Best Soundbar for Music

Votes 3 3
Rating 4 4
Overall Audio features Streaming services Connectivity Features Multichannel surround
Yamaha YAS-209 8.2 6 10 8 9 8 See price 35
Yamaha YAS-109 8 5 10 8 9 8 See price 34
Sony HT-X9000F 7 7 10 7 2 9 See price 21
Samsung HW-J355 6.6 7 10 6 5 4 See price 15
VIZIO SB3820-C6 5.2 5 4 6 6 4 See price 11
Yamaha YAS-207 5,4 7 4 6 5 4 See price 10
Polk Audio SIGNA S2 5 6 4 6 4 4 See price 50
VIZIO SB2821-D6 4.8 6 5 4 4 5 See price 5

A soundbar is a great and compact way to improve the quality of listening to music when you do not have space for a full home theater installation. You can get great stereo sound through soundbars and great bass sound if your system has a dedicated subwoofer. Not all soundbars are the same, so you have to choose the best soundbar for music that suits your needs, whether you prefer to use Bluetooth, a home Wi-Fi network, or even AirPlay to stream your favorite tracks.

We’ve gathered the best soundbars for music with a separate subwoofer - as decent music quality requires it. Moreover, all soundbars in this rating have a wireless connection to the subwoofer.

Below are our recommendations for the most appropriate models.

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Here you will see selected products that support playing music from the main streaming platforms: Apple Music (AirPlay), Amazon Music, Google Play Music, Spotify, and others.

Sony HT-X9000F - best overall

Our rating
7/10

Sony HT-X9000F

The gadget has a well-thought-out set of functions and is offered at a very attractive price with high sound quality and support for the latest technologies. The soundbar has a classic 2.1 configuration and comes with a wireless subwoofer. Thanks to its compact size, the soundbar can be placed directly in front of the TV, although it can also be hung on the wall. Nice design and high-quality finish allow Sony HT-X9000F to look great next to any modern TV. The subwoofer can be installed almost anywhere in the room, and thanks to the vertical form factor, it does not take up much space in the room.

Sony HT-X9000F can create surround sound space in the room thanks to supporting for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X format, as well as proprietary technology Vertical Surround Engine. Also, in the soundbar, there is also an S-Force PRO processor, which is able to give volume to any sound content. To give the sound an individual color depending on the type of content being watched, the Sony HT-X9000F has a DSP with several operating modes.

The soundbar is equipped with an HDMI input and output with support for 4K Ultra HD / Dolby Vision and HDR10 video, as well as optical and analog inputs. For easy connection of mobile devices, the soundbar has Bluetooth.

There are amplifiers with a total power of 300 watts, which are made using proprietary S-Master technology, and provide rich and dynamic sound when watching movies or listening to music. A large bass player and precisely designed subwoofer cabinet will provide powerful and elaborate bass, which is a prerequisite for the correct perception of the soundtracks of modern films.

It is equipped with a USB input, to which you can connect portable drives with music files. At the same time, not only Lossless but also High-Resolution playback is supported (in DSD and PCM formats). Thus, the soundbar will surely appeal to music lovers with extensive music collections.

In order not to spoil the overall appearance of the presence of wires, you can use a wireless connection. Sony HT-X9000F

Transfer audio and view information from the TV by connecting the soundbar via an HDMI ARC cable. You can listen to your favorite albums by connecting the soundbar via the USB input or using the Bluetooth wireless streaming function.

The Sony HT-X9000F is the best soundbar for music listening in the world. Sony HT-X9000F also supports Wi-Fi, so after updating the firmware, its owner can use the multi-user audio stream, built-in Chromecast, and Google Assistant. Using a voice command, the HT-X9000F plays your favorite music streaming services in your desired room or throughout your home. In addition, after a firmware update, the soundbar also supports Spotify Connect to transfer music directly to compatible devices.

Use the Music Center app (formerly called SongPal) to group selected Sony soundbars and speakers, and then play music in multiple rooms.

Key specs

  • Built-in channels: 2.1
  • Separate subwoofer (in package): yes
  • Bluetooth: yes
  • Size (Wx H x D), cm/in: 93 x 5.8 x 8.5/36.6 x 2.3 x 3.3
  • Official website
  • Full specs

Pros

  • The subwoofer automatically connects to the soundbar
  • The soundbar is super easy to use with the TV
  • If you haven’t had the chance to experience the customizable sound setting features, then you’re missing out

Cons

  • There is no real indication that the Vertical S is on

Yamaha YAS-209

Our rating
6.4/10

Yamaha YAS-209

Usually, there is not much room for creativity in the design of a soundbar. But the YAS-209 soundbar is more stylish and trendy than most. Its rounded edges and fabric coating make it look like the Amazon Echo family, albeit remotely.

