monster vision wireless bluetooth speaker with lcd display pricelist

2023-01-03 12:32:11

We’ve tested 365 portable Bluetooth speakers specifically for this guide. Some competitors came close to our top picks in performance and value, and they may be worth considering, depending on your priorities. Here’s a list of some of the more recent models we’ve considered, in alphabetical order.

The Altec Lansing Soundbucket XL is what its name says it is—a big, bucket-shaped speaker. In our tests, it had a dull sound that made voices somewhat muffled and bloated.

For such a small speaker, the Anker Soundcore Mini 3 is packed with features, but in our tests it tended to vibrate on a table when it played deep bass notes, and the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 played louder.

Our panelists thought the Anker Soundcore Rave Neo 2 would be a good choice for someone who wants a loud, decent-sounding speaker that’s fairly easy to carry around. It was too bassy for our panelists in Bass Boost mode but a little bit trebly without it, although that could be fixed with Soundcore’s app. What they liked most was that it played loud (93.8 dB in our tests) and has a big, comfortable carrying handle.

The Anker Soundcore Rave Party 2 is like a bigger version of the Rave Neo 2 with a microphone input added. It sounds a lot like its little brother but played 5 dB louder in our tests. As with the Rave Neo 2, it’s too bassy with Bass Boost on and a little too trebly without it, and deep bass notes can cause chuffing sounds from the rear port. Still, it’s a good deal if you need a lot of volume on a low budget.

The Avantree BTSP-850 is a very affordable and versatile Bluetooth speaker, with SD card playback and FM radio (with stations tunable by number or auto-programmed). It has hardly any bass and it doesn’t play loud, but as a system for light background music in a cubicle or office, it’s a good choice.

Bitty Boomers’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian – The Child is surely the cutest Bluetooth speaker ever, but in our tests Baby Yoda played only a couple of decibels louder than a good smartphone could.

The Blackfire BBM9113 by Klein Tools has a cool, super-rugged design with a mounting strap and a magnet that allows it to attach easily to many surfaces. But it doesn’t have enough bass for our taste.

We like the Bose SoundLink Color II a lot. At its previous price (around $130), it lacked volume compared with some others that cost about the same. But we’ve recently noticed the black version selling for much less, in which case it is a good alternative to the Wonderboom 3 or EarFun UBoom L, if you prefer the SoundLink Color II’s design.

The Crosley CR3029A is an adorable little speaker styled to look like a tiny record player; it’s fine for what it is, but it doesn’t play much louder than the speaker built into a good smartphone.

A campsite-friendly speaker with integrated LED flashlights, the Doss Traveler plays clear and loud, but our panelists liked the Tribit XSound Go better.

We loved the way the Edifier MP230 sounds and operates, but its styling and “flipper”-style buttons don’t lend themselves to portable use, so we included it in our best home Bluetooth speaker guide.

Our panelists thought the House of Marley Get Together 2 was one of the best speakers they heard, with sound that reminded them of a good desktop stereo speaker system. But they didn’t think its bulky, bamboo-faced chassis made sense for portable use.

Although the JBL Boombox 2 sounds good and plays very loud, both the JBL PartyBox 110 and UE Hyperboom play louder and sound a little smoother and more natural with voices. If you want a boombox-style party speaker, we think the Sony SRS-XG500 is a better choice.

The JBL Flip 6 has a nice, full sound for its price, and it plays pretty loud, too. But its midrange is accentuated, and it can sound harsh with some vocal music.

The LG XBoom 360 XO3QBK has a spacious, natural, full sound that we enjoyed. Technically, it’s a portable speaker because it has a rechargeable battery and a detachable carrying strap, but it’s clearly styled and designed for home use.

By a small margin, the Marshall Willen is the best sounding speaker of the ultra-portable Bluetooth models we’ve tested, but it costs more than twice as much as, and plays only slightly louder than, the Tribit StormBox Micro 2.

The Monster Blaster 3.0 played pretty loud in our tests, hitting 98.6 dB, but it distorted badly on deep bass notes and had a rough, coarse sound on voices.

The Positive Grid Spark Mini doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and a digital guitar amp that can be programmed with a huge variety of sounds and effects. It excels as a guitar amp, but its boosted midrange made it sound shouty with voices when used as a Bluetooth speaker. (The company says it recently retuned the sound for Bluetooth music playback, but we haven’t heard the new version.)

The Raycon Everyday Speaker has a cute, ultra-portable design with a pretty smooth sound in its Balanced mode, but it lacks bass and doesn’t play very loud for the price.

The Rocksteady Stadium speaker is interesting in that it’s available in a system with two speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and a carrying case. However, voices sounded a little buzzy and distorted when we played the speaker loud, and when we turned it down to where the sound was clearer, it wasn’t loud enough.

The Sony SRS-XB33 is a former “also great” pick. It’s still an excellent speaker, and we actually prefer it to its replacement, the SRS-XE300 (see below). It seems to be discontinued, but if you can find one, we still recommend it as among the best you can buy for around $130.

The Sony SRS-XE300’s design struck our panelists as rather strange. While no one found much to complain about with its sound, they found it a little dull overall.

The Tribit MaxSound Plus is a good-sounding, affordable speaker that falls between the UE Wonderboom 3 and the Tribit XSound Go in price and performance. If we had more picks, this model might be one.

We didn’t like the Tribit StormBox as much as its predecessor, the 360° Sound Speaker (a former top pick), because its sound seemed brighter and more sibilant than what we heard from the previous model we tested.

The Tribit XSound Surf costs a little less than the XSound Go, but it sounds a bit distorted, and the design makes it a little less convenient to carry because there’s no provision for a lanyard.

Our panelists really liked the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 for its features and rugged design, although we preferred the fuller sound of speakers such as the Sony SRS-XG300.

The VisionTek SoundTube XL is a great option if you want an inexpensive speaker that sounds full, plays loud, and slings over your shoulder. It sounded smoother than the similarly priced Anker Soundcore Rave Neo in our tests, but the Rave Neo played about 5 dB louder, enough to fill a backyard instead of just a patio.

The Victrola Music Edition 2 has a great retro design with a feature we love: a built-in Qi charger. However, its sound is thin, and many competing speakers at its price play a substantial 6-plus decibels louder.

monster vision wireless bluetooth speaker with lcd display pricelist

Great music is vital to so many people—whether they prefer Beyoncé, the Beatles, or Beethoven—and with the array of wireless and Bluetooth speakers on the market in 2022, it’s easier than ever to get quality sound both at home and on the go.

