Soundbars

The number of audio channels the system has, whether the channels provide surround sound, and if applicable, whether optional accessories can be used to expand the system to more channels and/or to provide surround sound. The format is "X.Y" for non-surround and surround sound systems, and "X.Y.Z" for non-surround or surround systems with height channels. With non-surround systems "X" is the number of non-surround channels that are integrated into the soundbar or soundbase enclosure (2 means front left and right, 3 means front left, right, and center; there could be higher numbers - meaning more channels - but it still amounts to non-surround sound). With surround systems "X" is total number of channels that are integrated into the soundbar or soundbase enclosure (typically front left and right, or front left and right, and center) plus the number of surround channels handled by separate surround speakers (typically left rear and right rear, but there could also be left side and right side, or more). For all systems "Y" indicates the number of subwoofers (typically 0 or 1, but on occasion 2). For all systems with height channels "Z" is typically 2 (front left and right height channels) or 4 (front left and right and rear left and right height channels).

The number of speakers that come with the system is shown in the format "X.Y" where "X" is the number of speakers other than subwoofers and "Y" is the number of subwoofers. The number of speakers can also be shown in the format "X" if no subwoofers are supplied. Most soundbar systems come with 1.1 speakers - the soundbar (that's the 1) and a subwoofer (that's the .1). Surround sound systems generally come with at least two rear surround speakers, so for a surround sound system with a soundbar and two surround speakers and no subwoofer the number of speakers in the system would be shown as 3.0 or 3; if a subwoofer is provided the number of speakers would be shown as 3.1. Soundbases typically don't come with a subwoofer, but may come with surround speakers.

Has a built-in amplifier and typically has a bass level control (independent of controls on a receiver).

Yes' indicates that the model comes with a powered wireless subwoofer. "Optional' indicates that accessories (transmitter and wireless amplifiers) are available that allow signals to be wirelessly transmitted the amplifers that power a subwoofer. 'No' indicates that the models does not provide for wireless operation of a subwoofer.

Yes' indicates that the model comes with accessories (transmitter and wireless receiver) that allow signals to be wirelessly transmitted from the receiver to the surround speaks. 'Optional' indicates that accessories (transmitter and wireless receiver) are available that allow signals to be wirelessly transmitted from the receiver to the surround speaks. 'No' indicates that the model does not provide for wireless operation of the surround speakers.

The technology used (Sonos, dts PlayFi, etc.) by the model for streaming over a home WiFi/Ethernet network, and the type of content (audio, photo, and/or video) that can be streamed to the model. Where applicable see the “Other Features” section of the model for a description of the capabilities of its network platform.

Can be used as one of many speakers in a multi-room speaker set up that allows audio to be streamed wirelessly via a WiFi network to different rooms. All of the models that will be used in a home network based multi-room speaker set up must use the same network streaming technology.

A listing of some of the Internet content providers that can be accessed.

Lists the types of content a system can play (audio) or pass through to a TV (video or photos) from a plugged in USB memory device.

Can decode Dolby Atmos digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. Dolby Atmos is an advanced multi-channel digital audio format found on some Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing not only surround sound, but sounds that are located above the listener. Dolby Atmos encoding supports up to 24 surround and 10 height channels. According to Dolby, the minimum system requirement for adequate surround and height audio effects are 5 surround (front left, right, and center, surround left and right) channels and 2 height (front left and right) channels; with at least 4 height (front left and right and rear left and right) channels being recommended.

Can decode Dolby True HD digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. Dolby TrueHD is an advanced, lossless multi-channel digital audio format found on some Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing a bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master of the audio contained in the movie. Up to 8 channels of audio are available with a higher fidelity than Dolby Digital Plus.

Can decode Dolby Digital Plus digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. Dolby Digital Plus is an advanced version of Dolby Digital that is capable of providing 7.1 channels of audio at a higher resolution than Dolby Digital 5.1.

Can decode Dolby Digital digital audio signals found on DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and some digital TV broadcasts.

Can decode DTS:X digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. DTS:X is an advanced multi-channel digital audio format found on some Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing not only surround sound, but sounds that are located above the listener. DTS claims that any speaker layout will work for DTS:X. Other sources indicate that the optimum playback system setup consists of 7 surround (front left, right, and center, side surround left and right, and rear surround left and right) channels, 4 height (front left and right and rear left and right) channels, and a subwoofer.

