Good quality sound is essential for enjoying an exceptional experience, whether on your computer or your TV!
For this reason, we're going to tell you about the most powerful soundbars to furnish your living room and enjoy breathtaking audio!
What is the purpose of a soundbar?
A soundbar is a long, low-profile speaker designed so that it can be placed under a television.
- Delivering unparalleled audio power!
- Compact and easy to place under the TV
- Aesthetic
Comparison of the most powerful soundbars
Generally, the power of a soundbar ranges from approximately 100 to 500 watts, depending on the model. Therefore, it's important to choose your soundbar based on the size of the room where it will be installed . For this comparison, we've ranked the most powerful models according to the room size they can cover!
Models from 500 to 300 watts are ideal for rooms measuring 40 m² and larger…
1. JBL 5.1: The best soundbar with subwoofer and wireless speaker
Features and Reviews
The JBL 5.1 soundbar offers a fully immersive experience thanks to its two wireless rear speakers . It's powered by rechargeable batteries providing 10 hours of playtime and features a 10-inch wireless subwoofer for high-quality audio performance.
Dolby Digital technology and a surround sound system that can be controlled via a smartphone or tablet. Its remote control includes a microphone, allowing for easy sound calibration in the room where the sound projector is located.
Furthermore, the speaker's maximum output power is 550 watts, which justifies its somewhat high price! In terms of connectivity, the JBL 5.1 soundbar has three HDMI inputs and features 4K Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility.
2. Sonos Arc: The best high-end smart soundbar on the market
Features and Reviews
The Sonos Arc is the latest high-end soundbar from Sonos! Just like previous models, the Arc features a multi-room audio system, which is what the brand is known for. The soundbar boasts 11 Class D amplifiers, 8 elliptical woofers, and 3 silk dome tweeters .
All these features allow the Arc to offer native compatibility with Dolby Atmos tracks. These tracks will trigger a realistic and immersive 3D sound experience ! The Sonos Arc's upward-firing speakers create multidirectional sound that fills the entire room and sometimes even extends beyond. For your information, this soundbar boasts a sound output of 512 watts.
Connectivity on the Sonos Arc is fairly simple: an HDMI eARC port (ARC compatible) for use with the included adapter and an optional Ethernet port – the soundbar can also be connected via Wi-Fi . Unfortunately, Bluetooth compatibility is not included.
Sonos multiroom products due to its native compatibility with Chromecast, AirPlay , and Spotify Connect ! The Sonos Arc comes with a microphone that allows it to interact with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to play music or provide the same interaction as Google Home or Amazon Echo.
3. JBL Bar 3.1: The best sound projector offering an immersive audio experience
Features and Reviews
The JBL Bar 3.1 boasts a total power output of 450 watts, delivering excellent sound. Like most of the brand's other models, this sound projector features Dolby Digital technology and a surround sound system. It also includes a convenient 10-inch wireless subwoofer compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Furthermore, the soundbar features JBL SoundShift, allowing you to instantly switch between audio from your smartphone and your TV. Additionally, you can control the JBL Bar 3.1 using your TV remote.
In terms of connectivity, this soundbar has three HDMI inputs and one HDMI ARC output. It's compatible with all your 4K devices, allowing you to create an Ultra HD system!
4. LG QP5: The compact 320W soundbar
Features and Reviews
The LG QP5 soundbar is very compact, yet it boasts five speakers, including two vertical speakers that deliver 3D Atmos or DTS:X effects. It has a power output of 320W and is certified " High Resolution " for audio. Maximized by Meridian Sound Music technology, the sound quality is excellent despite the device's small size.
The design of the soundbar and wireless subwoofer is very stylish and appealing. We simply regret the lack of a screen to display the names of currently playing tracks, for example, the somewhat inaccessible controls, the lack of backlighting on the remote, and the inability to connect to Wi-Fi.
Given the QP5 Eclair's still high price, these shortcomings are even harder to accept. Despite these minor flaws, it's undoubtedly the best soundbar for anyone wanting quality speakers in a small living room or office.
5. Bose Soundbar 700: The Soundbar with built-in Amazon Alexa
Features and Reviews
The Bose Soundbar 700 is a smart sound projection system that enhances your TV's audio in a room. While not super powerful for large spaces, it can be paired with a bass module for improved performance.
The Bose Soundbar features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity via its HDMI ARC port and Ethernet input. Using the Bose Home app, the soundbar can be configured with most compatible Android and iOS devices.
With its sleek design, the Soundbar 700 can contribute to the refinement and elegance of any interior décor. Furthermore, for optimal use, you can use the manual button on the soundbar itself, a universal remote control, or control it via Google Assistant or Alexa.
For your information, Bose does not disclose wattage ratings. However, the exceptional build quality that the brand applies to its soundbars should not be overlooked… Therefore, this soundbar's inclusion in this category is entirely justified!
Models from 300 to 120 watts are ideal for rooms of 20-40 m²
Soundbars with a power output between 300 and 120 watts are best suited for rooms measuring between 20 and 40 m²!
6. LG SJ3: The sound projector that slides under your TV
Features and Reviews
The LG SJ3 is equipped with Dolby Atmos Sound technology, delivering incredibly realistic audio. It boasts a total power output of 300 watts and a wireless subwoofer for exceptional sound quality! The LG SJ3 2.1 soundbar also features LG Auto Sound Engine technology , ensuring consistent and harmonious sound regardless of your TV's volume.
It supports WAV, FLAC, and ALAC formats and includes built-in Chromecast audio software. This allows you to listen to millions of songs or podcasts directly on the sound projector. You can also use your smartphone instead of the main remote to search for your favorite music, play tracks, or adjust the volume. Connectivity options include an HDMI input, an HDMI output, and an optical input.
