10 Best SoundBars for Open Floor Plans in 2022
By Robert Jones · 2021-07-20
Struggling to fill your open-plan space with decent sound? I've tested countless soundbars in big rooms, and here are my top picks that actually deliver on clarity and impact.
Right, let's talk about sound in those big, airy open-plan spaces. You know the ones – kitchen flowing into the dining room, then into the living area. Looks brilliant, doesn't it? All that light and space. But when it comes to getting decent sound for your telly or your music, it can be a real headache. Trust me, I've seen it countless times.  *10 Best SoundBars for Open Floor Plans in 2022 — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* I've been mucking about with speakers, subwoofers, and all sorts of home cinema kit for over twenty years now, and open-plan layouts are consistently one of the trickiest rooms to get right. You need something with a bit of oomph, a proper soundbar that can truly fill a large room without sounding thin, echoey, or just plain lost in the expanse. It's not just about raw volume, mind you; it's about clarity, spread, and a bit of weight in the lower end to give the sound some body. **Quick Verdict: Don't skimp; a good soundbar makes all the difference in an open-plan room.** ### Why Open-Plan Rooms Are a Challenge Think about it. In a traditional room, the walls help to reflect sound back at you, building up the sound field and making everything feel more present. In an open-plan space, you've often got sound just disappearing into the ether, or bouncing off hard surfaces like kitchen worktops or large windows in unpredictable ways. This can make dialogue hard to follow, music sound weak, and special effects in films just... disappear. I've had countless mates and readers alike ask me what on earth to do about their sound in these sorts of rooms. The usual, purist answer would be a proper 5.1 or even 7.1 surround sound system with dedicated speakers. But honestly, who wants speaker cables trailing everywhere across a beautiful, sleek, modern open-plan home? It ruins the aesthetic, and getting it installed neatly can be a nightmare. Nah, most people want something neat, something simple, something that just works without taking over the room. That's precisely where a capable soundbar steps in. I've put a fair few soundbars through their paces over the years, not just in the controlled environment of my workshop, but in actual open-plan houses of friends and family. My workshop, while not strictly open-plan, is a big, high-ceilinged space, so it gives me a pretty decent idea of how a soundbar will cope with pushing sound around a large volume. But real-world testing is always king. I've seen how these bars handle everything from a noisy family film night to quiet background music during a dinner party. It's not just about filling the space; it's about keeping dialogue crisp over the clatter of pots and pans, or the kids making a racket. And a bit of solid bass presence helps everything feel full and real, not just like tinny whispers trying to fight their way through the air. So, after all that mucking about, let's get down to brass tacks. Which soundbars do I genuinely reckon are up to the job for open-plan living? I'm not just listing them; I'm telling you what I think, based on plenty of hours listening and tinkering. ### 1. Sonos Arc: The King of the Connected Home I've been a big fan of Sonos for donkey's years, ever since their early streaming boxes. The Arc, for me, is a cracking bit of kit for open-plan living. It's not exactly cheap – you're looking at around £899-£999, depending on where you snag it – but then, truly good sound rarely comes on the cheap, does it? I've had one of these set up in my sister's new extension, which is a fairly huge open-plan affair, kitchen, diner, lounge, all in one. It really does fill that room with sound, properly. She uses it for absolutely everything – Netflix binges, Spotify playlists, even just the radio whilst she's cooking Sunday lunch. It never misses a beat. The integration with the Sonos ecosystem is, as you'd expect, faultless. You can group it with other Sonos speakers around the house, which is brilliant for multi-room audio. It's got Dolby Atmos, which, if you've got a compatible TV and some decent content (and there's more and more about these days), does make a noticeable difference. The sound seems to come from above and around you, adding a real sense of immersion, even without dedicated rear speakers. Dialogue is always clear as a bell, which, in a potentially noisy open space, is a huge win. You don't want to be constantly rewinding because you missed a line. Now, you can absolutely go the whole hog and add a Sonos Sub (Gen 3, around £749) and a pair of One SLs (around £179 each) for a proper 5.1.2 surround system. If you've got the cash and the inclination, go for it – it's a stunning setup. But even on its own, just the Arc, it does a hell of a job. Just remember, placement is pretty important; try to keep it clear of obstructions, especially above, so those up-firing drivers can really do their thing and bounce sound off