These premium soundbars for professionals bring cinema feeling into your own four walls!
If you have a huge OLED or QLED TV at home with HDR contrast and 4K UHD resolution, it does not make much sense to buy a soundbar from the lower price segment. Of course, these might still improve the audio quality of the TV, but only a high-end soundbar can provide a real cinema feeling. On this page, we have gathered recommendations for premium soundbars that complement your TV in an appropriate way and deliver a first-class overall package.
You want to know how to best place a soundbar? In our buying guide, we answer the most important questions concerning the installation!
Best Premium Soundbar: Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max
- 250W total power
- HDMI eARC
- Dolby Atmos & DTS: X
- Immersive 3D surround sound
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & ChromeCast
- Room Correction
- Very voluminous
- Moderate Bass
The Sennheiser AMBEO has everything you need for an outstanding sound experience – in just one chassis! In total, the 5.1.4-channel system features thirteen speakers. Among them are up-firingThese speakers are positioned diagonally upwards so that the reflection of the sound from the ceiling reaches the viewers from above. They are mainly used for 3D sound formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. speakers, which are used in the reproduction of the three-dimensional audio formats 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.. In addition, it has an AMBEO 3D mode that produces first-class surround sound and ensures that you become an immediate part of the movie scene. This puts the Sennheiser AMBEO ahead of other all-in-one soundbars, as few integrated subwoofers can deliver convincing bass that allows such an immersive sound. The soundbar’s overall power output could be a bit higher, though, as it is comparatively low at 250 watts. Nevertheless, it gets quite loud.
In addition to supporting almost all currently available sound formats, the soundbar also offers a wide range of connectivity options. Thus, it has an AUX, an optical, a USB and an Ethernet port. There are three HDMI inputs for connecting your gaming console or BluRay player, as well as an HDMI 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. port. Streaming fans also have all sorts of options, as they can connect to the soundbar via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or the integrated Chromecast.
If you want to enjoy the high-quality sound of the Sennheiser AMBEO, you should ensure that you have enough space for it. After all, it has quite large dimensions with a width of 125 centimeters and a height of 13 centimeters.
Offers all kinds of smart features: Sonos Arc
- Integrated voice assistants
- Slim design
- Without subwoofer
- No Bluetooth
- No integrated Chromecast
The Sonos Arc should especially delight smart home users. With two integrated voice assistants, it can be seamlessly integrated into the smart home and also controlled very conveniently. The Wi-Fi connection also allows multi-room use, so the 5.0.2-channel system can be paired with other speakers and devices. Nevertheless, the soundbar does not offer a Bluetooth interface or integrated Chromecast for streaming.
Overall, the Sonos Arc comes in a slightly slimmer design than the Sennheiser AMBEO, but it also lacks an integrated subwoofer. However, it can be upgraded as needed, just like separate rear speakers. The stereo sound of the system is particularly convincing and is optimally adapted to your four walls via a room calibration function. The soundbar can also reproduce three-dimensional sound thanks to its two height channels.
Powerful one-body soundbar: Sony HT-A7000
- 500W total power
- HDMI 2.1
- Poorer surround performance
- Low volume
Sony’s HT-A7000 is an all-in-one soundbar that – like the Sennheiser AMBEO – has an integrated subwoofer. However, it is not quite as convincing as the Sennheiser model, which is why the surround performance of this soundbar is rather disappointing. If you want a really good sound experience, you should go for the matching subwoofer from Sony, which is available separately. This could also contribute to more power, as the soundbar does not get particularly loud despite a power output of 500 watts. Apart from that, the 7.1.2-channel system can also play uncompressed 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. content.
The A7000 has a very wide range of connection options. Two HDMI 2.1 inputs with 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. are available, as well as a jack port and a USB interface. Wi-Fi, Apple Airplay, Bluetooth and integrated Chromecast are also available for wireless streaming.
Premium Soundbars in comparison
 Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max |  Sonos Arc |  Sony HT-A7000 | |
| Channels | 5.1.4 | 5.2 | 7.1.2 |
| Dolby Atmos | |||
| DTS | DTS HD-Master + DTS:X | DTS HD-Master + DTS:X | |
| HDMI 2.1 | 2x In + 1x Out | ||
| eARC | |||
| WLAN | |||
| Room size | up to 25 m2 | up to 25 m2 | above 40 m2 |
| Subwoofer | Internal | Internal | |
| Satellites | |||
| Dimensions Height x Width x Depth HxWxD | 133 x 1252 x 172 mm | 87 x 1141 x 120 mm | 80 x 1300 x 142 mm |
