Modern TVs even massive, top-tier models are just too slim to house serious built-in speakers, and most sound straight-up awful compared to the most basic external speakers. $899.00 However, it emits precise mid-range and high frequencies and the two-driver Sub helps out with smooth low bass. We only include products that have been independently selected by Input's editorial team. Is it possible to call the Sonos Arc and the Samsung HW-Q900A #1 and #1A? You dont even need a mess of cables because the top soundbars have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options. Wireless surround sound systems tend to be more expensive than equivalent wired systems because you still pay a bit of a premium for the extra convenience and tidiness of a wireless system. The resulting, authoritative sound handles vocals with visceral detail, while the overall tonality is balanced, never artificial. Its not the solution for everyone, but some new home theater enthusiasts will appreciate the large-diameter speakers and clean design.
The five speakers are entirely conventional, which means they will need wiring from the receiver. This flagship soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer and two wireless rears for an unprecedented 16 channels of sound in an 11.1.4 configuration. The sub is how you get all the earth-shaking booms and rumbles from superhero movies and car crashes. SonysHT-A7000 lives at the top-end of the soundbar quality range and delivers exceptional sound without the need for any additional speakers. Its the easiest and most convenient way to connect, but it has some limitations. Some soundbars and soundbar/subwoofer combinations do an impressive job of creating virtual surround sound environments, but this list is for those who want the full experience (you can read about the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, as well as excellent budget choices that support object-based sound formats, if you want some maximized minimalism). We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Want more? If perhaps youd like to start even smaller and build from there, the Sonos, Bluesound, and Sony systems on this list all let you start with an outstanding soundbar and add to it with subwoofers and surround speakers. Buy It. Deciding between the Sonos Arc and this great model from Samsung was a tough call, especially with the Samsung now $200 off at Best Buy. It now has HDMI 2.1 connections with eARC to the TV to enable the highest quality lossless audio, 4K HDR and Dolby Vision video, and features like variable refresh rate (VRR) for next-gen gaming consoles. So now youre ready to ditch the groovy Hi-Fi and get yourself a wireless soundbar. That subwoofer, however, is truly wireless and can be placed anywhere in a reasonably sized room, with no cable besides the required power cord. All these items need their own power cord, but thats all the connection youll be doing. All of Boses performance and features are included, and both modules come with a premium glass-top finish to make the look as good as the sound. But that doesnt mean zero cables. With exceptionally small surround speakers and modest total power, this isnt the choice for large gatherings or full-size home theaters. Point being, theres really no reason to have a hardwired sound system anymore, with wires visible everywhere and occasionally fritzing out. Whether branded Dolby, DTS, or something else, this is a 5.1 system, with the point one referring to a separate channel for a subwoofer. The JBL 5.1 Soundbar system offers both. Beyond that, ease of function and setup, and even the aesthetics its most likely going to be prominently displayed near your TV, so you dont want a huge, ugly hunk of plastic on your mantel. And yes, it has great functionality, with Spotify Connect in addition to AirPlay 2, Alexa and Google Assistant. If you subscribe to Spotify and/or TIDAL, both services have a natively supported Connect service so the highest quality stream will go directly via Wi-Fi to the SOUNDBAR+, bypassing your phone. You may find this intelligent wireless surround sound combination sold as a single bundle for just over $2,000 but, if not, its worth the trouble to procure the Sonos Arc soundbar, Sub subwoofer, and a pair of One surround speakers piecemeal to create a formidable home theater system that you can also easily connect with your TV and any number of Sonos products to make a multiroom audio setup. Plus, no wires! $199.99 Consider this a great way to get decent surround sound without (most of) the setup hassles. If you want the most sonic punch available with relatively little use of space, the Lifestyle systems are just the ticket. Buy It. You really cant go wrong with any system on this list once you conclude how much power, how many speakers, and which technological extras you want with your wireless surround sound system. Its a piece of art that also knocks your hair back with its sound. And you might need to crawl around a little to find the perfect place for your subwoofer. Most people will not notice much difference between a modern-day wireless system and a wired alternative. Crazy, but true. But the new Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 eARC SSE Max system goes further in nearly every conceivable way with hardware and software upgrades. A wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar for $200? As connectivity goes, youll want as much as possible: WiFi, Bluetooth, Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast pick the ones you need most. If youre willing to piece your purchases together, the Bluesound PULSE by audiophiles for audiophiles wireless surround sound system is technologically very versatile and the first multiroom system to support the MQA format that folds and unfolds digital data to stream high-res audio without a ton of bandwidth. The Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems for Every Budget, Polks take on wireless surround begins with the Alexa-capable REACT soundbar, which uses digital processing to provide the impression of surround sound in smaller rooms. And when it comes to price, check to see if it includes a subwoofer for rich, booming base not all of them do, and if not youll be paying extra to connect one. Pairing Dolby ATMOS decoding with Sonys own proprietary Vertical Surround Engine, this soundbar with powered sub claims to reproduce the immersive sound of ceiling-mounted speakers. So a price of just under a thousand dollars for a complete wireless surround system with these specs has to be seen as a bit of a bargain. When it comes to speaker size, bigger is almost always better, despite what you read in the advertisements. Touch controls for volume, play/pause, and track skipping (by swiping left or right) on both the Arc and the One surround speakers can come in handy when youre locked to the couch, and those extra rear speakers take the impressive surround performance of the Arc into the next level of genuine surround sound. Even though the SW3 subwoofer doesnt dip quite as low into the frequency range as some others, it is very powerful, so keep your picture frames securely attached to the walls and alert the neighbors if you have to.
