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
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Sony: 6 sound bars
(#1 is Sony HT-A7000)
-
Vizio: 5 sound bars
(#1 is Vizio M-Series 5.1)
-
Yamaha: 4 sound bars
(#1 is Yamaha SR-C20A)
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LG: 4 sound bars
(#1 is LG SL5Y)
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Sonos: 3 sound bars
(#1 is Sonos Beam Gen 2)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
| 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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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-
|
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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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-
|
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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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.
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
|
12
|
-
|
11
|
We ranked Sonos Beam Gen 2 #1 in September 2024 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sonos Arc #2 in September 2024 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
TechRadar
The best soundbar for Sonos fans
|
Great dynamic range
Discrete all-in-one soundbar
|
Tall and chunky design
No HDMI passthrough
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
Rtings.com
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
PCMag
What Hi-Fi
TechHive
World Wide Stereo
WIRED
SoundGuys
Digital Trends
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.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony HT-S2000 #6 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Vizio M-Series 5.1 #7 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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.
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
|
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.
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
|
We ranked JBL Bar 1300X #10 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Polk Audio MagniFi Mini #11 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
PCMag
Best Small Soundbar
|
Powerful sound for the size
Strong bass from the subwoofer
Plenty of wireless streaming options
|
Spatial audio falls flat
|
We ranked Roku Streambar Pro #12 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Media Streaming / Editors' Choice
|
Affordable
Solid audio performance
Lots of media streaming options
Remote with headphone jack
|
Relatively weak bass response
|
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
|
We ranked Roku Streambar #13 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Klipsch Flexus Core 200 #14 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Bose Smart Soundbar 600 #15 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Devialet Dione #16 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus #17 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Sony HT-A5000 #18 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre #19 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|
We ranked ZVOX AccuVoice AV157 #20 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best sound bars” rankings.
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
|