The one aspect that most TV manufacturers tend to overlook is the audio output. If you want a more filling experience for your home theater, it is time to grab a Dolby Atmos compatible soundbar. This will enhance the surround sound effect and will bring the overall feel closer to that of a real movie theater.
Soundbars come in different shapes and sizes, and their configurations differ too. What you should latch onto depends on a lot of factors, including your budget, priorities, size of the room, and more. In today’s article, we delve on to find the best Dolby Atmos soundbars available in the market.
1. Best luxury Dolby Atmos Soundbar – Sennheiser AMBEO 3D Home Audio Sound Bar
Table Of Content
| Specification Overview |
| Unique calibration microphone |
| Seamless control with Smart Control App |
| 13 independent drivers |
| AMBEO tech from Sennheiser to boost the output |
What works?
- Dynamic sound output
- The output has a lot of depth
- 3D audio
What doesn’t?
- Too large to handle
- The price may deter its prospective buyers from buying
When Sennheiser makes any audio product, the world sits down and pays attention. The AMBEO soundbar is no different. The sound output is classic Sennheiser, and the product is a mammoth beast. Looking at the bright side, there is a lot going on in it to justify its heft.
You get some of the best 3D audio experience that any soundbar is capable of producing, and the output feels natural and effortless. For connectivity, you get HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 4.2, Chromecast, and other options, which makes it reasonably adaptable.
2. Best high-end Dolby Atmos Soundbar – Samsung HW-Q90R
| Specification Overview |
| 7.1.4 channel with 17 built-in speakers |
| 4K pass-through and HRD10 compatible |
| Upward firing rear speakers |
| Adaptive sound |
What works?
- A lot of connectivity options
- The audio quality
- Doesn’t creak at the higher sound levels
What doesn’t?
- Lack of room correction
- The interface screen could have been bigger
The Samsung HW-Q90R is amongst the best soundbars which support Dolby Atmos. If we talk about the setup, you get the main soundbar, a subwoofer, and two satellite speakers. The sound profile is neutral, which should suffice more listeners, and the bass extension is enough to make you sit on the edge.
The satellite speakers, although need a connection to a power source, are a game-changer. You get the feeling of height and surround, which is a rarity when compared to its competitors.
3. Best immersive experience – Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
| Specification Overview |
| 10 inch wireless subwoofer |
| Four 2-way surround speakers |
| Especially curated SSE Technology |
| Quad-core DSP for ultra-high resolution |
What works?
- Design
- Unique setup
- Goes pretty loud
What doesn’t?
- Compression ascertainable at max volume
- The sound is not neutral; it’s warm
A high-end soundbar from the house of Nakamichi, the Shockwave Ultra soundbar, comes in a unique 9.2.4 configuration. It consists of four dedicated surround rear speakers and two wireless subwoofers. It is a beautiful looking device with the soundbar coming in small silver accents and an unusual shape.
Talking about the sound output, it gets pretty loud for a soundbar. The audio response is on the warmer side with decent heft, but the stereo frequency response is not up to the mark. There is no denying the fact that it looks unlike anything in the market, and the introduction of AVR elements makes it a respectable option.
4. Best Sony soundbar with Dolby Atmos support – Sony HT-ST5000
| Specification Overview |
| 4K signal pass-through |
| 7.1.2ch S-Force Pro Surround support |
| Chromecast built-in |
| Large number of connectivity options |
What works?
- The sound output is difficult to beat
- Bass is rumbly and fast
- The setup is clean and well-thought-out
What doesn’t?
- Pricey
- Midrange could have been better
2019 What Hi-FI winner, Sony HT-ST5000, is a delight in every way possible. Coming to the package, you get a separate subwoofer and two drivers that fire upwards, which combine to an unbeatable cinematic experience.
You know that it has a lot of power and depth as soon as you listen to it for the first time. Despite having so many components at play, there is a sense of clarity in the setup, making it easy to handle.
There are a lot of nifty features and you get Sony’s in-house Hi-Res audio scaling capabilities to make it sweeter. The price is on the higher side, but the value proposition is equally high, and you won’t be disappointed once you give it a try.
