When you’re trying to seize one of many finest soundbars round, there’s one thing that you simply’ll virtually definitely be looking for – Dolby Atmos assist. And I wouldn’t blame you. This immersive audio tech can present a three-dimensional, pure sound profile to your viewing experiences that may actually take film nights to the subsequent stage.
Fortunately, I’ve been in a position to take a look at quite a lot of the finest Dolby Atmos soundbars right here at TechRadar – every thing from ultra-cheap fashions across the $100 / £100 mark to extra premium choices within the $1,500 / £1,500 vary. So, you could be questioning, in case you can entry Atmos at such a low price-point, is it actually value spending additional on a extra elite choice? Let’s discover out.
A number of months in the past, I checked out the Majority Elias, a soundbar that’s obtainable within the UK for £99.95 (about $130 / AU$190). This finances standalone soundbar packs in Dolby Atmos assist alongside upfiring audio system – one thing you want in case you’re trying to reap the advantages of Atmos’ verticality.
I attempted watching a number of films with this soundbar, corresponding to High Gun: Maverick – a success that provides Atmos loads of area to showcase its strengths, with hovering jets and all-action onslaughts. Throughout one scene the place Tom Cruise’s character flies his plane up at a fast tempo, the Elias provided a extra expansive impression than my standalone TV audio, however it couldn’t map his trajectory to a exact, true-to-life diploma.
The Elias is a 2.0.2 soundbar – it lacks a standalone sub and rear audio system, merely providing two ahead dealing with and two upward firing audio system. Now, quite a lot of the dearer fashions on the market include their very own sub, possibly even particular person rear audio system, which means you get true encompass sound. This actually takes the results of Atmos up a stage, enveloping you in a layer of sound for high-calibre immersion. Its value commending the Majority Elias for casting a good spatial impression – but additionally noticing that regardless of having Atmos capabilities, they’re pretty restricted.
Finally, the Elias additionally suffers from a problem that many low-cost soundbars – together with fashions just like the Ultimea Nova S50 – wrestle with. Particularly, disappointing general audio high quality. I discovered that dialogue may sound pretty muddy when watching films and TV reveals and that it struggled with busier scenes the place particulars may get hidden away within the combine.
And what that sadly means is you’re not going to have the ability to absolutely indulge within the joys of Dolby Atmos. With common or sub-par audio, extra delicate artefacts can appear hidden – one thing you don’t have to fret about with the Samsung HW-Q800D – a mannequin I examined on the tail-end of 2024.
Atmos, in all its glory
The HW-Q800D has an inventory value of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099, so it’s certainly not low-cost, however oh my do you continue to get your cash’s value. First off, you don’t must resist middling audio high quality right here – the HW-Q800D can do all of it, from ultra-defined dialogue by means of to rhythmic music replication.
However on Atmos particularly, the HW-Q800D can plate up phenomenal three-dimensional audio that fills your room effortlessly. When testing, I threw on The Boy and the Heron and the soundbar mapped the titular hen’s flight expertly, tracing his each flutter. In an space consumed by hearth, each the width from the soundbar’s facet audio system and verticality from its upfiring ones captured the scary, heart-racing ambiance of the opening scene to perfection, actually involving me within the motion.
This mannequin additionally comes with a devoted sub, which provides unbelievable low-end energy for these tense moments in films and video video games – or bass-heavy bangers in your music library. You’re getting a complete energy output of 360W from the HW-Q800D, greater than double that of the Majority Elias – so you’ll be able to attain the type of energy wanted for an genuine dwelling cinema expertise.
After all, if in case you have a bit more cash to play with (fortunate you), you’ll be able to heighten efficiency by including rear audio system with a mannequin just like the Samsung HW-Q990D. However there are cheaper choices obtainable that provide superb Atmos. For example, we nonetheless love the Sony HT-S2000 – a standalone soundbar that may usually be discovered for lower than $400 / £300. This bar harnesses digital processing to make peak results in Dolby Atmos soundtracks like High Gun exceed the verticality of your TV display screen – fairly neat at this price-point!
All in all, I’d argue that if in case you have the finances, spending additional on a higher-end Dolby Atmos soundbar is well-worth it. You’ll be able to entry extra correct mapping, spectacular verticality and really expansive sound, even with mid-range choices just like the Sony HT-S2000. Finally, quite a lot of finances soundbars lack the flexibility to plate up nuanced, absolutely three-dimensional audio – particularly with out encompass channels.
However in case you are on a tighter finances, concern not – there are some wonderful low-cost choices on the market – albeit with out Atmos. One of many finest low-cost soundbars is the diminutive Hisense HS214, which provides clear dialogue and spectacular energy for lower than $100 / £80.
