Soundbars are a great and compact way to enhance your music listening experience when you don't have space for a full home theater setup. You can get great stereo audio reproduction with soundbars and excellent bass performance when your system has a dedicated subwoofer, although one isn't necessary to enjoy good audio fidelity. Not all soundbars are the same, and you should choose one that suits your needs, whether you prefer using Bluetooth, your home Wi-Fi network, or even AirPlay to stream your favorite tracks.
We've tested over 230 soundbars, and below are our recommendations for the best soundbars for music. Also, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars (if you watch a lot of movies), and the best budget soundbars.
Quick Look
Our recommendations are built upon our thorough testing and rigorous reviews. Every soundbar we evaluate goes through multiple testing stages with different teams to ensure accurate, authentic results. No cherry-picked units or data.
Curious how we've tested over 200 soundbars (and counting)? Look at our How We Test Soundbars article for a behind-the-scenes look at our lab and process.
-
Best Soundbar For Music
Music8.5Mixed Usage8.5Stereo Frequency Response8.5See all our test resultsStereo Soundstage7.5The Samsung HW-Q990F is the best soundbar for music that we've tested. This bar is the successor to the popular Samsung HW-Q990D and, thanks to its versatile sound, it's the perfect choice for all kinds of genres, from classics to modern-day pop. Although the differences between them are small, the HW-Q990F's redesigned sealed subwoofer doesn't chuff with deep bass frequencies like the previous model. The sub can reproduce a thumpy low-bass that brings genres like EDM and hip-hop to life with satisfying boom on kick drums. At the same time, its mids are quite neutral, so vocals and instruments, such as guitars and pianos, sound clear and natural in mixes.
If you crave a different sound, you're in luck! This bar has a lot of customization features, like a seven-band graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune its sound. It also has a room correction feature to optimize its output based on your room's unique acoustics. And, if that's not enough, the bar can get loud enough to fill a large room, which is great for parties. There's even Tap Sound support, so you can easily launch into your favorite tunes just by tapping your phone to the bar once connected via Bluetooth. It also supports Roon, a third-party app for managing your lossless audio library, alongside built-in Spotify, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Wi-Fi, for easy audio playback.
While it's hard to rival this bar, if you don't need as many customization features, you'll want to consider premium competitors like the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra. It's a great alternative, especially if you already own audio products in the manufacturer's ecosystem. However, it isn't as customizable as the Samsung since it lacks a graphic EQ. Overall, the Samsung performs marginally better across the board, with the exception of the soundstage, where the Sonos boasts a slightly wider sound.
-
Best Upper Mid-Range Soundbar For Music
Music8.2Mixed Usage8.3Stereo Frequency Response8.1See all our test resultsStereo Soundstage7.5The Samsung HW-Q930D is a great alternative if you want a standout performance at a more affordable price. This bar is a great value buy, especially since it offers many of the same functions and features as the more premium Samsung HW-Q990F. Right out of the box, this bar brings a clear and accurate reproduction of voices and lead instruments in all your favorite tracks, from vocal-centric pop to bass-heavy EDM and hip-hop. Its dedicated subwoofer also brings out all the thump and rumble in the bass. At least in the U.S., it seems to be available only through Best Buy and the manufacturer's website.
You'll find many of the same sound customization tools as with the more premium HW-Q990F. For example, its room correction feature automatically adjusts the sound to the unique needs of your listening space. If you prefer to switch it up on your own, there's a 7-band graphic EQ available in its companion app, so you can brighten the treble and bring more boom in the bass. This bar doesn't get quite as loud as its more premium cousin, though, and there's more compression when you push it to max volume, which muddies audio reproduction a bit. Still, it's worth a look for music lovers who want versatility and the ability to watch multi-channel content.
-
Best Mid-Range Soundbar For Music
Music8.3Mixed Usage8.1Stereo Frequency Response8.3See all our test resultsStereo Soundstage7.5Looking for a feature-rich setup that works well for music listening, but at a more mid-range price? The LG S90TR is one of the best soundbars we've tested in this price range. Its room correction feature helps it deliver a balanced sound right out of the box, with satisfying thump and rumble and clear, present dialogue. If you prefer a different sound, you also get a few EQ presets to tailor its sound to your taste. With its wide range of connectivity options, support for many audio formats, and wireless features like Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay, it's a convenient choice for streaming your favorite playlists and albums.
If you're spending this kind of money on a soundbar, you probably also want to know how well it performs reproducing movie and TV audio, and this bar does not disappoint. Its included satellites help create a spacious and dimensional soundstage, which works well when you switch from music to other content. That said, its Atmos performance is more limited. Because it relies only on the bar's up-firing speakers for height effects, scenes with overhead motion don't feel as full or as deep as what you'll hear on the Samsung HW-Q930D, which offers up-firing drivers in the rear satellites.
If you like the sound of the LG's performance but don't have room for rear speakers, you might prefer something like the Samsung HW-Q800F, which is a simple bar and sub offering. While the Samsung saves on space and offers a balanced sound for music listening, it's less versatile with other types of content, since without rear satellites, audio never really feels like it's coming from around you.
-
Best Budget Soundbar For Music
Music7.9Mixed Usage7.9Stereo Frequency Response8.4See all our test resultsStereo Soundstage7.0The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers is a great value proposition for those looking for a 5.1 setup that'll enhance your music listening experience at a comparatively low price point. This bar offers a generally balanced (with a little extra bass and treble than our target curve) frequency response across the full range, with the dedicated sub reproducing kick drums with plenty of thump and punch. It can get loud enough to fill up the average living room, without any of the noticeable compression that can cause pumping artifacts. Of course, being a budget bar, there are tradeoffs. You don't get the LG S90TR's advanced customization tools or sound enhancement features, such as room correction, but the Amazon setup still offers bass and treble adjustments along with EQ presets. So you've got all the basics you need to produce a good, satisfying sound.
