Ranking of the best soundbars in 2020

The Soundbar is a compact audio system designed for sound reinforcement and is considered by experts to be a modern alternative to home theaters because it takes up little space and produces a very clear sound. It is not difficult to choose a powerful soundbar for your home according to the parameters offered by different manufacturers, you just need to decide in advance what is more important for you: the quality of the brand or the inexpensive price of the budget option.

In this article, we present to your attention a rating of the best soundbars, according to user reviews, it includes elite specimens with a unique design, as well as good and inexpensive soundbars, which are not inferior in their parameters to more expensive models. Let's explore the top rankings of 2020.

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How to choose a soundbar - the main parameters

Your choice depends on where you intend to place this device in the room:

• fix on the wall above the TV;
• similar placement under the TV;
• install the soundbar as a stand.

Many users often ask the question of which soundbar to choose - then we will try to tell you in detail about all the nuances that users need to know in order to purchase exactly the product that they need for your home.

Panel or stand

These devices are made in the form of a panel that can be attached to the wall above or below the TV - it depends on the user's desire, the installation location does not affect the characteristics of the soundbar. These products are also produced in the form of TV stands.

Good to know! A nice bonus for users will be the presence of a set of mounts for installing the soundbar on a wall made of any material.

Passive or active

A soundbar for a TV can be produced as an independent device, it is called active, or it can be connected to a special receiver - a passive option. The choice is yours here: if you want to have a compact product, choose a good active subwoofer, but if you have a receiver, then the choice is for the passive option.

Do I need a drive

An excellent active soundbar has a built-in DVD or Blu-ray disc player, which uses a blue beam, such devices allow you to record 3-5 times more information on a standard disc.

When Internet access is limited, then you can record much more of your favorite music tracks or entertainment, as well as educational programs.

External or built-in subwoofer

As everyone knows, the richness and power of sound depends on low frequencies, so many manufacturers have managed to equip expensive and high-quality soundbars with built-in subwoofers - this is convenient when users want to save space in the room and do not want to frighten neighbors with low frequencies that shake the walls.

Active lovers of loud bass can purchase a subwoofer separately. As a rule, they buy a wireless option so as not to constantly stumble and not get tangled in the wires.

How many channels do you need

The more of them in the device, the more multifaceted and better the sound: for example, 2.0 is an ordinary stereo system, and a device with a subwoofer is already 2.1. The soundbar, which is standard in terms of price and quality, is equipped with digital processing of the sound range, which makes it spacious for our perception. These are the devices that are used in smartphones and good budget soundbars.

More expensive models have special emitters on board, located in such a way that sound waves are reflected from the walls and surround the user from all sides, i.e. 360 degrees. The cost of such soundbars is an order of magnitude higher, because they lead the classification of similar devices.

Unique interfaces

Only active products are equipped with interfaces that can turn a simple acoustics into a multifunctional device. Simple products have only a few connectors and a USB port for connecting external music media. Optimal options are equipped with an HDMI port for premium performance.

Good to know! Some manufacturers provide a unique opportunity for users to control the TV and soundbar from one remote control.

No wires

The ability to connect via Bluetooth will allow you to broadcast music tracks from a smartphone and other media available in your home, you can use NFC technology, which translates from English as short-range high-frequency wireless communication. It is your home Wi-Fi network that allows you to play all your recordings using the soundbar in the highest quality without using wires.

Power

When choosing a soundbar, you should pay attention to the total power: the more watts, the better, since such a product will reproduce the sound quite loudly and cleanly. For a standard city apartment, 80-100 W is enough, this is without taking into account the power of the subwoofer. Experts advise choosing such a device so that the volume of 60-70% is sufficient, and there is no desire to increase it.

TOP soundbars with voice assistant

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i

The device delivers exceptionally clear sound in 24-bit, deservedly entered the list of the best soundbars in 2020. The low frequencies are very high quality. There is no subwoofer. The panel can be integrated into a home theater system, which makes it possible to obtain sound with High-fidelity parameters.

