Have you been searching for the top high-end soundbars?
If you’ve been on the lookout, you’re in exactly the right place.
Whether you’re wanting to buy your first soundbar, upgrade an existing sound system, or even buy a gift for someone special, deciding what to spend your money on can be overwhelming.
That’s why we have compiled a list to help you find the best soundbar under $1000.
Quick List: Top 6 Soundbars Under $1000
- Samsung Harman Kardon 3.1.2 HW-Q70R Soundbar
- Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 Sound System
- Sonos Playbar – Best Overall
- Bose Soundbar 700 – Highly Rated
- JBL Bar 5.1 Soundbar
- Sony HT-Z9F Soundbar – Good Value
Researching Soundbars Under $1000
Throughout our research for soundbars under $1000, we focused on the sound quality and the volume of the soundbar. Anyone would be upset if they spent money on a soundbar that didn’t perform adequately for its price.
We looked at the channels as well to find a variety of options. We wanted to find soundbars that would suit people looking for a more compact and minimalist set up, as well as those looking for a full home theater soundbar.
Our research also looked at the sound features offered. Things like supporting Dolby Digital or DTS:X were considered for giving a convincing surround sound performance. We also considered voice enhancement features that would make the whole listening experience more comfortable.
Throughout our search, we paid attention to connectivity options, as well as wireless compatibility for Bluetooth and WiFi. This was important so that the soundbars had versatility and could act as more than just a soundbar for your TV.
All these aspects, as well as others, were prioritized in our search for the best soundbars on the market.
If you like the idea of these premium soundbars but don’t have the budget just yet, I highly recommend checking out our post on the best soundbars under $500 or even under $300.
The Best Soundbar Under $1000 in2024
1. Samsung Harman Kardon 3.1.2 HW-Q70R Soundbar Review
- Product Dimensions: 43.3" W x 2.32" H x 3.93" D | Spk (sub woofer) Net Dimension: 8.07" W x 15.86" H x 15.86" D
This soundbar is an awesome option to ramp up the sound quality of your TV room. It delivers a well-balanced sound with some incredible extra features.
✔️ What we like: Dolby ATMOS & DTS:X technologies
❌ What we don’t like: Doesn’t offer a night mode
Standout Features
- Samsung Acoustic Beam
- Dedicated center channel
- Adaptive Sound
- Game Mode Pro
If you’re looking to completely transform your sound system, then this may be for you. The HW-Q70R provides some terrific sound that is neutral enough to suit all applications. The bass offered by this soundbar is also impressive, meaning that you won’t be missing out on any depth of your movie experiences.
Besides the hardware that makes this bar sound so great, there are also incredible sound features that take the listening experience to a new level. This soundbar supports Dolby ATMOS and DTS:X technologies which aid in creating a fully immersive sound system.
With the virtual surround sound, you will feel as if the sounds are coming from all around you. Samsung also boasts its Adaptive Sound feature which, when activated, will optimize your sound as the scenes change to give you the ultimate viewer comfort.
If you’re a gamer, you will be happy to know that the HW-Q70R has you fully covered with the Game Mode Pro. This will automatically detect when you are gaming and adjust the sound to give you a more immersive and action-packed experience with its surround sound and solid bass.
One of the benefits of this soundbar having three channels is that the center channel is dedicated to dialog. This gives you crisper vocals and more clarity so that you never have to worry about hearing the soft words in your favorite films.
The HW-Q70R also sports Samsung Acoustic Beam which will deliver the sound directionally to make you feel more a part of the movie.
You have a variety of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and WiFi, as well as 4K and HDR 10 compatibility. This soundbar has it all and is a seriously amazing upgrade from any sound system or TV speaker.
Overall, the Harman Kardon soundbar is well worth the investment!
2. Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 Sound System Review
- Transform your living room into a premium cinema within minutes. Experience deep, room-filling bass with the industry’s only Dual Wireless Subwoofers and True 360° 7.2 channel surround sound with...