The dimensions of the Yamaha 209 soundbar let you neatly put it in front of most TVs, not blocking the signals from the remote control. It can also be easily mounted on the wall thanks to a pair of built-in screw holes. The soundbar of the Yamaha YAS-209 is equipped with a special subwoofer, which has clear advantages in terms of depth and weight of low frequencies.

This also means that there is a second, much larger device that needs to be placed. Being wireless means less clutter in the wires, but there is a limit to how much you can hide it. A subwoofer works best in free space and is relatively close to the soundbar. At the top of the soundbar, there is a series of touch “buttons” that control volume, power, input switching, and microphones.

There are also a number of tiny LEDs, each of which is labeled with a source or function name. With the nonexistence of a display, these LEDs light up in different configurations to indicate a change in setting. The Sound Bar Controller application offers a completely understandable way to change settings.

The Yamaha YAS-209 soundbar has a relatively small size and nice design, so it is easily integrated into a residential interior. Like all acoustics of this class, the soundbar is designed to significantly improve the sound quality when watching movies and TV shows on TV. However, the Yamaha YAS-209 is equipped with several proprietary technologies that set it apart from its competitors.

Yamaha YAS-209 has a configuration of 2.1 and is equipped with an external wireless subwoofer, so reproduced bass gain convincing weight and saturation. Each soundbar channel has two low-frequency speakers with a diameter of 46 mm and one 25-mm tweeter. Since the speakers of both channels are distant from each other at a considerable distance, the sound picture formed by the Yamaha YAS-209 is wide and natural. And to give it additional volume, which will be especially popular when watching movies, DTS:X processor processing is provided. Yamaha YAS-209

To connect external devices, the soundbar provides an HDMI input and output with the ability to transmit 4K video and support for ARC audio return channels, as well as optical and analog inputs. In addition, this model also provides wireless technology for playing various music content. Thanks to Wi-Fi and proprietary multi-room technology, Music Cast Yamaha YAS-209 is able to play music through popular online services, as well as from available network drives. For listening in streaming mode, both Lossless and High-Resolution files are suitable. And for easy connection of various mobile devices, there is Bluetooth.

The soundbar provides sound processing using DSP, which has several modes of operation. The Yamaha YAS-209 has Clear Voice technology for the most accurate dialogue. You can control the soundbar using both the remote control and the proprietary mobile application. There is support for the Alexa voice system. The soundbar has a detailed sound with a pleasant tonal balance and copes with playing the music of various genres.

Key specs

  • Built-in channels: 2.0
  • Separate subwoofer (in package): yes
  • Bluetooth: yes
  • Size (Wx H x D), cm/in: 93 x 6.2 x 10.9/36.6 x 2.5 x 4.2
  • Official website
  • Full specs

Pros

  • Including downloading the related app and making an account, total set up was maybe 5 minutes max
  • This soundbar is made to disappear into your home

Cons

  • It can’t pull off multiroom audio through Alexa

Samsung HW-J355

Our rating
6/10

Samsung HW-J355

Samsung HW-J355 is one of the best-selling UK sound panels, and for a good reason. It offers good sound quality from its four combined-120W tweeters, and also comes with a wired subwoofer. This adds some meat to the sound, and at a very low price.

The Samsung HW-J355 Soundbar with subwoofer offers the convenience of Bluetooth and a wired subwoofer for rich, vibrant bass. Connect the soundbar wirelessly to a compatible TV using TV Sound Connect, and using a Bluetooth-enabled device, turn on the soundbar and stream music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can even control the soundbar settings on your mobile device using the Samsung Audio Remote app.

With a wired subwoofer and built-in subwoofers, the Samsung HW-J355 delivers rich bass to enhance your movies and shows. Soundbar's deep bass and crisp, balanced sound combine to create a dynamic home theater experience with this compact 2.1-channel system.

Samsung HW-J355 has a total power of 120 watts, with 60 watts sent to the subwoofer, and 60 watts to the soundbar. The result is a rich and dynamic sound for your home theater system.

This system supports AV decoding for MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, FLAC, and WAV formats. The soundbar contains inputs for optical cables, USB, and AUX cables.

