Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar — Cinematic Audio for Your Home Theater
If you are after a natural sound reproduction, you can’t pass through the best Dolby Atmos soundbar. This technology can compensate for the lack of cinematic audio experience in your home theater. It mimics an immersive three-dimensional sound that you get at a real movie theater. Some models are even able to disperse the sound in all directions providing the effect of having multiple speakers all over the room. As a result, you feel like all the sound effects in movies and games are around you. Besides, many 4K Blu-ray players, as well as the major streaming services, like Netflix or HBO, support this technology allowing you to watch content to the accompaniment of a cinematic sound.
We have tested a bunch of models and picked out some of the best ones. So, in this complete review, we will describe the results of testing 6 Dolby Atmos soundbars that will take your audio experience to a whole new level. So continue on reading and go for the model that will suit both your needs and budget.
Dolby Atmos Soundbar Reviews
Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q90R/ZA — Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar
The HW-Q90R/ZA is a 7.1.4-channel model. Apart from Dolby Atmos support, it manages DTS:X surround sound technology. The panel includes 17 inbuilt speakers, so you can be sure that this model is able to provide a multidimensional sound. Actually, the sound randomly spreads in all directions, providing true-to-life audio reproduction. According to my impressions, the unit gives out a rich and detailed sound.
The manufacturer recommends this model as the best soundbar with Dolby Atmos for QLED TV. It also comes with a pair of rear speakers and a subwoofer, so one can add even more elements for a realistic experience.
In terms of features, this model has Samsung’s exclusive Adaptive sound mode that analyzes the audio signal and automatically optimizes it (makes voices clear, etc.). The Game mode activates automatically as you start playing a game. The built-in 4K pass-through allows connecting the soundbar to the UHD 4K and HDR10 sources.
The soundbar is Alexa compatible and can be controlled by voice if you have an Alexa smart device. It also comes with a remote control. The connectivity options include 2 HDMI ports and one optical audio output.
Pros:
- You can move the bar around and the character of sound won’t change noticeably.
- It has a dedicated center channel for more pronounced dialogs.
- The model supports plug'n'play connectivity with all Samsung TVs.
Cons:
- There is no HDMI port with eARC support.
- The HW-Q90R/ZA comes with wall mount brackets, but the panel itself is very heavy and it’s hard to mount it on the wall
- There is no auto-calibration.
Samsung HW-Q70T
This Dolby Atmos soundbar combines the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies with Samsung’s 3D TruSurround Sound to provide even more cinematic audio. The model ensures a 360° soundstage with sounds that move independently around you, just like in real life.
This 3.1.2-channel soundbar accommodates 3 speakers inside. The HW-Q70T appears to be suitable for most music genres thanks to its neutral and well-balanced tone. It also can become really loud and the sound quality won’t deteriorate at high volume levels.
The Adaptive sound mode automatically improves the sound by analyzing each scene. The Game mode adapts the sound reproduction for gaming. Besides, it’s great that this model comes with a subwoofer since big amounts of bass are very important for realistic gaming.
Voice control can be added via Alexa enabled device. By downloading the SmartThings app, you will also be able to control the bar using your smartphone. You can connect the soundbar to your phone by simply touching the panel with the phone thanks to the Tap Sound technology.
The Samsung Dolby Atmos soundbar has one optical audio output and 3 HDMI ports. One of them is an HDMI eARC port that allows connecting the audio sources to the soundbar without sound quality loss. It’s also a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled model.
Pros:
- With the Q-Symphony function, you can set the soundbar to synchronize with the TV speakers so they sound in sync.
- The Acoustic Beam technology provides a panoramic sound.
- The unit comes with OneRemote that allows controlling both the soundbar and the Samsung smart TV.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have side-firing speakers.
- There is no Bluetooth multiconnection feature.
Sony HT-G700
The Sony HT-G700 is a 3.1-channel sound bar with Dolby Atmos, but it features an Audio Enhancer technology that is capable of upscaling the soundbar’s performance close to the 7.1.2-channel sound. Thus, despite the small number of channels, the sound is still volumetric and realistic. However, this feature is not automatic and must be activated manually on the remote control.
In addition to that, Sony’s unique signal processing allows for a truly natural and immersive sound. Thanks to the built-in center speaker all the voices, even whispers, are heard very clearly even at low volume levels. This Dolby Atmos soundbar also comes with a subwoofer for enhanced bass performance.
