10 Best Soundbars For PS5 2022
By Robert Jones · 2021-08-01
Alright, you've got a PS5, but are you really hearing your games properly? Robert Jones from SpeakersMag.co.uk shares his top soundbar picks to transform your PlayStation 5 gaming experience, making every explosion and whispered dialogue come alive.
Right, you've just landed yourself a shiny new PlayStation 5. Probably scrimped and saved, didn't you? Or maybe you just got lucky with a restock. Either way, good on ya. You've got the blistering speed, the jaw-dropping visuals, and a whole heap of new worlds to explore. But here's the rub: if you're still piping that incredible sound through your TV's built-in speakers, you're honestly short-changing yourself. It's like buying a custom-built rally car and then only driving it to the local corner shop. You're missing the point entirely.  *10 Best Soundbars For PS5 2022 — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* I've had my hands on speakers, amps, and all sorts of home cinema kit for over twenty years now, running this little corner of the internet, SpeakersMag.co.uk. And when the PS5 first landed in my workshop, the very first thing I did after setting it up was to ditch the TV's sound. Hooking it up to a proper sound system – the difference, mate, was just colossal. Every little detail, from the faint rustle of leaves in *Horizon Forbidden West* to the bone-rattling explosions in *Call of Duty*, just snaps into focus. You don't just hear the sound; you *feel* it, you're *in* it. It's not just about turning up the volume, though that helps. It's about precision, about knowing exactly where that enemy's footsteps are coming from, or feeling the rumble of a distant tank before you even see it. This is where a decent soundbar really earns its keep. Now, I know some purists will tell you that you *must* go for a full-blown 7.1 surround sound system. And sure, if you've got the space for seven speakers, an AV receiver, and a subwoofer, and the cash to splash, go for it. It's brilliant. But for most of us, a good soundbar offers a fantastic middle ground. It's less clutter, easier to set up, and will absolutely demolish the sound coming from your TV. I've had countless soundbar setups in my main test rig over the years. Even for a quick session on something like *Spider-Man: Miles Morales*, the right soundbar just makes the whole experience so much more immersive. You don't just play the game; you live it. That's what we're aiming for. *** **Quick Verdict:** _For PS5, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 offers the best balance of features, sound, and ease of use for most gamers._ *** ### What Matters When Picking a PS5 Soundbar? Before we dive into my top picks, let's chat about what you should actually be looking for. It's not just about the biggest number on the box, trust me. You want something that plays nicely with your PS5 and your TV, and really enhances your gaming. * **Connectivity – HDMI eARC is Your Best Mate:** This is crucial. HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) simplifies everything. One cable from your soundbar to your TV, and your TV handles the audio from your PS5. It also allows for higher bandwidth audio formats like uncompressed Dolby Atmos. Regular HDMI ARC is okay, but eARC is the business. Optical is a backup, but it limits your audio formats. Make sure your TV has eARC too! * **Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – Getting That 3D Sound:** These are the big boys of immersive audio. They add a height dimension to the sound, making it feel like effects are coming from above you. A good soundbar with upward-firing speakers can give you a really convincing approximation of this. It's not the same as proper ceiling speakers, obviously, but it's surprisingly effective for gaming. Footsteps above you in *Warzone*? Explosions raining down in *Cyberpunk 2077*? Yes, please. * **Subwoofer – Feel the Rumble:** For gaming, this is non-negotiable. Explosions, engine revs, the impact of a heavy punch – you need that deep, chest-thumping bass to really feel like you're part of the action. Most decent soundbars come with a wireless subwoofer, which is usually the easiest route to get that low-end grunt. Don't skimp on the sub if you love action games. * **Dialogue Clarity – Hear What They're Saying:** Amidst all the chaos of battle, you still want to understand what the characters are mumbling, right? Some soundbars have dedicated centre channels or clever processing specifically designed to keep voices clear and distinct, even when the rest of the soundstage is going bonkers. It makes a huge difference in story-driven games. * **Sound Modes – Optimising for Gaming:** A dedicated "Game Mode" or similar sound preset can often tweak the sound profile to enhance certain elements, like footsteps or dialogue, which can give you a slight edge or just make things sound better for gaming. It's not essential, but it's a nice