Every year, products such as a soundbar or soundbar are becoming more and more popular. This is due to their compact size, ease of installation, connection and use. If the location of the speakers when placed in a home theater room should be measured, then the soundbar is hung just above the TV.
Therefore, the soundbar is a self-contained product that can completely replace the home theater kit. Today, a huge number of such products are presented on the market, and it can be quite modest in terms of functionality and cost, or it can be elite and cost several hundred thousand rubles. If you have not dealt with such devices before, then this article is primarily for you. Here we will tell you in detail about how to choose this equipment, what to pay attention to, and also analyze the most popular models among users in several price categories.
Summary of the rating:
How to choose a soundbar?
First of all, you should consider the size of the room where you plan to place such products. The fact is that soundbars significantly differ from each other in overall dimensions, shape, installation methods. There are products for placement on the nightstand or on the floor in front of the TV. It is not necessary to acquire a design that will be identical to the width of the screen.
It is necessary to pay attention to the configuration of the model. Soundbars are produced in three main versions - all elements are located in one case, there are products with external speakers and a central subwoofer designed to amplify low frequencies, you can find a product with wireless rear speakers on sale. A separate subwoofer in most cases has a positive effect on sound quality. With the arrangement of all the elements in one housing, it is possible to achieve virtual multichannel sound of quite acceptable quality, however this parameter directly depends on the manufacturer.
The number of sound channels is also very important. The simplest, respectively, the cheapest, are two-channel models. Three, five and above channels will sound more voluminous both when watching movies and when listening to music. Be sure to pay attention to the power of sound. However, one should be careful here, since the manufacturer usually indicates the total power of all columns, and the deviation from the declared parameter can reach about 10%. In this regard, it is better to ask what is the power of each individual column.
Depending on the cost of the soundbar, the sound quality will seriously differ. In relation to these products, the rule is true - the more expensive, the better. For example, products belonging to the premium class provide excellent rendering of all frequencies, surround sound and so on. The cheapest ones can only slightly improve the sound of the acoustics of the TV itself, and in terms of the final quality they cannot even reach two relatively budget speakers. In this regard, you should not save on this purchase.
When choosing models to include in our rating of the best soundbars of 2019, we took into account all these points, and also relied heavily on user reviews and value for money. If possible, we tried to include models that were acceptable in terms of cost and final sound in our review, so that they were affordable for most of our readers. Now let's start the analysis of the best models that can only be found on the Russian market.
Budget area
5. JBL Bar Studio
Our review opens with the most budget model, which has a total speaker power of 30 watts. In general, the product capabilities will be quite enough to significantly increase the potential of the television in the room, the total area of which is about 15-20 square meters. m. This is a two-channel product, it will not be possible to get glass vibration from the bass from it, but still the sound will turn out to be much more saturated regardless of which source it is planned to connect the model to - a TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet. The interface is quite wide: you can use the USB, HDMI, stereo input connectors to connect the equipment, even a Bluetooth module is provided. If in previous similar models users complained that the picture was behind the sound, then in this device the manufacturer was able to get rid of such a defect.
As the owners of such equipment themselves say, this soundbar will be the best option for a small room. The only thing they recommend is not to save on cables for connecting, since the sound purity will directly depend on their bandwidth. The model itself is very compact: the case is thin, the assembly is reliable, in general, the external design is quite stylish. At the same time, you can control the soundbar using the TV remote control.
Benefits:
- Not the worst sound quality;
- Compact overall dimensions;
- Quite wide possibilities of the interface, including a wireless connection;
- Beautiful appearance, reliable assembly.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for large rooms.
4. Samsung HW-M360
In wide sale, this model appeared about two years ago, however, it still remains very popular among users. The total power of the speakers included in this equipment is 200 watts, which allows you to use the products in a rather large room. In addition, it is equipped with a bass reflex enclosure, greatly enhancing the sound of the middle and high frequency range. There is a two-channel configuration 2.1, the low-frequency wave emitter is installed separately, so that even a relatively flat and quiet sound is saturated with all kinds of variations. The subwoofer is wireless, the low frequencies in it sound pretty soft, not sharp: this may not be enough to listen to music in the rock genre, however, it will be almost perfect to watch movies or classical works.
Users recommend placing the subwoofer within 7-10 meters of the main unit. The device has a small-sized liquid crystal display, which will provide information on the volume and output through which the signal is received. The remote control has an ergonomic shape, very convenient to use. The soundbar turns on automatically when you turn on the TV to which it is connected. In total, the interface includes four outputs - AUX, USB, OTG, coaxial cable (supplied with the device). In addition, there is a Bluetooth channel, the sound through which will not differ at all from the wired one, there is also a wall mount, so the model will occupy the minimum amount of free space in the room.
Benefits:
- Very clear sound;
- You can connect the phone;
- You can control via the TV remote;
- The presence of a display.
Disadvantages:
- Perfect for a 40-inch TV. For larger products is rather weak.
