Honorable Mentions
Not every premium soundbar reaches my elite list, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth consideration, depending on your budget and setup. Here are some other choices that I or other WIRED reviewers tested and liked.
Marshall Heston 120 for $1300: This first soundbar from the legendary amplifier and (more recently) Bluetooth speaker maker provides some real perks. I love the classy design highlighted by sparkling gold control knobs and groovy strips of vinyl that recall Marshall’s iconic instrument amplifiers. The sound is musical, detailed, and balanced, and adds solid Dolby Atmos expression. The main drawback is that the sound that feels restrained, something I was especially aware of when the action ramps up, which is the opposite of what you’d expect from a bar steeped in rock ‘n roll heritage. The price also rose $300 after launch, further dampening the vibe.
Yamaha True X Surround 90a for $3,500: Yamaha’s return to the soundbar market certainly has the “premium” part down in the staggeringly expensive 90a. The package includes a wireless subwoofer and two fully wireless, battery-powered surround speakers that can also be used as Bluetooth speakers outside your home. Reviewer Simon Cohen says the sound is excellent, with impressive detail and surround sound clarity, alongside support for Dolby Atmos and other advanced 3D audio formats. It’s got some drawbacks though, including fewer connection options and features than I’d expect, and some issues with dialog out of the box.
Bluesound Pulse Cinema for $1,499: If you’re concerned about Sonos’ software reliability, Bluesound has become a refuge for many folks looking for a powerful networking system in place of Sonos speakers. The Bluesound Pulse Cinema offers many of the same features as the Sonos Arc Ultra, including the ability to expand with other speakers for multi-room audio, along with acoustic additions like upfiring speakers for Dolby Atmos. Unfortunately, it lacks common options like EQ and channel adjustment, and our reviewer found the performance doesn’t reach the same heights as the Sonos bar, making its high price harder to stomach.
Sony Bravia Theater 9 for $1,200-$1,500: Sony’s latest flagship soundbar performs well in a vacuum, but it’s not as good as the bar it replaces, the HT-A7000. The design is more simplified (read more boring), with fewer inputs and sound settings, and its sound is not as weighty in the midrange or bass. It’s still a Sony flagship soundbar, and that means good detail, solid music performance, and good immersion with 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos. A new design (with a higher price) doesn’t guarantee an upgrade, though, and this bar feels like a step back.
