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Soundbar Reviews

Samsung HW-H550 soundbar system front sub

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 Solo Cinema Soundbar review front angle

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 SoundPlate LAP340 full

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.
AudioExperts 4TV front corner top angle

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 SB35 front set

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 soundbar HTL7180 front

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 corner angle

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 HTB250 review home theater system

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 Dolby Atmos soundbar

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 51 soundbar review m51a h6 5 1

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 close-up.

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

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

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

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 LED ring light.

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

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 HT-A3000 seen from a low left-side angle.

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 center height speaker close-up.

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.
Close-up of the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3's touch controls.

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.

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 hwq800t review samsungq800t 6

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 Dolby Atmos Soundbar wireless speaker

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 Speaker

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 Dolby Atmos soundbar

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 lifestyle image

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.
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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 1

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 soundbar 2.0.

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 V21-H8 2.1 Soundbar

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

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 soundbar.

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.
Top view of the Vizio M-Series 2.1 soundbar.

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 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

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 Dolby Atmos 3.1.2 soundbar.

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.