2024-03-09 02:07:33
After the August issue of its magazine “test”, Stiftung Warentest has now examined 14 new soundbars with and without subwoofers. The result shows that expensive models don’t necessarily sound better. Nevertheless, many test winners are not a bargain.
The most important things at a glance
Modern televisions impress with their sharp images and flat designs. However, they often cannot keep up with an impressive sound. The thinner the television, the worse the sound is. The integrated speakers often do not provide enough volume. This is where soundbars come into play: They offer a solution for high-quality sound and give the living room a touch of home cinema feeling.
Stiftung Warentest tests soundbars with and without a separate subwoofer and sound plates in the “test” issue 08/2023. Models between 65 and 1,500 euros are tested. We present the test results and recommended products.
Soundbars in the test: This is how Stiftung Warentest tests them
Stiftung Warentest regularly examines soundbars from brands such as Bose, Nubert, JBL, Sonos and Co. A total of 171 soundbars are examined for the soundbar test from the “test” issue 08/2023. These include one-piece soundbars and models with a separate bass box (subwoofer).
The examiners primarily evaluate the sound, but also take into account the handling and power consumption.
The results of the soundbar test at a glance
A new test winner has emerged among the soundbars with subwoofers: The Samsung HW-Q610GC with bass box is at the top, with the only “Good” rating out of all the newly tested models. Soundbars without a subwoofer keep it Sony HT-A5000 continues to be in the top position. In the test of whoever has the best sound, the soundbar wins Samsung HW-Q810GC. As a price tip the LG DSP8YA Soundbar recommended, which was already tested in issue 03/2023.
You can read all the results of the Stiftung Warentest soundbar test in the “test” issue 08/2023.
The new test winner with subwoofer: Samsung Soundbar
The test result: The Samsung soundbar received a quality rating of “good” (2.4). Particularly noteworthy is their easy handling and reasonable power consumption. It is the only one of the 14 newly tested soundbars that received the “good” rating.
Product details: The soundbar is available at a price between around 300 and 450 euros, depending on the provider. Despite its affordable price, it offers numerous extras, including options such as wall mounting, a separately available subwoofer for even deeper bass and a special night mode for undisturbed listening pleasure late at night.
One feature is its 3.1.2-channel surround sound, which consists of a total of 9 integrated speakers and an external 6.5-inch subwoofer, providing an immersive sound experience. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X you can also enjoy first-class 3D sound. The soundbar can be connected to the TV via HDMI or USB, which expands its possible uses. Overall, the soundbar offers a good combination of performance, features and design for your home theater experience.
The test winner without a separate subwoofer: Soundbar from Sony
The test result: Sony’s soundbar achieved a test rating of “good (2.4)” and is one of the manufacturer’s top models. The test winning speaker is said to produce thrilling sound with an integrated subwoofer and Dolby Atmos.
Product details: Sony is charging a hefty price for its premium soundbar. The HT-A5000 costs around 700 to 900 euros, depending on the offer. But it is also full of small speakers and extras such as sound optimization.
There are eight speakers inside the soundbar. The subwoofer and seven others: three are directed forward, two to the side and two upwards. The sound should be reflected from the walls and ceiling and create surround sound. You can enhance the effect even further with optional rear speakers. The soundbar should also optimize the sound using artificial intelligence and adapt it to the acoustics in the room.
The connection between the television and the soundbar is via HDMI or wirelessly via Bluetooth. This means that additional speakers can also be integrated into the system. The total output power is 450 watts.
Best sound: Samsung soundbar with subwoofer
The test result: The Samsung soundbar received an overall rating of “good (2.1)” in the test. It is particularly impressive in the sound category and achieved the highest rating of all the soundbars tested.
Product details: The soundbar comes with a separate subwoofer, which benefits the sound. A total of eleven speakers are installed. As with Sony, the speakers here are directed upwards and are intended to provide better surround sound. This means the soundbar also supports audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
If you have a Samsung television, pairing the soundbar is particularly easy. This is done via WiFi. Models from other manufacturers can be connected in the classic way using an HDMI cable. Alexa and AirPlay are also integrated. The output power is 360 watts.
The price-performance tip: Soundbar from LG with subwoofer
The test result: The LG soundbar received a quality rating of “good” (2.1) in the test. It achieved good ratings in the categories of sound, handling and power consumption.
Product details: LG’s soundbar is not only audiovisually well-equipped, but also extremely affordable, with a price between 300 and 350 euros. Equipped with a separate subwoofer and WiFi capability, it enables a seamless wireless connection that enhances the music experience in your home.
Convenient control is via the LG Sound Bar app, which allows you to play your favorite music from Spotify, Amazon Alexa or Apple Airplay. With Dolby Atmos sound, this soundbar offers a sound experience that puts you in the middle of the action. Connecting to the TV is easy thanks to the HDMI and USB ports.
Our conclusion to the soundbar test
Soundbars are good, space-saving alternatives to conventional surround systems. They improve the mostly modest sound of the television. A separate subwoofer and additional rear speakers provide an even more cinematic feeling.
Die Samsung HW-Q610GC with bass box offers a good price for good features and is the latest test winner. Depending on your preference and space, we recommend the price tip as an alternative LG sound bar and the Sony HT-A5000 without subwoofer. If you’re looking for the best sound, consider this Samsung sound bar take a closer look. It impresses with the best sound in the soundbar test.
Frequently asked questions about soundbars
Soundbar or surround system: which is better?
The advantages of a soundbar: It is compact, easy to install and usually cheaper than a large 5.1 surround system. The surround system, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and even better sound. The setup is largely more complex and you need more space for the speakers.
With clever features such as voice enhancement and music streaming from your cell phone, you can also experience an improvement over the thin TV sound with soundbars. Some brands such as Sonos also offer system expandability. Over time, you can buy additional speakers and build a 5.1 system.
Our recommendation: If you want to quickly and easily improve the sound of your TV, a soundbar is the right choice. Experts who need first-class sound, can do the setup themselves and have plenty of space in the living room will be happy with a surround system.
How do I connect a soundbar to the TV?
In most cases, connecting the soundbar to a television is very easy: First check which connections are available on your TV. The most common solutions are an HDMI port or an optical audio output. You can also connect some models via Bluetooth without a cable. Our recommendation is the HDMI connection. Connect the soundbar to the television and pay attention to the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
What is HDMI ARC?
HDMI ARC is a standard for transmitting sound from a TV to a soundbar. ARC stands for “Audio Return Channel”. The advantage of the standard: The sound can be sent in both directions via the HDMI cable. This saves you additional cables and allows you to receive the sound signal from a built-in TV tuner or an external streaming box or game console. On some models, you can also control the soundbar with the TV remote control.
The next generation is eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) and was introduced in 2017 with HDMI 2.1. The main advantage of eARC over ARC is the increase in bandwidth and speed. This means that significantly more sophisticated sound signals can be sent from the television to a soundbar. Formats like Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Atmos require eARC.