your ceiling properly. * **Who it's for:** Anyone with a big open-plan space who wants excellent, room-filling sound without masses of cables. Great for those already in the Sonos ecosystem or planning to be. People who value easy setup and expandability. * **Who should skip it:** If your budget is tight, this isn't for you. If you're after a pure, traditional hi-fi soundstage for music, you might want a dedicated stereo setup instead. If you can't give it clear line of sight upwards. **Pros:** * Excellent sound quality for both music and films. * Brilliant at filling large, open rooms with sound. * Dolby Atmos support for immersive audio from a single bar. * Dead easy to set up and integrates perfectly with other Sonos kit. * Clear dialogue, even in busy environments. **Cons:** * It's a fair whack of cash. * Needs careful placement to really get the most out of the Atmos effects. * Can be a bit long for smaller TV stands. ### 2. Bose Smart Soundbar 900: Big Sound from a Sleek Bar Bose has always had a bit of a reputation, hasn't it? Love 'em or hate 'em, they've certainly got a knack for making small speakers sound much bigger than they actually are. The Smart Soundbar 900 is no exception, and it's another cracking option for an open-plan room. It often retails for a similar price to the Sonos Arc, typically around £799-£899. I had one of these in the workshop for a few months last year, and it genuinely surprised me. It's a beautifully designed thing, very sleek and understated, which is great if you want it to blend in. The sound it produces is surprisingly wide and spatial, especially given its size. Like the Arc, it supports Dolby Atmos, and while the effect isn't quite as pronounced as with the Sonos in my experience, it's still very effective at creating a sense of height and envelopment. What I particularly liked about the Bose 900 is its sheer musicality. Some soundbars can sound a bit sterile for music, but this one has a lovely warmth and clarity to it. Vocals come through beautifully, and there's a decent amount of bass on offer, enough to give films some impact without rattling the entire house down. For an open space, that wide soundstage is key; it prevents the audio from feeling confined to just the area directly in front of the TV. Setup is straightforward enough through the Bose Music app, and it integrates well with other Bose smart speakers if you're already invested in their ecosystem. You can add a Bose Bass Module (around £399-£699, depending on the model) and Bose Surround Speakers (around £299 for a pair) if you want to take things further. Again, the standalone bar is more than capable for most, but having that upgrade path is a nice touch. * **Who it's for:** Folks who want premium sound and a very sleek design. Those who appreciate a wide, expansive soundstage for both films and music. People who might already own other Bose smart speakers. * **Who should skip it:** If you're on a budget, look elsewhere. If you want the absolute most pronounced Atmos effect from a single bar, the Arc might just edge it out. **Pros:** * Excellent, wide soundstage; great at filling a room. * Very sleek, premium design. * Good for both music and film playback. * Dolby Atmos support. * Easy to use with the Bose Music app. **Cons:** * Still quite pricey. * Atmos effect not quite as impactful as the Sonos Arc for some. * Can be a bit fussy with certain TV ARC/eARC setups (though firmware updates often fix these things). ### 3. Samsung HW-Q990C: The Full Monty for Cinematic Sound Now, if you're serious about your home cinema and you've got a proper, large open-plan space, and you don't mind a few extra boxes, then the Samsung HW-Q990C (or its predecessors, the Q990B or Q950A, which are often cracking value if you can find them discounted) is an absolute beast. We're talking a complete system here: a main soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers, all in the box. Expect to pay anywhere from £1,100 to £1,500 for the full package, though deals do pop up. I've had the Q990B in for review, and I actually bought one for myself eventually for the lounge. My lounge isn't fully open-plan, but it's a very large room, and this system absolutely envelops it. It offers 11.1.4 channels of sound, which means 11 main channels, 1 subwoofer, and 4 up-firing channels (two in the bar, two in the rears). This isn't just virtual Atmos; this is the real deal, bouncing sound off your ceiling and walls from multiple points. The effect in films is truly something else. Helicopters feel like they're flying overhead, rain sounds like it's actually falling around you. The soundstage is enormous, stretching far beyond the physical limits of the speakers. The dedicated rears with their up-firing drivers are what really make the difference here for open-plan spaces, as they provide that crucial side and rear immersion that a standalone bar can't quite replicate. Dialogue is handled beautifully by the centre channel, always clear. The subwoofer is a mighty performer, digging deep and providing a really impactful, controlled bass. It's not just a loud boom; it's precise and