Best Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, Bluetooth and WI-FI

Even a technically advanced TV with a huge diagonal and a gorgeous image will not be able to provide perfect sound when watching movies or when listening to music. Connoisseurs of high-fidelity sound find a solution in acquiring home theaters. But not everyone has enough room to accommodate it. The soundbar can be a solution - a monoblock active speaker whose speakers are controlled by a complex digital algorithm that very convincingly imitates the sound of an ordinary spatial acoustic system: a good soundbar, occupying a minimum of space in the room, can divide the soundstage not only along with the right-left directions but both "back and forth" and even "up and down," taking advantage of the characteristics of human hearing. The best wireless soundbar will not give a spatial sound but will give its better quality in comparison with the low-power speakers that are now built into flat panels.

The wireless soundbar is a device with a wireless connection to a subwoofer and the presence of bluetooth and WIFI. A modern soundbar can be paired with a sound source and an active subwoofer “over the air,” play audio from a local network, and much more.

Let's try to evaluate what the market can offer us. Having considered many models presented on the market, we will present our rating of the best and most popular sound panels, all of which have a separate subwoofer.

VIZIO SB46514-F6 - best overall

The large Vizio Dolby Atmos soundbar is 46 inches wide and 2.5 inches high. Its low profile makes it easy to slide under most TVs and should not block the IR receiver of TVs larger than 55 inches.

Inside the soundbar, you will find five drivers located in the configuration on the left, right, center, and height left, height, and right, which give you a set of 3.0.2. Add a huge subwoofer and rear satellites, and you will have a full 5.1.4 system.

What sets the SB46514-F6 apart from its younger brother is that the rear wireless channels have their own speakers that enhance the surround effect, plus the subwoofer goes from controlled 10 pounds to more than 25. This system hits even lower bass frequencies and kicks in. Are there any doubts that this unit is the best soundbar with wireless subwoofer?

As with other Vizio 2018 soundbar systems, the subwoofer and rear speakers do not need to be physically connected to the main soundbar, but instead, they only need to be connected to each other with the help of two long cables - one for each speaker. These cables carry both power and signal and make it such that even the most novice AV enthusiasts can get to work in the shortest possible time.

On the back of the soundbar, you'll find HDMI Out (ARC), HDMI IN, Optical Audio In, and 3.5 mm ports for audio, as well as USB and Ethernet ports. On the front panel of the soundbar, you will find, well, you will not find anything but a few LED indicators that blink to tell you what is happening. It would be nice if Vizio turned on a small LCD screen in front, but there is also a remote control itself if remembering LED patterns is not your problem.

This soundbar can transmit signals with the highest bandwidth, which means that the text will look crisp and clear if you connect the soundbar to a PC and TV.

You can turn on the eco mode, which will turn off the soundbar after some downtime. If you do not enable this feature, the soundbar will always be on. In addition, thanks to HDMI CEC support, you can control some basic panel functions with the TV remote control, such as volume.

JBL Bar 2.1 - best budget

The best budget soundbar with wireless subwoofer JBL Bar 2.1 Soundbar delivers studio-quality sound, helping you enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows as well as listening to music.

A thin soundbar with a simple design is easy to install on the wall and goes well with modern TVs. One HDMI cable is enough to connect. This model is complemented by a subwoofer that makes low frequencies, especially deep, saturated, and dynamic.

The body of the soundbar is completely made of plastic. It is also encouraging that its height does not exceed five centimeters. This means that when placed on a stand in front of the TV, it is guaranteed not to cover even a small part of the image at the bottom of the screen. All speakers are located on the front panel. Their set includes two oval midrange drivers and two tweeters 25 mm in size. The subwoofer is equipped with one woofer with a diameter of 133 mm, loaded on the front bass reflex.

JBL Surround Sound technology and dual bass ports deliver powerful surround sound that makes you feel like you're in the middle of an on-screen event. Bluetooth support allows you to stream audio files from compatible devices without using wires. All functions can be used from a distance using the convenient remote control included in the kit.

