RTINGS

If you want to have a lot of control over how your setup sounds, consider the Samsung HW-Q950A instead. It comes with some additional features that the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module lacks, like a 7-band graphic EQ. It's ideal if you want more ability to customize its sound profile, especially in the mid-range where most voices reproduce.

Overall, this setup has a very versatile performance. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS content, offering a pretty immersive listening experience with movies. Dialogue in movies and TV shows is reproduced clearly thanks to its balanced and neutral sound, especially in the mids, and its dedicated sub offers a fairly present and thumpy bass for music genres like hip-hop and EDM. There's even a Full HDMI In port that supports video passthrough, which the Bose lacks.

So why isn't it the top pick? When you break down the overall score, you can see that it doesn't perform as well as the Bose when it comes to some key sound tests - and the difference is noticeable when you compare them back-to-back with real-life content. The Samsung's soundstage isn't as wide or immersive-sounding as the Bose, and it doesn't reproduce as much bass out-of-the-box, so you feel less thump and rumble in action movies. It's a great setup, but if you're just looking for a plug-and-play bar, the extra customization features aren't worth it.

If you're looking for a premium Atmos soundbar that gives you more control over the bar's sound, check out the Samsung HW-Q950A. This premium 11.1.4 setup comes with a fantastic selection of sound enhancement features, including a 7-band graphic EQ that lets you adjust the bar's sound more to your liking. There are lots of EQ presets available, too, so you can change the bar's settings with the touch of a button.

With Dolby Atmos content, the bar uses up-firing drivers built into the bar and the satellites to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you, which creates the illusion of height. Thanks to its neutral sound profile, this soundbar reproduces dialogue in your favorite movies accurately and with detail. Its dedicated subwoofer reproduces an extended low-bass, so you feel the thump and rumble in action-packed scenes.

When you compare it to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers, you notice that the bar's soundstage isn't quite as wide and immersive-sounding. Also, if you have an LG TV, the bar has issues streaming Atmos content via passthrough, which is disappointing if you want to connect the bar to an Xbox, PS5, or Apple TV. If you don't use passthrough, it's still a solid pick.

The Samsung HW-Q950A is the best customizable soundbar for music that we've tested. This 11.1.4 setup comes with lots of sound customization features to help you adjust its sound to your liking, so unlike the Bose and the Sonos, you find lots of EQ presets as well as a 7-band graphic EQ to control the sound across the range. There's also a room correction feature to optimize audio based on your room's unique acoustics, so your favorite songs are clear in any space. 

Right out-of-the-box, it has a neutral sound profile, especially in the mids where most vocals and lead instruments are reproduced. Its bass range is a little bit quiet compared to the Bose out-of-the-box, but fortunately, you can use its subwoofer level adjustment to simulate a similar performance. As a result, you can feel the thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM.

Overall, it's a very versatile soundbar, but its performance isn't perfect. First, its soundstage is good, but it isn't as wide and immersive-sounding as what you get with the Bose and the Sonos. Also, its bass and treble adjustments don't actually change the frequency response, so you have to rely on the graphic EQ to customize its sound. It's a great choice if you're willing to put in the time to balance out its sound to your liking, but its out-of-the-box performance isn't as good as the Bose.

The best customizable soundbar for movies that we've tested is the Samsung HW-Q950A. Unlike the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, this 11.1.4 setup comes with many different EQ presets to help you customize its sound, as well as a 7-band graphic EQ to control different frequencies across the range. It supports both Dolby Atmos and surround sound content, offering an immersive sound that brings your favorite movies to your living room.

Like most premium setups, this bar comes with a room correction feature to automatically optimize its audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics - Samsung calls it Auto EQ. With this feature on, its sound profile is quite neutral and balanced which ensures dialogue is clear and present in the mix, but the bass is a bit lacking compared to the Bose. You can easily fix this with its included subwoofer level adjustment feature, though.

While its soundstage is good, there's a noticeable difference when you compare it to the Bose or the Sonos. The focus is good, but it isn't as wide as the competition, so you don't get the same sense of immersion from all angles. Also, its bass and treble adjustments didn't work on the model that we purchased, which is quite disappointing for such a premium bar. Still, if you want a feature-packed setup, it's a solid pick.

