To its credit, however, the Vizio V-Series does support DTS Virtual:X that attempts to give you some semblance of spatial audio without upfiring speakers. The results aren't all that convincing, though. In addition to Atmos support, the Stage 360 offers a decent range of connection options, including two HDMI 2.0 inputs and Bluetooth, and isn’t short of audio options either. There are four sound modes to choose from: Music, Movie, Wide and Night, along with near-field and far-field profiles which take into account how close you are to the bar. If you want to enjoy Atmos content but can’t stretch your budget to a true surround sound system, the Creative Stage 360 is your best bet. The soundstage is pleasingly wide thanks to the soundbar’s side-firing speakers and the dedicated centre channel ensures dialogue remains clearly intelligible. Alexa built-in provides a decent level of smart functionality to complement the HW-Q990B’s first-rate sound, while the new design of the bar, sub and rear speakers mean it looks a lot better than its 2021 predecessor. We would have liked to have seen a couple of additional HDMI inputs and support for 4K/120 and Variable Refresh Rate passthrough, but the HW-Q990B is a roaring success regardless. There’s a newer model available – the HW-Q990C– but given the price difference, we’re still recommending last year’s model. In fact, anytime the soundbar was playing Dolby Atmos, we were very impressed. The mix could’ve had a bit more surround presence, but all things considered it was exactly how Dolby Atmos audio should sound. Ideally, we would recommend going all in on an AV amplifier and matching home theatre speaker system, but in reality, we understand that not everyone has the space and/or the budget for something like this. That's why we recommend a soundbar as a great alternative.

With TVs getting thinner, especially OLED models with razor-sharp chassis, there is considerably less room for proper sound systems. While this is an inevitability, it doesn't excuse poor sound quality, which is why we always recommend budgeting for some sort of sound system when you buy a new TV. Less useful these days are analogue connections such as stereo RCA and 3.5mm inputs, and they’re becoming less common on soundbars, too. They’re still worth having for emergency use, but don’t worry too much if your soundbar doesn’t have these. ARC/eARC also allows your main TV remote to control the basic volume and power functions of your soundbar via HDMI CEC(Consumer Electronics Control). Some soundbars come with their own remotes and/or have app control, but if your connection to your TV uses an optical cable, you may still be able to use your regular controller. Certain models, such as the Sonos Ray and B&W Panorama 3, can 'learn' to recognise the commands of both IR and RF remotes, but the set-up will depend on your TV manufacturer. The absence of an in-built voice assistant and the decision not to include a remote sting a little, particularly given how much the Dione costs, but in terms of style and performance, few standalone soundbars get close to the Dione.The Multibeam 1100 looks as good as it sounds, too, with an attractive and relatively compact design that houses a beautifully detailed LED display. Sadly, that display is positioned on top of the bar rather than on the front of it, meaning you can’t see it when watching TV. That minor gripe aside, there’s very little not to like about the Multibeam 1100. The absence of DTS:X support will be an issue for those with large Blu-ray collections, and adding rear speakers and a subwoofer for true sonic envelopment is costly, but neither issue prevents the Multibeam 1100 from rising above almost all of the single-speaker solutions on the market. That said, to accommodate the rotating speakers, the body has a bit more depth than traditional soundbars have and measures in at a rather chunky 2.64 x 48 x 6.5 inches (H x W X D). It can still be wall-mounted despite the extra depth, and it will pair nicely should you decide to go for the Vizio OLED for which it was built for. Overall, Vrtx Vizio sound bars offer a comprehensive range of features and technologies that make them stand out from the competition. From their advanced virtual surround technology to their impressive sound quality, Vrtx Vizio sound bars are the perfect way to enhance your home entertainment experience. Benefits of Using a VRTX Vizio Sound Bar

Although soundbars are typically designed with film and TV in mind, we also put them through their paces with music too, testing out a range of streaming options with a variety of genres, both classic and modern, enduring that we listen in the highest quality that the soundbar is capable of. Music, on the other hand, has a bit of bass but a nice focus on the mids. You won’t get shimmering vocals in the upper registers, however, and sound will only play from the main soundbar unit and not the satellite speakers – so don’t expect a club-like atmosphere in your living room.

The best soundbars you can buy in 2023

Physical buttons, a remote, a companion app and voice assistant support mean you’re spoilt for choice in terms of control, while Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect provide wireless streaming options to complement the numerous physical ports. Sennheiser’s Ambeo feature is the Plus’ only real weakness, with its more spacious presentation detracting from the bar’s otherwise laser-focused and detailed delivery. But even with this shortcoming, there’s no price-comparable alternative that performs as well as the Ambeo Soundbar Plus. Audio is just as important as visuals when watching TV, but a lot of manufacturers overlook sound quality when producing televisions. By buying one of the best soundbars, you will significantly enhance your audio experience while watching movies, sports and TV shows. Dialogue will sound clearer, sound effects more impactful and music much richer. Vrtx Vizio sound bars are the latest in home audio technology, bringing a new level of immersive sound quality to your living room. These soundbars offer a comprehensive range of features and technologies that make them stand out from the competition. From their advanced virtual surround technology to their impressive sound quality, Vrtx Vizio sound bars are the perfect way to enhance your home entertainment experience. The soundbar itself has five drivers in total, each measuring 1.89 x 2.99in: there are forward-firing drivers for each of the left, centre and right channels, with an additional two upward-firing drivers for the left and right height channels.