Here are the 8 best soundbars of 2020. Most modern TVs, especially those from the budget segment, have poor sound quality and external acoustics are needed to solve this problem. A popular option is the soundbar. The advantages of such an audio system are good sound quality and compactness, they can be placed in front of the TV or hung on the wall.
Top models are equipped with an active external subwoofer, support sound enhancement technologies, and can replace a full-fledged speaker system while remaining compact. They have advanced functionality, support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless connection to TV and so on.
Budget employees and representatives of the middle price segment have more modest functionality, less power, and are designed for small premises. According to expert reviews and data on sales dynamics, such devices are most in demand in the market of our country. That is why most of the models in the rating have a price tag of up to 20,000 rubles. I included several flagship models on purpose to determine their advantages and figure out whether it is worth overpaying.
TOP 1 - LG SL10Y
The first place in my top is occupied by the soundbar with the most demanded 5.1.2 speaker configuration. - 5 speakers, 1 wireless subwoofer and 2 Dolby Atmos speakers, 570W total. Optional 140W wireless rear speaker available. But even without it, the model provides excellent high definition audio quality up to 192 kHz / 24 bit. Supported technologies:
- 4K HDR and Dolby Vision - perfect UHD video sound.
- Meridian - Creates a wide range of sound by expanding a 2-channel signal to 3 channels without sound distortion.
- Dolby Atmos and DTS X - Immersive surround sound shaping.
All popular audio interfaces are available - digital optical audio in, 2 HDMI in / out, USB, Bluetooth, and dual band Wi-Fi. The latter is associated with the implementation of the wireless audio transmission of Chromecast - you just need to open an application that supports the technology on a compatible smartphone / tablet, and the sound is instantly transmitted to the soundbar. Due to its dimensions, the model is ideal for TVs with a diagonal of 55-65 inches, easy to use - there is a small LCD display, which displays information about the input used, volume level and sound effects. Operated using the touch buttons at the top of the panel, the remote control, or the smartphone app. The price is 65,000 rubles.
pros
- Design.
- Simple connection and setup.
- High power.
- Sound quality.
- Dolby Atmos and DTS X support.
- Smartphone control.
- Dual band Wi-Fi.
- Chromecast support.
Minuses
- Price.
- There is no analog input.
- not supported by AirPlay.
An excellent option for arranging a home theater in a large house, suitable for loud parties. The identified shortcomings are subjective. The price corresponds to the high quality, the analog input is required by a decreasing number of users, and AirPlay support is relevant only for owners of Yablochnaya equipment. Those I recommend to pay attention to the YAMAHA YSP-2700.
TOP 2 - YAMAHA YSP-2700
The second place in the rating is occupied by acoustics with the equally popular 7.1 scheme - 7 sound channels, provided by 16 working speakers and 1 subwoofer. The total power of 107 W is more than 5 times inferior to the LG SL10Y, nevertheless this is enough for use in rooms up to 100 m2. Proprietary technologies are used:
- Digital Sound Projector is a digital signal processing algorithm that adjusts speaker performance to create realistic surround sound through the action / inactivity of individual speaker groups.
- MusicCast - combining compatible audio devices into a single system by transferring sound over WiFi.
- IntelliBeam is an automatic sound calibration based on the surrounding space (room shape, area, wall decoration material, etc.).
- Compressed Music Enhancer - Restores frequencies lost during digital compression.
Compared to the LG SL10Y, it has a richer volume of connectors: RCA, optical and coaxial inputs, HDMI (3/1 input / output) with support for UHD 4K, LAN, and a subwoofer output, if the capabilities of the complete one seem to be small. Built-in wireless modules Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Like LG, SL10Y has a small LCD display and is controlled by a remote control or a smartphone. Unlike the competitor, it can be mounted on the wall, but there is no bracket in the kit. The price is 72,000 rubles.
pros
- Design - available in two colors.
- Automatic sound calibration for the environment.
- Sound quality.
- DTS and Dolby Digital support.
- A large number of interfaces.
- Convenient management.
- The ability to control from a smartphone.
- MusicCast and AirPlay.
- WiFi.
Minuses
- Price.
- High frequencies are not enough for some users.
- Few EQ settings (only bass and treble - only 2 sliders).
- There are no control buttons on the body.
- There is no wall mount bracket included.
