Whether it’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar or a run-of-the-mill audio system, it pays to know what you’re looking at. From a basic perspective, a soundbar is a box that contains several speakers designed to sit just below your television screen. The purpose of a soundbar is to replicate the cinema experience at home by utilising multi-speaker set-ups and 3D audio synchronisation. While it’s unlikely you’ll be able to match the performance of a full-scale theatre production, the addition of the best soundbar you can find, regardless of the budget, will unquestionably improve your viewing experience.

If you are looking to take your viewing experience to the next level, adding one of the best soundbars Australia has seen is a great way to get the ball rolling. But before you dive into your local Hi-Fi store, it’s worth looking at a few of the key considerations. Here is what you need to consider when buying a soundbar;

Let’s face it, the biggest factor that will come into your soundbar purchase is price. Some soundbars will set you back a few thousand dollars, but you can certainly score a quality audio system for less. Certain brands such as Sony and LG offer budget-friend soundbars under AUD$1,000. Obviously, there are certain compromises that you will need to make with a budget piece, however, if you think about the intended purpose and preferences, you’ll be better suited to selecting the best soundbar for you.

How you choose to connect your television to your soundbar is another major decision you need to consider. For the most part, soundbars will utilise Bluetooth technology or HMDI for connectivity, however, it’s always best to check what your current television runs with before purchasing.

Soundbars are long, there’s no escaping it. While sleek and sexy, the audio accessory will need a flat surface to sit on and around a metre of space to play with. Consider the length of your intended soundbar before you purchase, after all, the last thing you want is a soundbar that overhangs your TV unit.

Over the years we’ve seen the emergence of ‘virtual surround’ sound, but be warned, this can be a confusing topic. Virtual surround sound is generally a term given to a soundbar or audio system that offers wider stereo, or technology that mimics the structures involved in surround sound. While a lamen might not know the difference, the true audiophiles may be disappointed by the result. As a general rule, Dolby Atmos sound is the preferred option, and for good reason. The deep and rich sound field offers warm tones and true-to-life sound.

Think about what you plan to use your soundbar for. Are you a big fan of action movies? Perhaps live concert performances are your go-to? Think about your plans for the future and make sure you pick the best soundbar for the job.

Now that you’re across the elements that make a good soundbar, you should be ready to reel in a catch. If you are after the best soundbar Australia has seen, or just a quality piece of audio equipment at a bargain price, we’ve got you covered.

Released earlier this year, the Sonos Arc turned a major corner for the audio icon. Sonos’ first Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Arc offers an incredible range of sound and smart features. It’s a little bigger than other soundbars on this list, but it makes sense, as the Arc is designed to pair with larger TVs. The super-sleek design looks great, however, where the Arc really shines is in the overall sound production. In our Bose Frames Review: Why Audio Sunglasses Make Absolute Sense, we noted that the sound field is generated by 11 Class D digital amplifiers that power 11 custom drivers. Eight of those drivers are elliptical woofers evolved from those seen in the previous incarnation, the Beam (four along the front, two on top and one in each end), while the other three are silk-domed tweeters that are all built into the front but with two firing diagonally into the room. That speaker positioning allows you to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling to create a 3D audio effect. If you are looking for the best soundbar on the market, The Sonos Arc is just about as close as you can get.

It’s no secret that Bose makes some out-of-this-world audio gear, and the Sound 700 soundbar is no exception. One of the coolest additions is the integration of Amazon Alexa built-in, meaning you can simply tell the technology what to do and it will do it. Additionally, eight custom microphones in array with echo cancellation and near field detection is a welcomed addition.

What can we say, Sonos knows how to make the best soundbars on the market. The Beam is an ultra-versatile soundbar that offers pristine clarity, style and dynamic range, all packed into a compact package. With Wi-Fi connectivity as standard, Beam users can play music from streaming services directly through the Sonos app. Unfortunately, the Beam doesn’t cop Dolby Atmos capabilities, however, it can be paired and configured with additional speakers to create a 5.1 system. If you are looking for a quality soundbar with all the connectivity to run your full Hi-Fi system, the Sonos Beam has you covered.

The Danish audio giant has hit it out of the park again with this soundbar. While the Beosound Stage has all the impressive aesthetic hallmarks we’ve come to expect from Bang & Olufsen, it also cops a killer sound. It features 11 drivers hidden behind the stylish Kvadrat cloth finish, complimented by a range of tweeters and woofers that add width and depth. Like the Sonos Arc, the Beosound Stage also has Dolby Atmos capabilities, ensuring that if you have the correct set-up, you can enjoy the very best in home entertainment. Not just one of the best soundbars you can buy, it’s also one of the best-looking.