Advantages:

• support for AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, LAN technologies;
• Support for BluOS Controller application for programming IR commands yourself;
• you can connect speakers additionally;
• easy access to streaming services and radio;
• Alexa assistant.

disadvantages:

• no built-in subwoofer;
• the price is around 85,000 rubles.

Sonos beam

Made in a stylish and modern design. At the top, there are touch controls for controlling the device. There is a microphone for voice command. The sound is configured in 2.0 format. The cost is within 42,000 rubles. All this allowed the device to replenish the TOP rating of the best.

Advantages:

• Alexa from Amazon;
• shelf and wall placement;
• adapter with HDMI included;
• there is an optical cable;
• supports AirPlay;
• settings and controls are quite simple.

disadvantages:

• unsaturated bass.

Harman kardon citation bar

An innovative soundbar with an interesting design. Chromecast technology is available, which makes it possible to use 300 music services. Access to streaming audio is not excluded. The panel weighs about 4 kg. Many users are satisfied with their purchase, but it is worth noting that the cost of the soundbar is really beyond the affordability of everyone.

Advantages:

• sheathing made of fabric with fire-resistant properties;
• additional speakers;
• Google Assistant;
• support for Wi-Fi and Chromecast and 4K.

disadvantages:

• the cost is 75,000 rubles;
• no subwoofer.

TOP soundbars with wireless subwoofer

Harman Kardon Omni Bar Plus

The soundbar will give its owner the opportunity to listen to exceptionally high-quality audio material. Connects via HDMI cable to TV.

The cost of the model is on average 58,500 rubles. It is also worth noting that the model is quite heavy. She weighs about 7 kg.

Advantages:

• Spotify Connect as a remote control;
• support for 5.1 format;
• Bluetooth and Chromecast;
• Wi-Fi with DLNA 1.5.

disadvantages:

• great weight.

Polk Audio Signa S2

The manufacturer has covered the main panel in black fabric. The controls are located at the top in the middle. In the rear panel area there are inputs for HDMI ARC, mini-jack and digital optical. In general, a compact solution, its price is around 18,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• 4K format;
• HDMI input;
• design;
• support for Polk Voice Adjust technology and Bluetooth.

disadvantages:

• subwoofer sound with distorted sound;
• bringing the overall volume to maximum should be careful.

Cambridge Audio TVB2 V2

Able to provide a dense stream of sound. Fits well into the interior of the room. Gives excellent lows, cost in the region of 37,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• weight - 1.6 kg;
• Bluetooth and NFC technology;
• 4K format;
• 3 inputs and 1 output HDMI.

disadvantages:

• connection problems with Smart TV via HDMI cable;
• the software is very crude.

TOP soundbars with Wi-Fi support

Bose Soundbar 700

The soundbar is designed for connoisseurs of quality sound. The technical properties of the device are at the highest level. There is not enough power of the device, then use the opportunity to add a satellite and a bass module.

Advantages:

• low-profile speakers;
• acoustic waveguide using PhaseGuide technology;
• adjusting the AdaptiQ sound;
• QuietPort technology;
• voice support.

disadvantages:

• the cost is 70,000 rubles.

LG SK10Y

5.1.2 channel panel with excellent sound output. In the presence of 2 loudspeakers, which are equipped with 3 loudspeakers. The cost of the model is around 47,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• wireless subwoofer;
• Dolby Atmos;
• voice assistant;
• Chromecast support;
• there is Meridian Audio technology.

disadvantages:

• not aesthetic wall placement;
• limited use of the USB connector.

Samsung HW NW700

The Samsung wall device looks appropriate under the TV, will fit well into the interior of the room. The work is synchronized. You can provide yourself with powerful sound. The device costs around 35,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• voice assistant;
• there is support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth;
• equipped with a wall mount;
• distortion suppression option;
• wideband tweeter.

disadvantages:

• lack of cables and USB, HDMI connectors.

