The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 is a diminutive yet powerful 2.0 channel soundbar that sets out to take your viewing experiences to the next level. With a list price of $199 / £179.95 / AU$359.95, it’s certainly on the affordable side for Bose – but there are a lot of budget soundbar competitors doing their thing for even less. So, is the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 hot enough to compete in a fiery market?
Well, before we jump to any conclusions, let’s talk about setup. Getting the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 hooked up to your TV is easy enough. It comes with a digital optical cable and an AC adapter that you can plug in for instant access to Bose soundbar goodness. Alternatively, you can use coaxial or AUX connections, but as is often the case, the cables for this aren’t included in the box.
But although setup is straightforward, you’ve probably picked up on a standout omission. That’s right: there’s no HDMI here. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand this isn’t the newest model on the market – specifically, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 was released in 2021. But still, by then, I’d expect a soundbar at this price point to have HDMI ARC as a connectivity option. It’s an absolute must to qualify as one of the best cheap soundbars.
(Image credit: Future)
The lack of HDMI means you won’t be able to adjust the soundbar’s volume with your usual TV remote – instead you’ll have to use the included separate remote. I also typically find digital optical cables to be more fiddly and awkward than larger, easier-to-handle HDMI cables. One final note on HDMI: without it, you’re going to be locked out of fancy audio features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – something that doesn’t always work out with small, cheap soundbars – but that’s worth noting if you’re expecting truly immersive three-dimensional audio.
So, look, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 and I didn’t get off on the best foot. But I wasn’t going to write it off without a good listen and test session first. And I’m glad to report that the sound quality on offer is a major redeeming factor. I tried watching the movie Smile on Netflix and found that the dialogue was clear and natural-sounding when two women conversed in an isolated room.
At one point during this exchange, tensions flare as one woman falls to the floor – and imposing bass ripples through the scene. I felt that the low-end power on offer was substantial for a small soundbar like this. It grabbed me instantly and filled our medium-sized TV testing room effectively. Some of the lowest notes sounded a touch thin, however.
(Image credit: Future)
I threw on The Matrix and during the famous rooftop showdown scene, deeper bass didn’t have that rumble you’d get from more premium models, especially those with a standalone subwoofer. But given a lot of cheap, standalone soundbars struggle with bass, this can be forgiven – low-end output remains steady. I would say, however, that there was pretty limited width to the soundstage, perhaps accentuated by this soundbar’s small size. So when watching epic movies such as this, don’t expect that room-filling, immersive surround sound that more talented standalone soundbars, like the Sony HT-S2000 can imitate pretty effectively.
It’s also worth noting that you can raise (or lower) bass levels to your liking using the Solo Soundbar 2’s remote. That’s something that even some fantastic budget rivals, like the Sony HT-SF150, skip on. And although this model will still struggle to hit those super-low depth notes, the bass controls still work nicely and provide some much-needed weight to blockbuster movie soundtracks and gaming scores.
(Image credit: Future)
Enough about bass, though. I’d like to loop back around to dialogue. This is generally quite crisp, but you can improve things further by activating Dialogue Mode. The most noticeable effect here is that volume is given a substantial boost. But I tried watching a scene in Smile where four characters were chatting in a busy outdoor seating area and the difference was considerable. With Dialogue Mode on, the characters of interest had their speech lifted a layer above, relegating background chatter to… well, the background. When listening to the Kermode & Mayo’s Take podcast in Dialogue Mode, I certainly felt satisfied with the crispness and forwardness of the hosts’ vocals.
So, if you’re fed up of turning subtitles on to understand what’s being said in your favorite movies or TV shows, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 will certainly supply a way out of that life. Even some of the best small TVs, for example, tend to have limited audio capabilities, so if you own one of those, the mini, solid-sounding Solo Soundbar 2 could be right for you. Especially if you’ve used up all of your HDMI ports.
Sound rarely gets harsh or abrasive, even at higher volumes. And this thing can get pretty loud, thanks to its maximum power output of 100W. Not bad for a small lil’ fella. The only time I felt sound quality took a significant dive was when I played some music over Bluetooth. For instance, I blasted Electric Tooth Brush by Toronto and was met with an almost ‘boxed-in’ sound and bass didn’t have the thump I’d usually look for. Similarly when tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the soundbar lacked the dynamism required to faithfully replicate the track – especially as the bouncing bass running throughout the track sounded a touch flat.
(Image credit: Future)
Having said that, music didn’t sound tinny or horrible and vocals in Black Eye were certainly clear enough. I just wouldn’t recommend using this as your main way to stream music at home, especially when there are some excellent options to pick from in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.
Something I did like about the Solo Soundbar 2, though, is its design. It’s a fairly attractive mini bar with a classy black speaker grille and famous Bose logo imprinted front and centre. OK, it’s a little plasticky – but that’s to be expected at this price point. And the included remote is pleasingly slim and sleek, which adds a few more style points anyway. Of course, the soundbar's compact size can limit the expansiveness of audio, but in terms of practicality, it doesn’t get a whole lot better.
All in all, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 is a decent, small-sized option if you’re looking to upgrade your TV’s underwhelming audio. It sounds surprisingly powerful and looks pretty sweet too. And if you’re all out of HDMI slots, then it might be worth a look.
But in my view, it’s not the best value for money option, let alone the best quality one in its class. You can get the Hisense HS214 – a cheaper, more modern, HDMI-ready mini bar if you’re short on space. You could even grab the Panasonic SC-HTB100 if you want clear audio with a bit more width. And both of these alternatives are considerably cheaper than the Solo Soundbar 2, so make sure to weigh up your options before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Speaking of options, you can check out our list of the best soundbars if you want a best-in-class soundbar for truly cinematic sound.
(Image credit: Future)
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: Price and release date
$199 / £179.95 / AU$359.95
Launched in 2021
The Bose Solo Soundbar 2 (sometimes stylised ‘Bose Solo Soundbar Series II’) released in 2021 with a list price of $199 / £179.95 / AU$359.95. Now, a few years later, you can often find it at a discounted price. For instance, I spotted this model for less than £150 directly through the Bose UK website, so keep your eyes peeled for a tasty price drop.
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Bose Solo Soundbar 2?
Buy it if...
You want to add some power to your TV setup It didn’t always hit the lowest notes and audio wasn’t pitch perfect all of the time, but it’s hard to deny this Bose soundbar’s power. Considering its short length and slim build, it plates up a solid 100W maximum power output with impressive bass levels and general loudness.
You’re a little short on space If you’re a little limited in terms of room, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 will likely be a fantastic fit. It’s pretty slim and not long at all, meaning it should seamlessly slot into your TV unit.
Don't buy it if...
You want premium sound quality Considering its miniature size and low price, you’ll likely not be expecting audiophile-grade audio from the Bose Solo Soundbar 2. And you’d be correct to expect that. It doesn’t sound bad at all, but if you’re looking for detailed, rich, expertly controlled sound, you’ll be better served by an option like the Sony HT-S2000.
You’re on the search for surround sound If you want true surround sound, the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 isn’t going to be the answer. It’s a basic 2.0 channel soundbar with no surround or virtual surround capabilities. If you want truly immersive, three-dimensional sound, I’d recommend checking out our guide to the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: Also consider
Sony HT-SF150 I loved my time with the Sony HT-SF150. It’s a premium-looking standalone soundbar with surprisingly good virtual surround sound technology. There’s nothing like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X compatibility here, but audio is decently expansive, dialogue is clear and there are loads of ways to connect. That includes HDMI ARC, by the way. Read our full Sony HT-SF150 review.
Hisense HS214 The Hisense HS214 is pretty similar to this bar from Bose. It’s a small, slim soundbar that musters up an impressive amount of power and keeps dialogue nice and clean. Its built-in surround mode is poor, but there’s a built-in subwoofer to offer a leg up to low-end sound. Again, this one has HDMI ARC connectivity among a number of other options, so it's a bit better equipped for the modern era. Read our full Hisense HS214 review.
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review: How I tested
Tested across one week
Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Connected up using the soundbar’s digital optical port
I spent hours testing the Bose Solo Soundbar 2 at our TV testing space at Future Labs. During this time, I used the digital optical connectivity option and hooked the Solo Soundbar 2 up to the excellent Panasonic MZ1500 TV.
For my tests, I viewed a variety of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the soundbar to assess audio quality over Bluetooth. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist as well as my own personal library to judge the capabilities of the soundbar’s Bluetooth mode.
The Bose Smart Soundbar is a great way to elevate your TV experience in the bedroom or other small room. It’s not up to the task of a home theater setup, especially without a subwoofer, but that’s not its purpose. if you’re looking to bring Dolby Atmos sound to a smaller setup, it’s one of the best soundbars you can buy.
The Bose Smart Soundbar’s lack of low-end will frustrate action and superhero movie fans and its narrow soundstage keeps it from truly elevating the audio experience, especially when listening to music. However, it still is one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, with two upward-firing speakers that provide a sense of space and immersion that somewhat offsets that narrow soundstage. In a smaller setup, it almost completely masks it.
Just as important, this soundbar is stacked with features. There’s an A.I. dialogue mode, Alexa and Chromecast support, plus a whole lot more. My favorite feature lets you use specific Bose earbuds as the rear speakers in a surround sound setup for a unique experience. Unfortunately, those are sold separately. And, of course, the Smart Soundbar has the typical Bose markup, so this is not necessarily a great deal, though I wouldn’t call it overpriced either.
If you’re looking to upgrade your TV experience in a smaller space like a bedroom or small apartment, the Bose Smart Soundbar is an ideal option, especially with all the features on hand. Just be willing to shell out some extra cash and be aware of its shortcomings.
The Bose Smart Soundbar comes with everything you need to quickly get up and running (earbuds cost extra) (Image credit: Future)
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Price & release date
Price: $499.00 / £499.95 / AU$799.95
First available: September 2024
Available in the US, UK, and Australia
Having been released in September of 2024, the Bose Smart Soundbar is the newest addition to the company’s soundbar lineup. And at $499.00 / £499.95 / AU$799.95, its price tag is about what one would expect from Bose since you’re paying a little bit for the name. You might get more in terms of features or even a subwoofer and surround speakers for that price if you go with models from other companies, but you might be trading off some quality for those extras.
We reported around the time of release that the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can work as rear speakers for this soundbar. And while that is certifiably a very appreciated feature, you won’t get a pair for free when purchasing the soundbar but will have to pay an extra $299 / £299 / AU$449.95 for the earbuds.
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are available in the US, UK, and Australia.
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Specs
Power and mic control buttons are located on the soundbar's top surface (Image credit: Future)
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Features
Personal Surround Sound (requires optional Bose earbuds)
App is easy to navigate and use
Wi-Fi and Voice assistant support
My favorite feature of the feature-filled Bose Smart Soundbar is Personal Surround Sound, which uses Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers so you can get an actual surround sound experience without needing to use rear speakers. Plus, you can adjust how subtle or strong the effect is in the app as well as boost different settings like center channel level for those with issues hearing dialogue. This feature requires you to purchase Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, however, and they’re not exactly cheap.
I particularly liked this feature for gaming. I used Personal Surround Sound while playing Star Wars: Jedi Survivor and found it created a fairly integrated soundscape for the main character to run around in – half the time I couldn’t tell if what I was hearing was coming from the soundbar or the earbuds.
In a way, Personal Surround Sound is even better than a traditional surround sound system since you don’t have to be locked into a specific seat to hear all the audio elements in the soundtrack at the proper distance. On the other hand, this feature only works for anyone wearing the earbuds – not exactly great for group viewing.
The app, which is easy to navigate and use, has plenty of other features on tap. Of course, there are some basic EQ settings. While there’s no parametric EQ, you can adjust the treble, bass, center channel, and height effect, aka spatial audio. You can even toggle on a Wall EQ setting to adjust for when the soundbar is installed against a wall.
Speaking of spatial audio, this soundbar does support Dolby Atmos, and physically reproduces it via those upward-firing speakers. Some soundbars support Dolby Atmos but don’t have any upward-firing speakers, instead using virtual trickery to give a sense of spaciousness. The difference is noticeable.
Bose TrueSpace also takes advantage of those upward-firing speakers, upscaling sound so that you’re getting a spatial audio experience even when the source isn’t Dolby Atmos encoded. (It’s like listening to mono audio on a stereo set of speakers.) As far as I could hear, it’s the same audio going upwards as out whereas Dolby Atmos audio has specific elements that are designated height effects.
If you’re hard of hearing or just find the modern mixes of movies to be hard to understand, the AI dialogue mode might be the feature for you. It’s supposed to automatically adjust dialogue for clarity’s sake. When testing – I watched the beginning of The Dark Knight for this feature – I found that dialogue was clearer since there was a subtle boost to the midrange where voices typically sit. It wasn’t obnoxious the way some dialog boosting modes are, but it still boosted sounds that sit in a similar frequency range that weren’t voices. It’s not perfectly executed, but still is done well.
Lastly, the Bose Smart Soundbar has Alexa support as well as both Chromecast built-in and AirPlay. With Alexa, you can talk to the soundbar the way you would an Amazon Echo, even asking what the weather is or setting a timer. I did find that I had to articulate the wake word a little more for the soundbar to hear me, but that’s not all that big of a deal.
During testing, I found the built-in Chromecast and AirPlay to work seamlessly, which is something I always worry about as in the past I’ve had connectivity issues with Wi-Fi streaming on some devices.
Features score: 4.5 / 5
The Bose Smart soundbar features two upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos height effects (Image credit: Future)
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Performance
Light on bass
Balanced mids and crisp highs
Somewhat narrow soundstage
The Bose Smart Soundbar sounds about as good as a soundbar can. You have to remember that these types of audio devices exist mostly for convenience’s sake.
With that in mind, let’s discuss its audio limitations. First up is the bass. While I could turn up the bass level in the app, the low-range boost affects the mid-range frequencies. Since there are just some bass ports on the back and no actual subwoofer-specific drivers, not to mention that the drivers are necessarily compact, the lack of a strong bass response is unsurprising.
There was no rumble on hand when I tested it with The Batman, The Dark Knight, and Deadpool & Wolverine (400 Blows doesn’t lend itself to testing soundbars). Whenever there are big fights in these kinds of movies, there’s always a lot of very punchy low-end information. But here, all that information is very muted if not gone. At least, there’s a subwoofer output to correct that by adding an external subwoofer, and Bose also offers wireless subs (and surround speakers) that can be paired with the Smart Soundbar.
The other parts of the frequency range fare better. The mid-range is not quite rich and full, but it is well-balanced. I generally didn’t need the A.I. dialogue mode, for instance, as the dialogue was consistently intelligible. It also helped that I could boost the center channel level in the app to help with that.
The high-end is nice and crisp on the Smart Soundbar. Whether it was the string arrangement in movie scores or even dialogue when I tested it, everything had a nice clarity as opposed to being overly pronounced or even painful to listen to.
This soundbar's soundstage is inherently limited by its form factor. That said, the sound did feel like it has more width than other similarly sized soundbars I’ve tested and used. This was helped quite a bit by the spatial audio capabilities, as everything sounded a little bigger and wider, even though I didn’t hear as much left-to-right movement as I expected.