bonus. * **Latency – Keep it Snappy:** This is vital for gaming. You don't want a delay between what you see on screen and what you hear. Most modern soundbars are pretty good, but it's always something to keep an eye on. Look for "low latency" features if you're super competitive. * **Price – Your Wallet's Input:** Soundbars can range from under £100 to well over a grand. Set a budget and try to stick to it. You don't need to break the bank to get a massive upgrade over your TV speakers. ### My Top Soundbar Recommendations for PS5 I've tested countless soundbars over the years, some brilliant, some dreadful. For PS5 gaming, these are the ones that consistently impress and offer the best bang for your buck across different price points. #### 1. Sonos Beam Gen 2 (Our Top Pick) I've had a Beam Gen 2 sat under my living room TV for about a year and a half now, and it's just a fantastic bit of kit. It's not cheap, mind, usually around £450-£500, but it delivers proper virtual Dolby Atmos from a surprisingly compact bar. It doesn't come with a separate sub, but the bass it generates on its own is surprisingly punchy for its size. For gaming, it's superb. The clarity of dialogue is top-notch, and the virtual surround really pulls you into the action. Setting it up is a breeze with the Sonos app, and it just works seamlessly with everything. **Pros:** * Excellent virtual Dolby Atmos for immersive gaming. * Compact size, fits neatly under most TVs. * Superb dialogue clarity. * Sonos ecosystem means easy expansion later (rear speakers, Sub Mini). * Really simple to set up and use. **Cons:** * No separate subwoofer included, though you can add one (Sonos Sub Mini, £429). * Premium price point for a standalone bar. * Only one HDMI eARC port – no passthrough. **Who it's for:** Gamers who want excellent, immersive sound in a compact package, appreciate simple setup, and might want to expand to a full Sonos surround system later. Great for smaller to medium-sized rooms. **Who should skip it:** Those on a tight budget or people who absolutely demand a physical subwoofer included from the get-go. #### 2. Samsung HW-Q990C (The Full Monty) Now, if money isn't much of an object, and you want something that gets as close to a discrete home cinema system as a soundbar can, the Samsung HW-Q990C (often found for £1000-£1200, but look out for sales) is an absolute beast. It's a proper 11.1.4 system with a main bar, wireless rear speakers, and a thumping wireless subwoofer. This isn't virtual Atmos; this is the real deal with dedicated upward-firing drivers on the main bar *and* the rears. The spatial awareness in games like *Returnal* or *Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart* is just breathtaking. You hear everything, everywhere. The subwoofer is immensely powerful, giving you that visceral rumble that makes explosions feel truly impactful. I had the previous generation, the Q950A, in my test room for a good six months, and it was glorious. This one builds on that. **Pros:** * True 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X with rear speakers included. * Incredible immersion and spatial audio for gaming. * Powerful, deep bass from the wireless subwoofer. * Comes with everything you need for a full surround experience. * Two HDMI inputs for passthrough, plus eARC. **Cons:** * Very expensive. * Requires space for rear speakers, so not ideal for everyone. * Can be a bit much for smaller rooms, potentially overwhelming. **Who it's for:** Hardcore gamers with a generous budget and enough space for a full soundbar-based surround system. Anyone who wants the absolute best soundbar experience for their PS5. **Who should skip it:** Budget-conscious buyers, or those who simply don't have the room for rear speakers. #### 3. Sony HT-A5000 (The Smart All-in-One) Sony makes the PS5, so it stands to reason they'd make a soundbar that plays nicely. The HT-A5000 (usually around £750-£850) is a brilliant 5.1.2 channel soundbar that packs a punch without needing a separate subwoofer immediately. It uses Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology, which, while not quite as powerful as a full system, does a genuinely good job of creating an immersive bubble of sound. I was genuinely surprised by how well it placed effects during a playthrough of *Ghost of Tsushima*. Dialogue is clear, and it has a decent amount of bass for its size. It's a solid all-in-one choice if you want to keep things neat but still get excellent Atmos sound. **Pros:** * Excellent virtual surround and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. * Good bass response for a standalone bar. * One HDMI input for passthrough, plus eARC. * Clear dialogue and good overall sound quality. * Expandable with optional subwoofers (SW3/SW5) and rear speakers. **Cons:** * More expensive than the Sonos Beam Gen 2, but without the sub. * Full immersion requires optional extras, pushing the price up significantly. * Can be