Samsung HW-F550 review
Samsung’s HW F550 offers a lot features in a pretty package for not a lot of cash. But while the system is big on bass and generally inoffensive, it lacks the clarity and zing some would expect, even from a budget sound bar solution.
Yamaha YSP-1400 review
Yamaha’s Digital Sound Projectors aren’t your typical sound bars. Armed with an array of small drivers, built-in subwoofers and highly customizable sound control, even the entry-level YSP-1400 offers more than the similarly-priced competition.
Sony HT-CT770 review
Sony’s new entry-level sound bar packs a refined, yet powerful punch and a host of features, making it a solid contender in a crowded field of applicants.
Vizio S2121w-D0 review
Vizio’s new Sound Stand is a pinch hitter for a traditional sound bar at best.
Focal Dimension review
Focal’s Dimension series sound bar and subwoofer treat audio with verve while delivering multiple setup options for the space-deprived.
Monoprice 42-inch sound bar review
Monoprice’s budget-friendly sound bar will definitely upgrade your TV audio, but how low is too low for a quality experience?
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 sound bar review
Nakamichi’s Shockwafe Pro is packed with features and heaps of muscle, as well as impressive true 5.1 surround sound immersion, putting it in true competition in the world of budget surround soundbars.
Yamaha YSP-5600 sound bar review
Yamaha’s flagship sound projector works acoustic wonders to create convincing Dolby Atmos/DTS:X surround sound, but it’s big enough to require some redecorating.
Sonos PlayBase review
Sonos isn’t first to the soundbase game, but the company is playing it better than any other. Find out why we’re calling the Playbase the best alternative to a soundbar you can get.
Vizio SB4551-D5 SmartCast 5.1 sound bar review
Vizio goes micro for its flagship 5.1 surround soundbar, and while the treble gets a little lighter, the bar adds better detail, new features, and thrilling surround sound, all at a nice price.
Onkyo SBT-A500 Atmos review
While Onkyo’s relatively affordable SBT-A500 checks all the right boxes on paper, when it comes to creating thrilling surround sound, this Atmos soundbar leaves something to be desired.
Bose SoundTouch 300 and Acoustimass 300 review
Not all soundbars are created equal. In our Bose SoundTouch 300 review, we explore how well Bose delivers on the "big sound, small package" promise, and discuss whether the company's latest soundbar delivers convincing virtual surround sound.
Q Acoustics M2 Soundbase hands-on review
In our M2 Soundbase hands-on review, we see how Q Acoustics delivers better sound than your TV speakers, without crowding your TV stand.
Samsung HW-MS750 Sound+ soundbar review
Samsung has expanded the Sound+ soundbar line to add some extra power and depth. In our HW-MS750 review we ask whether that’s enough to justify the higher price.
Sony HT-Z9F 3.1 soundbar review
Sony once again flexes its processing might with its latest soundbar, the HT-Z9F. Loaded with features and packing powerful virtual surround in a tiny package, the Z9F stretches far beyond its boundaries for impressive performance. But, is this the nimble sound system you’ve been looking for?
Samsung HW-NW700 soundbar review
Samsung changed the script for the latest addition to its Sound+ soundbar line, the NW700. With an eye trained directly on newer Samsung TV owners, this specialized soundbar has a tough case to make for its $700 price tag. Still, if you’re a certain kind of buyer, this could be the right fit for you.
Polk Command Bar Review
Amazon’s incredibly popular voice assistant, Alexa, is everywhere these days, but how well does it work when controlling your TV? We put Polk’s new Alexa-enabled Command Bar to the test to find out if it can stand up to the Sonos Beam.
Anker Soundcore Infini soundbar review
Best known for its battery chargers, Anker has expanded into audio in a big way in recent years with its Soundcore lineup, including Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and soundbars. The latest example is the Soundcore Infini soundbar. At just $99, it makes for a very affordable add-on to your entertainment setup, but is it worth the cash?
Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 (YAS-408) review
Yamaha’s latest soundbar is all about multiroom audio, offering multiple ways to play including creating your own surround sound system using MusicCast speakers. We spent a week with the bar to see if its chameleon ways make it worth its $500 price. The answer is a bit more complicated than expected.
Samsung HW-N950 soundbar review
Samsung’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar became the bar to beat for thrilling Atmos surround sound. With the HW-N950, the company has attempted to one-up its own creation by once again offering the best surround soundbar in the business. But is it worth its kingly price tag?
TCL Alto 7+ Review
TCL’s Alto 7+ soundbar showcases the company’s ability to offer quality products at low prices, bringing energetic home theater sound to your living room, without blowing out your budget. If you’re looking to save some cash and you hate your TV speakers, TCL’s 7+ Alto is a great place to start.
Vizio SB3621n-G8 2.1 review
With a slim subwoofer, simple connections, and the ability to easily customize your sound, the latest Vizio’s SB3621n-G8 2.1 soundbar is an excellent, affordable way to beef up your TV’s terrible sound, making your favorite films and TV shows grab you, without the need to spend hundreds of dollars.
Samsung HW-Q90R 7.1.4-channel soundbar review: Mighty Atmos
Samsung’s latest Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Q90R, is an incremental upgrade from the company’s popular HW-N950. But for those with the latest TV tech, this pricey Atmos beast is well worth considering. We’ll break down the latest upgrades and updates in detail so you can make the best choice for your home theater.
Bose Soundbar 500 review: Clean sound
Bose's sleek, slim, and smart Soundbar 500 offers clear sound and modern features in one of the smallest profiles in its class, making for an enticing option for those who love musicality but hate clutter. That said, it lacks some key features, including a wireless subwoofer.
JBL Link Bar soundbar review: The sin of ambition
The JBL link bar is a full media hub in soundbar form, offering viewers and listeners easy access to any of their favorite media with a simple "OK Google." But, at a price of $400, is it worth the premium over other subwoofer-less soundbars to get some streaming apps thrown in?
Roku Smart Soundbar review: Plenty smart, but short on sound
Roku's latest push into audio, the Smart Soundbar, packs a streaming device inside that's loaded up with all the glory of Roku's top streamers. But uneven performance and few other standout features makes this bar a tough sell in one of the most competitive segments in sound.
Sony HT-G700 review: Virtually irresistible
Sony's newest soundbar, the HT-G700, is a 3.1-channel soundbar that the company claims can reproduce up to 7.1.2 surround sound thanks to processing technology.
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i: Great sound in a bad UI
Though it sounds great -- especially for music -- the Pulse Soundbar 2i is not winning any beauty contests and its user interface is confusing and convoluted.
Polk Audio Signa S3 review: A good bar lost among great competition
Polk Audio unveiled the newest edition to its budget soundbar lineup, the Signa S3, which is a 2.1-channel system with built-in Wi-Fi and a sleek design.
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.