Performance score: 4 / 5
The Bose Smart Soundbar's main connections are HDMI eARC and optical digital audio, along with a line output for a subwoofer (Image credit: Future)
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Design
Upward-firing speakers
On-unit controls just for voice assistant
No alphanumeric LED display
Bose is not breaking the mold design-wise with the look or color of the Bose Smart Soundbar. This is a long rectangular, matte black soundbar with a grill that covers the front and wraps around the side to cover the center tweeter and the racetrack transducers on each end. There’s a grill on the top of the unit as well where the two upward-firing transducers are.
Speaking of all those speakers, despite it being technically a 3.0.2 system (the left, right and center speakers along with the two upward-firing ones), the audio decodes at 5.1.4. There are some ports on the back to help with bass but there aren’t any drivers dedicated to the low end.
The on-unit controls are fairly limited as just two buttons are sitting on top of the left side for voice assistant support. There’s a microphone button to turn the internal mic on or off and an Alexa action button to interact with Alexa in a few different ways including stopping the feature.
Most of the physical controls are available through the remote. You have the usual ones like power, mute, and volume controls as well as three source buttons (TV, Bluetooth, App) and a play/pause button. Nothing too crazy. The remote itself is fairly small and light, which is nice, though its small size makes it the kind of remote that’s very easy to lose.
As far as ports go, it has the necessary optical and HDMI ports as well as a subwoofer out, an IR port, and a USB
There’s no front panel alphanumeric LED display – something I always wish I had when it’s missing – just an LED light when the soundbar turns on or is listening when listening to a voice assistant command. While I did miss it, I didn’t miss it all that much.
Design score: 4 / 5
The Smart Soundbar's control app gives you access to a wide range of EQ settings (Image credit: Future)
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Setup & usability
HDMI eARC connection to TV
Easy, app-based setup
One-remote use with Roku TVs
Setup of the Bose Smart Soundbar is very straightforward, even if it takes just a little longer from beginning to end. If you just want to get to it and don’t care about all the features, connecting the soundbar to either your TV’s optical or HDMI eARC port is most of the work. Put some AAA batteries into the remote (unfortunately not included) and you’re good to go.
There are a few more steps if you want to get the full experience. After downloading the Bose app, you pair it to the soundbar (and the Ultra Open earbuds if you have them) and then set up Wi-Fi on the soundbar for AirPlay, Chromecast Built-in and Alexa.
The Bose Smart Soundbar is made to pair seamlessly with Roku TVs. Luckily, I have one so I was able to go through the process – just follow the onscreen instructions – which allowed me to use my TV remote for basic functionality. On that note, once Alexa was set up, I was able to manipulate the soundbar just by using the wake word and speaking to it.
Setup & usability score: 5 / 5
Using the Smart Soundbar's Personal Surround Sound feature requires the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (not included) (Image credit: Future)
Bose Smart Soundbar review: Value
Features boost value
Can get more advanced systems for same price
Cheaper standalone soundbars available
If you’re looking at features, the Bose Smart Soundbar has a lot going for it with the Personal Surround Sound feature (which, again, requires a separate purchase), A.I. dialogue mode, and app support.
For a similar price, however, you can get a 5.1-channel system like the maxed-out version of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, which also gives you a subwoofer and rear speakers for true surround sound. As nice as Bose’s personalized surround sound feature is, only one person can use the earbuds at a time. Amazon’s system is lacking features and doesn’t have voice assistant support – not even Alexa. Its audio quality is not quite as crisp, nor does it have the upward-firing speakers of the Bose soundbar. Of course, if you’re on a budget, you can skip the subwoofer and rear speakers and just get the standalone Amazon Soundbar Plus soundbar for $249.99 / £249.99 (about AU$400).
Another option is to spend $349 / £299 (originally $499 / £449 / AU$695) to get the Sony HT-S2000, a 3.1-channel standalone soundbar that includes virtual spatial audio and good bass response. It costs a little less for something that gets you 80% of the way there. But again, you’re giving up a lot as it doesn’t have voice assistant support, the personalized surround sound that’s unique to this Bose soundbar, or one of the many other features on hand.
Value score: 4 / 5
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Ultra Open Earbuds (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Bose Smart Soundbar?
Buy it if...
You need all the features The Bose Smart Soundbar is about as feature-filled as it gets, from Alexa and Chromecast built-in to a personal surround sound feature accessible if you have a pair of Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
You’re looking for great sound in a single soundbar This soundbar has the typical Bose audio quality one expects. While a bit light in the bass, it has good clarity and dynamics.
You want true Dolby Atmos Thanks to the inclusion of two upward-firing speakers, this soundbar offers a real spatial audio experience. On top of that, it can upscale non-Dolby Atmos tracks into faux spatial audio.
Don't buy it if...
You want a full surround sound system While you can use the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for a great surround sound experience, it’s just for one person. If you want a full surround sound experience, especially with guests, look elsewhere.
You’re on a budget For a single soundbar, you’re paying quite a premium here. There are decent soundbars, albeit with less features and lower-quality sound, at a fraction of the price.View Deal
Bose Smart Soundbar: Also consider
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus system costs about the same as the Bose Smart Soundbar. And while it’s not nearly as feature-packed, it does come with a subwoofer and surround speakers for a more immersive experience (discounting the Bose’s personal surround sound feature).
Sony HT-S2000 While its Dolby Atmos is virtual, this soundbar still punches above its weight thanks to its impressive sound. There’s no voice assistant support or Wi-Fi streaming, but its price has dropped a bit from when it was released.
Hisense AX5125H Hisense's soundbar system offers 5.1.2 channels in a compact package with wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer. It also has an alphanumeric front panel LED display and costs less than Bose's soundbar.
The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)
I used the Bose Smart Soundbar for a couple of weeks
Tested with TV, movies, games, and music
I used the Bose Smart Soundbar regularly for a couple of weeks. I watched movies, shows, gamed and listened to music with it. I tested all the various features, especially the Personal Surround Sound feature to see what it could do.
After having tested the Bose Smart Soundbar, it still surprises me all that this soundbar has to offer. It’s that feature-packed. This is an ideal soundbar for someone with a smaller, not-quite home theater setup, but who still wants a premium experience, and not just because of the name.
I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.
If you’ve decided it's time to upgrade your sub-par TV audio, but don’t want to lose your life savings, the Sony HT-SF150 could be your ideal low-budget solution. This super-slim 2.0 channel soundbar aims to supply “punchy bass without compromising detail and clarity”, simple connectivity and cinematic virtual surround sound – but does it get the job done?
Well, let’s kick things off by talking about setup. It really doesn’t get much easier than this: simply connect your soundbar via HDMI ARC or digital optical, plug it into a power outlet and you’re away. I selected HDMI ARC mainly because it allows you to adjust the soundbar’s volume with a standard TV remote – pretty handy.
After getting the Sony HT-SF150 all set up, I got straight into testing its audio capabilities. I’m happy to report that it fared very well for a soundbar that’s often available for less than its already cheap $129 / £99 / AU$194 list price. I didn’t encounter much tinniness or distortion, even at medium to high volumes – something I’ve experienced with a lot of cheap soundbars. Speaking of volume, this thing can get surprisingly loud, in part thanks to its 120W power output, which is considerably higher than what some of the best cheap soundbars offer.
(Image credit: Future)
Staying with sound, I was impressed by dialogue clarity when using the Sony HT-SF150. For instance, I watched the movie Smile on Netflix and, when two women were speaking in an isolated room, the vocals were super clear and each character’s tone sounded natural. When listening to a podcast, I could switch to Voice mode using the included remote, which really brings speech to the forefront and presents it in a crisp, clear-cut manner.
In addition to Voice, there are Standard, Cinema, Music, Night and Auto Sound modes. That last mode tunes EQ depending on what content you’re consuming, though sometimes I still needed to do this manually.
Another glowing aspect of this soundbar’s performance is the effectiveness of Sony’s S-Force Front Surround virtual processing, which endeavors to emulate “cinema-style surround sound.” That may be a bit of a stretch for a soundbar with no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, let alone any sub or rear speakers, but, while watching The Boy and the Heron, I was struck by the soundbar’s ability to accurately map the heron’s flight as he soared across my screen and then towards me. You won’t get incredible verticality or room-filling expansiveness here, but the HT-SF150 certainly outclassed my TV’s efforts.
(Image credit: Future)
One area where a lot of standalone soundbars fall flat is bass output – it can be hard to muster a meaty boom without a dedicated subwoofer – especially in a budget model like this. And although the HT-SF150 won’t rock your world with mesmerizing low-end output, it still plates up decent bass. This model includes a built-in bass reflex speaker, which gives a leg up to deep tones and makes it ideal for movies or video games with dark or ambient scores.
When playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, I was met with impressive depth as the protagonist Cloud faced oversized mechanical monstrosities with thumping footsteps and ground-shaking attacks. I would’ve liked an option to raise bass levels manually to really enhance low-end output, but you won’t get that, unfortunately.
In some places, this game includes speech from the main cast, chatter from background characters or enemies and music from its grandiose soundtrack. This exposed a slight weakness in the Sony HT-SF150 – it sometimes leans into a slightly muddied presentation. When there are several layers to balance out, you may experience some business in the mid-range. There’s no abrasiveness or harshness to endure, just a bit of bloating that can leave some details under wraps.
(Image credit: Future)
You’re probably not expecting perfectly separated, ultra-detailed audio, so for the most part, the HT-SF150 performs well in this department. But sound isn’t the only positive part of this model, I also loved its design. Really, this soundbar looks a lot more premium than many of its budget counterparts. It has a beautiful leather-like finish on top, classy onboard buttons, and an attractive wraparound speaker grille.
The included remote is slim with well-sized button controls and a premium feel. Unfortunately, some features can only be triggered by repeatedly pressing certain buttons on the remote, which can be a bit confusing unless you consult the user manual.
The only frustrating aspect of this soundbar's design is its LED display. As with competitors like the Panasonic SC-HTB100, this thing just uses small lights to indicate volume and sound mode alterations or when it’s in Bluetooth mode. This works fine, but I do prefer a more visual display with letters and numbers – something you get with the Majority Elias, for instance.
(Image credit: Future)
Back to the positives, though. I found this soundbar to be pretty feature-rich given its price-point. For example, you can toggle Dolby Dynamic Range Control, which makes Dolby Digital audio easier to hear at lower volumes. There’s also multiplex broadcast sound and USB connectivity available. One key feature is the inclusion of Bluetooth 4.2, which enables you to connect your phone to the soundbar and play music.
Musical performance wasn’t amazing over Bluetooth – breathy vocal details in I Want You by Moloko weren’t very audible and could sound a bit lost in the overall mix, even when listening in Music mode. However, the low-end kick in the bass-heavy Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy was commendable and the depth and rapid decay of the drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X also stuck out to me. This soundbar is up to the task if you just want to listen to some tunes in the background, but it won't impress audiophiles or compete with some of the best soundbars.
Overall, the Sony HT-SF150 is a very solid budget soundbar with a broad feature set, generally clear-cut dialogue, considerable power, and an elegant design. For the price, it’s fantastic value and while it’s not without its flaws sonically, it can be trusted to offer a leg up to some of the best small TVs and even some more premium models. So, this soundbar is definitely worth bearing in mind for those on a budget, but if you’re a little short on space, the mini Hisense HS214 is an awesome alternative. Those with a bit more cash may also want to consider one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for mind-blowingly good spatial sound.
(Image credit: Future)
Sony HT-SF150 review: Price and release date
$129 / £99 / AU$194
Launched in 2018
The Sony HT-SF150 is available in the UK and has an RRP of £99. In the US and Australia, the model has a slightly different name – the Sony HT-S100F – and a list price of $129 / AU$194. But I bring great news…this soundbar is often available for a fair amount less. I’ve often seen it sell for less than $100 / £90 / AU$180, which makes it an incredibly low-priced option. It may not be the newest soundbar on the market, but it’s compatible with all modern TVs thanks to its use of HDMI and digital optical connectivity.
Sony HT-SF150 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Sony HT-SF150?
Buy it if...
You’re working with a tight budget This soundbar is available at an excellent low price, making it fantastic for anyone on a tight budget. It may have a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$194, but it’s available for even less than this fairly regularly – that’s phenomenal value for money.
You want to keep your set-up looking classy One of the best things about the Sony HT-SF150 is its high build quality and looks. A lot of budget soundbars have a tendency to lean into a plasticky, cheap-looking aesthetic – but not this one. Even if you have one of the best TVs, this soundbar won’t appear out of place on your unit.
Don't buy it if...
You want surround sound If you want truly expansive surround sound, you’re going to have to keep looking – you won’t find it here. This Sony soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X (or Virtual:X) – meaning you won't get a next-level spatial impression. And of course, it’s a standalone 2.0 channel soundbar – there’s no sub or rear speakers included.
You’re looking for premium audio quality For the most part, the Sony HT-SF150 delivers clean audio quality, with clear dialogue and impressive volume. But if you’re seeking truly premium audio, this soundbar won’t cut it. If you want booming bass, tightly controlled highs and super-rich mids, you'll need to stretch your budget a bit further. An all-in-one soundbar that offers all of these things and I can confidently recommend is the Sony HT-S2000.
Sony HT-SF150 review: Also consider
Hisense HS214 The Hisense HS214 is one of the best budget soundbars in the land. Why? It’s super compact, supplies clear dialogue and even has a built-in subwoofer – all for less than $100 / £80. Its small size means this Sony soundbar might produce a wider, more expansive impression, but if you’re short on space, the HS214 is a top alternative. Read our full Hisense HS214 review.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Another solid compact option is the Amazon Fire TV soundbar. It’s not the most elegant-sounding option on the market, but audio is decent for the price and we found this soundbar super easy to use. Again, there's no Atmos or surround speakers included, but it's still a budget rival worth considering. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review.
Sony HT-SF150 review: How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for one week
Connected the soundbar to the Hisense U7K TV at home
Used the HDMI ARC connectivity option
For one week, I had the not-so-arduous task of testing the Sony HT-SF150. During this time, I used HDMI ARC to connect the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV – which already has solid built-in audio.
While testing, I viewed a variety of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. I also played Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on the PS5 to assess the soundbar’s gaming capabilities. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the SF150 and trialed Bluetooth connectivity for playing music. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist to judge the quality of the soundbar’s Music mode.
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a solid soundbar at a decent, but not exceptional, price. While that’s a non-controversial and fairly vanilla statement, it’s a strange situation for Amazon since the company typically subsidizes its products, especially ones like Echo speakers and Fire TV branded TVs, to beat the market. It’s hard to ignore that there are plenty of cheaper options, whether you’re considering a basic all-in-one soundbar or a 5.1-channel soundbar system.
While I’m surprised that the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is not as discounted as most Amazon products compared to the competition, it is one of the best soundbars I’ve experienced when it comes to ease of setup – everything is already paired and you just have to plug it all in.
The performance is, as expected at this price point, good but not great. The surround sound is immersive and the audio quality is what you’d expect at this price point. The sound doesn’t have quite the clarity of more premium options, but only fussy listeners will notice.
The only big issue I had with the audio quality is that the stereo image is not as wide as it should be from the soundbar, which I’ll get into below. And while the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is advertised as having Dolby Atmos, it doesn’t actually have the physical speakers for spatial audio, so you won’t find it on any list for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
That said, you could do a lot worse for a soundbar system at its price point, whether you’re looking at the most basic configuration or the 5.1-channel one, especially if you see it discounted (as Amazon is wont to regularly do with its products).
