If you want to experience the pinnacle of surround sound technology, you must invest in a Dolby Atmos system. This fully three-dimensional codec is designed with complete, room-filling sound in mind. From floor to ceiling, there won’t be any area left undisturbed by decibels. As far as equipment goes, you’ll want to make sure your AV receiver, soundbar, smart TV, and streaming devices are Atmos-compatible. And you’ll also want to ensure you have a solid set of Dolby Atmos speakers to enjoy your premium audio.
When it comes to Atmos sound, there are numerous speaker options to choose from. Some are small enough to sit on a bookshelf, while others are floor-standing models with top-firing Atmos drivers. There’s also a ton of Dolby Atmos soundbars out there. That being said, this roundup includes all the best Dolby Atmos speakers you can buy right now.
Top Dolby Atmos sound systems
Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater System
All-around excellence
The Vizio Elevate delivers excellent, full-size sound for home theater, games, and music with a center channel speaker, subwoofer, and dedicated surrounds. In a technological twist, the Elevate soundbar leverages motorized speakers that revolve to fire upward for home theater content. While they work great, we do wonder how the moving drivers will age.
- Excellent sound for movies and music
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Dedicated sub and rear speakers
- Rotating speakers may not age well
- Could be more user-friendly
- No Apple AirPlay support
While it’s not inexpensive, the Elevate delivers versatile capabilities for music, movies, and games with its formidable soundbar, large sub, and dedicated surround speakers. The system offers excellent clarity and lively, dynamic performance, with a good bass response provided by the sub.
For movies and games, the system is a winner, with Atmos and its dedicated surrounds. Atmos and DTS:X content are adeptly delivered thanks to the Elevate’s rotating drivers, which tilt up for 3D content. The soundbar houses 13 drivers, including a dedicated center channel that contributes to a crystal-clear dialogue presentation. One caveat: there’s no way to be certain how well the mechanized speakers will hold up after years of usage.
In terms of connectivity, the Elevate has you covered. There are three HDMI ports, including an HDMI eARC connection, in addition to optical digital and 3.5mm analog audio inputs. Adding to the impressive feature list, the Elevate also has USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity. While it doesn’t support Apple Airplay, the Elevate does work with Spotify and Chromecast. The Elevate’s remote layout can be a bit confusing, while the setup and its interface could be more elegant. On the whole, however, the Elevate is an excellent sounding system with great features, earning it our pick for best overall.
Sennheiser Ambeo Max Soundbar
Pinnacle of performance
An update to the original and widely-praised Ambeo soundbar, the Sennheiser Ambeo Max sits at the pinnacle of single-unit soundbar performance. Among its attributes, the Ambeo Max provides large bass, clear highs for music and home theater dialog, and a deeply enveloping soundstage. The Ambeo Max is a great option if you want premium features and performance without a lot of gear clutter.
- Powerful, detailed sound
- Excellent Atmos performance
- Broad format support
- Very expensive
- Too bulky for tight spaces
- Wall mount not included
The Ambeo Max leverages five tweeters, two up-firing drivers for 3D audio, and six front- and side-firing woofers to deliver best-in-class standalone performance. Cinematic dialog is clear, music and games are dynamic with a broad and enveloping soundstage, and the Ambeo’s bass response is palpable. The Ambeo Max is one of the best Atmos and DTS:X soundbars available, helping it earn our premium recommendation.
The Ambeo Max has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and supports many formats and technologies, including AirPlay and Spotify Connect. It also supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, meaning you can stream 3D Music from Sony over Tidal and Amazon Music. In addition to HDMI eARC, the system has three HDMI inputs, RCA and optical audio inputs, as well as a subwoofer output. However, dedicated surrounds are not supported. At approximately 50 inches across and 40 pounds, the Ambeo Max is a behemoth and overkill for smaller spaces. Unfortunately, a wall mount is not included.
Denon DHT-S517 Soundbar
Subwoofer included
The Denon DHT-S517 is a versatile soundbar that upgrades your TV speakers with its 3.1.2 setup and Dolby Atmos capability. Its wireless subwoofer and up-firing speakers deliver as close to a home theater experience as you can get on a soundbar in this price range. Plus, it features HDMI eARC for easy volume control and a 4K HDMI input.
