What Are The 3 Top Soundbars For Music?

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Reviewed By

Evan Shephard

(ISF Certified)

True Score Methodology

v1.5

400,918

Reviews Analyzed

Updated Apr 8, 2024 12:07 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

best soundbar for music guide that shows the top best soundbar model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

Sound quality is paramount when selecting the best soundbar for music. Features like Dolby Atmos support and an advanced equalizer are critical for creating a rich, immersive audio experience. Dolby Atmos enhances the surround sound effect, while an advanced equalizer allows precise control over the audio spectrum. Typical issues include poor bass extension and high levels of distortion, especially at high volumes, so ensuring your soundbar can handle these elements for an optimal listening experience is crucial.

Our rigorous process to ensure only the best soundbars make it into our guide involves verifying products as tested, offering superior sound quality perfect for music enthusiasts. Employing our True Score and Trust Rating systems, we analyzed over 140 soundbars, with three earning top spots for their exceptional performance. 400,918 reviews were scrutinized, filtering out fake ones and finding 92% of experts unreliable.

How Did We Rank the Best Soundbars for Music?

In our pursuit of identifying the best soundbars for music, we analyzed over 200 sites, focusing on testing methods, customer feedback, and expert reviews. We pinpointed the essential factors: 2 mandatory test outcomes, 2 additional beneficial features, and 3 critical specifications. By combining these insights with our True Score system, we’ve created a buying guide that ensures you make the best choice for superior sound quality. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have Dolby Atmos
  • Must have an equalizer
  • Must have subwoofer (independent)

? Test Criteria

  • Total Harmonic Distortion: A total harmonic distortion (THD) below 0.7% at 80 decibels to guarantee high-fidelity audio reproduction without unwanted frequencies.
  • Volume Output: The soundbar should be able to deliver a powerful and immersive sound performance, exceeding 91 decibels in volume output.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Latency: With a latency under 100 milliseconds, it ensures minimal delay in data transmission or audio processing.
  • Low-End Roll Off: A low-end roll-off of < 45 Hz to ensure there is plenty of thump and rumble in the bass to enhance your music listening experience.

Latest Updates

  • 04/08/2024: Published the list of best soundbars for music based on our True Score system.

Top Soundbars for Music For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

To secure a spot on our list, a best soundbar for music must meet our stringent criteria for audio performance and quality. If it doesn’t meet these standards, it won’t be featured!

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung HW-Q950A

    • Best For Gaming

    Ideal for audiophiles, the Samsung HW-Q950A delivers superior, distortion-free audio across a wide volume range, with detailed highs and deep bass for a truly immersive music experience.

    Samsung HW-Q950A Review →

    True Score

    90
    90
    8

    Experts

    91
    5k

    Customers

    $1,262.50

    Snapshot

    Reasons to Buy

    • Impressive sound quality
    • Immersive surround performance
    • Incredible voice clarity
    • Good bass response
    • Excellent connectivity and smart integration

    Reasons to Avoid

    • The app has limited control

    Specifications

    Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
    DepthDepth5.4"
    Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
    Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
    Equalizer SettingsAdvanced
    HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
    HeightHeight2.7"
    Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels11.1.4
    SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
    Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS:X
    Voice AssistantVoice AssistantAmazon Alexa
    Wall MountableWall MountableYes
    WeightWeight44.3 lbs
    WidthWidth48.5"
    Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi
    Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
    Works WithWorks WithAmazon Alexa, SmartThings

    All Specs

    Test Results

    Low End Roll Off (Hz)35.13
    High End Roll Off (Hz)13.28k
    Max Volume Test (db)98.8
    Latency (ms)80
    THD @ 80dB0.18

    All Retailers

    • $1,262.50

      Availability

      In Stock

      Free Shipping

      Yes

    Our Verdict

    The Samsung HW-Q950A is an exceptional choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. It provides superior audio quality for an immersive music listening experience. With its maximum volume of 98.8 dB, this soundbar ensures that whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a solo listening session, your music will fill the room without any distortion, thanks to its impressively low total harmonic distortion of just 0.18, the best in its class.

