Best premium speakers: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and more

Honorable mentions

Not all premium speakers make it to my elite list, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of attention, depending on your budget and setup. Here are some other picks that I or other WIRED reviewers have tested and liked.

Marshall Heston 120 for $1,300: This first speaker from the legendary speaker and (most recently) Bluetooth speaker maker offers some real perks. I love the sleek design highlighted by the sparkling gold control knobs and gorgeous vinyl strips reminiscent of the famous Marshall Instruments amplifiers. The sound is musical, detailed, balanced, and adds powerful Dolby Atmos expression. The main drawback is that the sound feels restricted, something I was particularly aware of when the action escalates, and is the opposite of what you’d expect from a bar steeped in rock ‘n’ roll heritage. The price also rose by $300 after launch, dampening the mood further.

Yamaha True Yamaha’s return to the speaker market certainly has the “premium” part to the amazing cost 90a. The package includes a wireless subwoofer and two fully wireless, battery-powered surround speakers that can also be used as Bluetooth speakers outside your home. Reviewer Simon Cohen says the sound is excellent, with impressive detail and surround sound clarity, along with support for Dolby Atmos and other advanced 3D audio formats. However, it does have some drawbacks, including fewer communication options and features than I expected, and some issues with out-of-the-box dialogue.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema for $1499: If you’re concerned about the reliability of Sonos’ software, Bluesound has become a refuge for many people looking for a powerful networking system instead of Sonos speakers. the Bluesound Pulse Cinema It offers many of the same features as the Sonos Arc Ultra, including the ability to expand with other speakers for multi-room audio, along with audio add-ons like Dolby Atmos speakers. Unfortunately, it lacks popular options like EQ and channel adjustment, and our reviewer found that performance doesn’t reach the same heights as the Sonos Bar, making its high price even more difficult.

Sony Bravia Theater 9 for $1,200-$1,500: Sony’s latest flagship soundbar works well in a vacuum, but it’s not as good as the bar it replaces. HT-A7000. The design is more streamlined (read more boring), with fewer inputs and volume settings, and its sound isn’t as heavy in the midrange or bass. It’s still Sony’s flagship soundbar, and that means good detail, solid musical performance, and good immersion in 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos. However, a new design (at a higher price) doesn’t guarantee an upgrade, and this bar feels like a step backwards.