Recent Soundbar & Surround Speaker Reviews
Recent Reviews
Recent Previews
Sonos Ships ‘Revolutionary’ Era 100 and Era 300 Speakers w Spatial Audio
Sonos is shipping 2 new wireless speakers, the Era 100 ($249 each) and Era 300 ($449 each). The Era 300 supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and offers advantages when used with a Sonos soundbar.
SONOS Playbar, SUB, and Play:5 Review
If you’ve been looking at wireless whole home speaker products, you’ve probably come across SONOS. We reviewed their Play:5 wireless speaker and Playbar soundbar with wireless SUB.
Polk MagniFi Max AX: Their Most Advanced Soundbar Yet?
The Polk MagniFi Max AX ($800) features an 11 speaker array, 10” powered subwoofer and discrete surround speakers supporting both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and making their most advanced soundbar yet.
Fluance AB40 High Performance Soundbase Review
Looking for improved sound from those wimpy little TV speakers? The Fluance AB40 Soundbase goes under your TV rather than in front of it. Does the larger cabinet equate to larger sound? Read on.
Bluesound Serves Up New Wireless Audio Gear, Sonos Killer?
Bluesound updated its Node streamer-$549 amd Powernode streaming amp-$899 with powerful new processors, new DACs, HDMI eARC, and more. The new Pulse Soundbar+ for $899 has Dolby Atmos support. Read on
Polk MagniFi Mini Home Theater Sound Bar System Review
The Polk MagniFi Mini Soundbar and wireless sub has some wonderful features in a small package. Full sound, easy setup and compact size are the main highlights, but it's other features steal the show.
Denon DHT‑S217 Promises Dolby Atmos from a 2.1 Soundbar?
Denon released details on their DHT-S217 Dolby Atmos 2.1 Soundbar. The Denon DHT-S217 Dolby Atmos 2.1 Soundbar is designed to give you 3D Dolby Atmos sound out of a 2.1 system. Is that possible?
Bluesound Pulse High‑Res SoundBar Review
Bluesound’s Pulse Soundbar is priced at $1,000 and comes with matched pairs of tweeters, midrange, and woofers and it provides a unique listening experience that you truly must hear to appreciate.
Monoprice Releases 3 New THX Certified Compact On‑Wall LCR Speakers
Monoprice released new THX certified On-wall and satellite speakers. The Monolith M-OW1 LCR($300/each), M-OW3 passive LCR soundbar($500/each), and THX Certified Compact Satellite Speaker($250/pair).
Klipsch R‑10B Soundbar and Subwoofer Review
Klipsch R-10B soundbar and wireless subwoofer promises Reference line level of performance, which has set the company’s standard for home theater speaker systems since 1999. Does it deliver?
Polk Expands Their MagniFi Line With the Immersive Mini AX Soundbar
Polk Audio expanded their MagniFi line with their new released MagniFi Mini AX Soundbar. This 5.1 system is Dolby Atmos and DTS:X certified. See what technologies Polk packs to get you immersive surround.
Yamaha YSP‑2500 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Review
This review of the new Yamaha YSP-2500 Sound bar explores whether you can get true surround sound out of a simple sound bar at a modest price. A more affordable version of the YSP-3300 and YSP-4300.
Polk Audio Releases Their First Dolby Atmos Soundbar, the Signa S4
Check out our preview of the new Polk Sound Signa S4. The first Dolby Atmos enabled soundbar from Polk offers 3D sound at a $400 price point. Will it deliver? Read on to find out.
Definitive Technology A60 Dolby Atmos Elevation Speaker Review
Review: The Definitive Technology A60 Dolby Atmos Elevation speakers offer mediocre sound quality, performance and value and are NOT a good match for their BP-8060ST Towers.
Bose and Barco Team Up to Offer All‑In‑One Video Conferencing Solutions
The new Bose Videobar VB1 is a USB conferencing device that combines microphones, speakers, and a 4K ultra-HD camera. The VB1 uses “beam-steering microphones” that focus on voices and rejects noise.
Yamaha YSP‑1400 Digital Sound Projector Review
The Yamaha YSP-1400 is attempting to bring Yamaha's vaunted "beaming" technology to the masses at an affordable price. While the price is fair, the performance isn't quite up to expectations.
Bomaker Defies the $100 Price Point with their 2.1 Soundbar Subwoofer
What can you get for $100 in the home theater world? Not much. The Bomaker Tapio V however, is a semi portable 100 watt 2.1 soundbar/subwoofer system that will make you rethink its modest price.
Sony HT‑ST7 7.1 Soundbar Review
We ran the Sony HT-ST7 Soundbar through a full barrage of measurements and listening test, even taking it apart to look at the guts. Our review revealed some big product strengths and some weaknesses.
