Top ranking of the best soundbars in 2020

The soundbar is a technical novelty of the latest generation that allows you to expand the boundaries of sound perception of TV shows and films watched on TV. The compact device can enhance the sound quality and bring the owner to their own surround sound home theater in minutes and for little money. More and more people are thinking about purchasing this device, and many have already actively used soundbars. How not to make a mistake with the decision, and which one is better to buy a soundbar, will be prompted by the rating of quality goods, in which only the best manufacturers and the most popular models are presented.

Soundbar - what is it

A soundbar is a small-sized electro-acoustic device, the main purpose of which is to amplify and improve the sound of a TV when connected. This is a candy bar with built-in speakers. As a rule, the soundbar is oriented horizontally and is extremely compact; there are several types of these devices in terms of functionality and characteristics, type of connection and capabilities.

By the type of connection to the TV, there are 2 types of soundbars:

1. Active type soundbars - connect directly to the TV, have a slightly worse sound quality, but are easy to connect and control;
2. Passive soundbars - connected to the TV through an AV receiver, they are more difficult to install, but the sound quality will be excellent.

The functionality and characteristics of soundbars allow you to distribute devices into several groups depending on the goals of the buyer:

Criterias of choice	Replacement of standard TV speakers	Home theater acoustic component	Multifunctional audio system
Speaker configuration	2.0/ 2.1/ 3.1	5.1 or 7.1 and up	4.1 and up
pros	Low cost, compactness	Sounds close to home theater surround sound, compact	Surround TV sound, the ability to listen to music in the highest quality
Minuses	Sound quality is poor, small feature set	High price	High price
Who is suitable for	If the purchased TV has low-quality sound, and the owner does not expect anything special from the soundbar	If the buyer wants to have high-quality surround sound without cluttering the apartment with speakers	If the buyer plans to use the soundbar not only for the TV, but also as a full-fledged audio system

Soundbar or home theater?

A few years ago, to provide the sound of a simple PC, the user needed to install a system of no less than 3 speakers and a stationary unit. Today, technology has leaped forward, and a small soundbar can replace bulky equipment, saving space for pleasant things and other useful gizmos.

Home theater at one time became a real breakthrough in the gadget market: with its help you can achieve perfect surround sound at home, no worse than in a real cinema. The home theater system is not designed for a small-sized room: it includes several speakers that need to be placed around the entire perimeter of the room, having thought over the scheme of hiding the wires and ideally choosing the installation location. For these purposes, they often even purchase a built-in ceiling system, which only increases the already considerable costs of the product itself.

The soundbar, on the other hand, is easy to install and takes up a minimum of space: no specialist calls are required to assemble it. But even the most expensive soundbar will not provide ideal acoustics in an over-average room. Thus, the soundbar will be an excellent solution for small apartments, while owners of large areas should pay attention to home theaters. Well, the choice of a soundbar or a speaker seems to be obvious today: if funds allow, it is better to stop at the soundbar: with a smaller volume, it will turn out to be much more functional and provide a rich sound.

How to connect a soundbar

Connecting a soundbar is not a very difficult process, you just need to figure out what input system the TV and the soundbar are equipped with.

• HDMI is a standard connector compatible with ARS technology. Any modern TV is equipped with at least one HDMI input, and connecting a soundbar through it will allow you to control the volume of the device via the TV remote control;
• Digital audio input is a popular way to connect your soundbar to your TV, which does not allow you to control the volume from the TV remote. A Toslink or coaxial TV jack is connected to the same jack on the soundbar. It is important that the input and output must be of the same type, so if the type of digital audio output of the devices is different, you will have to stock up on an additional cord;
• Analog stereo (RCA) - if the only possible option for connecting the soundbar to a TV is RCA jack, you will have to say goodbye to multichannel sound. To connect the soundbar in this way, you will need an additional RCA to mini-jack adapter;
• Bluetooth - almost all popular soundbar models allow you to transfer data from your smartphone wirelessly. For this function to work, you need to establish a connection between the soundbar and a mobile device, the procedure will be easier if the soundbar is equipped with NFC technology - in this case, the whole process will be reduced to the fact that you need to bring the mobile to a certain place on the soundbar body;
• DLNA is a specific technology for transferring data between a TV and a soundbar over a home Wi-Fi network, such a connection is highly efficient and reliable, but it will only work with Smart TV. DLNA setup will take time and installation of special programs on a PC or laptop.