Easy-to-use and attractively designed, the JBL Bar 2.1 soundbar is equipped with Dolby Digital, JBL Surround Sound, 300 W power, and a 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer that provides balanced sound and deep bass for movies, music, and video games. Full-featured in every sense of the word, it has an HDMI input, as well as wired AUX and USB connections that expand your home entertainment experience.

Make movies sound vibrant with JBL Surround Sound technology without the need for extra wires or speakers. Enjoy rich and deep bass frequencies, as well as the convenience of flexible placement without fussing around with wires—stream music wirelessly from any mobile device. Connect your devices with the HDMI In / 1 HDMI Out (ARC) connectors.

This JBL soundbar is compatible with many remote controls from today's popular TV models. Therefore, the remote control from your TV can be used both to control the TV and to control the soundbar.

A full-featured, easy-to-use JBL Bar 2.1 soundbar in an even thinner case with Dolby Digital, a 300 W JBL Surround Sound with a wireless 6.5-inch subwoofer provides balanced sound and deep low frequencies in your films, music and even video games. Fully functional in every sense of the word, the panel is equipped with an HDMI input, as well as AUX and USB inputs for giving you even greater sound reproduction capabilities. It also has a Bluetooth function for convenient wireless connection of devices. The JBL SoundShift feature lets you instantly switch between playing sound from your TV, mobile phone, or tablet. You can control the soundbar using the TV remote control, JBL Bar 2.1 clearly raises the bar for soundbars.

Sony HT-ST5000 - best performance

The Sony HT-ST5000 soundbar is equipped with an SA-WST5000 wireless active subwoofer and has a 180 mm bass speaker and a passive emitter built into the bottom of its case.

In terms of performance, this is the best wireless soundbar for tv. It supports DTS:X and Dolby Atmos object-oriented three-dimensional sound formats in 7.1.2-channel configuration.

On the left and right sides of its front panel are coaxial drivers consisting of a 65 mm midrange/tweeter and a 14 mm soft dome tweeter fixed in front of it. This design is close to a point source of the sound since the centers of both emitters are located on the same axis, which guarantees a solid, realistic, and perfectly focused musical image without phase/time differences and an accurate radiation pattern. A similar coaxial driver is integrated into the center of the soundbar, with a pair of 65 mm broadband emitters installed on the left and right of it. In the upper part of the Sony HT-ST5000, two specialized 65 mm wideband drivers are integrated, aimed at the ceiling and allowing to realize the possibilities of the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats.

To create virtual 3D spatial sound, the DSP processor and S-Force PRO Front Surround technology integrated into the soundbar are used. The model uses high-quality components and digital amplifiers S-Master HX with a minimum level of interference and a wide passband up to 40 kHz. For each emitter, there is a separate such amplifier with a power of 50 W (6 Ohms). Onboard there is a DSEE HX processor, restoring the sound of compressed formats to a level close to Hi-Res-audio.

The model received a 2-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-module with the ability to quickly NFC-pairing and support for LDAC audio codec, allowing you to get sound in resolutions up to 24 bit / 96 kHz. It supports the Spotify Connect web service and the Chromecast platform, which provides access to many online services and provides great opportunities in terms of wireless audio transmission.

The soundbar is able to integrate into a proprietary multi-room ecosystem controlled by the Sony | Music Center and includes Sony wireless speakers.

Sony HT-ST5000 is equipped with three HDMI inputs supporting 4K video, HDCP 2.2 protocol, and HDR standard. There is an HDMI output (with a return channel) for connecting to a TV. There is an analog Aux input (3.5 mm), an optical input, USB for external drives, and a LAN interface for wired integration into a local network. The soundbar has received Hi-Res-audio certification, as it is capable of playing back high-resolution audio files stored on computers/servers on a local network or on USB drives.

