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.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

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. ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from
Amazon

for $246.59

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.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

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 ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from
Amazon

for $319.00

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.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

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: 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. ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Sound Bars: Reviews

Best budget sound bar system

Sound bar with DVD player

Best sound bar, but expensive

Sound Bars by Price Range


	Denon DHT-FS3 Home Theater in a Box from Amazon.com New: $1,198.00 $1,099.00 Average Customer Review:


	VIZIO VSB210WS Universal HD Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer from Amazon.com New: $299.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review: