Today, sound bars have largely displaced Home Cinema sound equipment, since in addition to being able to have great power, they also usually include different technologies to create an immersive experience. This is also partly because in sound bars there is a greater range of models to be able to choose the one that best suits our needs and, above all, our space at home.
What should we take into account when buying a sound bar?
- A sound bar may or may not come with a wireless subwoofer. This is a fundamental aspect, since if it is included, we are facing greater power and more enveloping sound to take advantage of larger spaces, which is often recommended if the bar does not come with various technologies to increase immersion.
- The size of the sound bar is relevant if you are looking for design above other aspects. Although most sound bars have a similar size, there are smaller models that are recommended, especially for those televisions with a small screen angle.
- Smart sound bars are here, and more and more models are on the market. Voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant offer interesting functions to automate the home. If we have several devices compatible with these voice assistants, we are still interested in the sound bar also being compatible. Although this supposes an extra cost in the price.
- We cannot ignore that connectivity is one of the most important points in sound bars. This connectivity will limit the compatibility with other devices, so a greater range of options will allow you to connect almost all types of devices without fearing that in the future it will be somewhat limited in this regard.
- Brands often highlight the power of their sound bars. Contrary to popular belief, the fact that a sound bar has enormous power in its speakers does not mean that it sounds better. In fact, the power measured in RMS (real power) must be according to the space where it will finally be installed, so we should not necessarily buy a sound bar with too much power.
- Sound bars have displaced sound equipment due to their technologies. Currently, we can find a large number of technologies in sound bars, such as those of Dolby (Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital and more) that allow us to offer an immersive experience. This addition is completely different, and completely improves the audio quality as well as raises the price.
In response to all this, today we can find a huge catalog of sound bars. The biggest brands usually have models of all kinds to cover a larger audience, and today we will discuss which are the most recommended sound bars without raising the price too much.
Recommended sound bars based on their price
Sharp HT-SB110
Starting with the all-in-one sound bars without wireless subwoofer, we can find more affordable prices. They are not bars for everyone, but they are interesting for smaller rooms or to customize the subwoofers that we want to put in them. Among all the brands, the Sharp HT-SB110 model stands out for its adjusted price, since we found it for only 84.90 euros.
This sound bar is standard, but it improves the sound quality and power of most televisions. Its connectivity resides in having different wireless and cable options, by including both Bluetooth as HDMI ARC (to control the bar and the television with a single remote).
It also comes with a digital optical input, sound equalizer and a power of 90W. In addition, it can be installed on a piece of furniture or even on the wall, and its dimensions are 80 centimeters in length and 6.2 cm in height.
Sony HTSF150
One step above we have the Sony HTSF150 sound bar. Is about another compact all-in-one model, but with additions that justify its price of 150.00 euros. Connectivity is also focused on Bluetooth and HDMI ARC, but what is important is found in its technologies and in the increase in power.
On the one hand we find the compatibility of Dolby Digital, something that allows us to reproduce a more enveloping sound. And on the other hand, its power reaches 120 W, a more consistent figure for slightly larger rooms if we compare this model with that of Sharp. It also comes with different sound modes and S-Force, a surround audio technology.
Bose TV Speaker
We could not ignore a latest all-in-one sound bar that has become one of the most popular models: Bose TV Speaker. Released in 2020, to this day it is still a great purchase option due to its compact format and great audio quality, although the price rises to 299.95 euros.
Bose is one of the most important brands in terms of sound, and for a home theater it is ideal due to the addition of crisp dialoguesan increasingly common feature that improves the experience in movies and series, especially the most classic ones. You can add a wireless subwoofer from the same brand (it’s optional and not included), but the bar itself boasts deep bass and connectivity focused on Bluetooth and HDMI ARC.
Sony HT-S40R
We return to the Sony brand to discuss a more complete model, with wireless subwoofer, different rear speakers and higher power. This is the Sony HT-S40R sound bar and we can find it at a price of 379 euros.
If you are looking for power and an adjusted price, this model is capable of reaching the 600 W at 5.1 channels. An excessive figure that allows us to know how far it can go. Includes different sound configuration modes, Dolby Digital as the main strong point between its technologies and connectivity based on Bluetooth and HDMI ARC.
Hisense AX5100G
We turn to the Hisense brand to discuss a more complete model that does not rise too much in price compared to previous sound bars: the Hisense AX5100G. Here we can already talk about bars that can be installed without any problem in large spaces, as it comes with a wireless subwoofer and higher power. Its price, in this case, is 262.84 euros.
This sound bar is capable of a maximum audio output of 340W thanks to its 6.5-inch 5.1-channel wireless subwoofer, and includes different sound enhancement technologies. On one hand we have audio configuration modes and on the other hand it includes both virtual surround and Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby digital. For its part, connectivity is also focused on Bluetooth 5.0, an HDMI port and optical input.
Samsung HW-Q700B
From the Samsung brand, we cannot ignore one of the most interesting sound bars due to the news that it brings with it, and that is that the Samsung HW-Q700B model is the first to include Wireless Dolby Atmos. Launched in 2022, its price has been decreasing over the months until it drops to 398.30 euros.
Like the Hisense soundbar, this Samsung model comes with its own wireless subwoofer to reach 320 W in a total of 9 speakers to 3.1.2 channels. But what is striking is that it includes wireless Dolby Atmos, a technology introduced by the brand to be able to play content with this audio quality without having to connect an HDMI cable.
In addition, it is the first model on the list to include WifiQ-Symphony, Tap Sound, Chromecast and compatibility with both Google Assistant as with alexa.
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Image | Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Bose, Hisense
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