Sony HT-Z9F

The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar is equipped with the latest features and is capable of voicing a medium-sized living room. Among the main features of this model is support for 3D audio formats Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which is provided due to proprietary technology Vertical Surround Engine.

Sony HT-Z9F has a configuration of 3.1. However, thanks to the Vertical Surround Engine, it is able to create surround sound space similar to that formed by the component system 7.1.2. In addition, to fully immerse yourself in what is happening on the screen, you can connect wireless rear speakers (purchased separately) to the Sony HT-Z9F.

The soundbar is very easy to place due to its small size - it can be hung on the wall or installed in front of the TV, and the wireless subwoofer can be placed in any convenient place in the room. Sony HT-Z9F has two HDMI inputs and one output with support for 4K Ultra HD video, Dolby Vision and HDR10. Since the HDMI output in the soundbar supports the ARC Audio Return Channel function, sound on the Sony HT-Z9F will also be transmitted from all sources connected to the TV. Thanks to CECV Bravia technology, you can control multiple compatible devices connected via HDMI from one remote control. In addition, the speaker has a USB connector for connecting drives with music files.

Of course, Sony HT-Z9F also has music streaming in its arsenal of features, while the network connection is possible both via cable and Wi-Fi. The soundbar can work with popular online services or play files from available network devices. In addition, this model also provides Bluetooth technology for easy connection of mobile devices. At the same time, the soundbar can also transmit a signal via Bluetooth, for example, to compatible headphones.

With a total sound power of 400 watts, the Sony HT-Z9F soundbar can create convincing sound pressure in a room when watching movies or listening to music. This model has a DSP with several modes of operation that optimize the sound when listening to various content. Also available are modes for increasing the accuracy of dialogue transmission and limiting the dynamic range of sound when watching movies late at night.

Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

The most significant highlight of the model is the surround sound in the DTS Virtual:X format. There are also a number of decoders onboard: from Dolby Pro Logic II to Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround. No less interesting is the video part. In addition to the reverse audio channel, already familiar with the technology of such class. The (ARC) sound signal from the TV can be sent to the input of the soundbar via an HDMI cable that outputs the video signals from the unit to the TV. There is a full 4K Ultra HD, pass-through, 50/60 Hz, YCbCr 4: 4: 4, HDR 10, Dolby Vision, HLG. Good old 1080p 3D is also not forgotten. The claimed sound power is 200 W.

The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 soundbar is created using the latest technology and can become the foundation of a versatile AV system. It is much simpler and more convenient to place than a set of AV-receiver and speakers, but it is able to sound quality in a medium-sized room. And thanks to the support of the proprietary Wireless MusicCast technology, additional MusicCast 20 or 50 rear speakers can be connected to the soundbar. The small soundbar body has a laconic design, so it will not block the TV screen and distract from viewing.

Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 is equipped with two sets of speakers, consisting of a tweeter and two low-frequency speakers, which provides a wide stereo picture and powerful sound. In addition, the system is equipped with an external wireless subwoofer, the presence of which makes its sound as saturated and convincing. The soundbar uses DTS Virtual:X surround sound technology, and there is also a Dolby Digital decoder. For additional sound processing, you can use the DSP with several modes of operation, and you can improve the transmission of dialogs using Clear Voice technology.

Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 is equipped with HDMI input and output with support for 4K / HDR10 / HLG, as well as optical and analog inputs. The soundbar also has Bluetooth. Support for playing music from network drives, as well as on-line services provided by MusicCast, is possible both via Ethernet and Wi-Fi. It is possible to play both Lossless and High-resolution formats, which many music lovers will surely appreciate. It’s very convenient to control the soundbar using a proprietary mobile application.

The Yamaha MusicCast Bar 400 features energetic sound with a high degree of detail, both when watching TV shows and movies, and listening to music. This soundbar has simple controls and is very convenient to place in any living room. A wireless subwoofer can be installed anywhere in the room, and its exact coordination with the soundbar provides a natural sound that is precisely tied to what is happening on the screen.