SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES
A BRILLIANT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR TV’S SOUND
Yamaha YAS-207 £249
Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package.
Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes
Sonos Beam £399
Best soundbar £300-£500, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, Airplay Sub No
Sonos Playbar £699
August 2017 ★★★★★
It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round quality to edge out its Sonos Playbase stablemate.
Size 9 x 90 x 14cm Inputs Optical, ethernet Sub No
Yamaha YSP-2700 £699
February 2017 ★★★★★
With a spacious, involving sound the YSP-2700 is the most convincing surround experience you’ll get outside of a full 5.1 surround system. Size (hwd) 5 x 94 x 15cm Inputs HDMI x3, opt, coax Sub Yes
Dali Katch One £649
Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 ★★★★★
Great for music, even better for films, this tidy soundbar delivers all the sound your living room is likely to need.
Size 7 x 86 x 17cm Inputs HDMI, Optical, 3.5mm Sub No
Dali Kubik One £799
Awards 2018 ★★★★★
A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well equipped exterior.
Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm Inputs Line-in x2, optical Sub No
Sonos Arc £799
August 2020 (issue 437) ★★★★★
The Arc is a stunning performer, delivering one of the most immersive Dolby Atmos experiences we’ve heard from a soundbar.
Size 9 x 114 x 12cm Inputs HDMI, Optical, ethernet Sub
Sony HT-ST5000 £1199
Best soundbar £1000-£1500, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
Delivers an accomplished Atmos performance we’d have no hesitation in recommending. It is a superb-sounding effort for the price.
Size (hwd) 8 x 118 x 15cm Inputs HDMI x3, opt, USB, 3.5mm Sub
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar £2199
Best soundbar over £1500, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
This is the best soundbar we’ve tested, and the best way to get surround sound into your room without filling it with loads of individual speakers. Size (hwd) 14 x 127 x 17cm Inputs HDMI x4, opt, RCA line in Sub No
Q Acoustics M2 £169
Best soundbase, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
Q Acoustics can now add ‘soundbase’ to its list of successes. The M2 is an expressive, easy-to-use and fuss-free way of boosting your TV sound. Size (hwd) 9 x 55 x 34cm Inputs Line-in, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT
Monitor Audio Bronze B5 AV £1489
Best speaker package £1000-£2000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★
This classy speaker package from Monitor Audio is beautifully designed, has ample punch, creates a spacious soundfield and is very musical. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 46 x 19cm Finishes 4
Elac Debut 2.0 5.1 Home Theatre System £1499
October 2019 ★★★★★
This Elac package is a real match-winner, whether for your two-channel or the full surround. You’ll be hard pushed to find better at this price. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 18 x 54 x 22cm Finishes 1
Dali Oberon5 5.1 £1795
Best speaker package £1500-£2000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
These are clever performers: lean, attractive, interesting and unfussy. And those words stand for both the aesthetics and the acoustics. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 44 x 30cm Finishes 4
KEF Q350 AV 5.1 £2100
January 2018 ★★★★★
It takes up a fair bit of space, but the Q350 package puts in a powerful and precise performance. You’ll struggle to do better for the money. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 21 x 63 x 30cm Finishes 2
Monitor Audio Silver 200 AV12 £2865
Best speaker package £2000-£5000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
A little patience may be required, but once it hits its stride the Silver 200 AV12 is an expressive, fun and talented speaker package. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 45 x 20cm Finishes 6
ATC C1 5.1 £3595
Awards 2016 ★★★★★
We’d like a bit more authority in the bass, but we’re delighted by the detailed, agile sound, focused surround steering and power on offer. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 41 x 28cm Finishes 2
PMC Twenty5.23 5.1 £10,290
Best speaker package over £5000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
Analytical and fun in equal measure, this gorgeous PMC system – also our current reference speaker package – is entirely worth the high asking price. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 55 x 31cm Finishes 4