This soundbar is more of a full home theater set up than just a soundbar. If you’re someone who wants to go all out and has no intention of holding back when it comes to creating the ultimate sound experience, then this is for you!
✔️ What we like: 7.2.4 Channel System
❌ What we don’t like: Takes up a lot of space
Standout Features
- 800 W of power
- 4K and HDR pass-through
- Wide soundstage
- Dual subwoofers
If you’re searching for that full cinema experience in your home, then this Nakamichi Elite system is perfect. It may not hold many of the sound features that other options offer but the size and payoff of the actual speakers is unmatched. If you’re tight on space, this may not be a good option for you.
Accompanying the main soundbar, you will find dual subwoofers, and two rear speakers. These rear speakers house a full-range driver as well as a tweeter for each. This combination will give you crisp ambient sound so that you hear every single detail of the movie.
The dual subwoofers are guaranteed to give you the full bass kick that you want and will pack a proper punch for any action movie enthusiast. With an insane 800 W of power and 106 dB of sound, this set up will provide more than enough volume.
The soundbar is also specially design to widen the soundstage so that your surround sound is in peak performance. Furthermore, Nakamichi offers their exclusive Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) technology which will enhance the directionality.
The soundbar is compatible with 4K and HDR so you won’t be left wanting more from any of your movie nights. Moreover, the dual center channels bring exceptional clarity to the vocals, giving you a full force of crisp dialog.
You can connect to this soundbar using HDMI, Optical, and Coaxial which gives you plenty of options to connect multiple devices. For wireless connectivity, you can make use of the built-in Bluetooth. This system pulls out all the stops to create a genuine cinema experience.
This Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite is extreme value for money and if you can fit the speakers into the TV room, there is no reason not to invest in this superior soundbar.
3. Sonos Playbar Review – Best Overall
- The Mountable sound bar for TV, movies, music, and more.
If you’re looking for a soundbar that can form a solid foundation for you to build an integrated home sound system on, then this may be a good place to look. The Sonos Playbar offers great sound, superb features, and you can easily add on to it.
✔️ What we like: Works with Alexa
❌ What we don’t like: Doesn’t offer HDMI connectivity
Standout Features
- Sonos app control
- WiFi connectivity
- Adjusts to room
This soundbar could be a fantastic option for you if you prefer soundbars that deliver bright and clear sounds, rather than deep bass. The Sonos Playbar doesn’t have a subwoofer which means that the bass won’t be as prominent compared to its competitors, but it still manages to deliver a neutral profile that can handle most sound with ease.
This Sonos soundbar is particularly awesome with dialog heavy sound. If you watch a lot of TV shows, news, or even listen to audiobooks, then this is perfect for you. Part of what makes this soundbar so good for vocals is its high-quality center channel that is dedicated to dialog sounds.
Another reason is that Sonos has employed sound engineers to specially configure the sound to emphasize human voices. This means that you will never be struggling to hear your favorite characters speak and you won’t be missing any of those critical parts of the script.
You can connect to this soundbar via Optical and you can connect wirelessly through WiFi. This WiFi connectivity becomes extremely useful if you wish to add onto the system, because it will mean that all of your units can integrate to form a seamless sound system.
The Sonos Playbar is also able to integrate perfectly into different rooms. Whether you mount the soundbar on a wall or place it on a table, it will automatically adjust to deliver the best possible sound in that position.
This soundbar provides fantastic sound for voice clarity given the price and on top of that, it delivers wonderfully on a few extra features.
The Sonos Playbar would be a terrific addition to any home and it’s a great place to start if you want a soundbar that is easily upgradable.
4. Bose Soundbar 700 Review – Highly Rated
- Best Bose soundbar: The best-performing soundbar from Bose, featuring immersive sound, deep bass, and easy access to your entertainment. Use the Bose Music app for guided setup
If you’ve been looking for any audio products, you’ve likely come across Bose in the process. They are no strangers to producing high-quality items and this Soundbar 700 is no different.
