Samsung HW-H550 review
Samsung reprises last year’s HW-F550 sound bar with the updated HW-H550 for 2014. Check out our full review to see what’s new, what’s improved, and what hasn’t.
Definitive Technology Solo Cinema Studio review
The SoloCinema Studio 5.1 sound bar is loaded with powerful hardware and highly-tuned virtual surround software, all wrapped in a sleek and compact design. Follow along with our evaluation to see if this powerful system is worth $1,200 of your hard-earned dollars.
LG Sound Plate LAP340 review
Those not up for a sound bar may find favor with a rapidly expanding new trend: the sound base. Or, as LG calls theirs, sound plate. Whatever you call them, these devices offer serious space-saving and much-improved sound quality over TV speakers.
AudioXperts 4TV Model 2112 review
AudioXperts 4TV model 2112 delivers outstanding fidelity from a gorgeously designed and built piece of furniture. When neither side will compromise, this speaker successfully appeases both the décor-conscious and the audiophile.
Harman Kardon Sabre SB 35 review
The Sabre SB35 sound bar brings gorgeous good looks, and one of the slimmest profiles we’ve seen on the market. But did Harman Kardon go too thin with this sliver of silver to produce hi-fi audio performance?
Philips Fidelio HTL9100 review
Philips deserves high praise for being the first to bring truly wireless surround speakers to the masses, and the Fidelio’s stylish appeal is hard to resist. However, despite offering seamless surround sound, there’s a certain something missing from its sound signature.
Yamaha YAS-152 review
Last year, the YAS-101 sound bar dazzled us with big bass from a slim cabinet. This year, the replacement YAS-152 got longer and the bass got bigger, but clarity and definition took a hit.
Panasonic SC-HTB350 Review
The SC-HTB350 is an easily affordable, big-sounding solution with flexibility that is hard to match. For those not too picky about the minutiae of sound, this system will please with pounding bass, the ability to deliver audible dialog and more input options that competing devices.
LG SP9YA Soundbar review: Setting a high bar for Dolby Atmos
Can you get the fully immersive benefits of Dolby Atmos from a single soundbar plus a subwoofer? If it's LG's $1,000 SP9YA, the answer is yes.
Vizio M-Series 5.1 soundbar review (M51a-H6): The bar to beat
We took a look at Vizio’s lower-priced M-Series 5.1 (M51a-H6) soundbar, and what we found was pretty surprising.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Atmos adds to the immersion
Bose's first Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Smart Soundbar 900, goes head-to-head with the Sonos Arc -- and the results may surprise you.
Bose Soundbar 700 review: Simple yet exhilarating sound
Can a single soundbar really provide great home theater sound for TV, movies, and music? If it's the Bose Soundbar 700, then the answer is most definitely, yes.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300 review: Sweet sound for small rooms
At $400, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 isn't cheap, but its tiny frame powers great audio, while its voice assistant options make you a hands-free media master.
Bose TV Speaker review: Elegant and effortless TV enhancer
Soundbars are a simple sound quality upgrade, but most are overkill for smaller rooms. The clean, compact Bose TV Speaker, is a perfect, if pricey, alternative.
Philips Fidelio FB1 review: the sledgehammer of soundbars
With a 7.1.2 system and impressively potent bass, the Fidelio FB1 could be the Dolby Atmos soundbar you've been waiting for. Shame it's so hard to use, then.
Sonos Sub Mini review: The low-end finally costs less
For far too long, Sonos fans have had only one, very expensive subwoofer option. With the Sub Mini, choice has finally arrived. Was it worth the wait?
Sony’s HT-A3000 does virtual Dolby Atmos right, if you can handle the price
Sony's HT-A3000 is its most affordable premium Dolby Atmos soundbar with tons of great features. But its lack of up-firing drivers may give you pause.
LG S95QR soundbar review: Your new home theater in a (very big) box
LG's S95QR challenges the very definition of the word soundbar, with 14 channels, 810 watts, and wicked Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound.
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 review: Home theater power bar
Capable of blisteringly loud and precise sound, the Panorama 3 is missing many features found on Dolby Atmos soundbars at the same price.
Sony HT-A5000 review: The Dolby Atmos soundbar for hi-res audio fans
Sony's HT-A5000 goes up against formidable competitors from Sonos, Bose, and LG and proves that a single speaker can produce awesome immersive sound.
Samsung HW-Q800T review: Alexa, can you say wow?