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus comes with all the accessories you need, including an HDMI cable and wall-mount brackets (Image credit: Future)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Price & release date
First available: December 2025
Price: Starting at $249.99 / £249.99 (about AU$400)
Available in the US and UK
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is priced at $249.99 / £249.99 (about AU$400), and is just a standalone soundbar (along with a power cable, HDMI cable, remote, remote batteries, and mounting kit). The next level up comes with a wireless subwoofer and is priced at $374.99 (about £300 / AU$590). The maxed-out configuration (reviewed here) adds surround speakers along with the subwoofer for a 5.1-channel setup and costs $489.99 (about £390 / AU$770).
Surprisingly, this is more mid-range than budget pricing, bucking Amazon’s typical model of subsidizing its hardware for either market share or branding, especially when it comes to either smart home devices or Fire TV ones.
As far as availability goes, those in the US have access to all three configurations while only the most basic configuration is available in the UK. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is not sold in Australia.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Specs
A basic set of control buttons is located on the soundbar's top surface (Image credit: Future)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Features
Surprisingly stripped down feature set
Some EQ and audio modes available through the remote
Virtual Dolby Atmos
Considering the branding, I was surprised to see how barebones the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is. It doesn’t have built-in streaming the way Roku soundbars do, and it doesn’t have any Alexa-related functionality. There’s no app either, so you’re not going to be able to do any EQ fine-tuning (with an exception that I’ll mention below).
All EQ settings are available via the remote. There are four audio modes: Movie, Music, Sports, and Night. I preferred the Movie mode most since it seemed the least affected. However, Night mode is a nice addition as it keeps any peaks in the audio from getting too loud while simultaneously making everything easy to hear at low volume.
There are also individual bass and treble controls as well as surround sound volume on the remote. A dialogue function boosts the volume of dialogue to make it easier to hear – a great option for those with hearing loss, even if it’s a somewhat subtle effect.
There’s no physical Dolby Atmos on hand – the advertised Dolby Atmos is virtual, meaning you don’t get a true spatial audio experience. You get a full surround sound experience with the rear speakers at least, so there is a lateral 360-degree soundstage, just not the vertical one that spatial audio provides.
Besides the usual HDMI and optical digital connections, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus also comes with Bluetooth, so streaming a Spotify playlist from a phone is straightforward.
The one area where the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is unique is that, when paired with certain Amazon Fire TVs, you can fine-tune the audio on a deeper level in the TV’s settings.
Features score: 3.5 / 5
Subwoofer level can be adjusted using the bass settings on the remote (Image credit: Future)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Performance
Sounds good but not the best resolution
Stereo image is a bit narrow
Surround sound is immersive
The sound quality of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is pretty good. You might not be impressed if you’ve used hi-fi equipment or premium soundbars, but if you’re looking for your first home theater surround sound system, you should be pretty happy.
Specifically, the high-end is just a tiny bit lacking so the audio doesn’t quite have the best clarity and resolution. This was especially apparent when playing music I’m familiar with, which just didn’t quite have the same sparkle it usually does. However, this is a nitpick.
The mids are fairly well balanced so that they sound full without being compressed or distorted. And there’s lots of bass available from the subwoofer so you get that rumble when watching movies.
You can adjust the subwoofer via the bass settings on the remote to be less impactful (or more) if you want. The treble, as mentioned before, is also adjustable via the remote, though I found the various levels to be a little too subtle.
When it comes to the soundstage, the left and right channels are a little closer together than I would like. This is because, even though the soundbar has left, center, and right channel speakers, the drivers and tweeters for the left and right channels (each channel has a mid-bass driver and tweeter) both face straight ahead. Even though the soundbar is 37 inches wide, this is not enough separation when you’re sitting beyond a 1.5-meter distance from the TV.
Yes, everything that’s supposed to be on the left sounds like it’s on the left and everything that’s supposed to be on the right is there as well. But, the stereo image is still a bit too narrow.
The surround sound, on the other hand, is a pleasure to listen to. The surround speakers offer a 360-degree experience, even when it’s just the atmosphere of a video game like It Takes Two or random background characters talking such as I experienced when watching Fool’s Paradise. I also tested the surround speakers with 5.1-channel audio mixes on YouTube, and it was enlightening to experience the spaciousness these speakers deliver while also confirming that you don’t really need to listen to Bob Marley in anything other than stereo.
It’s worth noting again that, though this soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, this is purely virtual as there are no physical upward-firing speakers. And I didn’t notice anything resembling that vertical sense of space when watching movies and TV with Dolby Atmos soundtracks.
Performance score: 4 / 5
A minimal set of inputs, including HDMI ARC, optical digital and USB-A, is located on the soundbar's back panel (Image credit: Future)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Design
Basic aesthetics and design
LED indicator lights instead of alphanumeric display
Most fine tuning done through the remote
Aesthetically, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus can best be described as utilitarian. All the units come in a matte black. The units are also all pretty boxy, and you would only know that they were made by Amazon because each piece has the Fire TV logo imprinted in shiny black somewhere on it. The various units don’t call too much attention themselves, other than the fact that the sound bar is 37 inches wide so you’ll need a wide enough surface to install it if you’re not wall-mounting.
The ports on the back are surprisingly limited to HDMI, optical digital, and USB. While the HDMI port is ARC-enabled, I would have appreciated a second HDMI passthrough port. This is an issue I frequently find with cheaper sound bars.
Another limitation is that there’s no alphanumeric display on the front, just five LED indicator lights that shine through the front grill cloth to reflect what the volume or various settings are up to.
The controls on top of the soundbar are a bit more limited than on the remote, but the necessary ones are here, namely: power, source, Bluetooth, volume up, and volume down.
All fine-tuning is done on the remote. Luckily, it’s easy to use and has separate bass and treble buttons to cycle through levels as well as a button to turn on/off surround sound, which has its own volume up and down. There are also EQ preset and dialogue buttons.
Design score: 4 / 5
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus system's surround speakers make an instant wireless link to the soundbar when plugged in (Image credit: Future)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Setup & usability
Already paired out of the box
Easy to use
No real display for current settings
Setting up the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus couldn’t be easier. Everything comes in one big box – all the packaging seems to be materials that can be recycled – and just needs to be removed and plugged in.
The soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers are already paired so that once everything is plugged in and powered on, the soundbar will register the other units. A wall-mounting kit is also included, though it’s just for the soundbar. The hardest part (unless you’re planning on mounting) is putting the batteries in the remote.
As far as using the soundbar, it’s also just as straightforward. The buttons on the sound bar itself are a bit basic so you need to keep track of the remote to get most of the functionality. But switching sources and adjusting the audio to taste within its limitations is fairly foolproof.
I do wish there was a front panel alphanumeric display for feedback when making changes. Instead, you have to rely on the indicator LEDs and listen to a voice prompt to know what setting you’ve changed. And if you’re not paying close attention, you have to adjust again to find out what it was on.
Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5
With no app or Alexa control, EQ and sound adjustments on the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus are all carried out using the included remote (Image credit: Future)
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Value
Good, but not great, deal for a surround sound soundbar system
Can find cheaper, though lesser, 5.1-channel sound bar options
Same money can get better-sounding options, but with fewer channels
I may sound a little confused when discussing the price of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus by saying it’s at once affordable and overpriced. At $489.99 (about £390 / AU$770) for the surround sound configuration, it’s a good mid-tier system for the price that comes with a large soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers. Yet, it’s priced higher than one would expect from the likes of Amazon, especially considering how light on features it is.
This is particularly highlighted when considering the Ultimea Poseidon D50, a 5.1-channel sound bar system that goes for a paltry $119.99 / £149.99 (about AU$180). Sure, the Ultimea comes with many more compromises with slightly worse audio and build quality, but it’s also much, much cheaper.
Of course, you can spend the same amount on something that’s not quite considered premium and get a much smaller package. Consider the Sony HT-S2000, a 3.1-channel system that counts virtual Dolby Atmos as a main attraction. It does have generally better audio quality. Still, you have to pay $499 / £449 / AU$695 for it.
Value score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus?
Buy it if...
You want the easiest setup possible All you have to do to set up the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is to power up the various units. It doesn’t get easier than that.
You don’t want to spend too much for a surround sound system While it’s not the cheapest out there, the price is pretty good, especially if you go for the configuration with the surround speakers and subwoofer.
You want a straightforward soundbar Not only is this soundbar system easy to set up, but it’s easy to operate. If you find that too many bells and whistles get in the way, then this might be the one for you.
Don't buy it if...
sound-enabledYou want a lot of features The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is surprisingly stripped down, especially for a surround sound- enabled setup. Sure, there’s virtual Dolby Atmos, but it’s not the real deal.
You want crystal-clear audio The sound quality is good, but if you’re fussy, you’re going to wish you spent a little more on something with better clarity and resolution.View Deal
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Also consider
Ultimea Poseidon D50 The Ultimea Poseidon D50 is proof you can go really cheap and still get a 5.1-channel system. Yes, there are compromises, such as the lack of any kind of Dolby Atmos support, and it’s also a bit cheap-looking. But, it mostly sounds good, and is easy to set up.
Sony HT-S2000 If surround sound is not a top priority, but you still want something beyond stereo and have $500 / £500 to burn, the all-in-one Sony HT-S2000’s overall sound quality is impressive and its virtual Dolby Atmos is actually spacious-sounding.
Hisense AX5125H Hisense's soundbar system offers 5.1.2 channels in a compact package with wireless surround speakers and subwoofer. It also has an alphanumeric front panel LED display and costs less than Amazon's system.
The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)
I used the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus for a couple weeks
Tested with both TV, movies, and music
I used the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus system regularly for a week. I used it with TV shows, movies, and music. I tested the various EQ options and audio modes as well as played around with all the other settings available, such as the dialogue mode.
After testing, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus seems to be a decently priced 5.1-channel system that leans a bit on the Fire TV brand, offering mostly convenience and the surround sound experience, and not much else.
I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.
The Nakamichi Dragon is an 11.4.6-channel soundbar system that pushes the outer limits of what a soundbar is capable of. It’s more akin to an AV receiver in its design, features, and execution. Using it, I was frequently reminded of AV receivers by everything from the system’s heavily buttoned remote control to its extensive, detailed setup menu. The Dragon is not aimed at someone interested in simple plug-and-play sound (though it does provide basic setup options and is easy to get up and running) but rather users who like to dig in and painstakingly tweak settings.
At $2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750), the Nakamichi Dragon costs double what you’ll pay even for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market such as the Samsung HW-Q990D. That’s quite a lot to pay for a soundbar system, and it takes you into an AV receiver and separate speakers package price territory. But an important Dragon advantage is that it’s a wireless system, though one with the high channel count you’d get from a receiver-based home theater audio rig.
The Dragon isn’t as feature-packed as expected given its relatively lofty price. There’s processing onboard for Dolby Atmos and the Pro version of DTS:X, and there are four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC) that support 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through. The system comes with a full-scale remote control that provides quick access to a wide array of audio adjustments and it has Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless music streaming. There’s no AirPlay or Chromecast support for streaming over Wi-Fi, and the system’s control app is primarily used for system setup.
Automatic setup and room EQ features, either the more basic ones you get in premium soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra, or advanced ones such as Audyssey or Dirac Live in AV receivers, are also nowhere to be found. Basic setup of the Dragon soundbar system is surprisingly easy, however.
The Dragon system’s sound does its name justice. It can go incredibly loud and the dual subwoofers, each with two 8-inch opposing drivers, provide deep-reaching and very full-sounding bass. Having two subwoofers also helps to even out bass performance, which compensates to a degree for the lack of room EQ processing. (Two subs are provided with the system configuration I tested, but it supports up to four subs.)
With six up-firing Atmos height drivers between the soundbar and the surround speakers, which also provide both side and rear surround channel driver arrays, the level of immersion provided by the Dragon system surpasses any other soundbar system I’ve heard. Not all is perfect with the Dragon’s sound, however: it can come across as aggressive and treble-forward with some content, favoring clarity and presence over subtlety. But if your main thing is action movies or gaming, there’s not too much here to complain about.
At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon system’s soundbar is fairly huge – it just about fit my TV stand, which is designed to support TVs up to 75 inches. The soundbar’s stainless steel enclosure is superior to the plastic ones you get on budget models, and the system’s design strikes a nice balance between function and style. A large front panel LED display can be customized to show the names of sources (Blu-ray, Xbox, etc.) and it can also provide visual feedback beyond basic source and volume settings when you hit the Info button on the remote control.
Paying $3,000 for a soundbar system might sound a bit outrageous, but the Nakamichi Dragon is no ordinary soundbar system. It delivers a level of performance that’s more like what you get from a traditional AV receiver-based home theater system from a big honkin' soundbar with wireless subwoofers and surround speakers. If that all sounds appealing to you, you’ll find the Dragon to be a good value.
At 58.1 inches wide, the Dragon requires a substantial TV stand for support (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Price & release date
Released in October 2023
$2,999.99 (around £2,400 / AU$4,750)
The Nakamichi Dragon soundbar system with two dual-opposing eight-inch subwoofers is listed at $3,999.99, but sells for $2,999.99. It is available in the US on Amazon, and can be purchased and shipped internationally through B&H Photo Video.
Along with the base configuration reviewed here, the Dragon can also be purchased in configurations with two 12-inch subwoofers ($4,199) or four 12-inch subwoofers ($7,199). Dragon pricing is high compared to other premium soundbar systems such as the Samsung HW-Q990D and LG S95TR, both of which have a lower overall channel count and lower rated power.
Nakamichi Dragon review: Specs
The Dragon soundbar and surround speakers use matching 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeters. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Features
11.4.6-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through
Bluetooth aptX HD wireless streaming
The Nakamichi Dragon combines a sizeable 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4-inch main soundbar unit (1476 x 112 x 196mm) featuring a stainless steel enclosure with two wireless subwoofers and wireless rear surround speakers. The soundbar provides processing for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Pro and features four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and Dolby Vision pass-through along with optical digital audio and 3.5mm aux inputs and outputs. There’s no onboard Wi-Fi for streaming, but the Dragon soundbar does support Bluetooth aptX HD for streaming music.
The soundbar’s speaker array consists of three 1.5-inch “Air Motion” folded ribbon-type tweeters, each flanked by a pair of 3-inch mid-range drivers for the left, center, and right channels. Two pairs of 3-inch height speakers are arrayed on the soundbar’s top surface, with the pairs angled at 10 and 20 degrees, respectively, to evenly distribute Atmos height effects from the front toward the back of the room. Along with these, 3-inch drivers are located on the soundbar’s side panels for an enhanced surround sound effect.
Nakamichi’s tall, tower-like dual-opposing wireless subwoofers each house a pair of eight-inch drivers inside a ported cabinet. The system’s Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers each contain side and rear surround speaker arrays consisting of a 1.5-inch Air Motion tweeter and three-inch mid-bass driver, with a three-inch height speaker mounted on top. A PerfectHeight adjustment on the Omni-Motion Reference’s top surface lets you rotate the height speaker up 180 degrees to optimize height effects for your specific room layout and installation.
Unlike other premium soundbars on the market from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sonos, the Dragon has no automated setup or room EQ features. The system’s dual subwoofer configuration does help to evenly distribute bass in your room and compensate for room modes, however, and the extensive sound level and delay adjustments allow for a precise manual setup.