Bluetooth and WiFi-connected speakers provide simple, cable-free connections that don’t sacrifice sound quality. And you don’t always have to spend a lot. We test speakers that range in price from $25 to $1,000—and there are decent choices for every budget. It’s a matter of defining what you want to do.

If you want to take your tunes to the beach or just to the backyard, consider a water-resistant speaker that features a rechargeable battery packing plenty of power. And if you have a large home, consider a model that works as part of a versatile multiroom system.

Design is also an important consideration because manufacturers are increasingly differentiating their products with styling, producing speakers that are attractive—or at least able to attract attention.

We’ll leave it to you to decide on the aesthetics. In our testing program, we put hundreds of wireless and Bluetooth speakers through their paces. We place the greatest weight on how they sound, but we also evaluate such factors as versatility and ease of use, including a speaker’s ability to pair easily and maintain a wireless connection.

There are two ways to go wireless: WiFi and Bluetooth. WiFi speakers connect to your home network. Because most run on AC power, they usually require an outlet. Bluetooth speakers pair directly with a device such as a phone or a laptop. They tend to be compact and battery-powered, which makes them more portable. Some models offer both connection options.

Pros: The technology works with a wide range of mobile devices, including Apple iPhone and Android smartphones. Bluetooth speakers also tend to be less pricey than WiFi speakers.

Setup: In general, connecting via Bluetooth is simpler than connecting via WiFi. Some Bluetooth speakers now have NFC (near-field communication) technology, which enables two devices—one of which is usually portable, such as a smartphone—to establish communication with just a tap.

Pros: With WiFi, you can stream to multiple speakers at once. And this technology has a longer range than Bluetooth, up to about 200 feet, although 100 to 150 feet is more common.

Pros: Having both technologies gives you greater flexibility. You can take advantage of your strong home network for most listening. But if, for example, a friend wants to stream songs from a phone or laptop, they can make a quick connection to your speaker using Bluetooth. In general, models that feature both WiFi and Bluetooth are fairly easy to use.

If you opt for a WiFi speaker, you’ll come across terms such as Apple AirPlay, DLNA, and DTS Play-Fi. These are the wireless standards that a speaker uses to access content on a network. Many WiFi speakers can use more than one, but be sure the speakers you want to link together all share at least one standard. Here are the main things you need to know.

• Apple AirPlay can access content from Apple mobile devices and any computer with iTunes installed on it. For Android devices, you’ll have to use a third-party app. The same goes for streaming to multiple AirPlay speakers from an iPhone or iPad. You don’t, however, need the third-party app when you’re using a computer.

• If you want to play music on multiple speakers, they can come from different brands. But they have to use the same wireless technology standard. In other words, if you have a speaker that uses AirPlay and another that uses Play-Fi, they won’t play together nicely.

Outdoors: If you’ll be using your speaker outdoors, consider a portable Bluetooth model that can sit near your grill and pump out tunes while you flip burgers, then follow you around the yard if you want to listen to your favorite podcast after dinner. Pick a compact model and you’ll conserve space on the patio or picnic table, or just choose a speaker that comes in a fun color that matches your tablecloth.

And if you’re listening by a pool, at the beach, or anywhere that a speaker could be exposed to a rain shower, choosing a model that’s water-resistant can reduce your worries about accidental damage.

Indoors: If you’re going to use your speaker mostly indoors, think about the location of your electrical outlets and the strength of your WiFi network’s signal before deciding on an AC-powered WiFi model.

Placement can also affect a speaker’s performance. You typically want the music source, such as your smartphone, to stay within 33 feet of a Bluetooth speaker. Bluetooth models also work best with a clear line of sight to the source. Walls, large objects, and even people between your speaker and the music source can cause those annoying audio dropouts.

WiFi models are better at handling greater distances and physical obstructions between the router, music source, and speakers. Under ideal conditions, you might be able to maintain a connection with a speaker that’s more than 200 feet from the router, but 100 to 150 feet is a more typical range.

This fine-sounding speaker features styling that channels an old-school boom box, but it has a rechargeable battery instead of D-cells and robust Bluetooth streaming instead of warbly cassettes.

The Edifier S1000MKII is one of the best-sounding speakers we’ve tested. Part of the reason is that the Edifier comes in a stereo pair, which allows you to separate the right- and left-channel speakers to achieve more realistic stereo imaging, creating the sense that the musicians are in the room with you.

The UE Hyperboom is large for a portable speaker, but it’s unassuming in a good way. Its vertical orientation gives it a relatively small footprint in your family room or on your patio. And its basic black styling allows it to blend in with most interiors.

With a plastic globe, LED backlights, and a wide array of options for programming the light show, the Pulse 4 can work as a subtle accent lamp or replicate an old-school lava lamp, depending on your mood and décor. In any case, its sonics are solid for a speaker in this price range.

The tiny Bose SoundLink Micro is cute and hyper-portable, and it comes with a strap that allows you to lash it to a bicycle, backpack, or stroller. But if size isn’t super-important to you, the Micro’s larger sibling, the Bose SoundLink Color II, offers better sound quality for not much more money.

This fine-sounding speaker features styling that channels an old-school boom box, but it has a rechargeable battery instead of D-cells and robust Bluetooth streaming instead of warbly cassettes.

Whether you’re all about that bass or prefer a more refined sonic presentation, you’ll want certain functions so that you can take control of your wireless speaker.

Many wireless speakers also feature auxiliary audio inputs that can be used to connect source components, such as a TV or an old CD player or cassette deck, directly to the unit via a cable. Some speakers can even charge your phone or tablet via a USB port. An optical digital audio input can connect devices like a Blu-ray/DVD/CD player.

Depending on the model, you may be able to connect a smartphone or other device via a USB cable, which can eliminate those annoying dropouts that affect some wireless connections. You’ll probably need the right cable for your device. Most iPhones have a nine-pin Lightning connector, while Android phones are likely to have a USB-C jack.

Voice recognition seems like a fun way to turn up the volume when you don’t want to leave the dance floor, but in reality, it can be hit or miss. A standard remote or an app on a smart device usually provides a more reliable way to operate your speaker from a distance. Some new models are taking voice recognition to the next level with full-blown smart-speaker functionality. Consumer Reports covers smart speakers as a separate category.

