Top 10 rating according to KP
Editor’s Choice
1. Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar
This model can be recommended to those who are just starting their journey into the world of home cinema and good sound. The price of the soundbar is just ridiculously low and does not match the excellent reviews from happy owners. Pleasant light design does not look cheap, and the sound is very personal. Let’s list what it has on board: a standard RCA input (aka “tulip”), a 3,5 mm jack, an optical input, Bluetooth, and eight emitters (4 active and 4 passive). The device is good for everyone, except for the absence of two important things: a remote control and an HDMI input. You’ll have to run around a bit to, say, change the sound source. Well, HDMI is still the gold standard for transmitting audio and video data. But for the money he can forgive everything.
2. JBL Bar Studio 2.0
Successor to the very popular JBL Bar Studio soundbar. It was a very inexpensive device that had everything the average user could need to improve their TV sound. The updated version has become even more powerful (80 watts instead of 30), the speaker layout has been redesigned. Everything you need is on board: Bluetooth connection, HDMI output with the ability to control the device from a TV via HDMI-ARC, Dolby Digital support, remote control, optical input and standard stereo. Everything has been provided, even a wall mount is included in the kit.
3.Yamaha YAS-108
Another favorite of the public and a glorious successor to the YAS-106 and YAS-107 line. It also has everything you need for life and even more: Bluetooth, optical input, analog input (3,5 mm), HDMI input, HDMI output for controlling the device from a TV via HDMI-ARC, remote control, there is an output for an external subwoofer. Despite the absence of a subwoofer, the system is positioned as 2.1. The thing is that it has two woofers with two phase inverters on the sides, which allows you to have a fairly wide frequency range and high sound detail.
What other soundbars are worth paying attention to?
4. Samsung HW-R550
Definitely an almost perfect choice in its price range. The main differences, in addition to the complete “stuffing” in terms of functionality, are the presence of a wireless subwoofer, the ability to connect (also without wires) rear speakers and support for Dolby Atmos. The total power of 320 watts – there will be no shortage of filling the space with sound.
5. LG SK9Y
More “adult”, in comparison with Samsung HW-R550, model. Even more powerful, even more. It has five emitters, a wireless subwoofer is included, it is possible to connect wireless rear speakers. There is also support for Dolby Atmos. The presence of a central channel makes it possible to expand the system to 5.1 format. Of the chips: the presence of Wi-Fi, wired network connections, control via an application on a smartphone and a built-in Chromecast player. What does it give? More multimedia options. The soundbar can be integrated into the Google Home ecosystem, which will allow you to control it through a smart speaker, it is possible to connect to streaming services. Such a toy will not get bored for a long time.
6. Sony HT-S700RF
Our top suddenly got a device that can rather be classified as a home theater. It will be interesting for those who plan to use it for its intended purpose, that is, to pump the sound of their TV. It compares favorably with other soundbars in that it fully supports 5.1 format out of the box. The kit initially comes with rear speakers and a subwoofer, and the soundbar itself has a center and side channels. This system differs from a home theater only in the absence of a video player, but who needs one in the era of smart TVs? The total power of 1000 watts is enough for the eyes to fill the entire room with surround sound. Otherwise, the entire set of necessary switching and multimedia features is present.
7. JBL Bar 5.1
A soundbar with a ready-made and rather interestingly implemented 5.1 sound configuration. The kit comes with an impressive wireless subwoofer, powered by an outlet, and with a flick of the wrist, two wireless rear speakers detach from the main unit. Their charge lasts for 8 hours of continuous operation, and after discharging, you can connect to the usual “mobile” charging with microUSB and continue watching or fasten it back. The soundbar itself has a center and side channels, a total of 9 emitters: a separate speaker for the upper and lower frequencies for each channel. It turned out compact and functional. Everything else for comfortable use is available: Bluetooth, remote control, optical and line input, HDMI input and output, HDMI-ARC control.