    The design of the HW-Q950A considers the nuanced needs of music lovers thanks to the presence of an advanced equalizer to fine-tune audio to be just right. Plus, its low-end roll-off at 35.13 Hz allows the soundbar to replicate deep bass notes with fantastic accuracy, adding a significant punch to any genre of music, from electronic dance music to classical compositions. Meanwhile, the high-end roll-off at 13279.64 Hz means the Q950A captures and delivers the delicate details in music, ensuring that high notes and intricate harmonies are rendered with clarity, making every piece of music sparkle and come alive.

    But if the price tag is just too steep or you need an even louder soundbar, the Q-900T (also by Samsung) offers more volume output with identical distortion, but it comes at the cost of top-end detail, because roll off starts sooner. If you’re a big fan of bass heavy, treble light music, it’s the better option.

    Moreover, while its low latency of 80 ms is often highlighted for its benefits to gaming, it equally ensures that audio syncs perfectly with visuals during music videos or live concert streams, enhancing the overall entertainment experience. The Samsung HW-Q950A stands out not just as a soundbar but as an integral component of any high-quality home audio setup, offering audiophiles and music lovers a device that delivers rich, detailed, and immersive audio across all forms of media.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung HW-Q800A

    The Samsung HW-Q800A offers excellent value, combining high volume capacity and low distortion with a sound profile that enhances both bass and treble, perfect for music enthusiasts on a budget.

    Samsung HW-Q800A Review →

    True Score

    89
    88
    8

    Experts

    92
    525

    Customers

    SAVE $748
    $999.99
    $251.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung HW Q900T

    The Samsung HW-Q900T prioritizes loud, room-filling sound with strong bass, although it compromises on high-frequency detail. It’s suited for those who want a powerful audio experience at a mid-range price.

    Samsung HW Q900T Review →

    True Score

    78
    77
    3

    Experts

    82
    444

    Customers

    SAVE $411
    $1,299.99
    $889.00

    Did you know 92% of soundbar reviewers are

    untrustworthy?

    Our research found 10 of 122 soundbar reviewers as of July 2024 can be trusted, and shockingly 1 out of 3 on Google Page 1 were fake reviews showing no proof of test claims. See our Expose and Trust List. This is why Gadget Review is committed to calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.

    To do this, we give every soundbar review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.

    400,918

    Soundbar Reviews Analyzed

    151

    Total Products Analyzed

    Read the Soundbar Testing Methodology

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Soundbars for Music?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these soundbars and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a soundbar that will sound great.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Total Harmonic Distortion< 0.7YesThe amount of distortion introduced by the soundbar when it processes an audio signal at a given volume (typically 80, 85 or maximum dB output.)
Max Volume> 91 dBYesThe maximum volume that a soundbar reaches when it’s output is turned up to 100%.
Low End Roll Off< 45 HzNo (nice to have)The point at which bass begins to sharply fall below the target response point on a frequency response graph, making it harder to hear.
Latency< 100 msNo (nice to have)The time it takes for a soundbar to process audio signal from a source and output it through the speakers.

Our Trusted Data Sources

(Publication category Score is 80%+)

We looked at 120+ soundbar reviewers and while 10 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for soundbars.

  1. Becca Fischer – RtingsMuckRack
  2. Matt Bento- Techgear LabMuckRack
  3. Sam Moore – Sound GuysMuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every soundbar review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Soundbars Test Data & Results

1. total harmonic distortion test result

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures the fidelity of soundbars by indicating the percentage of unwanted harmonics added to the original audio. A THD under 1 ensures minimal distortion, critical for preserving audio quality across music, movies and games. This low distortion level enhances clarity, maintains detail, and ensures a high-fidelity listening experience, crucial for understanding dialogues, appreciating music nuances, and immersing in game sounds.

We believe soundbars should have less than 1% THD because this helps confirm their ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of audio without perceptible distortion. We say “perceptible” because it’s impossible to remove all distortion, but you can reduce it to the point it’s impossible to notice. Low THD also helps improve your comfort by preventing fatigue during extended use, making it an essential for anyone that marathons movies, games or music.

Total Harmonic Distortion (lower is better)

2. max volume test result

Maximum volume is the easiest aspect of a soundbar to understand: it’s just how loud the soundbar itself will actually get. What’s less clear is why a soundbar getting loud is so important. While higher max volumes give you the ability the fill rooms with sound or use a soundbar as makeshift party speakers, they’re also responsible for helping ensure that audio stays clear when listening at normal listening levels.

