Rankings
The Polk Signa S4 is a slim 3.1.2-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and a powerful wireless subwoofer, delivering strong bass and clear dialogue. Its lack of a standard HDMI input and occasional Bluetooth hiccups limit connectivity flexibility. Ideal for budget-conscious TV owners seeking immersive sound in small to medium rooms.
The Sonos Arc Ultra provides premium 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound with 14 drivers, Bluetooth 5.3, and integrated voice assistants. Its premium price and lack of detailed EQ may deter budget-focused buyers. Perfect for Sonos users wanting high-end performance in a single bar.
The Sony BRAVIA Theater System 6 is a 5.1-channel home-theater package delivering 1000 W of power and supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive audio. However, it lacks HDMI ARC/eARC and relies on bulkier analog/optical connections. Best for living-room setups where rear speakers can be placed and users want high-power surround sound.
The Hisense AX3120Q is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos, a powerful 500 W peak output and a wireless subwoofer. It lacks Wi-Fi integration and has a relatively heavy form factor, which may limit placement options. Ideal for budget-conscious users seeking immersive audio in small-to-medium rooms.
The Samsung HW-S61D is a compact all-in-one 5.0-channel soundbar that provides built-in Alexa, Wi-Fi, and auto-calibration while delivering virtual Dolby Atmos without a separate subwoofer. Its limitations include weaker bass due to the lack of a dedicated subwoofer and reliance on virtual height processing. It best serves Samsung TV owners who want a slim, feature-rich bar without extra speakers.
The Bose Smart Soundbar provides immersive Dolby Atmos sound in a slim form factor with built-in Alexa and Wi-Fi connectivity. It omits advanced room-calibration and a separate subwoofer, positioning it for small-to-medium rooms where convenience outweighs ultimate performance.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact 5.0-channel soundbar offering virtual Dolby Atmos, built-in voice assistants and HDMI eARC connectivity. It lacks Bluetooth and true up-firing height channels, which can affect immersive experience. Best suited for small rooms and users invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
The VIZIO SV200M-08 is a compact 2.0-channel soundbar delivering virtual Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with ClearDialog dialogue enhancement. Its lack of a subwoofer and voice-assistant support limit bass depth and smart-home convenience. Best suited for small-to-medium rooms where space is at a premium.
The Hisense HS5100 provides a 5.1-channel, 540 W soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer and multiple sound modes. Wired rear speakers and occasional subwoofer drop-outs are drawbacks, and it lacks Wi-Fi. It targets budget-friendly home-theater fans wanting full surround without a high price.
The VIZIO V-Series V20x-J8 is a 24-inch 2.0-channel sound bar offering Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X virtual surround. Its small footprint and included remote come at the expense of bass depth and the absence of Dolby Atmos or voice-assistant integration. Ideal for budget-focused users with modest TV sizes.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | 2 | 5.1 | 5 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 6best | |
— | — | 1,000 Wbest | 200 W | 410 W | 500 W | — | — | 150 W | 540 W | |
— | — | 16 cm | — | 15 cm | 16.51 cmbest | — | — | — | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.88 kg | 1.7 kg | 2.609 kg | 2.7 kg | 4 kg | 8.3 kg | 5.76 kg | 3.14 kg | 1.81 kg | 1.59 kgbest |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 mbest | — | — | |
1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 3 yearsbest | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — | |
— | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 6best | |
65 cm | 60.96 cm | 90.7 cm | 67 cm | 104.6 cm | 101.6 cm | 117.4 cmbest | 69.44 cm | 76.2 cm | 90.17 cm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audio(6) | ||||||||||
Audio Channels | 5 | 2.0 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 3.1.2 | 3.1.2 | 9.1.4 | 5 | 2.0 | 6 |