In addition to streaming digital audio from a computer, some wireless speakers offer direct access to streaming music services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.

Edifier has a full line of Bluetooth speakers for home and portable use. Many of its models offer unique and/or colorful designs at low to midrange prices.

Jabra, a subsidiary of GN Netcom, is known for its wireless and corded headsets for mobile phone users. The company also manufactures a line of portable Bluetooth speakers at low to midrange prices.

Part of Harman International, JBL offers a wide variety of wireless and Bluetooth speakers, and Bluetooth portable systems, in all shapes and sizes, many of which are water-resistant for outdoor use. Prices vary widely.

Sonos, which helped pioneer the multiroom wireless speaker category, has a lineup of WiFi speakers that can be used independently, as part of a multichannel sound system, or as a speaker in a multiroom system. Prices range from low to high.

UE Bluetooth portable speakers come in several sizes at low to midrange prices. Logitech, the brand’s parent company, is known for its personal computer and tablet accessories.

monster vision wireless bluetooth speaker with lcd display pricelist

Everything works as it should. Perfect for when we are out in the yard at night or camping. Kids love it for the mic hookup. It is so versatile and easy to use. Just hookup a stronger antenna to pick up more local channels as the antenna that comes with it isn"t strong enough but to pick up 3 stations.

monster vision wireless bluetooth speaker with lcd display pricelist

If you"re on the lookout for a speaker that"ll really get the party started, then something from our pick of the loudest Bluetooth speakers should do the trick. Many of the big brands including the likes of Sony, Bose, Marshall, JBL, SoundBoks and Amazon have an array of speakers that"ll blow the ol" cobwebs away.

With that in mind, we"ve put the blast shields up, cranked the volume and dived into a world of loud Bluetooth speakers that are pretty much guaranteed to shake your foundations with their blistering delivery.

Our guide should help you decide which of the loudest Bluetooth speakers is the right fit for your musical leanings – and is capable of hitting the right volume – for you and your music collection.

While we go into some depth about our favourite loudest Bluetooth speakers in the full list below, you may want our top recommendations right off the bat. Well, we have a couple we’d gladly highlight. We love the awesome firepower of the SoundBoks (Gen 3)(opens in new tab). These speakers are an upgrade to the already brilliant New SoundBoks and are pretty much guaranteed to get the party started in style.

Not quite your thing? Then the JBL Boombox 2(opens in new tab) offers fab sound and belch out an impressive 101 dB of noise - plenty to keep your party guests dancing deep into the night. It’s also portable with 24 hours of battery from a full charge and it’s waterproof, so you can take it outside safe in the knowledge your won’t do any damage to the unit if the drizzle starts.

The third generation of SoundBoks" huge-sounding speaker range is here and it delivers yet another sonic assault on the senses. It delivers a whopping 126dB of sound, which is delivered thanks to two 10-inch 96dB woofers and a 104dB compression driver tweeter. In other words, it’s loud!

The SoundBoks (Gen 3) matches the excellent 40 hours of battery from the last model at mid-volume, and it can be connected to your smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth 5.0. While it’s classed as a portable speaker, it’s still a heavy thing to lug around as it weighs in at a considerable 34lbs. But the good news is it features IP65 tech, so it’ll cope with rain and dust with no problems.

So what are the differences between the JBL Boombox and this model? For starters, Bluetooth 4.2 has been replaced with Bluetooth 5.1 and can connect with JBL PartyBoost-compatible devices. The audio output has been increased and now boasts an additional RMS-woofer and 2 x 40 W RMS-tweeter and the unit has undergone a design update. It"s a smidgen heavier but you’ll still get 24 hours of playtime on a single charge and like its older sibling, it’s completely waterproof thanks to IPX7 tech.

Historic brand Marshall has been loyal to loud for decades. Five decades to be exact. Fortunately, this old-timer seems quick to adapt to the modern times when you consider the Woburn II’s Bluetooth connectivity. Other additions include a Marshall app which gives you the ability to turn the speaker on and off, as well as manually control the volume, bass and treble.

The speaker offers great overall sound and was built to sustain clear, low frequencies thanks to its two subwoofers duelled with a bass reflex system and external port.

With a name like “Rave”, it’s clear that this speaker was built to be so loud you feel it. Two 5 ¼-inch woofers deliver rumbling bass boosted by a bass port. Soundcore has taken this a step further by using BassUp technology, a digital signal processor that gives listeners a richer and clearer low-end. In other words, its bass drops lower than your average speaker.

The Rave boasts Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, which for music-playing purposes means reliable connectivity and the ability to continue playing music up to 240m away from the speaker itself.

At 65% of the market share, it feels like everyone and your mum has an Amazon Echo. But when it comes to smart speakers, “loud” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind? In this case, delivering up to 90dB of sound – as loud as a revved-up lawn mower – the Echo Studio does a very good job of shaking that notion.

It’s unlike other conventional Bluetooth speakers due to the positioning of its five speakers: there"s a midrange speaker directed upwards, a midrange speaker facing to the right and another to the left, a tweeter directed forward, and a woofer directed downwards towards the hollowed-out space which Amazon calls the bass aperture. These placements are meant to give listeners an immersive experience – as if you are surrounded by sound.

As a smart home device, users get the perks of software updates, plus the ability to connect to a whole host of other smart home devices. It’s worth noting that this speaker is designed for use within a home setting, not for outdoor use.

Sony has always been a brand you can trust in the audio field, and the Sony SRS-XB33 continues this heritage with a portable, dust-proof, waterproof speaker that delivers a superb sound thanks to its unique internal speaker layout.

The difference between this and older models is it’s portability and built-in intelligence. Integration with Google Home and Amazon Echo gives users the ability to use it like any other smart speaker. Plus, all that portability comes complete with resistance to the elements, meaning you can take this speaker outside with confidence.

Although it is plenty loud 85 db – somewhere between a really loud blender and a lawn mower – there is a downside. The Sonos Move includes everything but a subwoofer, a loudspeaker that’s key to bringing out the lowest bass tones in a song.

It’s definitely loud and great for the average listener, but missing the deep low-end may be a deal breaker for some.Today"s loudest Bluetooth speaker deals

As you can see, the online marketplace is stacked with speakers and choosing the right option for you can be a minefield. For starters, just how do you know that the speaker you have your eye on in, in fact, the loudest?What makes a speaker "loud"?First, check out how many decibels (dB) a speaker cranks out, or look at the scaled measurement of the intensity of sound. Not unlike an earthquake, the higher up on a scale, the more exponentially powerful the sound is.