✔️ What we like: Wide soundstage
❌ What we don’t like: Doesn’t include a wireless subwoofer
Standout Features
- Easily upgradable
- Excellent build quality
- Works with Alexa
If you’re wanting a very sleek and elegant soundbar, this may be for you. It is built exceptionally well and is very solid. Most soundbars are designed to be sleek and neat but this bar oozes class and is sure to look fantastic in any TV set up.
The overall sound is quite neutral which means it works well for a wide range of applications, but without a wireless subwoofer, the soundbar may lack a little bit of that extra kick. Despite any lack of bass, the bar provides some amazing sound!
With the bar’s balanced sound, it doesn’t matter if you’re watching movies, listening to music or watching your favorite TV show, you will be fully covered.
The Soundbar 700 boasts side-firing speakers that do an incredible job of widening the soundstage, making it seem as if the sounds are coming from all directions. It also excels in providing vocal clarity, which can be further improved with its dialog enhancement feature.
The Bose Soundbar 700 isn’t just a soundbar, it is a smart device that can help you in everyday life. With the bar’s compatibility with Alexa, you can enjoy the full freedom of voice control. Alexa will provide services such as setting alarms, setting timers, and providing online information.
This addition is a great way to transform a soundbar into so much more than just a speaker.
You can also freely connect to the bar using Bluetooth or WiFi, allowing you to stream your music whenever you want. Moreover, if you feel that the lack of a subwoofer doesn’t suit your genre of music or taste in movies, you can easily upgrade the soundbar with the Bose Bass Module 700.
All in all, this Bose soundbar 700 would be a great addition to any home.
5. JBL Bar 5.1 Soundbar Review
- JBL 5.1 surround sound with 510W of power
JBL has come through with a soundbar that fulfills all of our surround sound needs. This JBL is a fantastic full system to give you that cinema-style surround sound that you’ve always wanted in your home.
✔️ What we like: Detachable battery-powered surround speakers
❌ What we don’t like: No EQ settings
Standout Features
- 510 W of power
- Impressive bass
- 4K compatible
This soundbar has a unique design that can be whatever you make of it. You can either enjoy the main soundbar as one piece with its wireless subwoofer on the side, or you can detach the sides of the bar to create two extra speakers. This makes your soundbar adjustable and customizable to whatever set up you prefer.
This is also very handy if you are wanting to use different configurations for different applications. For example, you can keep the soundbar solid for your morning news and then detach the speakers in the evening to give you two rear speakers for movie night.
These detachable parts are battery powered and last up to 10 hours. In terms of sound, the whole set up is rather impressive. The subwoofer delivers wonderfully on the bass and provides a fantastic rumble. The rest of the audio is still very clear, and the dialog is crisp.
Overall, just a very well-balanced soundbar. This sound is taken to the next level with Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS. Your movies will be completely brought to life!
The JBL Bar 5.1 is also 4K compatible and you can freely connect via HDMI. If you want to stream music or other audio from your smartphone or tablet, you can do that by connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth. All things considered, this soundbar is an awesome option if you want an adjustable system. Also, at the crux of it, it just sounds fantastic.
The JBL Bar 5.1 is undoubtedly worth the investment.
6. Sony HT-Z9F Soundbar Review – Good Value
- Ultimate Home Theater Upgrade with 3.1ch Dolby Atmos DTS: X and Vertical Sound Engine
The Sony HT-Z9F is an awesome 3.1 channel soundbar that is great for mixed usage. If you’re looking for an all-round good quality bar that keeps it simple, then this may be for you.
✔️ What we like: Impressive virtual surround sound
❌ What we don’t like: No EQ settings
Standout Features
- Seven different sound modes
- Works with Alexa
- 4K and HDR compatible
The HT-Z9F is a great choice if you’re looking for that high-end immersion into your movies. With its three channels and its wireless subwoofer, the sound from this Sony soundbar is wonderfully balanced and manages to do both the bass and the vocals justice. Ultimately, this soundbar is only a 3.1-channel system, which means that it won’t be able to fully perform as well as a full home theater system.
