WIRED's 2026 soundbar guide crowns Focal Mu-So Hekla top pick, lists Sonos and Sony alternatives
WIRED's latest soundbar roundup highlights the Focal Mu-So Hekla as a standout premium option, praising its 15-speaker array, powerful bass, upfiring Dolby Atmos drivers and intuitive companion app. The guide also names honorable mentions including the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sony Bravia Theatre Trio, noting each device's tradeoffs in sound quality, price and expandability.
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As home theater setups increasingly rely on soundbars instead of full surround systems, comparative reviews like this help shoppers navigate a crowded, expensive market where price doesn't always predict performance. The mention of expandability limits and upcoming product refreshes (like the Sonos Beam Ultra) also signals how quickly this category is evolving.
- Focal Mu-So Hekla is praised for standout bass and Dolby Atmos performance but lacks rear/side speaker expandability.
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 remains a strong compact choice, especially for existing Sonos ecosystem owners, with possible price drops coming.
- Sony Bravia Theatre Trio offers a multi-speaker package but doesn't match the top-tier sound quality of pricier rivals.
Sonos Arc Soundbar — The Sonos Arc Soundbar offers immersive Dolby Atmos sound with sleek design and easy integration into your existing smart home setup. Perfect for enhancing your movie nights and music listening, it complements the high-quality audio experience discussed in the article, providing a versatile and premium sound solution.
See Sonos Arc Soundbar on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: wired.com — John Brandon, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “The Best Soundbars (2026): Sonos, LG, TCL, Bose, and More”
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