Spacewar!, the first known digital video game ever made, is now available on the Analogue Pocket thanks to the new PDP-1 Core developed with openFPGA.
FPGA, or field-programmable gate array, is a type of integrated circuit that can be reconfigured after it's manufactured. openFPGA, on the other hand, is the "first purpose built, FPGA driven hardware and ecosystem designed for 3rd party development of video game hardware." It was also "created specifically for preserving video game history."
Spacewar! is obviously a big part of video game history and a 3rd party developer has "painstakingly recreated" the game released on the PDP-1 in 1962 by developers at MIT using public domain open source code for openFPGA.
Using openFPGA, a 3rd party developer “Spacemen3” recreated the PDP-1 and Spacewar! using the original source code in the public domain. You can play it today on Pocket with openFPGA by following this guide here: https://t.co/XFS3ARmaUepic.twitter.com/ut6N6Ovois
Video game preservation has always had a big question mark next to it, especially with companies like Nintendo planning to shut down its Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops and making it even harder to play older games. Hopefully, with this new development, less games will be lost to the history books.
Spacewar! was inspired by science fiction books written by E.E. Doc Smith and developed by a group of MIT students who wished to make a space simulation video game. It was a space shooter and a 2-player versus style game that featured "orbital mechanics around a gravitational star." It was developed to be played by custom "control boxes" that were essentially also the first video game controller.
The PDP-1 had a 1024×1024 CRT vector display and Spacewar! itself used it to the fullest with its "beautiful blue and green phosphors, trailing, bursting, and decaying amidst modernist hexagons."
The developers behind Spacewar! also created certain criteria that a computer game should meet, and they are as follows;
It should demonstrate as many of the computer's resources as possible, and tax those resources to the limit.
Within a consistent framework, it should be interesting, which means every run should be different.
It should involve the onlooker in a pleasurable and active way-in short, it should be a game.
Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, played Spacewar! and was so inspired by it that he would go on to create Computer Space, the first commercial video game and arcade game.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
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The premium Nintendo LEGO sets are some of the best LEGO kits out there, and you can save on two of them today. And, if you missed out on the Prime Day deal on Amazon's Echo Dot, that 50% discount is back today. And, you can save on a spare controller for your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. Plus, the Xbox Series X is in stock at Walmart today for those of you looking to upgrade. And, the Meta Quest 2 is getting a surprise price hike starting next week, so now is the time to pick up the VR headset if you are interested.
Save on the Best Nintendo LEGO Sets Now
For hardcore Nintendo fans, there are two can't-miss LEGO sets that are on sale today. First, there's the LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System and TV set, which personally speaking, is the most fun I've ever had putting together e LEGO kit. The TV has a conveyor belt system that allows it to display world 1-1 straight out of Super Mario Bros. And, there's an incredible Easter Egg during the build that all Mario fans will recognize. The other set is a Super Mari 64 Question Mark Block, which comes with three different level vignettes from Super Mario 64. These kits are both fantastic, and will look great in any Nintendo fan's home.
The Best of the Best: ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080 OC 12GB GPU for $799
The GeForce RTX 3080 GPU really doesn't need any introduction. This is the de facto card to get if you plan to run current generation games at 4K, since it's up to 50% faster than the previous generation RTX 2080 SUPER and doesn't command the exorbitant price of the RTX 3080 Ti or RTX 3090 (both of which are a mere 3%-5% faster in real world performance). It has an HDMI 2.1 port for passing through 4K @ 120Hz, which it has the power to drive even in resource hungry games like Elden Ring, Battlefield 2042 or Cyberpunk 2077.
The ASUS ROG STRIX model is considered by many to be the very best RTX 3080 variant on the market. It's usually hundreds of dollars more than the 3080 FE price. That's in large part because of the incredible cooling potential of the massive 3-slot heatsink combined with the quietest triple fan cooling you'll find on any RTX 3080. Despite the low noise levels, the ROG STRIX offers a significantly OC'ed 1890MHz boost clock compared o the stock 1710MHz boost on the 3080 FE. This model also comes with 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM instead of the 10GB of VRAM that comes standard and most other RTX 3080 GPUs.
Xbox Series X In Stock at Walmart
The Xbox Series X is becoming more and more common, but it's still not always available. If you want to jump in on Xbox's next-gen console, it's in stock today at Walmart. With a Game Pass subscription, you can play games like Tunic, Halo Infinite, and Forza Horizon 5 at no extra cost. Plus, there's plenty coming to Xbox Game Pass in the next year, including the highly-anticipated Starfield.
Xbox Wireless Controller for $10 Off
If you do have an Xbox Series X or S, you could always use an extra controller. and you can grab one on sale today for $49.49. The controller supports up to 40 hours of gameplay on a pair of Double A batteries, and it has a USB-C port for direct plug-and-play to either Xbox or PC. You can also seamlessly capture and share content with the Share button on the Xbox controller.
Razer Quick Charging Stand for PlayStation 5
Unfortunately, the DualSense controller for PlayStation 5 runs out of battery fairly often. So, Razer has released a charging cradle for the DualSense controller so you can conveniently charge your gamepad in style. Plus, there is a charging cradle for every DualSense color, whether you have red, blue, purple, white, or black.