- Excellent room-filling sound for the price
- Subwoofer adds a lot of depth to the low-end
- Effective dialogue enhancer
- No smart features
Denon is known more for its receivers, CD players, and turntables, and they’re usually pretty expensive, too. Lately, Denon has been venturing into the soundbar market with several models, all of which are affordable. The Denon DHT-S517 could be considered their mid-range model, though we found that it delivers a premium home theater experience. It’s a 3.1.2 soundbar with Dolby Atmos, and as long as your room isn’t too big, you’ll feel immersed in whatever you’re watching. One issue common with soundbars, especially the cheaper varieties, is muddled dialogue. Denon hopes to remedy that with their Dialogue Enhancer from its center speaker.
While you’d think a mid-range speaker would lack a decent low end, the DHT-S517’s wireless subwoofer goes a long way toward enhancing the bass of this soundbar. Coupled with the atmospheric overhead effect from the up-firing speakers, you have a theater-like experience.
You won’t get a ton of connections, but that’s not unusual for a soundbar at this price point. However, there is an HDMI Enhanced Audio Return Channel input, so you can easily control the volume with your TV’s remote. There’s also a 4K HDMI input that’s compatible with HDR.
Will this soundbar blow you away? Not exactly. But when the price and features are considered, the Denon DHT-S517 holds its own.
Sonos Arc
Sonos’s best soundbar
The Sonos Arc is a large soundbar that delivers excellent sound for movies, music, and games. Like other Sonos products, it easily integrates with Sonos whole-home audio systems and can be controlled and configured via the Sonos app. If you’re a Sonos user or want to become one, the Arc makes an excellent centerpiece.
- Rich, detailed sound
- Works with Sonos ecosystem
- Good bass without a sub
- No DTS:X support
- Limited connectivity
- No Bluetooth
At 45 inches wide, the Arc is too large for smaller home theaters, but it hits the spot for larger spaces that require more powerful sound. This all-in-one Atmos soundbar comprises eight elliptical woofers and three tweeters to deliver a full, powerful sound. Its performance is superb for movies, games, and music, hallmarked by clear dialog, strong dynamics, and excellent depth of soundstage. Upfiring drivers ensure immersive Atmos experiences, but DTS:X is not supported. Bass response is powerful and tight – no need for a subwoofer here, unless you really want to go huge on the low end.
Sonos Arc review: More than you need, exactly what you want
The Arc is the best soundbar around for big rooms where money doesn’t matter
The Sonos ecosystem is innovative and awesome. It allows you to create a completely modular whole-home audio system one piece at a time if you wish to do so. However, the Arc’s physical inputs are limited to a single HDMI eArc port and an optical digital input. The Arc supports Google and Amazon voice assistants, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and other major streaming platforms. Unfortunately, audio streaming is limited to Wi-Fi as Bluetooth has been omitted here.
Samsung HW-Q990C
Top-tier performance for movies and music
The Samsung HW-Q990C is a full-fledged home theater speaker system that includes a robust soundbar, two surround speakers, and a dedicated subwoofer. Ideal for larger home theaters, the HW-Q990C delivers excellent performance for Dolby Atmos content as well as non-Atmos movies, music, and games. While it is quite expensive, Samsung’s flagship soundbar system raises the bar on Atmos performance.
- Fills large spaces
- Superb Atmos performance
- Includes rear speakers and sub
- Odd display implementation
- Lacks highest-resolution Bluetooth audio support
With its soundbar nearly 49 inches wide, the HW-Q990C is best suited for larger rooms. The soundbar incorporates an impressive 11 front-firing drivers — while most Atmos soundbars have two up-firing drivers, the HW-Q990C incorporates four, giving it a clear and noticeable advantage when it comes to immersive 3D audio. Combined with the surround speakers and the subwoofer, this configuration adds up to a highly engaging, premium home theater experience. The system is well-balanced and also handles music with aplomb.
In addition to Atmos, the system supports DTS:X 3D audio, Spotify Connect, and AirPlay 2. You can stream audio via both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, only the SBC standard is supported for Bluetooth streaming, which is a drawback compared to systems that support higher-resolution transmission using the AptX standard, for example. Moreover, while the soundbar has an integrated display, it’s oddly placed behind the soundbar grille, which can make readability a challenge. Physical connections include two HDMI 2.0 inputs, HDMI eARC, and optical digital audio. The system supports both Google and Amazon voice assistants.
