Sound Bars Reviews: Best Sound Bars

Best budget sound bar system

*Est. $250 Compare Prices

If you want better sound than you get from your television's speakers and like the look of a one-piece sound bar system, critics say the Sony HT-CT100 is a good choice. Reviewers say the Sony sound bar really doesn't hold… a candle to more expensive models when it comes to creating convincing virtual surround sound, but if you're mainly interested in a nice-looking speaker that improves on the sound from your TV's speakers, the Sony sound bar works as it should. This model comes with a small subwoofer to supplement bass. The inclusion of HDMI inputs is a nice plus, and the HT-CT100 is one of the few sound bars that mates well with Blu-ray players.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: CNET provides the most detailed review for the Sony HT-CT100 that we've found. The sound bar is tested with music and movies, and ...

TestFreaks.com: Though this report isn't nearly as detailed as the one at CNET, it is copiously illustrated and includes the results of listening ...

Amazon.com: Amazon.com has attracted more than 200 user-written reviews of the Sony HT-CT100 as of our last visit. Most are pleased, ...

BestBuy.com: Though there are fewer reviews here than at Amazon.com, the consensus is very similar. Most are very to completely pleased, and ...

Crutchfield.com: A reasonable amount of user feedback on the Sony HT-CT100 can be found here. As with other user-review sites, most are pleased. ...

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Sound bar with DVD player

Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater

*Est. $900 Compare Prices

Sound bars are appealing because they look great on a wall and simplify setting up a home theater system while cutting down on clutter. The Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 includes an electronics console with an amplifier,… AM/FM radio tuner and DVD player, and it connects to the sound bar speaker with a single cable. Reports say that sound quality is outstanding, and that bass is satisfying even without a subwoofer -- though bass hounds can add one for even lower lows if they wish. While the surround-sound effect isn't as good as with a five-speaker system, it can be reasonably convincing. The included DVD player is an upconverting model with good image quality that should please all but the fussiest of viewers.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Home Theater Magazine: This in-depth report explains the technology behind the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater and includes extensive reporting ...

CNET: CNET applauds the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360's sound quality, and especially its ability to deliver reasonably satisfying bass ...

HomeTheaterReview.com: Though this report is not as rigorous as the ones at Home Theater magazine or CNET, Sean Killebrew does a nice job putting the ...

Big Picture Big Sound.com: While some shortfalls are found, Ken Sander says that in the end, Polk got the most important thing right -- sound quality. He ...

Amazon.com: While there are only a few user reviews of the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 DVD Theater here, the cumulative rating so far is high ...

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Best sound bar, but expensive

Yamaha YSP-4000

*Est. $1,600 Compare Prices

While it is one of the most expensive sound bars available, experts agree that the Yamaha YSP-4000 sets the standard for its competitors. One reason is sound projection technology that does a good job creating a… surround-sound effect in most rooms, and an outstanding job in some. Under the hood are 40 separate drivers. Audio quality is good, though like most sound bars, adding a subwoofer (not included) makes it better. The feature lineup is excellent, and includes an automatic setup system that helps assure the best performance in any setting. The downside is obvious: This sound bar system costs more than many TVs.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: The Yamaha YSP-4000 is the highest-rated sound bar at CNET. Steve Guttenberg explains how the YSP-4000 works, and tests the sound ...

Sound & Vision Magazine: Sound & Vision magazine tests the Yamaha YSP-4000 as part of a seven-sound-bar shootout. Testing is extensive, but not as well ...

Audioholics.com: Tom Andry overcomes his initial prejudices against the Yamaha YSP-4000 -- and any sound bar for that matter -- and comes away ...

Home Theater Magazine: Home Theater magazine also delivers a finely detailed and fairly technical review of the Yamaha YSP-4000. Kim Wilson notes some ...

Wired.com: Wired's report on the Yamaha Digital Sound Projector YSP-4000 is brief and irreverent, but it's clear that reviewer Jason Tanz is ...

Amazon.com: There are too few user reviews here for Amazon.com to be a definitive source for opinions, but what's here is largely positive. ...

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Sound Bars: Reviews

Best budget sound bar system

Sound bar with DVD player

Best sound bar, but expensive

Sound Bars by Price Range


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