The best budget soundbars

Budget soundbars are not a substitute for high quality music gear, but they can be a great addition to a poor sounding TV. This category includes installations with a 2.1 configuration, the price segment of which does not exceed 20,000 rubles.

1st place - Samsung HW-K450

The device has good stereo sound when properly installed. Excellent sound, compactness, light weight - only 2 kg, affordability - all this makes the model an ideal option for a small room and complement the TV with the best audio equipment.

Ideally, the Samsung HW-K450 soundbar works in tandem with a TV of the same brand: otherwise, the Bluetooth function will be overkill. The fact is that the soundbar does not pair well wirelessly with devices from other companies, in this case sound is lost, or contact does not occur at all.If the house has a non-Samsung TV, the only option is to connect via HDMI.

How much it costs - 14,500 rubles.

• Great sound;
• Compactness;
• Easy to set up and operate;
• Wireless subwoofer included;
• Good power - 300W;
• Sound control using the TV remote.

• The Bluetoorh module is incomplete.

2nd place - SONY HT-CT80

The volume for the connoisseur of quality sound is not a convincing reason for buying a soundbar, the main thing is the richness of the sound of the system. And the SONY company knows a lot about it. The total power of the HT-CT80 model is only 80 W, but even this volume will be more than enough for a small room. The treble sounds amazingly clear, and the included subwoofer delivers beautiful bass.

This model lacks many bells and whistles, but it does its job remarkably: this is an excellent basic model, albeit without a display panel, Bluetooth function and other components. SONY HT-CT80 is the answer to the question of how to choose a good soundbar and not go broke.

The average price is 11,000 rubles.

• Very attractive price;
• Beautiful sounding of both high and low frequencies;
• Optimal power for a small room;
• Subwoofer included;
• Easy to install and operate.

• Not suitable for large rooms;
• Lack of many additional features of more expensive models.

3rd place - LG LAS655K

The stylishly designed model of the soundbar from LG is a well-equipped speaker system with karaoke function, built-in FM tuner and, of course, mesmerizing sound. For little money, the user gets several important functions, skillfully built into a small panel.

Movies, music and games sound significantly clearer, and bass problems are eliminated thanks to the included subwoofer. However, there is still a fly in the ointment in the ointment: setting up and controlling the device is quite complicated, and the Bluetooth function is poorly implemented, the sound of music transmitted not via a wire will be of much worse quality.

The average price is 16,000 rubles.

• Great price;
• Built-in microphone jacks;
• Soundbar with radio;
• Good sounding of all audio frequencies.

• The volume changes periodically by itself;
• Poor sound transmission when connecting the soundbar via Bluetooth;
• The soundbar speakers are not covered and are difficult to clean over time.

4th place - Samsung HW-R550

The active soundbar with a total power of 320 W is equipped with one shelf-type front speaker. The equipment case is closed, bass reflex. The structure can be installed on a flat surface or mounted on a wall (the delivery set contains everything you need for this). Also available: an optical cable, batteries for the PU and the remote control itself. Wireless connection of the subwoofer and rear speakers is provided. Dolby Atmos and Digital, DTS act as decoders. There is Bluetooth. There are 4 interfaces in total.

For such a cost, this model fully justifies itself, plus the fact that the company is a well-known brand that has a good reputation in the sales market for equipment.

How much it costs - 13,440 rubles.

• Good sound;
• Looks stylish;
• Convenient remote control;
• You can control the Samsung TV remote control;
• Minimalism;
• The presence of a wall;
• Build quality.

• Lack of NFC.

5th place - JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass

Closed shelf model with two bands and a total power of 300 W, equipped with one speaker, Bluetooth and Dolby Digital. The subwoofer is connected wirelessly. The system is controlled via a remote control. The package contains everything you need. The following interfaces are available: stereo line input, digital optical input and HDMI output / input.

How much it costs - 16,590 rubles

• Even distribution of sound in all directions;
• High quality sound;
• Appearance;
• Integration with TV remote control;
• Powerful;
• Hull strength.

• Lack of equalizer modes;
• Only HDMI cable included.

6th place - LG SL4

For those who appreciate the quality of sound transmission without various bells and whistles in the system - this design is just for you. Total unit power 300W, digital optical input, wireless subwoofer and Bluetooth. The equipment is controlled by a remote control panel, has Dolby Digital, DTS decoders. The delivery set contains all the necessary elements for installation and operation of the soundbar.

Features: the ability to control the remote control from the TV or via a smartphone Bluetooth Remote App.

How much it costs - 11,200 rubles.