3. Sony HT-SF150
On the third place of budget soundbars is a two-channel product from a well-known manufacturer of household appliances. The design has a fairly powerful speaker, which, among other things, is equipped with a bass reflex. This allows the user to enjoy the fully enhanced sound of movies and favorite television programs. The equipment is placed in a plastic case, which is additionally reinforced with stiffeners. It is quite thin, so the unit will easily fit into any interior. It is connected to the TV using a standard HDMI ARC cable, the soundbar is controlled through the remote control of the TV itself. The sound is deep and very clear, the original latest S-Force Front Surround system is responsible for its quality.
The total output power of the speakers is as much as 120 watts - for budget devices this is more than a worthy indicator. There are four speakers in total, each of them has a power of 30 W - two are designed to reproduce high frequencies, two more - for low ones. The equipment is 90 cm long with a weight of 3.5 kg. A subwoofer is not provided here, therefore, the optimal model will be heard in a room of small sizes, where it will not be possible to install a more powerful system. The design is minimalistic, but it affected the build quality only for the better. The interface includes everything you need, a Bluetooth channel is also provided.
Benefits:
- Decent volume
- Discreet but stylish design;
- Good build quality
- If necessary, you can fine-tune the equalizer;
- There is everything you need for comfortable work.
Disadvantages:
- The lack of a subwoofer affects the quality of bass reproduction.
2. Polk Audio Signa Solo
One of the most technological models in its price category. It was developed by American engineers, and produced by Chinese specialists. The assembly is high-quality, the appearance is stylish and original. This product is unique - a huge number of original features are hidden in the case, so the sound is full even without the use of an additional subwoofer. The volume of all frequencies and the expanded low-frequency range are provided by a special patented SDA processor, Voice Adjust technology is also provided, with which you can easily adjust speech and make it more clear and natural. For high-quality listening to various materials, there are three equalizer modes - “movie”, “game” and “music”.
The user can change not only the volume of the overall sound, but also the intensity of the bass line. You can use both the remote control from the soundbar itself, and use the television. You can configure the equipment in a few seconds - just connect it to the TV and turn it on. The set of interfaces here is standard, no different from other models in this price segment.
Benefits:
- Reasonable cost for such original products;
- The sound power is quite sufficient for a room with an area of about 20 square meters;
- High peak volume;
- When connected via Bluetooth, the sound remains clean;
- Original bass line without using a subwoofer;
- Easy setup.
Disadvantages:
- Overall dimensions are a bit big.
1. LG SJ3
This soundbar is a flat and fairly elongated module with a slight height. The front surfaces where the speaker grilles go are covered with metal grids. Through the openings of the grids, you can see the liquid-crystal alphanumeric display with white-blue backlight. All the displayed information is visible very well, the model is mounted on rubberized legs, which allows to prevent losses at low frequencies with loud sound, and also does not allow the device to slip. All other elements of the device are made of high quality plastic.The assembly is tough, the elements are reliably adjusted to each other, but the equipment does not withstand physical influences too well. All interfaces are located on the back side - two HDMI, one input and one output, USB Type A port, however it is not used for flash drives or hard drives, but for device maintenance.
The device can be controlled manually, without involving a control panel. To do this, there are a number of buttons located on the back of the device. All connectors are placed in a niche, so when installed on the wall, the wires should not interfere with the tight fit of the device. In total there are 4 channel speakers and one subwoofer, moreover, it is phase-inverted. The total power of the speakers is 100 watts, and the subwoofer is 200 watts. The bass line feels very good.
Benefits:
- There are no extra wires;
- Reasonable cost;
- High sound power;
- Good workmanship;
- Looks harmoniously in any interior;
- Does not need a lot of free space.
Disadvantages:
- Not found.
The average price range
3. Samsung HW-M550
It looks quite strictly and stylishly, there are no jewelry and design solutions on the case, but they do not need such a product. The case itself is made of high-quality metal with a matte finish, on which various kinds of pollution, fingerprints, dust and so on will not be noticeable. It has high strength, on the front side there is a metal grill. On the right side there is an LED display where information about the active connector will be displayed. On the bottom side there are screw points that allow you to attach the model to the wall - so it will not occupy free space in the room at all.
Users note the high rated power of the equipment - in total, it is 340 watts, and the speaker system is represented by three speakers and a bass reflex subwoofer. The center speaker is specially designed to ensure high dialogue clarity. Largely due to it, the soundbar produces a very balanced sound anywhere in the room. The subwoofer is wireless here, so you can install it anywhere without paying attention to the wires. He is powerful, therefore, listening to rock music through this equipment is a pleasure. This device uses the Surround Sound Expansion function, thanks to which the hearing area from all sides from the TV is very wide. The soundbar can be controlled even through a tablet or smartphone - for this you will have to download the special Samsung Audio Remote App, and it works on all major platforms, which include Android and iOS.
Benefits:
- Original appearance;
- The metal opaque case of the increased durability;
- Easily connects to TVs of all brands;
- There is no background or other extraneous sounds here.
Disadvantages:
- Despite the powerful subwoofer, the bass line will have to be further tuned.