Take Boses powerful, compact subwoofer and pair it with their latest and possibly best soundbar: worth every penny. Youll hear an instant boost in audio quality with any of the following Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars. Supports 24-bit/192 kHz high-res audio, including MQA decoding and Roon Ready, Excellent preset audio modes for different scenarios, Lovely, detailed sound, supported up to 24-bit/96kHz high-res digital audio, WiSA wireless transmission wont interfere with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth bandwidth, Eye-catching design with a separate unit for each audio channel, Very spacious surround sound imaging and good Atmos performance, Smart speaker features and Wi-Fi streaming, Sleek styling with touch controls on the soundbar and surround speakers, Room calibration only works through the iOS app, Well-balanced, clear, and detailed sound complements both movies and music, Good Atmos performance and effective Immersive AE up-mixing mode. Is it groovy? But, unfortunately, to get everything possible out of your other electronics, you may need to make sure that your home theater sound system has the highest level of HDMI connection, which the Sony HT-A7000 has. And the WiSA audio is so low-latency (5.2 milliseconds) that it will appear to be perfectly synced with your TVs picture. A wireless surround sound system for your TV room may be all youre into for now, but if youre thinking about expanding to a multiroom speaker system where you can share/pass source audio between different rooms in your abode, there are two options here. And if you have high ceilings or a wider, open viewing space, adding in physical surround speakers makes a world of difference when compared to soundbars that use reflections to convey dimensionality. The systems here range from about $1,100 (JBL Bar 9.1) to about $2,400 (both the Bluesound PULSE and the Sony HT-A7000 system with all their listed components). For setup, just turn everything on, push two buttons, and let the members of your new wireless system find each other.
The Sonos Arc is the best all-around soundbar out there for under $1,000. The traditional surround-sound specification calls for five full-range speakers: one center channel, left and right up front, plus left and right speakers mounted on either side of your listening area. 
For the immersive 3D audio formats that send overhead sounds like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the Bar 9.1 has two up-firing speakers on the soundbar and one each on the satellite units, which also have front-firing speakers. As is typical with Bose, the speakers are quite small and rely on specialized enclosures to produce bigger sound. Depending on your budget, space, and priorities, a wireless surround system could be just the ticket to make your movie nights a little more immersive. $1,748.00 The Sennheiser Ambeo speaker is truly the ultimate soundbar. The Samsung HW-Q900A also comes with Dolby Atmos 3D audio, Alexa and AirPlay 2 connectivity to go along with WiFi and Bluetooth, and this one has the advantage of coming with its own subwoofer. All of them let you stream music wirelessly over Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi. No wonder Amazon reviewers gave it an average of 4.5/5 stars. 