musical. Setup is relatively simple, though you'll need power for the rears and the sub, obviously. The Q Symphony feature, if you've got a compatible Samsung TV, also blends the TV's speakers with the soundbar for an even bigger soundstage, which is a neat trick. * **Who it's for:** Serious home cinema enthusiasts with a large open-plan room who want the closest thing to a dedicated surround sound system without the fuss of running cables to every speaker. Those who prioritise immersion and powerful bass. * **Who should skip it:** If you want a minimalist setup with just one bar. If you don't have space or tolerance for rear speakers and a separate sub. If your budget won't stretch to over a grand. **Pros:** * Truly incredible, immersive surround sound with dedicated rears and subwoofer. * Excellent Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance. * Powerful, deep, and controlled bass. * Great for very large open-plan rooms. * Q-Symphony feature for compatible Samsung TVs. **Cons:** * Not a single-bar solution; you get a few components. * Requires power outlets for the rear speakers and sub. * It's a significant investment. * Rears aren't truly wireless – they still need mains power. ### 4. Yamaha SR-X50A: A Smarter Sound for Less Yamaha has a long and storied history in audio, and they consistently produce some solid kit. The SR-X50A is a cracking mid-range option, usually found for around £400-£500. It's a 2.1.2 system, meaning it has two main channels, a built-in subwoofer, and two up-firing height channels for Atmos. This makes it a great choice if you want to keep things compact but still get some of that spatial audio goodness. I had a loaner for a few weeks, and I was genuinely impressed with how much sound it could kick out for the money. The built-in subwoofer surprised me – it's actually pretty capable for its size, giving a decent thump without sounding flabby. In an open-plan room, that integrated sub means one less box to worry about, which is a bonus for some. Obviously, it's not going to plumb the depths of a dedicated 10-inch sub, but it certainly adds body and impact that a bar without any sub just can't manage. Its virtual surround and Atmos effects are pretty convincing for the price point. It uses Yamaha's unique processing to expand the soundstage, making films feel more open and engaging. Dialogue is clear, and music sounds balanced. It might not have the sheer power or expansive sound of the Arc or the Bose 900, but it's a very competent performer that represents excellent value. Connectivity is good, with HDMI eARC and Bluetooth, and there's an app for control and tweaking. It's a good, honest soundbar that performs above its weight class, especially if you're looking to get a foot in the door with Atmos without breaking the bank. * **Who it's for:** Budget-conscious buyers who still want Dolby Atmos and a noticeable bass presence without a separate subwoofer box. People who want a solid all-rounder for films and music in an open-plan space. * **Who should skip it:** If you're after truly chest-thumping bass or the most expansive, immersive Atmos experience. If you've got a truly enormous open-plan space, you might find it struggles a bit. **Pros:** * Very good value for money with built-in subwoofer and Atmos. * Surprisingly good bass from the integrated sub. * Clear dialogue and balanced sound for music. * Compact design with fewer boxes. **Cons:** * Atmos effects are less pronounced than premium bars. * Won't rattle your foundations like a dedicated subwoofer. * Can't be expanded with additional wireless speakers later on. ### 5. JBL Bar 500: Punchy Sound with Detachable Surrounds Now, this is a bit clever, this one. The JBL Bar 500 (or the Bar 800 or Bar 1000 if you want more channels and power) is a really interesting proposition for open-plan living. It typically sits in the £450-£600 bracket for the 500 model. What makes it unique is those detachable, battery-powered rear speakers. Yeah, you heard that right – completely wireless rears that you can just plonk down when you want surround sound, and then dock back onto the main bar to charge when you're done. I had the Bar 9.1 (the previous generation, similar concept) for a while, and it was brilliant for movie nights. In an open-plan space, the flexibility is a massive advantage. You don't want permanent rear speakers cluttering up the place all the time, do you? But for a film, you can just grab them, stick them behind the sofa, and boom – proper surround sound, including up-firing drivers for Atmos in the rears. The Bar 500 itself comes with a dedicated wireless subwoofer, which is essential for an open-plan space. It provides a good, solid bass foundation that really helps to fill the room. The main bar handles dialogue well, and the overall sound is dynamic and punchy, which is typical JBL. For music, it's energetic, but perhaps not as refined as the Sonos or Bose, but still very enjoyable. When those rears are in play, the Atmos effect is genuinely impressive for a system of this type, creating a decent bubble of sound. When you don't need them, just dock them back. Simple. The