In truth, even the super-popular soundbar systems that typically combine a bar, a wireless subwoofer and two wireless surrounds (the Samsung HW-Q990H<\/a>, for example) are \u201ctoo many boxes\u201d for many people.<\/p>\n Latest Videos From You may like<\/p>\n So, what\u2019s the solution for those who\u2019ve forked out for a gorgeous, premium TV and want equally gorgeous sound without all of the boxes and\/or cables?<\/p>\n The premium solo soundbar, that\u2019s what. In fact, that\u2019s exactly the problem that the soundbar was originally designed to solve.<\/p>\n These days, a premium soundbar is a very sophisticated bit of kit that typically combines svelte styling with effective Dolby Atmos<\/a> processing for movies and games, plus music streaming, simple operation, and the option to add additional speakers further down the line.<\/p>\n Here, we\u2019re pitching four such soundbars against one another.<\/p>\n The benchmark is the Sonos Arc Ultra<\/a> \u2013 the successor to the multi-Award-winning Arc<\/a> and now an Award-winner in its own right.<\/p>\n This is a soundbar that really nails the confluence of simplicity and sound quality, and, being a Sonos<\/a> product, the Arc Ultra also functions as a multi-room speaker for music.<\/p>\n The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9<\/a> have met before, albeit in slightly different circumstances, with the Sony<\/a> priced much higher.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n These days, you can usually get it for the same price as the Sonos, making the head-to-head far hotter, especially as the Bar 9 has features that the Arc Ultra does not, such as DTS<\/a>:X support and HDMI passthrough.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a head-to-head test, though: two newer soundbars are looking to disrupt the Sonos vs Sony scuffle.<\/p>\n The first of those is the very fancy LG Sound Suite H7<\/a>. As the name suggests, this is a component in LG<\/a>\u2019s new Sound Suite<\/a> family of speakers, but it\u2019s also a Sonos Arc Ultra-rivalling soundbar in its own right.<\/p>\n Finally, but most unusually, we have the JBL Bar 1000MK2<\/a>, which, as you may have spotted, isn\u2019t really a solo soundbar.<\/p>\n However, we\u2019ve decided to include it here as the ability to connect the surround speakers to the main bar means it can function as a solo bar \u2013 albeit one that also comes with a subwoofer.<\/p>\n Which of these premium soundbars deserves the spot beneath your lovely TV? Let Dolby Atmos battle commence!<\/p>\n Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 <\/p>\n Price<\/p>\n Connectivity<\/p>\n 3D Audio support<\/p>\n Music streaming<\/p>\n JBL Bar 1000MK2<\/p>\n \u00a3749 HDMI eARC Dolby Atmos AirPlay 2 LG Sound Suite H7<\/p>\n \u00a3899 HDMI eARC Dolby Atmos<\/p>\n AirPlay 2 Sonos Arc Ultra<\/p>\n \u00a3999 HDMI eARC Dolby Atmos<\/p>\n AirPlay 2 Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9<\/p>\n \u00a3999 HDMI eARC Dolby Atmos AirPlay 2 Picking a winner<\/p>\n Each of these premium soundbars proves that you don\u2019t need a stack of separates and a room full of speakers to get genuinely enjoyable cinematic sound from your TV.<\/p>\n Of course, they all tackle that challenge in slightly different ways.<\/p>\n The JBL<\/a> leans into flexibility and sheer spectacle, the LG focuses on design and cutting-edge tech, the Sony majors on immersion and detail, and the Sonos aims to blend simplicity, sophistication and sonic excellence into one sleek package.<\/p>\n 4. LG Sound Suite H7<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n All four are good products in their own right, but there is a clear hierarchy here, and in fourth place is the LG Sound Suite H7.<\/p>\n The H7 is certainly an interesting proposition. Its styling is refreshingly different from the norm, and those who own a compatible LG TV will appreciate the way it integrates visually and functionally with the screen. It\u2019s also packed with features, including Dolby Atmos FlexConnect<\/a>, which will be a real boon if you decide to expand your system in the future.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying, either, that the H7 sounds impressive out of the blocks. It goes loud, delivers plenty of bass weight and throws effects around the room enthusiastically enough to create a decent sense of scale.<\/p>\n Ultimately, though, it lacks the refinement and subtlety of the best soundbars here. Dynamics are a little blunt, detail levels aren\u2019t especially high, and there\u2019s a hardness to its delivery that can become fatiguing over longer listening sessions. Dolby Atmos effects are present, but they don\u2019t knit together cohesively enough to fully convince.