• Fast connection;
• Nothing extra;
• TV remote control;
• Good power;
• Inexpensive;
• Build quality.

• Fast bass, no depth of sound;
• Self-shutdown after 15 minutes;
• Lack of AUX.

7th place - Denon DHT-S316

Active sound model with digital optical, HDMI and line inputs, complete with one speaker. Provides wireless connection of a subwoofer, control with a remote control. The body is equipped with Bluetooth and Dolby Digital, DTS decoders.

Distinctive design features - light weight and dimensions, good technical base.

How much it costs - 20,000 rubles.

• Balanced sound;
• Appearance;
• Value for money;
• Fast bass;
• Compact;
• Simple controls;
• Wall mountable.

• Not identified.

The best mid-range soundbars

Mid-range soundbars range in price from 30,000 to 45,000 rubles. They usually differ from the budget ones in configuration, power and better sound.

1st place - Yamaha YSP-1600

An excellent soundbar from a Japanese brand that can easily compete with full-fledged home theaters in terms of power and beauty of sound. The active soundbar does not require an additional amplifier, and the 5.1 configuration allows you to create a surround sound effect.

The front speaker is mounted to the ceiling, and all control can be carried out using a remote control or a smartphone. For owners of Apple technology, the soundbar has a built-in AirPlay option. The sound of an audio system with a built-in subwoofer sounds good at any rate, and a stereo line-out will allow you to connect additional speakers to the system.

Average price: 44,000 rubles.

• Rich sound;
• Built-in subwoofer;
• Ability to connect to an external network via the Ethernet connector;

• Only 1 HDML connector;
• Not very clear web interface.

2nd place - Canton DM 55

An excellent soundbar with a built-in subwoofer mounted directly into the product body, resembling a TV-box in appearance. The panel is light enough - only 5 kg, but this "baby" is capable of reproducing sound with power up to 200 watts.

The manufacturer did not provide for the possibility of connecting the Canton DM 55 soundbar via HDMI, but it has a linear and digital optical input, as well as Bluetooth.

The average price is 25,000 rubles.

• Unusual design;
• Built-in subwoofer;
• High power;
• Little weight;
• High quality sound, good bass without an additional subwoofer.

• Lack of HDMI connector.

3rd place - Samsung HW-Q60R

Design features: standard 5.1, built-in center channel, inputs / outputs: 5 pcs., Including stereo, digital optical and HDMI in use, USB Type A, HDMI output.

Nice soundbar with beautiful design, high-quality build and sound transmission (360W total power). With a wide, well-defined soundstage structure and plenty of bass from a separate subwoofer, it meets all your TV's sound quality requirements. This model is suitable for gamers. Although the lack of built-in Wi-Fi and a small number of features (Dolby Digital, DTS, subwoofer, Bluetooth) will surprise many buyers.

How much it costs - 33,000 rubles.

• The sound is really spacious;
• Compact dimensions;
• Design;
• Build quality;
• Expand your TV sound capabilities.

• Doesn't always pick up the image;
• Lack of an adapter for USB.

4th place - LG SL6Y

A 3.1 standard device with a built-in center channel and one front speaker has a total power of 420 watts. High sensitivity of 82 dB transmits excellent sound (clear, spacious). Closed enclosure, 2 lanes, wireless subwoofer connection. The inputs are digital optical and HDM, the output is HDMI. There is Bluetooth, decoders: Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS Virtual X. The settings can be made using the TV remote control or via the Bluetooth Remote App smartphone.

How much it costs - 35,550 rubles.

• Clear, rich sound;
• Convenient to connect;
• Multifunctional;
• You can control your phone, TV remote control;
• Quality.

• Dear.

5th place - YAMAHA MusicCast BAR 400

Technique with great capabilities of the standard 2.1. with a small power rating of 200 W it is equipped with two bands, a subwoofer, a bass reflex case. There are linear, digital optical and HDMI inputs. Decoders: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Virtual: X. Supported by Wi-Fi, AirPlay. The design works stably, is easy to set up and delivers high-quality sound.

How much it costs - 37890 rubles.

• The sound of movies and music will perfectly move;
• Value for money;
• Good control through a proprietary application;
• Nice design;
• Functional;
• Expandable to 5.1

• Not a convenient remote control.

6th place - Sony HT-S700RF

The main feature of this 5.1 soundbar is its huge power rating (1000 W), light weight and 2 speakers in the package. The case is equipped with a built-in center channel, digital optical and HDMI inputs, USB Type A, output. There are Bluetooth, Dolby Digital and DTS decoders.