You can customize sound depending on what you are watching thanks to special inbuilt modes. The Cinema mode makes the sound deeper. The Music mode allows hearing your music in all details and with zero coloration. The Night mode makes the sound clearly hearable at low volume levels. Thus, this model can possibly be considered as the best Atmos soundbar in terms of sound customization possibilities.
The HT-G700 has an optical digital output and 2 HDMIs. One of the HDMI ports is eARC enabled so you can play lossless surround formats. It can be wirelessly connected to the TV, smartphone, tablet, speakers, and other devices via Bluetooth.
Pros:
- 3 front speakers simulate vertical audio effect providing the feeling of presence.
- The included subwoofer does a great job in delivering a room-shaking bass.
- The S-Force Pro Front Surround technology provides a room-filling sound.
Cons:
- The HDMI cable that comes in the kit is of bad quality and can’t handle Dolby Vision and eARC, so you will probably have to replace it.
- It doesn't have the upward-firing speakers like most other soundbars.
- There is a delay in sound when you switch between channels.
Sony HTZ9F
This Atmos soundbar supports DTS: X as well. The model uses 4 channels (3.1), and, thanks to Sony's Vertical Surround Engine technology, the audio panel reproduces a powerful, volumetric sound. The dedicated “Vertical S” button mixes two-channel stereo content into 7.1.2-channel audio. The soundbar is reconcilable with 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision HDR, and therefore the end-to-end video transmission to the TV will not lead to quality losses.
The Z9F is designed for a potential Sony SA-Z9R in the first place. It is equipped with Sony's proprietary Pro Front Surround technology, which updates 3D sound for greater immersion. Also, the bar supports high-definition audio playback. The panel can be hooked up directly to Wi-Fi and is compatible with Google Assistant.
The Sony Z9F is potentially the best Dolby Atmos soundbar regarding the offered specs: you'll get more than you expect from a sound panel under $1000.
Pros:
- 7 sound modes allow customizing TV viewing.
- A truly powerful wireless subwoofer is included in the kit.
Cons:
- The sound panel lacks the hardware to play sound effects, which significantly affects the quality of Atmos.
Sony HT-X9000F
The Sony HT-X9000F is one of the most affordable soundbars with Dolby Atmos that goes along with a wireless subwoofer. The sound panel was designed to fit minimalist interiors. The bevels on its edges are made in such a way that the sound panel is suitable for placement on a shelf or pedestal near the TV. There is a wireless connection available if you don’t want to spoil the general appearance with wires.
There are 5 audio modes. Each mode has its own button that needs to be chosen depending on the content: movies, music, games, news, sport.
There is a possibility for transferring audio and viewing information from a TV by hooking up the bar with the help of an HDMI-ARC cable. You can also listen to music by connecting the sound panel via the USB input or using Bluetooth.
The Sony HT-X9000F also supports Wi-Fi, so after updating the firmware, it is possible to use the multi-user audio stream, the built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant. Using the voice command, the speaker system playbacks music in the desired room or throughout your home.
Pros:
- The bar has a voice enhancement function for improved sound clarity.
- There is a special function for optimizing the front sound.
Cons:
- The subwoofer is more restrained in comparison with the sound panel.
Vizio SB36512-F6
The VIZIO SB36512-F6 is a sound system with the cheapest price in our rating. The sound panel comes along with 2 satellite speakers and a subwoofer. The satellites, however, are too small to impress with their sound. The 6-inch subwoofer is able to create a loud sound, although it only takes about 2 feet and weighs 10 pounds. The sub also needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet.
The 36-inch sound panel is definitely compact. Its dimensions are 36.00 x 2.5 x 3.19 inches, which can potentially make it the best Dolby Atmos soundbar in the budget price segment.
On the back of the soundbar, there are 2 HDMI outputs, an optical port, USB, and Ethernet ports. Several LED-indicators are situated on the front panel.
Regarding features, the bar also supports the SmartCast technology. There is always built-in Bluetooth, which is more reliable, that is, however, a bit slower than live broadcast via the built-in Chromecast.
The Vizio SB36512-F6 features all the most necessary functions for the money. In general, this is definitely a decent replacement for your TV speakers if you are looking for the cheapest Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Pros:
- The soundbar goes already tuned by default.
- The music sounds very detailed at the lower volumes.
Cons:
- The SB36512-F6 doesn’t have an LCD screen on the sound panel.
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