Best Sound Bar for 2018 – Comparison and Buying Guide

Want to choose the best soundbar? This article will try to make it easier by listing the most effective sound bars available in 2018. This type of speaker can completely transform the audio experience when viewing your movies, series or your favorite music tracks. Its big advantage is the little space it will take compared to a home theater.

Best Sound Bars for 2018 – Comparison Chart

Best Sound Bar 2018 – Reviews

1.    Wohome S9920 – Sound Wireless Bluetooth Sound Bar

Dominate the world of TVs, it’s not enough for the electronics giant Wohome. The firm is now trying to break into the world of quality consumer audio by providing one of the best sound bar in the market.

By putting a lot of effort, Wohome released the sound bar Wohome S9920. A great feat on the part of the China giant. Sound power well controlled with a clarity approaching the very high-end pure a much smaller price. This sound bar excels in both movies and music where we find bass very well suited, neither too weak nor too strong.

With a very affordable price, a W-Fi connection, Bluetooth, Hdmi, … In short, the soundbar Wohome S9920 is one of the speakers that has the best value for money .

Characteristics

• Input: bluetooth, AUX in, 3.5mm in, USB, optical, coaxial
  • Material: high-grade ABS
  • Dimension: 4.0 x 4.1 x 39.7 in
  • Distortion: <1%
  • Frequency response: 40HZ-20K HZ
  • Speakers: 4*15W full Range+2*10W Tweeters
  • Output: 80W
  • STN: ≥105dB
  • Input power: DC 19V, 3.4A
  • Channle: 2.0

FOR:

• His powerful
• Deep bass without the need for an extra cabinet
• Support of numerous sources

AGAINST:

• Stereo effect a little disappointing

2.Sony HT-ST5000 Sound Bar with Sound Dolby Atmos / Hi-Res Audio 4K Wireless

The soundbar Sony HT-ST5000 is the most expensive of our comparison on the best models of sound bars for television. But for this price, you will get an exceptional speaker offering the spatialization technology and therefore the atmosphere of the Doby Digital with quality reproduction.

The build quality and design of this soundbar is exceptional, and its overall audio reproduction impresses with its clarity and spatial representation.

That being said, its price will not be affordable for everyone, but if you think you have the budget in a month or two, the wait is in order. If you want to have the best sound bar, the Sony HT-ST5000 is the one to buy.

Characteristics

The ultimate sound: total immersion in 3D with Dolby Atmos technology

Listen to wireless music: access more than 100 streaming apps with integrated Chromecast and Spotify connect, and stream your music around the house with the multi-room

Perfect picture and sound: Designed to accept the latest 4K TV standards with 4K HDR pass-through

PROS:

• Design
• Quality of manufacture
• Dolby Atmos Support
• HD Audio compatible

CONS:

• High price
• No DTS: X

3. Q Acoustics MEDIA 4 SOUNDBAR

If you are looking for a bar for less than 500 €, the  Q Acoustics M4  is an excellent choice. That’s why she takes the 3rd place of our comparison of the best sound bars.

Q Acoustics MEDIA 4 also does not have huge performance, but is in a value for money rather acceptable despite its small defects. I will recommend this soundbar for a musical listening given the clarity of the sound, which will make you rediscover your music and favorite tracks. You will be able to discern each instrument, without these being mixed in a hubbub as on low-end speakers.

I could see some tests extolling the depth of sound and bass. I think that these tests are wrong and that people have not taken the time to test this soundbar under all these seams. But, sound quality level to listen to music, this speaker for TV is a very good option given its price.

