THE WINNER Sonos Beam

A combination of great sound — both for movies and over AirPlay — and a wealth of smart features in a compact package

Just a decade ago, this test would have been purely about sound quality but now smart network features also play a

significant role. So the balance comes down to those two factors, and price. The Sonos Beam is a solid and affordable option, cleverly using its speakers to simulate surround sound in Dolby Atmos mode, and producing an impressive movie experience as well as being capable with music playback.

If a subwoofer isn’t practical due to space constraints, the Yamaha also performs admirably, though lacks some virtual surround features. Of the Denon, JBL and Roku offerings, honourable mention must go to the Roku which is a sprightly upgrade to your TV speakers for not much cash. The LG is sonically excellent, with a wireless subwoofer and rears included, and a comprehensive selection of physical and wireless connectivity options as well as support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It’s much more expensive than the others however, and takes up more space in your home.