If you use your soundbar for music as much as TV or movies, you'll want something that can reproduce vocals and instruments clearly, with enough bass for genres like EDM and hip-hop. A dedicated subwoofer can help add extra punch and rumble, but it isn't the only thing that matters. A balanced stereo frequency response, a wide soundstage, useful sound customization tools, and easy wireless playback can all make a soundbar better suited to regular music listening.
We've tested over 245 soundbars, and below are our recommendations for the best soundbars for music. Check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars (if you watch a lot of movies), and the best budget soundbars.
Our recommendations are built upon our thorough testing and rigorous reviews. Every soundbar we evaluate goes through multiple testing stages with different teams to ensure accurate, authentic results. No cherry-picked units or data.
Curious how we've tested over 200 soundbars (and counting)? Look at our How We Test Soundbars article for a behind-the-scenes look at our lab and process.
-
Best Soundbar For Music
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the best soundbar for music that we've tested. It has a versatile sound that works well for everything from classic rock to modern pop, and its 11.1.4 setup gives you a full bar, subwoofer, and satellite speaker system for music, movies, and TV. The sealed subwoofer reproduces low-bass with plenty of thump, ensuring EDM and hip-hop tracks feel full and punchy, while its neutral mid-range keep vocals and instruments like guitars and pianos sounding clear and natural in the mix.
If you crave a different sound, you're in luck! This bar has a lot of customization features, including a seven-band graphic EQ, presets, and room correction to optimize its output for your space. It gets loud enough to fill a large room, which is handy if you're using it for a party, and its built-in Spotify, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Wi-Fi support make music playback easy. If you want Samsung's latest features, consider the Samsung HW-Q990H instead. It's very similar overall, with the same 11.1.4 channel configuration, excellent sound enhancement features, and broad audio format support, but it adds software tools like Auto Volume and Sound Elevation. Still, performance is very close, so the HW-Q990F is the better value while it's available for less.
-
Best Mid-Range Soundbar For Music
If you want strong performance for less than the Samsung HW-Q990F, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is a very solid choice. The JBL gives you flexible listening options within its 7.1.4 configuration, as its detachable satellites let you configure it as a bar-and-sub combo or as a setup with dedicated satellites. This can make it a compelling choice for smaller living rooms and listening setups, especially if you like switching between stereo music playback and surround sound movie content.
It offers a balanced default frequency response that outputs plenty of bass, though it has a darker treble range presentation compared to the Samsung. Still, it features a wide stereo soundstage that does justice to expansive orchestral recordings, and the great dynamics performance means you can crank the tunes without encountering much compression. There's a raft of sound customization options too, like a seven-band graphic EQ and room correction tool. If you like the JBL's detachable satellite design but want a higher channel count, you can also pay a little extra for the JBL Bar 1300XMK2. Both JBL bars feature 3 HDMI In ports, but neither features 4k @ 120Hz passthrough.
-
Best Budget Soundbar For Music
The Hisense AX5140Q is a great value if you want a 5.1.4 setup that'll enhance your music listening experience at a comparatively low price. This bar offers a generally balanced frequency response across the full range, with the dedicated sub reproducing kick drums with plenty of punch. It doesn't fare so well with low-bass, though, so sub-bass-heavy rap tracks can sound a little muted. Still, it can get loud enough to fill the average living room without any noticeable compression that can cause pumping artifacts.
Of course, being a budget bar, there are trade-offs. You don't get the JBL Bar 1000MK2's room correction tool or detachable satellite design, but the Hisense's graphic EQ helps you cover a lot of ground. If you don't care about Dolby Atmos and want a soundbar setup with a little more low-bass oomph for a similar price, it's worth considering the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers instead. This 5.1 bar sacrifices up-firing drivers and sound customization features in favor of a more balanced sound that extends lower than the Hisense.
-
Best Small Soundbar For Music
If you don't have the space for a larger soundbar, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is well worth considering. Whether you're in a small room or a tight apartment, the Sonos won't take up a lot of space. It has the same compact design as the original Sonos Beam, measuring under 26 inches wide, and a sleek, premium style that blends in easily with your decor. Unlike its predecessor, it supports Dolby Atmos content, which is frequently found on streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs. It can also stretch sound well past the edges of the bar itself, giving you a wider presentation than you'd expect from such a small soundbar.
