The Best Soundbars for Building Your Personal Home Theater

Samsung struck gold with the HW-Q990D. The brand’s flagship soundbar system is almost universally regarded as the best soundbar system you can find on the market today, receiving all kinds of praise from top experts to fanatics on the r/soundbars subreddit. It’s easy to get the hype, too: The Q990D features 11 front-facing speakers, a big, beefy subwoofer, and four up-firing drivers that work in concert for a movie-watching experience that’s nothing short of cinematic. Action scenes have depth and impact, dialogue is crystal clear, and the system’s Dolby Atmos effects provide a serious sense of immersion.

If great sound isn’t quite enough of a selling point, the Q990D packs all kinds of extra features and technology. Thanks to onboard Wi-Fi, the high-end bar has Amazon Alexa and Google Chromecast built in, and it works with Apple AirPlay. Samsung’s proprietary features like SpaceFit Sound Pro are meant to adjust the bar’s sound profile to match your space, and Adaptive Sound tunes the system’s audio to match the scene you are watching, enhancing voices during important conversations and boosting bass in CGI-molded action sequences. It also has HDMI 2.1 support, allowing for 4K at 120Hz passthrough to offer a better gaming experience.

The cherry on top of the Q990D is that it pretty regularly goes on sale. So while it retails for $2,000, you will be able to find it for a rather significant discount if you can hold out for the right timing. If you need something stat, Samsung still sells its previous flagship – the HW-Q990C, which largely mirrors the audio performance of the Q990D – for about $400 less than its newer, more improved version. It means investing in yesterday’s tech, but it would net you a great soundbar for a bargain.

The successor to Sonos’ previous high-end soundbar (the Arc), the Arc Ultra doubles down on pushing the limits of what a soundbar can do. It largely follows the same design as the original, but the hardware underneath got an overhaul to the tune of a 9.1.4-channel configuration (compared to 5.0.2 with the Arc), and 15 total Class-D amplifiers driving the entire ensemble. The Arc Ultra is also Sonos’ first product to utilize SoundMotion technology, which essentially helps a speaker produce the best performance possible within the tight confines of a soundbar cabinet. Sonos says the Arc Ultra has double the bass output of the Arc, and after listening to the two side-by-side, I’m surprised it's only double.

That last “.4” in the soundbar’s configuration comes particularly in handy when it comes to Dolby Atmos. The Ultra has four dedicated upfiring drivers to help produce overhead effects and immersive scenery when playing Dolby Atmos content, and boy, does it. Even without the aid of rear speakers with upfiring drivers (like several competing soundbar systems offer), the Arc Ultra is able to create a real, comprehensive soundstage that surrounds you from seemingly every angle.

I had the chance to review the Sonos Arc Ultra and found a lot to love, including its penchant for delivering great-sounding music and features like Speech Enhancement to boost dialogue as needed. There’s also, of course, the Sonos of it all – that is, the ability to build an ecosystem of connected speakers around the Arc Ultra for a whole-home audio setup. The only reason the Ultra doesn’t take the top spot is that, after adding the Sonos Arc and a pair of Sonos speakers to “complete” the home theater, it doesn’t represent the same, impressive value that Samsung’s HW-Q990D promises.

LG’s answer to the Samsung HW-Q990D may not be quite as immersive as its counterpart, but the S95TR is still a great-sounding system in its own right. With a total of 17 drivers, including a dedicated center height channel in addition to the “standard” front and rear upfiring speakers, the S95TR effortlessly balances lows, mids, and highs for a soundstage that works remarkably well regardless of what you throw at it.

The S95TR’s bass performance is a major selling point in its own right. Testing the S95TR with cinematic action from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Game of Thrones showed me exactly what its hulking 22lb subwoofer is capable of, adding depth and presence to action scenes. Alternatively, if you’re jamming out to some music around the house, the S95TR’s woofer is nimble enough to deliver punchy bass notes in pop hits and country tracks while digging considerably deeper for songs that hammer home the low end.

In addition to audio prowess, the S95TR offers tons of technology to support its status as a high-end soundbar. It has AI Room Calibration technology for tuning sound to your room, and works seamlessly with Apple AirPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. In all, the S95TR makes for an extremely competitive high-end soundbar system, one that isn’t afraid to bring bass by the boatload while maintaining great overall sound and useful, intuitive features.

Not everyone needs a gigantic, theater-imitating soundbar system to pair with their TV. For those after something that sounds good for cheap, Vizio’s V21-H8 represents a compelling package with solid stereo sound. This compact soundbar system handles movies, TV shows, and music reasonably well, especially considering it only has a left and right speaker and a subwoofer. It isn’t an immersive experience the way a full surround sound system is, and the lack of a center channel means dialogue isn’t always crystal clear. But the V21-H8 still is an exceptionally-sounding system, adding an instant improvement to whatever’s plaything through it.

The other note about Vizio’s V21-H8 is its downright simple blueprint. There’s no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, and certainly no Dolby Atmos capabilities. In fact, it doesn’t have many features to speak of at all, outside of controls for bass and treble, subwoofer adjustments, and a few different sound modes and EQ settings. It’s a real set-it-and-forget-it soundbar, something that’s become far less common in today’s environment. If you want or need a more comprehensive system, scroll past the V21-H8. But for something that’s guaranteed to be a meaningful upgrade over your TV’s speakers without costing as much as the TV itself, Vizio’s stereo soundbar is still the gold standard for simplicity.

