Whether you’re interested in background music for your next party or you’re looking to upgrade a stereo system, there’s a speaker set ready for you. Speakers tend to be designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example, do you want speakers for your TV, computer speakers or a set for a specific room? Perhaps you need portable Bluetooth speakers to take on a trip? Not all speakers are created equal.
I’ve highlighted the best wired and wireless speakers I’ve tested costing between $50 and $1,000. While most of the included systems are powered speakers, you’ll also find passive bookshelf speakers, such as the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2, which just need to be paired with a great AV receiver.
From smart speakers to outdoor speakers to immersive home theater systems, every model I’ve chosen boasts great sound quality and is the best speaker in its particular category. I’ll update this list periodically as we review new products, so you can take your audio setup to the next level.
With great sound, a compact size and the Alexa voice assistant built-in, the Sonos Era 100 packs a lot of punch, making it the best smart speaker for the money.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”2a73264d-1cba-46db-bc5a-5ee59e3cc2f7″,”label”:”Sonos Era 100″,”slug”:”sonos-era-100″,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:”25b003bc-6259-4cf0-9158-526a09404a77″,”imgUrl”:”/content/image/redirect/25b003bc-6259-4cf0-9158-526a09404a77/resize/75×56″,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”2a73264d-1cba-46db-bc5a-5ee59e3cc2f7″,”slug”:”sonos-era-100″,”name”:”Sonos Era 100″,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1710034478171}” overridecredit overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”71d57cb5-158a-44af-a2c3-396e54d12b5e”,”alt”:”sonos-era-100-2″,”caption”:””,”credits”:null,”imageData”:{“id”:”71d57cb5-158a-44af-a2c3-396e54d12b5e”,”filename”:”sonos-era-100-2.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/344b25ab6c70faf9c27be132af021c79387fd617/hub/2023/03/28/71d57cb5-158a-44af-a2c3-396e54d12b5e/sonos-era-100-2.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2023-03-28 16:17:02.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/344b25ab6c70faf9c27be132af021c79387fd617/hub/2023/03/28/71d57cb5-158a-44af-a2c3-396e54d12b5e/sonos-era-100-2.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:null,”imageAltText”:”sonos-era-100-2″,”imageFilename”:”sonos-era-100-2.jpg”,”imageWidth”:1200,”imageHeight”:799,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2023-03-28″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”ykuup2twhf6zgcw”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__12e9be03-3036-454d-a034-5c2147338abf” index=”1″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
With great sound, a compact size and the Alexa voice assistant built-in, the Sonos Era 100 packs a lot of punch, making it the best smart speaker for the money.
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Elac has been belting out classic, affordable designs ever since its, er, debut in 2015. The Debut 2.0 exemplifies the brand’s appeal to both the budget-conscious and audiophiles. It offers a lively, insightful sound and attractive looks for around $400.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”f6d10e10-449a-494f-b3b2-035aa47e7074″,”slug”:”elac-debut-2-0-bookshelf-speakers”,”name”:”ELAC Debut 2.0 Bookshelf Speakers”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1710034488856}” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”65bb8acb-b662-4e9d-84ea-2e3529c685df”,”alt”:”A pair of black ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers”,”caption”:”
ELAC’s Andrew Jones just recently revised the Debut B6 speaker, now it’s the Debut 2.0 B6.2 ($298/pair), and the sound is much improved. Home theater buyers can partner the Debut B6.2 with ELAC’s matching Debut Series F5.2 towers ($299/each), C5.2 center channel speaker ($198) and an ELAC SUB3010 subwoofer ($449).
ELAC’s Andrew Jones just recently revised the Debut B6 speaker, now it’s the Debut 2.0 B6.2 ($298/pair), and the sound is much improved. Home theater buyers can partner the Debut B6.2 with ELAC’s matching Debut Series F5.2 towers ($299/each), C5.2 center channel speaker ($198) and an ELAC SUB3010 subwoofer ($449).
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Elac has been belting out classic, affordable designs ever since its, er, debut in 2015. The Debut 2.0 exemplifies the brand’s appeal to both the budget-conscious and audiophiles. It offers a lively, insightful sound and attractive looks for around $400.