This soundbar also has many audio customization tools, including a TruePlay room correction feature that adjusts audio output based on your room's acoustics. Voices and lead instruments are clear right out of the box, but its bass and treble adjustments give you extra control over its sound. Bass lovers can add on a separate sub if they want, and Sonos sells compatible satellites, too: the full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers is a great option if you have space for the extra components. And if you're looking for more options from the brand, check out the best Sonos soundbars.
-
Best All-In-One Soundbar For Music
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is the best all-in-one soundbar for music that we've tested. It's much wider than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), so it isn't the best fit for a cramped TV stand, but its single-bar design avoids the separate subwoofer and satellites that come with the JBL Bar 1000MK2. The Klipsch has integrated subs that deliver plenty of punch, and the mids are well-balanced, so vocals and lead instruments sound accurate and clear. Its soundstage also extends a bit past the edges of the bar, though surround sound concerts mixed in 5.1 or Atmos won't sound as immersive as they would with dedicated rear speakers.
The Klipsch also gives you plenty of ways to play and adjust your music. It supports common wireless platforms like Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, and it has a wide range of wired connections, including HDMI In with 4k @ 120Hz passthrough. You also get a three-band EQ, EQ presets, a dedicated 'Music' mode, and a basic version of Dirac room correction. Just know that the full version of Dirac costs extra and can reduce the bar's output volume. The built-in subs can also rattle at high volumes, so if you want deeper rumble and more headroom, one of the larger setups above is still a better choice.
Notable Mentions
-
LG Immersive Suite 5 Pro:
The LG Immersive Suite 5 Pro is a premium 7.1.4 setup that pairs the LG Sound Suite H7 bar with two M5 satellite speakers and a W7 wireless sub. It's a strong option if you want a loud, customizable system with controlled bass and flexible speaker placement, but it's more expensive than the Samsung HW-Q990F and lacks HDMI In.
See our review -
LG S95AR:
The LG S95AR is a high-end 9.1.5 soundbar that sounds great out of the box for stereo music, with dynamics and soundstage performance that matches the JBL Bar 1000MK2. However, the LG is slightly more expensive and lacks the JBL's detachable satellite design.
See our review -
LG S90TR:
The LG S90TR is a solid alternative to the JBL Bar 1000MK2 as it has a more balanced stereo frequency response out of the box. However, the JBL has more sound customization options, making it easier to dial in the sound to your tastes.
See our review -
TCL S55H:
The TCL S55H is a no-nonsense 2.1 soundbar that doesn't come with many frills whatsoever, or offer as much versatility as the Hisense AX5140Q and its 5.1.4 setup. However, for stereo music mixes, the TCL sounds good with a pretty balanced tuning, ample low-end, and a room calibration tool for an affordable price.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 19, 2026:
The Samsung HW-Q990F remains our top pick, with the newer Samsung HW-Q990H added as an alternative for those who want Samsung's latest features. The JBL Bar 1000MK2 is now our mid-range pick, with the LG S90TR moving to our Notable Mentions, along with the LG Immersive Suite 5 Pro. Finally, we also added the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 as a new all-in-one pick.
Mar 24, 2026:
We've replaced the Samsung HW-Q800D with the JBL Bar 1000MK2 as the mid-range pick, due to the JBL's versatile design and performance. The Hisense AX5140Q is the new budget pick, replacing the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers. We've also edited the text throughout our picks and notable mentions to improve flow.
Dec 01, 2025:
The LG S90TR is our new mid-range pick, and we've removed our lower mid-range entry as it was not offering extra value for our readers. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers is our new budget pick. Finally, in our Notable Mentions, we added the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 as an all-in-one solution, and replaced the LG S95TR with the LG S95AR.
Feb 06, 2025:
We've made some changes to align this article with other recommendation articles. The Samsung HW-Q930D replaces the HW-Q930C. The lack of availability for Vizio soundbars has meant that we've removed the lower mid-range pick and added the Hisense AX5125H as a budget pick, with the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 added as a comparison.
Nov 07, 2024:
This article has been updated to remove discontinued products like the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. The LG S90TR has been added as an alternative to the Samsung HW-Q900C, while the LG S95TR, Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module, and TCL S55H have been added as Notable Mentions. A note about the Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4 was also added.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top soundbars for music for most people to buy. We factor in the price (a cheaper soundbar wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no soundbars that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our soundbar reviews, sorted by their music performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. No soundbar is perfect. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.