Upgrade Pick

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. but it works in a pinch for casual). Yeah, it has it's idiosyncrasies (display on top; Samsung Smart Things controls vs remote; limited gaming connections/120Hz support), but I LIKE the cloth cover! Would I buy it again? MOST LIKELY (only if Samsung has another humongous gift card promotion).  Some of my particulars: A low profile is a must (2

 Demo 4K Discs: Avenger's Endgame (Dolby Atmos) - awesome! clear voices w/surrounds+sub in play (it rumbles); 2001 Space Odyssey (DTS-HD) - not so much with classical music playing. Haven't run into any eARC issues yet. Waiting for Harry Potter 4K to show up to check DTS-X.

 Get movies/TV programs, whether it's streamed, through a cable box, or with a UHD Blu Ray player to the TV and the soundbar with no lag or dropouts and provide immersive sound. Does it deliver? YES. Is it expensive? YES. Is it as good as a dedicated HT rig? OF COURSE NOT (but its close enough)

I was looking for a premium soundbar to go with a new Sony A80J 77" OLED TV. My requirements are simple since I'm not a gamer. Get movies/TV programs, whether it's streamed, through a cable box, or with a UHD Blu Ray player to the TV and the soundbar with no lag or dropouts and provide immersive sound. Does it deliver? YES

Best soundbar available if your expectations are reasonable and straightforward

I first bought a Samsung T59 soundbar, which didn't cut it. The bass was not good. Replaced it with the Q800A, and it was like day and night. Great crisp detailed highs and super lows that you can feel if you want to crank it up

 Replaced it with the Q800A, and it was like day and night. Great crisp detailed highs and super lows that you can feel if you want to crank it up. Bought the rear speakers for it as well and love the set up. The only real negatives are Samsung's awkward and unfriendly menu system for setting the sound as you want it and lack of documentation about what the various setting do and which are better to use in what situations

Awesome sound quality with the bass I desired

 Two hdmi ends one hdmi, earc output, usb for service, a little network button, subwoofer pairing button and then on the very far end is the power input. Let'S just flip this around on the top center looks like there's a little led display volume up volume down, looks like possibly a mute button or cancel button and then probably a selection button or menu button. It does support dolby atmos dts-x with 11.1

 Speakers were more spacious, rather than coming from above my head. Keep in mind that the placement and the type of room that you have will impact the sound greatly. So the things that i heard or didn't hear might sound totally different in yours. One more thing that we've got to check out is the automatic room eq

 Okay, with the surround speakers, we get two power chords, one for the left, one for the right. Let'S take a quick look at these all right, so this is the surround speaker up front. I believe there's a full full range driver up front and i believe, there's another full range driver on the top for the atmos speakers. So this is going to be forward firing and then the driver up top here will be upwards firing for your rear, atmos height effects

8 inches deep and it weighs 27.2 pounds besides the power cord. This does pair with the soundbar wirelessly the same for the surround speakers all right. So what do we got here? This is the q950a

BEST SOUNDBAR 2021? Samsung Q950A Soundbar Review & Demo

At the time of me writing this I can grab a Samsung HW-Q950A for $999, or spend a little more on a Sonos Arc and Sub for $1,449. They’re regularly the same price and would have done Sonos but the low price on the Samsung really has me interested. Another point to the Samsung for me is my wife is considering getting a Blu Ray player and since most Blu Rays are in DTS:X the Sonos would be basically useless.

 Like I said, more surround and 360 atmos sound than many other setups, or even just about any other soundbar or basic home theater setup. But… I don’t think I would say more immersive. The bass is quite poor. The Sonos arc with surrounds setup even without a sub attached has better sounding and more powerful bass than this unit with the soundbar

1 and I don’t want a middle man from my devices to the tv. I will add that this may be partially the tv as the culprit. The setup I prefer works with the Sonos arc setup, but I have had some “handshake” issues with that as well from the Apple TV to the tv itself then to the arc. I’ve only noticed this once and it didn’t last long, but I do want to mention

 Just seems like getting multiple devices to handshake via hdmi and understand what each device is sending and receiving along the way in general can get complicated. - sound quality was fair. Like I said, more surround and 360 atmos sound than many other setups, or even just about any other soundbar or basic home theater setup. But… I don’t think I would say more immersive

 Yes this did a better surround/360 atmos job than the traditional home theater setup I was using. - airplay 2 function worked without a hiccup.  Here is the bad: - want to know what content is playing? I did. And couldn’t