Every 10 dB represents a 10-fold increase – or doubling – in volume. For example, 20dB is 10 times louder than 10 dB, while 30 dB is 100x louder than 10 dB and - with that logic in mind - 1,000x more powerful than 0 dB. For reference, the average concert has an intensity of about 100 dB.

Now let’s talk about Wattage (W) – because all that sound needs to be backed by sheer power. But how many watts do you really need? Every speaker is set at its own wattage, telling us exactly the strength of its perceived amplification. However, a 100W speaker isn’t twice as loud as a 50W speaker, but rather 3dB louder.

Of course, this is all well and good but you"ll also have to take into consideration how the speaker will look in your living room, music study or outdoor space. Some of the loudest Bluetooth speakers can, it has to be said, be a little on the plain side, with the majority of the energy involved going into how the blasted thing sounds. Fair enough!

Some speakers like the SoundBoks (Gen 3) are big and bulky, while the Marshall Woburn II is emblazoned with the audio giant"s instantly recognisable label. These won"t be a natural fit in some environments. Others like the JBL Boombox 2 hark back to the good old days of the humble ghetto blaster – minus the double tape deck and radio dial – while the Anker Soundcore Rave comes with flashing bells and whistles making it an ideal choice for those who like to party hard.

We wouldn’t be a responsible rock site if we didn’t include a word on long-term exposure to excessive volume. While we’re big supporters of playing things loud, it’s possible to cause permanent damage to your ears if you’re always cranking it (don’t believe us, Metal Hammer deputy editor Eleanor Goodman told us what it’s like living with Tinnitus). So, maybe give your ears a rest from time to time, yeah?What is the loudest Bluetooth speaker in 2023?The Soundboks (Gen. 3) is the loudest Bluetooth speaker out there right now. Not only is it a large, weighty speaker, but it packs a serious punch in the volume department too, thanks to two newly upgraded 10-inch 96dB woofers and a 104dB compression driver tweeter. It dishes out 40 hours of playback per charge and features Bluetooth 5.0 for a smooth connection between your device and the speaker.

The biggest challenge when it comes to testing Bluetooth speakers has got to be their low frequency response. Can they do justice to deep growls and thunderous bass? A quick blast of Motorhead"s Ace Of Spades will usually tell us what we need to know. Does Lemmy’s bass sound dirty but tight? Do Phil Taylor’s machine gun beats knock you back on your boot heels? What we don’t want to hear is a confused mash of noise.

We also listen for ‘presence’. Bluetooth speakers can sound monophonic, with all their energy emanating from the same physical space. What we value is a wider soundstage, whether this is achieved through clever digital signal processing or an inventive driver/passive radiator configuration, it doesn’t really matter.

monster vision wireless bluetooth speaker with lcd display pricelist

"A wireless multiroom speaker system is the easiest way to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in more than one room at a time, and we think Sonos is the best option."

From easy setup to sound that immerses you in every play, nothing beats game day with Sonos. Gear up with savings on select home theater through February 12.

Our proprietary Trueplay™ tuning technology adapts the sound to your unique surroundings for a listening experience that"s nothing short of luxurious.Explore productsYour browser cannot play the provided video file.Create your perfect sound systemMix and match speakers

monster vision wireless bluetooth speaker with lcd display pricelist

Having tested more units than we care to count we can safely confirm a good soundbar will offer night and day better experience than what you’ll find on most TVs - which tend to have fairly squished speaker setups due to their flatscreen designs.

A top of the line soundbar with Dolby Atmos support can give audio direction, making it feel like you’re in the crowd when watching sports. If you’re a gamer they can also let you better tell the direction of incoming fire when playing CoD online with your new PS5 or Xbox Series X/S.

Recently, there are also a number of great units with smart multi-room wireless support that can make it quick and easy to add them to your home’s sound system, if you’ve got compatible speakers.

Sony has excellent form with making some of the best soundbars for TV, and the 2022What Hi-Fi? award-winning HT-A7000 is no different. A 7.1.2 slab of sound, this Dolby Atmos soundbar packs in two up-firing speakers, two beam tweeters, five front-facing drivers and a built-in dual subwoofer into a single chassis. Using a combination of driver placement and psychoacoustic techniques, the Sony HT-A700 delivers a broad and high soundstage, whether you’re watching immersive content or not, while retaining musicality, presence and detail.

In terms of height and precision, the performance is similar to that of the Sonos Arc, but the width of the soundstage and its forward projection is more convincing. It’s not the same as having direct audio from the speaker above or the side, but it’s effective and dramatically enticing, enriching the viewing experience. The integrated sub is also particularly impressive with a taut, controlled and powerful performance.

With its wide range of supported audio formats, the A7000 excels itself and includes Dolby Atmos (in both the Digital+ and TrueHD formats), DTS:X, LPCM, hi-res wireless audio and Sony 360 Reality Audio.

The A7000 is as packed with streaming smarts as it is stuffed with speakers with Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast all on board and integration into a multi-room system – with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Home all supported.

Alongside two HDMI 2.1 pass-through sockets capable of handling 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz, and Dolby Vision HDR, there are ports for eARC, analogue and optical audio inputs and USB type-A. There’s also an analogue output for Sony’s Acoustic Center Sync, which lets a compatible Bravia TV become part of the soundbar’s centre channel when the two are connected using the supplied cable.

Delivering Dolby Atmos from a small chassis is no mean feat, but the 2022 What Hi-Fi? award-winning Sonos Beam Gen 2 achieves a convincing, immersive performance without so much as a vertical speaker in sight. Instead, when watching Atmos content, two of the soundbar"s five front-facing arrays are dedicated to reproducing overhead and surround sounds. With its hefty processing power, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 uses psychoacoustic HRTF (head-related transfer function) technology to give the impression of height without needing to get vertical.

While genuine overhead sounds are perhaps a stretch too far for this petite performer, its virtual delivery of the Atmos format outstrips any similarly priced soundbar and even a few that are more expensive. The Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping, spatial soundscape with rich, detailed audio as well as tangible motion and depth.

