Everyone knows about soundbars, but Dolby Atmos technology is still not widely understood. To help you better understand this technology and choose the sound system that will take your home theater experience to the next level, check out our tips, as well as our selection of the 4 best Dolby Atmos soundbars of this year.
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"Exceptionally realistic audio is what this Sony Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (3.1 channel) soundbar promises. With this technological marvel, expect to experience the ultimate in…"
"This Dolby Atmos soundbar from TCL offers sound with excellent balance capable of recreating the sound atmosphere of a movie theater. Equipped with Ray Danz…"
"With a power of 820 W, the JBL 9.1 has nothing to envy the high-end home cinema with its 9 speakers for 35 Hz to…"
"The Sony HT-X8500 is the typical example of a sound bar that is sold without a dedicated subwoofer. However, this device delivers outstanding performance, which…"
Exceptionally realistic audio is what this Sony Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (3.1 channel) soundbar promises. With this technological marvel, expect to experience the ultimate in immersion when watching a movie.
399 £ on AmazonWith its virtual surround sound technology, this sound bar converts all the sound it produces into surround sound before it's broadcast vertically. Because the sound seems to come from above, you won't need to install additional upward-firing speakers to enjoy three-dimensional, cinema-quality sound. It's the best way to fully immerse yourself in your movies, music and video games. All you need to do is choose the right sound configuration with your remote.
This Sony HT-ZF9 is only one meter long and 6.4 cm thick. Despite its small size, this device remains powerful. However, its main advantage lies in its compact design, which allows it to be installed discreetly in front of the TV or on a wall. It is barely noticeable, which is a good thing if you like minimalist decoration.
This Dolby Atmos soundbar from TCL offers sound with excellent balance capable of recreating the sound atmosphere of a movie theater. Equipped with Ray Danz technology in addition to Dolby Atmos, it promises clear sound with distinct voices.
223 £ on CdiscountThis TCL TS9030 Ray Danz benefits from a design that allows it to cover a wider spatialized soundstage without altering the sound quality. It produces clearer, more accurate sound. No matter where you sit in the room, your sound experience will always be optimal. This broad coverage is provided by the side speakers as well as the Ray Danz center channel, which ensures crystal clear sound in addition to precise voice placement. That's what sets it apart from other sound bars.
Note that this sound bar has all the connectivity you need. Among other things, it has an HDMI 2.0 input, an HDMI ARC output, an optical digital input and a mini jack auxiliary input. In addition, there is a USB port and Wi-Fi, which will be very useful for updates.
With a power of 820 W, the JBL 9.1 has nothing to envy the high-end home cinema with its 9 speakers for 35 Hz to 20 KHz. In True Wireless, the subwoofer and the surround speaker are wireless and it is compatible with Chromecast, Google Cast and Airplay 2.
639 £ on BoulangerThe JBL 9.1 True Wireless Surround is the ultimate Dolby Atmos soundbar, and that's an understatement. For good spatialization of sound, you have upward-facing speakers. In addition, you can place the two surround speakers, wirelessly, wherever you want to get a near perfect soundstage. With a signal-to-noise ratio of 103 dB and a frequency response of 35 Hz to 20 KHz, this Dolby Atmos soundbar delivers rich sound with energetic and accurate bass. This allows intelligible voices with striking sound effects for a beautiful immersion.
Able to replace a home theater, the JBL 9.1 is easy to set up and configure. For convenience, you can adjust the bass level only. Modern, it works via Wi-Fi on Chromecast or Airplay 1 and 2 and it also has Bluetooth.
The Sony HT-X8500 is the typical example of a sound bar that is sold without a dedicated subwoofer. However, this device delivers outstanding performance, which is partly due to its 2.1 acoustic configuration.
300 £ on AmazonThis sound bar may have a minimalist design, but it still performs well. This model has the luxury of outperforming its most serious competitors with its cinema-quality 3D surround sound, even though it has very few speakers. In fact, this HT-X8500 has only two full-range speakers at each end and two bass reflex woofers in the center for bass. The arrangement of the woofers allows it to perfect the reflection of the sound to give the illusion of a three-dimensional sound in 7.1.2.
