- During product evaluations, one soundbar is deemed "excellent" yet comes with a significantly reduced price tag.
Whispers softly, then the subtle tones hold weight: Individuals seeking robust audio for their home cinema shouldn't depend on television speakers. The smartest move often involves a soundbar. As per Stiftung Warentest's assessments, premium sound can be obtained on a budget. The top "excellent" rated soundbar, however, tends to surpass most TV costs.
Sound excellence isn't the sole focus in soundbars. Apart from the audio section, evaluating factors such as music and movie content playback, Bluetooth performance, sound intensity, and sound enhancement were also considered. This resulted in consequences: The Dione by Devialet, for instance, delivered an "excellent" sound assessment — yet struggled in ease of use and power consumption, scoring just "good" overall due to these flaws. And this cost a whopping 2000 euros.
Test Champion: Nubert Nupro XS-8500 RC
This concludes the test champion: The Nupro XS-8500 RC by Nubert shines not only in sound, but also in user-friendly design and exceptionally low energy consumption. Thus, it becomes the first soundbar earning an "excellent" (1.4) general rating from Stiftung Warentest. Even without external subwoofers or satellites, it delivers outstanding sound quality. However, the hefty housing might be a hindrance: The test champion weighs a monstrous 30 kilograms. The price could also be a deterrent, as it's 2000 euros.
Competitive Alternative: LG DS95TR
Similarly impressive sound can be found at half the cost. The LG DS95TR costs around 1100 euros. It matches the test champion in music and Bluetooth performance, but movie effects sound even more thrilling. According to Stiftung Warentest, the main drawback lies in the average sound intensity. Energy consumption is slightly higher, but still impressive. The overall rating is "good" (1.8), securing second place.
Budget Soundbar Tip: LG DSP9YA
Those with a tighter budget can still opt for a sensible choice—albeit with some concessions. The LG DSP9YA is available at around 350 euros and delivers well across all test categories. However, despite an external subwoofer, it falls short in sound intensity and shouldn't be pushed too loudly. Despite this minor flaw, it still earns a "good" (2.1) overall rating, according to Stiftung Warentest, making it the undeniable price-to-performance leader, especially with its very attractive price point.
The comprehensive test can be accessed on test.de for a fee.
The Foundation for the Test of Goods (Stiftung Warentest) is a renowned organization that conducts rigorous evaluations of various products, including soundbars. In the quest for premium audio, individuals should consider soundbars over relying on television speakers.
If you're in the market for a soundbar with exceptional sound quality and a user-friendly design, you might want to consider The Foundation for the Test of Goods' top-rated soundbar, the Nubert Nupro XS-8500 RC, despite its high price and heavy weight.