Not that many soundbars at this price point come with networking capabilities, but this being a Sonos product, the Beam Gen 2’s ability to integrate into a wireless multiroom system is fundamental to its design. This means you can stream to the Beam Gen 2 from a handheld device using Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect is built-in too. There will also be a forthcoming upgrade to add support for Amazon Music Ultra HD audio, which will give access to lossless 24-bit/48kHz tracks as well as Dolby Atmos Music.

Soundbars for TV aren"t new territory for Sonos, but the 2022 What Hi-Fi?award-winning Arc is the only soundbar from the brand to deliver Dolby Atmos with verticle speakers. It sits above the Beam (Gen 2) in terms of pricing and is suited to 55in TVs and above, with optional wall mounting fixings available for £79 ($79/AU$99) .

There are touch-sensitive play/pause and volume controls on the bar with LEDs that indicate status and when you"re talking to the built-in Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Connectivity includes AirPlay 2, ethernet and eARC for Dolby Atmos from compatible TVs.

The Ambeo Soundbar is Sennheiser"s first consumer speaker, and it"s quite the proposition – a premium soundbar crammed full of features including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, 4K HDR pass-through (all of which are useful if Netflix and/or Amazon are your main movie and TV show source). You also get auto-calibration and four HDMI inputs, plus Bluetooth and support for Chromecast.

Measuring 127cm wide and 14cm tall, it’s certainly a beast. The result is that the Sennheiser delivers a sound big enough not to need its own subwoofer, with clear, direct dialogue and detail and subtlety in spades. The way it stretches the sound around you creates a great atmosphere and really draws you into the action.

To get the full Dolby Atmos effect, you"ll need to wall mount or position the soundbar on the top shelf of your rack so the upward-firing speakers aren"t obstructed. It"s well worth the effort, though.

The Ray marks something of a departure for Sonos. It can form part of a wireless multi-room system using Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and the Sonos S2 app (though users should note there’s no Bluetooth streaming onboard). Similarly, it can be partnered with other Sonos speakers for a complete 5.1 surround system.

However, this is a speaker with practicality and affordability in mind. Its ultra-compact dimensions, tapered build and forward-facing speakers mean it takes up little space and removes any need for a clear line of sight for upward- and side-firing drivers, making it a practical choice for small rooms and even desktops.

The Ray has been conceived to slot into cabinets without its sonic dispersion being impacted. However, it doesn’t feature the virtual Dolby Atmos decoding of Sonos’ more premium soundbars – the Beam Gen 2 and Arc. So, pragmatically, Sonos also decided to ditch the HDMI eARC connections of its pricier products in favour of a classic optical input, which almost every TV will have, but monitors and consoles may not.

It may not be the warmest or most cinematic sounding speaker, but the Sonos Ray is very capable and, most importantly, is an accessible way to boost your TV audio, competently addressing the biggest concern most users have: dialogue intelligibility. It is a talented budget soundbar and delivers clear, punchy sound without the frills.

With less pressure and expectation placed upon them, middle children are often those most likely to succeed and outshine their siblings as the brightest of the bunch.

Occasionally we find the same to be true in AV, with cheaper models delivering a better value performance than pricier products, but typically it"s the flagship that reigns supreme with the best features, build and tech that a brand has to offer. Which can sometimes make it difficult for cheaper, mid-range models, such as Sony’s HT-A5000 Dolby Atmos soundbar, to stand out.

The Sony HT-A5000 has a lot to offer, with a powerful broad soundstage, robust low-end and excellent connectivity. However, its slightly boxy voices and underwhelming height drivers leave it lagging in direct comparison with the class-leading Sonos Arc.

Produced by hi-fi brand Devialet, the Dione is a premium one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar with no options to add an external sub or rear speakers, instead relying on eight long-throw mid-woofers to deliver an impressively extended bass performance and two side-firing drivers for surround effects.

At just 77mm tall (or deep in its wall positioning), the Dione is slim and smart with removable grey fabric grilles, capacitive playback controls, and a tactile anodised aluminium finish. Its centre speaker sits in a rotational "orb" that can be manually twisted to change its position. This is because the Dione is designed to operate in two orientations, horizontally on a flat surface or flipped around with its top panel facing outwards and hung on a wall. Hardware fixings are included in the box, as is a handy cardboard template.

For such a high-end product, the Dione’s choice of sources is a little on the sparse side. Hardwired connections comprise a single eARC/ARC HDMI and an optical input in a recess at the rear alongside an ethernet port. And for streaming, there’s Bluetooth 5 and wi-fi for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and UPnP up to 24bit/96kHz.

The 5.0 MultiBeam is affordable without feeling cheap, which is quite an achievement. It"s small enough to fit under almost any TV yet feels solid and well built. And it packs a lot into its modest dimensions: there are five 48 x 80mm racetrack drivers complemented by four 75mm passive radiators and a grille that runs from ear to ear with two more drivers on the hood to deliver height effects.

It uses Dolby Virtual Atmos rather than the full-fledged real deal but still manages to fill a room with sound. The sound quality is outstanding, with no rough edges at all, even when you turn it right the way up. We could ask for a little more clarity and detail, especially in the considerable bass frequencies and a more open treble response, but this is a full-bodied presentation that’s unlikely to fatigue you, even when listening at high volume.

If you"re looking for a simple, constructive step up in sound from your TV"s in-built speakers, Sony"s SF150 offers a significant sonic enhancement for little outlay. Indeed there"s almost no other competition worth considering for under £100 ($100, AU$200).

Despite its low price point, the SF150 is a well-built speaker and wouldn’t look out of place perched beneath a TV that costs several times its price. Alongside HDMI ARC, it has an optical input supporting Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono and LPCM 2ch. There"s also a USB port and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity for music playback from an external source too.

The LG S95QR is LG’s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar for 2022, boasting a massive 17 drivers in a 9.1.5 configuration; it’s a multi-speaker package comprising a primary soundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers. It ups the ante on the brand’s previous models with the addition of side-firing drivers on the rears and an upward-firing centre channel that LG claims is a world first.

The main soundbar contains ten drivers, with left and right channels handled by two 20mm silk dome tweeters and two 52 x 99mm woofers. A pair of 50mm drivers on either end of the soundbar deliver surround side effects, while two 63mm units on the top surface supply height effects for immersive sound formats.

