What Are The 3 Top Soundbars For Music?

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Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Apr 8, 2024 12:07 PM
best soundbar for music guide that shows the top best soundbar model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

Sound quality is paramount when selecting the best soundbar for music. Features like Dolby Atmos support and an advanced equalizer are critical for creating a rich, immersive audio experience. Dolby Atmos enhances the surround sound effect, while an advanced equalizer allows precise control over the audio spectrum. Typical issues include poor bass extension and high levels of distortion, especially at high volumes, so ensuring your soundbar can handle these elements for an optimal listening experience is crucial.

Our rigorous process to ensure only the best soundbars make it into our guide involves verifying products as tested, offering superior sound quality perfect for music enthusiasts. Employing our True Score and Trust Rating systems, we analyzed over 140 soundbars, with three earning top spots for their exceptional performance. 406,187 reviews were scrutinized, filtering out fake ones and finding 92% of experts unreliable.

How Did We Rank the Best Soundbars for Music?

In our pursuit of identifying the best soundbars for music, we analyzed over 200 sites, focusing on testing methods, customer feedback, and expert reviews. We pinpointed the essential factors: 2 mandatory test outcomes, 2 additional beneficial features, and 3 critical specifications. By combining these insights with our True Score system, we’ve created a buying guide that ensures you make the best choice for superior sound quality. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have Dolby Atmos
  • Must have an equalizer
  • Must have subwoofer (independent)

? Test Criteria

  • Total Harmonic Distortion: A total harmonic distortion (THD) below 0.7% at 80 decibels to guarantee high-fidelity audio reproduction without unwanted frequencies.
  • Volume Output: The soundbar should be able to deliver a powerful and immersive sound performance, exceeding 91 decibels in volume output.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Latency: With a latency under 100 milliseconds, it ensures minimal delay in data transmission or audio processing.
  • Low-End Roll Off: A low-end roll-off of < 45 Hz to ensure there is plenty of thump and rumble in the bass to enhance your music listening experience.

Latest Updates

  • 04/08/2024: Published the list of best soundbars for music based on our True Score system.

Top Soundbars for Music For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

To secure a spot on our list, a best soundbar for music must meet our stringent criteria for audio performance and quality. If it doesn’t meet these standards, it won’t be featured!

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung HW-Q950A

    Ideal for audiophiles, the Samsung HW-Q950A delivers superior, distortion-free audio across a wide volume range, with detailed highs and deep bass for a truly immersive music experience.

    Samsung HW-Q950A Review →

    True Score

    86
    90
    8

    Experts

    91
    5k

    Customers

    $1,849.14

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    Choosing the best TV is just the start; enhancing it with the top gaming soundbar can take your gaming to the next level. For those invested in a seamless audio ecosystem, the best Sonos soundbar offers exceptional sound quality and integration. If you encounter issues like your soundbar not working, quick troubleshooting guides can be invaluable.

    For an immersive movie night, pairing your display with the best soundbar for projector ensures crisp, room-filling audio. Those interested in smart home devices might find our Google Home Max review useful for its insights on sound quality and smart features. Meanwhile, the top-rated 5.1 soundbar systems provide a surround sound experience that’s hard to beat, making any content more engaging.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung HW-Q800A

    The Samsung HW-Q800A offers excellent value, combining high volume capacity and low distortion with a sound profile that enhances both bass and treble, perfect for music enthusiasts on a budget.

    Samsung HW-Q800A Review →

    True Score

    85
    88
    8

    Experts

    92
    848

    Customers

    SAVE $748
    $999.99
    $251.99

    Category Snapshot

    Soundbars

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      25 Brands, 149 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Bose, Sonos

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $100-$1,500

    • Average True Score

      77.25

    • Important Test Criteria

      Low & High-End Roll Off (Hz)

      Max Volume (dB)

    • Most Trusted Testers

      rtings and tech gear lab logos

    • Top Soundbar Experts

      Becca Fischer, Matt Bento

    • Recommended Retailer

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung HW Q900T

    The Samsung HW-Q900T prioritizes loud, room-filling sound with strong bass, although it compromises on high-frequency detail. It’s suited for those who want a powerful audio experience at a mid-range price.

    Samsung HW Q900T Review →

    True Score

    75
    76
    3

    Experts

    82
    445

    Customers

    $888.95

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Soundbars for Music?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these soundbars and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a soundbar that will sound great.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Total Harmonic Distortion< 0.7YesThe amount of distortion introduced by the soundbar when it processes an audio signal at a given volume (typically 80, 85 or maximum dB output.)
Max Volume> 91 dBYesThe maximum volume that a soundbar reaches when it’s output is turned up to 100%.
Low End Roll Off< 45 HzNo (nice to have)The point at which bass begins to sharply fall below the target response point on a frequency response graph, making it harder to hear.
Latency< 100 msNo (nice to have)The time it takes for a soundbar to process audio signal from a source and output it through the speakers.

Our Trusted Data Sources

(Publication category Score is 80%+)

We looked at 120+ soundbar reviewers and while 10 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for soundbars.

  1. Becca Fischer – RtingsMuckRack
  2. Matt Bento- Techgear LabMuckRack
  3. Sam Moore – Sound GuysMuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every soundbar review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Soundbars Test Data & Results

1. total harmonic distortion test result

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures the fidelity of soundbars by indicating the percentage of unwanted harmonics added to the original audio. A THD under 1 ensures minimal distortion, critical for preserving audio quality across music, movies and games. This low distortion level enhances clarity, maintains detail, and ensures a high-fidelity listening experience, crucial for understanding dialogues, appreciating music nuances, and immersing in game sounds.