Music, especially, feels authentic, a well-rounded presentation from a flat facadethe SOUNDBAR+ with surrounds assures every tracks scope is fully conveyed without losing anything granular as it unfurls. LG also has a lot of affordable speakers if you want easy add-ons down the road. Whichever soundbar you choose, youll unlock a whole new world of audio and wont want to leave the couch anytime soon. Sure, you could build out an insane multiple-speaker sound system for this price, but this is the only option for this sort of sound quality from a single unit. Want ceiling speakers? Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Sound quality aside, its also the coolest looking soundbar out there. Theres no need to hook up additional speakers, add subwoofers, or run through extensive testing (although you can add all the compatible accessories you want if you're building out a more complex speaker setup). When youre finished, dock them in the soundbar and it takes about three hours to recharge them. However, theres not a wireless surround sound system yet that doesnt need at least an HDMI cable and a couple of power cords. Under casual conditions, you can just listen to the full soundbar that connects to your TV via HDMI. The common thread is no speaker wire, but no loss of physical speakers that bring true surround sound at home. Nakamichi has a long history of stratospheric hi-fi equipment, such as the iconic Dragon tape deck that conjured comparisons to Harley-Davidson and Gibson Les Paul. Read Next: Pixars Lightyear Gets Disney+ Release Date, The Best Wireless Gaming Headphones to Buy Right Now, Jordan Peele Shuts Down Fan Who Called Him the Best Horror Director of All Time: I Wont 'Tolerate John Carpenter Slander', Dave Chappelle Show Canceled by Minneapolis Venue After Social Media Backlash, Bruce Springsteen Fans Furious at Ticket Prices Going as High as $4-5K, Due to Ticketmasters Dynamic Pricing, Ricky Martins Nephew Withdraws Harassment and Affair Claims in Court, Case Dismissed, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, Timothe Chalamet and Cate Blanchett Set to Bring New Movies to Venice (EXCLUSIVE), Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for 'Joker 2,' Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More, Dungeons & Dragons Movie First Look Reveals Chris Pine, Reg-Jean Page Ready to Role-Play, Shonka Dukureh, Singer Who Starred in 'Elvis' as Big Mama Thornton, Dies at 44, Jeff Bridges Says Marvel Threw Out Iron Man Script on First Day of Filming: It Drove Me Absolutely Crazy, Princess Diana Interview: BBC Chief Issues Public Apology to Prince Charles, William and Harry, Pays Substantial Damages to Ex-Nanny, Paradise Square: How an Ambitious Broadway Musical Got Overshadowed by Lawsuits, Unpaid Bills and Alleged Bullying, Brett Goldstein Asked Ted Lasso Co-Star Hannah Waddingham If He Should Do Thor Cameo, Joe Rogan's 'Repulsive' Podcast Comments About Shooting Homeless People Stuns L.A.'s Unhoused Advocates, Schitts Creek Alum Dan Levy Launches Not A Real Production Company, Taps Megan Zehmer as President of TV, Film, Dune: Part Two Starts Filming: Full Cast and Synopsis Revealed, Oscar-Winning Crafts Team Returns, Pences Jan. 6 Security Called Their Families to Say Goodbye, Trump WH Official Says, New Yorks Iconic Central Park Boathouse Will Close This Fall, ESPNs Traditional Cable Network Will Remain Despite Direct-to-Consumer Trend, BEED Wants To Be the Nespresso of Weed, Rolling Joints in Under 20 Seconds.
The five speakers are entirely conventional, which means they will need wiring from the receiver. This flagship soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer and two wireless rears for an unprecedented 16 channels of sound in an 11.1.4 configuration. The sub is how you get all the earth-shaking booms and rumbles from superhero movies and car crashes. SonysHT-A7000 lives at the top-end of the soundbar quality range and delivers exceptional sound without the need for any additional speakers. Its the easiest and most convenient way to connect, but it has some limitations. Some soundbars and soundbar/subwoofer combinations do an impressive job of creating virtual surround sound environments, but this list is for those who want the full experience (you can read about the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, as well as excellent budget choices that support object-based sound formats, if you want some maximized minimalism). We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Want more? If perhaps youd like to start even smaller and build from there, the Sonos, Bluesound, and Sony systems on this list all let you start with an outstanding soundbar and add to it with subwoofers and surround speakers. Buy It. Deciding between the Sonos Arc and this great model from Samsung was a tough call, especially with the Samsung now $200 off at Best Buy. It now has HDMI 2.1 connections with eARC to the TV to enable the highest quality lossless audio, 4K HDR and Dolby Vision video, and features like variable refresh rate (VRR) for next-gen gaming consoles. So now youre ready to ditch the groovy Hi-Fi and get yourself a wireless soundbar. That subwoofer, however, is truly wireless and can be placed anywhere in a reasonably sized room, with no cable besides the required power cord. All these items need their own power cord, but thats all the connection youll be doing. All of Boses performance and features are included, and both modules come with a premium glass-top finish to make the look as good as the sound. But that doesnt mean zero cables. With exceptionally small surround speakers and modest total power, this isnt the choice for large gatherings or full-size home theaters. Point being, theres really no reason to have a hardwired sound system anymore, with wires visible everywhere and occasionally fritzing out. Whether branded Dolby, DTS, or