Four soundbars, each solving a different problem — from a simple one-box upgrade to a system that genuinely rivals full surround sound.
A good soundbar has to do one thing a TV's built-in speakers structurally can't: move real air. Beyond that baseline, the four picks below differ in how they handle Dolby Atmos, whether they grow into a bigger system later, and how much of the work they'll do out of the box versus over time.
Not sure a soundbar is even the right call for your room? Read Soundbar vs. AV Receiver first to see what actually separates the two, or Soundbar vs. Full Surround Sound System for the cost and quality tradeoffs once you're leaning toward real speakers.
| Soundbar | Best for | Price tier | Our rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2)Compact pick | A simple one-box upgrade | $$ | 4.6 / 5 | Details ↓ |
| Klipsch Flexus CORE 300Expandable pick | Growing the system later | $$ | 4.7 / 5 | Details ↓ |
| Samsung HW-Q990DComplete package | Full Atmos, out of the box | $$$ | 4.8 / 5 | Details ↓ |
| Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MaxFlagship | One bar, no compromises | $$$$ | 4.9 / 5 | Details ↓ |
Why we picked it: This is the soundbar for someone who wants a real upgrade over TV speakers without turning it into a project — compact, one cable, and it still leaves the door open to add a sub or rears from the same ecosystem later if you want more.
Why we picked it: This is the rare soundbar built to be a starting point, not a finished system. It already ships as a real 5.1.2 setup with built-in height and bass, includes Dirac Live room correction (a first for a soundbar), and has a clear upgrade path — add a wireless Flexus subwoofer or wireless surrounds whenever you're ready, no new receiver required.
Why we picked it: This is the one to buy if you want the full surround experience the day it arrives — the box includes wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer, so there's no separate purchase or setup decision to make. Pair it with a Samsung TV and Q-Symphony blends the TV's own speakers into the mix.
Why we picked it: For a room where a single bar has to do everything — no visible rears, no separate subwoofer — this is as close as the category gets to a full surround system in one enclosure. Thirteen drivers and long-throw woofers reach down to 30Hz without a sub, and the virtual processing genuinely convinces you there's height and rear channels in the room.
Still deciding between a soundbar and building out full surround sound? The guide walks through the honest tradeoffs in sound quality, cost, and setup effort.
Read the soundbar vs. surround sound guide →