Soundbar

3 articles

The Only 3 Soundbars Worth Buying (and When a Soundbar Is Actually the Right Call)

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($450) is the best small-room soundbar. The Samsung HW-Q990D ($1,400) is the only one that approaches real surround. The JBL Bar 1000 ($900) splits the difference. Everyone else is wasting your money.

March 31, 2026·7 min read

Samsung HW-Q990D: The $1,400 Soundbar That Almost Made Me Forget Real Atmos

The Samsung HW-Q990D ($1,400) is the closest a soundbar system has come to real 7.1.4 Atmos. Wireless rear speakers, a 10-inch sub, and actual height channels that work. But for the same $1,400 you could build a proper 5.1.2 that sounds better. Here's the honest breakdown.

March 31, 2026·9 min read

Your $800 Soundbar Is Worse Than a $400 Speaker Setup. Here's the Math.

A Sonos Arc Ultra costs $900. A Denon AVR-S670H ($250) plus a pair of Emotiva B1+ ($230) plus an RSL Speedwoofer 10S ($400) costs $880 and demolishes it on every measurable metric. We ran the numbers.

March 31, 2026·8 min read