And when you want to switch over to movie watching, the two included satellites help create a sense of space, and the system supports 5.1 formats like Dolby Digital as well as more advanced options, including Dolby Atmos. However, without any dedicated up-firing drivers, you won't get height effects that feel as immersive as the pricier models on our list. If immersive Atmos is a must, but you're still sticking to a budget, the Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 is worth considering, as its dedicated up-firing drivers create more convincing overhead effects. The trade-off is that the Vizio requires wired connections for its satellites and sub, which limits where you can place them. By contrast, the Amazon's fully wireless design offers more placement flexibility, a deeper and more impactful bass response, and a more balanced overall sound.
-
Best Small Soundbar For Music
Music7.5Mixed Usage7.4Stereo Frequency Response7.4See all our test resultsStereo Soundstage8.0If you don't have the space for a full setup like the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speaker, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is well worth considering. Whether in a small room or a tight apartment, the Sonos won't take up a lot of space. It has the same compact design as the original Sonos Beam, measuring under 26 inches in width, with a sleek and premium style that blends in easily with your decor. Compared to its predecessor, it supports Dolby Atmos content frequently found on streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs. Using psychoacoustic principles, it stretches sound well past the edges of the bar itself, so you get a wide and immersive-sounding experience with your audio, just like if you were seated right in the middle of the action.
Like the premium Sonos Arc Ultra, this soundbar has many customization tools, including a TruePlay room correction feature that adjusts audio output based on your room's acoustics. Voices and lead instruments are clear right out of the box, but its bass and treble adjustments give you extra control over its sound. Bass lovers can add on a separate sub if they want, and Sonos sells compatible satellites, too: the full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers is a great option if you have space for the extra components. Of course, compared to the Arc Ultra, this smaller soundbar doesn't get quite as loud and can't reproduce as much height in the soundstage. That said, it's still a solid pick overall.
This soundbar can also stream audio using AirPlay, but for more targeted picks, check out the best soundbars with AirPlay.
Notable Mentions
-
Samsung HW-Q990C:
The Samsung HW-Q990C is the 2023 model of the 2025 Samsung HW-Q990F (and, prior to that, the 2024 Samsung HW-Q990D). The largest difference is that the newest Q990F supports HDMI 2.1, which benefits gamers. A couple of additional sound features also exist to group different speakers or channels together. If you don't need these features, the older model is worth considering, as it offers a similar overall sound performance to the F model. You may even be able to find it discounted now that it's an older model.
See our review -
Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module:
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module is a high-end soundbar with an unconventional four-speaker and subwoofer configuration. This setup creates a very wide and immersive stereo soundstage (depending on how you place the speakers), which is pleasing for adding an expansive quality to your music. On the other hand, it's less versatile than the Samsung HW-Q990F, with fewer sound enhancements to customize the experience.
See our review -
LG S95AR:
The LG S95AR is a high-tier 9.1.5 soundbar that sounds great out of the box for stereo music with stereo dynamics and stereo soundstage performance that matches the Samsung HW-Q930D. However, the LG is slightly more expensive and has slightly higher latency than the Samsung.
See our review -
Klipsch Flexus Core 300:
Unlike most of the picks on this list, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is an all-in-one soundbar. That can be handy for anyone looking for a simpler setup that saves space. Of course, it also means you won't get a dedicated sub or satellites, like you do with larger setups like the LG S90TR. That means you'll miss out on some low-bass thump, and surround content will sound less immersive. But if your main use case is listening to music, that tradeoff could be well worth it.
See our review -
TCL S55H:
The TCL S55H is a no-nonsense 2.1 soundbar that doesn't come with many frills whatsoever, or offer as much versatility as the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers and its 5.1. configuration. However, for stereo music mixes, the TCL sounds good with a pretty balanced tuning, ample low-end, and a room calibration tool for an affordable price.
See our review
Recent Updates
Dec 01, 2025:
The LG S90TR is our new mid-range pick, and we've removed our lower mid-range entry as it was not offering extra value for our readers. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers is our new budget pick. Finally, in our Notable Mentions, we added the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 as an all-in-one solution, and replaced the LG S95TR with the LG S95AR.
Feb 06, 2025:
We've made some changes to align this article with other recommendation articles. The Samsung HW-Q930D replaces the HW-Q930C. The lack of availability for Vizio soundbars has meant that we've removed the lower mid-range pick and added the Hisense AX5125H as a budget pick, with the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 added as a comparison.
Nov 07, 2024:
This article has been updated to remove discontinued products like the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. The LG S90TR has been added as an alternative to the Samsung HW-Q900C, while the LG S95TR, Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module, and TCL S55H have been added as Notable Mentions. A note about the Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4 was also added.
Aug 12, 2024: We've removed the Klipsch Cinema 800 from the Notable Mentions as it's no longer available.
May 16, 2024: We've replaced the Samsung HW-Q990C with the HW-Q990D, which is its successor. We've moved the HW-Q990C to the Notable Mentions, as it's possible to find this bar discounted now that it's last year's model.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top soundbars for music for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper soundbar wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no soundbars that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our soundbar reviews, sorted by their music performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. No soundbar is perfect. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.