The Best Soundbars to fill your living room with cinema like sound under £500 

Unveiling Excellence: The Best Soundbars for 2023 Under £500 for Ultimate Audio Bliss

In the realm of home entertainment, soundbars have revolutionized the way we experience audio. With advancements in technology, achieving a premium audio experience no longer requires complex setups or exorbitant budgets. In this comprehensive guide, we’re on a quest to uncover the gems of sonic excellence – the best soundbars under £500.

From crystal-clear dialogue to thunderous bass, we’ll explore the top contenders that offer impressive sound quality, immersive features, and remarkable value, all while staying within a budget-friendly range. Whether you’re a movie aficionado, a music enthusiast, or a gaming guru, get ready to embark on a journey through the auditory wonders that await in the world of soundbars under £500. You will see a reference to Dolby Atmos in this post, for a simple explanation check my post here

I love home cinema, every thing about it, the clear speech, the surround effects and the bass..oh the bass! but theres so many to choose from, and I’ve only got £500 to spend, can i get what i want, yes sir you can check out my list of the toptech7 sound bars you can get for under £500

1 Bose Soundbar 600

Bose is my go to brand, i love bose for the sound fullness if nothing else. This one comes in a penny under our limit and i love it, at has dolby atmos ( amazing when you have an atmos source). has 5 internal speakers, built in alexa and supports apple air play, spotify connect an chromecast and HDMI eARC input that’s essential to getting Dolby Atmos soundtracks on board in the first place, One major thumbs down is the fact that it dosn’t come with an external subwoofer so the bass is gutless. So that means if you want the bass for action movies or rave nights you’re gonna have to find another £300 for the sub! bit of a downer that for me.

Voice Control and Smart Features: For those who enjoy the convenience of voice control, the Soundbar 600 offers compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This feature allows you to adjust volume, change tracks, or even ask questions using just your voice, making your entertainment experience truly hands-free.

Simple Setup and Connectivity: Setting up the Bose Soundbar 600 is a breeze, even for those less familiar with technology. The accompanying remote control and the Bose Music app provide intuitive control options, making it easy to fine-tune settings and preferences. With HDMI ARC connectivity, you can enjoy seamless integration with your TV and other devices, ensuring a clutter-free entertainment centre.

Wireless Connectivity: The inclusion of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity further enhances the Soundbar 600’s versatility. Stream your favourite playlists from your smartphone, or enjoy a seamless connection to your home Wi-Fi network for easy access to online streaming services.

What We Love:

Dolby Atmos ✅

Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Cast support. ✅

Super clear voice and Mid range ✅

seamless app ✅

What We Don’t Like:

No separate subwoofer so the bass is pitiful ❌

The none atmos sound is ok but thats it ❌B

Bit heavy on price for no sub ❌

2.Samsung Q800A

My First ever step into home cinema was a Samsung, spent days burying wires under carpets! but i loved it and the Q800A relives some of that love. This feature packed model will not disappoint. Again, you can get your hands on one for just under £500

Sound Quality:

At the heart of the Q800A’s appeal is its sound quality. Equipped with 3.1.2 channels, this soundbar is capable of producing a three-dimensional soundstage that feels expansive and immersive. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support further enhances the audio experience, providing a sense of height and depth that traditional stereo soundbars can’t replicate.

The soundbar boasts Acoustic Beam technology, which utilizes upward-firing speakers to bounce sound off the ceiling, simulating overhead audio effects. This results in a more convincing surround sound experience without the need for additional rear speakers. The sound is clear, dynamic, and detailed, making movie explosions rumble and dialogue crisp.

Connectivity and Convenience:

The Samsung Q800A offers a range of connectivity options to ensure seamless integration with your entertainment devices. With 4K pass-through and HDR10+ support, it ensures that your video quality remains uncompromised when passing through the soundbar. Additionally, multiple HDMI inputs and an HDMI output provide flexibility for connecting various sources like gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices.

For those who enjoy voice control, the Q800A supports Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control playback, adjust volume, and even ask questions using voice commands. This hands-free convenience adds an extra layer of user-friendliness to the soundbar.

Wireless Subwoofer:

The wireless subwoofer included with the Q800A is a game-changer when it comes to delivering powerful bass. Explosions in action movies and the deep notes in music tracks are felt as much as they are heard, adding a visceral element to your audio experience.

What we Love:

Sound Quality. (atmos and DTS:X) ✅

Graphic EQ and preset ✅

Power!! ✅

What We Don’t Like:

Can be complicated to set up ❌

Surround immersion could be better ❌

3. Sonos Beam Gen 2

Sonos was one of the first home audio systems that enabled you to build your own multi room system at your own pace, e.g you didnt need a hub or amps, receiver etc you could add a room at a time , but also with the quality of sound. So any sound bar made by sonus in my book has to be one this list. This one comes in nicely under budget at around £420 and has some nice features, lets take a look.

Sleek and Streamlined Design:

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 maintains the slim and sleek design that made its predecessor a hit. Its compact form allows it to seamlessly integrate into various setups, whether placed on a media console or wall-mounted beneath your TV. The minimalist aesthetic ensures it blends effortlessly with your home decor while adding a touch of modern elegance. So if style and minimalism is your priority, then this is for you.

Streaming and Smart Integration:

As expected from Sonos, the Beam Gen 2 offers seamless streaming capabilities. With support for Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and more, you can effortlessly play your favourite tunes from various sources. The integration of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant means you can control your entertainment using voice commands, making it a convenient addition to your smart home ecosystem. Connectivity as with all these has HDMI out (eARC), wi-fi, ethernet. Check my post on the best Sonus speakers here 

What We Love:

Good projection of Dolby atmos ✅

Easy To expand and integrate ✅

Smart integration and voice control ✅

What We Don’t Like:

No additional HDMI slots ❌

No Bluetooth ❌

No separate sub so weak bass ❌

Sony HT-ZF9

Vertical Sound Engine for Virtual Surround:

One of the standout features of the HT-ZF9 is its Vertical Sound Engine, which aims to create a virtual surround sound experience without the need for rear speakers. By utilizing its multiple speakers and unique processing algorithms, the sound bar projects audio upward, bouncing it off the ceiling to deliver a sense of height and depth. While not a true replacement for dedicated rear speakers, the result is an expanded soundstage that enhances movies, games, and music.

High Resolution audio and Dolby Atmos

DTS decoding in the soundbar creates multi-dimensional surround sound that adapts to your speaker setup in real-time. With the help of  9 speaker channels, sounds from the soundbar can be precisely positioned around you.Additionally, the soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, offering an enhanced audio experience by simulating overhead sound effects. This is particularly appealing for movie enthusiasts who want a more immersive cinematic experience at home.

Wireless Subwoofer for Deep Bass:

The included wireless subwoofer is a game-changer in delivering impactful bass. Explosions in action scenes and deep musical notes are felt as much as they’re heard, adding a tactile dimension to your audio. The subwoofer’s wireless design allows for flexible placement, ensuring optimal bass response without clutter and not having to crowbar your skirting boards off to hide the cable!!

What We Love:

Dolby Atmos and DTS ✅

Virtual Surround ✅

Up-mixes regular surround sound ✅

What We Don’t Love:

Not so good at handling Atmos content due to lack of speakers as there is only 3 upfiring drivers ❌

Can be a bit of a faff to set up, some reviews are reporting it can be quite a pain to initially set up ❌

Our Verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So I think we’ve got you covered with sound bars. If your mate has just baffled you with talk of his Qled telly check our easy to understand guide on Oled and Qled televisons here 

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