Features score: 3.5 / 5
The Dragon's dual subwoofers are fairly tall, but can be tucked unobtrusively into the corners of a room. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Performance
Powerful, immersive sound
Deep, impactful bass
Overly aggressive sound with some content
The Dragon system sounded good out of the box but strongly benefitted from a manual calibration in the Advanced Sound Setup menu. Once that was done, I cracked open a new 4K Blu-ray disc of the recent Twisters remake that I had bought specifically for this test.
On the Dragon system, the sound of violent tornadoes ripping through space in the Twisters soundtrack was potently rendered, providing an almost unnerving sense of being directly inside the path of destruction. Vehicles propelled through the air and crashing to earth had a powerful impact, so much so that I found myself dialing back the bass adjustment – conveniently located right next to the volume button on the system’s remote control.
On Top Gun: Maverick, another movie that I regularly use to test soundbars, the sounds of jets in the first training scene early in the movie had a strong trajectory as they swooped from the front to the back of the room, and there was impressive verticality to the sound as they crisscrossed overhead. The drums and bass in The Who’s Won’t Get Fooled Again that plays in this scene came through with equal power, with Roger Daltrey’s yawps soaring along with the jets on the soundtrack.
Dolby Atmos music streamed from Apple Music on my Apple TV 4K sounded equally vivid and exciting on the system, especially tracks like Kraftwerk’s Nummern / Computerwelt. This track sounded almost endlessly wide and immersive, showcasing the benefits of six separate height speakers for delivering Atmos mixes. The low-end on this track was powerful and deep but also well-integrated with the rest of the mix, the system’s dual subwoofers working together to energize my room with bass.
With more subtle-sounding fare – Severance season 2 on Apple TV Plus, for instance – dialogue was very clear, and that was the case with most shows and movies I watched. As part of my initial setup, I selected the system’s Movie (Movie 1) sound preset (Music, Game, and Night modes are also available) and also dialed back the treble to the minimum setting. That’s because the Dragon system, while it has a considerable roar, can sound aggressive and even a bit harsh with some content.
I’ve listened with multiple speakers that use the same Air Motion-type tweeter that’s found in Nakamichi’s system and those generally had a much more laid-back quality to the treble. This tells me that the Dragon was voiced to have a bold, even in-your-face sound that befits its name.
Performance score: 4 / 5
The Dragon soundbar's rear input ports include 4 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 w/ eARC) (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Design
Large soundbar and subwoofers
Soundbar height may block the TV image
Solid overall build quality
At 58.1 x 7.7 x 4.4 inches, the Dragon’s design is anything but subtle. This is a big soundbar, and its 4.4-inch height means the top edge will definitely obscure the screen bottom of some TVs. At 32 pounds (14.5kg), it’s also a heavy one – not surprising given its stainless steel enclosure. Nakamichi sells optional floor stands for the Dragon, which will allow it to be used with wall-mounted TVs and projectors.
Aside from being massive, the Dragon soundbar has an appealing design, with top panel controls that light up when touched, angled front corners, and exposed Air Motion tweeters poking through the metal mesh front. The same design chops carry over to the Omni-Motion Reference wireless surround speakers, which also get optional stands. Nakamichi’s wireless subwoofers have a plainer, more utilitarian look, but their tall form factor lets them tuck fairly unobtrusively into the corners of a room.
The Dragon soundbar’s front-panel alphanumeric LED display is a feature I fully expect to see in a soundbar at this price. While it’s welcome, I would have liked an option to dim the display or to shut it off entirely with the remote when viewing, which is a feature you get on some AV receivers.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
The Dragon surround speakers have matching tweeter-woofer arrays on either side to deliver rear and side surround channel, and there's an upward-firing driver on top for Atmos height channels. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Setup & usability
Easy wireless speaker setup
Extensive manual sound adjustments
Alphanumeric front panel LED display
The basic setup of the Dragon system was incredibly easy. After positioning the soundbar on my TV stand, where it occupied nearly the stand’s full width with an inch to spare on each side, I located the subwoofers in the front corners of my room and the surround speakers at either side of my sofa. After plugging all speakers in, they made an automatic wireless connection to the soundbar, with a blue LED indicating that the system was up and running.
After connecting my sources to the soundbar’s HDMI inputs, and my TV to the HDMI eARC port, I renamed the inputs in the setup menu so they would show up on the front panel display as “Blu-ray disc player, Xbox One X console, and Apple TV 4K.” I next made a Bluetooth link to my phone for music streaming by pressing the Bluetooth button on the remote control, which put the Dragon into wireless pairing mode.
So much for the easy part – the next part of the setup was much more laborious. Nakamichi gives you an easy out by providing Small, Medium, and Large room options. (Guidance on which option is best for your particular room is provided in the detailed and well-organized PDF owner’s manual.) Sound with the Small option selected – the closest match for my room – was good out of the box, but for my test, I wanted to go through the full manual setup to see what difference it would make.
Pulling out my tape measure and trusty old Radio Shack SPL meter, I manually entered the listening distance for each channel and also ran the pink noise output to adjust the sound level. With 11.2.6 total channels for the Dragon system I tested, we’re talking a lot of speakers to adjust! The effort was completely worth it, though, since sound clarity and bass evenness received an immediate boost.
Nakamichi’s remote control is large, has an aluminum faceplate, and is packed with buttons to access a wide range of fine adjustments for things like individual speaker channel levels, including height and subwoofer channels. There’s also a Dragon control app that gives you many of the same adjustments. The only thing I didn’t like about the remote is that the keypad doesn’t have the same backlighting feature typically found in AV receiver remote controls offering the same level of granular adjustments.
Another gripe I had with the Dragon was the setup menu, which requires you to jump out of any program you’re watching to make adjustments other than the ones with dedicated keypad controls on the remote. My annoyance with this was mainly during my initial setup and early use, however. Once I had dialed in my preferred settings for movies/TV and music, those adjustments could be stored in the two available Favorite Settings buttons on the remote for easy recall.
Setup & usability score: 3.5 / 5
The Dragon's full featured remote provides instant access to many adjustments for tweaking the system's sound on the fly. (Image credit: Future)
Nakamichi Dragon review: Value
Unique value proposition
Other premium soundbars available for much less
Approaching AV receiver-based system price range
The Nakamichi Dragon occupies a unique space in the home theater audio world, combining many of the functions of an AV receiver in a high channel-count soundbar plus wireless surround speakers and subwoofers package. At $3,000, you’re getting a lot for your money here, and there’s really nothing out there that parallels it.
While not as elaborate or high-impact as the Dragon, other premium soundbar systems can provide a similarly satisfying and immersive home theater audio experience. For around $1,500, you can get the Samsung HW-Q990D, an 11.1.4-channel system that also has multiple HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough. And for under $1,000, there’s the LG S95TR, a 9.1.5-channel system. Both of these soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and they offer unique audio processing features designed to work with Samsung and LG TVs.
Another option is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad (around $2,200). This 4.1.4-channel wireless speaker system offers audio processing features designed specifically to work with Sony TVs, but it can also be used with any TV or projector setup. It’s a more compact and elegant alternative to soundbar-based systems, and with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping at work, it doesn’t skimp out on audio immersion.
Finally, the Dragon’s $3,000 price is a threshold where you should also consider an AV receiver-based system. You can buy a 9.2-channel receiver such as the Onkyo TX-RZ50 for as little as $999, and then the sky is the limit when it comes to which speakers you add to your setup. The advantage to this option is that receivers offer extensive switching and control options, and they also provide automatic setup and room correction processing solutions such as Audyssey and Dirac Live. But going the AV receiver route means running wires – lots of them – plus a more complicated setup.
Value score: 3.5 / 5
The Dragon soundbar's top-panel control buttons (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Nakamichi Dragon?
Buy it if...
You want a wireless home theater audio system With an 11.4.6 channel count and dynamic overall audio performance, the Dragon comes closer to a traditional home theater speaker system than other premium soundbars.
You want a soundbar without typical soundbar limitations The Dragon’s six upfiring height speakers mean it doesn’t skimp on Atmos immersion, and its dual subwoofers deliver deeper and more powerful bass than you get with typical soundbar systems.
Don't buy it if...
You want a simple, no-fuss setup While the Dragon system’s various components easily make a wireless connection, optimizing its sound for your particular space can be time-consuming.
You listen to music as much as watch movies The Dragon system’s sound is a good match for electronic music and action movies, bringing everything to vivid, dynamic life, but it can also sound aggressive and in-your-face with some content.
Nakamichi Dragon review: Also consider
Sonos Arc Ultra The new flagship soundbar from Sonos is an all-in-one 9.1.4-channel unit, and it can be supplemented with the company’s wireless speakers and subwoofer for an even higher level of Atmos immersion. It has no HDMI inputs beyond an HDMI eARC connection for a TV, however, and also no DTS support. Here's our full Sonos Arc Ultra review.
LG S95TR LG’s 9.1.5-channel soundbar system also has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support and it provides impressive surround sound immersion at a considerably lower price than the Dragon. Bonus points if you own an LG TV, which provides features to enhance the S95TR’s performance and usability. Here's our full LG S95TR review.
Samsung HW-Q990D Samsung’s flagship soundbar system tops out at 11.1.4 channels, which is the closest you’ll get to the Dragon when it comes to Atmos (and DTS:X) immersion. It’s also half the price, supports AirPlay and Chromecast, and has similar HDMI 2.1 connectivity and gaming support as the Dragon. Here's our full Samsung HW-Q990D review.
How I tested the Nakamichi Dragon
The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)
Tested for over a month
Served as my main system at home
4K Blu-ray discs, TV streaming apps, and Apple Music used as sources
The Nakamichi Dragon arrives in a shipping container about the size of a coffin, so expect to enlist help when lifting it into your home. Once unboxed, I set it up in my near-3,000 cubic foot home theater room and connected TV, Apple TV 4K, Xbox Series X, and 4K Blu-ray sources via HDMI. For music testing, I listened to Dolby Atmos music streamed on the Apple Music app by the Apple TV 4K.
I listened with the system for over a month, using it as my main system for casual TV watching, movies, and music. I performed an in-depth audio calibration, measuring the distance between all speaker channels and my listening seat, and then inputting that data in the Dragon’s setup menus. This also involved adjusting the sound level for each channel with pink noise generated by the soundbar that was measured with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter.
I have 20-plus years of experience reviewing home theater speaker systems and components, including soundbar systems. Prior to testing the Dragon, I used Sony Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers as my main home theater audio system, and before that an AV receiver-based 5.1.4-channel speaker system, so I have a good understanding of where the Nakamichi Dragon sits among its wireless and wired speaker competition.
The Hisense HS214 could be the perfect soundbar for you if you've decided it's time for an upgrade on plain ole TV audio, but you’re working on a pretty tight budget. The Hisense HS214 is a popular budget option, typically priced at just $99 / £79 (about AU$160). It’s a 2.1 channel soundbar with a built-in sub that aims to offer powerful audio via a compact, all-in-one build. But does it deliver?
Well, before I answer that definitively, let’s take a look at sound quality. I’m happy to report that out of the box, the Hisense HS214 sounds pretty good. When watching I Think You Should Leave on Netflix, a scene with two characters conversing in a people-filled room had clear dialogue, which was decently separated from background murmurs.
Similarly, when watching Howl’s Moving Castle, the vocals of protagonist Sophie felt a bit more defined in the overall mix than with standalone TV audio. During one scene, whistling winds were also replicated accurately, without any tinniness or unintentional harshness – something I always listen out for in my hunt to find the best soundbars available in all price brackets.
(Image credit: Future)
One aspect of the HS214 that Hisense talks up is its bass output. That’s mainly because the Hisense HS214 has a built-in woofer, which is meant to offer “powerful bass”, according to the Chinese electronics giant. And in fairness, the soundbar mustered up a bit more of a boom than my TV could manage alone – although it wasn’t massively striking, that’s to be expected given its size.
I watched the horror movie Smile and during a heart-racing scene with screaming and object-smashing, the deep bass playing throughout was a touch underpowered, meaning the full weight of the scene was slightly restricted. Luckily, this can be remedied significantly, thanks to the bass boost/reduce option on the remote. This enables you to raise or decrease bass output by five levels. When cranking up low-end output, the spooky scene in Smile had more impactful bass, which created a darker atmosphere in the build up to the scene’s climax (I won’t spoil it, don’t worry).
So, even if you won’t get massive, imposing bass out of this mini soundbar, it has the potential to offer a considerable leg-up to some of the best small TVs. You may notice the soundbar struggling with deeper bass tones and sub-bass when listening to music, however. For instance, when I tuned in to the bass-heavy Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy, the low-end boom from deep bass running throughout the track was a little bit feeble. More generally, music sounds solid with the HS214, though. It’s decently clear for the most part and doesn’t get awful tinny like some cheap soundbars.
(Image credit: Future)
I mentioned that bass boost/reduce option a moment ago, but you might be wondering what other features the Hisense HS214 has to offer. You get three different sound modes here: Movie; Music; and Night. However, those of you with a Hisense TV will also be able to access Sport and Night mode if you alter the EQ mode via the soundbar settings menu, rather than the soundbar’s remote. Each of these are well differentiated, with Movie adding a bit of emphasis in the low-end. I used this for the majority of testing.
Another feature is surround sound mode, which to clarify, has nothing to do with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X/Virtual:X. When I realised this was an option, I was looking forward to trying it, because even if the HS214’s overall audio quality was good, it didn’t offer much of a spatial impression. Unfortunately, though, surround mode isn’t worth activating. I tried using it when playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on PlayStation 5 and despite providing broader, more nuanced positioning, it wasn’t long before I switched it off. And that’s down to one big issue – it significantly hampers audio quality, which is tinny and a bit unpleasant.
This isn’t the end of the world, of course – the HS214 sounds totally fine without surround mode. And even if it doesn’t offer mesmerizing spatial audio, it does plate up a solid helping of power. It has a total power output of 108W and can get pretty loud, making it an ideal step-up for TVs with weaker audio, or sound that gets easily distorted at higher volumes. And placement isn’t too bad either. During gameplay, one character whizzed across the screen on a motorbike and I got a solid impression of his directionality. Of course, this is a small soundbar and you won’t get much width out of it – especially with Surround Mode off – but general audio placement is decent.
(Image credit: Future)
One more feature worth mentioning is the dimmer option, which can alter the brightness of the LED light display on the front of the soundbar. I kept it at max brightness, but I have to say, I wasn’t a massive fan of the LED display used here. Rather than displaying volume numbers, EQ modes and more, you just see a small light flash when you change settings or volume. This isn’t the most clear or intuitive and a lot of cheap soundbars, like the Majority Elias, for instance, use clearer displays with words and letters.
But look, I don’t want to be overly critical, especially as I personally like the design of the Hisense HS214 overall. It has an almost leather-like plastic casing on top of that soundbar which is attractive and adds a touch of class. It also has button controls for power, source and volume if you don’t have the soundbar's very neat-looking remote to hand.
(Image credit: Future)
On the reverse side, there are a number of ports that enable you to connect your soundbar to a TV in multiple ways. These include: HDMI (ARC); AUX; coaxial; digital optical; and USB-C. That means it should be good to go with any modern TV and gives you plenty of options if all of your HDMI slots are used up. I opted for the HDMI ARC connection type and found setting the soundbar up incredibly easy – just plug in the connector and a power cable and you’re good to go.