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Want the biggest sound? You’ll need big speakers. The fit and finish of the large Fluance XL8 towers is unmatched by other speakers at its price. The sound of the XL8F is open and thrilling, but never shrill, and when fed a movie soundtrack these speakers simply zing. They’re no slouch with music either. If you truly want the maximum speaker for your money, the huge Fluance XL8F has no equal.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”6cae1815-0ed7-46f9-a15f-a150699c4e29″,”label”:”Fluance XL8F”,”slug”:”fluance-xl8f”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:”8f547c9b-8bb5-466d-a2dd-03fca56728a0″,”imgUrl”:”/content/image/redirect/8f547c9b-8bb5-466d-a2dd-03fca56728a0/resize/75×56″,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”6cae1815-0ed7-46f9-a15f-a150699c4e29″,”slug”:”fluance-xl8f”,”name”:”Fluance XL8F”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1710034505406}” overridecredit=”Ty Pendlebury/CNET” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”8f547c9b-8bb5-466d-a2dd-03fca56728a0″,”alt”:”fluance-xl8f-1″,”caption”:””,”credits”:”Ty Pendlebury/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”8f547c9b-8bb5-466d-a2dd-03fca56728a0″,”filename”:”fluance-xl8f-1.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/17b2384cc7e80f2fd68430120af05bc372083199/hub/2021/07/12/8f547c9b-8bb5-466d-a2dd-03fca56728a0/fluance-xl8f-1.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2021-07-12 18:52:52.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/17b2384cc7e80f2fd68430120af05bc372083199/hub/2021/07/12/8f547c9b-8bb5-466d-a2dd-03fca56728a0/fluance-xl8f-1.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:”Ty Pendlebury/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”fluance-xl8f-1″,”imageFilename”:”fluance-xl8f-1.jpg”,”imageWidth”:1920,”imageHeight”:1475,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2021-07-12″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”jdzpbx5ybkfngi9″,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__98bb0da3-ed26-439a-9a0f-bd0c94710b54″ index=”3″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Ty Pendlebury/CNET” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Want the biggest sound? You’ll need big speakers. The fit and finish of the large Fluance XL8 towers is unmatched by other speakers at its price. The sound of the XL8F is open and thrilling, but never shrill, and when fed a movie soundtrack these speakers simply zing. They’re no slouch with music either. If you truly want the maximum speaker for your money, the huge Fluance XL8F has no equal.
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Budget Bluetooth speakers are seemingly a dime a dozen, but among the countless options there do lie some gems. The $50 Tribit Stormbox Micro is a compact, portable speaker that offers both waterproofing and excellent bass for its size.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”17f120cf-36bc-4c10-aef1-2d2a23ab04d8″,”label”:”Tribit StormBox Micro”,”slug”:”tribit-stormbox-micro”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:”bb198021-ddde-4794-9745-b4bf760913a5″,”imgUrl”:”/content/image/redirect/bb198021-ddde-4794-9745-b4bf760913a5/resize/75×56″,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”17f120cf-36bc-4c10-aef1-2d2a23ab04d8″,”slug”:”tribit-stormbox-micro”,”name”:”Tribit StormBox Micro”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1710034505586}” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”bb198021-ddde-4794-9745-b4bf760913a5″,”alt”:”tribit-stormbox-micro-2″,”caption”:””,”credits”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”bb198021-ddde-4794-9745-b4bf760913a5″,”filename”:”tribit-stormbox-micro-2.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4ebc59ef855464126312d1a245b1854e49fc75ac/hub/2020/05/22/bb198021-ddde-4794-9745-b4bf760913a5/tribit-stormbox-micro-2.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2020-05-22 15:27:44.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4ebc59ef855464126312d1a245b1854e49fc75ac/hub/2020/05/22/bb198021-ddde-4794-9745-b4bf760913a5/tribit-stormbox-micro-2.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”tribit-stormbox-micro-2″,”imageFilename”:”tribit-stormbox-micro-2.jpg”,”imageWidth”:4032,”imageHeight”:2268,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2020-05-22″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”2hhm34uzqzp0enf”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__a401a2f4-2ffd-4591-90eb-72f16dbb94cb” index=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Editors’ choice
Budget Bluetooth speakers are seemingly a dime a dozen, but among the countless options there do lie some gems. The $50 Tribit Stormbox Micro is a compact, portable speaker that offers both waterproofing and excellent bass for its size.