something else, this is a 5.1 system, with the point one referring to a separate channel for a subwoofer. The JBL 5.1 Soundbar system offers both. Beyond that, ease of function and setup, and even the aesthetics its most likely going to be prominently displayed near your TV, so you dont want a huge, ugly hunk of plastic on your mantel. And yes, it has great functionality, with Spotify Connect in addition to AirPlay 2, Alexa and Google Assistant. If you subscribe to Spotify and/or TIDAL, both services have a natively supported Connect service so the highest quality stream will go directly via Wi-Fi to the SOUNDBAR+, bypassing your phone. You may find this intelligent wireless surround sound combination sold as a single bundle for just over $2,000 but, if not, its worth the trouble to procure the Sonos Arc soundbar, Sub subwoofer, and a pair of One surround speakers piecemeal to create a formidable home theater system that you can also easily connect with your TV and any number of Sonos products to make a multiroom audio setup. Plus, no wires! $199.99 Consider this a great way to get decent surround sound without (most of) the setup hassles. If you want the most sonic punch available with relatively little use of space, the Lifestyle systems are just the ticket. Buy It. You really cant go wrong with any system on this list once you conclude how much power, how many speakers, and which technological extras you want with your wireless surround sound system. Its a piece of art that also knocks your hair back with its sound. And you might need to crawl around a little to find the perfect place for your subwoofer. Most people will not notice much difference between a modern-day wireless system and a wired alternative. Crazy, but true. But the new Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 eARC SSE Max system goes further in nearly every conceivable way with hardware and software upgrades. A wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar for $200? As connectivity goes, youll want as much as possible: WiFi, Bluetooth, Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast pick the ones you need most. If youre willing to piece your purchases together, the Bluesound PULSE by audiophiles for audiophiles wireless surround sound system is technologically very versatile and the first multiroom system to support the MQA format that folds and unfolds digital data to stream high-res audio without a ton of bandwidth. The Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems for Every Budget, Polks take on wireless surround begins with the Alexa-capable REACT soundbar, which uses digital processing to provide the impression of surround sound in smaller rooms. And when it comes to price, check to see if it includes a subwoofer for rich, booming base not all of them do, and if not youll be paying extra to connect one. Pairing Dolby ATMOS decoding with Sonys own proprietary Vertical Surround Engine, this soundbar with powered sub claims to reproduce the immersive sound of ceiling-mounted speakers. So a price of just under a thousand dollars for a complete wireless surround system with these specs has to be seen as a bit of a bargain. When it comes to speaker size, bigger is almost always better, despite what you read in the advertisements. Touch controls for volume, play/pause, and track skipping (by swiping left or right) on both the Arc and the One surround speakers can come in handy when youre locked to the couch, and those extra rear speakers take the impressive surround performance of the Arc into the next level of genuine surround sound. Even though the SW3 subwoofer doesnt dip quite as low into the frequency range as some others, it is very powerful, so keep your picture frames securely attached to the walls and alert the neighbors if you have to.
Take Boses powerful, compact subwoofer and pair it with their latest and possibly best soundbar: worth every penny. Youll hear an instant boost in audio quality with any of the following Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars. Supports 24-bit/192 kHz high-res audio, including MQA decoding and Roon Ready, Excellent preset audio modes for different scenarios, Lovely, detailed sound, supported up to 24-bit/96kHz high-res digital audio, WiSA wireless transmission wont interfere with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth bandwidth, Eye-catching design with a separate unit for each audio channel, Very spacious surround sound imaging and good Atmos performance, Smart speaker features and Wi-Fi streaming, Sleek styling with touch controls on the soundbar and surround speakers, Room calibration only works through the iOS app, Well-balanced, clear, and detailed sound complements both movies and music, Good Atmos performance and effective Immersive AE up-mixing mode. Is it groovy? But, unfortunately, to get everything possible out of your other electronics, you may need to make sure that your home theater sound system has the highest level of HDMI connection, which the Sony HT-A7000 has. And the WiSA audio is so low-latency (5.2 milliseconds) that it will appear to be perfectly synced with your TVs picture. A wireless surround sound system for your TV room may be all youre into for now, but if youre thinking about expanding to a multiroom speaker system where you can share/pass source audio between different rooms in your abode, there are two options here. And if you have high ceilings or a wider, open viewing space, adding in physical surround speakers makes a world of difference when compared to soundbars that use reflections to convey dimensionality. The systems here range from about $1,100 (JBL Bar 9.1) to about $2,400 (both the Bluesound PULSE and the Sony HT-A7000 system with all their listed components). For setup, just turn everything on, push two buttons, and let the members of your new wireless system find each other.