Sounds Good When Works

4 Samsung Q950A, there's the JBL Bar 9, the Sony HT-A5/7000, and my current pick, the 5.0.1 Sonos Arc. There's also the Klipsch Cinema 1200

There's the 11.1.4 Samsung Q950A, there's the JBL Bar 9, the Sony HT-A5/7000, and my current pick, the 5.0

This is our small home theater sound system, fitting into a room about 10x20. In that space, this sound bar can fill the room with ease and shake the walls without breaking a sweat. Installation and set up was easy, even accounting for the addition of the rear speakers which connect wirelessly. The system auto detects the activation of the inputs and turns on for us making it one less remote to program/reach for to get ready to use

 Installation and set up was easy, even accounting for the addition of the rear speakers which connect wirelessly. The system auto detects the activation of the inputs and turns on for us making it one less remote to program/reach for to get ready to use.  We've watched a number of movies as well as connected this to an XBox console for gaming and in each case it was some of the highest quality and most immersive sound I've had outside a full THX theater. Admittedly, the smaller subwoofer means some of the base is a little lighter than ideal, but considering the space we're working in, it's still more than enough

  We've watched a number of movies as well as connected this to an XBox console for gaming and in each case it was some of the highest quality and most immersive sound I've had outside a full THX theater. Admittedly, the smaller subwoofer means some of the base is a little lighter than ideal, but considering the space we're working in, it's still more than enough.

Room Shaking Sound

 Now, I hope this one doesn't malfunction shortly after the return window . . .  UPDATE II: Uh oh

  UPDATE: I thought twice and decided to get another HW-Q60T soundbar to replace the faulty unit, because of its ability to interface seamlessly with my Samsung TV[s]. I figured I'd return it immediately if it performed poorly, but this one doesn't perform poorly. It works well. The volume is fine and the bass is punchy

 .  UPDATE II: Uh oh. The volume problems are happening again. For shows I could watch with the volume set at 28-35, I now have to set between 75-95

I purchased the HW-Q60T soundbar to go with our new Samsung Q80T television. This replaced an old Samsung soundbar/wireless sub I liked that stayed with the house we sold. The Q60T was easy to set up and interfaced immediately with the TV and the wireless subwoofer. I was underwhelmed with the weak sound output

Weak sound and poor support

 Maybe put a small prism on top? * I gave up trying to enable Alexa on the thing. This may be important to you, but I don't use Alexa anyway. * I also couldn't update firmware via the app for some reason. Worked fine with a USB stick

1.2. I really like how everything is wireless except power cords and HDMI, the dialog enhancement option is pretty neat, and the AutoEQ feature works with nothing but the soundbar and the subwooder themselves.  I also like that it is relatively futureproof, as every standard short of HDMI 2

1.4 configuration, and still called it the best soundbar. So if you are looking at the HW-Q950A, and the market price of the HW-Q900A + SWA-9500S is significantly lower, you may want to consider that option.  I'm no audiophile but the HW-Q900A sounds pretty incredible to me as-is in 7

0.2, but RTINGS tested the HW-Q950A mostly in 9.1.4 configuration, and still called it the best soundbar

Very nice soundbar. Consider the HW-Q900A + SWA-9500S over the HW-Q950A, depending on price

 The sound would cut out every minute or so. I ended up streaming to it via Bluetooth but that is problematic as every time I turned out the TV it would break the BT connection and I would have to manually reconnect it. I decided to reconnect it to the wifi as it would not do so. I spend 1

 I decided to reconnect it to the wifi as it would not do so. I spend 1.5 hours with a Samsung tech who finally managed to get me reconnected to the soundbar only to have Alexa still not working. I called back only to find there was no documentation on my first call

 That by itself is not unusual, however the phone must be present if you want to use Alexa. What happens if you have people without phones? Well, Alaxa will not work. Really? So between the horrrible tech support combined with a pathetic design, I cannot recommend this system except for its exceptional sound when playing music and TV

Wifi ? Sort of, sound quality is great but wifi connectivity requires phones to be present

Feel every word, every moment, every emotion, elevated. The new VIZIO Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X plus 18 total speakers with separate tweeters and dual woofers to breathe thrilling life into the latest movies, sports, gaming, and more. Revolutionary auto-rotating Adaptive Height Speakers blast sound off the ceiling, delivering completely immersive overhead surround sound. When rotated forward, these speakers provide a wider soundstage and clearer vocals to standard surround and stereo modes, particularly great for music. Voice Assistant Input lets you use the voice-enabled device you’re already accustomed to (sold separately) right through the sound bar, in addition to convenient Chromecast built-in and Bluetooth streaming. Three HDMI ports connect two 4K devices to the TV with eARC making setup clean and simple.