One of the most popular products of the company, which has become a true legend. Leader in the number of interfaces. That said, considering the price, I would prefer the LG SL10Y. It is newer, more powerful, costs 7,000 rubles less, while equipped with a dual-band Wi-Fi module and is inferior to YAMAHA YSP-2700 only in terms of the number of available interfaces. Both soundbars produce high-quality sound, but objectively assessing which one is better is rather difficult due to the difference in acoustics and user preferences. And if you are the owner of an average living space, then I advise you to pay attention to cheaper models, for example, the Sony HT-S350.
TOP 3 - Sony HT-S350
In third place in the rating, the soundbar has only 2 speakers and 1 wireless subwoofer in its arsenal. Total power 320 watts. Dolby Digital and S-Force PRO proprietary surround sound technology are supported. There are several presets for sound modes and sound effects. Of the interfaces on board, only optical audio output and HDMI. There is also a USB port, but it is intended for device maintenance. Of the wireless interfaces, there is Bluetooth, it can be used to connect to a TV. Controlled by the remote control. The price is 18,000 rubles.
pros
- Brand.
- High power.
- Sound quality.
Minuses
- No HDMI cable included.
- There is no wall mount bracket included.
- Large subwoofer.
- A modest set of interfaces.
An inexpensive option for medium sized spaces. Provides surround sound with an immersive effect, it is liked by both movie fans and music lovers, 93% of Yandex market users recommend the model for purchase. The identified shortcomings are subjective. Of course, the presence of additional interfaces opens up other possibilities, and the package bundle plays an important role for many users, but in general, you can put up with it. On the other hand, there are decent models with the best set of connectors from other well-known brands. For example, if you choose Samsung HW-R550, you will not only get an additional optical audio input on board, but also save 4,000 rubles.
TOP 4 - LG SJ3
The speaker system of this soundbar is 6 speakers and a wireless subwoofer with a total power of 300 watts. With support for Dolby Digital, DTS, Adaptive Sound Control and Auto Sound Engine, you get balanced clear sound regardless of the type of content.You can control the soundbar with almost any remote control from LG, Sony, Philips, Sharp, Panasonic, Vizio, Toshiba and Samsung TVs, or with a complete remote control. You can also use an Android smartphone. You can connect third-party devices through the USB port, optical audio input and mini-Jack 3.5 mm. HDMI connector is not provided. For wireless connection, there is Bluetooth v. 4.0. Shelf or wall installation. Unlike the Sony HT-S350, the kit comes with a wall mount bracket. The price is 15,000 rubles.
pros
- Price.
- High power.
- Sound quality.
- Control from TV remotes of many famous brands.
- Smartphone control.
- DTS Dolby Digital support.
- Proprietary audio enhancement technologies.
minuses
- There is no HDMI connector.
- No equalizer.
- Some users report an excess of high frequencies.
- No cables included.
The sound settings of this model are really much more modest than those of the top three in the rating. At the same time, high power, the use of sound enhancement technologies, taking into account the price, turn the LG SJ3 into a worthy competitor. In the middle price segment, we can also highlight the Samsung HW-R550 - good sound and more interfaces.
TOP 5 - Samsung HW-R550
The five best soundbars are closed by a representative of the mid-price segment from the popular South Korean brand. Rated power 320 watts. It is divided into 4 speakers and 1 subwoofer. Optional wireless rear speakers are available. DTS and Dolby Digital are supported. It differs from the two previous models in the rating by a rather rich set of interfaces - HDMI (input / output), optical mini-Jack input (3.5 mm), USB and Bluetooth. The model is interesting for gamers - The sound optimization mode for games is automatically turned on when a game console is connected, localizing the sound in the active part of the screen. There is also content analysis and selection of sound settings for it. The price is 14,000 rubles.
pros
- Price.
- High power.
- Sound quality.
- DTS Dolby Digital support.
- Control from the TV remote control or from a smartphone.
- Game Mode.
Minuses
- Bluetooth 2.1.
- small delay in switching modes and inputs.
- Few EQ features.
90% of the recommendations of users of the Yandex market, 2/3 of which are with the highest rating. I would call this model the best in the middle price segment from those participating in the rating. LG SJ3 costs 1000 rubles more, while it suffers from a lack of interfaces, like the Sony HT-S350, for which you have to overpay 3000 rubles already. JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass is not versatile, with an emphasis on low frequencies and bass.
