The classic way to transfer data wirelessly
Especially if you want to use the soundbar not only to support the TV, but also to stream music or podcasts, a Bluetooth interface proves to be very practical. For many of the soundbars available on the market today, Bluetooth support is already part of the basic equipment. But, as always, there are differences, since different versions have a different bandwidth of data to be transmitted as well as a different coverage range. Here we present a few of the – in our opinion – best Bluetooth soundbars.
Best Bluetooth Soundbar: LG SP8YA
- 440W total power
- 220W subwoofer
- Center speaker
- HDMI 2.1 & eARC
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
- Meridian sound-technology
- Gets very loud
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast & Airplay
- Surround sound turns into Stereo
- No voice control
The LG DSP8YA is a very solid 3.1.2-channel setup from the South Korean market leader. Thanks to a strong total output of 440 watts and the included subwoofer, you can look forward to a rich sound from this soundbar that is also quite loud. In terms of supported sound formats, the soundbar is also up to date, as it supports all formats that are currently popular in the audio segment. Thus, three-dimensional sound in the form of Dolby AtmosDolby Atmos is a 3D sound format that adds sounds from above to surround sound systems and can also assign additional information to sounds so that they can be reproduced even more realistically. and DTS:XJust like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X is also a 3D sound format, with which the surround sound is expanded by height speakers. In addition, it is also an object-based sound format, whereby additional information is assigned to sounds, making them sound even more realistic. can also be played back, which can be transmitted via the HDMI 2.1 eARCEnhanced Audio Return Chanel: A significant increase in the data transfer rate, which means that audio signals no longer need to be compressed before being transmitted to the music system. This noticeably increases audio quality. interface. Dolby VisionDolby Vision is a dynamic HDR format that significantly improves the HDR picture quality of your TV. Not every soundbar can pass this format on to the TV. is also supported via this.
In terms of wireless connectivity, the DSP8YA is also ahead of the game. It is equipped with a Bluetooth interface of version 5.0, which allows it to connect to many devices (simultaneously). In addition, a higher data rate can be transmitted over long distances than with the predecessor Bluetooth 4.0. The soundbar also has integrated Chromecast, Apple Airplay 2 and a Wi-Fi interface as further wireless transmission options. It is also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, but an external third-party device is needed for that.
Thanks to the dedicated center channel, voices in TV shows and audio books are reproduced very clearly by the soundbar. It also has a Dialogue Enhancement feature that further improves intelligibility. A variety of sound modes are available to further optimize the sound. Among other things, it also has an EQ preset for playing music. Thanks to the AI room calibration, the sound is also optimally adapted to your room.
Without subwoofer channel: Bose Smart Soundbar 900
- Five main channels
- Built-in voice assistants
- No Subwoofer
- No DTS
The Smart Soundbar 900 is also quite loud and can play Dolby AtmosDolby Atmos is a 3D sound format that adds sounds from above to surround sound systems and can also assign additional information to sounds so that they can be reproduced even more realistically. content. Unlike LG’s model, however, it comes without a subwoofer, which is the reason that the soundbar’s bass leaves something to be desired. Furthermore, DTS content unfortunately is not supported, but three-dimensional sound in the form of Dolby Atmos is still available. Due to the five main channels, the surround performance is also a bit better compared to the DSP8YA. Furthermore, audio is optimally adapted to your four walls with the ADAPTiQ room correction.
The sound profile of the Smart Soundbar 900 is very balanced overall, making it suitable for use with a wide variety of content. For streaming, it has all sorts of options with Wi-Fi, Apple Airplay and – since a firmware update – Chromecast. A Bluetooth interface is of course also available. This corresponds to the older version 4.2, but this should not limit you in practice since the Bluetooth connection of your smartphone is backwards compatible.
Thanks to its dedicated center channel and an additional feature for dialogue enhancement, the Smart Soundbar 900 can reproduce voices clearly and distinctly. While we’re on the topic of voices: Thanks to the integrated Alexa and Google Assistant, you can conveniently control the soundbar via voice command.
Compact solution: JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
- Very compact
- No "real" 3D Sound
- No DTS
- No subwoofer
With a width of only about seventy centimeters, we now come to the smallest sound bar on this list. As its name suggests, the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is a soundbar with five main channels. Thus, you have to do without a subwoofer here as well, and also without the treble channels. Accordingly, three-dimensional sound can only be reproduced virtually – in the form of Virtual Dolby AtmosVirtual Dolby Atmos creates a room-filling, three-dimensional sound without any satellites or up-firing speakers. For this purpose, the height channels are virtually simulated.. For optimal surround sound, the soundbar is equipped with JBL’s MultiBeam technology, which is supposed to provide immersive listening experiences.
Admittedly, you cannot expect too much of a sound performance from the JBL bar due to its small size, but it still gets quite loud. Only the bass could be a bit better. Due to the center speaker, the soundbar is especially convincing in dialogue-heavy content. For wireless transmission of this content, it features a Wi-Fi interface, Chromecast and Airplay. A Bluetooth 4.2 interface can also be found in this soundbar again.
Like the other two models, the soundbar from JBL also has room correction to adjust the sound to your spatial conditions. It can also be paired with other speakers and thus become part of a multi-room setup.
Bluetooth Soundbars in comparison
 LG SP8YA |  Bose Smart Soundbar 900 |  JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam | |
| Channels | 3.1.2 | 5.2 | 5 |
| Dolby Atmos | |||
| DTS | DTS HD-Master + DTS:X | ||
| HDMI 2.1 | 1x In + 1x Out | 1x In | 1x In + 1x Out |
| eARC | |||
| WLAN | |||
| Room size | up to 40 m2 | up to 25 m2 | up to 25 m2 |
| Subwoofer | External | ||
| Satellites | |||
| Dimensions Height x Width x Depth HxWxD | 57 x 1060 x 119 mm | 58,1 x 1045 x 107 mm | 58 x 709 x 101 mm |
Frequently asked questions about Bluetooth Soundbars
Can you connect a Soundbar to a TV using Bluetooth?
Most soundbars nowadays have a Bluetooth interface that allows you to easily connect them to many devices. If the soundbar does not have a Bluetooth receiver, you can also use an adapter for wireless connection.
How do I know if my TV has Bluetooth?
To find out if your TV supports Bluetooth, go to the Sound Settings and select the Sound Output. If your TV has a Bluetooth interface, you should be able to search for Bluetooth speakers there.