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a decent soundbar, then, but against this level of competition, decent simply isn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today’s best LG Sound Suite H7 deals<\/p>\n 3. JBL Bar 1000MK2<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n Third place goes to the JBL Bar 1000MK2 \u2013 and this one is perhaps the trickiest to judge.<\/p>\n Strictly speaking, it\u2019s not really a solo soundbar at all, thanks to the inclusion of a wireless subwoofer and detachable surround speakers. But because those surrounds can be physically attached to the main unit, we felt it deserved a place in this test \u2013 and we\u2019re glad we included it.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no question that the JBL delivers the biggest and most overtly cinematic presentation here. With the surrounds deployed, it creates an impressively expansive soundfield, and the dedicated subwoofer gives action scenes a level of low-end heft that the true solo bars simply can\u2019t match.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a hugely entertaining listen, too, with a bold, energetic character that makes blockbuster movies enormous fun.<\/p>\n The problem is that it\u2019s not the most nuanced or controlled performer on test. Bass can occasionally become overbearing, subtle details are sometimes overshadowed by sheer bombast, and musicality isn\u2019t really its strong suit. In stereo music playback, particularly, the Sonos and Sony sound noticeably more balanced, cohesive and sophisticated.<\/p>\n If your priority is maximum home cinema impact with minimum hassle, the JBL remains a very appealing option. But as an all-round premium soundbar package, it falls short of the class leaders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today’s best JBL Bar 1000MK2 deals<\/p>\n 2. Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi? \/ Netflix \/ Drive To Survive)<\/p>\n Which brings us to the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9.<\/p>\n When this soundbar first launched, its pricing made it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly, but now that it can regularly be found for around the same money as the Sonos Arc Ultra, it becomes a much stronger proposition.<\/p>\n And it really is an excellent soundbar. Sony has managed to produce an impressively spacious and immersive presentation from a single bar, with Dolby Atmos effects projected with remarkable precision. Its sense of verticality is particularly convincing, and it fills a room with sound more effectively than almost any rival.<\/p>\n It\u2019s detailed and dynamic, too, with crisp dialogue, excellent placement of effects and plenty of punch when movie soundtracks demand it. The inclusion of HDMI passthrough and DTS:X support also gives it a useful edge in the features department.<\/p>\n Ultimately, though, while the Sony is deeply impressive, it doesn\u2019t quite achieve the same all-round balance and naturalness as the Sonos. There are moments where its presentation becomes just a touch forward or forceful, and while it sounds spectacular with movies, it\u2019s not quite as consistently musical or cohesive across all content types.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today’s best Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 deals<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.whathifi.com\/media\/img\/WHF_logo.svg\"){kind=logo}
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$1200
AU$1599<\/p>\n
3 x HDMI in
Optical
Bluetooth 5.3<\/p>\n
DTS:X<\/p>\n
Spotify Connect
Tidal Connect
Qobuz
Amazon Music<\/p>\n
$1000
around AU$1680<\/p>\n
Bluetooth 5.4<\/p>\n
Spotify Connect
Tidal Connect<\/p>\n
$1099
AU$1799<\/p>\n
Bluetooth 5.3<\/p>\n
Spotify Connect
Tidal Connect
Qobuz
Amazon Music<\/p>\n
$1498
AU$1799<\/p>\n
1 x HDMI in
Bluetooth 5.2<\/p>\n
DTS:X<\/p>\n
Spotify Connect<\/p>\n![\"LG](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tk7VMkwkcBgBmvpPYycX6L.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"JBL](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/65qXCXXnWPjEtjtxqgoLuM.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Sony](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/iUdUAMDFk5XkiUwhf4DQn8.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
![\"Sonos](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ghkkCEryqwpoKwxUDqYPwa.jpg\")
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