7. Samsung HW-T420: The powerful soundbar at a low price!
Features and Reviews
The Samsung HW-T420 is a soundbar that includes a wireless subwoofer to deliver 2.1 surround sound. While its design isn't particularly striking, it's undeniably effective and powerful! In fact, it's one of the few less expensive soundbars that offers superior sound reproduction.
In addition to its Surround Sound Expansion feature, the Samsung HW-T420 soundbar boasts 150W of power. It delivers 360-degree sound, allowing you to enjoy your favorite movies or relive concerts and popular TV shows.
In terms of connectivity, it features an HDMI ARC port and a second HDMI port capable of transmitting 1080p/60 signals to the TV. While Chromecast and AirPlay compatibility are not supported, it can connect to virtually any device via Bluetooth. Furthermore, the Samsung HW-T420 soundbar comes with a remote control that simplifies Bluetooth pairing, switching audio sources, and controlling playback.
How to choose a powerful soundbar?
Here are some buying criteria to help you choose the soundbar that suits your needs!
The quality of the speakers
The first criterion to consider when selecting a powerful soundbar is, of course, the quality of the speakers. While speakers can produce a lot of noise at high volumes, the sound quality may still be poor. To avoid this, check that your soundbar includes these three elements :
- Tweeters : these speakers reproduce the high frequencies of a sound. If there's a triangle in an orchestra, you'll hear it.
- Woofers : these speakers allow the reproduction of frequencies of medium amplitude.
- Subwoofers : these speakers allow the reproduction of bass frequencies, which are highly valued for certain types of music such as rap.
If your powerful soundbar combines these 3 elements, it will already be able to reproduce the entire sound spectrum, which will already be better than 80% of the speakers on the market.
This article might interest you if you're a gamer: The Best RGB Speakers for PC !
RMS power
Another criterion to consider is RMS power . This is often overlooked, even though it's essential. Why? RMS power characterizes the power of the audio amplifier. In other words, it's what determines whether your sound will distort or not. Therefore, a powerful soundbar doesn't necessarily mean a super-powerful amplifier, because without a compressor, the sound is likely to distort at high volumes.
The size of your soundbar
Choose a soundbar that is the same length or shorter than your TV! A long soundbar is often more expensive, but the size does not affect the sound quality.
The Dolby channel
The channel designates the number of audio outputs on your soundbar. Today, all soundbars are stereo, meaning they have two distinct outputs, unlike mono soundbars. However, Dolby 5.1 for all homes, even if it means investing in multiple speakers. We'll come back to that later. Dolby is now the preferred audio channel for all movies, video-on-demand sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and video games. Generally, all powerful soundbars are equipped with Dolby.
The DTS channel
However, unlike Dolby, the DTS channel isn't necessarily included in your soundbar, although it's becoming increasingly common. It's a multi-channel audio system offering optimal quality. Widely used in the film industry, the DTS channel doesn't offer many differences or advantages compared to a well-established Dolby system simply because the two complement each other perfectly.
FAQs
Even though the buying guide above is very comprehensive and reveals everything you need to know about the most powerful soundbars, we understand that some questions may still remain. Whether they concern installation, price, or connectivity, we offer answers to them below in our FAQ section.
Does my soundbar require any other devices to function?
Technically no, but it depends on the quality of the soundbar you buy. If you buy a high-end soundbar, there's generally no problem because it's an all-in-one device. However, this isn't the case for lower-end soundbars, which may lack subwoofers , for example. This is especially frustrating when you realize that the audio quality of the soundbar you just bought is inferior to the TV's built-in speakers. Fortunately, there are a few devices that can compensate for this.
The basis of its
A soundbase is often paired with a soundbar when the latter can't fully handle the bass. This rectangular, discreet device acts like a subwoofer, adding deeper bass to your TV's sound. Expect to pay just under €100 for a decent soundbase. You'll likely encounter one if you go into a store to buy a soundbar, as salespeople often offer them to complement your existing audio equipment. Remember, a soundbase is not an additional speaker.
Home cinema
If you're looking to invest in an exceptional experience, chances are you'll love home theater, especially when paired with a powerful soundbar. However, the soundbar isn't the only audio device you'll need. If you opt for Dolby 5.1 or Dolby 7.1 , you'll need multiple speakers to achieve truly exceptional 3D sound. Some devices even have a better reputation than traditional cinemas.
How do I install my soundbar on my television?
Now that you've bought a powerful soundbar for your TV, you need to install it. If you were smart, you'll have checked which connections your screen has. The main ones are optical and HDMI cables. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage of HDMI cable is that it is more affordable, but it multiplies compatibility and display problems.
With an optical cable, you won't have these problems and the sound quality will be optimal. However, not all TVs are equipped with it, and it's a bit more expensive than HDMI.
My soundbar is plugged in, but it's not working, what should I do?
If your soundbar is properly connected to your TV but is not working, several options are available to you:
- The soundbar has a manufacturing defect and you need to take it back to the store so they can test it for you. Of course, this kind of case is extremely rare.
- Your connection is not good: for example, your TV does not support the latest generation HDMI, or the HDMI cable is not the latest generation or is not compatible with your soundbar.
- The optical cable is incorrectly connected: unfortunately, this is a recurring problem because optical cables are fragile at the ends, sometimes causing breakage
- You have not set the correct device on the TV: this is easier to set up for smart TVs, but if the sound is coming out of your TV speakers even though you have properly connected the soundbar, you need to switch the TV audio output to your soundbar.
There's a good chance one of your problems is on the list above. If not, please contact technical support.
