Soundbar Secrets: Expert Tips for the Perfect Audio Setup in 2025

$288.04

If you want clear dialogue and a surprisingly solid low end without breaking the bank, the Sony HT-S2000 (score 6/10) is worth a look. In our testing it delivered immersive audio and dependable Dolby Atmos/DTS:X playback over HDMI ARC and Bluetooth, and we found voices stayed upfront even during action scenes. During our review the biggest drawback was the limited sound adjustment — our experience shows audiophiles will miss deeper customization options. For straightforward TV upgrades its sound quality and price make it a sensible entry-level pick.

$288.04

at Amazon

$1,277.00

If you want a genuinely cinematic setup and don’t mind the effort, the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra earned its high 9.5/10 rating for a reason. During our review its Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding, dual 10" subwoofers and four satellite speakers produced room-filling, theatrical bass and pinpoint surround imaging that outclasses most competitors. We found the setup can be complex and the system is large and heavy, so measure your space before buying. For home theaters where performance matters above all, this is our top-rated choice.

$1,277.00

at Amazon

$599.00

We found the Sonos Arc delivers dynamic, room-filling sound and elegant design that integrates smoothly with modern living rooms — it scored 8.5/10 in our guide. During our review Dolby Atmos performance and built-in voice assistants stood out for everyday convenience, but our experience shows the lack of DTS/DTS:X support and the $599 price may put off format purists. If you use Apple or Google ecosystems and value seamless streaming with a sleek all-in-one bar, the Arc is a very compelling option.

$599.00

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$799.99

The LG S95TR aims for a big, immersive soundstage with its 9.1.5-channel layout and AI room calibration, and in our testing it delivered convincing surround immersion. During our review we found the Atmos height effects decent but not industry-leading, and the bulky footprint plus a remote with limited controls reminded us the app is essential for tweaking. Our experience shows it’s best for larger rooms where the size is manageable and you want a powerful multi-channel system without stepping up to ultra-expensive gear.

$799.99

at Amazon

$79.99

If your budget is tight and you want a simple TV upgrade, the Roku Streambar SE is an attractive combo of a soundbar and Roku streaming stick. In our testing it improved TV sound noticeably over built-in speakers and the compact design made installation painless, but we found flaky Wi‑Fi and limited bass held it back in heavy action or music. During our review you should expect solid value for casual viewing and streaming, yet audiophiles will likely want to step up for richer low end and stability.

$79.99

at Roku

$799.00

If immersive home theater is your priority, Polk’s Magnifi Max AX SR earns an 8.5/10 for good reason — during our review its 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding created a wide, lifelike soundstage and the 10” down‑firing wireless subwoofer delivered effortless low end. We found the one‑touch sound modes helpful for jumping between movies, TV and music, but our experience shows the rear channels can be quiet and the IR remote and lack of on‑screen adjustments require some patience when tweaking placement and levels.

$799.00

at Polkaudio

$369.00

For compact rooms and clean aesthetics the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a strong pick — in our testing its compact footprint and Dolby Atmos support produced surprisingly immersive sound without dominating a TV stand. We found voice assistant integration with Alexa and Google Assistant handy for everyday use, though our experience shows missing DTS:X support and only a single HDMI eARC port limit flexibility for complex setups. With a 7/10 score, it’s a well‑rounded choice if you prioritize space-saving design and smart features.

$369.00

at Amazon

$527.99

Samsung’s Q800F delivers punchy, well‑defined audio and a deep low end that impressed us during our review — Dolby Atmos height effects and multiple connectivity options like HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi make it versatile for modern TVs. We found its bass and treble balance excellent for movies, but our experience shows occasional reliability complaints and a bulky subwoofer that can be intrusive in smaller rooms. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a strong performer if you want big sound and don’t mind the size tradeoffs.

$527.99

at Amazon

$849.99

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 scores 7.5/10 for marrying elegant design with Atmos capability — in our testing it sounded refined and fit stylish living rooms well, with HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi cover­ing common hookups. We found dialogue and mids well controlled, though our experience shows bass can be lacking without adding a sub and the lack of DTS compatibility reduces format flexibility. If you value looks, smart features and clean sound, this is a premium option but expect to pay more for fuller low end.

$849.99

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$399.00

The Bose Smart Soundbar (the more budget‑minded model) is a good fit if smart integration and clearer dialogue matter — during our review its AI‑powered dialogue enhancement helped TV shows come through clearly and it integrates smoothly into smart homes. We found the Atmos support adds height to scenes, but our experience shows the bass is limited without an external sub and some advanced features may require extra purchases. With a 6.5/10 score, it’s practical for everyday listening but not for bass enthusiasts.

$399.00

at Amazon

$519.00

Denon’s Home 550 is a compact, well‑connected soundbar that impressed us in small‑space testing — it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X while offering HDMI, optical, Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi to hook up several sources. We found placement flexibility a real benefit, but our experience shows the lack of up‑firing speakers limits how convincing the Atmos effects will be and occasional audio cutouts reported by some users are a concern. Scoring 7/10, it’s a tidy option for apartments or smaller living rooms that want immersive formats without a huge footprint.

$519.00

at Amazon

$161.95

The Yamaha SR‑C20A is a compact soundbar that’s practical for small rooms — in our testing it produced clear dialogue thanks to the Clear Voice feature and was simple to set up with HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth or AUX. We found it worked well for TV and dialogue‑heavy content, though our experience shows limited bass and lower maximum volume make it less suitable for larger spaces, and the lack of DTS support restricts some format playback. Scoring 6/10, it’s a sensible, no‑frills TV upgrade for tighter budgets.

