Best Dolby Atmos Soundbars of 2021: Which is King?

Best Dolby Atmos Soundbars of 2021: Which is King?

It’s the battle of the newest Dolby Atmos soundbars out there! The Sonos Arc system, Samsung HW-Q950A, Bose Soundbar 900 system, Sony HT-A7000 system, and the Klipsch Cinema 1200. Which is the best and most worth it?

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Buy Sonos Arc
On Amazon: https://geni.us/Y7it5uM
On Crutchfield: https://shop-links.co/cf3xsHGQyMj
On BestBuy: https://shop-links.co/cf3xnQYjW3U

Buy Samsung HW-Q950A
On Amazon: https://geni.us/ntWgr
On Crutchfield: https://shop-links.co/cf3x2qwWxsV
On BestBuy: https://shop-links.co/cf3x2RFvnpa

Buy Bose Soundbar 900
On Amazon: https://geni.us/2KXsN
On Crutchfield: https://shop-links.co/cf3x7f7br9d
On BestBuy: https://shop-links.co/cf3x7RP4qZk

Buy Sony HT-A7000
On Amazon: https://geni.us/SonyA7000
On Crutchfield: https://shop-links.co/cf3x9UNQgQz
On BestBuy: https://shop-links.co/cf3x96CenXL

Buy Klipsch Cinema 1200
On Amazon: https://geni.us/RmfwyvD
On Crutchfield: https://shop-links.co/cf3yboJh5F0

Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to us.

★Individual Reviews★
Sony HT-A7000: COMING SOON (SUBSCRIBE)
Bose Soundbar 900: COMING SOON (SUBSCRIBE)
Samsung HW-Q950A: https://youtu.be/nY6zEo8pGg0
Sonos Arc System: https://youtu.be/hSb_C48ZuR0
Klipsch Cinema 1200: https://youtu.be/zInNA-zZDYA

Corrections:
1. Samsung HW-Q950A does NOT support Chromecast.

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:27 Design
06:26 Displays
07:41 HDMI ARC and Connections
10:36 Setup Process
15:07 Controls and Apps
15:56 Audio Codec Support
17:21 Surround Sound Quality
25:10 Music Sound Quality
29:47 Rankings
35:40 Outro

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50 Comments

  1. FlaeMaster on December 10, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Where are the Soundbars of Teufel? Never seen a video with the excellent Teufel soundbars. Without them these videos are not serious to me.



  2. Brandon Lee on December 10, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    The separate rankings for soundbars on their own and the soundbars with all of their components is super helpful 🙌



  3. polofunk on December 10, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    I have the bose 900 soundbar 700sub 700surround speakers i love it, i agree the 700 surround speakers need to be better, but you criticize the whole system because of the surround speakers, but great review.



  4. Shinta0SaINt on December 10, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Good day. I’ve been waiting for this video patently, thank you so much for you hard work, I own a custom *Plex* media server with Unraid NAS, please recommend suitable sound bars.🙏🏼, I really wanted a Sonos Arc (it’s nice to see they finally added eARC to it) and the Samsung is outside my budget, (if only they’d sell it individually like the Sonos)
    Best regards Shane from Trinidad 🇹🇹



  5. Vishwa Mahanta on December 10, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Thanks Jonah. Great review. Probably the best I’ve seen this year. If listening to music is the first choice, what system do you recommend?



  6. BigBadBirna on December 10, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    Would definitely be interested in a video detailing what soundbars play best with 4k blu ray rips using plex.



  7. Ali Erkmen on December 10, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    I can advise Grundig GSB 950 system if you are looking for a price/performance device.



  8. Ōswīg on December 10, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Had or tested a lot of these, the Bose 900 was the best hands down and trust me, i’m most definitely not a Bose fanboy, in fact I have a bad history with them.



  9. James Costello on December 10, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    I own the original SONOS sound bar and two satellites. After how they threw us under the bus and I spend north of a grand I cannot recommend them no matter how good it sounds.