a bit chunky under some TVs. **Who it's for:** Sony enthusiasts, those who want an expandable system, and gamers who prioritise a single-bar solution with good virtual surround and clear sound. **Who should skip it:** Buyers on a tighter budget who want a sub included, or those looking for true, discrete surround out of the box. #### 4. LG SP8YA (Value with Atmos) LG offers some cracking TVs, and their soundbars often pair well. The SP8YA (often discounted to £350-£450) is a 3.1.2 channel soundbar with a wireless subwoofer included, which is a great value proposition for Dolby Atmos. I've put a few LG bars through their paces, and they consistently deliver decent performance for the money. The SP8YA offers dedicated upward-firing speakers for Atmos, giving you that crucial height dimension for gaming. The included sub delivers a good amount of rumble, perfect for those PS5 blockbusters. It's not as refined as the Sonos or Sony, but for the price, it's a very strong contender. **Pros:** * Excellent value for a Dolby Atmos soundbar with a wireless sub. * Dedicated upward-firing drivers for height effects. * Wireless subwoofer provides good bass. * One HDMI input for passthrough, plus eARC. **Cons:** * Sound quality, while good for the price, isn't as premium as more expensive options. * Can sound a bit sterile compared to the Sonos or Sony at times. * Design is a bit utilitarian. **Who it's for:** Gamers looking for the best possible Dolby Atmos experience with an included subwoofer without spending a fortune. Great for those who prioritise immersive gaming on a reasonable budget. **Who should skip it:** Those who demand the absolute best sound quality and don't mind spending more, or people looking for a more compact bar. #### 5. Denon Home Sound Bar 550 (Compact and Mighty) Denon has a long history in audio, and their Home Sound Bar 550 (around £400-£450) is a compact powerhouse. It's a 4.0 channel bar that uses clever psychoacoustic processing to simulate Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It doesn't have dedicated upward-firing speakers, but Denon's processing is surprisingly good at creating a sense of height and width. I've always rated Denon for their solid, reliable sound, and this bar doesn't disappoint. It's got a decent amount of bass for its size, clear dialogue, and it integrates into the Denon Home multi-room system if that's your thing. For smaller rooms or if you really don't want a separate sub, it's a compelling choice. **Pros:** * Very compact design, fits almost anywhere. * Excellent virtual Dolby Atmos/DTS:X for its size. * Good, balanced sound with clear dialogue. * Expandable with optional Denon Home sub and rear speakers. * One HDMI input for passthrough, plus eARC. **Cons:** * No included subwoofer means deep bass isn't as impactful as bars with one. * Virtual Atmos isn't as convincing as dedicated upward-firing drivers. * Can feel a bit expensive for a bar without a physical sub. **Who it's for:** Gamers in smaller rooms, or those who absolutely need a compact solution and don't want a separate subwoofer taking up space. Ideal if you already have or plan to get Denon Home multi-room speakers. **Who should skip it:** Bass-heads who need that ground-shaking rumble, or those who want dedicated upward-firing speakers for Atmos. ### Comparison Table: PS5 Soundbars at a Glance | Feature | Sonos Beam Gen 2 | Samsung HW-Q990C | Sony HT-A5000 | LG SP8YA | Denon Home SB 550 | | :------------------ | :----------------------- | :--------------------- | :--------------------- | :--------------------- | :---------------------- | | **Channels** | 5.0 (Virtual Atmos) | 11.1.4 (True Atmos) | 5.1.2 (Virtual Atmos) | 3.1.2 (True Atmos) | 4.0 (Virtual Atmos) | | **Subwoofer** | Optional (Sonos Sub Mini)| Included (Wireless) | Optional (SW3/SW5) | Included (Wireless) | Optional (Denon Home Sub)| | **HDMI eARC** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **HDMI Passthrough**| No | 2 Inputs | 1 Input | 1 Input | 1 Input | | **Dolby Atmos** | Virtual | True | Virtual | True | Virtual | | **DTS:X** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **Price (approx.)** | £450-£500 | £1000-£1200 | £750-£850 | £350-£450 | £400-£450 | | **Key Feature** | Compact, Sonos ecosystem | Fullest immersion | 360 Spatial Sound | Best value Atmos+sub | Ultra-compact, Denon quality| ### Setting Up Your Soundbar for PS5: My Simple Guide Honestly, it's usually pretty straightforward, but a few bits of advice can save you some head-scratching. 1. **Cable Management:** HDMI eARC is your best friend. Plug one end into the HDMI eARC port on your soundbar, and the other into the HDMI eARC port on your TV. That's it for audio. Your PS5 then plugs into *any* other available HDMI input on your TV. 2. **TV Settings:** Go into your TV's audio settings. Look for "HDMI Audio Out" or similar, and make sure it's set to "Auto" or "Passthrough." You'll also likely find an option for "Digital Audio Out" (for optical if you're using that) – set this to "Bitstream" or "Dolby Digital Plus" for Atmos. Crucially, turn OFF your TV's internal speakers. 