Sonos Era 300
Complete your Sonos system
With four directional tweeters and two woofers, the Era 300 delivers a rich and full sound. Connecting a pair of Era 300s along with a Sonos soundbar, such as the Arc, creates a killer home theater experience. Like other Sonos speakers, the Era 300 offers the key benefit of modular integration with Sonos whole-home audio systems with centralized control via the Sonos app.
- Excellent sound
- Works as a surround or main speaker
- Sonos ecosystem integration
- Limited physical connectivity
- Lacks Google voice assistant
The Era 300 is an excellent surround speaker when paired with a Sonos soundbar. Its performance is detailed, rich, and dynamic, far surpassing the typical surround speaker. It creates an enveloping rear 3D soundstage with six total drivers aiming at the front, sides, and top. However, the pleasure will not come cheaply, as you’ll need two Era 300s to serve as your surround speakers. The Atmos-capable Era 300 is also a superb main speaker for music and can be moved around the house with relative ease to create different configurations with other Sonos products, making it exceptionally versatile.
Sonos Era 300 review: Room to breathe
Sonos takes some risks that pay off with its latest speaker
It’s worth noting that despite its versatility, the Era 300 is not a suitable Atmos soundbar substitute, mainly because it doesn’t have physical HDMI inputs. The Era 300 has USB-C line-in audio connectivity via an optional dongle, but that’s about it in terms of physical inputs. In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity, the Era 300 offers Bluetooth audio. The Era 300 supports Amazon’s voice assistant but, unfortunately, omits Google support.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Faux surround at its finest
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, with its comprehensive nine-speaker setup, offers a detailed sound experience. Although compact, it’s designed to significantly improve audio quality in medium to large living areas. Compatibility with streaming services and easy app control make it a practical choice for those looking to upgrade their sound system.
- Gets very loud
- Clear dialogue for movies and TV
- Sounds so good it almost feels like real surround
- Needs a subwoofer if it’s going to be your main music source
Audiophiles once considered Bose speakers to be expensive and for people who knew nothing about sound quality. Their speakers used to be a muddled, bassy mess that made some of us cringe. Not anymore. Bose soundbars like the Smart Ultra show that overall sound quality has greatly improved in recent years.
It’s impressive how much Bose packed into the Smart Ultra. At about 3.5 feet, this soundbar is quite sleek; its slim profile should fit on most mantels and entertainment centers. Despite its compact size, you still get a nine-speaker 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos driver array with two upward-firing height speakers for a clear and enveloping sound experience.
In our review, we found that mids and highs were surprisingly strong for a soundbar. Both movies and television were crisp, with enough low-end for special effects and dialogue. Music was okay, but if you’re planning on this soundbar being your sole speaker for jamming out, we’d recommend buying a subwoofer. The Smart Ultra’s bass was less impressive with music, which was surprising since Bose often has the opposite problem.
One thing we really appreciate is the Smart Ultra’s AdaptIQ; it offers customizable audio settings according to your room. Have you ever done EQ for a home theater receiver with an auto-setup microphone? AdaptIQ is similar, except you use a headband so that the mic more accurately adjusts the spatial audio. That’s pretty cool.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review: Immersive sound at a premium price
Bose took a swing at ultra-customized spatial sound (and hit it out of the park)
When it comes to smart features, the Smart Ultra offers everything you’d expect. Alexa is built for effortless voice control and smart home management. You can also add Apple or Spotify via the Bose Music App. Or you can just use Airplay or Chromecast, too. Speaking of the Bose Music app, it provides comprehensive control of volume and EQ settings and even connects with other Bose devices for a multiroom audio setup; all you need is your smartphone.
The Bose Smart Ultra is certainly expensive, but if you’re looking for a hassle-free soundbar for your main living area, it’s a worthy contender.
JBL Bar 1000 7.1.4 Soundbar
Atmos virtualization at its finest
If you’re interested in full Dolby Atmos sound but don’t want a ton of speaker wires and other accessories hanging around the living room, the JBL Bar 1000 bundles everything we love about the Atmos experience into a comprehensive soundbar package.
