For that reason, I take note of the size of the system and whether it offers wireless or wired peripherals. Subwoofer and surround speakers Single-bar systems are great for smaller TVs, while a soundbar-and-subwoofer combo is better suited for a living room.For example, the Sonos Ray only offers an optical output, but this is acceptable given that it's most suitable for older or smaller TVs. However, there are notable exceptions to this rule. The ability to offer multiple HDMI ports will help users with a large selection of sources (Xbox Series X, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, Blu-ray player, etc.). HDMI connections: At the bare minimum, a soundbar sold in 2023 should have at least one HDMI input, and preferably more.For example does the soundbar offer dedicated height speakers, or is it simulated Atmos? Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos is one of the most popular features in soundbars over $400, and so we'll look at features that help maximize spatial sound quality.Wireless streaming: Whether it's connecting a phone over Bluetooth or more advanced streaming technologies such as Spotify Connect or Apple AirPlay, the more choices for streaming technologies a soundbar has, the better.I do have one rule of thumb, though: Once the price of a soundbar exceeds $500, you may find it more worthwhile to save for an AV receiver and speakers. I give a lot of thought to the features a soundbar has in comparison others that cost the same. ![]() Price: The most important consideration when choosing a soundbar is how much it costs, and I have found there are great soundbars at every price level, starting at $100 and up.But for $500 it misses a lot of the features of its single-bar competition, namely Dolby Atmos compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming. Sony HT-S2000 ($498): Better in some ways than the competition and worse in others, the Sony HT-S2000 boasts better bass response than the Sonos Beam.It's great for streaming, as it has Chromecast built in in addition to Bluetooth and an HDMI input. Polk Signa S3 ($299): If you're looking for a speaker that can do music as well as play the latest episode of The Last of Us, then the Polk Audio Signa S3 has a lot to offer.You can save yourself a lot of money by getting the even-bigger sounding Klipsch Cinema 400 instead. Yet, while it includes both HDMI and networked music streaming, the JBL is missing Dolby Atmos - which is disappointing for the price. During my tests, the JBL Bar 500 fulfilled both parts of the brief by pairing excellent sound with one of the largest subwoofers I've ever seen with a soundbar. JBL Bar 500 ($600): Alongside Klipsch, JBL has long had a reputation for being a rock 'n' roll brand with a big sound and even bigger cabinets.Check out these best AV receivers below 500 which can be compatible with your soundbar and TV. A quality receiver is great if you want to boost the details each speaker or channel can produce. You can also check if your soundbar can be connected to a receiver for amplified sound. Wi Fi could unlock a bunch of extra features and convenience for you as well. Stereo RCA is also a pretty common connection.Īs for wireless connections, some models have Wi Fi connectivity. In some models, you may also find a USB port for music playback. That said, we do recommend HDMI ARC for the best sound quality and support for new audio formats. Most models today have a digital optical port and at least one HDMI input, so you won’t have trouble finding one. It’s best to have an optical input and one or two HDMI inputs. It would be a bummer if you buy a feature-packed soundbar only to find out it has compatibility issues with your TV.ĭigital and analog connections are two common ones, with digital being the better option. How does your soundbar connect to your TV? Before you buy soundbars like the Sonos Ray, make sure there are compatible connection options on both the TV and the soundbar. After all, if you do have a great soundbar, you might not want rear speakers or a subwoofer anyway. ![]() Thankfully, products with these tech options don’t have to be expensive all the time because there are pretty affordable Dolby Atmos soundbars if you know where to look. If you’re looking at lower price points, however, soundbars with passive radiators should give enough punch. Adding rear speakers further results in a great performance and more volume. For instance, an external subwoofer produces a more robust sound profile by delivering deep bass. The more channels your sound bar has, the more immersive your experience will be.īut of course, having extra speakers result in better audio reproduction and sound performance. However, you also want to look into the number of audio channels in products. There are typically different sound mode options, including music mode, movie mode, dialogue mode, and night mode that lowers the volume. Having a subwoofer as well as sound modes can help enhance the audio in the right areas.
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