3. **PS5 Settings:** On your PS5, go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output. Make sure "HDMI Device Type" is set to "AV Amplifier" or "Sound Bar". For "Audio Format (Priority)", set it to "Dolby Atmos" if your soundbar supports it, or "Dolby Digital" or "DTS" otherwise. Experiment to see what sounds best with your specific setup. The PS5 is pretty good at figuring it out, but sometimes a manual tweak helps. 4. **Soundbar Calibration:** Many soundbars have auto-calibration features (like Sonos Trueplay, or Samsung's SpaceFit Sound). Run these. They use a microphone to analyse your room and adjust the sound to optimise it for your space. It makes a huge difference. Don't be afraid to fiddle with the bass and treble settings on your soundbar, or any dedicated gaming modes. What sounds good to one person might not to another. It's your system, make it sound good for *you*. ### The Importance of Room Acoustics (A Quick Chat) It's worth a quick mention that even the best soundbar in the world can only do so much if your room is fighting against it. Hard, reflective surfaces (bare walls, glass tables, wooden floors) can make sound bounce around like crazy, ruining clarity and imaging. Soft furnishings – curtains, rugs, sofas, bookshelves packed with books – can help to absorb some of that harshness and create a much more pleasant listening environment. You don't need to turn your living room into a padded cell, but a few strategically placed soft items can really make your soundbar sing. ### FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered #### Q: Do I really need Dolby Atmos for PS5 gaming? A: "Need" is a strong word, but honestly, once you've played games with proper spatial audio, it's hard to go back. It adds a whole new dimension to immersion, helping you pinpoint enemy locations or just making the game world feel bigger and more alive. If your budget allows, I'd absolutely recommend aiming for a soundbar with Dolby Atmos (or DTS:X) capability. Even virtual Atmos is a big step up. #### Q: Is an included subwoofer always better than buying one separately? A: Not necessarily. An included subwoofer offers convenience and usually means the soundbar and sub are designed to work together right out of the box. However, some standalone soundbars (like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or Sony HT-A5000) are designed to be upgraded with *optional* matching subwoofers later. These optional subs are often more powerful and refined than the ones bundled with cheaper bars, but they do come at an extra cost. It really depends on your budget and how much bass you crave. #### Q: Can I use headphones instead of a soundbar for PS5? A: Of course! Many gamers prefer high-quality gaming headsets for competitive play, as they can offer incredibly precise spatial audio and allow for in-game communication. However, a soundbar provides a shared, room-filling experience that headphones simply can't replicate. It's great for playing with friends or family, or just when you want to relax on the sofa and feel the game around you without anything on your head. They complement each other, really. #### Q: Will a soundbar make my PS5 sound *too* loud? A: That's entirely up to you! A good soundbar will certainly be capable of getting much louder and more dynamic than your TV speakers, but you're always in control of the volume. The benefit isn't just loudness, it's clarity, detail, and immersion even at moderate volumes. You'll hear things you simply couldn't before, without needing to crank it up to eleven. #### Q: What if my TV doesn't have HDMI eARC? A: No worries. If your TV only has regular HDMI ARC, most modern soundbars will still work, but you might be limited to standard Dolby Digital or DTS audio formats, rather than uncompressed Atmos. If your TV doesn't even have ARC, you'll likely need to connect your PS5 directly to the soundbar (if it has HDMI inputs for passthrough) or use the optical audio output from your TV to the soundbar. It's not ideal, but it'll still be a massive upgrade over your TV's speakers. ### Final Word Look, getting your PS5 hooked up to a decent soundbar isn't just about louder explosions, though you'll definitely get those. It's about completely transforming your gaming experience. It's about pulling you deeper into those incredible worlds developers spend years creating. From the subtle hum of a spaceship to the guttural roar of a monster, every sound effect, every piece of dialogue, every note of the soundtrack comes alive. I've seen it time and time again in my workshop; people just can't believe the difference. You've invested in the console, now invest a bit in the sound. Your ears, and your immersion, will thank you for it. Trust me on this one; you won't regret it. Now go on, get gaming!