For $750, Samsung's HW-Q800T comes equipped with a 3.1.2-channel system, Wi-Fi functionality, Amazon Alexa built in, and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
JBL Bar 9.1 review: Wireless Dolby Atmos with a few flaws
There's no doubt that the JBL Bar 9.1's detachable fully wireless Dolby Atmos surround modules are convenient, but are they worth $1,000? We put it to the test.
Sonos Beam review
Sonos makes some of the best single-speaker home theater products, but they’re expensive. A more affordable model would help a lot of people make the jump to Sonos. The Sonos Beam looks to be that product, with Alexa built-in. But did Sonos remove too much in the effort to keep the price down?
Monoprice SB-600 Soundbar review: Affordable but average Dolby Atmos
Monoprice enters the Dolby Atmos soundbar market with an affordable and easy-to-use system, but the SB-600 doesn't deliver as much immersion as we'd like.
JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam soundbar review: Add a little Dolby Atmos to your life
If you're looking for a small, simple single speaker to give your TV the oomph it's missing, the Dolby Atmos-capable JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam is the answer.
Vizio Elevate review: A rotating soundbar is the smartest pivot to Atmos yet
Marrying a killer new design to audiophile controls and stellar sound, the Vizio is an excellent compliment to your high-end television.
Razer Leviathan V2 review: A PC gaming soundbar done right?
After seven years of silence, Razer returns with a sequel to its forward-thinking PC gaming soundbar.
Vizio V-Series 5.1 Soundbar review: Putting the ‘V’ in value
Vizio's V Series 5.1 soundbar may not have a rock-solid set of features, but it does add 5.1 surround sound audio and DTS Virtual:X for a bargain of a price.
Vizio V-Series 2.1 Soundbar review: Your TV’s new best friend
If you're looking for better TV sound on a budget, Vizio's V-Series 2.1 Soundbar sounds great, comes with everything you need, and it won't break the bank.
LG SN7Y soundbar review: Great Atmos sound for less
The LG SN7Y comes with plenty of interesting perks like 3.1.2-channel setup and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making for a value-rich $500 price point.
Sony HT-S400 review: A tough sell at this price
Sony throws in an excellent wireless subwoofer, but the HT-S400 can't quite justify it's higher price.
Vizio M-Series 2.1 (M215a-J6) review: A Dolby Atmos intro
For well less than $200, Vizio gives budget-minded TV owners an easy way to dip their toes into Dolby Atmos.
Sony HT-A7000 review: A fully loaded soundbar experience
There's no shortage of capable home theater soundbars out there, but few models attempt -- let alone succeed -- at doing as much as Sony's HT-A7000.
Polk Signa S4 Soundbar review: Simply better TV sound
Polk's latest soundbar lacks features like voice assistants, AirPlay, and Chromecast, but it has killer Dolby Atmos sound and a setup that couldn't be easier.
Former Senior Editor, A/V
John Higgins is Digital Trends’ former Senior Editor and section lead for A/V. After receiving his Bachelor in Music with an Audio Production focus from Ithaca College and Master of Music in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from the University of Southern California, he began working for Home Theater Magazine in 2003. His time in the print and online publishing world has been spent as a writer, editor, copy editor, researcher, and test lab technician. Before joining Digital Trends, Higgins was the Managing Editor of Tech at Reviewed, part of the USA Today network, where he led the website’s tech coverage. He has previously written for Wirecutter, IGN, Projector Central, T3, Sound & Vision, and Home Theater Magazine covering projectors, televisions, headphones and earbuds, sound bars and speakers, and monitors. He is a yearly attendee at CES and an ISF level 3 certified calibrator.
In addition to his career in publishing, Higgins has been a professional musician since the late 90s, having performed on piano in solo recitals, as a collaborative partner with various singers and instrumentalists, and with the Pacific Symphony. He also is an accomplished guitarist and, with his pop/rock band, has played such hallowed L.A. venues as the Troubadour, Roxy, Viper Room, and House of Blues. For 10 years, he was a teacher and music director at a private school in Los Angeles, and following his teaching career spent some time in the film industry as a post-production sound editor and composer.
Originally from just outside Boston, Higgins has been a Los Angeles resident since 2001 where he lives with his wife, son, two rescue dogs, and parrot. When not working, he spends his time watching TV shows about cooking and serial killers, preparing for his next D&D session, ignoring the growing list of games in his Steam gaming library, and building Legos with his son.