The best 5.1 soundbar with passthrough that we've tested is the Vizio Elevate. Unlike the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module, this setup has a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough, including Dolby Vision Passthrough. You can use the bar as a hub between different devices to play 5.1 surround sound movies and video games from your PC on your TV. Additionally, text on your screen appears clear and crisp.

This premium 5.1.4 setup has decent performance with surround sound, thanks to its two satellite speakers that offer a clear and real representation of sound objects like voices and moving vehicles. Its soundstage is quite wide, too, and the bar's unique design means that its sides can rotate upwards to make the soundstage seem even wider. Its bass-heavy sound profile means that you feel the extra punch in the bass range, especially during action scenes, while its balanced mids ensure that dialogue is still clearly reproduced.

Unfortunately, this soundbar doesn't come with a room correction feature, meaning that it can sound a bit different depending on the room you're in. It's also not ideal if you prefer a more neutral sound since you need to use its bass and treble adjustments to reduce the amount of bass it reproduces. Still, it's a very versatile 5.1 setup.

Wirecutter

The Elevate, with dedicated surround speakers and a subwoofer, delivers a dynamic, immersive audio experience, but voices don’t sound as clear as they do through our top pick.

The Elevate, with surround speakers and a subwoofer, delivers a dynamic, immersive audio experience and checks all the boxes in terms of soundbar features.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, check out the Vizio Elevate. It's a 5.1.4 setup with a unique design, as its sides automatically rotate upwards when you watch height content like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X for a more immersive feel. As a result, it has a wide soundstage that rivals some of our top picks, making you feel like you're right in the center of the action from the comfort of your living room. Its subwoofer brings the rumble in action-packed scenes, and its two rear satellites make sound effects more clear and real. However, you have to wire the satellites to the subwoofer to get them to work, which adds some extra annoying cables to your living room.

This soundbar is also a great choice for music and TV shows. There's a little extra boom in the bass range right out of the box, which is great for listening to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM, and its balanced mids mean that voices are still clear and present in the mix. Unfortunately, you don't get as many features as our top pick, the Samsung HW-Q990B, and the lack of room correction means that it sounds different depending on the room you're in. You can use its bass and treble adjustments to make up for this a bit, which is nice. If you want a bar with more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ, you can check out the Samsung HW-Q900A. It's a versatile alternative that comes without satellites, which is good if you don't have a lot of space. However, the tradeoff is obvious with surround sound, as you don't get the same immersive feel as the Vizio.

The best mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar that we've tested is the Vizio Elevate. It's a premium bar available at a more affordable price than our top picks, and although it doesn't offer as many features, it's still a solid choice for listening to Dolby Atmos content. Its unique design comes with sides that automatically rotate upwards when you watch DTS:X or Dolby Atmos content, resulting in a wide, immersive soundstage that stretches sound to the walls of your living room. You can turn the feature on when you watch other types of content. Also, it comes with two rear speakers, so you get the impression that sound effects are coming from accurate locations in the room around you, all matching the action that takes place on your screen. There's also a sub that brings the thump and rumble in the bass that brings action-heavy scenes and intense movie scores to life.

Overall, it's a versatile option, meaning you can enjoy music, podcasts, and TV shows. Its default sound is pretty balanced, especially in the mids, where most voices and lead instruments reproduce, and the sub brings a little extra boom in the bass range that emphasizes bass-heavy genres like EDM. Compared to our top picks, you won't find a room correction feature, so it sounds a little different depending on the room you're in. Its bass and treble adjustments can make up for it a bit, but you don't have a graphic EQ to customize across the range. If you're looking for a customizable bar at a similar price point, you can check out the Samsung HW-Q900A. It's a versatile alternative that comes without satellites, which is good if you don't have a lot of space. However, the tradeoff is obvious with surround sound, as you don't get the same immersive feel as the Vizio.