  10. Eric Barnes on December 10, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    Can you do a budget friendly version of this?
    (Less than $750)



  11. Alex FromTheNorth on December 10, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    Fucking great review!
    Thank you mate



  12. James Robinson on December 10, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    "Best Soundbar" is like "best time to get kicked in the bawlz"… people buy them because it’s convenient when you live in a tiny apt and don’t have the room for a dedicated AVR & speakers… but it’s never going to come even CLOSE to quality or performance



  13. St.Jimmy024 on December 10, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    I’ve tried a bunch of soundbar systems, felt they all had their pros and cons. After several years I finally tried my hand at building a "traditional" system with a Denon receiver and SVS speakers/subs. The difference is night and day between "theatre in a box" and a system you build yourself.

    Just one person’s opinion.



  14. Matej Rolih on December 10, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    I disagree with you about bose surrounds. You don’t want surrounds to be slamming you from behind, but just giving you details that enrich the experience. So these speakers are discrete and give you natural emersion to the content being watched and not like others that give you artificial experience.



  15. Д А on December 10, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    La,la.la балабол



  16. Marco Ray on December 10, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Excellent video!



  17. UTILITARIAN TV on December 10, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    It would be good to know whether the full Sony system would sound better than an AV receiver and speaker set up for around the same price. I would think the AVR would produce a better sound IMO.



  18. David L on December 10, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    I thought I remembered the Arc not supporting Chromecast. Was that changed? I switched to Android and I’m annoyed I can’t connect my phone to my Beam and can no longer do the room correction setup. I’m considering getting the Bose Soundbar 900 as a replacement.



  19. Richard Cerritelli on December 10, 2021 at 2:52 pm

    I’m looking for a soundbar specifically for loud Quality Music and of course movies and shows are an afterthought are there any actually out there decibel loud but yet Quality Music if not what would you recommend me to do or buy for the TV I basically want a clean set up no sloppy speakers all over the house like Surround Sound Theater. Just just the soundbar alone what would be the best one for loud music which by the way people sound it might not be worth it 4 make money is not a factor is the sennheiser ambeo bar get really loud and it’s good for music



  20. lecisko on December 10, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Very nice review. I am using Q950A for already a month and I must say that going from stereo speakers, it is just something else for movies (especially with Dolby Atmos). But I have also come across the fact that the highs and mids from the soundbar itself can be a bit overdone some times. I wanted to buy Sony or Atmos but could not justify double price of that solution.

    But as you were saying, value for money is just incredible with Q950A.

    Thanks again!



  21. Rk Venkat on December 10, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    hi. how Sony HT-A7000 dolby 360 performs in larger ceiling (say 18 foot) with big windows in large open room ? That’s one aspect is really important to consider sound bar over separate discrete component system . The performance you have experienced with Subwoofer + surround for sony soundbar.. ?



  22. MoLEcuLeZ on December 10, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    Is it possible to add extra speakers as side channels for my Samsung HW-Q950T?



  23. E Johnson on December 10, 2021 at 3:01 pm

    No love for the Definitive Technology Mini



  24. Zach G on December 10, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    For my money I would get the Sony.



  25. David Vaisman on December 10, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    Do you happen to know which of these support dual voltages (for those of us in Europe) ?



  26. kwijibo on December 10, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    I got a jbl 9.1.. a real nigtmare to setup on my pc . As its plugged in hdmi my gpu recognise it as a display and its buggin on me quite often.



  27. Batman Dark knight on December 10, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    What about the nakamichi shockwave 9.2.4?



  28. Mike - Inteligencia Financiera on December 10, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    Great video, appreciate your time and effort to put this all together!



  29. Billy Bollockhead on December 10, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    I have a Sony HT-A7000 , and the 3d just doesnt seem to work in my room for some reason.. I’ve REALLY tried to get it to work, i’ve tried EVERYTHING.. But even in demos, I just dont hear sounds coming from left/right/above/etc. For a while, I thought it was my hearing not working – but my wife cant tell either. I got her to close her eyes.. nothing – she couldnt tell well sound was coming from

    I *do* have the bass speaker, but not the REAR speakers.. but surely it should STILL work…

    I’ve gone through LOADS of youtube videos/online help/etc.. On my 72" LG C1, it doesnt seem to do ANYTHING. The SubWoofer REALLY blows my room.. And vibrates the walls.. BUT, its not 3D!

    If ANYONE has anything to suggest to get it working, im all ears? But I think it just doesnt like the shape of my room?



