Top 6 Soundbars For the Smart Home.
Let’s face it; smart homes are not a passing fad. And smart technology within our homes continues to grow in popularity. Nearly half of the millennials now own some type of smart device, and the number keeps growing. So it’s hardly surprising that audio devices are becoming the most popular staple of smart living.
Finding a quality sound system can be a bit of a challenge. The market is flooded with knockoff budget brands while appealing from a financial standpoint; they provide very poor performance. This guide can help you make an informed decision before you decide on an ideal speaker system. There is much to cover, so let’s start with our recommendations for your smart home speakers.
What is a Smart Soundbar?
A smart soundbar is a device that combines the functions of a traditional soundbar with the intelligence of a smart speaker. Simply put, it is a speaker system that enhances your home entertainment experience by providing high-quality sound and voice-controlled smart features. The smart soundbar can be connected to your television, music streaming services, and other smart devices in your home, making it the centerpiece of your entertainment system.
One of the most significant advantages of using a smart soundbar is its convenience. You can control the soundbar using voice commands, which makes it easy to adjust the volume, switch between different inputs, and play your favorite songs or movies. Additionally, some smart soundbars come with built-in virtual assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, which allow you to control other smart devices in your home, such as smart lights or thermostats. This means that you can use your voice to control your entire home entertainment system, creating a truly immersive and convenient experience.
Samsung HW-Q90R 7.1.4ch Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q90R is a premium soundbar with outstanding audio quality and a range of features that make it a top pick for anyone looking to transform their home entertainment system. With a 7.1.4 channel setup, this soundbar delivers immersive and powerful sound that will impress even the most discerning audiophile.
One of the standout features of the Samsung HW-Q90R is its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, two of the leading surround sound technologies that create a 3D sound experience. This means you’ll hear sound from all directions, including above and below you, making for a truly immersive experience.
The HW-Q90R also features Samsung’s Acoustic Beam technology, which uses up-firing speakers to bounce sound off the ceiling and create a more convincing soundstage. If you’re watching a movie with helicopters flying overhead or rain pouring down, you’ll feel right in the middle of the action.
In terms of connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q90R has everything you need, including support for HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and even Amazon Alexa voice control. You can easily connect your TV, gaming console, or streaming device to the soundbar and enjoy high-quality audio immediately.
Sony HT-X8500 with Built-in Subwoofer
The Sony HT-X8500 is a smart soundbar that promises to take your home entertainment experience to the next level. It has a built-in subwoofer and supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which means you’ll get amazing sound quality no matter what you’re watching or listening to.
One of the standout features of the Sony HT-X8500 is its ability to “vertical sound,” which means the soundbar can project sound upwards, creating a virtual surround sound effect. This is especially useful if you don’t have the space for a full surround sound system but still want to enjoy immersive audio.
The soundbar also has Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily connect your smartphone or tablet to stream music or other content. Additionally, it supports HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), which allows you to connect it to your TV with a single cable and control both the soundbar and your TV with the same remote.
The Sony HT-X8500 is a great option for anyone considering upgrading their home entertainment system. With its powerful sound and smart features, it’s sure to provide an immersive and enjoyable experience for years to come.
Sonos Beam
The next speaker we reviewed, another from Sonos, is the Sonos Beam. Unlike the Sonos PlayBar, the Beam features a compact design that can easily work with a smaller 32-inch TV, or TV’s exceeding 40 inches. Also, unlike the Sonos PlayBar, the Beam features HDMI connectivity. The HDMI Arc requires that the Beam be connected to your TV via an HDMI or optical cable. The Beam connects to the other speakers in your audio network via Wi-Fi.
Housed within the contemporary design, the Beam has a tweeter, three passive radiators, four drivers, and five Class-D amplifiers. The radiators and drivers are placed on the front of the Beam and help to drive sound throughout the room. To control the Beam, you can use the Sonos app, voice commands, or manually with the touch-sensitive controls located at the top of the unit.
Like the Sonos One, the Beam has Amazon Alexa voice commands built-in to the unit so that you can play your streaming services via the Sonos app. To help with voice communication, five far-field microphones can pick up your voice commands even over loud music. The microphones can also be shut off for security purposes.
The Sonos Beam might not be as robust as the PlayBar, but according to consumer reviews, the compact design with a performance that equals, if not exceeds, that of the PlayBar has earned the Beam a spot in the hearts of shoppers.