TOP soundbars with 4K format

Yamaha YAS 108

Able to output 3D surround sound due to support for the DTS Virtual: X format. There is a Clear Voice option, which produces narration and dialogues at the highest level. There are several built-in subwoofers. The price is around 18,500 rubles.

Advantages:

• subwoofer;
• assistant;
• 4K and Bluetooth.

disadvantages:

• at full volume, the sound quality decreases.

JBL Bar 5.1

The soundbar is equipped with wireless speakers that can complement the cabinet panel. The sound format is 5.1, with a total power of 510 watts. The panel works with a frequency range of 35-20000 Hz. The cost is around 39,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• 4K format;
• subwoofer;
• 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output;
• audio formats PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital and DTS;
• sound shift option to switch between bluetooth sources.

disadvantages:

not convenient location of connectors;

the power cord is too short.

Sony HT X9000F

The design is made in the same style as the Sony XF90 TV. The intended purpose of the panel produces sound in 2.1 format. The output power is 300 W. The cost of the device is around 4,000 rubles, which allows many who wish to listen to quality music and watch movies to make a purchase.

Advantages:

• subwoofer;
• support for Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth;
• there are connectors for HDMI, USB, mini-jack and optical connection.

disadvantages:

• low frequencies are not very high quality;
• there is no Russian language in the menu.

Best inexpensive soundbars

If when buying a TV your budget was limited to 30,000 rubles, then you are unlikely to be ready to spend more than half of this amount on acoustics for it. However, this is enough to buy an excellent 2.1 panel, which will delight you with an excellent build and decent sound. For the TOP, we chose three excellent models with an average cost of 12,500 rubles.

Samsung HW-M360

The famous company from South Korea has released a budget soundbar model at a price of 11,000 rubles, its total power is only 200 W, which is ideal for a small apartment. The speakers weigh less than 1.5 kg and are 908x54x71 mm in size, so they are ideally installed on plasterboard walls. The subwoofer weighs much more - 4.6 kg, and its dimensions are 179x353x300 mm, low frequencies are emitted by a speaker with a diameter of 165 mm.

The soundbar is connected via Bluetooth, but in order to enjoy high quality it is better to use the optical digital input.A remote control and wall mounts are included for easy operation.

Advantages:

• modern, pretty strict design;
• receives a signal from the remote control from the TV;
• there is an automatic on / off when the optical cable is connected;
• fairly low cost;
• acceptable sound quality;
• excellent build;
• the minimum weight of the soundbar.

Disadvantages:

• no HDMI and Wi-Fi;
• two speakers and one subwoofer;
• minimum of connectors.

LG SJ3

System 2.1, total power 300 W (100 panel + 200 subwoofer), cost from 11 thousand rubles, the package includes: a sound panel weighing 2.5 kg and an active subwoofer weighing 4.2 kg. The sub is connected to the device via wireless Bluetooth technology, which allows you to place it in any place convenient for you.

The set is controlled using the remote control from the TV. The entire system is connected to the TV via an optical connector so that there is no short interruption in sound during playback. It is worth noting the fact that the panel has an adaptive sound control function, thanks to which voice transmission is improved.

Pros:

• high build quality;
• availability of adaptive sound control;
• affordable cost;
• good sound when connected via optical input;
• high power;
• excellent sounding low frequencies;
• the subwoofer is a separate device.

Minuses:

• no USB input;
• no memory card slot;
• no display.

Sony HT-CT290 / HT-CT291

This is the best soundbar for its price and user reviews in the rating among budget options, as well as the simplest soundbar model in a similar class at a price of 13,000 rubles. Acoustics 2.1: the panel is equipped with two speakers, and a good subwoofer is responsible for low frequencies. The total power is 300 watts. The connection is simple and straightforward through an optical input, controlled by a remote control.

Advantages:

• light weight and dimensions;
• two color schemes;
• ease of installation;
• USB flash drive connection is available;
• the subwoofer is wirelessly connected.