  30. Brutus M. on December 10, 2021 at 3:06 pm

    I bought that Sonos but actually brought it back and traded it in for a Sony soundbar which I liked way better.



  31. Tyler C on December 10, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    Hi Jonah, new subscriber here! I live in a family where 4 out of 5 people are hard of hearing (I myself am 50% deaf in both ears) and would like to get a good, wireless soundbar. I watched your other ‘cheapest soundbar’ video and was wondering if you could recommend any good wireless soundbars that you know of (hopefully in the $150-250 range if possible)? I would be forever grateful to hear what a professional like yourself has to say if it’s not too much to ask. Love the videos man please keep them coming!



  32. MakinA \ Wake on December 10, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Did I miss something? It could be as I haven’t been staring at audio products for the last few years.

    Please don’t get me wrong appreciate the review I can just imagine the effort required to produce these- and yes all of these soundbars seem like decent products..

    But why would you decide to filter soundbars that are solely using Dolby atmos?

    Can’t even use optical, and this is just highly propriety why not just say which ones on the market that sound best?

    PS: earlier times it was so easy to know that if it supported Dolby THX it was good (and most did)

    PPS: true HD sounds like a failed premise as well since even Netflix doesn’t use it?

    PPPS: I didn’t hear you say you adjusted the Bose audio, it has a tuning mode as well. Maybe I just missed it.



  33. Paul McNally on December 10, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Great comparison, lots of work done I’m sure. Thanks!



  34. Jeff Welcher on December 10, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Nice!



  35. Killmonize Productions on December 10, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    What do you think is the best….system period?



  36. AJxBISHOP on December 10, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Comment for the YouTube algorithm



  37. Jay A Lay on December 10, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Nakamichi shockwafe for the win!



  38. Koreskalp on December 10, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Samsung is the clear winner for me. Price tag is incredible really and I don’t have a cat !

    Little tip for the vid : if you could split with different sections to go through the video that would motivate some people to watch a 35 minutes vid (e.g. being able to skip the music sound quality test for those who do not intend to buy the product for that as you mentioned).



  39. Terminder Singh on December 10, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    Can u make video on DTS , and how to make it work on soundbar



  40. Jonah Matthes on December 10, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    Hope you enjoyed the video! Links to all of the products in this video are in the description!

    Sign up for my Newsletter!
    https://bit.ly/JM-Email

    Follow me on Instagram:
    https://bit.ly/JonahMatthes_IG

    ★Individual Reviews★
    Sony HT-A7000: COMING SOON (SUBSCRIBE)
    Bose Soundbar 900: COMING SOON (SUBSCRIBE)
    Samsung HW-Q950A: https://youtu.be/nY6zEo8pGg0
    Sonos Arc System: https://youtu.be/hSb_C48ZuR0
    Klipsch Cinema 1200: https://youtu.be/zInNA-zZDYA



  41. Hassan Samad on December 10, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    I’m curious.how these stack up against the nakamichi shockwave?



  42. originalfunfair on December 10, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    I have the sonos and have never looked back.



  43. Bertolat on December 10, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    I think the Nakamichi ultra atmós has better performance than some of these and kills them on performance as well



  44. mtbdudex on December 10, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    Soundbars … sure they can handle higher spl than built in tv speakers, but seriously the speakers are TOO CLOSE together. That really does affect stereo imaging R – L, you can’t fool psychoacoustics. Equilateral stereo triangle over soundbar any day.
    Do a test, stand 5 feet, then 8 feet, then 11 feet, then 14 feet from your soundbar.
    you’ll see the imaging go to mono as you get 8-9 feet away …



  45. Billie Vanillie on December 10, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    Are there any plans on reviewing the Bluesound soundbar+?



  46. Shakti Rathore on December 10, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    Your audio knowledge is almost professional level! Hats off for the detailed discription, this has been almost the best soundbar review yet



  47. the profit on December 10, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    New to your channel and it’s very informative. Why can’t order those lights on the wall?



  48. Garrett on December 10, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    Sonos for the win



  49. Баал Молох on December 10, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Where is ambio?)



  50. David Vaisman on December 10, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Samsung Q950 web page states "…The HW-Q950A does not support Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization or DTS Virtual:X." what does it mean ?