-
Willie Greer
- June 22, 2021
WIthout wireless rear speakers, your soundbar won’t be capable of true surround sound. To make sure you get the best wireless speakers to simulate theater-like quality sound, our experts did the research to determine the best soundbars with wireless rear speakers to create expansive audio.
Bar 5.1
- Panoramic surround sound
- Built-in WiFi
- Compatible with 4K
HT-Z9F
- Vertical Surround Engine
- Dedicated rear speakers
- 4K-compatible soundbar
- 5.1 soundbar
- SDA technology
- Google Chromecast
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks for Soundbar with Wireless Rear Speakers
- Best Overall: Sony HT-Z9F Soundbar
- Best Budget: Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Soundbar
- Best Compact Option: JBL Bar 5.1 Soundbar
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Reviews of the Best Soundbars with Wireless Rear Speakers
Sony HT-Z9F Soundbar
The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar is an impressive audio tool with a vertical surround sound engine that produces true immersive sound. Paired with upward-firing speakers, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, and a whopping 7.1.2 channels, you will discover audio frequencies previously undetected by regular soundbars.
You can customize your viewing experience using the five preset sound modes. Movie, music, games, news, and sports will never be the same again once you optimize the audio.
The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless streaming, so enhanced sound isn’t only limited to your TV.
What We Like
- Wireless rear speakers
- External subwoofer
- 5 sound modes
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming
- Slim design
- 4K HDR compatible
- Voice enhancement
- Alexa compatible
- Dolby Atmos
- DTS:X
What We Don't Like
- No customizable sound modes
- No control panel
Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Soundbar
You don’t always need to pay through the nose to get good sound—the Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR soundbar is proof of that. With Polk’s patented SDA technology for boosted surround sound and Voice Adjust technology, the soundbar produces an expansive sound stage with crystal clear dialogue.
The wireless rear speakers and small subwoofer give you freedom of placement to find the perfect sound. The soundbar itself is lightweight, slim, and can be wall-mounted to save space.
You also get Google Chromecast built right in with Google Assistant for completely hands-free control of the soundbar.
What We Like
- Polk’s patented SDA technology
- Voice Adjust technology
- Small profile
- Wireless subwoofer
- Wireless rear speakers
- Bluetooth streaming
- Google Assistant
- Google Chromecast built-in
- Night mode
What We Don't Like
- Chromecast is only accessible through the music app
- Needs updates from time to time
JBL Bar 5.1 Soundbar
Our experts are no strangers to the JBL Bar 5.1 soundbar. The JBL Bar is an impressive device that gives users the option to switch from 3.1 to 5.1 by detaching the side speakers to become wireless.
Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS technologies are embedded in the JBL Bar to deliver high resolution and premium quality sound to elevate your content. Also, with the help of the external wireless subwoofer, you can enjoy a more thrilling bass.
You will be able to connect all your 4K devices to the JBL Bar soundbar and enjoy ultra HD entertainment with more dynamic 3D sound.
To know more about this soundbar, you can check how we pitted JBL Bar 5.1 against 9.1 here.
What We Like
- Detachable side speakers
- Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS technologies
- Wireless subwoofer
- Can connect with all 4K devices
- HDMI connection
- Flexible placement
- Bluetooth streaming
- JBL SoundShift
- Works with universal remotes
What We Don't Like
- Quieter mid-range frequencies
- No Wi-Fi
Soundbar with Wireless Rear Speakers Buyer’s Guide
To get the best soundbar with wireless rear speakers, you need more than just the hardware. Our experts have compiled a list to help you pick out the right soundbar for your needs.
We have reviewed our Samsung HW-Q67CT for more wireless rear speakers options.
Rear Speakers
Rear speakers create an enveloping sound that simulates dimension and a cinematic feel. Wired speakers can be a hassle to set up, so wireless options add to the flexibility of the placement for viewers. Since there are no wires, you can easily find the right setup for your living room.
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivities are featured in many highly sought-after soundbars for the option to stream content from external devices. They can also come in handy for extra components and speakers you wish to add to your system to eliminate the need for wires.
Design
Soundbars with wireless rear speakers will take up more space, but a wall-mountable soundbar could save some room for the additional components.
Make sure your soundbar is the right size by searching for ones just a few inches shy of the length of your TV. This way, it will be able to relay the audio your TV speakers are capable of.
Soundbars with a control panel make adjustments easier and ones with a display screen give you an easier time inputting your settings.
Sound Quality
Rear speakers will create surround sound, but only with the help of advanced technologies can you receive immersive and dynamic audio. Look for Dolby [1] and DTS technologies, the ones that set industry-leading standards of sound excellence.
Price
Soundbars come in a wide range of prices to suit every budget. If you are tight on cash, the Polk Audio MagniFI Max SR is a great option that still gets you incredible sound at an affordable price.
For soundbars with reasonable prices, consider our JBL 9.1 and Sonos Arc we reviewed here.
Subwoofer
An external subwoofer will boost the bass levels in a way regular speakers can’t. A subwoofer can also be built into the soundbar, but won’t be a match for the power an external sub is capable of.
Channels
For true surround sound, you not only need rear speakers, advanced technologies but also the right number of channels. 5 channels are the industry standard for surround sound and anything higher will only add to your overall immersive sound experience.
Our Top Pick For Soundbar with Wireless Rear Speakers:
Sony HT-Z9F
The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar takes the crown for the best soundbar with wireless speakers.
Through diligent testing, our experts have found that the soundbar system not only offers superior sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but the sound modes and vertical surround engine also help pump out high definition audio through the rear speakers to create true enveloping 3D sound.
For more soundbar options, you can consider the top-notch PC soundbars we listed here. Read next!