Total Power Output (W) | — | — | 1000 W | 200 W | 410 W | 500 W | — | — | 150 W | 540 W |
Supported Audio Formats | — | Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, DTS TruVolume HD, DTS Digital Surround | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X | — | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS compatible | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS TruVolume, DTS Virtual:X | Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X |
Dolby Atmos Support | true | false | true | true | true | true | true | true | true | false |
Wireless Subwoofer | false | false | true | false | true | true | false | false | false | true |
Subwoofer Driver Size (cm) | — | — | 16 cm | — | 15.0 cm | 16.51 cm | — | — | — | — |
Connectivity(2) | ||||||||||
Bluetooth Version | — | — | 5.3 | — | — | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
Wi‑Fi Support | true | — | — | true | — | false | true | true | — | — |
Accessories(1) | ||||||||||
Remote Control Included | — | true | — | true | true | true | — | — | false | true |
General(1) | ||||||||||
Warranty Period (years) | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 3 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | — |
Features(2) | ||||||||||
Number of Sound Modes | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 6 |
Voice Control | true | — | — | true | — | false | true | true | false | — |
Design(4) | ||||||||||
Soundbar Weight (kg) | 2.88 kg | 1.7 kg | 2.609 kg | 2.7 kg | 4.0 kg | 8.3 kg | 5.76 kg | 3.14 kg | 1.81 kg | 1.59 kg |
Soundbar Width (cm) | 65 cm | 60.96 cm | 90.7 cm | 67.0 cm | 104.6 cm | 101.6 cm | 117.4 cm | 69.44 cm | 76.2 cm | 90.17 cm |
Soundbar Height (cm) | 6.86 cm | 5.79 cm | 6.6 cm | 6.2 cm | 6.1 cm | 10.8 cm | 7.95 cm | 5.61 cm | 5.9 cm | 9.144 cm |
Soundbar Depth (cm) | 9.9 cm | 8.13 cm | 9.1 cm | 10.5 cm | 9.4 cm | 5.7 cm | 11.05 cm | 10.39 cm | 8.46 cm | 6.096 cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Beam Gen 2 for its balanced five-driver sound, compact virtual Dolby Atmos implementation, and fast voice activation. They highlight its seamless integration with the Sonos app and ecosystem, while noting that the lack of true up-firing drivers and Bluetooth, as well as modest bass, keep it from matching larger, dedicated Atmos soundbars.
Everyday users appreciate the easy setup, clear dialogue at low volumes, and the way virtual Atmos fills the room without extra speakers. Common frustrations revolve around limited bass without a Sub, the iOS-only Trueplay limitation, occasional app glitches, and the missing Bluetooth option for casual streaming.
“Easy setup, clear dialogue/music at low volumes, virtual Atmos 'fills the room' without wires, blends into decor.”
“clean, cinematic audio that's a huge improvement over TV speakers or basic soundbars”
“huge soundstage”
The Sonos Arc is ideal for larger rooms where full Atmos performance is desired; the Beam Gen 2 is the better pick for compact spaces and a lower price while still offering solid Sonos integration.
Choose SV200M if you need full Atmos and newer Bluetooth features; choose the V20x-J8 for the smallest footprint and lower price.
Choose HS5100 for a lower price and higher power; choose Samsung if you need Wi-Fi and integrated smart functions
Professional commentary is limited, but Vizio’s own product page emphasizes outstanding clarity and room‑filling sound, highlighting Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X as key strengths for a simple TV upgrade.
Although no user reviews are provided, product descriptions indicate buyers appreciate the clear dialogue and the bar's ability to slip under smaller TVs, while the most common criticism is the lack of deep bass.
Professional reviewers consistently highlight the Sony BRAVIA Theater System 6 for its rich, immersive soundstage, powerful bass response, and hassle-free setup. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with a dedicated center channel, delivers cinema-grade audio, while the wireless subwoofer adds flexibility without sacrificing performance.
Everyday users praise the system for delivering clean, cinematic audio that dramatically outperforms TV speakers, especially noting the deep bass that lets them feel the rumble in action scenes. The straightforward installation and slim profile are also frequently mentioned as positive aspects.
