02.Results
The following models scored the best results in our test.
| What to buy |
|
|
|
|
|
| Brand |
Price |
| Sony RHT-G900 |
$1499 |
| Yamaha YSP-4000 |
$3299 |
| Yamaha YSP-600 |
$1099 |
|
Results table
Full results for all models are shown in the table below.
|
Performance |
Cost |
| Brand / model (in rank order) |
Overall score (%) |
Listening panel score (%) |
Technical sound quality score (%) |
Ease of use score (%) |
Standby energy score (%) |
Price ($) |
| Sony RHT-G900 |
69 |
66 |
71 |
64 |
83 |
1499 |
| Yamaha YSP-4000 |
65 |
73 |
72 |
70 |
0 |
3299 |
| Yamaha YSP-600 |
64 |
66 |
76 |
71 |
0 |
1099 |
| Denon DHT-FS5 |
60 |
50 |
64 |
70 |
51 |
999 |
| Denon DHT-FS3 |
56 |
57 |
61 |
66 |
6 |
1999 |
| Samsung HT-X810 |
55 |
49 |
73 |
60 |
0 |
999 |
| Yamaha YAS-71 |
55 |
49 |
70 |
58 |
15 |
999 |
| TEAC SB03iDV |
54 |
48 |
70 |
62 |
0 |
999 |
|
|
Features |
| Brand / model (in rank order) |
Wall mountable / hardware included |
Tuner |
HDMI inputs |
iPod dock |
Video switching |
| Sony RHT-G900 |
- /na |
FM radio |
3 |
|
• |
| Yamaha YSP-4000 |
• / - |
FM radio |
2 |
• |
• |
| Yamaha YSP-600 |
- /na |
|
2 |
|
• |
| Denon DHT-FS5 |
• / • |
|
0 |
|
|
| Denon DHT-FS3 |
• / • |
|
0 |
(A) |
|
| Samsung HT-X810 |
• / • |
FM radio |
0 |
|
|
| Yamaha YAS-71 |
• / - |
FM radio |
0 |
(A) |
|
| TEAC SB03iDV |
• / • |
AM/FM radio |
0 |
• |
• |
|
|
Specifications |
| Brand / model (in rank order) |
Subwoofer model |
Subwoofer speaker orientation |
Multichannel claim |
Internal speakers |
Soundbar size (cm, HxWxD)* |
Subwoofer size (cm, HxWxD)* |
Soundbar Weight (kg) |
Subwoofer Weight (kg) |
| Sony RHT-G900 |
na |
Left & right |
ns |
6 |
50 x 112 x 40.5 |
Inbuilt |
52 |
Inbuilt |
| Yamaha YSP-4000 |
YST-SW225 |
Down |
5.1 |
42 |
19.5 x 103 x 14 |
35.5 x 29 x 35 |
15.7 |
11.2 |
| Yamaha YSP-600 |
YST-SW030 |
Down |
5.1 |
18 |
12 x 61 x 22 |
36 x 29 x 31 |
8.3 |
10.3 |
| Denon DHT-FS5 |
na |
na |
ns |
6 |
12 x 75 x 13.5 |
na |
5.1 |
na |
| Denon DHT-FS3 |
DSW-FS3 |
Right |
5.1 |
6 |
10 x 85 x 13 |
38 x 10.5 x 36 |
4.6 |
5.4 |
| Samsung HT-X810 |
PS-WX810 |
Right |
5.1 |
2 |
19.5 x 100 x 16 |
41.5 x 26 x 33 |
8 |
9.1 |
| Yamaha YAS-71 |
YAS-71SPX |
Right |
7.1 |
6 |
11 x 80 x 10 |
45.5 x 20 x 41.5 |
4.9 |
12.5 |
| TEAC SB03iDV |
na |
Left |
5.1 |
10 |
19.5 x 94 x 14 |
Inbuilt |
11.4 |
Inbuilt |
|
Using the table
Scores The overall score is made up of:
- Listening panel: 30%
- Technical sound quality: 30%
- Ease of use: 30%
- Standby energy: 10%
Features See What to Look For, for details on these and other features.
Specifications
- Subwoofer freestanding model supplied separate from the sound bar.
- Inbuilt means the subwoofer function is within the bar itself.
- Subwoofer speaker orientation is the direction in which the subwoofer points, which may limit where you can put it in your room. Subwoofers that face down output sound in all directions (except up).
- Multi-channel claim is the number of channels the sound bar can mimic according to the manufacturer.
- Internal speakers gives you some indication of the type of system.
- Dimensions are rounded up to the nearest half centimetre.
(a) discontinued but may be available in some stores.
Price Recommended retail, as of March 2009.
Table notes
* Rounded to the nearest half centimetre.
(A) Available as an optional extra.
na Not applicable.
ns Not stated.
How we test
Technical sound quality Our testers place each sound bar in an anechoic chamber and measure its frequency response, total harmonic distortion, subwoofer integration and channel separation. Reflecting panels are used to simulate walls where necessary.
Listening panel The sound bars are also placed in a typical small lounge room with furnishings and calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Our panel of three expert listeners appraises them for their ability to cope with stereo and 5.1 channel music, as well as 5.1 movies. They pay particular attention to the sound bar's ability to produce an immersive surround sound experience in comparison with our reference 5.1 system, which is worth approximately $3000.
Ease of use Our testers assess the remote control, connections, calibration options, on-screen and front panel displays, as well as the manual and any other instructions that come with the product.
Standby energy They measure the amount of power the sound bar uses when in standby mode.