> JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam

$399.95 From jbl.com

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JBL’s relatively compact soundbar doesn’t have a smartphone app but does come with a simple remote control as well as ethernet, optical, HDMI in– and–out, and a USB port for connecting drives. There’s also Wi–Fi and Bluetooth, with support for Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and control via Alexa multi–room but there’s no onboard mic so you can’t talk directly to the speaker.

Inside are five drivers — front–facing left, center, and right plus a driver at each end to deal with surround signal. You get virtual Dolby Atmos processing that uses internal DSP to bounce sound off your side walls to simulate the effect of real surround. While the efficacy of this depends somewhat on the size and shape of your room, overall performance with movies was good though perhaps a little more lacking in focus when it came to streaming music over AirPlay. The lack of an app is a disappointment and the remote, while functional, is somewhat basic.

Virtual Dolby Atmos

Affordable, decent sound

No app for control

Better for movies than music GREAT