The Sonos Arc is the best all-around soundbar out there for under $1,000. The traditional surround-sound specification calls for five full-range speakers: one center channel, left and right up front, plus left and right speakers mounted on either side of your listening area. For the immersive 3D audio formats that send overhead sounds like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the Bar 9.1 has two up-firing speakers on the soundbar and one each on the satellite units, which also have front-firing speakers. As is typical with Bose, the speakers are quite small and rely on specialized enclosures to produce bigger sound. Depending on your budget, space, and priorities, a wireless surround system could be just the ticket to make your movie nights a little more immersive. $1,748.00 The Sennheiser Ambeo speaker is truly the ultimate soundbar. The Samsung HW-Q900A also comes with Dolby Atmos 3D audio, Alexa and AirPlay 2 connectivity to go along with WiFi and Bluetooth, and this one has the advantage of coming with its own subwoofer. All of them let you stream music wirelessly over Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi. No wonder Amazon reviewers gave it an average of 4.5/5 stars. Music, especially, feels authentic, a well-rounded presentation from a flat facadethe SOUNDBAR+ with surrounds assures every tracks scope is fully conveyed without losing anything granular as it unfurls. LG also has a lot of affordable speakers if you want easy add-ons down the road. Whichever soundbar you choose, youll unlock a whole new world of audio and wont want to leave the couch anytime soon. Sure, you could build out an insane multiple-speaker sound system for this price, but this is the only option for this sort of sound quality from a single unit. Want ceiling speakers? Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Sound quality aside, its also the coolest looking soundbar out there. Theres no need to hook up additional speakers, add subwoofers, or run through extensive testing (although you can add all the compatible accessories you want if you're building out a more complex speaker setup). When youre finished, dock them in the soundbar and it takes about three hours to recharge them. However, theres not a wireless surround sound system yet that doesnt need at least an HDMI cable and a couple of power cords. Under casual conditions, you can just listen to the full soundbar that connects to your TV via HDMI. The common thread is no speaker wire, but no loss of physical speakers that bring true surround sound at home. Nakamichi has a long history of stratospheric hi-fi equipment, such as the iconic Dragon tape deck that conjured comparisons to Harley-Davidson and Gibson Les Paul. Read Next: Pixars Lightyear Gets Disney+ Release Date, The Best Wireless Gaming Headphones to Buy Right Now, Jordan Peele Shuts Down Fan Who Called Him the Best Horror Director of All Time: I Wont 'Tolerate John Carpenter Slander', Dave Chappelle Show Canceled by Minneapolis Venue After Social Media Backlash, Bruce Springsteen Fans Furious at Ticket Prices Going as High as $4-5K, Due to Ticketmasters Dynamic Pricing, Ricky Martins Nephew Withdraws Harassment and Affair Claims in Court, Case Dismissed, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, Timothe Chalamet and Cate Blanchett Set to Bring New Movies to Venice (EXCLUSIVE), Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for 'Joker 2,' Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More, Dungeons & Dragons Movie First Look Reveals Chris Pine, Reg-Jean Page Ready to Role-Play, Shonka Dukureh, Singer Who Starred in 'Elvis' as Big Mama Thornton, Dies at 44, Jeff Bridges Says Marvel Threw Out Iron Man Script on First Day of Filming: It Drove Me Absolutely Crazy, Princess Diana Interview: BBC Chief Issues Public Apology to Prince Charles, William and Harry, Pays Substantial Damages to Ex-Nanny, Paradise Square: How an Ambitious Broadway Musical Got Overshadowed by Lawsuits, Unpaid Bills and Alleged Bullying, Brett Goldstein Asked Ted Lasso Co-Star Hannah Waddingham If He Should Do Thor Cameo, Joe Rogan's 'Repulsive' Podcast Comments About Shooting Homeless People Stuns L.A.'s Unhoused Advocates, Schitts Creek Alum Dan Levy Launches Not A Real Production Company, Taps Megan Zehmer as President of TV, Film, Dune: Part Two Starts Filming: Full Cast and Synopsis Revealed, Oscar-Winning Crafts Team Returns, Pences Jan. 6 Security Called Their Families to Say Goodbye, Trump WH Official Says, New Yorks Iconic Central Park Boathouse Will Close This Fall, ESPNs Traditional Cable Network Will Remain Despite Direct-to-Consumer Trend, BEED Wants To Be the Nespresso of Weed, Rolling Joints in Under 20 Seconds.