The Vizio Elevate is the best 5.1 soundbar in the upper mid-range that we've tested. It's a premium 5.1.4 bar with a unique design, as the sides of the bar rotate upwards when you watch Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, which helps create a wider, more immersive soundstage. You can also turn this feature on when you watch 5.1 content, like Dolby Digital or DTS. Thanks to its two discrete satellites, it offers a clear and real representation of surround sound, and the action seems like it's happening all around you, with sound effects coming from distinct locations. Unfortunately, you have to wire these satellites to the bar to get them to work, which can clutter your living space.

With its dedicated subwoofer, this soundbar has no trouble reproducing the deep thump and rumble in action-heavy scenes or powerful movie scores. There's a little extra boom in the bass though voices are still clear and present in the mix thanks to its balanced mids. You have some customization tools on hand, but not as many as the most premium setups, like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. Without room correction, for example, it sounds a bit different depending on the acoustics of your space. Still, it's a versatile pick that's more affordable than the top-of-the-line models.

Wallet-conscious shoppers can also look at another more affordable option, the Vizio Elevate. It's the best mid-range bar we've tested, with versatile performance that makes it a good choice for listening to lots of different types of audio content. As with most Vizio soundbars, its dedicated subwoofer can reproduce a deep and thumpy low-bass, ensuring you feel all the rumble in action-heavy movies or bass-heavy music genres. There's already some extra emphasis in the bass right out of the box, and you can use its bass and treble adjustments to get a different sound if you like. However, unlike the Samsung HW-Q990B, you won't find a room correction feature, so it sounds a little different depending on the room you're in. You also have to wire the satellites to the sub to get them to work, which isn't ideal for every living area.

That said, this soundbar stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique design, with sides that automatically rotate upwards when you watch Dolby Atmos or DTS:X height content. It's a tool that brings more width and dimension to its soundstage, so you get the sense that audio is coming from all around you. You can turn this feature on when you watch other kinds of content, like 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, which is found on many streaming platforms. Its rear satellites bring a more immersive feel, so sound effects seem clear and real in the space around you. If you don't have room for satellites, the Samsung HW-Q900A is a good alternative at a similar price, which comes with a graphic EQ for greater customization. However, the tradeoff is obvious with surround sound, as you don't get the same realistic feel as with the Vizio.

The Vizio Elevate is a more wallet-friendly option that still does a great job with dialogue-centric content, including movies and TV shows. It's a 5.1.4 setup, so it has fewer surround channels than our top options. However, with its discrete center, dialogue doesn't get lost in the action, and you have no problem making out voices in the mix. It has some dialogue-focused tools, like a voice enhancement feature and a night mode to balance its volume level between different programs. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q930B, there's no room correction tool, meaning it can sound a little different depending on your room's layout, but at least there are bass and treble adjustments to make up for this.

Overall, this soundbar's unique design makes it stand out from the crowd. Its sides rotate upwards when you watch Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, and you can program it to perform the same with other formats. As a result, it offers a really wide, immersive-sounding soundstage that makes it feel like you're sitting right in the middle of your favorite flicks. Its subwoofer brings plenty of rumble in the bass, and its rear speakers stretch sound effects to the space around your living room. With its balanced mids, voices remain clear and present in the mix, making it a solid pick for lovers of more intense movies. Unfortunately, you have to wire the satellites to the sub, which isn't ideal for every layout. Still, it's a versatile bar for its price, and you have no trouble with dialogue.

Another more wallet-friendly option for movies is the Vizio Elevate. It's a 5.1.4 setup, and the sides of the bar automatically rotate upwards when you watch either Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content. This unique tool widens the bar's soundstage a bit, meaning you feel like the action in your favorite films is happening all around you. You can even turn it on with other types of audio content, too, if you want a more cinematic feel. With movies, it does a great job bringing the action to the space around you, and sound effects play out in a way that matches the action on your screen. As with our top picks, there's a sub to bring the rumble in the bass range, too. Also, you get two rear speakers included&mdash;however, you have to wire them to the subwoofer, which adds some extra wires to your living room setup.

Out-of-the-box, the bar's sound profile brings a little extra emphasis in the bass range, which helps you feel the excitement in action-packed movie scenes. Dialogue is still quite clear, thanks to its balanced mids, even if higher frequencies are a little dull due to the recessed treble compared to our top picks. There are bass and treble adjustments on hand to help you get a different sound, which is helpful, especially since there isn't a room correction feature or a full graphic EQ. Overall, if you don't need those extra sound enhancement tools, it's a great pick, and its versatile performance makes it suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content.