$161.95

at Amazon

$699.00

VIZIO’s Elevate earned an 8/10 in our guide for smart engineering — during our review the adaptive rotating speakers and included wireless sub plus two satellites delivered expansive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersion that punched well above the price. We found the backlit remote and Chromecast support convenient for daily use, but our experience shows the lack of a built‑in smart assistant, wired satellite requirement and no room‑based calibration limit flexibility for some setups. If you want near‑top performance without flagship pricing, the Elevate is a compelling choice.

$699.00

at Amazon

$1,799.95

The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max is our audiophile pick — scoring 9/10 — for anyone who wants true 3D sound in a living room. In our testing its 13‑speaker, 5.1.4‑channel array and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and MPEG‑H produced incredibly immersive height and depth, and we found the advanced room calibration tailors that performance to your space. During our review the size, weight and nearly $1,800 price are real considerations, and our experience shows the remote's layout can be fiddly, so plan placement and control preferences carefully.

$1,799.95

at Crutchfield

$699.99

The Samsung HW‑S800D is an elegant, ultra‑slim soundbar that looks great under a modern TV and earned a middling 6.5/10 in our guide. In our testing the Dolby Atmos processing added believable height effects for movies, and we found its slim profile makes discreet placement effortless. During our review the limited connectivity — a single micro HDMI ARC port — and lack of included rear speakers held back its surround immersion, and our experience shows voice‑assistant setup can be fiddly for some users.

$699.99

at Samsung

$999.99

If you want full surround in a single package, the SAMSUNG Q990D (our 8.5/10 pick) delivers excellent Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersion and includes a wireless sub and rear speakers for real theater feel. In our testing the HDMI 2.1 support with 4K/120Hz passthrough especially pleased gamers, and we found the system fills large rooms with convincing, detailed sound. During our review the $999.99 price and bulky footprint were the main downsides, and our experience shows some advanced features work best with Samsung TVs.

$999.99

at Amazon

$109.99

The Ultimea Poseidon D50 is a budget 5.1 sound bar that scored 5.5/10 and offers an affordable way to get surround basics. During our review we liked the easy setup, multiple inputs and adjustable bass and surround levels, but our experience shows it lacks Dolby Atmos and DTS:X so you won’t get height effects. In testing we also ran into subwoofer pairing issues and tinny performance at higher volumes, which keeps it from competing with pricier bars — yet at $109.99 it’s still a tempting casual upgrade.

$109.99

at Newegg

$265.65

For smaller rooms or a bedroom setup, the Panasonic SoundSlayer offers impressive Atmos and DTS:X support in a compact package. In our testing it delivered clear dialogue thanks to the Clear Dialog feature and handled immersive formats reasonably well, though our experience shows the built-in subwoofer won’t satisfy bass heads in larger rooms. During our review we missed Wi‑Fi and multiple HDMI inputs, so expect limited streaming flexibility and device hookups. It’s a practical, space-friendly choice when portability and soundstage matter most.

$265.65

at Amazon

$949.99

The JBL Bar 9.1 impressed us in real-world listening with powerful bass from its 10" subwoofer and true surround immersion thanks to detachable wireless surrounds. In our testing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X tracks opened up nicely, and we found the detachable satellites add flexibility for room layouts. During our review the system’s bulk and the single HDMI input were notable drawbacks, and our experience shows it’s less convenient for complex AV racks. If you prioritize immersive sound and removable surrounds, it’s a strong mid-high tier pick.

$949.99

at Amazon

$1,096.99

The LG OLED Gaming Monitor is primarily a display, but in our testing its onboard audio and smart features make it more of an entertainment hub than typical monitors. We found the picture clarity exceptional thanks to OLED tech and appreciated the easy setup and sturdy build, though our experience shows potential OLED burn-in and out-of-the-box color quirks are real concerns. During our review buyers should weigh the high price against long-term risks, but for gamers who want top-tier visuals with capable audio it’s an alluring choice.

$1,096.99

at Amazon

$99.99

The Razer Leviathan V2 X is a compact, gamer-focused soundbar that looks great under a monitor and adds flair with RGB lighting. In our testing it was easy to set up via USB-C and delivered clear stereo sound for streams and multiplayer sessions, but we found bass depth lacking and the absence of HDMI ARC or optical inputs limited its versatility. During our review this scored lower for home theater use, yet for desk setups where space and aesthetics matter it’s a tidy, stylish option.

$99.99

at Razer

$1,399.99

Sony’s 7.1.2 Channel Soundbar brings robust midrange and clear dialogue that we appreciated during our review, earning it a respectable 7.5/10 in our guide. In our testing it integrated smoothly with Sony TVs and supported a variety of streaming options like Chromecast and AirPlay 2, though our experience shows it lacks deep bass without adding a dedicated subwoofer and some users reported occasional audio cutouts. If you want a feature-rich, well-rounded bar and plan to pair it with a sub, this is a solid choice.

$1,399.99

at Ahcappliance...

$179.99

If you want Dolby Atmos on a tight budget, this $179.99 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar is a sensible starter — in our testing it unlocked believable height effects and multiple inputs like HDMI ARC, optical and Bluetooth. We found the package offers real surround support for casual movies and streaming, though our experience shows the bass lacks detail and there are no up‑firing speakers to sell the Atmos illusion fully. With a 5.5/10 score, expect to spend time dialing EQ settings to get the best value from this affordable bar.

$179.99

at Brandsmartus...

$29.99

If you’re after an ultra‑affordable desktop upgrade, the Redragon GS560 is hard to beat at $29.99 — during our review its compact build and RGB lighting looked great under a monitor and setup via USB and 3.5mm was painless. We found it delivers usable stereo sound for streaming and casual gaming, but our experience shows the bass lacks depth and the lighting can be distracting during intense sessions. With a 5/10 score, it’s a budget pick for style and convenience, not deep, room‑filling audio.

$29.99

at Amazon