All in all, the Hisense HS214 is a very solid budget soundbar. It’s wide of the mark on spatial audio and you may not be wowed in the bass department, but it’s an attractive, compact, easy-to-use soundbar that plates up clear dialogue and solid amounts of power. Given the price you pay, that does make it an attractive offering. If that’s all you need, I’d say this soundbar is worth considering, but for those seeking a stronger spatial impression, one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars will offer a more nuanced, expansive and premium-sounding experience.
(Image credit: Future)
Hisense HS214 review: Price and release date
$99 / £79 (about AU$160)
Launched in 2021
The Hisense HS214 is positioned as a budget, entry-level option for those looking to add a bit of power to their TV setup. It was released back in 2021 and has a list price of $99 / £79 (about AU$160). However, you may well be able to snap this soundbar up for even less. I’ve personally seen this soundbar available for less than £70 via Amazon UK, for instance, so keep an eye out for some sweet deals.
Hisense HS214 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Hisense HS214?
Buy it if...
You’re working with a fairly tight budget If you’re looking for a solid, cheap soundbar, the Hisense HS214 is an option worth considering. For less than $100 / £80, you get decently powerful audio, clear dialogue and a bundle of connectivity options – not bad at all!
You’re a little low on space Something I really liked about this soundbar was its ultra-compact build. It was small enough to just fit under my TV stand and so if, like me, you’ve not got a ton of space to play with, this soundbar will fit the bill.
Don't buy it if...
You want truly cinematic sound Sure, the Hisense HS214 has a surround mode, but it’s just not very good. On top of that, it’s a small, standalone soundbar, so you’re not going to get the most immersive sonic experience.
You’re an audiophile And if you’re someone who’s picky about sound, this soundbar might not quite hit all the right notes for you. It’s by no means a poor-sounding soundbar, especially for its price, but if you’re hoping for top-tier music replication, deep, impactful bass and supremely crisp vocals, this may fall short.
Hisense HS214 review: Also consider
Panasonic SC-HTB100 This soundbar is UK only, but if it’s available to you it’s a great budget option. You don’t get any fancy tricks from the Panasonic SC-HTB100 – no Atmos or DTS:X and no hi-tech display either. But if you want clear dialogue, strong connectivity options and solid EQ options at a low price, you’ll be well-served here. Read our full Panasonic SC-HTB100 review.
Amazon Fire TV Soundbar But here’s one that’s available in the US as well – the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar. This budget option supplies pretty impressive sound, as well as a simple setup process and ultra-compact build. Once again, there’s no Atmos and you’re unlikely to be blown away in the bass department, but this is still a very solid option. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review.
Hisense HS214 review: How I tested
Tested for one week(s)
Used at home with the Hisense U7K TV
Predominantly used the HDMI ARC connectivity option
I put the Hisense HS214 to the test over a week-long period. I mainly used HDMI ARC when connecting the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV – a model which had integrated support for the HS214 in its options menus.
While testing, I watched a number of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. I also played Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on the Playstation 5 to judge the soundbar’s capabilities for gaming. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the Hisense HS214 using Bluetooth connectivity for playing music. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist to assess the quality of the soundbar’s Music EQ configuration.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is a mid-priced soundbar, carrying a list price of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099, but don’t be fooled: you won’t get middle-of-the-road quality. In fact, this is a truly excellent 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos soundbar, which boasts crisp vocals, rumbling bass and engrossing expansiveness. If you’re looking to unleash truly cinematic sound into your living space, look no further than the Samsung HW-Q800D.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is a soundbar and subwoofer combo – rear speakers are available, but must be purchased separately. But despite the absence of rear channels, this soundbar still asserts a striking spatial impression. That’s in part thanks to fantastic Dolby Atmos and DTS:X effects, both of which are bolstered by upfiring speakers. When watching movies, the positioning of on-screen characters and objects is mapped beautifully by the Samsung HW-Q800D. Atmos helps to create plenty of width and verticality, so you can be enveloped in the action at all times. Overall audio quality is top-drawer too, with super-clear voices, punchy deep bass and detailed musical performance all rolled into one.
On top of that, the Samsung HW-Q800D has a feature-set that is well up to par with many of the best soundbars. For instance, there’s SpaceFit Sound Pro, which uses the soundbar’s built-in mic to tailor audio to fit your room’s acoustics. But there’s also Samsung Q-Symphony, which can integrate your recent Samsung TV’s speakers with the soundbar output for an even more expansive sonic experience.
That’s not to mention a bunch of other options, such as wireless Dolby Atmos with compatible Samsung TVs, Game Mode Pro and Voice Assistant compatibility. But these features may, to some, seem extremely familiar. And that’s because all of them were available with this soundbar’s predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q800C. This 2023 release offers almost the exact same user experience, just without non-region-locked Chromecast compatibility, and with upgraded Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth 5.2). So really, the Samsung HW-Q800D is a slight refinement of an already great product – so owners of the HW-Q800C need not upgrade.
For a lot of gamers, the HW-Q800D will be a wonderful companion. You get a specialized game mode which optimizes surround sound for in-game action and 4K HDR passthrough. However, there’s no 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough – meaning you don’t get the ultimate next-gen gaming experience via the HW-Q800D. That’s a shame, when Sony's mid-range Bravia Theater Bar 8 offers this.
But this isn’t a game-breaking omission. And there were none of those, in my view. Apart from a slight issue with subwoofer pairing, which I swiftly overcame, I had a blast during my time testing the Samsung HW-Q800D. The only other aspect some may feel unsatisfied with is its design. That’s because the soundbar has quite an angular, chunky design, rather than a sleek, curved look you’d see with the Sonos Arc Ultra, for instance. However, I personally felt that the soundbar’s high build quality and durable build made up for what is a solid-looking, but perhaps not stunning appearance.
Overall, the Samsung HW-Q800D is a beautiful-sounding, immersion-inducing soundbar system with a very fair price tag. If you have the cash – along with a desire for rear speaker channels – you may actually find that the slightly more premium Samsung HW-Q990D is better for you. And if you already have the Samsung HW-Q800C, the small incremental improvements aren’t worth an upgrade. But for anyone else, this is a soundbar that I can wholeheartedly recommend. Awesome Atmos, incredible movie or music performance, and a fountain of features – you can’t ask for much more.
Samsung HW-Q800D review: Price & release date
List price of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099
But regularly available for considerably less
Launched in July 2024
The Samsung HW-Q800D is the South Korean company’s mid-range soundbar offering for 2024. It has a list price of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099 – by no means cheap, but not all too expensive given the inclusion of a highly competent subwoofer.
But good news – even if it only released this year, you’re probably not going to have to pay quite so much for the HW-Q800D. I’ve already seen it listed for $699 / £699 on Samsung’s US and UK site, making for a very tidy saving on a shiny new soundbar – and there seem to be further discounts around during sales events.
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q800D review: Specs
Samsung HW-Q800D review: Features
5.1.2 channel system with 360W total power output
Effective Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
4K HDMI passthrough, but not at 120Hz
The Samsung HW-Q800D is a true 5.1.2 channel system. Firstly, it has five channels on the main soundbar: one in the center; two more on the front, on either side of the center; and two on each end of the bar. Alongside that, it has two upfiring speakers on the top of the soundbar and a dedicated subwoofer.
This configuration helps to deliver fantastically immersive audio – something only improved by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X functionality. When watching movies, I found Atmos to be very effective – you get incredible width from audio output, which follows on-screen action very competently. The upfiring speaker drivers also add impressive verticality for movies and TV shows – but I’ll go into more depth on that in the next section.
If you want even more expansive sound, you can add the Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers, but extra spend may not be necessary for a surround sound boost. That’s because you can harness the power of your TV – well, if it’s a select Samsung model from 2022-2024 – with Q-Symphony. This feature allows your HW-Q800D to work in tandem with your TV’s inbuilt speakers for even more of a three dimensional output.
Q-Symphony, of course, is a Samsung TV-exclusive – as is another feature, dubbed Wireless Dolby Atmos. Again, you need a compatible Samsung TV released after 2022 to use this, but it enables "pinpoint" delivery of sound effects wirelessly without HDMI. It’s worth noting, however, this will be compressed, unlike the Atmos TrueHD available with one of the best 4K Blu-ray players and a wired connection. If you only ever stream movies, though, it won't make a difference.
Perhaps my favorite feature that this soundbar offers though is SpaceFit Surround Pro. This harnesses the soundbar’s inbuilt mic, which listens to your room’s acoustics and optimizes sound for your space. SpaceFit Surround Pro is automatically on, so you get spatial audio that’s fine-tuned to you from the get-go. The effects of this are excellent and I found that no matter where I sat in my small-medium-sized living room, I was able to experience immersive sound without fail.
Not to exhaust you, reader, but there’s so much more. Some highlights include sound modes, which include: Standard; Adaptive; Surround; and Game. Adaptive uses AI in order to assess the on-screen action and deliver tailored audio depending on content. I found this mode to be particularly pleasing when watching news channels – with impressive vocal clarity on offer. And vocal clarity is improved further thanks to Active Voice Amplifier, or AVA. AVA identifies background noise in your environment and calibrates audio in a way that emphasizes vocal clarity – ideal if someone’s vacuuming in the room across, for instance.
I want to focus on Gaming, though. One sound setting, Game Mode Pro, adjusts audio output to offer a more three-dimensional soundstage, so you can get a better sense for where in-game sound effects are coming from. When playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PlayStation 5, I got a great spatial impression, especially during combat, which helped me to ascertain the movement, actions, and whereabouts of my foes. Samsung TVs with Game Hub support are also able to switch the soundbar to Game Mode Pro automatically, which is a neat addition.
Unfortunately for gamers, however, the HW-Q800D leaves out one very handy feature. I’m talking, of course, about 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough. Sure, you get 4K HDR 60Hz passthrough here and that’s going to be enough for a lot of people, but if you want full next-gen capabilities, this won’t cut it.
This speaks to something more generally – as strong as this soundbar's feature-set is, almost everything that’s here was already present in the HW-Q800C. The only ‘major’ additions are non-region-locked, built-in Chromecast and an upgraded Bluetooth version (5.2). That’s it. Does that take-away from the HW-Q800D’s feature quality? No, it truly is exhaustive and brimming with options. But what it does mean is that there’s pretty much no reason to upgrade if you already have last year’s model.
Features score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q800D: Audio performance
Crisp vocal clarity and booming bass
Great for movies and music alike
Fantastic Dolby Atmos effects
This soundbar serves up a mighty sonic performance thanks to its 11 speakers and total power output of 360W. And you really feel that power at all times, whether watching movies or even just listening to music – with the included sub providing some serious low-end boom.
For instance, I tried watching Top Gun: Maverick and the sound of jet engines firing up was deep, imposing and room-filling. Low-frequency audio was never thin or lethargic either – I found it to be pleasingly deep and responsive when jets soared through the skies, which added serious impact to combat-filled action scenes.
Similarly, I found bass to be excellent when listening to music. The drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X is intended to be strikingly deep and the HW-Q800D does a phenomenal job of replicating that. The dynamism of the song’s bass connecting up to the lower mid range was also captured beautifully – so if you’re into bass-heavy bangers, this soundbar will likely cut it for you.
Sticking with music, I found Standard mode was perfectly up to the task, although Dynamic worked nicely too. Beyond bass, things are equally awesome. I tuned into Clair de Lune by Kamasi Washington and felt that organ in the background had a subtle yet super clear sound profile, with the sporadic piano playing also occupying a well-defined sonic pocket and the trumpet sounding pleasantly forward. On top of that, percussion was clean, rhythmic and tinniness free, tying up a non-grating, highly enjoyable listen. As you’d hope, there’s well-defined separation on offer from the HW-Q800D with a wide, nuanced soundstage that kept me listening for hours.
But let’s move onto arguably the most crucial aspect – spatial audio performance. This soundbar supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but I was mainly viewing content with the former. And Atmos effects are brilliant here. When watching The Boy and the Heron, the trajectory of the heron’s flight was very well mapped and during the tension-filled opening, the roar of flames and sound of the protagonist – Mahito – running were traced and fed back to me accurately and impactfully. In a fire-consumed area, both the width from the soundbar’s side speakers and verticality from its upfiring ones played into the frightening, heart-racing atmosphere of the opening scene, so you can have no doubts about the immersive nature of Atmos here.
The only real negative in terms of audio presentation is that you’re not getting rear speakers from the off. That lack of rear staging may feel a little unbalanced for some – but you can purchase SWA-9500S rear speakers separately and pair them if you want to boost expansiveness further. For me, sitting in a small-medium-sized room, however, I felt highly satisfied with the soundbar and sub combo alone.
More generally, the sound quality on offer from the HW-Q800D is amazing. I tuned into live news and found that vocal clarity was very good, especially in Adaptive mode – there was no tinniness or distortion to be found, even at high volumes. I also found instrumental and vocal separation to be top-notch when playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PS5. Near a ranch, I could hear the sound of Chocobos walking, wind flowing, soft strings playing and characters speaking – but all of it was easily discernible and expertly weighted. I briefly flicked back to my TV speakers and the quality difference was astonishing – the HW-Q800D really can transform your listening, viewing and gaming experiences.
Overall, the HW-Q800D is just more of the same from its predecessor – but that’s a highly positive thing. You’re getting deep, immersive audio, ultra-crisp vocals and tasty Atmos effects to boot. Given you’re not actually paying top-of-the-range price, performance isn’t going to come a whole lot better – especially if you have the cash to add those rear speakers into the mix.
Sound quality score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q800D review: Design
Strong build quality
Though slightly chunky and angular
Metallic grilled finish is attractive
This isn’t the largest soundbar and sub combo ever, but it’s definitely on the hefty side of things. The soundbar itself is pointed, angular and fairly chunky – in fact I had to place it on a shelf below my TV as it was too big for my usual setup. However, if you have a decently wide and long TV unit, you shouldn’t have too much trouble fitting it in.
For some, the aforementioned angular, slightly chunky look might be a bit of a turn-off. And I’d certainly argue it’s not the most elegant or pleasing to the eye. What its aesthetic does say to me, though, is that you’re getting a sturdy, durable, high-quality bar – and it’s certainly all three of these things.
Similarly, the included woofer is quite a tall, broad beast. It’s got a felt-covered driver on its side, as well as a vent on its reverse side and looks pretty clean overall. Both the sub and main soundbar have the same color code as their predecessor – a slightly grayish matte black that in my view, is classy-looking and suits its more chunky appearance to a tee.
Design score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q800D review: Setup & usability
Easy to control in-app
Neat, simple-to-use remote
Personally experienced an issue with sub pairing
OK, one slight gripe I had with the Samsung HW-Q800D was related to the setup process. After hooking up the soundbar and sub to power outlets, I strapped in and got ready to listen… but I instantly noticed something. A distinct lack of low-end punch. I soon discovered, however, that this was due to the subwoofer failing to sync up with the soundbar out of the box. Happily, a simple unplug and replug was enough here – meaning this was a pretty small issue overall. Nonetheless, this was a setback and although most are unlikely to encounter this, it was slightly frustrating for me.
Otherwise, though, the Samsung HW-Q800D was straightforward to setup. I connected it to my TV using HDMI eARC, meaning I could use my typical TV remote to alter volume – a super-handy feature. There’s also an included wall bracket if you need that for a mounted setup.