However, you would be surprised by how much surround sound you can get out of this small bar. The virtual surround sound is enhanced by Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Vertical Sound Engine. Overall, if you’re looking for a soundbar that can give you superb virtual surround performance without breaking the bank or needing rear speakers, this is perfect.
The HT-Z9F also performs very well with vocal content which makes it great for watching TV shows, news, or even listening to podcasts. If you require more clarity with dialog, you can also make use of the vocal enhancement feature. This soundbar also sounds surprisingly good with music!
Sony has found a great balance that offers a smooth midrange and can give a first-class performance with music. Furthermore, you can easily connect via Bluetooth or WiFi to stream your music.
This Sony bar is compatible with 4K and HDR, giving you full access to a truly incredible cinema experience in the comfort of your home. It also works with Alexa, which means that if you want to make use of voice control, you have that option available. In total, this soundbar is extremely versatile and performs exceptionally well for different applications.
The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar would be a fantastic choice for anyone.
A Guide to Choosing Soundbars Under $1000
Sound Features
At the price point of under $1000, you can find some truly amazing soundbars. At under $1000, you can expect to see different sound profiles for different applications, such as sports or movies. It is also very common to come across advanced surround sound technology.
It is a great plus if your soundbar offers high-quality virtual surround sound since this contributes greatly to creating an immersive experience. In addition to the sound features, some soundbars will also provide Alexa AI technology. This can be a fantastic addition to the soundbar since it will allow you to use voice control. In general, extra sound features are important to the overall performance of the soundbar, especially the surround sound technology.
However, we recommend prioritizing the sound quality over any features since the features won’t help if the basic sound is bad.
Channels
In this category, the number of channels can vary greatly. You can find anything from three-channel to even seven-channel soundbars. Most commonly, you will find 3.1 channel soundbars and while the number of channels doesn’t necessarily mean anything for the sound quality, it can be beneficial to have more.
More channels usually mean an improved surround sound experience but with that being said, you can still have a fantastic surround sound experience with a three-channel soundbar. It mostly depends on what you want from your soundbar.
Design
The design of a soundbar will always be quite a personal choice since everyone has their own style. However, many soundbars are designed to look simple and neat. This makes the soundbar blend better with all TV setups and it also reduces how distracting the bar can be when you are watching TV.
Whatever your style may be, we do recommend going for good quality materials so that they last longer. Also, if you don’t have a big style preference, we recommend going for a sleek and classy soundbar. That way, it will fit perfectly in your set up and it will never go out of style.
Connectivity
In general, having more connectivity options can sometimes be better. More connections will keep your options open if you ever change your TV set up. However, if you already know what connections you need, then having many different modes of connection can be unnecessary.
In this range, you will likely have access to HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth, and WiFi.
Selecting the Ultimate High-End Soundbar
If you’re looking to invest in a soundbar, you probably want to make the right choice.
Choosing the best soundbar has a lot to do with sound quality, volume, and sound features. These aspects may vary slightly from person to person in terms of priority but overall, we all want a soundbar that delivers on its value.
Whether you want a compact and convenient solution, or you want a full surround sound system, we’ve got you covered. That’s why this list of top soundbars under $1000 has a large variety of soundbars.
So that everyone can find their ultimate pick.
Further Reading:
- 13 Best Soundbars Under $300 (Great Sound For A Great Price)
- 9 Best Soundbars Under $500 (Blow Your Mind, Not Your Money)
- 6 Best Soundbars Under $1000 (Big Bucks For Big Sound)
- Mackie CR StealthBar Desktop PC Soundbar Review
- Definitive Technologies Studio 3D Mini Review (Soundbar & Sub)
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.