The build quality of the HT-X8500 is a credit to Sony, which is hardly surprising. This sound bar is one of the few to be equipped with a metal chassis and matte tolex covers that give it great robustness. As for the connections, you get one HDMI output and one optical S/PDIF input, which is a bit meager. Fortunately, this sound bar offers a Bluetooth function, which allows for a variety of uses.
Any specific needs?
The best Dolby Atmos soundbar in 2021
The best entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar
The best high-end Dolby Atmos soundbar
The best Dolby Atmos soundbar without a subwoofer
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OUR SELECTION |
Soundbar - Sony HT-ZF9
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TCL TS9030 Ray Danz
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JBL 9.1 True Wireless Surround
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Sony HT-X8500
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Exceptionally realistic audio is what this Sony Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (3.1 channel) soundbar promises. With this technological marvel, expect to experience the ultimate in immersion when watching a movie.
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This Dolby Atmos soundbar from TCL offers sound with excellent balance capable of recreating the sound atmosphere of a movie theater. Equipped with Ray Danz technology in addition to Dolby Atmos, it promises clear sound with distinct voices.
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With a power of 820 W, the JBL 9.1 has nothing to envy the high-end home cinema with its 9 speakers for 35 Hz to 20 KHz. In True Wireless, the subwoofer and the surround speaker are wireless and it is compatible with Chromecast, Google Cast and Airplay 2.
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The Sony HT-X8500 is the typical example of a sound bar that is sold without a dedicated subwoofer. However, this device delivers outstanding performance, which is partly due to its 2.1 acoustic configuration.
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Dimensions
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100 x 38.2 x 6.4 cm
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105 x 5.8 x 11 cm
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103.2 x 48.8 x 38.2 cm
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89 x 9.6 x 6.4 centimeters
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Subwoofer
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Power
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400 Watts
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540 Watts
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820 Watts
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200 Watts
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Connectivity technology
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
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HDMI input, HDMI output, digital audio input (optical), audio line input (mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm plug), USB type A, Wifi.
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Optical input, 2 HDMI, Bluetooth, Wifi
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HMDI, S/PDIF, Bluetooth
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Surround audio channels
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3.1
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3.1
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9.1
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2.1
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By connections, we mean the connection between your TV or any other device with the sound bar. For accurate sound, you should use modern connections such as HDMI ARC. This type of cable allows the audio signal to be transferred in both directions, whereas simple HDMI only goes in one direction. This makes HDMI ARC the perfect candidate for sound bars or home theaters.
The other alternative will be to use an optical type connector, which has the advantage of equipping more devices than HDMI ARC. But don't let that stop you from buying a sound bar. Several models still have RCA, which is the most common type of connection. In summary, consider the type of connections present on your TV.
Soundbars do not necessarily come with a subwoofer. However, this element is essential to obtain an immersive sound because the bass gives impact to the different sound effects.
The question is, do you have enough room? Subwoofers are quite large depending on the model. However, you can find sound bars with wireless subwoofers. This gives you more flexibility during your installation.
The power of a Dolby Atmos soundbar varies from 100 to 1000 W. Buy a soundbar that fits your room.
If it is larger than 40m², a sound bar with a power of between 300 and 500 W is recommended.
For a room of intermediate size, a model of 120 to 300 W is more than enough.
In a small multimedia room of 15m², a 120W sound bar will offer great sound sensations.
The recently manufactured Dolby Atmos sound bars are compatible with Wifi or Bluetooth and integrate a voice assistance function such as Amazon's Alexa for example. Thanks to this option, the sound bar is no longer limited to transmitting 3D sound.
You can also use it to fully interact with your system and search the web.
The majority of Dolby Atmos soundbars offered in stores have more or less the same characteristics on the design side. Their shapes and dimensions are quite similar if you can put it that way. Generally, these devices measure between 100 and 150 cm in length for a height of 5 cm and a depth of 15 cm.
