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Almost all of the box office hits over the past year boast Dolby Atmos capabilities, meaning that sound designers have placed environmental sounds at different speaker locations that allow for an unprecedented immersive experience. “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Bullet Train” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” are just a few of the most recent blockbusters to take advantage of this surround sound technology.
And thanks to today’s high-tech sound bars, which only seem to get better every year, you can bring this same cinematic experience to your home. From premium sound bars like VIZIO’s brand new M-Series Elevate to budget sound bars like those from TCL, here are the best Dolby Atmos sound bars on the market right now.
VIZIO M-Series Elevate
VIZIO offers sound bars with Dolby Atmos at a fraction of the cost. Their brand new M-Series Elevate, which launched earlier this month, is a 5.1.2 immersive sound bar that packs an impressive amount of features in a slim 42-inch frame. New perks include their patented Adaptive Height Speakers, which are integrated into the sound bar and automatically rotate up or forward to optimize audio performance. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound, coupled with Bluetooth 5.0 for high-quality streaming from your mobile phone, allows for unparalleled immersion for music, shows and movies. Enjoy room-filling sound through their redesigned subwoofer and two-low profile satellites. The best part of VIZIO’s new M-series is its simplicity: thanks to its single HDMI eARC connection, all you’ll need is one wire to pair up the sound bar with your TV.
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
For a standalone bar, the Sennheiser offers immaculate immersive sound for movies — without the need for a wireless subwoofer or satellite speakers. Reviewers have noted that it basically functions as a surround-sound system, thanks to a virtual 5.1.4 system consisting of two left channels, two right channels, a center channel, four channels behind the viewer and one subwoofer. The feature that really makes the Sennheiser stand out from competitors like the Sony HT0-ST5000 or Bose Soundbar 700, is its incorporation of MPEG-H, which in its simplest terms, is 3D Audio.
What MPEG-H does is add each track to individual objects, instead of meshing them together into two channels like traditional stereos, allowing listeners to alter each element of a recording to fit their specific preferences. Filter active audio objects while watching a soccer game to make it seem like you’re right in the stands, or mute background noise in a movie scene to feel like you’re in in the middle of a conversation with the characters on screen.
TCL Alto 8i 2.1 Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar
TCL offers Dolby Atmos compatibility on a budget with this sub-$200 soundbar. Their new 2020 lineup includes the Alto 8i, which packs in dual subwoofers and customization features like three EQ presets and bass/treble. Reviewers have noted that its best for dialogue-centric shows and movies, enhanced by a TV mode that can be used to make vocals more precise. With extra warmth in the bass and a recessed treble, it’s able to get considerably loud for its size and price, making it a great affordable option for those looking to play music on their TVs. You certainly won’t get the same surround sound quality that you will with more premium options, but this gets the job done if you aren’t looking to shell out $1,000.
Sonos Arc Premium Smart Soundbar
Sonos has been a leader in the soundbar market since they released their first Playbar in 2013. They raised the bar once again with their Sonos Arc, whose heftier price tag makes sense considering its sound quality and convenience. It offers immersive surround sound with its Dolby Digital 5.1 setup, allowing for crisp audio and a deep bass without the need for a subwoofer. Plus, without needing to add on their Sonos sub (an add-on that brings the price of their Beam soundbar to $1,100) you’re actually saving money with the Arc. Another fun feature is its connected Sonos app, which alerts you when you’re streaming Dolby Atmos content so you can best configure your listening experience before pressing play.
Sonos Beam Gen 2
If you aren’t sold by the bells and whistles of the Sonos Arc, then you can’t go wrong with their Beam Gen 2. At half the price, you get basically everything you need out of a soundbar to enhance your TV experience: Dolby Atmos support, a compact design and a wide soundstage. The two biggest upgrades from the original Sonos Beam is its eARC compatibility which allows the bar to handle more advanced audio formats, and its Dolby Atmos support. While it doesn’t promise true surround sound, which usually relies on two up-firing drivers on either side, it comes pretty close with its psychoacoustic techniques that give depth to any movie or show.