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By Perry Piekarski
Nothing’s worse than getting your new TV home only to find that it sounds – well, horrible.
Thin, weak, and underpowered, TV speakers are the biggest cause of disappointment when shopping for a high-definition television.
But large, floor-standing speakers can seem intrusive, and not everyone has the space or desire for a full-blown audio system. So what do you do?
Fortunately, the world’s finest speaker manufacturers have heard your beck and call, offering a slew of sleek, sexy audio solutions for your TV. Low in profile and easy on the eyes, the soundbar has come to establish itself as the perfect compromise between audio performance and aesthetic design.
At HiFi House, there’s a soundbar solution for every TV. Narrowing it down to five of the finest soundbar speaker systems currently on the market, we assembled this quick-and-easy buyer’s guide to help you find the right one for your home.
PLAYBAR by Sonos
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The Music Lover’s Soundbar
All the Earth’s music, wirelessly, to any room in your home. It’s this mantra that has guided Sonos into the homes of millions, worldwide.
PLAYBAR is the product of popular demand, with Sonos owners clamoring for a speaker that integrates into their existing Sonos system. Sonos PLAYBAR is built to be the soundbar for music lovers, and it does not disappoint.
Simple to set up and easy to expand, Sonos PLAYBAR produces a richly textured, high-fidelity sound that’s easily controlled using your existing TV remote (programmed in a matter of seconds) or the FREE Sonos app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Built directly into PLAYBAR are nine Class-D digital amplifiers, powering nine drivers that produce realistic audio across a vast soundstage. Easily positioned above or below your TV, PLAYBAR is a dream come true.
- Perfect For: Existing Sonos owners, new Sonos owners, those interested in wireless audio, and music lovers who want the best of both worlds.
- What Makes It Special: PLAYBAR is more than your run-of-the-mill soundbar – it’s part of your Sonos system, giving you access to all the Earth’s music in any room of your home.
- Take It Higher: Add a pair of Sonos PLAY:3 speakers and a Sonos SUB for a wireless, 5.1 system that runs with the best of them.
SuperCinema 3D Array by GoldenEar Technology
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The Best of Both Worlds Soundbar
If there’s one thing GoldenEar Technology knows, it’s how to get you the best-sounding system for your dollar.
This is just as true with the SuperCinema 3D Array speaker system, taking on the popular soundbar form factor and combining it with the flexibility of a standard, piece-by-piece audio system.
Pair SuperCinema 3D Array with any amplifier of your choosing and create a system that’s uniquely your own. You’re getting the aesthetics of a soundbar with the audio performance, flexibility, and longevity of a floor-standing speaker system.
Less than three-inches deep, the slender SuperCinema 3D Array packs quite a punch, producing a vast soundstage and jaw-dropping sound you need to hear to believe. Scoring rave reviews across the board from consumers and critics alike, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you skip out on this phenomenal speaker system.
- Perfect For: Someone seeking audiophile-grade performance with a soundbar form factor.
- What Makes It Special: It’s designed to effectively cancel out crosstalk distortion, resulting in a massive front soundstage that stretches from wall to wall.
- Take It Higher: Add a set of GoldenEar Technology SuperSat satellite speakers and a ForceField subwoofer for a full-range system that makes you question whether you’re hearing speakers or are actually in the movie.
Soundtrack System by Paradigm
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The Small Size, Big Sound Soundbar
Looks can be deceiving.
With it’s slender design, low profile, and compact subwoofer, the Soundtrack System by Paradigm looks great with a small footprint.
And then you hear it!
Bursting with room-filling sound, the Soundtrack System saves a ton of space while flooding your room with realistic, powerful audio performance. No additional receiver is required.
While plenty of subwoofers are large and somewhat obtrusive, the Soundtrack System’s sub is just the opposite. Designed to fit anywhere, easily conceal the Soundtrack sub in a cabinet, on your entertainment center, or even under your couch.
Controlled using your existing TV remote, the Paradigm Soundtrack System makes minimalism work without pulling any punches. Everybody wins.
- Perfect For: Bedrooms, living rooms, or any room you need better sound, but don’t want to be overwhelmed by a larger system and a complicated setup.
- What Makes It Special: Sound quality this grand out of a system this compact is impressive. Put the sub where it looks best, because it sounds best anywhere.
- Take It Higher: Pair it with an Apple TV or AirPort Express and wirelessly stream your favorite tunes through your Soundtrack System.
Imagine W3 by PSB
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The Aesthetically Aware Audiophile’s Soundbar
Looking for a real sound solution for your home entertainment system? How does this sound?
- Easy installation
- Included wall-mount bracket
- Only 3″ deep
- Incredible audio fidelity
Liking it so far? We thought you might. Sound & Vision Magazine’s Brent Butterworth seems to agree, calling Imagine W3 “Perhaps the cleanest, most natural-sounding soundbar on the market.”
Backed by PSB’s 40 years of experience and deep working knowledge of quality acoustics, Imagine W3 is audiophile heaven. An incredible value, Imagine W3 gives you plenty of options for expandability, easily driven by any amplifier of your choosing.
Combine it with PSB satellite speakers and a subwoofer for a full, 5.1 experience that will make you rethink everything you’ve ever known about home audio.
- Perfect For: Music and movie lovers looking for a powerful, immersive speaker system backed by over 40 years of speaker design and plenty of flexibility to expand down the line.
- Makes It Special: Only 3″ deep, this speaker hugs the wall tightly, allowing for limitless low-profile applications, making it perfect for any room.
- Take It Higher: Add a set of PSB bookshelf or satellite speakers and subwoofer for full, 5.1 surround sound.
Horizon Series by Leon
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The Completely Custom Soundbar
You can’t always have what you want.
Just kidding! With the Horizon Series by Leon Speakers, you’ll enjoy the luxury of a custom-made soundbar, designed specifically for your application.
That’s right: every Leon Horizon Series speaker is made-to-order to match the exact width and finish of your flat-panel TV.
From the award-winning, 1.5″ deep Horizon 212-UT to the 120″ wide Horizon 616-OS, you’ll find the most dynamic selection of soundbars on the market, designed specifically for your room, your TV, and your every need.
Pair it with a Leon subwoofer and an amplifier of your choosing for the most custom soundbar experience available. You can even expand down the line for an envy-inducing audio system that will be the talk of the town.
- Perfect For: Literally anything you can imagine – this is custom home entertainment at its best.
- What Makes It Special: The sky is the limit and each Leon Horizon Series soundbar is built-to-order for a truly custom speaker system.
- Take It Higher: Consider Leon’s reference model, the Horizon Ultima, and pair it with a Leon subwoofer for an unparalleled soundbar experience.
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