To facilitate the installation, there are models that have a wall mounting. This makes it possible to unclog the table of your TV.
Dolby Atmos is a revolutionary technology that broadcasts sound in 3D, guaranteeing the user an ultra-realistic sound experience.
With Dolby Atmos, the sound is sent towards the ceiling before being sent back to your ears. With Dolby Atmos, the sound is sent towards the ceiling before being sent back to your ears. The multidirectional diffusion that creates the three-dimensional sound relies on the rebound effect. This is what makes the sound so rich and immersive. The ricochet is so effective that when you watch a movie, you feel as if the speeding plane is flying over your head or actually crashing into your backyard.
A few years ago, Dolby Atmos sound could only be achieved with a compatible home theater amplifier and 9 speakers, 2 of which are specific to this technology. However, this installation was not very attractive because some speakers had to be embedded in the walls. Today, you can enjoy 3D sound with existing home cinema systems thanks to a simple sound bar that can be placed above traditional speakers.
Keep in mind that in order to enjoy Dolby Atmos sound quality, it is important that the movies, series and music you are listening to are compatible with this technology. You also need to make sure that the streaming movie or Blu-Ray uses this sound technology.
If you want to enjoy Dolby Atmos Virtual surround sound that is better spatialized, soundbars with upward-facing speakers are where you should turn. This device directs the Dolby Atmos Virtual effects towards the ceiling, which reflects them back towards the audience. It thus takes up the principle of the Dolby Atmos speakers that are used to complete the set of 5.1 or 7.1 home cinema speakers.
Dolby Atmos soundbars with integrated speakers can be combined with other Dolby Atmos speakers for optimal three-dimensional sound diffusion.
These soundbars, which produce Virtual Dolby Atmos surround sound through digital signal processing (DSP), are typically 2.1 (2-channel stereo and a subwoofer) or 3.1 (3-channel LCR and a subwoofer) models. The front-mounted boomers duplicate the soundtrack by administering processing that expands the sound field vertically and horizontally. Note that some Dolby Atmos Virtual soundbars can be combined with wireless surround speakers, allowing only virtual Atmos effects to be reproduced.
The result is more or less satisfactory depending on the technology used and the listening volume. Nevertheless, the Dolby Atmos Virtual Surround effects remain less precise than those of the dedicated Dolby Atmos speakers, although the sound expands enough to offer a good immersion to the spectators.
The Dolby Atmos soundbar offers an incredible sound experience. This audio format allows for the broadcasting of spatialized sounds and effects overhead which is complemented by a three-dimensional surround effect that will envelop the entire surface of the home theater. This technology is advantageous especially since it is compatible with many media and streaming platforms. When used with a 4K television, a Dolby Atmos soundbar ensures an uncompromising immersion.
A home cinema system includes an amplifier, a subwoofer, several speakers and a DVD player. The sound and visual sensations provided by this somewhat complex device are as close as possible to those provided in a movie theater. Note that this system comes in two distinct forms. You can choose between the all-in-one home theater or the separate components that can be placed throughout a room.
The Dolby Atmos soundbar outperforms the Dolby Digital system, both in terms of size and performance. Moreover, with a sound bar, you no longer need to modify the walls of your home theater, nor to break your head on the layout of the 6 speakers.
3D spatial sound
The Dolby Atmos sound bar differs from a 2.1 stereo sound bar or a 5.1 multichannel sound bar by the simple fact that it diffuses spatialized sound effects in height. The resulting 3D surround sound is more realistic with this technology. It also allows a better immersion despite the compact size of the sound bar. It is capable of directing sounds in all directions and playing with surfaces. The bouncing off the walls is so effective that the sound immerses you on all sides.
The footprint is minimal
A home theater amplifier is very bulky. In addition to being thick, it's also deep and very imposing. So unless your living room is 150 square meters, a Dolby Atmos soundbar should suffice for your entertainment. This audio equipment is discreet and will be forgotten. There is no risk that your interior will be distorted by the subwoofers placed everywhere.