Characteristics

• RMS rated power: 100W
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 85 dB
• DHT: total harmonic distortion: 1%
• Connectivity: Wired & Wireless
• Bluetooth Version: 4.0

PROS:

• Audio quality
• Easy to use

CONS:

• Coonectivity
• No 5.1

4. Philips Fidelio B5 Soundbar with Detachable Bass Box and Speakers

The Philips Fidelio B5 audio kit is really impressive. This is the perfect sound bar for those who like the sound closest to a movie theater. 5.1 surround compatible, this TV speaker will immerse you in a cinematic atmosphere of excellent quality. An experience of total immersion in the scenes of the best movies or TV series. This is due to its ability to output Dolby 5.1 and Dolby Digital through reverb.

The combination of the speaker with the subwoofer will provide you with exceptional sensations. Indeed, the manufacturer provided his Philips Fidelio b5 soundbar with an additional subwoofer that will provide powerful and deep bass.

In short, Fidelio B5 Philips is one of the best bar of his pass anywhere that will suit both music and movies or to immerse themselves in a video game. Check out our full review of the Philips Fidelio B5 Soundbar .

Characteristics

• Surround on demand: detach the speakers and place them where you want in the room, the spatial calibration recognizes the location of the speakers and equalizes the sound
• The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the soundbar. You just have to enjoy a sound quality like the cinema
• Connectivity: 1 Digital Coaxial Input, 1 Digital Optical Input, 1 HDMI 1.4 Output (ARC), 2 HDMI Inputs, 1 Audio Input (3.5mm), Bluetooth, NFC
• Detachable rear speakers turn into independent portable Bluetooth speakers as soon as you need them
• Included with B5: Power Cord, Remote Control with Batteries, Wall Mount Bracket, User Guide

PROS:

• Detachable satellites
• Easy installation for 5.1 d
• Subwoofer

CONS:

• Slightly cumbersome

5.  Sonos Playbar – Sound Bar Wireless Hi-Fi

The soundbar Sonos Playbar is unfortunately not compatible Hdmi. And it’s a shame considering the quality of this enclosure. It will therefore use an optical cable to take full advantage of this speaker for television. Still, its overall quality allows it to be among our selection of the best sound bars.

Its big advantage lies in its configuration. Either with your computer, tablet or smartphone, the application configures Dobly Surround 5.1 for you. The soundbar will emit different sounds for auto-configuration in relation to the dimensions and configuration of your room.

As for the wireless connection, only the WiFi team Sonos Playbar speaker.

Characteristics

• Two in one. It offers a sound comparable to a movie theater for your TV, and also allows you to listen to all your music.
• The installation requires only two cables: a cable for the power supply and an optical cable for your TV.
• Works with your existing remote control.
• Synchronizes wirelessly with the SUB and two PLAY: 1, PLAY: 3 or PLAY: 5 for 5.1 surround sound
• Works flat or wall mounted.

PROS:

• Quality of sound
• Automatic 5.1 configuration with the App
• Synchronization possible with other Sonos speakers

CONS:

• Limited connectivity

6. Sony HT-MT300 Bluetooth / NFC Sound Bar

There is good reason to appreciate the Sony HT-MT300 bar . Small and very discreet, the subwoofer benefits from wireless technology. So you can slide it under your sofa and feel exceptional bass.

This TV sound bar has a very low price and will be part of the entry level. But its quality has nothing to envy to other models more expensive.

For surround, it is virtualized using S-Force PRO Front Surround technology that reproduces a virtual sound field from just two front speakers.

Characteristics

• A discreet design that blends easily into your living room. Simply connect the main unit to your TV via HDMI and position the ultrafine subwoofer next to your furniture or under your sofa
• Immersive sound: like a home theater with Sony S-Force Pro Front Surround technology and feel the bass like never before thanks to the sofa mode
• The sound bar acts as a wireless speaker: connect it instantly to your smartphone via Bluetooth / NFC to play music from your phone

Why buy a sound bar?

The speakers present in flat screen TVs today are, however, much better than a few years ago. But given the shallow depth and the limited space, the technology unfortunately shows its limits. This type of speaker will give you bass that is worthy of a movie theater. San of course forget about good quality in the middle and high frequencies.