It may be a few years old at this point, but it’s still hard to find a better value for a surround sound system than Vizio’s M-Series 5.1.2 soundbar. It marks the transition from Vizio’s older, cheaper-looking aesthetic to a much more sleek, higher-quality cabinet. Underneath its new outfit is detailed, distortion-free sound with a 6-inch subwoofer that can get surprisingly loud. You may have to dial back the bass a notch or two, but the soundbar’s audio out of the box is well-balanced and offers solid immersion for the price.

It also happens to be a Dolby Atmos soundbar, which is a steal in the sub-$400 range. While it’s not competent enough to hang with the likes of the Sonos Arc Ultra or Samsung HW-Q990D, the M-Series 5.1.2 still has a pair of upfiring drivers that add good three-dimensional sound to Dolby Atmos movies and TV shows. The space it is in, and the distance between the soundbar and your ceiling impacts its effectiveness, of course, but overall, Vizio’s 5.1.2 delivers a commendable bang-for-your-buck Dolby Atmos experience.

One of the biggest blemishes for the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 is the absence of Wi-Fi support, as well as a rear speaker design that requires them to be wired into the system’s subwoofer. Despite those drawbacks, it’s hard to argue the sheer value of Vizio’s gracefully aging surround sound system.

Think Sonos Arc Ultra, but pint-sized. Sonos’ smaller soundbar, the Beam is a standalone soundbar that outpunches its weight class. It provides a clear dialogue for movies and TV shows, vibrant highs, and decent bass after you account for the fact that it doesn’t come with a separate subwoofer. To add to its audio chops, the Beam uses what Sonos coyly describes as “advanced processing” to establish phantom height channels in order to play Dolby Atmos content. It’s not the full-fledged experience that its bigger sibling guarantees, but it’s a nice augmentation that adds to the audio experience you’re getting out of a compact package.

Like the Arc Ultra, the Beam also comes with plenty of perks. It is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2, making it versatile for users already invested in smart home ecosystems. And, if you decide to expand your setup later, the Beam can easily be paired with other Sonos speakers, like the Sonos One for surround sound, or a subwoofer for extra bass. The beauty of the Beam, and Sonos in general, is that you can start small with something like the Beam and slowly build as your budget and space allow. Think of the Beam as a gateway soundbar, one that will simultaneously sound great for your small space and slowly but surely convince you to take the jump and invest in an Arc Ultra.

How to Pick a Soundbar

The number of soundbars out there can be a bit dizzying, making it hard to choose which one will work best for you. Here’s a bit of advice to help guide you along.

Soundbars come with different channel options that will simulate the surround sound of a speaker system. If you’re just looking to watch some TV and listen to some music with a soundbar, 2 channels and maybe a subwoofer should have you covered. A 3.1 channel soundbar will come with a center speaker dedicated to dialogue. So, if you find you’re struggling to hear what’s being said while binging talky shows like Severance or Succession, this will be a good option.

With 5.1 channels or more, your speaker system will be ready to take on all the action in your favorite movies and games. Additional speakers and subwoofers typically come with this many channels; however some soundbars can pack all that noise into a great-sounding all-in-one system.

When looking at a soundbar, it is important to make note of its connections. An HDMI ARC (or eARC) is standard in most soundbars and TVs these days. This will simplify your life, as it’s the only cord needed to get your TV sending its audio through the soundbar. A Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection should also be on your shortlist if you're looking to listen to other devices on your soundbar. If you rely on voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, you should look for a soundbar that’s compatible with those, too.

Finally, if you want the latest and greatest in sound technology, include a soundbar with support for Dolby Atmos in your search. Dolby Atmos can provide excellent virtual three-dimensional sound, turning any room into a theater. Just be sure your soundbar comes packing some up-firing drivers, subwoofer, and rear sounds. Some other impressive sound formats coming out include DTS:X and Sony’s 360 Reality, so you may want to find a soundbar that supports those as well.

Best Soundbars FAQs

What’s the difference between 2.0, 2.1, and 5.1 soundbars?

• 2.0 Soundbars: These have two channels (left and right) but no subwoofer. They provide stereo sound, which is ideal for general TV viewing and smaller spaces.
• 2.1 Soundbars: These have two channels plus a subwoofer (the “.1”), adding more depth and bass, which enhances movies, music, and gaming.
• 5.1 Soundbars: These include five channels (front left, front center, front right, rear left, rear right) and a subwoofer, providing surround sound. Some 5.1 soundbars use extra speakers or virtual surround technology to create an immersive audio experience.

How do I know if a soundbar is compatible with my TV?

Most modern soundbars connect to TVs via HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or optical audio cables. Check that your TV has one of these ports, which should cover most soundbars on the market. Some soundbars also support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or AirPlay for additional streaming and connectivity options.

Do I need a subwoofer with my soundbar?

A subwoofer isn’t required, but it can enhance the audio experience by adding deep bass. If you enjoy action movies, music, or gaming, a subwoofer can make a big difference. Many soundbars include a built-in subwoofer or come with a wireless sub, which is ideal if you want rich sound without adding multiple speakers.

What is Dolby Atmos, and do I need it?

Dolby Atmos is an advanced object-based surround sound technology that adds height channels, creating a three-dimensional audio experience, making it seem as if sound comes from all directions, even above. While it’s not essential, Atmos can significantly enhance the cinematic experience.

Can I stream music through my soundbar?

Yes, many soundbars offer Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stream music from your smartphone or favorite streaming service. Look for soundbars with Bluetooth, Chromecast, or AirPlay if music streaming is a priority.

Nick Woodward is a sportswriter-turned-tech journalist, covering A/V tech as a contributor at IGN.