Height of convenience

Installing a soundbar is the most convenient – and spaceefficient – way to elevate your TV’S sound. These four all have Dolby Atmos too to add a sense of height. Which is best?

Like most AV products, soundbars run the gamut from austere simplicity to the unnecessarily ostentatious. But we have found there is a sweet spot between £800 and £1200 where, in our opinion, the best combination of sound quality and features can be found.

It’s a price point that encompasses the majority of manufacturers’ flagship single soundbars. At this level, users should expect thoughtful design, wi-fi streaming smarts and support for at least one immersive format. Of those, Dolby Atmos is the most dominant – and it’s the one we prioritise here.

Released back in the heady days of 2020, the Sonos Arc is the elder statesman of our test group, winning accolades for its spacious and detailed cinematic sound that has hitherto kept the competition at bay. And that’s despite a price rise last year. It is most likely to have been the inspiration for some of its own competition as other premium brands rush to emulate its success as a single Dolby Atmos speaker. Undoubtedly, the Bose Soundbar 900 is one of these rivals, with its sleek looks and Phaseguide technology that aims to replicate the sensation of surround speakers. Taking a slightly different approach, Bluesound’s unusually shaped Pulse Soundbar+ doesn’t employ height drivers but instead delivers virtual Dolby Atmos.

These models are designed to integrate into their respective brand’s smart speakers as part of a multi-room streaming set-up and can be supplemented with additional rear speakers or a subwoofer. However, if you were to choose to expand to a full surround package, you could expect the total cost to at least double.

The LG SP11RA is a bit of an outlier as the most expensive soundbar in this group and the only model not to be part of a stylish streaming ecosystem; but in many ways it represents the best value. It’s the only system here that includes surrounds and a separate sub. As a 2021 model, it’s also now heavily discounted, bringing plenty of drivers and connectivity for your buck.

But will value, innovation or reputation come out on top? Time to find out.