HDMI connections: At the bare minimum, a soundbar sold in 2023 should have at least one HDMI input, and preferably more.For example does the soundbar offer dedicated height speakers, or is it simulated Atmos? Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos is one of the most popular features in soundbars over $400, and so we'll look at features that help maximize spatial sound quality.Wireless streaming: Whether it's connecting a phone over Bluetooth or more advanced streaming technologies such as Spotify Connect or Apple AirPlay, the more choices for streaming technologies a soundbar has, the better.I do have one rule of thumb, though: Once the price of a soundbar exceeds $500, you may find it more worthwhile to save for an AV receiver and speakers. I give a lot of thought to the features a soundbar has in comparison others that cost the same. Price: The most important consideration when choosing a soundbar is how much it costs, and I have found there are great soundbars at every price level, starting at $100 and up.But for $500 it misses a lot of the features of its single-bar competition, namely Dolby Atmos compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming. Sony HT-S2000 ($498): Better in some ways than the competition and worse in others, the Sony HT-S2000 boasts better bass response than the Sonos Beam.It's great for streaming, as it has Chromecast built in in addition to Bluetooth and an HDMI input. Polk Signa S3 ($299): If you're looking for a speaker that can do music as well as play the latest episode of The Last of Us, then the Polk Audio Signa S3 has a lot to offer.You can save yourself a lot of money by getting the even-bigger sounding Klipsch Cinema 400 instead. Yet, while it includes both HDMI and networked music streaming, the JBL is missing Dolby Atmos - which is disappointing for the price. During my tests, the JBL Bar 500 fulfilled both parts of the brief by pairing excellent sound with one of the largest subwoofers I've ever seen with a soundbar. JBL Bar 500 ($600): Alongside Klipsch, JBL has long had a reputation for being a rock 'n' roll brand with a big sound and even bigger cabinets.Read our Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar review. Same price as receiver and speakers, but more compact.Great connectivity with HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi.Connections: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm, RCA, HDMI ARC, subwoofer out.It's now been joined by the cheaper Ambeo Soundbar Plus. It's not a cheap piece of sound equipment but it's comparable in price to a full set of surround speakers without the bulk and with 85% of the great sound and performance. It's also controlled entirely via remote control. It's a single unit, without a subwoofer, but it's able to conjure up the most realistic overhead and true surround-sound effects I've ever heard. If you simply must have the least number of boxes and remotes in your living space and yet demand the best Atmos quality sound performance you can get, this Sennheiser speaker is your baby.
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