5 Best Soundbars for Immersive Sound Experience for Your TVs

The best TVs in the market promise some great visual experiences. Backed by their OLED and mini-LED panels, they offer striking picture quality. However, they still cannot offer top-of-the-line sound. This is where the need for powerful sound systems comes in. So if you’re looking to elevate the audio experience, these are the best soundbars you can buy right now!

Some of these are standalone solutions while others are soundbars with subwoofers that can pair with any modern-day TV. Both, however, are capable of turning simple movie nights into immersive and enjoyable home-theatre-like experiences. But before we get to the best options, consider checking these posts.

• Want to watch the latest movies at home? Get a TV that supports Dolby Vision.
• Here are our picks for the top affordable soundbars with Dolby Atmos
• Want to game in 8K? Consider grabbing an 8K TV for gaming.

1. Vizio M-Series Elevate 5.1.2

• Channel configuration: 5.1.2 – Channel
• External Subwoofer: Yes (Wireless)
• Features: Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HDMI ARC, Dolby Atmos

This is a sound system that brings up-firing channels, a subwoofer, and surround speakers backed by Dolby Atmos. This makes it a very good option for those looking to explore the world of Dolby Atmos sound without breaking the bank.

It’s a decently tuned system, with the soundbar offering balanced and good quality good audio. Thanks to its feature set, the Vizio M-Series Elevate 5.1.2 is capable of creating an immersive sound that draws the user deeper into the experience of watching movies or even playing games.

2. Sonos Arc

• Channel configuration: 5.02 – Channel
• External Subwoofer: No
• Features: Bluetooth Audio Streaming, Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support, HDMI eARC Support

The Sonos Arc is easy to use and its setup is even easier as it is handled through the Sonos S2 application. It also comes with support for Trueplay which is a tool the Arc uses to deliver sound curated for the shape and size of the room it has been placed in.

Once set up, the Sonos Arc works to create an excellent sound for both music and movies. It also offers very good audio separation, especially in movies, for a great home cinema experience. But the Sonos Arc’s performance is greatly impacted by the size of the room.

So if you plan to place it in a big living room, know that you’ll be compromising on its sound quality and surround sound abilities. Plus, the lack of a subwoofer always works against it to some extent.

3. Bose Smart Soundbar 900

• Channel configuration: 5.0.2 – Channel
• External Subwoofer: No
• Features: Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HDMI ARC, Dolby Atmos

The highlight here is the fact that it is a voice-controlled soundbar with support for Alexa and Google Assistant. Voice control is a major selling point for this device, as such it also comes with Noise-rejecting microphones.

In terms of performance, this soundbar from Bose is one of the most impressive and immersive sound systems from the company. Much of this is because the Soundbar 900 uses two custom-engineered upfiring dipole speakers. These working with Bose proprietary technologies create immersive multi-directional sound.

It offers clear audio and handles speech well. The handling of surround sound and Dolby Atmos content is also good. However, the lack of a subwoofer is an issue on this device as well. While it does perform well in general, overall it doesn’t feel worth the price, with the Sonos Arc emerging as a slightly affordable and better-performing option.

4. LG S95QR Home Theatre System

• Channel configuration: 9.1.5 – Channel
• External Subwoofer: Yes (Wireless)
• Features: Bluetooth Audio Streaming, Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support, HDMI eARC Support, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, LPCM

Paired with its surround speakers also capable of throwing sound upwards, the S95QR delivers detailed and dynamic sound to create an immersive experience. The unique hardware working with its support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced turns this into a home theatre system unlike any.

Rated to deliver a phenomenal 810W of power, the LG S95QR is capable of creating room-filling audio with a soundstage that cannot be matched by the options we’ve listed above. The S95QR also comes with support for HDMI passthrough for both variable refresh rate gaming and automatic low latency mode (ALLM).

These make it a great buy if you own a current-generation console. It’s easy to set up, and while it does not come with Alexa or Google Assistant support natively, it can be paired with a smart device to allow controlling the S95QR just by talking to it. Buy it If you’re looking for a powerful soundbar with a subwoofer and surround speakers capable of filling a large room with detailed surround sound.

5. Samsung HW-Q990C

• Channel configuration: 11.1.4 – Channel
• External Subwoofer: Yes (Wireless)
• Features: Bluetooth Audio Streaming, Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support, HDMI eARC Support, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, LPCM

While its overall performance is pretty much similar to the LG S95QR, and in many ways surpasses the rival, it also lags behind it in certain aspects. One of them is the higher price tag with the other being the presence of one less upward-firing speaker in the system.

Yet, there is no denying that the Samsung HW-Q990C delivers truly brilliant audio performance by using Dolby Atmos sound technology. Buy it if you want a system that’s as good for movies as it is for music. And yes, definitely consider it if you plan to pair it with a high-end Samsung TV.

FAQs About Soundbars

Cinema at Home!

So one thing is clear: If you really want great home-cinema experiences then a soundbar is a must-buy. And pair a system with a subwoofer and surround speakers to your TV and you’re promised an immersive experience like never before. From our list, we’d recommend getting the Sonos Arc if it is just a soundbar that you’re looking for. However, if it’s a little more that you want, then the LG S95QR or the Samsung HW-Q990C are good bets.