8. Focal Dimension
Focal specializes in the production of high-end professional audio equipment and is loved by many sound engineers and hi-fi lovers, the more interesting its offer in the soundbar market. Expensive and cool, like all their products. The device has five full-range speakers and is positioned as a 5.0 system, while there is an output for an external subwoofer. The frequency range is good even without it (50 Hz – 25 kHz) and the power reserve is also excellent (450 W), but the most interesting thing about it is not even that. There are four switches on the rear panel: the first allows you to select the distance to the listener, the second is needed to select the position of the soundbar (on the wall, on the table, freely suspended), the third allows the soundbar to adjust to different room occupancy with furniture, the fourth is needed to connect a subwoofer (branded, from third-party manufacturer or not at all). A separate work of art is a signature subwoofer (sold separately). It is installed behind the soundbar and becomes its continuation. Together, the system looks like a full-fledged TV stand with a depth of almost half a meter.
9.Yamaha YSP-5600
On this device, the phrase “sound projector” is added to our lexicon. Indeed, the language does not turn to call it a soundbar. Okay, let’s omit the enumeration of all the standard chips of ordinary ordinary soundbars such as bluetooth and HDMI, and pay attention to the most interesting thing – the layout of the speakers. This soundbar can be called a projector because it supports proprietary XNUMXD sound technology. Simply put, due to the sound reflections from the walls and ceiling, a full-fledged three-dimensional sound picture is created.
The projector has as many as 46 (forty-six!) emitters of different frequencies and directions. Thanks to this, it is positioned as a 7.1 system, while there is full support for the Dolby Atmos format. Listing all the features of this soundbar could probably take a whole book, so it’s easier to say that it has everything in general that a user can think of.
10. Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar
Of course, first of all, this model interested me in its price, I thought that few people could outdo Yamaha. What is interesting about this soundbar? Because it has an amazing frequency range (30 Hz – 20 kHz) and 5.1.4 sound. If you do not go into details, then this means that he can easily compete with a multi-channel system of several speakers and a subwoofer. Actually, this is the reason for the huge size and weight of the device (18,5 kg!). There are 6 full-size drivers around the perimeter of the case, 5 tweeters and 2 full-range speakers at the top of the case to recreate Dolby Atmos sound. There is everything a user might need: remote control, Bluetooth, HDMI inputs and outputs with ARC and eARC support, Chromecast player (for streaming services), Wi-Fi, Ethernet input, optical and analog audio input, output for external subwoofer. The process of adapting the device to the acoustic properties of the room in which it will be used looks very interesting. To do this, a special measuring microphone is included in the kit, you need to connect it once, wait until the soundbar makes different sounds and analyzes the acoustics and that’s it, the device is ready for use. There are still very few reviews and reviews, which is understandable, given the elitism of this model, but everyone agrees on one thing – it sounds simply excellent and amazingly natural.
How to choose a soundbar
So, after you’ve gotten quite a bit confused about all those optical inputs, Dolby digital and multi-channel audio formats, let’s take a look at what parameters you should pay attention to when choosing the best option for you.
Cost
As you have already seen, a soundbar can cost a couple of thousand rubles, or a couple of thousand dollars. Such a range of prices is due to the manufacturability and versatility of devices. First of all, I advise you to pay attention to the correspondence between the price class of the soundbar and your TV, because the main task of the device is still pumping sound when watching movies and playing video games. What is the point of buying a budget soundbar to a huge and expensive TV?
Prices can be categorized as follows:
1. Initial segment – 3-10 thousand rubles.
Devices with a basic set of functions for the most unassuming users. They will help you get acceptable sound when watching movies on small home TVs, at least some low frequencies will finally appear, most models will have Bluetooth, which will allow them to be used as home acoustics.