We believe soundbars should have less than 1% THD because this helps confirm their ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of audio without perceptible distortion. We say “perceptible” because it’s impossible to remove all distortion, but you can reduce it to the point it’s impossible to notice. Low THD also helps improve your comfort by preventing fatigue during extended use, making it an essential for anyone that marathons movies, games or music.

Total Harmonic Distortion (lower is better)

2. max volume test result

Maximum volume is the easiest aspect of a soundbar to understand: it’s just how loud the soundbar itself will actually get. What’s less clear is why a soundbar getting loud is so important. While higher max volumes give you the ability the fill rooms with sound or use a soundbar as makeshift party speakers, they’re also responsible for helping ensure that audio stays clear when listening at normal listening levels.

This is commonly referred to as “headroom”, and having enough headroom on a soundbar means that the soundbar is able to play back sounds at a high enough level (and with good enough clarity) that the volume level you’ll normally listen to music, movies or games with will sound perfectly clear and distortion free. We recommend your soundbar have no less than 91 dB of maximum volume and the higher you go, the better your soundbar is at filling larger and larger rooms.

Max Volume (in dB; higher is better)

3. latency test result

Large amounts of latency create problems when trying to sync up audio and video. While you’ve got a bit of wiggle room with how much of a delay can exist between the audio that comes out of your soundbar and the images on your TV, it’s not a ton. If there’s too much latency the mismatch starts to become obvious, and people start looking like they stopped talking while dialogue is still playing. This is especially concerning for gamers, who rely on audio and video to sync up well enough that the footprints you hear around the corner are accurately getting closer.

It’s for these reasons we recommend a latency less than 100 ms. For most content, this is a low enough delay that any mismatch is going to be largely unnoticed. If you’re a highly competitive gamer and don’t want to do calibration out of the box to line up the A/V, the lowest latency you can find is going to work best. For music and moves, though, 100 ms or less will work great.

Latency (in milliseconds; lower is better)

4. Low end roll off test result

When it comes to getting the most bass you can out of your soundbar, low-end roll off is a great indicator of just how deep the bass on it can get. If a soundbar doesn’t have a roll off that starts deep enough into the bass part of the audio spectrum, then it’ll result in quiet or even absent bass, which removes most of the punch and impact of not only music, but also movies and video games. the longer it takes bass to roll off, the better.

When it comes to most soundbars for most use cases, we recommend a roll off that doesn’t start until at least 45 Hz, but it only gets better the further you go down. It’s worth noting that the roll off will only get so low, so don’t expect to find soundbars hitting the teens for roll off, but it isn’t uncommon for very bass-forward options to hit 30 Hz before roll off starts. By aiming for at least 45 Hz, you have a much better chance of getting the deep, rumbling bass you’re looking for out of your music, movies or games.

Low end roll off (in Hz; lower is better)

Best Soundbars for Music: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Connectivity Options: Ensure you don’t overlook the connectivity features when choosing a soundbar for music, as having versatile options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HDMI ARC or oiptical can enhance your listening experience and compatibility with different devices. Additionally, knowing how to connect a soundbar using these various options ensures you can easily integrate it with your existing setup, whether for wirelessly streaming music or enhancing the audio from your TV or gaming console.

  2. Sacrificing Audio Quality for Sleek Design: Avoid prioritizing aesthetics over audio performance, as opting for a slim and stylish design may sometimes compromise on sound quality, resulting in a less immersive music experience.

  3. Overlooking Bass Performance: Don’t make the mistake of disregarding bass capabilities, as a soundbar with insufficient bass output can lead to a lackluster music playback, especially for genres that heavily rely on low frequencies like hip-hop or EDM. To ensure deep and impactful bass that elevates your music experience, consider the best soundbar with a subwoofer can significantly enhance the depth and richness of sound across all genres.

  4. Neglecting Room Size and Acoustics: Be mindful of your room’s dimensions and acoustics when selecting a soundbar, as a mismatch between the soundbar’s capabilities and your room’s characteristics can impact sound clarity and overall performance, hindering your enjoyment of music. Proper soundbar placement enhances audio clarity and projection, avoiding proximity to the floor or obstructions. When considering soundbar vs surround sound, a strategically selected soundbar presents a simpler, space-efficient solution for quality sound in acoustically challenging rooms.

The Best Soundbars for Music – Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Low End Roll Off
High End Roll Off
Max Volume Test
Latency
THD @ 80dB

Samsung HW-Q950A

  • Best for Best Overall

86
  • 35.13 Hz

  • 13,279.64 Hz

  • 98.8 db

  • 80 ms

  • 0.18 dB

$1,849.14

Samsung HW-Q800A

  • Best for Music

85
  • 34.62 Hz

  • 17,221.56 Hz

  • 95.1 db

  • 31 ms

  • 0.4 dB

$251.99
$1,000
$748

Samsung HW Q900T

  • Best for Projector

75
  • 34.62 Hz

  • 8,992.01 Hz

  • 99.5 db

  • 13 ms

  • 0.18 dB

$888.95

Soundbars for Music Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in a soundbar best suited for music listening?

For music enthusiasts, seek soundbars with high-fidelity audio, a wide frequency range, and support for multiple music codecs. Features like built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for streaming, dedicated music modes, and the ability to connect to multi-room audio systems can also enhance your music listening experience.

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