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NeverEnoughTech

Digital Trends

Andrew Robinson

Frantic TV

 This is something that you can get that technology in your home, theater for under a thousand dollars for me to go into the other direction of just like, like having the conventional speakers with the receiver just just a receiver. Sometimes it's a thousand dollars which is insane. I mean there's this cheaper ones, but that's the thing you have to go through that whole ordeal of finding the right one. What, if you buy something that doesn't have what you're looking for so visual, is claiming that they they have everything that you need uh at a small with a small budget, and so so a more bang for your money

 Let me know uh in the comments what you think about these speakers, make sure you like subscribe and i'll see you the next one ciao you 

 So let's i'm gon na. Try that, let's, let's let's see if it works, i mean the price was something it was a selling point. This is something that you can get that technology in your home, theater for under a thousand dollars for me to go into the other direction of just like, like having the conventional speakers with the receiver just just a receiver. Sometimes it's a thousand dollars which is insane

 At least at the beginning, they say that they, they utilize uh the dolby atmos, so we're gon na pop it in and see uh how it sounds: [, Music, ] man, this this sound bar is unreal. Oh, my god, i guys i i mean it's gon na be hard for the sound to come through uh the video here, but i highly recommend this soundbar so far. My first impression is, i, i think, visual deliver on what they said about no compromise. I honestly felt like i was in the movie theater and, like i said before, if you have a small room that you can feel the sound with the sound bar, there's no reason for you to fill that room with speakers that is going to be overwhelming, and So, for the room that i have, this thing is amazing, and man like, like i said, i'm going

VIZIO Elevate - Best Home Theater Surround Sound Bar!!!

* **Rear Speakers** (wireless). Because of those wants, I've ruled out the Sony ST5000, Sennheiser Ambeo, Vizio Elevate, Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra, Sonos Arc, Bose 700, and a few others. The remaining soundbars I'm looking at (and I'm open to other options) are:. * LG SN11RG or SP11RA (once released)

 The remaining soundbars I'm looking at (and I'm open to other options) are:. * LG SN11RG or SP11RA (once released).

Sorry Vizio, I really wanted to fall in love with this sound bar but I ended up returning it. The major issue for me was the EXTREME volume of the sub woofer. Even on the very lowest setting the woofer volume was overwhelming. I spent hours on the internet reading about this problem and a good number of people are reporting the same issue

  For people that REALLY like over the top bass then this might be a good choice. But if you live in an apartment then you neighbors will end up hating you, LOL.

 It took it about 3-5 seconds. Then the volume would get really low and it was taking too long to turn it back up.  On the good side of things the software in the app for fine-tuning the sound was the best I have seen when it comes to so many ways to adjust things.  The other thing I really missed was the ability to have the sound bar play music on it's own like the SONOS and BOSE do

Really wanted to like this sound bar but ended up returning it.

I just got a Vizio Elevate and love it, took me a couple of days to get it set up the way I wanted and it sounds fantastic...

.no biggie, I just used the SmartCast app on my phone as a remote to adjust everything. I would give it 9 out of 10 based on my personal experience.

Bought the Elevate on sale for $700 (Best buy) but read a lot of comments like it: “Sounds great, but one of the most frustrating devices I’ve ever used.” Other comments have been about issues with the app and connectivity issues. If I’m going to pay that much money I’d rather not deal with these issues, but the Arc does cost more for less (no sub or rears). I’ve demod the Arc at Best Buy and thought it sounded awesome. Also, have read that it’s basically plug and play with no issues.

Return the elevate for the arc or keep it and pray for no issues?

<div class="md">Bought the Elevate on sale for $700 (Best buy) but read a lot of comments like it: “Sounds great, but one of the most frustrating devices I’ve ever used.” Other comments have been about issues with the app and connectivity issues. If I’m going to pay that much money I’d rather not deal with these issues, but the Arc does cost more for less (no sub or rears). I’ve demod the Arc at Best Buy and thought it sounded awesome. Also, have read that it’s basically plug and play with no issues.

Return the elevate for the arc or keep it and pray for no issues?
</div>

Vizio Elevate or Sonos Arc

 * Sonos Beam ← higher sound quality, smaller size maybe?. * Vizio Elevate - P514a-H6 ← higher sound quality, Atmos (but with Vizio's reliability, meh).