2. Economy segment – 12-20 thousand rubles.
In this segment, you can already claim the full range of features for connecting to smart TVs. The presence of Bluetooth, remote control, HDMI connectors, optical input, control from a TV via HDMI-ARC is already a necessary minimum for such models. Many models in this class already come with external subwoofers, or have a connector for connecting them, or already have a frequency range with a good bottom. Many soundbars can handle DTS or Dolby Digital audio, and some recognize and emulate Dolby Atmos audio.
3. Middle segment – 25-50 thousand rubles.
Models of this class are characterized by the ability to connect, in addition to the subwoofer, also rear speakers, which allows the soundbar to fully work with sound in 5.1 format. Support for Dolby and DTS is already a given, and many models can recognize and emulate Dolby Atmos audio. Power allows you to perfectly fill the entire room with sound and immerse the viewer in the atmosphere of the cinema. Soundbars are also becoming smart, interacting with gadgets through applications, integrating into home ecosystems, supporting streaming services, etc.
4. Premium segment – 50-180 thousand rubles.
Here, all attention is focused on sound quality, work with multi-channel sound 5.1 and 7.1, as well as the full implementation of three-dimensional sound and support for Dolby Atmos. This is what will make your huge home TV a full-fledged modern cinema.
Functional
It is important to pay attention to what features your TV already has or should have, how you plan to connect it to a soundbar, whether you want to use it as home wireless speakers, use streaming services, etc.
The most common soundbar features are:
Stereo input – this is already archaic, but it may be necessary to connect the TV “in the old fashioned way”, you won’t have to count on more than sound in 2.0 or 2.1 format.
HDMI input and optical input – needed to transmit a digital audio signal, will allow you to transmit high-resolution multi-channel audio.
HDMI-ARC – needed so that the TV can control the device itself. In this case, there is no need to have a separate remote control for the soundbar. The TV itself will turn it on and off, as well as control the volume.
Bluetooth – allows you to transmit a digital signal “over the air”, as well as pair the soundbar with other devices, play music from your phone, for example. Or for wireless connection of an external subwoofer and rear speakers.
Wi-Fi и Ethernet – needed to connect to streaming services and integrate into smart home systems.
Equipment
She is different. So think beforehand if you need additional external speakers? Is there a place to put a subwoofer? Do I need a separate remote or does the TV have HDMI-ARC? Do you need a wall mount bracket?
Dimensions and weight
Soundbar sizes can vary quite a lot, even without external accessories. It is from 50 to 160 cm wide, up to 20 cm high, and even more deep. Some models weigh 18 kg each, so it will be difficult to hang it on the wall. It is better to take care of the location in advance.
Sound
The main thing to remember is that the audible sound spectrum is in the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, therefore, the amplitude-frequency characteristics should be as close as possible to these figures. Marketing is different, so if you see that the acoustics are small in size, and the declared power and frequency range are huge, then do not believe it. The more emitters of different sizes, the more bands they support, the more honest and detailed it will sound. The power should be with a margin, so that the volume is more than half, no longer want to twist. So you will not get distortion and increased wear on the speakers.
Multichannel
The layout is usually specified as “XY”, where X is the number of main channels and Y is the presence/absence of a subwoofer.
We list the main ones:
- 2.0 – two-channel stereo sound without a subwoofer;
- 2.1 – two-channel sound with a subwoofer;
- 3.1 – three-channel sound, assumes the presence of one front and two side emitters + subwoofer. Three channels may well fit in the soundbar case;
- 4.1 – four-channel sound, involves two side emitters, two rear + subwoofer;
- 5.1 – the most common format for high-quality surround sound, consists of a front speaker, two side speakers (all three are inside the soundbar), two rear (external) speakers + a subwoofer.
For some time now, a third digit has been added to the designation of multichannel sound, and now some manufacturers indicate the sound format in the form of “XYZ”. The fact is that the Dolby Atmos format assumes three-dimensional sound, that is, the sound also comes from above. Some soundbars have radiators pointing upwards to bounce sound off the ceiling. Therefore, the number 5.1.2 will mean that we have five channels around, one low-frequency channel and two channels from above.