Perhaps unsurprisingly for Samsung lately, the system also offers great musicality (Samsung has been acquiring major audio companies for a reason). Its reams of drivers combine for a thrilling Dolby Atmos (and DTS:X) experience that transforms your room into the “dome” of sound for excellent 3D audio. But the Q950A comes about as close as we’ve heard. For a moment, anyway.Īs noted in our review, no soundbar can deliver the full dynamics, resonance, and presence of a true multi-speaker home theater system. And enough Dolby Atmos immersion to make you question the need for discreet speaker systems at all. Upfiring and side-firing drivers not only in the bar, but also in the wireless surround speakers. With great performance and tons of features, the Sonos Arc is the best soundbar you can buy.Īs soundbars go, Samsung’s Q950A is about as insane as it gets. Moreover, this bar sounds fantastic with just about any content, and its many features and loaded app make it an intuitive and versatile way to step into Dolby Atmos sound. Since most folks get their Dolby Atmos from streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ (which use the compressed format) these days, those issues may not matter much. This could limit its usability for older TVs (those without HDMI ARC) and it won't be the best choice for those who play a lot of physical media. In addition, while the bar includes an HDMI eARC port for seamless connection to your TV it doesn’t offer a secondary HDMI input for outboard devices like streamers and game consoles. The drawback of all these features is, of course, the price, which puts the bar beyond the average budget. Like the Sonos Beam, it also sports built-in microphones and your choice of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, making it both a soundbar and a powerful smart speaker. You can add dual surround speakers and a Sonos subwoofer if you want, though the Arc offers impressive bass response even without one. Like all Sonos speakers, the Arc offers Wi-Fi connection, along with the ability to connect with other Sonos speakers, either in a group, or as part of a surround sound setup via the Sonos S2 app. And it also comes with a host of other features that make it among the most versatile soundbars on the market. Its well-tuned drivers offer a rich and smooth sound signature that’s fantastic for anything you play, from sitcoms to streaming music. Dolby Atmos isn’t the only trick up the Arc’s sleeve. The Arc is loaded with 11 individually powered drivers, including dual speakers pointed upward to bounce sound off your ceiling, creating an impressively potent example of the hemispheric immersion for which Dolby’s Atmos sound format is so highly praised. This powerful hunk of well-fashioned plastic is the embodiment of the soundbar ethos, offering a ton of cinematic juice in a simple, singular device. Sonos’ first-ever Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Sonos Arc, is more than just a pretty (and tubular) face. ![]() You can find many more options in our other guides, including Best Dolby Atmos Soundbars, Best Soundbars Under $500, Best Under $300, and Best Under $200. If the Arc doesn't strike your fancy, though, we’ve corralled plenty of other top choices tailored for any listening space and any budget.Įditor's Note: This is our premiere list with favorites from all price points. We’ve spent hundreds of hours over the years evaluating soundbars, and right now the Sonos Arc ( available at Best Buy for $899.99) is our favorite thanks to stellar performance, tons of versatile features (including Dolby Atmos) and a slick, minimalist design. The best of them offer powerful punch, dazzling features like Dolby Atmos, and wireless music streaming in a simplified package. ![]() Not only are they great for dialogue clarity, they can also vastly improve cinematic sound, bringing everything you watch (or play) to life. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of wires and components, a soundbar may be your savior. Nothing pairs with a great TV like an equally awesome sound system, but not everyone has time to set up a full home theater. Written by Lee Neikirk, Ryan Waniata, and Nick Woodard
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