* Sonos Playbase ← higher sound quality, could take less place. * Bose Soundbar 700 ← higher sound quality. * Sonos Beam ← higher sound quality, smaller size maybe?. * Vizio Elevate - P514a-H6 ← higher sound quality, Atmos (but with Vizio's reliability, meh)

Here’s my dilemma. I’m writing this up partly to get advice but also to help me think it through…

I’ve just gotten a new TV, 65” Sony X950F (has eARC). I’d like to upgrade my soundbar too. I currently have a Samsung Q70R SB with the optional rears. It’s been mostly fine. Occasional bugs. The app is not great. Sound from the front is good. The rears feel like a gimmick. The Atmos *maybe* adds a bit of vertical soundstage but nothing dramatic or very impressive.

My priorities for the upgrade are: better rears that have power cables instead of the flimsy speaker cable that joins the current rears; ease of use/better app control; better SQ overall; better Atmos

The room is a huge combined lounge/dining/kitchen. It has a 10-20 degree upward sloping roof from the TV end, starting at about 8’.

I also own a pair of Sonos Ones and Gen 3 sub that we use as a 2.1 smart stereo in the dining/family part of the room, very close to the TV area.

The obvious path would be to get a Sonos Arc and turn the 2.1 into a combined music/HT setup. Except, the Arc is 16mm taller than the space below the screen of the TV and the TV cannot be wall-mounted. We have also just bought a really nice TV console for the TV to go on. So there’s a strong reluctance to using anything to raise the TV that will spoil the aesthetic of it. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on this front.

So these are my options:

1. Get the Arc and try to find a way to raise the TV tastefully or live with the slight screen covering. The advantages of the Arc are that it makes use of the Sonos pieces we already have, particularly the sub. It will also simplify and consolidate the set up of the room and bring QOL improvements with a much better app and Sonos reliability/consistency. I value the non-sound and non-surround qualities because I think the room and SBs in general limit the effectiveness of the surround features anyway. The downside with the Arc, apart from the fit, is that rears are single directional and it might slightly degrade the music experience due to placement.

2. Samsung Q870A. This is within budget and fits beneath the screen. The rears that come with that set would be a solid upgrade, they have up-firing speakers, are bigger and more robust. The downsides to this option are that the bar and sub are probably only a more marginal upgrade (not sure about this though, there are very few reviews of this set?) and all the usual Samsung QOL issues (bad app, potential bugs and inconsistencies etc.)

3. Samsung Q950A. For this option I’d have to wait for significant sales or look for a factory second. It would be a big SQ upgrade across the board. But the usual Samsung issues, plus fabric cover and display on top of the bar.

<div class="md">Here’s my dilemma. I’m writing this up partly to get advice but also to help me think it through…

I’ve just gotten a new TV, 65” Sony X950F (has eARC). I’d like to upgrade my soundbar too. I currently have a Samsung Q70R SB with the optional rears. It’s been mostly fine. Occasional bugs. The app is not great. Sound from the front is good. The rears feel like a gimmick. The Atmos maybe adds a bit of vertical soundstage but nothing dramatic or very impressive.

My priorities for the upgrade are: better rears that have power cables instead of the flimsy speaker cable that joins the current rears; ease of use/better app control; better SQ overall; better Atmos

The room is a huge combined lounge/dining/kitchen. It has a 10-20 degree upward sloping roof from the TV end, starting at about 8’.

I also own a pair of Sonos Ones and Gen 3 sub that we use as a 2.1 smart stereo in the dining/family part of the room, very close to the TV area.

The obvious path would be to get a Sonos Arc and turn the 2.1 into a combined music/HT setup. Except, the Arc is 16mm taller than the space below the screen of the TV and the TV cannot be wall-mounted. We have also just bought a really nice TV console for the TV to go on. So there’s a strong reluctance to using anything to raise the TV that will spoil the aesthetic of it. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on this front.