This soundbar is very easy to use, too. I used the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to download the Samsung SmartThings app, which is well laid-out and simple to use if you want to adjust soundbar settings. You can also change surround sound, tone, volume and channel level settings with the included remote, which is diminutive, sleek and super responsive.
The soundbar itself also has controls, if you need them. It has an inbuilt mic which can be used to activate Amazon Alexa or Google voice assistants – and there’s a button to activate or deactivate this on top of the bar. Alongside that, there’s also a volume up and down button – both of which are well-sized and again, very responsive.
Setup & usability: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q800D review: Value
Outstanding performance for the price
Additional rear speakers don’t come cheap
Upgrades on predecessor extremely minimal
For the price you pay, the Samsung HW-Q800D offers incredible performance for movies and music alike. If you want detailed, expansive and super-clear audio, you get all of that, so even if it's still quite the investment to spend approximately $699/£699/AU$1,099, you’re certainly getting your money’s worth.
Having said that, it’s not all good news in the value category. Now, if you decide that you do want to add rear speakers to the base offering, you’re going to have to cough up more. Specifically, the Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers cost around $199/£199/AU$349, making the overall cost here quite hefty. Of course, this is merely an option, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you want the full package.
Something I am more critical of, however, is the real lack of improvements over 2023’s already incredible Samsung HW-Q800C. Other than some small incremental additions, this is almost the same product, so it’s not worth upgrading to and if the last-gen model is available for less, you’re getting almost equal amount of bang for less buck. So, even if it's excellent for its class, the lack of improvement is a slight dampener here.
Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q800D?
Buy it if...
You want cinematic sound, powered by Atmos The Samsung HW-Q800D offers punchy, immersive sound with ‘true’ Atmos, DTS:X and fantastic vocal clarity. You’re getting the full package here – that is, unless you want rear speakers from the off.
You’ve got a modern Samsung TV If you have a selected Samsung TV released between since 2022, you’ll be able to access Samsung Q-Symphony and Wireless Dolby Atmos. Q-Symphony puts your soundbar to work alongside your TV speakers’ audio, whereas Wireless Dolby Atmos supplies “pinpoint” sound effects, taking the 3D audio experience to the next level.
Don't buy it if...
You need 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough For gamers that want the most premium sonic performance when playing, this soundbar might not quite cut it. That’s because – like its predecessor – it doesn’t offer 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough. You might have to splash a bit more cash if you’re craving that from your soundbar.
You’re on a tight budget If you want a truly cinematic listening experience but find this soundbar a touch expensive, worry not, reader – there are some great options out there. For example, the Hisense AX5125H plates up quality, powerful audio with Atmos and DTS:X, and it’s often available for around half of this Samsung soundbar system.
Samsung HW-Q800D: Also consider
Sonos Arc OK, so the Sonos Arc may be a standalone soundbar, but if you want a top-drawer all-in-one option, it’s incredibly hard to beat. With strong speech clarity, great Atmos effects and brilliant performance across both music and movies, it’s sure to impress most listeners. If you’re sold on Sonos but want to add more units for true surround sound, you can purchase them separately, although things could get quite pricey if you decide to take that route. Read our full Sonos Arc review.
Hisense AX5125H If you want truly incredible value for money, it doesn’t get much better than the Hisense AX5125H. This 5.1.2 channel system comes with a soundbar, sub and rear speakers but also delivers both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound. It doesn’t skimp on quality either, offering immersive Atmos, punchy bass and clear vocals. We’ve often spotted the AX5125H available for as little as $299 / £349 (around AU$449), so if you want surround sound at a considerably cut price, this could be the best option for you. Read our full Hisense AX5125H review.
How I tested the Samsung HW-Q800D
Tested over a week
Integrated the soundbar into my usual setup
Used while watching movies, streaming music over Bluetooth, and gaming
When testing the Samsung HW-Q800D, I had it hooked up to my Hisense U7K TV via HDMI eARC. I also connected to the soundbar using the Samsung SmartThings app on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which allowed me to alter settings and play music over Bluetooth.
The soundbar was placed on a shelf below my TV in a small-to-medium-sized room, with the subwoofer positioned beside my TV unit. I tested only the included soundbar and subwoofer, without any add-ons.
I tried viewing, playing and listening to a wide variety of content during my testing time – which spanned over a week-long period. I watched a number of movies and TV shows, played games on my PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch and listened to music on Tidal with the Bluetooth connectivity option. I tuned into the TechRadar testing playlist when assessing the quality of music on the HW-Q800D – which includes songs from a wide variety of genres.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the new flagship in Sonos’ soundbar line-up, and it takes everything that was good about the original Arc and cranks it up to the next level. Better Dolby Atmos effects, better bass, better speech clarity, better connectivity.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a huge step up for music quality over the original Sonos Arc, and while it’s less of a jump up from the original with movies, it’s still a clear and obvious improvement, and ranks among the best soundbars.
Is it worth upgrading from the original Sonos Arc? I think that’ll depend on how much of a cinephile you are; I really appreciated the improved sound balance and the clearer speech, and the obvious improvement to Dolby Atmos effects positioning, and found it hard to go back – but the original Sonos Arc is no slouch, and more casual viewers may find the difference to feel less essential.
The Sonos Arc Ultra keeps the original’s biggest flaw, which is not having any HDMI passthrough port in an era when HDMI ports are becoming a bit of a premium, and effectively all its key rivals offer this. The lack of DTS is also a shame, but won’t be a big problem for most people. I still thoroughly recommend the Sonos Arc Ultra, but it just may not be the best fit for your setup because of its HDMI limitation.
For those wondering about Sonos’ app, I had no problems setting it up, playing with different configurations, and changing settings.
I’m reviewing the Sonos Arc Ultra as a single soundbar here, though I have tested it with the Sub 4 and rear speakers, and I’ll talk about that experience too.
I think the Sonos Arc Ultra gives you the best cinematic experience you can get from a single-unit soundbar for under $1000 / £1000. However, in the UK, you can get the Samsung HW-Q990D for around the same price during sales events, and if you’re happy having a four-box surround system, you’ll get a far more immersive experience. And Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 9 is a key competitor around the world – it's a single-box soundbar like the Arc Ultra, but it offers the missing HDMI port, and with 4K 120Hz support, no less. It officially costs a lot more than the Sonos Arc Ultra, but sales season discounts bring it down to around the same price. It’s even bigger than the Arc Ultra, though.
(Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Price & release date
Released on October 29, 2024
Priced at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799
The Sonos Arc Ultra is priced pretty well at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799, considering that other flagship one-box soundbars can be far higher, such as the $2,399 / £1,990 / AU$3,999 Devialet Dione, or the $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$1,795 of the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9.
Obviously, it's not cheap, and you can find the Samsung HW-Q800D for significantly less, but that's not a one-box soundbar, and building high-quality sound into a single unit that isn't huge (which the Devialet Dione especially is) is hard. For a premium soundbar, the Arc Ultra is competitive.
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Specs
The Sonos Arc Ultra features the first use of Sonos' Sound Motion driver tech. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Features
9.1.4 speaker channels, with Sound Motion bass driver
All Sonos' usual special skills, plus Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos support, but no DTS
Much like the original Sonos Arc, this is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with HDMI eARC connectivity, Sonos multi-room wireless support, and optional voice control from Alexa or Sonos’ own more limited voice assistant.
The biggest new feature is the Sound Motion driver, which delivers big bass performance from a small speaker, and a generally improved speaker setup that now promises 9.1.4 channels of sound, compared to 5.0.2 from the original Sonos Arc.
There’s also Bluetooth connectivity in the Arc Ultra, which is a first for a Sonos soundbar, but is now standard on the best Sonos speakers at last, including the recent Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300.
Naturally, the Sonos Arc Ultra works with Sonos’ Sub options (including the new Sub 4 as well as older models) and you can connect it to rear speakers for a real surround sound setup. The Arc Ultra is the first Sonos soundbar that doesn’t work with the Sonos Play:1 or Play:5 speakers – but it still works with Sonos One, Sonos Five, the Era models, or with two wired speakers connected to a Sonos Amp.
Sonos’ TruePlay room-tuning tech is here, and it’s finally available on Android in a new ‘quick’ version, which is also available on iOS. This new version will probably be preferable for a lot of people because it’s much easier. It uses the Arc Ultra’s own mic array to test your room using a series of pet-alarming tones, to adjust the system’s sound for better precision and Dolby Atmos surround effects. On iOS, it still asked me to hold my phone where I sit for a set of measurements there first, which is what the full TruePlay system does – but then I didn’t have to walk around the room waving my phone up and down.
The biggest flaw in the Sonos Arc is the lack of any HDMI passthrough ports. Most premium soundbars have more than one HDMI port – one to connect to your TV, and then at least one other that passes video through to your TV, so that you don’t lose the use of one of your HDMI ports for connecting consoles or other video boxes. This is doubly annoying in the majority of TV models available today, which only have two HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K 120Hz support at most, and the HDMI eARC is usually one of those ports, so you’re losing one of the most important ports. (Many LG and Samsung TVs have four HDMI 2.1 ports, so this is less of a problem, and in 2025 far more TVs will have four HDMI 2.1 ports thanks to a new chip from MediaTek – but that doesn’t help TVs today.)
Even ignoring the type of ports, four video devices is not an uncommon amount for people to want to connect to a TV here in 2024, and yet if you have the Sonos Arc Ultra, you can only connect three.
It’s so frustrating, given that it was a complaint I had about the original Sonos Arc when that launched in 2020. I’ve spoken to Sonos about the topic, and the company’s stance has been that HDMI passthrough adds complexity and it wants its soundbars to be as simple as possible. But that only holds true if someone doesn’t then have to deal with the headache of what a good solution is if they want to connect more devices than they have ports free, once the Arc Ultra is connected. I think Sonos has simply off-loaded the complexity to users. With an HDMI passthrough port, I’d have been seriously looking at giving the Arc Ultra a five-star rating overall.
The other notable issue is a lack of DTS decoding. This is not a big problem if your TV or playback device will decode DTS-HD to LPCM, as many will. I had a great time playing DTS-HD Blu-rays while testing the Sonos Arc, and getting the big, powerful, high-quality sound I was expecting. The lack of DTS:X is the more annoying part for purists, especially with it now used on Disney Plus for some movies, but it really isn’t a dealbreaker for the vast majority of people.
The Sonos Arc Ultra works with the audio-swap feature of the Sonos Ace headphones, so you can watch anything that plays on your TV with great spatial audio on the headphones to avoid disturbing others in the house – our Sonos Ace review has more on how well that works, but it’s not affected by the Sonos Arc Ultra's performance, so I won’t go into it here.
Features score: 4 / 5
I tested the Arc Ultra on its own, and with Sonos' complete Dolby Atmos setup. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Performance
Excellent dynamic range
Very strong Dolby Atmos effect
Very clear speech and detail
In my opinion, the Sonos Arc Ultra is the best-sounding single-box soundbar you can get for under $1,000 / £1,000. It delivers fulsome balance and exciting sound with clear speech, and superb height and width. The Devialet Dione maybe does this all better as a single-unit soundbar, but at around twice the price and twice the size, it’s a harder sell in several ways.
Dolby Atmos surround effects don’t seem like they’re coming from behind you, inevitably, but they do feel like they reach you when there are movement effects in particular. Height channels have motion and precision, despite being part virtual – Sonos claims four channels of overhead sound, but there are only two drivers, with the width drivers combining with the height drivers for a sense of four channels, and it works well.
Sound is layered very impressively in Dolby Atmos, with a sense of 3D positioning across the whole space in front of you.
Everything is an improvement over the original Sonos Arc. It’s not quite night and day, but it’s a clear step up anyway. That especially goes for speech clarity and Dolby Atmos effects in movies, with everything feeling just more expansive and more in the room than from the older soundbar.
I tried Sonos’ new and upgraded speech enhancement tools for the Arc Ultra, and they’re very effective, but they affect the sound balance (as do all such tools), and I found that I really didn’t need them anyway on the Arc Ultra. It’s a bit unoriginal to say that the speech in Christopher Nolan movies is hard to hear, but I tested the old and new Arc with them, and there was a big jump in legibility on the Arc Ultra that meant they really weren’t hard to follow any more (generally).
Surprisingly, the new bass driver didn’t create that big an effect compared to the original Sonos Arc in movies that already ramp up the bass, but it does help to make the sound feel fuller in general. It makes the bass that the Arc Ultra can generate better connected through to the mid-range, so the overall balance in low-end-heavy scenes is stronger – and just excellent overall. There’s a good dispersal of the bass so that it doesn’t feel too directional, and the impact is really pleasing for such a relatively compact soundbar.
The Sound Motion bass speaker did really jump out during music though. This actually was a night and day difference from the original Arc, with a massive improvement across the whole frequency range. For music, the original Arc sounded unclear and subdued compared to the Arc Ultra at the same volume. Having said that, I would still put the Arc Ultra essentially on par for music quality with the Sonos Era 300, which is half the price. It’s easier to fill out that sound when you can be thick and tall, unlike a soundbar.
(Image credit: Future)
Running TruePlay tuning helps the Dolby Atmos and finer details to come through more clearly, so I absolutely recommend it. There wasn’t a clear difference between the quick version and the full version in my setup, so as I mentioned above, the quick version should be all that most people need to bother with.
To repeat myself from the start of this section, I think the Arc Ultra delivers the best-value cinematic experience from a single-box soundbar. It’s the best combination of a demure design, effective sound reproduction and 3D effects, and a reasonable price given what it can do. More expensive soundbars may do better, but the audio package here is excellent.
I’m reviewing it as a single unit for all the scores here, but I also tested it with a Sub 4 and Era 300 speakers in Sonos’ full-power ultimate system. I also tested it with a Sub 4 only, and then slotted it and the Sub 4 into my existing setup using my Sonos One rear speakers.
Make no mistake – despite the Sound Motion tech being very impressive for bass, the Sub 4 adds a whole new dimension of bass you can feel, in frequencies the soundbar alone simply can’t touch. You will literally get more from your movies with a big sub, though obviously for a premium of $799 / £799.
In the full elite surround mode, with Era 300 units behind as well, you can really feel the overall power of the system. Even with one sub (you can connect a second to more fully spread the bass around) you can feel the power of the low frequencies everywhere, with excellent fullness through to the mid-range, and a clear separation of higher frequencies from that mix. It’s a really well-connected whole system, and testing against the Samsung HW-Q990C, I say you get a more satisfying overall sound profile from the Sonos setup. However, not by that much, considering you’ll pay a lot more for the Sonos system – it kind of proves why Samsung’s top-end soundbars are five-star products among the best Dolby Atmos soundbars. Still, for those with the ear, I think the Sonos system’s sound is superior.
Even with my Sonos Ones as rear speakers, I felt like I was getting a different sound profile from the rears (post TruePlay) than with my Sonos Arc and Sub Mini that I usually have. They felt punchier and with a little more bass added to them, perhaps to match the broader sound profile the bar is capable of compared to the original Arc. I feel that swapping the Arc for the Arc Ultra in my setup would be an upgrade, albeit one that I would enjoy as someone who’s obsessive over sound and setups – perhaps someone more casual about home theater wouldn’t find it to be as good value.