LG Launches SN Series Meridian 2020 Immersive Soundbars
Lg announced pricing and shipping for their highly anticipated SN lineup of Meridian soundbars. The new lineup includes eight new models packed with Immersive Surround technology, HDMI eARC and more.
Samsung HW‑F750 Soundbar Review
The Samsung HW-F750 Sound bar charges a premium price($949), but is it really a premium product? We got one in for review and ran it though its paces to find the answer.
Roku Smart Soundbar Improves TV Sound With Streaming Convenience
Looking to upgrade your TVs sound AND get the easy streaming ability of Roku? Check out the $189 Roku 2.0 Channel Smart Soundbar. Are there drawbacks? Of course! To find out what we think, read on.
B&W Z2 AirPlay Dock and Wireless Speaker Review
In a market flooded with iPod docks and Airplay speakers, the B&W Z2 seeks to stand thanks to it's small stature and good looks, but it's not without some caveats. Read on for our full review.
Savant Smart Soundbar, Precision Audio Meets Ultimate Home‑Connectivity
The Smart Audio soundbar may be loaded with network-connected features by Savant, but it also brings a true hi-fi pedigree with speaker designs by Cary Christie of Artison.
MartinLogan Motion Vision Soundbar Review
The MartinLogan Motion Vision is the miracle soundbar to convert non-believers and make holdouts finally admit that a soundbar can also be a seriously good speaker and rival a true 2.1 speaker system.
Monitor Audio’s Revamped MASS Speaker System: Better Than A Sound Bar?
Monitor Audio has completely redesigned its MASS satellite/sub speaker system. Priced at $950 for a 5.1 package, the MASS includes 5 diminutive satellite speakers and a compact subwoofer. Read on.
Boston Acoustics TVee 26 Soundbar Review
Boston Acoustics is continuing with their innovative, user-friendly approach to home theater audio with their newest entry level home audio soundbar, the TVee 26.
Bowers & Wilkins Releases Formation Suite of Whole Home Wireless Audio Speakers
Bowers and Wilkins just released new lineup of whole home wireless audio speakers. Dubbed the "Formation Suite", B&W are setting their sights on SONOS - but with a twist. Read on to find out how.
Samsung HW‑E550 Convertible Wireless Sound Bar Review
Samsung has new options in the sound bar field. Exhibit 'A' is the HW-E550 which is for those people looking to improve on their TV audio without heading into the deeper waters of home theater.
Triad's Onwall Customizable Passive Soundbars ‑ One Box LCR Solutions
Looking for a one box LCR solution for a discrete surround system? Check out Triad's line of customizable passive soundbars that look as good as they sound. Read on.
Aperion Audio SLIMstage30 Soundbar Review
Soundmatters has paired with Aperion Audio to bring you the SLIMstage30/Bravus 8A combo. The sound quality, especially for movies, is impressive and will have you shaking your head in disbelief.
Sonos Battles Polk to Beam Into Your Captain's Chair
If you're already in the Sonos environment and you're looking to add a soundbar to your whole home audio system, than you should check out the new Sonos Beam Soundbar with Amazon Alexa built in.
Boston SoundWare XS 5.1 Review
Boston Acoustics is attempting to out-cube the masters of cube with their SoundWare XS system. At $500, it complete with five cubes, a sub, and a very innovative design and mounting system.
Yamaha’s YAS‑108 Sound Bar Promises Immersive Sound From A Tidy Package
The Yamaha YAS-108 sound bar hopes to hit the low-price, high-performance sweet spot at $199. Armed with Virtual DTS:X, and built in subs, Yamaha claims convincing surround sound from a single box.
Vizio VSB210WS Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Review
A good deal; Americans are crazy for them. Waiting in line three days at an IKEA store for a free chair; bogo sales; no interest for 90 days; no payments till 2075; we can't get enough. "Recession …
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X Soundbar Review
We reviewed the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X Soundbar which straddles the line between a premium soundbar and a full home theater speaker system with dual wireless subwoofers and 4 satellites.
MCM Custom Audio 50‑908 5.0 Speaker System Review
When getting into the home theater game, the biggest stumbling block for early adopters is price. The MCM Custom Audio 50-908 speakers consist of the 50-9085 bookshelf speakers and the 50-9080 center …
James Loudspeaker LR‑S Passive Sound Bar Aims for Audiophile Performance
James Loudspeaker released 3 new soundbars recently. The SPL5LR-S, SPL6LR-S, and SPL8LR-S Soundbars are designed as a 2.1 setup. Where is the sub? How about 4 high power neo drivers right in the bar!