How much it costs - 32,490 rubles.

• Simple setup;
• Appearance;
• Build quality and sound;
• Long wires;
• Stable work;
• Good bass;
• Clear sound.

• Rear speaker balance is not adjusted.

Premium soundbars

1st place - Yamaha YSP-5600

This soundbar is a real miracle of technical thought, in terms of technical characteristics it can easily compete with full-fledged studio equipment. Yamaha specializes in audio equipment and is the most sought after brand in the audio market today. If the user doubts which company is better to buy an audio system, the choice should be stopped on Japanese equipment. The YSP-5600 has 46 sound channels for tight, tactile sound. And if you add a subwoofer to the system, the purity and power of sound will reach their climax.

With a complex design, the soundbar is surprisingly easy to operate, and there are no problems with system connections. The only inconvenience that the device will bring is a possible rearrangement in the room to place all its components in certain places. But the many features and great sound are more than worth the price and bulkiness of the product.

The average price is 130,000 rubles.

• Several connectors for connecting to a TV;
• Beautiful powerful sound;
• 3D sound;
• Easy to install and use;
• Convenient interface.

• Dimensions and weight - almost 12 kg;
• High price.

2nd place - SONOS Playbar

SONOS makes the future a reality by making a significant contribution to creating the home of the future. The multifunctional audio system has a huge number of possibilities and will appeal to every household: no cable connection is required to connect it, these universal soundbars integrate into your home Wi-Fi network and will receive a signal from any device that broadcasts sound. If the music tracks on the device have come to an end, the soundbar will find them on the Internet by itself.

The premium soundbar has 9 built-in speakers, and the ability to direct sound to any room in the house adds to the popularity of the models. The device allows you to direct sound to every speaker built into the house: unobtrusive classics can sound in the kitchen, and alternative rock in the living room.Of course, special attention is drawn to the purity of the soundbar: it is a beautiful, powerful sound that any music lover will appreciate.

The average price is 68,000 rubles.

• Beautiful, clear sound;
• Ability to connect additional speakers to the system;
• Compatible with any device;
• Wireless connection;
• Smartphone control;
• Playing music directly from the internet made the built-in media center accessible.

• Lack of a subwoofer;
• Price.

3rd place - YAMAHA YSP-2700

Stylish, modern 7.1 soundbar with 75W subwoofer power is equipped with a large number of decoders and interfaces. There is one front speaker, video / music transmission via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay is provided; Ethernet connector. Sound wave transmission is valid 3D, but only within the range of the calibration microphone.

It is better to use stereo mode for listening to music. It is possible to program the Internet radio, connect wireless headphones to it.

Thanks to the low body, the design does not block the TV screen (designed for shelf installation). This model is ideal for users who like watching HD movies and don't like wires. Build quality, sound almost like in a cinema, clean, voluminous with the appropriate source, deep bass, the ability to intelligently adjust the sound through a microphone are the main advantages of the technology.

How much is 90,000 rubles.

• Stable work;
• Several color schemes;
• Design;
• Surround sound;
• Very convenient control;
• Multifunctional;
• Build quality;
• Low power consumption;
• Long service life.

• No equalizer setting;
• Dear.

4th place - Bose SoundTouch 300

A shelf soundbar with one speaker is distinguished by effective and spacious sound even without a subwoofer and rear channels, an original design, modern functionality and an equalization system "ADAPTIQ". NFC is supported, there is Bluetooth and Dolby Digital, DTS decoders.

The following interfaces are used: inputs - stereo, digital optical, HDMI; outputs - subwoofer, HDMI.

As for the transmission of sound waves, there are no complaints, but if the user needs high standards, then you can find models with advanced functionality and capabilities.

The average cost is 55,000 rubles.

• Sound;
• Mobility;
• Smart sound calculation system;
• Practically does not lag when connecting gadgets: tablet, computer, phone, TV;
• Plays only in the room that is located, in the other rooms the equipment is not heard at all: calculates the working space;
• Switching bass using the remote control;
• Can play internet radio independently via internet;
• Multifunctional;
• Stylish design.

• No Airplay;
• Glossy finish (dust settles can be seen, fingerprints remain);
• Price.

Whichever soundbar the user ultimately chooses - with his purchase, the idea of ​​watching movies at home will significantly change for the better. The acoustic pleasure of using this gadget is so great that the time is not far off when a person buying a TV will certainly ask to arrange a soundbar for it.