Over the past few years, LG has been producing some impressive audio and home entertainment accessories, with the SN11RG a premiere release. With four speaker boxes that connect wirelessly to create a ‘dome’ of sound, LG’s best soundbar is worth the price of admission. Additionally, the SN11RG has Dolby Atmos sound, with the soundbar handling centre, front left and front duties, with two upfiring height drivers to create a 3D audio experience. While LG might not have the same audio pedigree that others on this list do, the SN11RG is easily one of the best soundbars we’ve come across.

The Samsung HW-Q90R offers more than just one large soundbar, it’s a whole Hi-Fi experience. With a subwoofer and two wireless rear speaker units working in unison, this collective ensemble has all the power and features to get your home theatre cranking. Like the LG, Samsung’s top soundbar also offers rear speakers with upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos height channels. If you already have a Samsung TV, this could be the perfect addition.

With two iconic Klipsch horn-loaded, Tractrix tweeters visible in the open, you can definitely see what the BAR 48 is packing, and it’s a lot. A 3.1 system, this soundbar comes with left and right channels, a wireless subwoofer and a centre speaker dedicated to making sure screen dialogue is clear, front and centre. These three front channels handle all mid-range and higher frequencies with apparent ease, making the Klipsch BAR 48 one of the best soundbars on the market.

If there is one thing to learned from the JBL Bar Studio soundbar, its that quality soundbars don’t have to be expensive. On the smaller side, this soundbar offers a punchy production that replicates the wrap-around audio of a 5.1 system. While it’s not the best soundbar ever created, it’s a fantastic addition to any home entertainment studio, particularly for the price.

The team here at Man of Many are big fans of Sennheiser and the Ambeo soundbar is a good example of why. The audio system’s 3D sound is backed by Dolby Atmos, creating a more immersive result that will have you literally dodging bullets and cars as they fly by. The AMBEO 3D also comes with 13 independent drivers working in unison to put you in the centre of a true 3D soundscape. What’s left is a deep, long-throw 30Hz bass – eliminating the need for an extra subwoofer, but make no mistake, this one is a heavy unit.

Probably the best soundbar for the price, the YAS-207 from Yamaha has been satisfying audiophiles for close to three years. Sure, there are newer versions on the market, but for a budget price, you can’t go past the dual-tweeter and quad-driver backed accessory. Even if it is a little dated, Yamaha’s YAS-207 still cops Alexa voice control, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi streaming and multiple EQ modes.

When you’re looking for the best soundbar Australia has to offer, it’s hard to go past the Harman Kardon Enchant 1300. Supporting 13 different audio channels, Google Chromecast, side-firing tweeters and a bass port design, this audio system has it all. By far the biggest benefit of this accessory is the addition of Harman’s MultiBeam sound processor. Designed to simulate true surround sound by bouncing audio off the walls, the Harman Kardon Enchant 1300 produces an immersive 3D audio experience that is hard to ignore.

A monster of Hi-Resolution audio, the Bluesound Pulse is one of the best soundbars Australia has seen in recent years, and one of the heaviest. The Pulse offers support for hi-res playback and MQA files (Master Quality Authenticated), making it an innovative addition to the mix. Pair that with 120 watts of power and two pairs of 3-way speaker arrays – soft-dome tweeter, cone mid-range, and cone woofer, and you’ve got a sound system Moby would be jealous of.  According to Bluesound, each driver in the 2i is driven by its own dedicated amplified channel where the low and high frequencies are seamlessly blended using DSP-powered crossover filters.

If you haven’t heard of Dali, you’re in for a treat. The Katch One soundbar cops five different audio inputs, along with three different ways to mount it and 10 drivers all working together. The end result is an immersive sound that is strong, solid and more than capable in the film and music arenas. The Danish company has also incorporated four mid/bass drivers, four passive radiators and two tweeters to provide great dynamic performance with a broad, clear soundstage.

Yamaha’s second addition to the best soundbars list, the YSP-2700 another great audio accessory for entertainment aficionados. The brand claims this soundbar will bounce sound against walls to simulate a 7.1 channel effect, complemented by a cube-shaped, front-firing subwoofer. There is also Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Apple Airplay streaming to help get all your devices connected and firing at once.

One of the pricier soundbars on the list, the Sony HT-ST5000 is one for the premium audiophiles. Like many others we’ve already noted, the HT-ST5000 cops Dolby Atmos, doubling the surround sound experience, but moreover, this piece of tech has a few extra additions. The 47-inch wide soundbar has enough room to house nine drivers, three pairs of tweeters and woofers, pumping out high dynamic range and high-resolution audio that is truly sublime.