2. Canton DM 55
Instantly subdued even the most sophisticated users with a rich and rich sound with perfectly balanced high and low frequencies. All effects are evenly distributed over the space of the room. Even the smallest of them are drawn very distinctly, and they do not drown out the sounds in the foreground. The bass line is deep (much more pronounced compared to what was expected to be heard), but it does not overlap other frequency ranges. The voices are also transmitted quite clearly - all the shades and textures of each person are heard as naturally as possible, as if the dialogue takes place directly in the room.
Unfortunately, this product does not have connectors for connecting HDMI cables - there are only optical and coaxial inputs, a Bluetooth module is present. The functional part of the soundbar is on top. The LED display is quite informative. The control panel is convenient, quite large, almost no different from the traditional television.The optical input works just fine, the channel is very wide, so there are no problems with signal transmission. The quality of construction is very high. The top panel is made of durable tempered glass, which looks pretty impressive. Anti-slip legs are made of metal with thin rubber overlays, which also adds style to the soundbar.
Benefits:
- Very powerful and extremely detailed sound;
- Stylish appearance;
- Wide functionality;
- Balanced frequency range.
Disadvantages:
- No connector provided
1. YAMAHA MusicCast BAR 400
This device belongs to the latest generation of soundbars, which began to appear on sale only at the very end of last year. It includes a main unit and a wireless active subwoofer. Like many other companies involved in the production of similar products, this company prefers a minimalist design of the device: in front you can find a curved metal grill, the upper part is finished with metal with a matte finish. The color is black, the form factor is low, respectively, the device will not be evident. About the display, you can say about the same thing - it is an ordinary set of simple LED indicators. Each speaker has a power of 50 watts, there are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules.
The design style of the subwoofer is about the same as that of the main unit. A 6.5-inch speaker is installed here, a 100-watt amplifier is provided. There are several touch-type controls on the main panel. They manage such a soundbar in different ways: using the native control panel, the remote control from the TV, as well as a special remote application, which is not only fully translated into Russian, but also has a fairly wide range of various subtle settings. The interface is slightly different from the standard: in particular, there is an auxiliary 3.5 mm jack, which allows you to additionally connect speakers or an audio system here. The soundbar supports all known audio formats, so through the Bluetooth channel you can play absolutely any music, from .mp3 to .flac.
Benefits:
- Nice and fairly neat appearance;
- Convenient and fully Russified mobile application;
- It is possible to additionally connect speakers;
- Works with all known sound formats;
- You can set up Internet radio, use virtual music services.
Disadvantages:
- Not too convenient control panel.
Premium soundbars
2. Sonos Playbar
Original products, which are equipped with nine speakers at once, six of which are designed for medium frequencies, three more - for high. Two of them are located on the sides of the device in order to maximize the effect of surround sound. In addition, each of the speakers is equipped with its own Class D amplifier. The body is metal with beautiful plastic inserts. The interface here is minimal, which is typical for the acoustic products of this company - two inputs for Ethernet and one optical input, there is also a socket for connecting a power cable. Ethernet connectors are designed to connect to the Internet and work with Smart TV systems, and through optics it connects to a TV. At the same time, this device can not be connected to the TV at all, then you get a full-fledged and very compact music center.
Reception of a signal from the TV and its distribution over the channels takes place automatically. The soundbar is able to reproduce a very wide sound stage alone. Like most modern devices, there is a special Sonos Controller application, which is supported by the operating systems Windows, OS X, iOS and Android. You can control this model through a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Benefits:
- Very reliable and high-quality system, providing excellent sounding to a new level;
- Easy to install and configure;
- If you wish, you can even hang on the stage;
- Managed in different ways.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive.
1. Sony HT-ZF9
The panel body is partially matte, partially glossy, equipped with a special magnetizable grille, without it the soundbar will not look so beautiful. The design has compact overall dimensions. A complex system of automatic calibration is not provided here, however, the distance to the listening position can be set here in manual mode. The device, if desired, can be upgraded by additionally purchasing a pair of wireless rear speakers. With their help, you can create a 5.1 system, and sound processing is performed using the ZF9 function.
The quality of the incoming sound is automatically recognized: if it is a stream of the DTS: X or Dolby Atmos type, then the Vertical Surround Engine will be activated automatically. The audio menu has a special feature called Dolby Speaker Virtualiser, which will work with a vertical sound engine. The action of the latter is aimed at expanding the format of the soundstage, and this is felt in width and height. To achieve the best performance of the device, sound specialists recommend placing it at ear level. A subwoofer provides clean and melodic low notes. On the back there are two HDMI sockets, a jack for connecting additional speakers or headphones, a USB connector. Of the wireless modules present Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Benefits:
- Sound quality is much higher than in public cinemas;
- A decent volume margin allows you to set the soundbar even in fairly large rooms;
- Compact dimensions;
- Two-level voice amplification mode;
- Wireless subwoofer
- Stable modules for wireless connection of devices and Internet access;
- The included HDMI cable is the fastest to date.
Disadvantages:
- Except for the high cost was not found.
Finally, a useful video
Our review of the best soundbars is over. Before saying goodbye to readers, I would like to express the hope that after studying the rating you were able to choose the best products for your needs. If nevertheless some doubts or questions remain - feel free to share them and ask them in the comments to the article. As soon as possible, we will try to find all the necessary information and provide it to you in the most accessible form.
(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
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