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The $130 Roku Streambar is a hybrid soundbar-4K video streamer and the most welcome surprise is that it’s able to perform both tasks well. Pair it with a bedroom TV and the optional Onn Wireless Sub for a killer home theater setup.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”d1ef0136-4f4c-46a6-8785-3ec0e1dbba3c”,”label”:”Roku Streambar”,”slug”:”roku-streambar”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:”97ccad60-c6a9-4ee1-a296-656d9ddd908c”,”imgUrl”:”/content/image/redirect/97ccad60-c6a9-4ee1-a296-656d9ddd908c/resize/75×56″,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”d1ef0136-4f4c-46a6-8785-3ec0e1dbba3c”,”slug”:”roku-streambar”,”name”:”Roku Streambar”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1710034477972}” overridecredit overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”5b5eaf7e-92f7-4aca-8890-662bfc13b35c”,”alt”:”014-roku-streambar-2020″,”caption”:””,”credits”:null,”imageData”:{“id”:”5b5eaf7e-92f7-4aca-8890-662bfc13b35c”,”filename”:”014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a8f9e2f21a7efc01f148d53c66ee05d2d1ac8462/hub/2021/12/15/5b5eaf7e-92f7-4aca-8890-662bfc13b35c/014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2021-12-15 22:45:42.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a8f9e2f21a7efc01f148d53c66ee05d2d1ac8462/hub/2021/12/15/5b5eaf7e-92f7-4aca-8890-662bfc13b35c/014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:null,”imageAltText”:”014-roku-streambar-2020″,”imageFilename”:”014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2021-12-15″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”eaj25cunft5xlk2″,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__dbf082db-672e-418a-8b19-e9cef74838f6″ index=”5″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Editors’ choice
The $130 Roku Streambar is a hybrid soundbar-4K video streamer and the most welcome surprise is that it’s able to perform both tasks well. Pair it with a bedroom TV and the optional Onn Wireless Sub for a killer home theater setup.
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If there was ever a bargain in home theater it was this — for around the same price as the Elac speakers above you can get a full Dolby Atmos setup. With a sub! Sound quality is excellent and the Klipsch kit includes all of the cables you need in the box.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”84a1d7bf-7726-4445-af1d-eef2e0b8b5c7″,”label”:”Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 with Dolby Atmos”,”slug”:”klipsch-reference-cinema-system-5-1-4-with-dolby-atmos”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:null,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”84a1d7bf-7726-4445-af1d-eef2e0b8b5c7″,”slug”:”klipsch-reference-cinema-system-5-1-4-with-dolby-atmos”,”name”:”Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 with Dolby Atmos”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1710034477726}” overridecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”fd478b08-ef53-4f20-95b0-1657af772244″,”alt”:”klipsch-speakers-03″,”caption”:””,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”fd478b08-ef53-4f20-95b0-1657af772244″,”filename”:”klipsch-speakers-03.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/940ef1bea50de6690aa97d6c961fb104c0a59397/hub/2023/03/15/fd478b08-ef53-4f20-95b0-1657af772244/klipsch-speakers-03.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2023-03-15 14:18:56.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/940ef1bea50de6690aa97d6c961fb104c0a59397/hub/2023/03/15/fd478b08-ef53-4f20-95b0-1657af772244/klipsch-speakers-03.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”klipsch-speakers-03″,”imageFilename”:”klipsch-speakers-03.jpg”,”imageWidth”:3407,”imageHeight”:1684,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2023-03-15″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”8nx8xv5mz1dxdb7″,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__04848f10-eb36-47f5-8787-e7445d15625e” index=”6″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
If there was ever a bargain in home theater it was this — for around the same price as the Elac speakers above you can get a full Dolby Atmos setup. With a sub! Sound quality is excellent and the Klipsch kit includes all of the cables you need in the box.
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The Edifier R1280DB offers almost everything you could want in a PC speaker — excellent sound, a range of connections including Bluetooth and a compact footprint — and all for a reasonable $150. It doesn’t offer USB, though, so connect the headphone/line out of your PC to it instead.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”56b5e4ae-deed-4671-be45-42f86921abee”,”slug”:”edifier-r1280db-powered-bluetooth-bookshelf-speakers-computer-speakers-42w-rms-optical-input-wireless-studio”,”name”:”Edifier – R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers, Computer Speakers – 42W RMS Optical Input – Wireless Studio Monitors – Black”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”AUTOPID”,”mod”:1710034505120}” overridecredit=”Amazon” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”d4445988-4e84-4652-abc5-dfc2924395fd”,”alt”:”edifier-r1280db-2-3.png”,”caption”:””,”credits”:”Amazon”,”imageData”:{“id”:”d4445988-4e84-4652-abc5-dfc2924395fd”,”filename”:”edifier-r1280db-2-3.png”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/050869e18736a06e05688f86db3e3805215c2b63/hub/2021/05/13/d4445988-4e84-4652-abc5-dfc2924395fd/edifier-r1280db-2-3.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2021-05-13 18:08:27.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/050869e18736a06e05688f86db3e3805215c2b63/hub/2021/05/13/d4445988-4e84-4652-abc5-dfc2924395fd/edifier-r1280db-2-3.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:”Amazon”,”imageAltText”:”edifier-r1280db-2-3.png”,”imageFilename”:”edifier-r1280db-2-3.png”,”imageWidth”:1257,”imageHeight”:912,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2021-05-13″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”zngrw1lnx40quab”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__734bddae-5405-404c-8136-b37bb00f1b6b” index=”7″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Amazon” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
The Edifier R1280DB offers almost everything you could want in a PC speaker — excellent sound, a range of connections including Bluetooth and a compact footprint — and all for a reasonable $150. It doesn’t offer USB, though, so connect the headphone/line out of your PC to it instead.
