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12 Best Soundbars We Tested in 2025: Sonos, Sony, Bose
The soundbar market in 2025 reflects a mature ecosystem where cinematic dynamics, streaming flexibility, and room integration converge. We tested a broad mix of models from Sonos, Sony, Bose, Samsung, JBL, LG, and Vizio to identify which ones deliver consistent dialogue clarity, immersive Atmos effects, and straightforward setup. The goal was to reveal which systems balance performance with everyday usability for both TV movies and music streaming.
Our evaluation considered not only raw dynamics and dialog intelligibility but also how well each soundbar fits common living spaces, how easy it is to calibrate for room acoustics, and how it integrates with modern smart homes. We looked for models that offer robust wireless connections, reliable subwoofer pairing, and sensible app control. The result is a list of 12 contenders that cover compact apartments, mid-size living rooms, and larger open-plan spaces without sacrificing essential sound quality.
What to look for in 2025 when choosing a soundbar
- Dolby Atmos support for overhead elevation effects and immersive height cues.
- HDMI eARC or HDMI inputs for high-bandwidth audio and reliable lip-sync with TVs.
- Voice-assistant compatibility and a straightforward, well-designed app experience.
- Room calibration and adaptive EQ to tailor sound to your space.
- Wireless subwoofer and optional rear surrounds for true surround feel.
- Streaming and multi-room integration to sync across devices and rooms.
Top picks by category
Sonos Arc — immersive Atmos with seamless multi-room audio
The Sonos Arc remains a benchmark for cinematic immersion, delivering tall Atmos height effects and clean dialogue. Its strengths lie in a refined soundstage that scales well from movies to music, especially when paired with a wireless sub and optional rear speakers. The integration with the broader Sonos ecosystem makes it ideal for multi-room listening and simple control via the Sonos app.
- Atmos-enabled, HDMI eARC
- AirPlay 2 and Sonos multi-room support
- Intuitive app with room calibration through external devices
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) — compact versatility for small rooms
For smaller spaces, the Beam (Gen 2) delivers focused dialogue and punchy midrange without overwhelming the room. It supports Atmos when paired with compatible electronics and can function as a smart speaker with voice control through connected devices. It’s a practical entry point into the Sonos ecosystem with surprisingly full sound for its footprint.
- Smart speaker capabilities with compatible assistants
- Dolby Atmos with proper setup
- Easy mounting and wall-dent-friendly design
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 — voice clarity and refined balance
Bose emphasizes vocal clarity and a balanced overall tone. The Smart Soundbar 900 excels in dialogue-heavy content and music alike, with a compact form factor and strong bass performance when augmented by a wireless sub. Its understated design makes it a flexible fit for living rooms and bedrooms alike.
- Dolby Atmos and wide sweet spot
- Quiet, natural voice reproduction
- Solid bass extension with an optional wireless sub
Bose Soundbar 700 — compact, feature-rich, and upgradable
The Soundbar 700 blends a sleek look with strong core performance and modular expandability. It pairs well with Bose’s ecosystem and performs reliably in everyday viewing, gaming, and streaming. Its user experience remains smooth, with thoughtful controls and room-friendly output.
- Easy integration with Bose surrounds
- Balanced sound profile suitable for diverse content
- Modular upgradability for future needs
Sony HT-A7000 — cinematic breadth with scalable architecture
Sony’s HT-A7000 is designed to deliver broad soundstage with Atmos height effects, even in mid-sized rooms. The system benefits from Sony’s signal processing, which enhances dialogue and environmental cues. It scales nicely when adding a wireless sub and optional surround modules for a more immersive home theater.
- Atmos-capable with a wide dispersion
- Advanced room optimization and upscaling
- Solid compatibility with Sony TVs and external devices
Sony HT-A9 — a four-speaker system for immersive living rooms
The HT-A9 introduces a more expansive approach with four ceiling-level or bookshelf speakers to create a truly enveloping soundfield. While it requires additional space and a larger setup area, the payoff is a remarkably immersive listening experience that rivals a full speaker array for certain content. It’s best suited to dedicated home theaters or media rooms.
- 4-channel surround with room-wide dispersion
- Integrated processing that coordinates height and width cues
- Requires compatible placement and space
Samsung HW-Q950A — expansive surround with Q-Symphony synergy
Samsung’s flagship in this lineup emphasizes a wide surround effect and deep integration with Samsung TVs through Q-Symphony. The system uses multiple drivers and a wireless sub to deliver cinematic impact in generous rooms. It’s especially compelling when you want a theater-like experience without running separate speakers.
- Wide surround with strong bass presence
- Q-Symphony with compatible Samsung TVs
- Flexible voice assistant options via smart devices
Samsung HW-S60B — value-oriented with strong core performance
The S60B offers a well-rounded feature set for budget-conscious buyers who still want a credible Atmos presentation and good music streaming. It benefits from easy setup, solid dialog, and a compact footprint, making it a practical upgrade for smaller living spaces or guest rooms.
- Balanced sound with clear mids
- Good bass with efficient sub pairing
- HDMI ARC/eARC compatibility and smart features
JBL Bar 9.1 — detachable surrounds for flexible home theater
JBL’s Bar 9.1 stands out for its modular approach, offering detachable surround speakers for a true 3.1.2 experience without a large footprint. It handles action-packed scenes with confident dynamics and makes for a compelling all-around option for movie lovers who also want to flex with music playback.
- Detachable surround speakers
- Room-filling sound with impactful bass
- Easy wireless sub setup and strong overall clarity
JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass — value-focused choice with strong fundamentals
For budgets that demand solid performance without complexity, the Bar 2.1 Deep Bass delivers clear dialogue and robust bass for its size. It’s a reliable entry point that plugs into most TVs with minimal fuss and still offers streaming options through Bluetooth and apps.
- Clear dialogue and energetic bass
- Simple, fast setup
- Available in compact form factors
LG SP9YA — smart tuning and strong all-around performance
LG’s SP9YA blends a capable soundstage with smart room tuning and user-friendly controls. It provides a balanced footprint for mid-sized living spaces and offers good integration with LG TVs and streaming services. The system handles both films and music with even tonal balance and clean dialogue.
- Effective room calibration
- Effective dialogue clarity and overall balance
- Good compatibility with LG ecosystem and streaming apps
Vizio Elevate — bold sound at a compelling price
Vizio Elevate distinguishes itself with a distinctive lifting speaker design that adds height cues to the soundstage. It provides robust value, delivering punchy dynamics and a satisfying bass response for its price tier. It’s a strong all-around performer for living rooms that want impact without a premium budget.
- Height-enabled soundstage without external elevation gear
- Value-driven performance
- Comprehensive connectivity and app control
Buying guide: matching a soundbar to your space and needs
To choose the right system, start with room size and TV setup. If your space is compact, prioritize models with strong dialogue emphasis and a small footprint, such as the Bose Soundbar 700 or Sonos Beam. For larger rooms, consider models with a robust bass foundation and the option to add rear speakers, like the Sonos Arc or Samsung HW-Q950A. If you primarily listen to music, seek a model with a well-tuned default sound and reliable wireless streaming support. Finally, ensure the system you pick is easy to calibrate for your room and integrates smoothly with your existing TV and smart devices.
As a practical accessory to protect your devices while you assemble a home theater on the go, consider the Rugged Phone Case for iPhone Samsung (see product link above). It’s a durable companion for setups in high-traffic living spaces or multi-room configurations where devices travel between rooms or travel with you.
Rugged Phone Case for iPhone Samsung Impact Resistant TPU PC