Professional reviewers highlight the Samsung HW-S61D's combination of a compact all-in-one 5.0-channel soundbar featuring built-in woofers, a center speaker, and virtual Dolby Atmos/DTS Virtual:X for immersive audio, optimized for small to medium spaces and Samsung TV integration.
Everyday users consistently commend the soundbar's impressive Atmos immersion, deep bass, and minimalist design, noting that setup is generally easy. The most common complaints revolve around the need for precise wall-mounting and the absence of native voice-assistant support.
Professional reviewers commend the Signa S4 for its impressive bass output, clear dialogue thanks to VoiceAdjust, and effective Atmos height effects, noting it offers strong value in the entry-level Atmos segment. However, they criticize the missing standard HDMI input and the need for careful bass balancing.
Everyday users love the easy wireless sub setup, the room-shaking bass, and the clear speech reproduction, especially for movies and sports. Common complaints revolve around the sub's heft, occasional Bluetooth hiccups, and the inability to connect multiple HDMI sources, with some noting the bass can dominate mids if not tuned.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the AX3120Q's solid power output, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support, and AI-driven sound optimization, positioning it as a compelling entry-level option. However, they also point out the lack of Wi-Fi streaming and limited input selection.
Consumer feedback is limited, but the available Best Buy description highlights ease of setup and a cinematic boost to TV audio, with users appreciating the wireless subwoofer's flexibility and the system's ability to fill a room with immersive sound.
Professional reviewers praise the Arc Ultra as a clear step up from the original Arc, highlighting its richer driver array, Sound Motion bass technology and the ability to deliver high volume without noticeable compression. The soundbar's support for Dolby Atmos and a wide range of wireless protocols, combined with TruePlay room correction, earns it high marks for versatility. However, critics note the lack of any graphic EQ or granular tone controls and the limited low-frequency output of the built-in subwoofer as notable drawbacks.
Professional reviewers commend the Smart Soundbar for delivering a remarkable sound-to-size ratio, with its five-speaker array and TrueSpace upmixing providing immersive audio despite the compact chassis. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Alexa adds convenience, but critics note the lack of ADAPTiQ calibration and a lower speaker count than Bose's higher-end Ultra model, making it a solid mid-range choice rather than a flagship.
Professional reviewers commend the Smart Soundbar for delivering a remarkable sound-to-size ratio, with its five-speaker array and TrueSpace upmixing providing immersive audio despite the compact chassis. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Alexa adds convenience, but critics note the lack of ADAPTiQ calibration and a lower speaker count than Bose's higher-end Ultra model, making it a solid mid-range choice rather than a flagship.
Professional reviewers commend the SV200M-0808 for delivering surprisingly full sound and effective virtual height effects that bring Atmos and DTS:X to a 2.0 platform. They also praise the ClearDialog feature for crisp dialogue, but note the limited bass depth to 70 Hz and the absence of a subwoofer as drawbacks, along with the inherent limitations of a two-channel system for true surround immersion.
Everyday users appreciate the easy Bluetooth streaming, the sleek fabric finish, and the convenience of app-based EQ controls, while repeatedly expressing disappointment over the missing remote and the shallow bass response that falls short for movie soundtracks and bass-heavy music.
Professional reviewers highlight the HS5100 as a strong value proposition, noting its impressive bass from a compact wireless subwoofer, lightweight construction that fits easily on TV stands, and a suite of sound modes that tailor audio for movies, games and music. They consider it a worthwhile investment for budget-conscious home-theater enthusiasts and state that it holds its own against similarly priced competitors.
Everyday users appreciate the immersive surround sound, the lightweight and space-saving design, and the unexpectedly deep bass from the small subwoofer. However, many complain about intermittent subwoofer drop-outs and the need to wire rear speakers, which detracts from the promised wireless experience.
