If you are looking to get one of the best sound bars, there is something that you will surely look for: the support of Dolby Atmos. And I wouldn't blame you. This immersive audio technology can provide a natural and three -dimensional sound profile to its visualization experiences that will really take cinema nights to the next level.
Fortunately, I have been able to try a series of the best Dolby Atmos sound bars here in Techradar, from ultra cheap models around the $ 100 / £ 100 brand to more premium options in the range of $ 1,500 / £ 1,500. So, it is possible that you wonder, if you can access atmos at such a low price, is it worth spending more on a more elite option? Let's find out.
A few months ago, I checked the majority Elias, a sound bar that is available in the United Kingdom for £ 99.95 (around $ 130 / Au $ 190). This budget of the independent sound bar on the Dolby Atmos support along with the reproductive speakers, something you need if you are looking to harvest the benefits of the verticality of the atmospheries.
I tried to watch some movies with this sound bar, such as Top Gun: Maverick -A success that gives us a lot of space to show their strengths, with flyers and action attacks in all actions. During a scene in which Tom Cruise's character flies his plane at a fast pace, Elias offered a more expansive impression than my independent television audio, but could not assign his career to a precise and faithful degree to life.
Elias is a 2.0.2 sound bar: it lacks independent submarine and rear speakers, which simply offers two forward speakers and two upward speakers. Now, many of the most expensive models come with their own submarine, perhaps even individual rear speakers, which means you get a real surround sound. This really takes the effects of ATMOS a level, which surrounds it in a layer of sound for high caliber immersion. It is worth recommending that the majority elias for presenting a decent spatial impression, but also note that despite having atmosphere, they are quite limited.
Ultimately, Elias also suffers a problem with which many cheap sound bars, including models such as the Ultimea Nova S50, fight. Namely, a disappointing general audio quality. I discovered that the dialogue could sound quite muddy when I watch movies and television programs and that it fought with more busy scenes where details could hide in the mixture.
And what unfortunately means is that you will not be able to enjoy the joys of Dolby Atmos. With average or sub-part audio, the most subtle artifacts may seem hidden, something you don't have to worry with the Samsung HW-Q800D, a model that I tried at the end of 2024.
Atmos, in all his glory
The HW-Q800D has a list price of $ 999 / £ 749 / au $ 1,099, so it is in no way cheap, but Oh, do you still get the value of your money? In the first place, you do not have to face the average audio quality here: the HW-Q800D can do everything, from ultra defined dialogue to the replication of rhythmic music.
But in ATMOS specifically, the HW-Q800D can place a phenomenal three-dimensional audio that fills its room effortlessly. When trying, I threw The boy and the choza And the sound bar mapped the flight of the starting bird expensive, tracking each flutter. In an area consumed by the fire, both the width of the side speakers of the sound bar and the verticality of their repetitive captured the terrifying and career atmosphere to the heart of the opening scene perfectly, really getting involved in the action.
This model also comes with a dedicated submarine, which adds an incredible low -level power for those tense moments in films and video games, or heavy Bangers in your music library. It is obtaining a total 360W power of the HW-Q800D, more than double most of Elias, so it can reach the type of power necessary for authentic experience in the cinema at home.
Of course, if you have a little more money to play (Lucky You), you can increase performance by adding rear speakers with a model like the Samsung HW-Q990D. But there are Cheaper options available offering incredible atmos. For example, we still love the Sony HT-S2000, an independent sound bar that can often be found for less than $ 400 / £ 300. This bar takes advantage of virtual processing to make height effects on the sound bands of Dolby Atmos atmos as Gun Excuse the verticality of your TV screen, quite well at this price!
In general, I would say that if you have the budget, spend more on a high -end Dolby Sound bar worth it. You can access a more precise mapping, an impressive verticality and a truly expansive sound, even with average range options such as the Sony HT-S2000. Ultimately, a large number of budget sound bars lack the ability to placate in nuanced and totally three -dimensional audio, especially without enveloping channels.
But if you have a more strict budget, do not fear, there are some excellent cheap options, although without atmospheries. One of the best cheap sound bars is the tiny HS214, which offers a clear dialogue and an impressive power for less than $ 100 / £ 80.