A 63mm driver faces forward in the centre, coupled with a 20mm silk dome tweeter on the top surface. Unlike the system’s other height drivers, this tweeter does not produce Atmos effects. Instead, it supplements the traditional front-facing driver for better dispersion and increased dialogue clarity. In a change from previous models, the wireless sub has an upgraded cabinet and a larger 20cm driver, while the rear speakers have a new apex design to distribute sound from its front, side and overhead driver more evenly across a claimed 135-degree space for more forgiving placement.

LG is as ever generous with the connectivity options on its flagship soundbars. The S95QR offers Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast onboard. You can control your streaming service, adjust the volume and change sound modes with your voice, thanks to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support. There are eARC, optical and USB inputs for hardwired connections and two additional HDMI passthrough ports that support gaming features such as (VRR) and (ALLM). However, 4K HDR signals are only handled at up to 60Hz.

The S95QA not only handles Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound formats, but it’s LG’s first soundbar to include IMAX Enhanced support, which uses a modified version of DTS: X. If you hate unsightly cables running between your TV and soundbar, you can pair it with the new LG WOWCAST audio dongle (sold separately) to enjoy lossless multi-channel audio wirelessly.

Up until recently, LG"s soundbars have proven to be a bit of a mixed bag, but the company redeemed itself with its 2021 line-up and the SP8YA is no exception.

This Dolby Atmos soundbar with a wireless sub is bang smack in the middle of the range in terms of price and size but retains the connectivity features of the higher-end models. There"s eARC, plus another HDMI 2.1 input with 4K Dolby Vision and HDR10 pass-through as well as an optical input and a USB port. Streaming is well catered for too. Alongside Bluetooth and wi-fi, there’s Chromecast and Apple Airplay 2, and if you have access to hi-res content, you’ll be pleased to know the soundbar can handle audio of up to 24-bit/192kHz quality.

Sonically this 3.1.2 package also punches above its weight with a broad, vibrant soundstage that can easily match the cinematic scale of larger screens. It can also be easily upgraded to 5.1.2 by the addition of the SPK8 2.0 surround kit for around £130 ($180, AU$249).

There are better performers in terms of height available, like the Sonos Arc, and the low end is a little loose and undefined but for those looking for a reasonably priced Dolby Atmos soundbar with a high tech spec and a detailed, room-filling sound, the SP8YA is worth considering.

If you really value the low end of the sonic spectrum, then a soundbar with a separate sub is a must. However, very few soundbar subs perform as well as Samsung"s Q800A with a muscular, room-filling sound and a gut-busting bass, all contained within a relatively small package.

So what"s hidden under the grille? Across the front edge of the main soundbar are three forward-facing channels, and on the top are two upward-facing tweeters that provide height channels for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, while the modestly sized sub has a side-firing 20cm driver and rear port, for a capable 3.2.1 channels with an articulate, cinematic sound.

And if you happen to own a 2021 Samsung TV, you can enhance the Q800A"s sonic performance further using a new feature called ‘Q-Symphony’ that allows the TV"s internal speakers to work in conjunction with the soundbar to add more height and space to the soundfield.

Not only does the Q800A offer powerful overall performance, but it also has a broad feature set. Alongside two HDMI ports (one equipped with eARC) and an optical input, there’s Bluetooth and, once connected to wi-fi, you can stream via Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2, all of which can be controlled by the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

The Q800A is priced to compete directly with the Sonos Arc, and while the latter is crisper and more precise, especially when handling height elements, the Samsung offers a present and compelling listen as well as an epic sense of scale and bass that a solo soundbar couldn’t hope to match.

Bowers & Wilkins"s first Dolby Atmos soundbar is designed as a stand-alone system that delivers 3.1.2 channels of audio from a single unit, with no optional upgrades for surrounds and sub. Instead, it has dedicated subwoofer drivers on the top face alongside its verticle height drivers.

With an ultra-low low profile build the Panorama 3 stands at only 6.5cm tall, meaning it should sneak under most TVs, but if you prefer wall mounting then a bracket is included in the box.

Connectivity is via a single HDMI eARC port an optical digital input for older TVs. If you use the latter, Bowers & Wilkins has included technology for the soundbar to ‘learn’ key TV remote control commands so that all users can enjoy the same unified experience as those with eARC connections. The Panorama 3 doesn’t have its own dedicated remote, relying on app control, while there’s also Amazon Alexa onboard for hands-free voice commands.

Streaming is well catered for with AirPlay 2, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and Spotify Connect, while high-resolution listening is supported via the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which gives listeners access to streaming services including Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz, with the number of supported platforms set to expand later this year.

Despite audio format support including Dolby Atmos in both its Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus versions, this doesn"t (at launch) extend to rival immersive codec DTS:X. However, Bowers & Wilkins stress that the Panorama 3 has been designed to be upgraded over time, suggesting that DTS:X support may one day be added. Additionally, multi-room capability is planned for introduction shortly after launch to make it compatible with other Panorama soundbars, Zeppelins and Formation products, though not as part of a multichannel system.

Make no mistake; the SP11RA is a big investment in terms of both money and space. The main unit clocks in at a hefty 144cm long, and the package includes a separate sub and two surround speakers. However, you"d be hard pushed to build a true home cinema system that could match the LG"s 7.1.4 channels of excellent Dolby Atmos action for price and convenience.

Underneath all that black brushed metal, the main bar houses three front-facing channels, two ‘surround’ channels at either end of the bar and on the top surface are a pair of upward-firing height speakers. The wireless sub houses an 18cm driver and rear port, while the rears each have a front and upward-firing driver.

We can confirm that all those drivers aren"t going to waste; the SP11RA is a big improvement from previous LG models, which up until recently have proven to be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s easy to listen to, creating an even, immersive listening experience and, while you may have to give up some space to house it, its connectivity spec is one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen. For streaming, alongside Bluetooth and wi-fi, there’s Chromecast built-in and, if you have access to hi-res content, you’ll be pleased to know the soundbar can handle audio of up to 24-bit/192kHz quality.

Bose"s aesthetic sensibilities mean that the Smart Soundbar 900 has a more modern and refined appearance than most of its competition, with a wraparound metal grille and polished, impact-resistant tempered glass top.

As you"d expect from Bose, there are plenty of connectivity options and features on board with a single HDMI eARC port, an optical in, ethernet and a USB socket. For streaming, there"s wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2. Moreover, from January 2022, there will also be Chromecast onboard by way of a retroactive firmware update. There"s also support for both Amazon’s Alexa and Google assistants. The onboard Alexa lets users make and receive intercom calls to other Bose smart products and Amazon Echo devices or make hands-free calls to anyone from within your contacts list.