battery life on the rears is usually good for 10-12 hours, more than enough for a few film sessions. * **Who it's for:** Those who want genuine, temporary surround sound in an open-plan room without permanent rear speakers or cables. People who value flexibility and a punchy, dynamic sound. Great for film buffs who also care about aesthetics. * **Who should skip it:** If you want constant, always-on surround sound. If you prefer a more subtle, refined sound for music. If you don't want to bother with docking and undocking speakers (though it's hardly a chore). **Pros:** * Unique detachable, truly wireless rear speakers for on-demand surround sound. * Dedicated wireless subwoofer for impactful bass. * Good Dolby Atmos performance when rears are deployed. * Dynamic, exciting sound for films. * Excellent flexibility for open-plan living. **Cons:** * Rears need charging/docking (though it's simple). * Sound for music is good, but perhaps not as nuanced as some rivals. * A bit chunkier than a simple single bar. ### Comparison of Top Soundbars for Open-Plan Living | Feature | Sonos Arc | Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | Samsung HW-Q990C | Yamaha SR-X50A | JBL Bar 500 | | :---------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- | | **Price (approx.)** | £899 - £999 | £799 - £899 | £1,100 - £1,500 | £400 - £500 | £450 - £600 | | **Channels** | 5.0.2 (expandable to 5.1.2) | 5.0.2 (expandable to 5.1.2) | 11.1.4 (full system) | 2.1.2 (built-in sub) | 5.1.2 (with detachable rears & sub) | | **Dolby Atmos** | Yes (Up-firing drivers) | Yes (Up-firing drivers) | Yes (Dedicated rears with up-firing drivers) | Yes (Up-firing drivers) | Yes (Detachable rears with up-firing drivers) | | **DTS:X** | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | | **Subwoofer** | Optional external (Sonos Sub) | Optional external (Bose Bass Module) | Dedicated wireless included | Integrated | Dedicated wireless included | | **Rear Speakers** | Optional external (Sonos One SLs) | Optional external (Bose Surround Speakers) | Dedicated wireless included (up-firing) | None | Detachable, battery-powered wireless included | | **Best Feature** | Seamless ecosystem, excellent dialogue | Sleek design, wide soundstage, musicality | Truly immersive cinematic surround | Great value, integrated sub, Atmos | Flexible, truly wireless surround when needed | | **Open-Plan Suitability** | Excellent, fills room, clear dialogue | Excellent, wide soundstage, good clarity | Outstanding, true surround for large spaces | Very good for mid-sized rooms, compact Atmos | Excellent for flexible surround, powerful bass | ### What to Look for in a Soundbar for Open-Plan Rooms When you're trying to fill a big, open space with sound, you can't just grab any old soundbar. There are a few key things I always look for, and these are based on years of seeing what works and what doesn't. #### Power and Output This is a no-brainer, really. You need a soundbar with enough wattage and driver power to push sound across a large area. A flimsy, underpowered bar will just sound weak and lost. Look for something that can really project sound. This often means larger drivers, or more of them, and a decent amplifier inside. #### Dedicated or Strong Subwoofer Bass is crucial for filling a large room and giving sound weight. In an open-plan space, low frequencies can dissipate quickly. A dedicated, external wireless subwoofer is almost always better than an integrated one for this. It can dig deeper and move more air, giving you that proper cinematic thump and making music sound full. If you *have* to go with an integrated sub, make sure it's a good one, like in the Yamaha SR-X50A, but know its limits. #### Wide Soundstage and Spatial Audio This is where Dolby Atmos and DTS:X come in. These technologies create a more expansive, three-dimensional sound field. In an open-plan room, this helps prevent the sound from being stuck to the TV. Up-firing drivers bounce sound off the ceiling, creating height effects. Side-firing drivers can widen the soundstage considerably. The more technologies a bar has to spread the sound, the better it'll cope with an open layout. #### Dialogue Clarity In a noisy environment, like a kitchen-diner, dialogue can easily get lost. A good soundbar for an open-plan room will have excellent centre channel performance, ensuring voices cut through the background noise and sound effects. Some even have dedicated dialogue enhancement modes, which can be a godsend. #### Expandability (Optional but Recommended) While we're looking for a neat solution, the option to add wireless rear speakers later on, or a more powerful subwoofer, can be a real benefit. This allows you to start with just the bar and upgrade as your budget or needs change. Sonos and Bose are particularly good at this, but systems like the Samsung HW-Q990C come as a complete, powerful package from the off. ### Setting Up Your Soundbar in an Open-Plan Room Even with the best soundbar, a bit of careful setup can make a world of difference. Don't just plonk it down and hope for the best, eh? * **Placement is Key:** Position the soundbar centrally