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Sound Bars: Ratings of Sources
Total of 17 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. CNET
Updated Aug. 11, 2011
Best Sound Bar Home Theater Systems
by Matthew Moskovciak
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET reviews sound-bar speaker systems (and other types of virtual surround-sound systems) on occasion, with the best winding up in this listing. Testing is thorough, and the reports are meaty without being overwhelming, though they are shorter than at some enthusiast publications and websites. Though it has some limitations, the Sony HT-CT150 is liked for its good sound quality and three HDMI inputs. The Vizio VHT510 offers better sound quality and surround-sound effects than competing sound bars, thanks to its rear speakers, but it lacks input options.
2. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Home Theater Systems
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn the midst of its coverage of all things home theater, ConsumerReports.org evaluates a handful of mostly still current sound bars. Rankings and ratings are provided, but discussion is slim. Two current sound bars emerge as recommended choices, with one earning Best Buy status.
3. Sound & Vision Magazine
Sept. 21, 2011
Roundup: Super Soundbars
by Ken C. Pohlmann
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis article pits four sound bars against each other. Hands-on testing is done and ratings are provided for design, performance, value and overall score. Thanks to its excellent audio performance, the Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 is named the best of the bunch, despite its steep price tag and lack of inputs. Not even that model comes close to the almost perfect 9.7 overall score posted by last year's roundup winner, the Yamaha YSP-4100, which is still available.
4. Home Theater Magazine
As of Oct. 2011
Sound Bar Reviews
by Editors of Home Theater magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHome Theater magazine occasionally reviews sound-bar systems in single-product reports and multi-sound-bar roundups. No sound bars have won Top Pick honors in the past year; the most recent pick is the Zvox IncrediBase 575, a one-box surround-sound system that sounds great but serves as a platform for your base-mounted HDTV rather than as a wall-mounted solution. In an older review, the still-offered Vizio VSB210WS sound bar is honored for the job it does, given its modest cost.
5. HomeTheaterReview.com
As of Oct. 2011
Sound Bar Reviews
by Editors of HomeTheaterReview.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHomeTheaterReview.com has amassed a decent collection of sound-bar reviews. Though the quality of the reports varies, all seem to be based on hands-on testing. High points, low points and a conclusion are presented, and comparisons to competing sound bars are typically made. Star ratings make it easy to see at a glance which sound bars are most highly regarded. Two sound bars edge slightly ahead of the pack.
6. Audio/Video Revolution
As of Oct. 2011
Speaker Systems
by Editors of Audio Video Revolution
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentFew sound-bar speakers have been reviewed here in past year, but some still-current sound bars are covered in older reports. For the most part, write ups are richly detailed. Testing is well described and opinions are offered, but there are no ratings, and sound-bar systems are not compared.
7. What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision
As of Oct. 2011
Home Cinema in a Box
by Editors of What Hi-Fi?
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhat Hi-Fi? Doesn't examine many sound bars, and the ones they do are mixed into the general Home Cinema in a Box category. Yamaha's family of sound bars come out ahead of the pack in these brief, yet informative reviews.
8. PCMag.com
As of Oct. 2011
Speakers
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com focuses most of its attention on computer speaker solutions, but the publication occasionally takes a look at home theater sound bars as well. Both the Vizio VHT510 and the Samsung HW-D550 receive a 4- out of 5-star rating, and the website takes the time to explain which sound bar would be a better choice depending on your listening and financial needs.
9. About.com
As of Oct. 2011
Top Sound Bars Digital Sound Projectors 3-in-1 Speakers
by Robert Silva
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRobert Silva's sound-bar reports at About.com are a mixed bag. On one hand, many are no more than a paragraph or so of description, with no sign of any hands-on testing. But some reports are expertly done, on point and meticulously documented, right down to descriptions of all of the hardware -- even the interconnecting cables -- and software used. Though recommendations are not made, some -- but not all -- sound bars get a star rating. A few sound bars have also attracted some reader reviews. Though lots of models make this list, it includes some discontinued sound bars. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
10. BigPictureBigSound.com
As of Oct. 2011
Home Theater: Reviews
by Editors of BigPictureBigSound.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBigPictureBigSound.com's sound-bar reviews are balanced, complete and written to inform without overwhelming those less experienced with home theater. Ratings are provided, but the 4-star scale results in most sound bars scoring similarly. The Zvox IncrediBase 575 edges ahead slightly; editors say it is discreet, easy to use and sounds great. The Vizio VHT510 is the only 2011 model sound bar reviewed.
11. TechRadar.com
Sept. 15, 2011
10 Best Soundbar Speakers for Your HD TV
by Jamie Carter
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSeven of the picks in this roundup by Britain's TechRadar.com are either only available in Europe or, as is the case with the Yamaha YSP-S401, not available yet. However, the Panasonic SC-HTB520, Yamaha YAS-101 and the Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 all make the cut for this list, and all are sold here. However, write-ups are brief, and it's not clear if all of the sound bars mentioned have undergone hands-on testing.
12. Audioholics.com
As of Oct. 2011
Satellite and Sound Bars Featured Reviews
by Editors of Audioholics.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAudioholics.com emphasizes high-end audio and video gear but a few sound bars are reviewed. Reports are of variable quality. Some are clearly based on a reading of specifications and potential, rather than testing, while others are extensively tested and evaluated in great detail. The Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 is the subject of one of the site's better reviews. Reviewer Andrew Gash says he "can't recommend this one enough."
13. AVSForum.com
As of Oct. 2011
Soundbars
by Contributors to AVSForum.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentUser discussion and reviews of sound bars can be found in this forum. Several threads contain pages of reviews and information on specific sound bars, such as the Sony HT-CT150 and Sony HT-CT350. One particularly useful thread pits the Vizio VHT510, the Vizio VSB210WS and the now discontinued JVC TH-BA1 against each other head-to-head-to-head. Like all similar discussion sites, things can get derailed from time to time, but questions are welcome and most posters are helpful.
14. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2011
Sound Bars
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com gives sound-bar owners the chance to post reviews about their systems. While most sound bars attract only a few ratings, others have enough to give their overall rating some weight. While review quality varies, some reports are quite helpful. Because there's a decent amount of variation, the ratings assigned by users are also sometimes illuminating.
15. DigitalTrends.com
As of Oct. 2011
Home Theater Reviews -- Sound Bars
by Editors of DigitalTrends.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDigitalTrends.com includes a very limited number of reviews of current sound bars. Each gets ratings, but there are too few reviews for them to have much weight and it seems as though almost every product gets a high rating and a Recommended Product or Editors' Choice award. The reviews themselves are competent, but other sites offer more details. The listing includes lots of discontinued sound bars, but the Boston Acoustics TVee Model 30 and the Vizio VSB210WS are still available and earn recommendations.
16. BestBuy.com
As of Oct. 2011
Sound Bars
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe website of electronics retailer Best Buy is another destination for sound-bar user reviews. It lags Amazon.com, however, because the sound bars listed here tend to have fewer reviews. User ratings for sound quality, value, appearance and more are useful, as is the bottom-line opinion on whether they would recommend the sound bar to a friend.
17. Crutchfield.com
As of Oct. 2011
Sound Bar Speaker Solutions
by Contributors to Crutchfield.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCrutchfield.com also offers customers the opportunity to review sound bars that they own. The site has some useful features, like an article on choosing a sound-bar speaker, but it isn't as busy as Amazon.com and lacks the subratings and other features found at BestBuy.com. Budget friendly, customer favorite and staff pick sound bars are named, but the criteria for awarding them isn't made clear.
     
 

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