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is an entertaining, feature-packed, sophisticated-looking Dolby Atmos soundbar. With an impressively wide soundfield, clear forward projection and bright character, many listeners will likely be very pleased with its responsive and cinematic performance. However, it can be inconsistent in its effectiveness and occasionally adds its own organisational structure and tonal colour to content, particularly noticeable when listening to music.

Better known for their gaming headsets, Creative"s SXFI Carrier Dolby Atmos soundbar has some unique features, including audio processing that simulates 3D surround sound not through the soundbar’s speakers but on a pair of headphones that can be plugged into the Carrier via a mini-jack on the front.

Its gaming credentials extend to its impressive connectivity. In addition to eARC, there are two further HDMI 2.1 ports capable of passing through 4K@120Hz or 8K@30Hz (in 4:2:0 colour format) as well as HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10+, and support for performance-enhancing gaming features including ALLM and VRR.

There’s also a USB audio output specifically intended for an SXFI Bluetooth transmitter to connect a compatible pair of Creative"s own low latency wireless headphones, and in the UK, a pair of SXFI Theater headphones are sometimes included as part of the purchase price.

The soundbar can also receive audio wirelessly through Bluetooth 5.0 but disappointingly, for a soundbar at this price, it doesn"t include wi-fi connectivity. However, you could always inexpensively add casting functionality by using a streaming stick in one of the HDMI ports.

Inside, the soundbar comprises seven drivers in a 5.1.2 configuration with three front-facing tweeters, a pair of steeply raked height woofers that disperse sound upwards and forwards, and at the extreme ends sit two side-firing racetrack-style mid-woofers. Each driver has its DSP-controlled amplifier, with a total RMS power of 450W, including the sub.

Think of the Roku Streambar as an upgrade on your TV rather than an entry into proper home cinema, and it ticks pretty much every box. While it doesn’t quite ascend to five-star status, it easily nails the aspects for which it is most commonly required: projection and clarity. The Streambar will work with any television with an HDMI input, outputting 4K HDR at up to 60fps for compatible sets. Everyone else will get 1080p Full HD, with lower resolution signals upscaled.

First things first: at 14cm high, the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ is a fair bit taller than your average soundbar and, when placed on the same surface as a TV, will almost certainly block part of the screen. Although it comes with detachable kickstand legs, Bluesound really intends for the Soundbar+ to be wall-mounted. There’s a bracket included in the box for this purpose and, to keep the installation tidy, the soundbar can be orientated with the cable cove at either the bottom or the top, with an internal accelerometer automatically sensing which way up the bar is.

But with the added height, the Pulse Soundbar+ can accommodate forward-facing drivers larger in diameter than those in most competing models. So despite only offering virtual Dolby Atmos, the resulting performance is impressively detailed, solid and satisfying.

The Pulse Soundbar+ includes inputs for HDMI eARC, optical, 3.5mm analogue and USB A, as well as an ethernet port and RCA output for an external sub. There’s support for hi-res audio file formats and streaming onboard courtesy of Apple AirPlay, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth (for headphone listening) and the BluOS wireless system that integrates with services including Tidal and Spotify.

If you want a more enveloping surround set-up, it can also connect wirelessly, via a dedicated wi-fi module, to a pair of Pulse Flex 2i speakers for surround sound and/or a Pulse Sub+ for extra bass, available for purchase separately.

If you"re on a tight budget, the Sony HT-G700 could be the soundbar for you. It"s not the smallest, but it"s big on sound, value and comes with a wireless subwoofer, HDMI input and support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

With a generous 22 drivers delivering 11.1.4 surround sound, the HW-Q950A offers the greatest number of channels of any soundbar on the market right now, as well as 3D audio format support from both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

The Q950A has two HDMI inputs and one output (with support for eARC), an optical-in and the power socket while the soundbar’s microphone allows for commands to the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant and can also be used to monitor background levels, as the Q950A has a nifty feature to boost the centre channel for more transparent dialogue if ambient noise increases - though we doubt you’ll feel the need to use it.

At 130cm long, the main unit of the HW-Q950A isn’t tiny, but it’s nevertheless shorter than many other flagship Dolby Atmos models available at the moment. Inside the left, centre and right channels alongside a pair each of upward-firing, surround and wide surround drivers. The separate sub houses a single 8-inch speaker while the wireless surround units each contain three drivers - one facing towards the front of the room, one upwards and the last one towards the listening position.

And if you happen to own a 2021 Samsung TV, you can further enhance the driver count by using a Samsung feature called ‘Q-Symphony’ that allows the TV"s internal speakers to work in conjunction with the soundbar package to add more height and space to the soundfield.

Majority might not be a particularly well-known name, but the British brand has been producing affordable AV equipment for a decade and offers a three-year warranty on all of its products, with free shipping to the UK from its website and worldwide via its Amazon storefront.

It"s flagship soundbar is the Sierra Plus, handles 2.1.2 channels of sound with Dolby Atmos decoding for less than the price of many standard non-Atmos soundbars.

While it doesn"t have wi-fi connectivity this budget bar does feature Bluetooth for music streaming and hard-wired inputs for HDMI ARC, optical, mini-jack and USB. Handily it also gives users two additional HDMI 4K HDR passthrough ports to directly connect external devices such as a games console or Blu-ray player, reducing the number of cables you need to run to your TV.

It’s not the most detailed performer, with a vague separate sub and height effects that won"t make you duck and cover, but sonically it delivers an engaging, enjoyable home cinema sound with a broad soundstage and clear dialogue. An easy upgrade to your TVs speakers.

Up until 2021, the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 was the flagship model in Bose"s range but has since been supplanted by the Smart Soundbar 900 with Dolby Atmos support.

It may not deliver immersive sound formats, but the 700 still has a few excellent smart features that help distinguish it from the rest of the crowd as well as a clean crisp sound. There"s wi-fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect compatibility for streaming as well as voice assistant support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The built-in Alexa allows users to make and receive intercom calls to other Bose smart products and Amazon Echo devices or make hands-free calls to anyone from within your contacts list. Meanwhile, Bose’s Voice4Video feature further expands Alexa"s capabilities by enabling users to turn on and control their TV or satellite box using their voice.