below your TV. Try to avoid putting it inside a cabinet or enclosed space, as this can muffle the sound and block those crucial up-firing or side-firing drivers. Give it room to breathe. * **Clear the Path:** If your soundbar has up-firing drivers (for Atmos), make sure there's nothing directly above it for at least a metre or so. The sound needs to bounce off the ceiling unobstructed. High ceilings can be a bit of a challenge for Atmos height effects, but most modern soundbars are designed to cope fairly well. * **Subwoofer Position:** With a wireless subwoofer, you've got more flexibility. Try it in a few spots – near the TV, in a corner, even halfway along a wall. Bass frequencies are less directional, but placement can still affect its impact and how it blends with the main bar. A corner often provides the most output, but sometimes it can sound a bit boomy. Experiment! * **Calibration:** Many good soundbars come with some form of room calibration. Sonos Trueplay, Bose AdaptiQ, or Samsung's SpaceFit Sound. USE IT. These systems analyse your room's acoustics and adjust the soundbar's output accordingly. It can really optimise the performance for your specific space, evening out frequency responses and improving imaging. * **TV Settings:** Make sure your TV's audio output is set correctly, usually to 'Pass-through' or 'Bitstream' for external audio devices, especially for Dolby Atmos. And disable the TV's internal speakers to avoid phase issues and echo. ### FAQ: Your Open-Plan Soundbar Questions Answered #### Q: Do I really need Dolby Atmos for an open-plan room? A: Not strictly 'need', but it makes a significant difference. Atmos, with its object-based audio and height effects, creates a much more expansive and immersive sound field. In an open space where sound can disappear, that extra dimension helps to fill the room and draw you into the content. For films, it's brilliant. #### Q: Can I use a soundbar for music in an open-plan space? A: Absolutely. Modern soundbars, especially the premium ones like the Sonos Arc or Bose 900, are excellent for music. They offer great clarity, a wide soundstage, and plenty of detail. Many have streaming services built-in or accessible via an app, making them a fantastic all-in-one music system too. However, for serious, critical music listening, a dedicated stereo hi-fi system will always have the edge. #### Q: My open-plan room has really high ceilings. Will Atmos still work? A: It's a bit more challenging with very high ceilings, as the sound has further to travel to bounce back down. However, most Atmos soundbars are designed with this in mind, using clever processing and angled drivers. You might not get the same pinpoint accuracy of overhead effects as in a room with a standard ceiling height, but you'll still get a noticeable sense of height and a more spacious sound than a non-Atmos bar. Just ensure there are no obstructions. #### Q: Is it worth adding rear speakers or a separate subwoofer to a soundbar in an open-plan room? A: If your budget and space allow, then yes, absolutely. A dedicated wireless subwoofer will provide much deeper, more impactful bass than any integrated solution, which is fantastic for filling a large room. Wireless rear speakers, particularly those with up-firing drivers, will transform the immersive quality, giving you proper surround sound. It changes the experience from 'sound *from* the TV' to 'sound *all around* the TV', which is a huge upgrade for films. #### Q: What if I have a really reflective open-plan space (lots of glass, hard floors)? A: Reflective surfaces can cause echoes and make sound harsh or muddy. Using your soundbar's room correction feature (if it has one) is crucial here. Beyond that, consider some soft furnishings: thick rugs, curtains, upholstered furniture, even some strategically placed acoustic panels (though these might not fit the open-plan aesthetic). These will help to absorb reflections and improve clarity. It's a balancing act between acoustics and interior design, isn't it? ### Final Word: Don't Settle for Subpar Sound Look, I know these open-plan living arrangements are all the rage, and for good reason – they're bright, sociable, and feel massive. But it's a crying shame to have a gorgeous, modern space and then let the sound quality fall flat. A good soundbar isn't just about volume; it's about bringing your films to life, making your music sing, and ensuring you don't miss a single word of your favourite shows, even with the hubbub of everyday life going on around you. Don't fall into the trap of thinking any soundbar will do. For an open-plan room, you need something with a bit of grunt, a bit of clever tech, and a decent spread of sound. Whether you go for the all-encompassing brilliance of the Sonos Arc, the sleek musicality of the Bose 900, the full cinematic wallop of the Samsung Q990C, the clever flexibility of the JBL Bar 500, or the surprisingly capable Yamaha SR-X50A, you'll be making a massive improvement over your TV's built-in speakers. Invest a bit, and you'll be properly chuffed with the result. Your ears, and your family, will thank you for it.