TOP 6 - JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass
Soundbar with 6 speakers at 300 watts, support for virtual surround sound from a manufacturer whose products are appreciated by many users for powerful bass. This model lives up to all expectations - the 100-watt wireless subwoofer delivers deep, impressive bass for any content. The required interfaces are available - 2 HDMI (input / output), USB and optical input. Of the wireless interfaces, only Bluetooth is standard for the middle price category. For clarity of the active interface, mode and volume level, there is a small display hidden behind the main grill. The price is 16,000 rubles.
pros
- Price.
- High power.
- Great bass and bass.
- Dolby Digital support.
- Convenient remote control.
Minuses
- Few mids.
- Few sound settings.
- Cannot be controlled from a smartphone.
The model is great for watching movies. But with music, everything is not so simple, the sound is not balanced - the priority is given to bass, which is good for listening to club and dance music and destructive for other musical styles. Music fans are advised to take a closer look at the Samsung HW-R550 or LG SJ3. The Sony HT-S350 can be a good alternative, but its problem is the lack of popular connectors, and it costs more.
TOP 7 - JBL Bar Studio
Another soundbar from JBL only from the budget segment. Equipped with 2 HF and 2 LF speakers, with a total power of 30 W. Reproducible frequency range from 60 to 20,000 Hz. At the same time, the bass, traditionally for the manufacturer, is good. Unlike Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar has an HDMI connector. There is also a USB port, optical input and mini-Jack (3.5 mm).Bluetooth is supported. The JBL Bar Studio wins over the competitor in terms of ease of use. You can control the functions using the buttons on the case, the remote control included, and you can also adjust the volume using the TV remote control. True, the 4 LEDs on the left side, identifying the active mode, are not very informative, you need to get used to the control. Price 8,500 rubles.
pros
- Price.
- Compactness.
- Remote control.
- There are all modern connectors.
- Good bass.
Minuses
- Sound drops out in some operating modes and in quiet scenes.
- Not entirely clear indication of modes.
- The sound quality depends on the connector used.
- Some users lack midrange.
- No custom equalizer.
A soundbar that is compact and has pretty good bass. Suitable for a small room, great for a kitchen. At the same time, to date, judging by numerous user reviews, the problem of sound loss in quiet scenes remains. I hope that the manufacturer will resolve this issue by updating the firmware. In terms of functionality in the budget segment, finding something better is unlikely to work. The same Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar, discussed above, has a more balanced sound, but loses out in bass, and still does not have an HDMI connector and a remote control (even optional). Therefore, I think JBL Bar Studio is a decent budget option, even with existing flaws.
TOP 8 - Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar
The rating is closed by a government employee from a Chinese manufacturer without an external subwoofer. Unlike all competitors, it is made in white, and the front part is covered with fabric material. Under the hood there are 4 tweeters and 4 passive low-frequency radiators, which is generally enough to demonstrate good surround sound in the range from 50 to 25000 Hz. Power - 28 W. Control - buttons on the top of the case. With their help, you can select the input source (the active one is highlighted by the LED) and adjust the volume. An alternative is a smartphone app. The connectors include mini-Jack (3.5 mm), RCA, optical, coaxial inputs. There is also Bluetooth v 4.2. The absence of HDMI and USB is the norm for budget models, if you need these connectors vital, you will have to pay several times more. Price 5,000 rubles
Pros:
- Price.
- Design.
- Balanced sound.
- Smartphone control.
Minuses:
- White is easily soiled.
- No USB.
- No HDMI.
- Sound quality is highly dependent on the connector used.
- No remote control.
Not a bad budget option for improving the standard TV acoustics in a small room. Especially the theme will be for rooms with light interior design, suitable for owners of white TVs. You should not expect a miracle from this inexpensive soundbar, but the minimum functionality, all the relevant connectors and balanced sound are still there. At a cost of 5,000 rubles, Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar is one of the best budget employees on the market. For those who expect powerful bass and surround realistic sound from the soundbar, choose models with acoustics scheme 2.1 and higher. Their price tag is several times higher. From acceptable price solutions, you can consider Samsung HW-R550 or LG SJ3. For large rooms, premium models such as the LG SL10Y are suitable.
