Soundbar Reviews

As flat-panel HDTVs have gotten increasingly thinner, so has their sound quality. The soundbar was born to provide a higher-quality audio experience than your HDTV delivers in a convenient all-in-one box. Most soundbars on the market are active (or powered), combining the speakers, amplification, and audio inputs (sometimes video inputs, too) into one box that sits near your TV.

Some manufacturers offer passive (non-powered) left/center/right soundbars to replace the front channels in a surround sound setup. These days, the configurations are endless: Soundbars can have two, three, five, or even seven speaker channels. Sometimes they’re packaged with separate surrounds and/or subwoofers, and sometimes they’re not.

Check out our review archive below to read about the latest entries to this popular category.


• Five Tips to Pick the Right Soundbar

  • Shockingly Close to a Real Theater: Nakamichi Shockwafe 11.2.6 Review

    Massive, room-filling sound without the usual complexity

  • Ultimea Skywave X100 Dual 9.2.6 Review: Big Bass, Big Atmos Ambitions

    The Ultimea X100 Dual isn’t a replacement for a true theater system, but its dual subwoofers deliver tight, punchy bass that gives movies real impact.

  • Hisense HT Saturn Review: The Wireless Home Theater That Almost Gets Everything Right

    Hisense delivers a simple home theater solution - does it perform?

  • The Compact Soundbar That Embarrasses Sonos—Bluesound’s Cinema Mini Review.

    If you want clarity, balance, and zero drama, the Cinema Mini is the compact soundbar to beat.

  • ZVOX AV855 Soundbar Review: I’m Done Rewinding TV Dialogue — This Soundbar Fixed My Marriage.

    This thing is built for understanding speech, not rattling your walls.

  • Creative Stage Pro Review: Solid, Punchy, and Worth Every Dollar

    It doesn’t shine in one area or fall short in another — it’s just a solid all-around performer

  • The Skywave X70: Who Knew Atmos Could Be This Easy (and This Quirky-Looking)?

    The Skywave X70 proves that convenience doesn’t have to kill immersion.

  • I Tried Sony’s EPIC New BRAVIA Theater Lineup – Here’s What I Learned

    What I like most about this lineup is how clearly defined it is. Sony gives you three choices: keep it simple, go all-in, or expand later.

  • Home Audio Is Now Fast Food—and Stereo Hifi Is Fine Dining No One Orders

    Let’s be honest. The stereo system didn’t fall. It was pushed—by changing consumer behavior, evolving tech, and a world that values simplicity.

  • Samsung HW-QS700F Review: Is This the Best Soundbar for Dolby Atmos on a Budget?

    Between its wireless sub, up-firing channels, and smart home support, Samsung’s HW-QS700F packs a lot into a very compact system. 

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