10 Best Sound Bars 2025 in the United States

The Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar offers an impressive audio experience, particularly for those looking to enhance their home theater setup. With its 9.1.4 surround sound powered by Dolby Atmos, it delivers immersive audio that fills the room, making it an excellent choice for movie lovers and music enthusiasts alike. One standout feature is the Speech Enhancement, which ensures clear dialogue, a great advantage for viewers who struggle to hear conversations over background noise.

In terms of connectivity, the Arc Ultra is versatile, supporting HDMI eARC for easy setup, as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect for streaming music. The Trueplay tuning feature allows users to tailor the sound to their room, which can significantly enhance the listening experience. Additionally, its elegant design makes it a stylish addition to any living space, without being visually intrusive.

While the soundbar excels in many areas, it isn't without drawbacks. The price point may be a concern for budget-conscious consumers, as higher-end features often come at a premium. Also, while it can work as a standalone unit, users looking for the absolute best experience may need to purchase additional components like the Sonos Sub and Era 300 rear speakers, which further adds to the cost. Another aspect to consider is that, despite its robust feature set, some users might find the various control options—TV remote, Sonos app, voice control—overwhelming or confusing at first. Additionally, it's important to note that the soundbar is not waterproof, which could be a consideration for certain environments.

For those seeking a high-quality soundbar that delivers a cinematic audio experience and has smart features, the Sonos Arc Ultra is a strong contender. Just keep in mind the investment required to maximize its capabilities.

The LG S95TR is a high-end 9.1.5-channel soundbar designed to enhance your home theater experience. One of its standout features is the use of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology, which provides a premium 3-dimensional sound experience. The inclusion of up-firing rear speakers, which are truly wireless and easy to set up, allows for flexible positioning and an immersive audio experience in any room size or shape. The soundbar also boasts an industry-exclusive up-firing center channel that enhances dialogue clarity, making it ideal for watching movies and TV shows where understanding speech is crucial.

The WOW Orchestra feature is impressive as it allows you to combine the audio output of your LG TV and the soundbar, delivering a more harmonious and detailed sound experience controlled through a single remote. Additionally, the WOWCAST feature enables wireless connection to the TV without any loss of sound quality, maintaining a sleek and clutter-free setup. Connectivity options are robust, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and compatibility with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa, making it versatile and user-friendly. Advanced room calibration uses built-in microphones to measure your room's dimensions and optimize audio settings for the best sound experience, which is a strong advantage.

Potential drawbacks include its size, which may be too large for smaller spaces, and its premium price point, which might not be suitable for budget-conscious buyers. The complex array of features might also be overwhelming for someone looking for a straightforward plug-and-play soundbar. The LG S95TR is best suited for users seeking a premium, feature-rich audio system to complement their home theater setup, especially those already using an LG TV.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 Soundbar is a robust choice for home theater enthusiasts, featuring 13 speakers and supporting advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This soundbar excels in delivering a cinema-like surround sound experience, enhanced by 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization, which calibrates audio to your room's characteristics for optimal performance. Connectivity options are plentiful, including HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay 2, making it versatile for streaming music and connecting to various devices.

The soundbar is expandable with optional wireless subwoofers and rear speakers, offering flexibility for those seeking a more immersive experience. Measuring 51.2 inches in width, it's substantial in size and ideal for larger spaces. Despite its impressive audio capabilities, the soundbar lacks water resistance and is limited to indoor use. Additionally, while it includes essential components like a remote and HDMI cable, some users might need additional accessories for wall mounting.

The product has received positive customer reviews, with a 4.3-star rating, indicating general satisfaction. However, users should consider the wired subwoofer connectivity, which may not appeal to those seeking a completely wireless setup. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 Soundbar is a high-quality addition to any home theater system, particularly for those prioritizing sound quality and advanced audio features.