However, the rechargeable rear speakers that can also be used as bluetooth speakers, number of HDMI ports, easy setup and immersive sound make this such a flexible soundbar.(Note: in some countries, you get the JBL Bar 1300 – without the X – which has a smaller 10-inch subwoofer driver instead of the 12-inch in the X version. This is a relatively small difference, and doesn't alter our overall opinion.) On the face of it, Dolby Atmos audio at this price ought to be a compelling prospect. Sadly, the reality is somewhat disappointing. Yes, there’s a hint of extra spatial information when listening to a Dolby Atmos movie but, in all honesty, it’s barely perceptible. First things first, the Stealth LED Soundbar is a multi-format device that can be used Wirelessly on Mobile, Tablets and PC via Bluetooth connectivity. The solution? A quality soundbar. “Adding a soundbar to your TV will make a significant improvement to your viewing experience,” Paul says. “Entry-level models will give you clearer audio and generally better range. More advanced models provide surround-sound formats such as Dolby Atmos. Top-end models, from the likes of Sony and Sonos, can genuinely transform your movie watching experience to something that approaches what you’d hear from a full home cinema sound system.”

Soundbars with Atmos generally have upwards-firing speakers that bounce audio off the ceiling to achieve this audio height and this can be very effective, although how effective they are depends on how high your ceilings are. There’s usually an optimal height, which you can find in the specifications. 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. True surround sound means speakers are positioned around you. Some soundbars on this list, like the Samsung Q990C also come with a subwoofer and two smaller rear channel speakers, meaning you can place them around your room. Wi-Fi isn't quite as simple to configure as Bluetooth, but it lets you set up multi-room sound systems so you can seamlessly play music all over your house. It also enables lossless audio because of its high bandwidth. Fired up, it doesn’t take long to conclude that the Arc is, by a long chalk, the most immersive sounding model in the test. Its directional tweeters spray Atmos effects around the room with remarkable deftness, creating an impressively tangible soundstage. When it comes to bass performance, you’re unlikely to be dissatisfied with the response in most rooms, unless, that is, you happen to live in a barn.If you’re part of the Alexa smart home ecosystem and want an affordable soundbar to slot neatly into it, the Polk React is the best choice around. If you’ve got a bit more cash to play with and want superior audio quality, we recommend you take a look at the Sonos Beam 2. Make no mistake, the Bar 2.0 embodies the absolute minimum you need in a soundbar. So while you do get a basic remote, there’s no display, just a multi-colour colour status LED. Music streaming is only possible via Bluetooth from your phone or tablet. There’s no Wi-Fi. While genuine overhead sounds are perhaps a stretch too far for this petite performer, its virtual delivery of the Atmos format outstrips any similarly priced soundbar and even a few that are more expensive. The Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping, spatial soundscape with rich, detailed audio as well as tangible motion and depth. As we found when reviewing the latest Beam, "the soundstage is expansive and we try pairing the new Beam both with larger 55-inch and 65-inch screens, as well as a more modest 43-incher, and it enhances the cinematic scale and viewing experience for all three". The Ray has been conceived to slot into cabinets without its sonic dispersion being impacted. However, it doesn’t feature the virtual Dolby Atmos decoding of Sonos’ more premium soundbars – the Beam Gen 2 and Arc (both below). So, pragmatically, Sonos also decided to ditch the HDMI eARC connections of its pricier products in favour of a classic optical input, which almost every TV will have, but monitors and consoles may not.

The Stage V2 has connection options aplenty, too. Optical, HDMI ARC and AUX connections are all supported, while a USB-C port allows you to hook the bar up to your PC and use it as a desktop soundbar. Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth is also available for those wanting to stream content from external devices.Press the Select button to confirm selection. The Gaming Session Timer symbol will stay solid on screen The Menu button is where the Useful Features Reside… And once accessed within the Menu, these will appear as little symbols/icons (shown below).