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Winner
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with built-in subwoofer is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater experience. It offers a 3.1 channel system with the ability to expand to a full 5.1 surround sound setup with the included external subwoofer and surround speakers. The clear dialogue feature, thanks to a dedicated center dialogue channel, ensures you won't miss any conversations in your favorite shows or movies.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support provide immersive 3D sound, making your entertainment more lifelike and engaging. The soundbar also includes various sound modes like Movie, Music, Sports, and Night, which optimize the audio based on what you’re watching, enhancing the experience. Setup is straightforward with the wireless connectivity for the subwoofer and speakers, reducing the clutter of cables.
The added smart feature of being Fire TV ready allows you to use one remote to control both your TV and soundbar, simplifying user interaction. Bluetooth compatibility enables easy streaming from your phone or tablet, adding versatility. The size might be a bit bulky for smaller spaces, and the subwoofer and surround speakers add weight, but the cinematic sound quality and smart features make it worth considering for a full-fledged home theater system.
The Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar offers an impressive 9.1.4 surround sound experience, utilizing Dolby Atmos to create immersive audio that fills the room. This setup is perfect for those who want cinema-like sound quality for both movies and music. One standout feature is its ultra-clear dialogue with a Speech Enhancement mode, ensuring that voices are crisp and easy to understand. The soundbar’s design is sleek and modern, seamlessly blending with home decor without being a distraction.
It supports multiple control methods, including your TV remote, the Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, and Amazon Alexa, making it versatile and user-friendly. Setup is straightforward with a single HDMI eARC connection and guidance from the Sonos app. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, allowing you to stream music effortlessly. Additionally, you can expand the system with a Sonos Sub and Era 300 rear speakers for an even more enhanced surround sound experience.
A notable downside is the lack of a built-in subwoofer, which means an additional purchase is necessary for those deep bass sounds. While it provides excellent audio quality, the Sonos Arc Ultra is on the pricier side, which might not suit every budget. Its large size could also be a consideration for those with limited space. This soundbar is an excellent choice for individuals looking for high-quality sound and smart features, especially if they are already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is a high-end soundbar designed to enhance your TV's audio experience with a 3.1 surround sound channel configuration. It features Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technology, promising an immersive audio experience by placing sounds in different parts of your room. One of its standout features is the A.I. Dialogue Mode, which ensures clear vocal clarity, making it ideal for those who enjoy TV shows and movies with a lot of dialogue. The soundbar is also equipped with six transducers, including upward-firing dipole speakers, to create a surround sound effect.
Connectivity is versatile with options for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and it includes HDMI eARC and optical audio cables for easy setup. Voice control is another highlight, offering integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which can be handy for smart home enthusiasts. The soundbar supports private listening by pairing with Bose headphones and can sync with other Bose Bluetooth speakers for a more extensive audio setup.
However, at 180 watts of power output, while sufficient for many home setups, may not be the best fit for larger, more demanding spaces. Additionally, it lacks water resistance and is more suitable for indoor use only. The design is sleek and modern, but its size (41.14 inches wide) means it might not fit well with smaller TVs or spaces. Despite its high-quality build and features, some users might find the fact that it does not include a dedicated subwoofer a drawback, even though it offers wireless subwoofer connectivity. It’s a solid choice for those looking to enhance their home entertainment system with advanced audio features and smart home integration.