This is commonly referred to as “headroom”, and having enough headroom on a soundbar means that the soundbar is able to play back sounds at a high enough level (and with good enough clarity) that the volume level you’ll normally listen to music, movies or games with will sound perfectly clear and distortion free. We recommend your soundbar have no less than 91 dB of maximum volume and the higher you go, the better your soundbar is at filling larger and larger rooms.

Max Volume (in dB; higher is better)

3. latency test result

Large amounts of latency create problems when trying to sync up audio and video. While you’ve got a bit of wiggle room with how much of a delay can exist between the audio that comes out of your soundbar and the images on your TV, it’s not a ton. If there’s too much latency the mismatch starts to become obvious, and people start looking like they stopped talking while dialogue is still playing. This is especially concerning for gamers, who rely on audio and video to sync up well enough that the footprints you hear around the corner are accurately getting closer.

It’s for these reasons we recommend a latency less than 100 ms. For most content, this is a low enough delay that any mismatch is going to be largely unnoticed. If you’re a highly competitive gamer and don’t want to do calibration out of the box to line up the A/V, the lowest latency you can find is going to work best. For music and moves, though, 100 ms or less will work great.

Latency (in milliseconds; lower is better)

4. Low end roll off test result

When it comes to getting the most bass you can out of your soundbar, low-end roll off is a great indicator of just how deep the bass on it can get. If a soundbar doesn’t have a roll off that starts deep enough into the bass part of the audio spectrum, then it’ll result in quiet or even absent bass, which removes most of the punch and impact of not only music, but also movies and video games. the longer it takes bass to roll off, the better.

When it comes to most soundbars for most use cases, we recommend a roll off that doesn’t start until at least 45 Hz, but it only gets better the further you go down. It’s worth noting that the roll off will only get so low, so don’t expect to find soundbars hitting the teens for roll off, but it isn’t uncommon for very bass-forward options to hit 30 Hz before roll off starts. By aiming for at least 45 Hz, you have a much better chance of getting the deep, rumbling bass you’re looking for out of your music, movies or games.

Low end roll off (in Hz; lower is better)

Best Soundbars for Music: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Connectivity Options: Ensure you don’t overlook the connectivity features when choosing a soundbar for music, as having versatile options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HDMI ARC or oiptical can enhance your listening experience and compatibility with different devices. Additionally, knowing how to connect a soundbar using these various options ensures you can easily integrate it with your existing setup, whether for wirelessly streaming music or enhancing the audio from your TV or gaming console.

  2. Sacrificing Audio Quality for Sleek Design: Avoid prioritizing aesthetics over audio performance, as opting for a slim and stylish design may sometimes compromise on sound quality, resulting in a less immersive music experience.

  3. Overlooking Bass Performance: Don’t make the mistake of disregarding bass capabilities, as a soundbar with insufficient bass output can lead to a lackluster music playback, especially for genres that heavily rely on low frequencies like hip-hop or EDM. To ensure deep and impactful bass that elevates your music experience, consider the best soundbar with a subwoofer can significantly enhance the depth and richness of sound across all genres.

  4. Neglecting Room Size and Acoustics: Be mindful of your room’s dimensions and acoustics when selecting a soundbar, as a mismatch between the soundbar’s capabilities and your room’s characteristics can impact sound clarity and overall performance, hindering your enjoyment of music. Proper soundbar placement enhances audio clarity and projection, avoiding proximity to the floor or obstructions. When considering soundbar vs surround sound, a strategically selected soundbar presents a simpler, space-efficient solution for quality sound in acoustically challenging rooms.

The Best Soundbars for Music – Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Low End Roll Off
High End Roll Off
Max Volume Test
Latency
THD @ 80dB

Samsung HW-Q950A

  • Best for Gaming

90
  • 35.13 Hz

  • 13,279.64 Hz

  • 98.8 db

  • 80 ms

  • 0.18 dB

$1,262.50

Samsung HW-Q800A

  • Best for Best Overall

89
  • 34.62 Hz

  • 17,221.56 Hz

  • 95.1 db

  • 31 ms

  • 0.4 dB

$251.99
$1,000
$748

Samsung HW Q900T

  • Best for Large Rooms

78
  • 34.62 Hz

  • 8,992.01 Hz

  • 99.5 db

  • 13 ms

  • 0.18 dB

$889.00
$1,300
$411

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