Performance score: 5 / 5
The concave volume control matches other recent Sonos releases. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Design
Very well made and subtle
Some key buttons hidden at the back
Shorter but wider than original Arc
The Sonos Arc Ultra is 18% smaller by volume than the original Sonos Arc, according to Sonos, and this manifests in it being less tall (which is very welcome) and less deep (also welcome for those with chunky TV stands, though it’s still somewhat deep because it has a chunky bar across the back). However, it’s actually wider than the Sonos Arc. It’s still good for TVs of 55 inches and up, though, and the shorter height can make a real difference with some TVs.
It comes in black and white, and the overall look is very simple and classy. A hard, curved grille covers the entire thing, and it’s good at just disappearing into the room, which is what most people will want. The new design seems to pick up fingerprints worse than the old one, so be warned if you’re fastidious and have handsy kids.
The button for activating Bluetooth pairing mode is on the back, which is inconvenient for a soundbar, especially if it’s wall-mounted. You can pair from the Sonos app instead, but it would be better still if the Bluetooth button was on top, for maximum flexibility – especially since the button layout here was redesigned anyway, including moving volume over to the right, for whatever reason. In the middle, you still have buttons to play/pause, and skip tracks.
The switch to kill the voice control mics is also on the back, and is turned on by default, so the privacy conscious should remember to hit this before getting it situated. Also on the back is an Ethernet port, and then the power and HDMI ports are on the sides of the bit port cutaway on the rear – just like the original Arc.
The Arc Ultra is wall-mountable and works on the same mounts as the original Arc, which is nice for upgraders – though some of the mount may be visible, due to the change in size.
Design score: 4 / 5
The connections are all in that recessed area. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Setup & usability
Use Sonos app to get started
TruePlay is now easier, and very useful
Once connected to the TV, very little effort needed
If you have read or watched anything about recent Sonos releases, you will have seen strong opinions about the new Sonos app. We can’t post a video covering Sonos without a cascade of comments saying no one should ever buy Sonos again because of the state of the software. At launch, earlier in 2024, the app was missing a lot of features, and a lot of people had problems accessing or making changes to their systems.
At the time of writing this review, Sonos says that it has added 90% of the missing features back in, and is still committed to updates every two weeks to address bugs and performance while adding the remainder of the features.
I had no problems at all setting up the Arc Ultra at home through the app, making the settings adjustments I needed, and then adding/breaking multiple different surround setups while I tested different configurations of Sonos setups.
I did have trouble setting the surround system up in our office testing rooms, where the connection between the components would drop regularly – but this is pretty common on our office Wi-Fi outside of Sonos. I’ve had a problem getting Samsung’s soundbars to connect to register on the SmartThings app, and it can be difficult with smart home tech, so I don’t blame Sonos for this – but it’s only fair to note it if I’m going to dig into the experience. At home, on my normal mesh router setup, I had no problems at all.
The usability of Sonos’ soundbars continues to be a slightly mixed bag – I think if you designed an app for controlling a soundbar as its first priority, rather than playing music as its first priority, you probably wouldn’t bury settings like the Speech Enhancement that far down in the settings.
I’d love to see Sonos change how it approaches its Now Playing screen when you’re connected to HDMI, so it puts more emphasis on making settings available to you instead of a lack of artwork.
But setting it up was smooth, and most people won’t need to go back into the app, especially if you won’t connect other devices. As I mentioned, I found the speech clear enough without using the enhancement, and I didn’t think the EQ needed adjustment. TruePlay will be suggested as part of the setup too, and it worked with my remote (over HDMI-CEC, but infrared is also enabled by default) out of the box with no tinkering required.
Setup & usability score: 4 / 5
The Sonos Arc Ultra with the Sub 4. (Image credit: Future)
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Value
Premium, but competitive price
As good sound as you can get for the price
Surround-ready products available around the same price
The Sonos Arc Ultra isn’t cheap, but if you want powerful, expansive, clear Dolby Atmos sound from a single inoffensively-designed soundbar, you can’t do better for the price – as long as you’re not tight on HDMI ports.
You can get a full surround setup for a similar price to this, but the core Sonos Arc Ultra is designed for people who don’t want to deal with having four boxes including a hefty subwoofer. And I think it’s the best, most cinematic single box you can add to your TV for the price, making it very strong value.
But as I say, if you’re already filling your HDMI ports, that value is harmed, because the Arc Ultra may create a new problem for you. For the price, it should really offer you the solution.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Sonos Arc Ultra?
Buy it if...
You want the best sound from a single-unit soundbar At this price, and without extra satellite speakers, nothing beats what the Sonos Arc Ultra can do.
You want clearer speech and Dolby Atmos cinematic effects The Arc Ultra is a big step up over the Arc for dialogue, and boosts Dolby Atmos positioning skill at the same time.
You want Sonos' extra skills Part of a multi-room music system? Check. The ability to add other speakers in the future to improve the sound? Check. TruePlay room tuning? Sound check.
Don't buy it if...
You're short on HDMI ports No HDMI passthrough really could be a dealbreaker.
You want the best value sound and could have more than one box The Sonos Arc Ultra is very good value for a one-box system, but if you can live with more hardware, you can get bigger sound for the price.
You're a home theater purist about DTS Sonos' continued lack of DTS support will irk those those with physical media in DTS:X.
Sonos Arc Ultra review: Also consider
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 We didn't rave about this soundbar overall in our Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review, but it's cheaper than the Sonos Arc Ultra and offers 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough, so it might be the most practical option for some people – or its more expensive sibling, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 is the beefier-sounding option, but is pricier than the Sonos.
Sonos Beam 2 Want to go even more compact and have Sonos' options for expansion? The Beam 2 delivers surprisingly full sound for such a compact soundbar, and supports Dolby Atmos, but not with anything like the effectiveness of the Arc Ultra. But it's half the price, so swings and roundabouts – definitely read our Sonos Beam 2 review if you want to know more.
Samsung HW-Q990D Look, if you can find this full Dolby Atmos surround system for close to the Sonos Arc Ultra's price, know that it will give you a truly mind-blowing Dolby Atmos home theater experience – as long as you can live with four boxes instead of one. We gave it five stars in our Samsung HW-Q990D review.
How I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra
The Arc Ultra sitting on top of the original Arc. I didn't test it like that, obviously… (Image credit: Future)
Tested over a week
Tested at home, in my usual setup
Tested with Sonos surround configurations
For the crucial portion of this review, I used the Sonos Arc Ultra at home, in the same setup where I usually use the original Sonos Arc, so I had a good point of direct comparison. I directly compared the sound of the two bars to gauge the difference, but mostly I just used the Sonos Arc Ultra for my normal viewing, which included 4K Blu-rays and streaming. I listened in both lossless quality and compressed, as well as in Dolby Atmos, regular 5.1 surround sound, and in stereo.
As mentioned above, I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra on its own mainly, but also tried it with the Sub 4, and then with the Sub 4 and different Sonos rear speaker options.
I also tested a Sonos surround setup for a short time compared to the Samsung HW-Q990C in TechRadar's TV testing rooms. On our corporate Wi-Fi systems, I had connections problems that meant I couldn't do longer-term comparisons; at home, I use a Google Nest Home mesh Wi-Fi system and had no problems with the Sonos app or network connectivity.
When Sony announced its 2024 AV lineup, it wasn’t just its TVs that received a more straightforward naming system, but its soundbars too. This year, the potentially tricky-to-remember model numbers have been replaced with a much simpler Bravia branding. The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 replaces the HT-A5000 as the company’s mid-range model – sitting below the Theater Bar 9 and the Bravia Theater Quad four-speaker audio system – and arrives with the aim to be one of best soundbars.
As with the HT-A5000, this latest model is a standalone Dolby Atmos soundbar. There are no wireless rear speakers included, nor is there a wireless subwoofer, but these can be added as optional extras if you wish to create an even more immersive surround sound experience. Despite the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 cramming 11 speakers into its slimline body to create a “bubble of sound” in Sony’s words, we would recommend true movie buffs consider adding at least a subwoofer to handle the low-end.
The Bar 8 is smaller than its predecessor – by some 30% – and is low in height, meaning it slots effortlessly in front of a TV. Connectivity is good rather than great with just two HDMI ports, one of which is eARC to connect to your TV. Thankfully, however, the other HDMI input is the 2.1 standard and it supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough, meaning you can confidently connect external devices including games consoles and 4K Blu-ray players. Elsewhere there is Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for streaming music.
While some may expect more from a soundbar that costs $999 / £999 / AU$1,499, where connections or additional rear speakers are concerned there’s no denying the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 does an excellent job of boosting the sound of your TV. Although as for true Dolby Atmos it does fall a little short of the competition. The company’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping tech does work in creating phantom speakers, but we found during our testing that the soundfield was more of a half-dome as opposed to a full-dome covering an entire room.
We also found that the Bravia Bar 8 performed at its best in small to medium-sized rooms, as it seemed to lack the power to fill a larger open space. Adding the optional rear speakers and/or a subwoofer will undoubtedly help (we didn’t have them for this review), but the total cost of such a package adds up to far more than tried and tested complete Dolby Atmos soundbar packages, despite the Bravia Bar 8 receiving what seem to be permanent price cuts globally (as of September 2024, it's typical street price is generally around $849.99 / £799 / AU$1,249).
So while it might not be the outright best option for your main TV viewing room, the Sony Bravia Bar 8 can certainly find a spot in a bedroom or smaller TV room. The only question you’ll need to ask yourself is if you’d rather opt for the Sonos Arc. It doesn’t cost that much more than the Sony, handles music better and has the added potential benefit multiroom functionality.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Price and release date
Launched in July 2024
List price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,499
Has received price cuts since launch
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 was announced in April 2024 and went on sale in July 2024 in the US, UK and Australia for $999 / £999 / AU$1,499. That puts it right in the firing line of the Sonos Arc, which also goes without a wireless subwoofer or rear speakers included.
It’s less than the MSRP of the Samsung HW-Q990D – our current favorite Dolby Atmos soundbar on our list of the best soundbars – although recent price drops against Samsung's soundbar make it approximately the same price as the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 in most regions.
Samsung’s flagship bar comes with a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers included, although the rears do require constant power. Sony’s selection of optional rear speakers run off rechargeable batteries and so could prove to be a more appealing option for anyone short on power outlets in their room.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Specs
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Features
5.0.2 speaker channels
Phantom speakers for extra 'virtual' channels
HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120Hz support
(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
As you’ll find with soundbars from the likes of LG and Samsung, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 can connect to a Sony TV from 2021 or newer and use it as a center channel via Bravia Acoustic Center Sync. It would have been nice for this to have worked via HDMI – whereby the soundbar should be able to detect it’s connected to a Sony TV – but you have to connect them together using the included cable. If you don’t own a Sony TV, but your TV has an S-Center speaker input, you can take advantage of this feature via the same 3.5mm cable wired connection (the 3.5mm port on the rear of the Bravia Bar 8 can only be used for this feature and can’t be used as an input from external devices).
There are only two HDMI ports on the Bravia Bar 8, and with one needed to connect to a TV via eARC, there is just one spare for external devices. Fortunately, this input does support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough and gamers will appreciate that it supports auto low latency mode (ALLM) and variable refresh rate (VRR). Having just one spare HDMI input shouldn’t alienate too many users, but the previous HT-A5000 had two spare, so it’s peculiar as to why Sony has dropped one this time around.
Setting up the Bravia Bar 8 is incredibly easy. Simply connect it to your TV via the aforementioned HDMI port, open up the Bravia Connect app on your iOS or Android device and connect it to your network. Once done, you’ll want to run a calibration to ensure the soundbar is optimized for your specific room. It’s a process that only takes around 20 seconds and sees the soundbar emitting various tones to determine the acoustics of your room to optimize the sound output based on your usual seating position.
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
There’s no option to manually adjust speaker channel settings as you can with other soundbars such as the Samsung HW-Q990D, but you can choose from three height modes – lower, default and higher – and three different sound field settings. The default option here is Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, but you also have the option of DTS Neural:X or Dolby Speaker Visualizer. You can also turn the sound field mode off entirely if you wish (I’ll discuss the effects of this further down in the performance section). And, when rear speakers are connected, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 can deliver an IMAX Enhanced certified audio presentation.
There aren’t any sound modes along the lines of ‘Movie’ or ‘Music’, which is an interesting omission, and there’s also very little mention of AI being used. The only AI-related feature of the Theater Bar 8 is to detect human voices and make them clearer via “AI sound separation”.
If you want to play music through the Bar 8, you can do so via HDMI, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect or AirPlay 2. Hi-Res audio is supported from compatible sources along with Sony’s LDAC wireless codec. You can also stream songs mixed in Sony’s own 360 Reality Audio via Amazon Music Unlimited.
Features score: 3.5/5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Performance
Powerful with genuine height
Bass handling would benefit from a dedicated subwoofer
With 11 speakers inside the bar, including two up-firing and two new side-firing drivers, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is certainly capable of delivering powerful, expansive sound into your room. But expansive doesn’t necessarily mean enveloping, as I found it to produce more of a half-dome of sound rather than a complete bubble to include sounds coming from behind my viewing position.
I began my testing in a smaller room of the house, with the soundbar connected to the Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV and a scene from The Incredibles streaming on Disney Plus – the part where the children are in the jungle escaping from Syndrome’s henchmen. There was obvious height and width to the sound, with the flying saucer-like vehicles shooting across the screen and up above the listening position when they went off screen.
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The Bravia Theater Bar 8 nestles perfectly in front Sony's own 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED TV. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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Optional feet can be attached to the Bravia Bar 8, so that it slides over the feet of 2024 Sony Bravia TVs. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
For the majority of my testing, I had the height sound setting set to ‘higher’ as it provided the most immersive experience. I toggled between ‘default’ and ‘lower’ settings but found both to have a negative impact on the movie I was watching. I wasn’t personally able to find a scenario where either of these settings would be useful when watching a film.
Sony says the Bravia Bar 8 is capable of bouncing sound off the ceiling to create phantom speakers behind the listening position, but I wasn’t able to distinguish these during my testing. Dedicated rear speakers would no doubt alleviate this, as they’ll be on hand to actually deliver sound from behind the viewing position.
Dialogue was notably impressive, however, coming through crystal clear even when the volume was turned up. I also found the Voice Mode – activated within the Bravia Connect app or on the supplied remote control – did indeed give dialogue a boost without sacrificing too much of the rest of the soundtrack. And as for the Bravia Bar 8’s bass handling during the same scene in The Incredibles, I was pleasantly surprised by the depths it could go to, especially given the absence of a wireless subwoofer.
But, those same opinions didn’t translate over to the chase scene in The Batman – I loaded upa 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on a PlayStation 5 and was left a little disappointed. The engine growl from the Batmobile was lacking impact and the chase as a whole lacked excitement. The bass output from the Theater Bar 8 is good, but it was apparent it had a limit to its capabilities. A subwoofer would help here as it would take away much of the low-end duties from the soundbar, leaving it to focus on other tasks.
A positive to come from this sequence, however, was that bullets fired at the Batmobile’s windows did pierce through the presentation, which is something I’ve found other soundbars such as the Sonos Arc can falter on.
There are just two HDMI 2.1 connections on the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar, one of which is reserved for an eARC connection. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
I also streamed music to the Bravia Bar 8 via AirPlay from my iPhone using Amazon Music Unlimited. I loaded up a few tracks that had been mixed in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, but that were also available in Ultra HD – Amazon’s version of Hi-Res – so I could switch between the two.