Disadvantages:

• the subwoofer does not work at low volume;
• no surround sound.

The best soundbars for price and quality

Soundbars are not the most affordable type of acoustics. Therefore, when buying them, users try to invest money as competently as possible. If you consider yourself to be such a category of buyers, then we bring to your attention 4 devices at once that can please with an impeccable balance of cost, sound, assembly and capabilities.

JBL Bar 2.1

If you don't want to think long about which soundbar to choose for your TV, then pay attention to Bar 2.1 from the popular manufacturer JBL. Great sound, 300 W power, convenient control panel and an excellent set of interfaces - all this the model of the Californian brand can offer its customers.

If you like a music player from a USB stick, then you will be pleased with the presence of a USB connector in the Bar 2.1. The panel also has Bluetooth for connecting a subwoofer. The soundbar has two strips, each consisting of a pair of 57mm woofers and one 32mm tweeter. The frequency range is standard: 40—20,000 Hz.

Pros:

• good build quality;
• takes up little space;
• there is a possibility of control from a smartphone
• rich, but not overwhelming bass;
• excellent equipment.

Minuses:

• Bluetooth is sometimes buggy;
• inconvenient location of connectors.

Samsung HW-M4500

A good and inexpensive soundbar for an apartment from Samsung attracts attention at first sight. The fact is that it has not a classic straight, but a curved shape. Yes, for wall mounting, it does not fit as well as analogues. But if you have a curved TV, then the adjacent panel of the HW-M4500 will complement it perfectly.

The soundbar has an optimal total power of 260 W and is equipped with a good subwoofer with a speaker size of 165 mm. The latter is connected to the panel via Bluetooth. In addition, among the interfaces of the device, one can note USB Type-A, HDMI (input and output), digital and line inputs. The HW-M4500 supports Dolby Digital and DTS decoders.

Pros:

• design ideal for curved TVs;
• automatic connection when the TV is turned on;
• compact dimensions (height only 48 mm);
• sound quality of speakers and subwoofer;
• the display shows all the necessary functions;
• soft bass

YAMAHA YAS-107

The highest quality model in the category is the YAS-107 from the YAMAHA brand. However, its power is only 120 W (60 - speakers, 60 - subwoofer). Because of this, the soundbar is more suitable for small spaces than large ones. Otherwise, the soundbar from the Japanese can please with perfect sound, which is provided by excellent high-frequency (2 x 25 mm) and low-frequency (2 x 55 mm) speakers.

The YAS-107 includes Bluetooth, line and optical inputs, HDMI (in / out) and a subwoofer connector. Builds highlight that the developer provides and a special application for smartphones, which further enhances the capabilities of the audio system.

Advantages:

• excellent quality;
• all frequencies are perfectly worked out;
• intuitive and simple control;
• ease of setup and management;
• the design goes well with any interior;
• HDMI ports version 2.0.

Minuses:

• modest power.

Samsung HW-M550

The perfect soundbar for the price and quality is offered by the South Korean brand Samsung. Among its distinguishing features is compliance with the 3.1 standard, which is very rare in soundbars. Thus, at a similar price, the user receives audio output not on 2, but on 3 channels.

They are complemented by an excellent subwoofer connected via a wireless Bluetooth module. The soundbar with a total power of 340 W is controlled through the complete remote control, and among its interfaces you can also distinguish a pair of HDMI (input / output) and a standard USB connector that allows audio playback from external drives.

Pros:

• ideal value;
• audio playback via USB;
• compliance with standard 3.1;
• impressive power of 340 W;
• high-quality assembly;
• compact size, light weight.

Minuses:

• minor inaccuracies in HF reproduction.

The best premium soundbars

If you need the perfect build quality, impeccable sound, as well as maximum features for which you are ready to say goodbye to a considerable amount of money, then buy a soundbar from the premium segment. There are not so many worthy representatives in this category, which is due to the insufficiently high purchasing power of users. But we still managed to find three really interesting soundbars, for which it is not a pity to give the amount requested by their manufacturers.

