Do I need a separate subwoofer?

For movies and music with deep bass, yes. Some premium soundbars (Sonos Arc Ultra) have enough bass on their own. Most benefit from a dedicated sub for low-frequency impact.

What is Dolby Atmos in a soundbar?

Dolby Atmos adds height channels for overhead sound effects. In a soundbar, upfiring speakers bounce sound off your ceiling, or the bar processes Atmos virtually. Real upfiring speakers produce a more convincing effect.

Best Soundbars 2026