Can decode DTS-HD Master Audio digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. DTS-HD Master Audio is an advanced, lossless multi-channel digital audio format found on some Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing a bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master of the audio contained in the movie. It is capable of providing up to 7.1 channel audio with higher fidelity than DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.

Can decode DTS-HD Master Audio Essential digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. DTS-HD Master Essential Audio is an advanced, lossless multi-channel digital audio format found on some Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing a bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master of the audio contained in the movie. Essentially it is DTS-HD Master Audio without a few of the esoteric features. It is capable of providing up to 7.1 channel audio with higher fidelity than DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.

Can decode DTS-HD High Resolution Audio digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is an advanced multi-channel digital audio format that is capable of providing 7.1 channels of audio at a higher resolution than DTS.

Can decode Digital Theater Systems (DTS) digital audio signals found on many DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

Can decode PCM digital audio signals found on all CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, and digital TV broadcasts.

"Yes" indicates the surround system can simulate 4 or more channel surround sound from 2-channel (stereo) audio programs (not applicable to non-surround systems). "Optional" indicates the surround system can simulate 4 or more channel surround sound from 2-channel (stereo) audio programs with optional accessories, or that a non-surround system will have this feature once it has been expanded to a surround sound system with optional accessories.

"Yes" indicates the non-surround system (or the surround system with the surround channels turned off) can create a larger reverberant sound field than is present in the original audio material to make the audio image sound wider, higher, and possibly deeper. Since there are no surround speakers (or the surround speakers are not active) the sound will be heard in front of, but not to the sides or rear of the listening position.

A feature that may make dialog more intelligible, often at the expense of overall sound quality.

Has other DSP (digital sound processing) modes besides simulated or virtual surround sound that add simulated sound environments to the audio program material. Some examples are: "Jazz club" or "Stadium"

Has sound adjustments that can be used to improve the systems tonal accuracy and/or suit personal preference. Multi-band EQ (equalizer) splits the tonal range of the system into multiple bands that can be adjusted individually. Bass and treble controls are used to adjust low and high tones respectively. Pre-set tone settings provide a number of predetermined tone adjustments.

Volume level, muting, and other functions can be controlled by voice commands. If applicable the "Other features" section below notes additional voice control information.

"Yes" indicates that the system can be programmed to respond to a TV remote's volume up, volume down, and mute commands. This feature provides one-remote essentially seamless TV and soundbar/soundbase operation during TV use. Works with most TVs that use IR (infrared) remote controls (the most common type of remote controls), but generally does not work with the RF (radio frequency) remotes used by some newer TVs.

Except as noted in the Other features section below "Yes" indicates that the system can be set to respond to a the volume up, volume down, and mute commands of TV remote controls from TV that feature HDMI CEC (HDMI Consumer Electronic Control) when the system is connected to the TV with an HDMI cable via the system's and TV's HDMI ARC ports and the HDMI CEC function is enabled on the TV. This feature provides one-remote essentially seamless TV and soundbar/soundbase operation during use with the applicable TVs. Note that some brands refer to HDMI CEC by other names; some examples: Anynet (Samsung), Bravia Sync (Sony), SimpLink (LG), Viera Link or EZ-Sync (Panasonic).

"Yes" indicates that the system can be set to respond to a the volume up, volume down, and mute commands of TV remote controls from some major TV brands (typically LG, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, and Vizio). This feature provides one-remote essentially seamless TV and soundbar/soundbase operation during use with many TVs from those brands. Works with IR (infrared) remote controls (the most common type of remote controls), but does not generally work the RF (radio frequency) remotes used by some newer TVs.

Comes with a remote that controls not only the soundbar or soundbase, but that can also be set to control other components such as TVs of various brands. This feature provides one-remote essentially seamless TV and soundbar/soundbase operation during TV use with many TVs.

"Yes" indicates that the system can be set to respond to a the volume up, volume down, and mute commands of remote controls from many TVs from the same brand as the soundbar or soundbase. This feature provides one-remote essentially seamless TV and soundbar/soundbase operation during use with many TVs from the soundbar's or soundbase's brand. Works with IR (infrared) remote controls (the most common type of remote controls), but generally does not work with the RF (radio frequency) remotes used by some newer TVs.

Comes with a remote that controls the soundbar or soundbase and TVs of the same brand. This feature provides one-remote essentially seamless TV and soundbar/soundbase operation during TV use with many same-brand TVs.

Has downloadable remote control apps for the noted mobile devices.

The system's HDMI out port not only can pass video and audio from a connected source device to a TV, it can also receive audio from a TV that has HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) capability. This feature can make connections between a soundbar or soundbase and a TV much simpler.