5. Best LG soundbar with Dolby Atmos support – LG SL10YG
| Specification Overview |
| 5.1.2Ch configuration |
| Up to 570W of total power |
| Chromecast and Wi-Fi built-in |
| Google Assistant support |
What works?
- Wide soundstage
- Build
- Integrated subwoofer performs well
What doesn’t?
- Lack of HDMI eARC
- HDR10 pass-through missing
Hailing from the house of LG, the SL10YG is a combination of a soundbar and a subwoofer, which is best suited to large screens. So if you own a 65 inch TV or higher, this one would be an excellent fit owing to its size and wide soundstage. The drivers’ fire upwards ensuring an immersive experience, even though the lack of rear speakers can make it feel a little incomplete.
But the package is well-rounded and gets the job done pretty well. It also boasts of a lot of features such as Meridian technology, Hi-Res audio certification, and more. There is support for Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in, which makes connectivity seamless. A product worth buying for the price it demands!
6. Best Yamaha soundbar with Dolby Atmos – Yamaha YSP-5600BL
| Specification Overview |
| Angled array of speaker to create height channels |
| 4K at 60 FPS pass-through |
| Multiple connectivity options such as MusicCast, WI-FI, AirPlay, & Bluetooth |
| 7.1.2Ch surround sound |
What works?
- Open soundstage
- Clutter-free and easy to set up
- Multiple streaming capabilities
- Excellent build quality
What doesn’t?
- Its size can be an issue for small rooms
- The bass lacks the desired heft
You would rarely come across a breed of soundbars capable of providing a 7.1.2Ch effect without an external subwoofer. The Yamaha YSP-5600BL boasts of that and does so with incredible conviction. It also creates an adjustable sound beam, which lets users decide the final effect depending on the size of the room.
If you do not prefer 7.1.2, there are other modes available as well. You can choose 5.1 surround mode, two-channel stereo offering, or a single-channel target too. The output sounds full and is pleasurable to the ears with decent all-round heft. Plus, the availability of multiple connectivity options makes it a more comfortable, albeit pricey recommendation.
7. Best Vizio soundbar with Dolby Atmos – VIZIO SB46514-F6
| Specification Overview |
| 5.1.4Ch configuration |
| Wireless subwoofer with 10 inch driver |
| Upward firing speakers |
| Voice control with Google Assistant |
What works?
- The build is exceptional
- Stereo performance is amongst the best
- Immersive and fun sounding output
What doesn’t?
- Pricey
- Compression occurs at max volume
Vizio SB465514-F6 is an excellent addition to your entertainment needs. Be it for movies, music, or for any other reason, the overall sound output is perfect for enhancing your audio experience.
There is enough bass onboard and it gets pretty loud too. The stereo reproduction is on point, and there are satellite speakers present to help the case. But we do not recommend turning the volume to the max as you may find compression seeping in which won’t improve the overall experience.
8. Best 5.1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar – Samsung HW-Q80R
| Specification Overview |
| 13 speakers |
| Adaptive Sound |
| Wireless subwoofer |
| True 5.1.2Ch setup |
What works?
- Audio output is praiseworthy
- Minimum distortion at high volume
- A lot of connectivity options
What doesn’t?
- Lacks room correction
- Rear speakers are not a part of the package
Undoubtedly the best 5.1Ch soundbar with Dolby Atmos support available in the market, the Samsung HW-Q80R package comes just with a bar and a subwoofer. The build is top-notch, and the sound is neutral. It makes the bar compatible for various scenarios. Additionally, you get several connectivity options, such as two HDMI ports, HDMI ARC, and optical-in. The soundstage is full, and the only gripe would be the lack of rear speakers.
Bottom Line
Most people, while buying a soundbar for themselves, will keep in mind the size and the price that they pay for it. It is also an addition to the overall aesthetic feel of the room, and therefore it is another reason to be kept in mind.
Another important thing that you must pay attention to is the ports availability and connectivity options that you get with it. With more and more OEMs embracing Dolby Atmos for their products, and you may feel lost. Instead of looking haywire, you can choose one from the products that we have recommended in the article and let us know what you felt about them.