Bose Soundbar 700 with Alexa voice control
Bose is well known for producing quality speakers but has been outdone by competitors such as Sonos in the smart speaker arena. However, the Bose 700 Home Speaker indicates that the manufacturer is tossing its hat in the ring.
The Bose Soundbar 700 with Alexa voice control is a top-of-the-line smart soundbar that will transform your home entertainment system. With a sleek and sophisticated design, this soundbar will look great in any room of your home.
But the real magic of the Bose Soundbar 700 is in its advanced sound technology. With built-in Amazon Alexa voice control, you can easily control your soundbar with just your voice. Whether you want to turn up the volume, skip to the next track, or check the weather, Alexa is always there to help.
But the sound quality of the Bose Soundbar 700 is what sets it apart from the competition. With advanced Bose technologies like ADAPTiQ audio room calibration and PhaseGuide technology, you’ll get the immersive, room-filling sound that brings your movies, TV shows, and music to life like never before.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity lets you easily stream your favorite music and podcasts from your phone or tablet. And with the Bose Music app, you can control your soundbar from anywhere in your home.
BlitzWolf Smart Sound Bar
While BlitzWolf might not be a household name yet, its 2.0-Channel Smart Soundbar has left a good impression on consumers. The 36-inch soundbar doesn’t stand out from the other comparable soundbars on the market in terms of outward appearance. Constructed of glossy black plastic and flat black metal mesh grills, the unit has a subtle design that maintains a small profile. All the connection ports are located in the center on the back. The typical input ports for HDMI, coaxial, optical, and a 3.5mm analog cable port will be found. The Smart Soundbar can also connect with your mobile devices via Bluetooth.
Inside, the unit has six full-range speakers along with two diaphragms. With 60 watts of power, the BlitzWolf Smart Soundbar works for just about any room size and performs just as well as some of the big names in the wireless speaker market. The unit provides clear and crisp sound with nice bass quality at midranges. According to many consumer reviews, the sound and construction quality was better than expected, considering BlitzWolf isn’t a common name in the industry. Overall, the BlitzWolf BW-SD81 soundbar is a great product and would make an ideal choice for those just starting their journey in the world of wireless audio.
Polk Audio – React Soundbar with Dolby & DTS
The Polk Audio React Soundbar is another great option for starting your wireless speaker network. While it isn’t the smallest soundbar on the market at 31 inches long, it still has a streamlined appearance thanks to a 2.5-inch depth. Additionally, this unit has a bonus, a wireless subwoofer.
Two 2.5-inch full-range drivers that are 80 watts each and two rear-firing ports provide the sound for the soundbar. Add the built-in Dolby Digital decoding and aptX audio coding, and you have the makings of a unit that can produce quality sound. The included subwoofer houses a 6.5-inch downward-firing unit that connects wirelessly to the soundbar.
The React Soundbar has built-in D2DP Bluetooth and can connect to mobile devices. You can use your existing TV remote to control the unit since the AM 1500-B can detect and learn the remote’s IR signal. However, if there are compatibility issues, the unit does come with its own remote control.
Which smart soundbar is right for you?
With so many smart soundbars on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you. Before purchasing, consider the features that are important to you. Do you want one with voice control? What about compatibility with your existing smart home devices? Do you need one that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X for a more immersive audio experience?
It’s also important to consider the size of the soundbar and whether it will fit in your entertainment setup. Some soundbars have a separate subwoofer, which can take up additional space. If you have a smaller space, you may want to consider a compact soundbar that can easily fit on your TV stand or mount on the wall.
Another factor to consider is the connectivity options available on the soundbar. Do you need HDMI inputs to connect multiple devices, or will a single optical input suffice? Some soundbars also have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to stream music or podcasts directly from your phone or tablet.
Conclusion
After careful consideration, we feel that the Sonos Beam boasts the most features, stylish design, and top-notch performance and quality. Whether you are looking to upgrade your current audio components or looking for your first setup, you will be satisfied with the performance of this powerful unit.
We hope you enjoyed our blog on the top smart soundbars to transform your home entertainment system. Smart soundbars are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to deliver high-quality sound while being easy to use. With the options we listed, you can be sure to find the perfect one to suit your needs. Now, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the immersive audio experience that your new smart soundbar brings to your home. Happy listening!