Will pass an Ultra HD video signal through its HDMI connections to an Ultra HD compatible TV from an Ultra HD video source.

Will pass an HDR (High Dynamic Range) video signal through its HDMI connections to an HDR compatible TV from an HDR video source.

Will pass a 3D video signal through its HDMI connections to an 3D compatible TV from a 3D video source.

System has a feature to automatically adjust speaker sound levels and possibly make other adjustments to balance the sound of the system for your room size and system arrangement.

System has a built-in test tone function for manual adjustment of speaker sound levels.

Can be set to shut off after a predetermined time period.

Firmware or software can be update to incorporate new features that become available for the system.

The accessories that come with the soundbar or soundbase.

Number of months of warranty coverage for parts and labor as indicated by the manufacturer. The "Other features" section below notes additional warranty information if applicable.

Other features not mentioned above and/or further details on some mentioned features.

The height, width, and depth of the soundbar or soundbase, in inches.

The height, width, and depth of the subwoofer (bass module) in inches.

The height, width, and depth of the left and right side surround speakers, in inches.

The height, width, and depth of the left and right rear surround speakers, in inches.

The number of these input and output connections. They are useful for connecting audio/video devices with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connections such as TVs, Blu-ray players, DVD players, and set-top boxes. An HDMI cable is used to carry audio and video signals on the same cable from one device to another. An HDMI cable connection is in the form of an HDMI port. While HDMI connections support a range of standard-, high-, and ultra high-definition video formats including 3D, Ultra HD, and HDR, not all systems support all formats (see these headings in the Features section for details). Depending on the product they also support ARC (Audio Return Channel - two-way digital audio travel between a soundbar or soundbase and a TV on the same cable) as well as transfer of PCM and standard and advanced Dolby Digital and DTS digital audio (see the Features section for more details); they do not support analog audio.

The number of these input and output connections. These are useful for connecting audio devices with optical connections such as a TV, set-top box, Blu-ray player, etc. An optical digital audio interconnect, also called a Toslink cable or an optical cable, is a fiber optic cable used to carry digital audio signals as pulses of light from one device to another. An optical cable connection can be in the form of the small, squarish Toslink jack, or a smaller mini optical jack which looks a lot like a standard 1/8-inch mini-jack. Optical digital audio connections support PCM and up to 5.1 multi-channel Dolby Digital and DTS digital audio, but not the more advanced digital audio formats or analog audio.

The number of these input and output connections. These are useful for connecting audio devices with coaxial connections such as a TV, set-top box, Blu-ray player, etc. A coaxial digital audio interconnect, also called a SPDIF cable or coaxial cable, is used to carry digital audio signals from one device to another. A coaxial cable connection is a single RCA jack. Coaxial digital audio connections support PCM and up to 5.1 multi-channel Dolby Digital and DTS digital audio, but not the more advanced digital audio formats or analog audio.

The number of these input and output connections. These are useful for connecting two-channel analog audio devices such as a TV, set-top box, portable music player, etc. An audio interconnect, also called an audio cable, is used to carry analog audio signals from one device to another. A stereo (2-channel) analog connection can be in the form of a pair RCA jacks, or a mini-jack. Analog cable connections don't support digital audio.

A mini-jack provides wired connection for portable audio players and allows music stored on them to be played through the system's speakers.

Headphone jacks let you listen to audio output through cord connected stereo headphones.

Has an output connection for a cable connected subwoofer with a built-in amplifier.

"Yes" under "In" indicates that it can wirelessly receive audio signals from Bluetooth enabled source devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers (Bluetooth connections can be made between a TV and a soundbar or soundbase, but sometime the result is sound that does not match up with the video). "Yes" under "Out" indicates it can wirelessly send audio signals to Bluetooth playback devices such as Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. Bluetooth's range is typically about 30 feet so its best use is for wireless connections between devices in the same room.

Indicates if the system has a USB port, which are often, but not always, used for the USB host mode function but may also, or instead, be used for software updating or other system service. See the "USB Host mode(s)" above, and "Other connections" below, for details.

"Yes" indicates that the models comes with built-in WiFi or a WiFi adapter for wireless connection to a network. 'Optional' indicates that accessory WiFi adapters are available that allow the system to wirelessly connect to a network.

'Yes' indicates that a model has an Ethernet jack for a wired network connection. 'Optional' indicates that accessory Ethernet adapters are available that allow the system to connect to a network.

Other connections not mentioned above.