The Samsung HW-J355 also has a Bluetooth connection, which means that you can use it as a wireless speaker for devices other than your TV. So if you want to listen to Spotify using your phone or tablet and want to listen through the speakers, you can do it easily.

This soundbar comes with what Samsung calls 3D Sound Plus, which attempts to mimic the surround effect using some clever sound tricks. In truth, you probably won't notice any difference. But you can get a little more from the “clear voice technology,” which is designed to highlight human voices and make extra special efforts to reproduce them accurately. So if you are the kind of person who sometimes tries to hear what people say on TV, this can help you.

You can mount the soundbar on the wall, and place the wireless subwoofer anywhere in the room. Connect the TV to your home theater system and enjoy high-quality surround sound. Samsung HW-J355

The absence of hanging wires between the soundbar and the TV allows you to demonstrate a slim, elegant design, as well as preserve the appearance of the living room. Control the soundbar and TV with the remote control.

The main feature of the HW-J355 soundbar is the ability to control using the Samsung Audio Remote App for mobile devices. It allows you to adjust the on / off, volume, as well as adjust the sound to your taste using the 7-band equalizer. In addition, you can easily select a signal source and one of the sound effects.

All in all, this is a very simple soundbar for music lovers. There are no home theater features, like most more advanced systems. It's just a cheap and fun speaker that will enhance the sound of almost any flat-screen TV.

Key specs

  • Built-in channels: 2.1
  • Separate subwoofer (in package): yes
  • Bluetooth: yes
  • Size (Wx H x D), cm/in: 94 x 5.1 x 5.1/37.1 x 2.3 x 2.6
  • Official website
  • Full specs

Pros

  • The subwoofer delivers depth and feels as needed without overpowering
  • Offers bluetooth and several customizable functions such as treble, bass, and subwoofer adjustment

Cons

  • I think the dynamic range is too wide

VIZIO SB2821-D6

Our rating
4.2/10

VIZIO SB2821-D6

A single bar with a wireless subwoofer will make listening a lot more impressive. People will enjoy watching TV in their space. Whether it's a spacious flat or a small room, the maximum power of 98 dB will allow you to create the perfect atmosphere anywhere, anytime. People can enjoy watching TV with top-class sound. The system can create the perfect atmosphere around the living room. The wireless soundbar with subwoofer has intensive production that can improve the sound.

Vizio SB2821-D6 supports sound to match high definition images. If people invest in top-class visual effects, then the same seriousness for sounds. Vizio 21 inches 2.1 is the most effective material for domestic use. Good music is not only a hobby but, according to doctors, a stylish sound is also good for health.

Lean manufacturing is done with the right strategy. The tool has proven smart design in all its manifestations. Thus, the soundbar does not take up much space in the house. Firstly, the bar can be hung or installed under or above the TV. Secondly, the subwoofer can take place on another shelf or can also be attached. In some matters, people can avoid unnecessary stress. Just lay the woofer on a cabinet or large furniture. It is recommended that you keep the subwoofer high because the sound is spreading from a great height. Since the subwoofer is compact in size, it does not take up much space. Most importantly, people do not need to arrange or create or decorate any other space for placing the instrument. VIZIO SB2821-D6

The woofer and soundbar have a black base color, as well as a universal remote control. In the box, the design followed an innovative cubic form, which is made in a subtle style. The back of the speaker is dark black, without any other shades, contrasts, and bumps. On the front side, the speaker also has a black color, but some dots have changed the overall color tone. The woofer has a black case, four black rubber pads on the bottom. At the top, the subwoofer has become much brighter with excellent steel color contrast. Depending on the color, shape, and smoothness, the sound system looks great. This combination gives an excellent presentation about different interiors.

There is a stereo RCA for analog audio input, which acts as a receiver. A television or other audio gadgets come in via an optical cable and begin processing. RCA processes digital audio. As another analog audio input, a stereo 3.5 mm mini-jack is added, which delivers a signal. There is also one optical cable that processes the digital audio input—finally, USB, which only supports WAV files.

Key specs

  • Built-in channels: 2.1
  • Separate subwoofer (in package): yes
  • Bluetooth: yes
  • Size (Wx H x D), cm/in: 28 x 3 x 3/71.1 x 7.6 x 7.6
  • Official website
  • Full specs

Pros

  • When setting up properly, I found this soundbar to have very good sound
  • There are complaints about the low frequencies not being that strong, but I found it to be excellent

Cons

  • If you grab subwoofer from the bottom, you could damage it very easily

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