The Speaker Company TSAT‑1000‑HT8‑B System Review
This is the finest sounding compact system on the cheap ($399 for 5.1) that I’ve heard with a fit and finish that is second to none. The system works extremely well together mated with the ASW-8 …
CES 2018 Best Sound Bars Roundup
Looking for a soundbar to complement that new UHD TV? We've compared four of the newest soundbars that we saw at 2018 CES show. From a 9.2 channel soundbar to integrated home automation. Read on.
Aperion Audio Intimus 4B Harmony SD
Aperion Audio's Intimus 4B Harmony SD Speaker System may be a lot to pronounce all in one breath - but it may be worth it, if that means you'll get to put them into your listening room. These …
GoldenEar DigitalAktiv 3 Wi‑Fi Bluetooth Speaker Preview
Speaker manufacturer GoldenEar released details for their ultra-high performance powered/wireless DigitalAktiv 3 Bookshelf speaker at CES. Could these be among the best wireless speakers of 2018?
Orb Audio Mod4 Speakers Review
Orb Audio has presented a refreshingly contemporary speaker system that somewhat miraculously couples big, expansive sound with a relatively small form factor. The system is almost infinitely …
Polk Command Bar Soundbar, Wireless Sub, and Built‑in Amazon Alexa
Polk Audio announced the release of their new soundbar this week at CES, calling it the Polk Command Bar. Why Command Bar? How about integrated Alexa support built in and wireless sub for under $300!
Yamaha YSP‑4000 Digital Sound Projector Review
The YSP-4000 is the newest and top-of-the-line product in this well received line. To say that it has been pushed to its limits in this review is probably an understatement. But did it pass? In my …
Nakamichi Shockwafe DTS:X Ultra 9.2 Soundbar Preview
Nakamichi has the cure for the common soundbar with their new Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X wireless surround system featuring dual subwoofers for only $1,199. Is this the soundbar to beat? Read on.
EMP ECA‑4 & ECA‑44 Compact Satellite Speaker System Review
This is a must have solution for any application requiring a compact clutter free and inconspicuously mounted installation. For a limited time, EMP is extending more than 50% off their MSRP plus …
KEF Q50a Dolby Atmos Enabled Speaker Preview
KEF released their newest addition to the Q series line, the Q50a. The Q50a is a Dolby Atmos-enabled two-way closed box speaker that sits atop your existing speaker. Does it work? Read on.
JBL CS6100 5.1 Home Theater Speakers
It seems no matter who one talks to these days the topic of home theater inevitably comes up at some point. Everyone either has a home theater system, or everyone wants one. With the prices falling …
Polk MagniFi MAX SR 5.1 Sound Bar and Wireless Surround Sound System
Polk Audio released their MagniFi Max 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar and Wireless Rear Surround Sound System at CEDIA last week. For $600 you get the soundbar plus a wireless subwoofer AND two speakers!
Energy Take Classic 5.1 Speaker System Review
The Take Classic system picks up where the Take 5 system left off, and adds aggressive (value) pricing that makes this system worthy of a closer look. I have had the Take Classic system set up in my …
Paradigm Décor Custom Built TV Speakers in 3 Days!
Want better sound from your 4KUHD TV but you don't like the looks of a soundbar? Paradigm released their new Décor series of custom speakers to fit YOUR TV. To see if they're right for you, read on.
Acoustic Research WHT6024 5.1 Wireless Speaker System Review
One of the trends I noticed at the recent CEDIA expo in Denver was wireless speaker systems. I saw everything from a portable speaker that you might use out by the pool to systems designed to be …
Bluesound Pulse High‑Res SoundBar and Sub‑ IN WHITE!
Looking for a high resolution soundbar to compliment you new UHDTV? Look no further than the Pulse soundbar and sub from Bluesound. Now available in white!
Cerwin‑Vega! CVHD 5.1 Review
For years, Cerwin-Vega! has been known as a company that produces LOUD speakers (they seem to harbor this thought with their tagline "The LOUD Speaker Company"). The slim profile CVHD 5.1 system and …
Yamaha YAS‑207 Industry First Sound Bar with DTS Virtual:X Processing
Yamaha announced their YAS-207 Sound Bar with DTS Virtual:X technology that is said to simulate a discrete surround system. The soundbar and subwoofer comes as a package deal for under $300. Read on.
NHT Xd Loudspeaker System Review
The NHT Xd system is the successful realization of an ambitious technical goal NHT set for themselves years ago. It’s a brilliant melding of disparate technologies that so well expresses itself with …
Denon HEOS Soundbar Preview
Denon has announced its latest entries into the HEOS line that includes their new HEOS soundbar. The Bar will take its place in the HEOS line of multi-zone wireless speakers and is expandable to 5.1.