The cost is affordable
The Dolby Atmos soundbar has the merit of being affordable. Indeed, the first price models are accessible from a hundred euros. Despite their rudimentary connections and limited power, these audio devices greatly improve the intelligibility of voices. With mid-range or high-end models, you will have a sound quality close to that of a good home cinema.
Compatibility with recent TV sets
The Dolby Atmos sound bar is compatible with all recent TV sets. Incompatibility concerns will not arise thanks to the HDMI ARC or eARC cable that allows digital data to be transferred in both directions. Moreover, its many features will not fail to optimize your experience. As most sound bars are Chromecast and AirPlay compatible, you will have the opportunity to quickly connect them with a smartphone or tablet under iOS or Android via Wifi or Bluetooth.
Easy to install
With a Dolby Atmos soundbar, there is no need to pull dozens of meters of cable to connect the amplifier and speakers to the TV or Blu-Ray player. Apart from the electrical connection of the sound device and the subwoofer, you don't have to do much. Installation is even easier if the sound bar is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
In our opinion, the best brands of Dolby Atmos sound bars in 2022 are :
Created in 1964, Bose is a company specialized in audio devices for sedentary and nomadic use. Since its creation and until today, Bose has not ceased to produce quality devices that meet the needs of all consumer profiles.
JBL is a company created in the United States in 1946 by the name of James Bullough Lansing. It quickly gained notoriety thanks to the quality of its loudspeakers. Today, its car radios, headphones, portable speakers, and sound bars are still popular with consumers around the world.
Whatever product Philips develops and releases, its goal is to provide the best experience for consumers. This can be seen through its Dolby Atmos soundbars, which offer impeccable sound quality.
Nipponese multinational based in the Minato district of Tokyo, Sony excels in various sectors, and particularly in loudspeakers. Sony's Dolby Atmos soundbars are known for delivering cinema-quality audio.
Samsung is wowing the world with the excellent quality of its high-tech devices, and in particular its sound bars, which are not only designer, but also very powerful.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Choose the best location
A sound bar is positioned under a television set or on a wall. If your screen is already attached to it, it is preferable to install the box about ten centimeters above it, taking care to center it well. If you've decided to place it in front of your TV, make sure it doesn't interfere with the signals transmitted by the screen's remote control.
Don't mess with the connectors
Try not to make a mistake when connecting the sound bar with the TV. Normally, an input connects to an output and vice versa. Only then should you connect the sound bar to electricity.
Turn on the TV before the soundbar
When you've connected the power cable, turn on the TV before the bar to prevent electromagnetic interference from damaging the boomers. Also consider turning off the sound of the set to reduce interference with the box.
Follow the TV's instructions
To optimize the sound rendered by the sound bar, you need to follow some steps of the digital TV. To do this, you must go to the audio preference menu and set the sound bar to default reproducer. Note that the steps to follow may be different depending on the brand.
Test the sound
You need to position the sound bar in the right place so that it can bring you excellent sound quality. Don't hesitate to do some sound tests before watching your movie in full. That way, it will be easier for you to make the necessary adjustments.
A Dolby Atmos soundbar can be positioned below a TV or on a wall. Either way, it should be able to deliver three-dimensional sound in a home theater or living room. If you plan to place it in front of a screen, just make sure it doesn't interfere with your remote control signals.
To reproduce 3D sound, the Dolby Atmos soundbar uses walls as sound reflectors. The sounds that are produced by the device are projected onto the walls and ceiling before heading towards the viewer's ears. It's this ricochet effect that allows it to reproduce the same immersive sound you're used to hearing in dark rooms.
Yes, the soundbar is compatible with your existing home theater speakers, no matter how they're configured. But the point of having a Dolby Atmos soundbaris that it saves you from having to install speakers all over the room. More concretely, a soundbar replaces the 7 physical boomers with great efficiency.
Different criteria must be taken into consideration when choosing a Dolby Atmos soundbar, starting with its power. This one must be in total adequacy with the dimensions of your room. You must also take into consideration the connections which must be adapted to those of the television set. The last criteria of choice are the dimensions and the useful features.
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