Focal Dimension

The best soundbar for its price in the premium category is offered by the Focal brand. The Dimension model can be found in the Russian online store at a price of 30 thousand rubles. For this amount, a soundbar from a French manufacturer is an excellent purchase for large rooms.

The total power of 5 channels of the device is 450 W. However, there is no subwoofer and you will have to spend extra on it. The powerful soundbar for the home includes 5 speakers with a diameter of 100 mm, and for connection to technology it has two HDMI interfaces for input and output, optical and line audio, as well as Bluetooth for interacting with a smartphone.

Pros:

• spatial sound;
• perfect sound;
• soundbar characteristics;
• impressive power;
• excellent build;
• convenient control.

Minuses:

• no USB port;
• no Wi-Fi;
• not the smallest sizes.

Sonos playbar

Sonos from the United States adheres to the philosophy of a smart home with modern musical devices of the 21st century and it is well deserved second place. Despite the fact that the brand is quite young, this did not prevent the manufacturer from competing on equal terms with more famous brands.

An excellent soundbar offered by an American company will cost you about 65 thousand rubles. This is the largest amount in the review, and if you do not need the parameters offered by the Playbar, you should definitely not give it away. For connoisseurs of high-quality sound and comfort, we recommend taking a closer look at this device. It is equipped with 9 speakers, divided into 3 blocks for left, right and center channels.

Each of them has a tweeter and a pair of low frequency radiators. There are tweeters in the Sonos Playbar as well, but they are placed along the edges of an expensive and high-quality soundbar. The device offers impressive possibilities, such as control via a TV remote control or a smartphone, automatic equalizer, a pair of Ethernet outputs, audio playback over the network (16 bit, 48 kHz) and work with proprietary software for Mac OS, Windows and Android. The only drawback for its price is the lack of a subwoofer included.

Pros:

• support for satellites Sonos Play;
• the presence of a wireless Wi-Fi module;
• over-the-air audio playback;
• attractive design;
• amazing sound;
• wide range of adjustments and settings;
• a pair of built-in RJ-45 ports.

Minuses:

• the subwoofer will have to be purchased separately.

YAMAHA YAS-207

When it comes to YAMAHA, users never have doubts about the quality of the products in question. This also applies to the YAS-207 model, which is produced by the legendary Japanese. Despite not being the most impressive 200W, of which 100W is a subwoofer, this is one of the best soundbars in the roundup. The device has two tweeters and four woofers with diameters of 25 and 46 mm.

Supported decoders include DTS, Dolby Digital and Dolby Logic II. The panel also has a Bluetooth wireless interface for connecting a subwoofer. The YAS-207 can be controlled either via the remote control or via the app. Among other interfaces, the soundbar can please with a pair of HDMI for input and output.

Pros:

• wireless subwoofer connection;
• perfectly reproduces the sound range when watching movies;
• a sense of volume and richness of sound;
• good interface set;
• attractive design;
• the ability to control via a smartphone.

Minuses:

• no Wi-Fi module;
• power is enough only for a small room.

Which soundbar is better to buy for a TV

If you do not expect perfect sound from the sound, or you simply do not notice a significant difference between cheap and expensive acoustics, then choose one of three inexpensive models. Solutions from South Korean brands are perfect for mass buyers.

If you have high technical requirements and are ready to spend several thousand more, you may be interested in the second category of the review of the best soundbars. The solutions from Samsung are especially interesting in it, and for a small room it is quite possible to get by with the YAS-107 from YAMAHA, the sound of which is impeccable for its price.

Among premium solutions, all rating participants deserve the attention of consumers. But if you want the best sound, then go for the Japanese brand YAMAHA. Focal Dimension offers maximum power and good elaboration of all frequencies. In any case, a modern device will give you a new and unforgettable experience while listening to music or watching blockbusters, be it an expensive device or a cheap one.