A good compromise between these 3 frequencies is of course essential to benefit from an optimal sound quality. Speakers that do not respect this balance will not be included in our comparison of the best sound bars.

Benefits of the soundbar

Let’s take a look at the benefits of a soundbar for your TV.

Aside from an increasingly attractive design, the soundbar is much more useful than a mere decorative object.

• Installation : the installation of a soundbar is of a disconcerting simplicity. Generally, you only need one cable to connect to your television. Of course, a power source will be needed.
• Power : Compared to the speakers built into your TV, the soundbar will give you much more power. All for a small footprint. Be careful though if you decide to buy a movie sound bar at low cost. These often boast enormous power in watts. Try to rely especially on the power expressed in Watts RMS .
• Less cables : compared to the classic home theater, the soundbar requires much less cables. And more and more speakers are equipped with the HDMI standard, which makes it even easier to set up. Only the connection to the 220V source and the connection to the sound source will be necessary. But you can also find a connection by optical cable.
• Bluetooth : more soundbars are equipped with the Bluetooth connection. A real advantage to listen to music type MP3, Flac or other digital audio format from smartphone, tablet or any other device with a Bluetooth connection.
• Sound quality : As mentioned above, with the thin, thin layer of our LED TVs, speaker technology is showing its limits. At the same volume, you will enjoy deeper bass, as in a cinema without forgetting a good balance of high, medium and low frequencies.
• The price : compared to a complete home theater 5.1 or 7.1, the soundbar will be cheaper. But beware that the best sound bars can reach more than 1,000 € for audiophile quality. For example, Yamaha, Bose or B & W models achieve these prices. But for an unequaled quality.

Disadvantages of the soundbar

• Surround: Regarding the specialization of sound, the soundbar will not perform the same task as home theater 5.1 and other systems. Indeed, the home cinema encircles you completely in order to immerse you spatially in your film or series by reproducing the sound space of the scenes that you look at. As for the soundbar, if it is ”  surround “, it will not be a real specialization of sound by embracing you. The technique lies in the reverberation of the sound. The quality of this specialization will depend on your environment and will not equal the home theater.
• Bass quality: Although they are much better than the speakers of our flat screens, some sound bars may lack power and depth in the bass frequency. I admit that this point is at the same time an advantage and a disadvantage. It will depend on what you expect from your soundbar. That’s why there are sound bars with an additional subwoofer.
• Remote control: Although it is not really the remote control itself, I mean here that it will make you another one to adjust the sound volume of your bar.

Guide to buying the best soundbar

Want to buy a sound bar that simply amplifies the sound of your TV? Or do you want an immersive home theater sound ? A larger investment can provide you with sound quality comparable to that of a complete home theater system.

Now think about where your new soundbar will find its place. What is the size of the room ? What is the size of the TV with which you match it? Large rooms and large TVs require large sound bars. The compact models are perfect for small rooms and TVs, of course.

Will your soundbar also be your main speaker for music? Look for a bar with high quality speaker components and powerful amplification. Many soundbars offer wireless connectivity , and some can even give you the capability of a multi-room system.

What can a sound bar provide as a sound experience?

Here are some features that almost all sound bars have in common, regardless of size or price.

Voices are clearer and easier to distinguish

Of course, a soundbar will bring more volume to the sound of your TV. This means that you will hear more clarity, especially with respect to human voices. Many soundbars even have dialogue enhancement features , which make voices louder and louder to listen to.

Uniform volume

When you watch TV at a comfortable volume level and an advertisement comes on, the sudden change in volume can be disturbing. Many sound bars feature volume leveling technology to ensure that commercials are not noisier than what you are watching.

Simulated surround sound effects

If you do not have room for a multi-speaker home theater system, you can still get a captivating sound from a soundbar. For the best sound with the most realistic surround sound effects, look for a sound bar with surround effect. They typically have five or seven audio channels, with separate sounds assigned to each channel to create a three-dimensional surround effect.