Put simply, songs streamed in the latter format sounded much better. Miley Cyrus’ Flowers, for example, was delivered with extremely good vocal clarity and decent low-end bass when streaming in the Ultra HD format. Having the soundbar’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping soundfield selected also added some extra expanse to the performance, resulting in something that was perfectly enjoyable and listenable. However, switching it to the default setting did yield a more natural-sounding performance.
It wasn’t such good news when moving over to the 360 Reality Audio version of the same song. Bass was essentially eradicated and the overall performance sounded tinny and not too dissimilar to a very cheap Bluetooth speaker. I tried to fix it by turning off the soundfield setting, but it didn’t make a huge amount of difference, other than removing any notion of height from the song.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Design
Premium build with cloth wrapping
Suits 55-inch to 75-inch TVs
A front display would be nice
Sony’s website claims the Bravia Theater Bar 8 outputs sound in a 5.0.2-channel configuration – the same as the Sonos Arc – but we’ve also been told directly from Sony’s product managers that this isn’t so definitive. This is because the sound output will be different for every room, as Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology calibrates the output on a room-by-room basis. Plus, it makes use of phantom speakers with the intention of creating a bubble of sound.
The Bravia Theater Bar 8 is pretty attractive by soundbar standards. It measures 1100 x 64 x 113 mm, making it slightly shorter than a 55-inch TV (which roughly measures 1200mm). I had it setup in front of a 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED and a 77-inch LG G4 OLED TV (top image) during my testing and in both instances it looked perfectly fine, meaning it would be well-suited to be placed in front of a 75-inch TV, too. Coincidentally, 55-, 65- and 75-inch are the three sizes the Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV is available in and, to further highlight how both 8-series TV and soundbar are ideal partners, Sony includes a set of feet in the box with the soundbar to raise it slightly so that it can slide over your TV’s feet if your TV bench isn’t deep enough to accommodate both.
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Sony supplies optional feet and screws to attach to the bottom of the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
If you want to add rear speakers to the Bravia 8, you have a choice of the SA-RS3S or SA-RS5, although only the latter pair features dedicated up-firing speakers. As for subwoofers, you can pair the Bravia Bar 8 with either the 200W SA-SW3 or 300W SA-SW5.
The entire soundbar is covered in a cloth fabric which means when you’re watching TV the soundbar’s top panel won’t reflect the screen above it.
A small LED is the only indicator for power and input. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
One feature I would have liked to see is a proper front panel display for information such as current input or even volume level. There are two small LEDs on the front right of the Bar 8, one to indicate when you’re adjusting the volume and one to indicate the current source. An HDMI device shines white, for example, while Bluetooth is expectedly blue. For more information relating to volume level and source input, you need to open up the Bravia Connect app.
Design score: 4/5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Setup & usability
Quick sound calibration
Bravia Connect app and remote for easy control
HDMI eARC connection to TV
(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)
Setting up the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a relatively straightforward affair. All you need to do is connect an HDMI cable from the soundbar to your TV (Sony supplies one in the box), wait for it to register and you’re away. You’ll need to turn to the Sony Bravia Connect app for iOS and Android to get it connected to your home Wi-Fi network and to carry out the speedy sound optimization calibration.
A remote control is supplied too, for those moments when you don’t want or need to use the app. There is a central button for volume control (you can’t press and hold to turn the volume up and down), along with a dedicated button to adjust the bass level, turn the soundfield mode on or off (but not toggle through them), and toggle voice mode and night mode. The Bar 8 does work via HDMI-CEC, allowing you to adjust the volume using your TV’s remote control.
Setup & usability score: 4.5/5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Value
Premium price
Similarly-priced competitors include rear speakers and subwoofer
Not a class leader
While it launched at $999 / £999 / AU$1,499, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 appears to have received a regular discount in all territories, seeing its price drop to $849.99 / £799 / AU$1,249. In the US at the time of writing, it can be picked up with a further discount of $150. At its MSRP, the Bravia Bar 8 was immediately pitted against the Sonos Arc, which we consider to be one of the best standalone Dolby Atmos soundbars and which does outperform the Sony.
Now it appears to have received a price cut, it’s a more appealing option and somewhat helps stomach the extra cost for a wireless subwoofer and/or wireless rear speakers, should you want to add them. Considering its performance isn’t quite at the level we were expecting, it’s not the obvious choice for anyone looking to create a Dolby Atmos experience at home.
Our current pick for the outright best Dolby Atmos soundbar is the Samsung HW-Q990D, which can regularly be found for much less than its launch price in all territories. If you have one of Sony’s 2024 Bravia TVs, then the Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a natural pairing, but for anyone else, the Samsung soundbar still gets our vote.
Value score: 3.5/5
Should I buy the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8?
Buy it if...
You want a simple solution for a smaller room The Bravia Bar 8 will struggle to fill a large space, but if you want boosted TV sound in a smaller room or bedroom, it's worth an audition.
You want a full-range soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos The Bravia Bar 8 can indeed deliver a expansive soundstage with good object placement, and it has the option of additional hardware to create a complete system.
Don't buy it if...
You want an authentic Dolby Atmos experience Without the rear speakers or subwoofer included, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 can't deliver a true Dolby Atmos experience, despite its best efforts through calibration techniques.
You own Sonos speakers This may sound strange, but if you already own Sonos speakers such as the Era 100 or Era 300, you're better off getting the Sonos Arc. It has the same speaker configuration as the Sony, but can be paired with speakers to create a full home theater. Plus, it handles music more confidently.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 review: Also consider
Sonos Arc It’s been mentioned throughout this review for good reason. The Sonos Arc doesn’t cost much more than the Sony Bar 8, yet delivers a more authentic and immersive audio performance. It’s much better with music and has the obvious additional benefit of being able to be added into a larger multiroom system.
Samsung HW-Q990D You may need to pay a little extra to pick up Samsung’s latest Dolby Atmos soundbar, but it is absolutely worth it. Wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer are included in the box to deliver a sensational home cinema experience. It also has an extra HDMI 2.1 input, making it better for owners of multiple playback devices or games consoles.
I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 over a period of two weeks. I connected it to a Sony Bravia 8 TV in a small room to test its sound output and any same brand exclusive features. I also moved it to a much larger room and connected it to an LG G4.
The majority of testing was conducted with the highest soundfield setting enabled, although I did toggle between the other options to analyze the sound output.
I played content from streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs to test the Bravia Theater Bar 8's ability to handle Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and analyzed not only its spatial sound performance, but also bass, trebles and vocal clarity.
I also streamed music via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to test music playback. I played hi-res audio, Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio tracks via Amazon Music Unlimited and Apple Music.
The Ultimea Poseidon D50 is another super-cheap sound solution from a company that's really nailing this area. For just $119.99 / £149.99 (about AU$180), you get a soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers – which isn’t bad at all. Not only that, but the quality on offer is pretty solid, making the Poseidon D50 a viable budget option for those interested in adding surround sound to their living space.
This sound system will supply considerably bolder audio than you’d expect to get from your TV alone. With a total power output of 400W, your favorite movies, TV shows and games will fill the width of your room pretty effectively. Surround sound was accessible swiftly, too, thanks to the Poseidon D50’s straightforward setup process. I simply connected the soundbar – which is wirelessly pre-paired to the included subwoofer – to my TV via HDMI, and then connected the subwoofer to the rear speakers via stereo RCA to RCA cables.
This means you don't need a cable running from the soundbar across to the rear speakers – but you'll need to position the subwoofer somewhere convenient near the rear speakers. Of course, this wired connection isn’t going to be the easiest on the eye, nor the most practical, but it’s what you’d expect from a sound system with such a small price tag.
I’ll be upfront: you’re not getting astonishing quality with this product. There’s HDMI ARC, but not eARC (which can transmit lossless audio), no groundbreaking feature set, and no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X to create truly three-dimensional sound. So if you’re looking for next-level spatial audio or superb quality sound, you may be better off checking out some of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers instead.
(Image credit: Future)
With that said, the sound you do get is definitely adequate. When watching Top Gun Maverick on Netflix, I was impressed at the three-dimensional sound of soaring aircraft, especially in the absence of Atmos or similar tech. Sure, audio wasn’t the most dynamic or expansive, but for the price you pay, the surround sound certainly surpassed expectations.
I also put the Poseidon D50 to the test with live sport, and found it offered an imperfect, yet relatively enjoyable performance. Similar to when I reviewed the Ultimea Nova S50, I didn’t get particularly clear-cut commentary over the clamor of the crowd, but whistles from the rear speakers and beating drums from the subwoofer helped to immerse me in the viewing experience.
At those times when speech wasn’t competing with similarly pitched background noise, it usually sounded pretty clear, which is ideal for watching the news or listening to podcasts. However, I did feel that higher-pitched voices sometimes sounded a bit tinny, especially when I sat closer to the soundbar, which means speech isn’t always very natural-sounding.
Nevertheless, there are times when vocals are pretty faithful. For instance, when playing Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance on PlayStation 5, one deep-voiced character gave a monologue in a wide-open indoor space, and the Poseidon D50’s surround sound helped to emulate the setting effectively, with his bellowing tone carrying without too much distortion.
(Image credit: Future)
I also connected my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 to the Poseidon D50 over Bluetooth, and tried listening to some music via Spotify. I wasn’t particularly shocked to find that songs didn’t sound amazing played through this soundbar; it's not tuned that way. When listening to St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins, the saxophone’s high notes didn’t sound the sweetest, and percussion was harsh-sounding at times, especially at higher volumes. Such harshness was more apparent when I sat close to the rear speakers and, sometimes, to the soundbar itself. If you have an especially limited space, this could get a little grating.
The balance of sound in movies is pretty good. At times, I felt that the rear speakers were just a bit too quiet, but, thankfully, the Poseidon D50 has a feature that lets you adjust the weighting between the surround speakers and the soundbar. This was pretty useful when I found myself thirsting for a bit more volume from those rear speakers, and I often found myself setting the system to “Surround +1”. If you ever find yourself wanting to dull the surround speakers, you can set the Poseidon D50 to “Surround -1”, and you can also turn them off entirely with “Surround -2”.
(Image credit: Future)
There aren’t too many other features to play with here, although the Poseidon D50 does come with Ultimea BassMax technology. This enables you to apply a boost or reduction to low-frequency sounds. I didn’t feel particularly inclined to crank up the bass, mainly because I didn’t want low-frequency levels to become overbearing, but dampening it was effective if I wanted to make vocals sound clearer.
The Poseidon D50 also has three sound modes: Movie, Dialogue and Music. All have distinct enough audio profiles to make them worth using. However, the soundbar actually displays a variable between 1-3 when switching between them, and I wasn’t initially clear on which number represented which setting – a slight inconvenience, although you can keep the user manual at hand if you forget which is which.
If you’re looking for a super-sexy soundbar that’s going to wow your guests, the Poseidon D50 may not be it. Don’t get me wrong – it doesn’t look too bad, but you can tell it’s budget tech. Like I mentioned in my Ultimea Nova S50 review, these are ultra-affordable products, so it’s no surprise that they have a pretty cheap-feeling and plasticky look. The Poseidon D50 comes with a remote (without the required AAA batteries) that serves its purpose well, and you’ll need to use it if you want to flick through the different sound modes, or alter BassMax levels and surround sound settings.
With the Ultimea Poseidon D50, you’re getting a solid overall package. Its sound quality does waver at times; it doesn’t have a stunning design, nor does it arrive with Atmos or DTS:X. Nevertheless, the Poseidon D50 is still worth considering if you’re in the market for a budget 5.1 soundbar – after all, you get adequate surround sound from it, it's a lot more powerful and expansive than the speakers on any budget (or even mid-range) TV, it's easy to set up, and it offers some simple yet effective features.
So if you’re on a tight budget, this is a decent option for cheap surround sound. But if you have a bit more cash to play with, I might suggest picking out an alternative from our guide to the best soundbars instead, such as the highly rated and well-priced Hisense AX5125H.
(Image credit: Future)
Ultimea Poseidon D50 review: Price and release date
$119.99 / £149.99 (about AU$180)
Launched in September 2023
The Ultimea Poseidon D50 initially launched at $219 / £169, but it’s now available for $119.99 / £149.99 (about AU$180) on the official Ultimea website. This is low for a four-box soundbar system, especially with HDMI support.
It's not hard to find single-unit soundbars for this kind of price, but we'd usually be suspicious of anything offering multiple units – Ultimea has proven itself to be capable of quality products for a low cost, though.
Ultimea Poseidon D50 review: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Ultimea Poseidon D50?
Buy it if...
You want a super-cheap entry into the world of surround sound Ultimea has a knack of offering soundbars at obscenely low prices, and the Poseidon D50 is no exception. To get a soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers for just over $100 / under £150 is an absolute steal.
You’d like to add more powerful bass to your TV setup One of my favorite things about using the Ultimea Poseidon D50 was the added bass compared to my plain TV audio. If you’re watching a movie with an ambient soundtrack or booming sound effects, this soundbar does a decent job at providing some added power and punch.
Don't buy it if...
You’re an audiophile I never expected high-quality audio from the Ultimea Poseidon D50, especially at its super-low price, so I can’t recommend it if you’re an audiophile. This soundbar doesn’t supply awful sound by any means, but if you’re hoping to find a 5.1 soundbar that delivers a big step up in quality, you’ll likely have to stretch your budget a fair bit further.
You’re looking for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X If you’re seeking out top-drawer spatial audio, this isn’t going to cut it. Ultimea does have some other soundbars with Dolby Atmos, though, including the Nova S50 and Poseidon D60, both of which also have pretty low price tags.
Ultimea Poseidon D50: Also consider
Roku Streambar Okay, this might not be a 5.1 channel soundbar, but if your top priority is to get an upgrade over your TV’s audio for a low price, this is a good option. The biggest boost this soundbar offers over the Ultimea Poseidon D50 is its larger feature set, which includes voice controls, bass boost settings, sound mode options, and even a built-in Roku streaming player. It's compact, making it ideal if you’re limited space-wise, but if you do crave surround sound, then you can purchase a subwoofer and rear speakers separately from Roku and pair everything together. See our full Roku Streambar review.
Ultimea Poseidon D60 We haven’t yet got our hands on the Ultimea Poseidon D60, but it's clearly very similar to the D50, but with some noticeable improvements. For instance, you get HDMI eARC, which means you can access a higher caliber of sound quality. However, the real draw is Dolby Atmos. I wasn't blown away by the Atmos on offer from Ultimea’s Nova S50 model, but you still get relatively decent depth there – so I'm willing to bet it elevates the D60 just beyond the S50. If you have the extra cash, it’s likely that the D60 will outperform the D50.
Ultimea Poseidon D50 review: How I tested
Tested for three weeks
Connected to my Hisense U7K TV at home
Predominantly used the HDMI ARC connectivity option
I tested the Ultimea Poseidon D50 at home over the course of three weeks. I mainly used HDMI ARC when connecting the soundbar and subwoofer to my Hisense U7K TV.
I put the Poseidon D50 to the test watching a variety of TV shows, videos and movies across streaming services, including Netflix and YouTube. I also played multiple video games on the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch consoles, and listened to music from the TechRadar testing playlist on Spotify by pairing my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with the Poseidon D50 via Bluetooth.