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The Yamaha YAS-209 is one of the most fully featured soundbars the company has ever offered — especially at the price. With Alexa, HDMI connectivity and a wireless subwoofer, this soundbar doesn’t want for anything. The sound quality is great, too.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”2e175a6d-f2f5-4520-b149-96927b2db036″,”label”:”Yamaha YAS-209″,”slug”:”yamaha-yas-209″,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:”cf9fb0a5-2256-4203-b0ec-bc6829195c2b”,”imgUrl”:”/content/image/redirect/cf9fb0a5-2256-4203-b0ec-bc6829195c2b/resize/75×56″,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”2e175a6d-f2f5-4520-b149-96927b2db036″,”slug”:”yamaha-yas-209″,”name”:”Yamaha YAS-209″,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1710034505300}” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”b44c0d57-9e63-4ccc-9f98-badf2ef3a7ac”,”alt”:”04-yamaha-yas-209″,”caption”:””,”credits”:”Sarah Tew/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”b44c0d57-9e63-4ccc-9f98-badf2ef3a7ac”,”filename”:”04-yamaha-yas-209.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/7de4ef0c1243f35ee74ae8af5d2d29f596d7c24e/hub/2019/08/08/b44c0d57-9e63-4ccc-9f98-badf2ef3a7ac/04-yamaha-yas-209.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2019-08-08 21:14:17.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/7de4ef0c1243f35ee74ae8af5d2d29f596d7c24e/hub/2019/08/08/b44c0d57-9e63-4ccc-9f98-badf2ef3a7ac/04-yamaha-yas-209.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:”Sarah Tew/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”04-yamaha-yas-209″,”imageFilename”:”04-yamaha-yas-209.jpg”,”imageWidth”:3000,”imageHeight”:1688,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2019-08-08″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”x96sjpvw3qndpyh”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__8cd51a19-cdd5-4a46-bed8-c7a56d6b1f33″ index=”8″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Editors’ choice
The Yamaha YAS-209 is one of the most fully featured soundbars the company has ever offered — especially at the price. With Alexa, HDMI connectivity and a wireless subwoofer, this soundbar doesn’t want for anything. The sound quality is great, too.
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The Vizio Elevate may have one big gimmick at the core of it, that revolving height speaker, but it also offers sound quality to back up the gee-whizzery. This is a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar, with a hefty subwoofer, and its performance is equally thrilling in both movies and music. Add in a bunch of streaming features and you have the best surround system under a grand.” page-position linktext linkurl can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”a4648383-e96c-4822-bbf3-de17fecbef93″,”slug”:”vizio-elevate-p514a-h6″,”name”:”Vizio Elevate P514A-H6″,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”AUTOPID”,”mod”:1710034488609}” overridecredit=”Ty Pendlebury/CNET” overridecaption=”” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”3c9023bf-8683-48d7-924f-bc4a1d0302d0″,”alt”:”vizio-elevate-revolve.gif”,”caption”:””,”credits”:”Ty Pendlebury/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”3c9023bf-8683-48d7-924f-bc4a1d0302d0″,”filename”:”vizio-elevate-revolve.gif”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/b6b1ae6edbf1ebd779ec57557d999e6b601fba34/hub/2020/12/10/3c9023bf-8683-48d7-924f-bc4a1d0302d0/vizio-elevate-revolve.gif?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2020-12-10 21:19:12.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/b6b1ae6edbf1ebd779ec57557d999e6b601fba34/hub/2020/12/10/3c9023bf-8683-48d7-924f-bc4a1d0302d0/vizio-elevate-revolve.gif?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:””,”imageCredit”:”Ty Pendlebury/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”vizio-elevate-revolve.gif”,”imageFilename”:”vizio-elevate-revolve.gif”,”imageWidth”:525,”imageHeight”:296,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2020-12-10″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”7o1kf3cvo3s21yf”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__53bda109-abef-4a5e-958e-31534e02bc1b” index=”9″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” tagslugs=”yamaha,hv28,alexa,bluetooth,vizio,sonos” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Ty Pendlebury/CNET” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
The Vizio Elevate may have one big gimmick at the core of it, that revolving height speaker, but it also offers sound quality to back up the gee-whizzery. This is a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar, with a hefty subwoofer, and its performance is equally thrilling in both movies and music. Add in a bunch of streaming features and you have the best surround system under a grand.