Some sound bars may actually reflect the sound of your walls to make you believe that there are speakers all around you. In some cases, this effect can even be customized according to your space automatically via a specific program of the soundbar.

Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos sound bars have special speakers that reflect the sound of your ceiling . The effect is an enveloping surround sound that puts you in the middle of the on-screen action. It’s like 3D, but for your ears.

It is also a convenient music player

Built-in Bluetooth is a common soundbar feature that allows you to easily stream music from your Bluetooth enabled phone, tablet, or computer. Some soundbars also have a WiFi connection for quick access to online streaming services as well as to your personal digital music library.

A soundbar can also have a USB input , so you can load a USB key with your favorite songs, leave it connected and listen to it at any time. Some sound bars even support high definition music files . Do you have CDs? Use your connected Blu-ray player to play them and listen to them through your soundbar.

Your soundbar can also play a leading role in a multiroom music system . A growing number of brands offer soundbars that communicate with other music players, speakers and receivers over a network connection, allowing you to stream music wirelessly throughout the home.

How to place your soundbar?

Placing the soundbar on your TV stand

If you plan to place your soundbar in front of your TV, it is recommended that you measure your stand and the base of your TV to make sure the soundbar does not come out of the stand.

You also need the soundbar does not block your remote control signal or part of the image. If you are not sure, a sound bar with built-in IR repeater might be the best option, since your remote will still work even if the remote control sensor on your TV is clogged.

The soundbar is too high

Some soundbars have an integrated IR repeater to ensure that your TV continues to receive remote control signals with the sound bar placed in the front. You can also adjust the height of the soundbar, so that no part of the TV picture is hidden.

Fix it to the wall

If your TV is wall mounted, with a sound bar placed just below your TV ensures an elegant installation. If you follow this path, you will need to think about how to hide the power cord and the connecting cable.

Most acoustic bars have specific locations for wall mounting. If your TV is wall-mounted on a hinged rack, you can also add a special sound bar bracket so that the two pieces always move on the same plane. There is also a universal sound bar bracket that attaches directly to the back of most flat screen TVs.

Placement under the TV

A tray-style soundbar supports your TV and integrates with its base. Check the specifications for the maximum weight of the TV and make sure the sound tray is wider than the base of your TV. This could be your best chance if there is not much space between the bottom of your TV screen and your furniture. They are also a great option if you’re looking for full-spectrum sound without separate subwoofers.

Is a subwoofer needed?

A subwoofer is a speaker dedicated to reproduce only the low frequencies. Most of the sound bars are too thin to reproduce a low-frequency sound worthy of a home theater. So with some sound bars, a separate subwoofer is included in the set to enjoy more punchy bass. If you like action movies, video games or TV programs that have a lot of bass, a separate subwoofer avc soundbar is probably the best choice for you.

Some of the subwoofers included in a set of sound bars are wireless. Just plug them into a wall outlet for power, and the low-frequency sound they produce is more or less non-directional, giving you great placement flexibility.

Connectivity of the soundbar and control

When choosing a soundbar, be sure to choose one with the right connections for your TV and other devices you would like to use with it.

Almost all soundbars have an optical digital connection, and many offer HDMI connections for more flexibility. If you have a multichannel soundbar, using the HDMI connection ensures optimal sound quality from Blu-ray sources. If you have an older TV, there are also soundbar models with analog inputs. For the latest 4K Ultra HD TVs, there are 4K video compatible sound bars.

Once your soundbar is set, you can use the existing TV remote control to control its volume . Most TV remotes, set-top boxes and other BoxTVs can be programmed to control your soundbar. Otherwise, the soundbar can learn the controls on your TV. Soundbars usually include their own remote controls, and often there are free remote applications that allow you to use your phone or tablet as a remote control.

If you have a soundbar with many features, it is usually best to use the included remote or a remote application to control it.