So these are my options:

<ol>
<li>Get the Arc and try to find a way to raise the TV tastefully or live with the slight screen covering. The advantages of the Arc are that it makes use of the Sonos pieces we already have, particularly the sub. It will also simplify and consolidate the set up of the room and bring QOL improvements with a much better app and Sonos reliability/consistency. I value the non-sound and non-surround qualities because I think the room and SBs in general limit the effectiveness of the surround features anyway. The downside with the Arc, apart from the fit, is that rears are single directional and it might slightly degrade the music experience due to placement.</li>
<li>Samsung Q870A. This is within budget and fits beneath the screen. The rears that come with that set would be a solid upgrade, they have up-firing speakers, are bigger and more robust. The downsides to this option are that the bar and sub are probably only a more marginal upgrade (not sure about this though, there are very few reviews of this set?) and all the usual Samsung QOL issues (bad app, potential bugs and inconsistencies etc.)</li>
<li>Samsung Q950A. For this option I’d have to wait for significant sales or look for a factory second. It would be a big SQ upgrade across the board. But the usual Samsung issues, plus fabric cover and display on top of the bar.</li>
</ol>
</div>

Help with my soundbar dilema

 If you have a capable smart speaker, you can even interface with the elevate using google assistant, siri or alexa. Installing the elevate isn't too difficult setup, on the other hand, is an entirely different story now, normally, this is where i would say. Thankfully, there is an app for that and i would talk about how the remote sucks and how the app is so much better. So you don't even need to use the remote and blah blah blah, but not today, not with the elevate

 So remember the only person who has to like the sound of your system is you it's a happy listening everybody thank you again for watching and we will see you on the next video bye yeah. I don't understand if it's saying foul exactly, why is it? Do you want to know how infuriating it is to have the bar every five seconds go found found while the while your phone is sitting right next to it, with a black screen going, we can't see the bar. What did you find yeah? What are you connected to because, according to the wi-fi settings on my phone, my wi-fi on my phone is connected to the sound bar? The app is like there's nothing here, there's nothing here and the bar is found found. Will you shut up found 

 The sound bar using the remote control just know that you're, probably gon na, have to fiddle with the settings just a bit. It can be very, very worth it, but i yeah, i will agree with you. I think i think when vizio started as a company - and i what's funny is - i was actually one of their first customers back when they were called v inc. Okay, that's how far back i go with the brand um vizio

 Okay, so that is our review of the vizio elevate, dolby atmos sound bar. What did you guys think? Let us know down in the comments below and while you're down there? My question of the day, for you is this: now that we have reviewed a number of sound bars and all of the sound bars on the market right now, which one is your favorite, who makes the best sound bar on the market right now. Let us know down in the comments below, if you like, this video, give it a thumbs up like and subscribe and ring that bell, so that you're notified when new videos come out. We are still raising money for feeding texas

GREAT Potential! VIZIO SoundBar - ELEVATE Dolby Atmos Sound Bar Review

 Vizio says, with its elevate, sound bar: it makes no compromises. Is that actually true we're about to find out [, Music ] welcome back everyone, i'm caleb dennison, and this sound bar was kind of purpose built for vizio's oled tv, but you can use it with any tv. You want in this video we're going to show you. What'S in the box, how to set it up, how atmos works and whether it will actually work for you and, of course just how good is this sound bar, but before we get into that, do me a favor and hit that like button, so that we can Get the support we need to keep making these videos, and also did you know that less than 10 of you watching right now are actually subscribed to this channel

 It'S extremely easy. I mean, as far as home, theater in a boxes go. This is probably one of the best examples. Yet thanks as always for watching everyone is dolby atmos on your list of home theater upgrades, and is this the sound bar? That'S going to do it, for you leave me a comment down below, so we can talk about it like subscribe, hit, that notification bell and here's two more videos to watch while you're here 

 We have a nicely flared port up top, which is going to help eliminate air noise as it's really thumping and then down below a couple of spots to plug in your surround speakers, underneath the sound bar on the left-hand side, you're going to find your optical digital Connection and then two aux connections - one of them, interestingly, is labeled for a smart speaker on the right-hand side. You'Ve got two hdmi inputs, so just two devices connecting directly to the sound bar and then the third hdmi port here is the e-arc port. So it'll send signal up to your tv from these two ports and it'll accept downstream audio from the tv right through this hdmi connection. What'S really interesting to me, though, is this sort of cutout area which has been designed specifically, so this sound bar can sit directly on the vizio oled tv stand once you've got all of the pieces out of the box

 The musicality of this sound bar is something that i'm extremely impressed by that's, usually one of the biggest pain points. The control over this sound bar is immense, like i can get it to sound exactly the way i want it to it's, also, a very, even contiguous, sound with great fidelity, which is another hallmark of a great soundbar and everything that you need to set this thing Up is in the box and then once you do go to set it up. It'S extremely easy. I mean, as far as home, theater in a boxes go

Samsung HW-Q950A vs Vizio Elevate

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