It may lack the key features consumers expect at this price point but with a sound performance that is broad, straightforward, crisp and in many ways more controlled and polished than Bose’s more premium soundbar, the Smart Soundbar 700 may still make sense for those who are looking for a simple way to boost their TVs sound and aren"t fussed about fancy features such as Dolby Atmos processing.

Before you buy, there are some things to bear in mind. Consider the dimensions of your TV to work out just how big your new soundbar needs to be. You don"t want it to be dwarfed by the screen, but then again, it could look strange partnering a massive bar with a small TV – like a tiny head perched atop overly broad shoulders. Look up the dimensions and compare the bar"s width with that of your TV. Also, check the height – if you need to place the soundbar in front of your TV, you don"t want it obscuring half the picture, and if it has upward-firing drivers, they need a clear line of sight to your ceiling to be effective.

Generally, soundbars are a single long speaker with several drivers inside but some come with external subwoofers for extra low-end extension and rear speakers for surround sound effects whereas others are compatible with other speakers from within the manufacturer"s brand. If floor-shaking bass is high on your priority list then these are models you"ll want to consider.

Next, features and connectivity. Many modern TV soundbars boast ARC and eARC-enabled HDMI ports, which can handle high bandwidth multichannel audio formats as well as optical inputs for older TVs. If your TV has ARC/eARC, you"ll be able to control the volume of your soundbar with your existing remote control. It"s worth considering if having a separate physical remote for the soundbar is important to you or if you"re comfortable with controlling settings from a smartphone app.

Most modern soundbars have some options for wireless music playback with wifi streaming via services such as Airplay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast,as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Some also have microphones with voice assistant functionality or compatibility. If you have external devices such as games consoles or a 4K Blu-ray player, keep an eye out for additional HDMI passthrough ports that could make your setup more flexible.

Should you be looking beyond just a simple improvement of your TV sound and want to purchase a soundbar that produces an immersive home cinema experience, you"ll want to pay attention to models that can handle Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. Some soundbars do this virtually with processing, and some include up-firing speakers for height effects. If you"re interested in the latter, it"s important to remember that the result will be more successful if you have low ceilings to bounce the sound off and that the top of the soundbar needs to be uncovered and placed clear of the TV screen.

Below, we"ve rounded up the best soundbars for various budgets (if you"re specifically looking for a very affordable model, check out our best budget soundbars page), or if a Dolby Atmos soundbar is more your thing, we have a page dedicated to that too. Whether you spend a little or a lot, we think that all the models recommended will up your audio game with a fuss-free setup.

Are soundbars better than TV speakers?Soundbars are slim, often rectangular, speaker systems with drivers positioned side by side that are designed to slot underneath your TV or to be fitted neatly to the wall. With front-facing drivers, even basic, budget soundbars typically offer more direct and clear audio than a TV.

This is because as TVs have become slimmer, their in-built speakers have shrunk and are often positioned at the rear or underneath the screen - hardly the ideal position as large speakers that face forward will always be clearer and louder than tiny speakers pointing in another direction.

Manufacturers have tried, with varying success, to enhance the audio coming from their televisions. But, if you want to improve TV audio, you need a separate speaker designed for that purpose.

There are a few options to improve your TV sound that range from the budget to the expensive, but a soundbar is one of the simplest ways as they are typically compact and require minimal cabling. They often also have added benefits, such as wireless streaming over Bluetooth or WiFi.How do I connect a soundbar to my TV?

Can you add a soundbar to any TV?Almost every soundbar and TV, no matter its age, will have an optical connection, while ARC and particularly eARC, which was first introduced with HDMI 2.1 in 2017, and has recently become more common. Before you decide how to connect your equipment to your TV, you should be aware of the pros and cons of each and also check that the cable you need is included in the box with your soundbar.Is ARC or Optical better for a soundbar?The key thing to know about optical is that it"s restricted in bandwidth compared to ARC/eARC. So if you have the choice between the two and opt for optical, you might not be making the most of the audio decoding built into your soundbar. The most advanced immersive formats optical can handle are compressed Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 surround sound, so that means no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.

ARC/eARC also allows your main TV remote to control the basic volume and power functions of your soundbar via HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). Some soundbars come with their own remotes and/or have app control, but if your connection to your TV uses an optical cable, you may still be able to use your regular controller. Certain models, such as the Sonos Ray and B&W Panorama 3, can "learn" to recognise the commands of both IR and RF remotes, but the set-up will depend on your TV manufacturer.

If you are using ARC/eARC to connect to a Dolby Atmos soundbar, check whether you are actually receiving Atmos. Most soundbar apps will give you confirmation of the type of audio format that you are currently listening to on the Now Playing page or occasionally on the soundbar"s display (if it has one). So if what you are playing should be in Dolby Atmos, but the app says otherwise (likely "PCM", "5.1" or "2.0"), then it"s time to delve into the settings of your TV and Blu-ray player.

To receive Dolby Atmos, any source device must be set to output bitstream audio. You can find this option in the audio settings of TVs, Blu-ray players and streaming sticks. In PCM, you will hear the audio only in stereo, but sending bitstream means your soundbar will be able to receive those lovely Dolby formats, including Atmos.What are the best equaliser setting for a soundbar?If your soundbar comes with its own automatic calibration software, then make sure you run it, so the soundbar’s audio output is matched to your room’s layout and characteristics. The Sonos Arc, for example, uses Sonos"s Trueplay software in conjunction with your smartphone"s microphone to tailor its sound.

While automated optimisation is great, your own ears are even better. If your soundbar also has options to alter individual channel levels, don"t be timid with tweaking things to suit your taste/needs. Every room is different, and hearing is subjective, so what sounds great to one person may not to another. The great thing about a soundbar is that it is generally straightforward to make adjustments and swap back if you change your mind.

Some soundbars will come with pre-programmed modes for different types of content. In our experience, soundbars with cinematic modes often use "spatial" processing that can introduce high-frequency artefacts. In contrast, "music" modes will usually have a bass and treble-heavy EQ that can sound a little brash. We tend to favour a flat standard mode, if one is available, that we manually adjust to our liking. But there is no one size fits all approach that will work for every room and listener.

There is little more frustrating than not being able to hear dialogue when watching a TV show or movie, but inevitably, varying levels of speech clarity combined with how busy the soundscape is and the overall style of the mix can mean that whispery, mumbly vocals hinder even a top-quality, room-tuned soundbar.

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