- Delivers a 7.1.4 Atmos experience without wires
- Adds extra inputs to your A/V setup
- Solid companion app
- Expensive
- Atmos virtualization could be a bit better
When it comes to Dolby Atmos soundbars, you want to invest in a product that will make you feel like your listening space has speakers in every corner of the room. This is exactly the kind of audio experience we had when testing the JBL Bar 1000 ourselves. Engineered to deliver a complete 7.1.4 surround experience, three-dimensional immersion from a soundbar doesn’t get much better than this.
JBL Bar 1000 review: Surround sound all around us
With Atmos surround sound and a lot of power, the Bar 1000 brings home theater immersion in soundbar form
Outfitted with HDMI, digital optical, and USB inputs, the Bar 1000 allows you to wire up all your components before wiring the system to your TV. It even includes a Bluetooth input for wirelessly streaming music and a room calibration tool that fine-tunes the JBL’s performance to whatever room you place it in.
Klipsch R-605FA Floorstanding Speaker
Up-firing drivers for the Atmos experience you’ve been dreaming about
Klipsch speakers have a long-standing reputation for delivering top-notch performance. This couldn’t be better exemplified than by the company’s foray into tower speaker Atmos tech, which brings us these incredible R-605FA floor-standers.
- Iconic horn-driver engineering with up-firing speakers
- Sharp and detailed performance
- Rock-solid MDF housing
- May be too expensive for most folks
Everything we love about Klipsch speakers is front and center with these awesome R-605FA floorstanding speakers. From the iconic horn driver designs to the warm and full-bellied sound that the company has come to be known for. The icing on the cake with these $770 front-of-your-system speakers is the inclusion of an up-firing driver.
With two of these bad boys in play, you won’t need to buy any other height speakers for your Atmos system. We’re also glad to see a bit of a revamp on the horn architecture, with Klipsch expanding the outer dimensions. The result: bigger sound and detail-rich performance.
Polk Audio Monitor XT90
A snap-on speaker for other Polk Audio speakers
Polk decided to make these XT Series height modules about as plug-and-play as passive speakers get — especially if you plan on attaching them to a set of XT Series bookshelf or tower speakers.
- Fairly priced Atmos height channels
- Good sound quality
- Easy to install
- Not great for anything other than height and surround effects
The Polk XT90 height channel modules are designed to be mounted atop the company’s Polk Monitor XT Series bookshelf and tower speakers. You can also mount them separately, making them ideal for rear channel sound. The choice is yours, and at $200 for the pair, the price is right, too!
The idea behind the XT90 is a greater Atmos soundstage though. We wouldn’t recommend using these modules for any front-of-room applications unless you’re attaching them to other Polk XT speakers. Simple to set up, the 100W Polk XT height modules are also lightweight and easy to work with.
Selecting a Dolby Atmos speaker
Selecting the best Dolby Atmos speakers requires weighing your needs, space, and budget against a few system types. These range from compact single-unit soundbar setups to configurations with multiple dedicated speakers including surrounds.
In addition to audio quality, things to look for in Atmos speakers include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth audio streaming support, physical connectivity such as HDMI inputs, and control with popular voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Pick your Atmos audio
5.1 and 7.1 systems are still phenomenal surround sound configurations, but nothing beats the pulse-pounding audio of a Dolby Atmos system. Fortunately, you won’t need to pay too high a premium to get into these speakers and soundbars. This roundup’s top pick is the incredible Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater System.
With the Vizio, you’ll get everything you need in the box to jump-start your Atmos setup, including a wireless sub and rear speakers. The Elevate is easy to install and is a perfect sound booster for everything from movies and TV shows to video games and whatever tunes you want to stream via Bluetooth. If you’d like to take things to the next level, may we suggest the Sennheiser Amber Max?
Sennheiser’s enormous soundbar is built to rattle walls and floors. Exceptional sound quality with tons of bass is the name of the game here. Use it for all your audio needs, but be prepared to shell out a good chunk of change for this bad boy. Need to hang onto said change? The Denon DHT-S517 Soundbar is the best value pick, and this budget-friendly Atmos speaker/sub combo sounds really great. It’s easy to set up, a breeze to control, and includes an HDMI eARC port for quick plug-and-play connectivity with your TV and other AV components.
Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater System
All-around excellence
The Vizio Elevate is your one-stop-shop for all things Atmos and traditional surround sound. Not only does this system sound fantastic, but it’s very easy to put together, and is perfect for movies, games, and music.
