little weak on bass response
HDR support does not include Dolby Vision

Go to ranking

We ranked Klipsch Flexus Core 200 #14 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best Soundbar Under $500

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best single-speaker soundbar under $800

Fabulous sound
Striking levels of bass
Easy setup
Wired subwoofer output
Backlit remote

No Wi-Fi
Slightly tame height channels
Can't save settings per input

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose Smart Soundbar 600 #15 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is a versatile and highly compatible soundbar with exceptional sound quality, a sleek design, and a range of connectivity options.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

The best small soundbar for Dolby Atmos.

Attractively small design
Upfiring speakers for Dolby Atmos
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Chomecast

Limited number of HDMI ports
Lacks that bass oomph
DTS:X is not available

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best small soundbar

Easy setup
Excellent Atmos for its size
Clear and engaging dialog
AirPlay and Chromecast
Good music quality

No HDMI inputs
Smart speaker is Alexa-only
Limited in-app music services

Go to ranking

We ranked Devialet Dione #16 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Devialet Dione soundbar is a high-end, innovative speaker that offers exceptional sound quality, powerful bass, and a sleek design, making it suitable for both music and movie playback.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Best Dolby Atmos soundbar with auto placement configuration, but pricey

Expansive, informative and assertive sound
Luxury styling and finish
Auto surround configuration for wall or table-top placement

High price compared to rivals
No HDMI passthrough
No remote control

Go to ranking

World Wide Stereo

The Best High End Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Go to ranking

We ranked Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus #17 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus is a versatile and high-end soundbar that offers impressive sound quality, advanced features, and customization options for an immersive audio experience.
Critic endorsements:
World Wide Stereo

The Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best Dolby Atmos sound from a single speaker

Fantastic 3D sound
Lots of connections
Built-in room tuning
Up to 4 wireless subs/1 wired sub
AirPlay/Chromecast/Tidal Connect
Alexa built-in
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Sony 360/MPEG-H

Still expensive
Only HDMI 2.0a
Relies heavily on mobile app
Weird Alexa integration

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony HT-A5000 #18 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is a high-end and versatile option for those looking for a premium sound experience with a neutral, slightly U-shaped sound profile, virtual surround sound options, and support for a wide range of audio formats.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best high-end soundbar and wireless speaker package

Delivers a theater-like experience with a fully wireless speaker setup
Immersive Dolby Atmos performance
Frictionless setup and sound field optimization
Can use the speakers in certain Sony TVs as the center channel

Optional SA-SW3 subwoofer calls attention to itself
Some boxiness to the sound, particularly with music

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best for music and gaming

8K-ready HDMI input
Excellent movie and music sound
Easy on-screen setup
Tons of connection options
Hi-res, Sony 360RA, and DTS:X

No EQ adjustments
Some settings are buried
Poor integration of music services

Go to ranking

We ranked Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre #19 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 4 Sep 2023)
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre soundbar offers excellent sound quality, immersive audio experience, versatile connectivity options, and a sleek design, making it a highly praised and premium choice for music and movie enthusiasts.
Critic endorsements:
TechHive

Best money-is-no-object soundbar.

Big, bold, dynamic, full-range sound
Customizable aesthetic elements
Expandable to 16 assignable speakers
Advanced room correction
AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect support

Room correction offers a single measurement point only
Expensive
Lacks LDAC or aptX Adaptive hi-res Bluetooth streaming codecs

Go to ranking

WIRED

If Money Is No Object

Go to ranking

We ranked ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 #20 in September 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 16 May 2023)
The ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 soundbar is a great option for those who struggle to hear TV dialogue, with its proprietary AccuVoice and SuperVoice technologies improving the intelligibility of spoken words and its dedicated center channel aiding in dialogue clarity.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best for Those With Hearing Loss

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best for dialog enhancement

Small footprint
Easy connections and setup
Super-clear and adjustable dialog

Expensive for a small speaker
No wireless connections for music

Go to ranking