The 6 Best Dolby Atmos Soundbars - Summer 2021 Reviews

The Samsung HW-Q950A is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar that we've tested and is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q950T. This well-built 11.1.4 setup comes with a wireless subwoofer and two satellite speakers. Also, it comes with an Auto EQ room correction feature that adjusts the bar's sound according to the unique acoustics of the room it's in.

With its room correction feature enabled, this bar has a well-balanced and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content. There's also a graphic EQ and presets you can use to customize its sound to better suit your preferences. It features a Full HDMI In port so you can use it as a hub between your devices. Additionally, it can get pretty loud with little compression present at max volume, so your audio sounds clean during louder listening sessions. This bar even comes with Alexa built-in, and there's a mute mic button you can use when you no longer want it to listen to you.

Unfortunately, it lacks an AUX port so you can't wire your older devices to the bar. It also doesn't produce a bass as extended as that of its predecessor, which may disappoint some fans of bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. However, if you're looking for a versatile soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos content, it's still a solid choice.

The best Dolby Atmos soundbar with a 5.1 setup that we've tested is the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. This premium 5.1.2 setup comes with a dedicated subwoofer and two satellite speakers to help immerse you in your audio content from all angles. When playing Atmos content, it uses up-firing speakers on the bar to fire sound up to the ceiling and back down towards you to create the illusion of height.

This soundbar comes with a room correction feature that automatically optimizes audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of the room you're listening in. With this feature turned on, this soundbar has a slightly bright sound profile, but you can use its bass and treble adjustments to get a more neutral sound if you prefer. There's also a dialogue enhancement mode, which can make voices in your movies more clear and crisp.

Unfortunately, this soundbar doesn't come with a Full HDMI In port, so you can't use it as a hub between your different devices. Also, you can't buy the bar, the sub, and the satellites as a package at the moment, but you can buy these components separately and pair them together for an immersive sound. Ultimately, if you want a 5.1 setup for watching Atmos content, it's a solid choice.

The best standalone Dolby Atmos soundbar we've tested is the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar. Its unique 13-speaker integrated design creates an immersive experience with only a standalone bar. It's an eye-catcher with such a massive design and high-end look.

While not as great as dedicated down-firing speakers, it still produces good surround sound thanks to its unique 3D audio mode. Its room correction feature helps adapt audio to your room using an external microphone to enhance your listening experience. It has an impressive amount of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Chromecast built-in. It also has a standby mode triggered by 20 minutes of inactivity. If you need to clean them, you can remove the fabric covering the speakers.

Unfortunately, it's large, and finding the right position for it is difficult. If you don't have AMBEO mode activated, the sound signature also lacks bass and instead leans more bright. On the upside, if you don't like this sound profile, you can customize the EQ with the companion app. While it may be difficult to find on some third-party retailers, you can still purchase it on the Sennheiser website. If you're looking for a standalone option that can do it all without a dedicated subwoofer, this one is a good choice.

The best budget Atmos soundbar that we've tested is the TCL Alto 8i. This 2.1 setup has two subwoofers integrated into the bar, which helps with bass production. It's advertised as Roku TV Ready, so it should be easy to pair it with your Roku TV.

When set to the 'Music' EQ preset, its sound profile is punchy and boomy overall, though its mid-range is well-balanced, so dialogue sounds clear and present in the mix. There are bass and treble adjustments, as well as three EQ presets, letting you tweak the sound profile to your liking. It has a wide soundstage, and it's suitable for large rooms since it can get very loud. You can also stream audio wirelessly from your smart device via Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, since it doesn't come with satellite speakers, it has to downmix surround sound content into stereo, which results in a less immersive surround sound experience. Also, it lacks a dialogue enhancement feature and room correction feature, so its sound profile may vary depending on the room it's in. That said, if you're looking for a soundbar at a more affordable price point and don't mind a simpler design, it's still among the best budget Dolby Atmos soundbars we've tested.