Surface Pro X for $300 Off at the Microsoft Store
Microsoft's Surface Pro X is one of the best tablet-laptop hybrids for creatives, and you can save a few hundred bucks on one today at the Microsoft Store. The kickstand adjusts to nearly 180 degrees to suit your needs, and the lightweight form factor makes it easy to toss in your backpack and take on the go. It also has up to 15 hours of battery life, with fast charging as well.
Grab a Meta Quest VR Headset Before the Price Hike
We just learned that the Meta Quest 2 is getting a pretty hefty price increase starting in August. So, if you've been on the fence about picking up the most popular VR headset on the market, this week is the best time to strike. Right now, both the 128 and 256 GB models are in stock at Best Buy for $299 and $399, respectively. Starting on August 1, those prices will increase to $399.99 and $499.99. Act now if you don't want to spend an extra $100 later down the line.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Smart speaker with Alexa
If you missed this deal on Amazon Prime Day, the price is back! You can get a 4th Gen Amazon Echo Dot for just 20 bucks. This is Amazon's most popular Smart Speaker with Alexa, which you can use to steam music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Sirius XM, and more. Plus, listen to audiobooks and podcasts throughout your entire room with multi-room listening. And, Alexa can also control your smarthome, controlling lights, thermostats, and the doors with other smart devices.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
LEGO Star Wars is a joy for Star Wars fans, retelling the tale from The Phantom Menace through The Rise of Skywalker in hilarious LEGO form. But this time, LEGO games have grown up, as the gameplay has evolved into a more traditional third-person action-adventure game. The Nintendo Switch version is on sale today for a great discount, so don't miss out on this classic spacefaring adventure.
LEGO Ideas Sonic The Hedgehog Green Hill Zone
Green Hill Zone is one of the most iconic video game locations of all time, and you can recreate it in LEGO form with the LEGO Ideas Sonic the Hedgehog set. Complete with Sonic, Eggman, Badniks, and even the Chaos Emeralds, this set is a must for any hardcore fan of the Blue Blur. It'll also take a solid amount of time to build, with the set coming in at over 1,100 pieces.
Switch Lite Tom Nook Carrying Case
If you need a carrying case for your Nintendo Switch Lite, this case is as cheap as they come. It comes with room for five Nintendo Switch cartridges as well, so you can take your favorite games on the go. Plus, it has fan-favorite Animal Crossing character Tom Nook across the front of it.
Hisense 75" LED 4K UHD Smart TV Is 52% Off
If you want a massive 4K TV for your entertainment room, you won't find a better deal than this 75-inch option from Hisense. Usually selling for $1,299.99, you can grab this today for $619.99. The TV comes with all the smart features you need, as well as a Game Mode Plus that includes a low latency mode to give you the optimum gaming experience.
Govee 50 feet LED Strip Light
Whether you want to create a nice backdrop for Twitch streaming, add some color behind your television, or light up your patio for a summer gathering, don't miss this deal on the Govee 50 foot LED strip light.
New Release: 48" LG UltraGear 48GP900-B 4K HDR OLED Gaming Monitor for $1298.87
For those of you who love LG OLED TVs (for good reason) but don't like the idea of using a TV for a computer monitor, there's now an answer. LG has released its first UltraGear OLED gaming monitor. At first glance, the 48GP900 with its 48" LG WOLED 10-bit color HDR display seems very similar to the 48" LG C1 OLED TV. The panel is very similar, but there are some key differences. Instead of the semi glossy coating found on the OLED TV, the 48GP900 features an anti-glare low reflective coating that is undoubtedly a better fit for close up monitor usage. It also has DisplayPort connectivity and lacks the built-in Smart TV interface. It does carry over the HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K @ 120Hz compatiblity for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, as well as VRR and G-SYNC support, but the 120Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to 138Hz when used as a PC monitor. Last and certainly least important of all, there is subtle RGB backlighting on the rear of the monitor that isn't present on the OLED TVs. This is one of the best gaming monitors you'll find on the market right now.
Newest Apple TV 4K for $129.99
This isn't exactly as cheap as Amazon Prime Day of $109, but it's still $50 cheaper than MSRP and the best price you'll probably see for a while. The newest Apple TV features two major upgrades. It boasts an A12 Bionic processor that boosts graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing and delivers high frame rate HDR with Dolby Vision. It also includes a new Apple TV remote. The overall build quality is better than before, but the biggest enhancements are a 5-way clickpad, mute button, and dedicated power button that works for your TV, receiver, and Apple TV.
Razer Anzu Smart Glasses
These Razer smart glasses retail for a ridiculous $199.99. Fortunately, they're on sale today for a much more reasonable price of $59.99. The Razer Anzu glasses comes with two types of interchangeable lenses; blue-light filtering lenses for PC use and polarized lenses for outdoor use. They also feature a built-in mic and bluetooth speaker for hands-free calling.
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16" Intel Core i7-12700H Alder Lake RTX 3070 Gaming Laptop for $1599
Walmart is offering an outstanding deal on the new Lenovo Legion 5 Pro laptop that is also equipped with the 12th generation Intel Core i7 Alder Lake CPU and RTX 3070 GPU. The RTX 3070 GPU in this gaming laptop also has a TGP rating of 140W, and it performs as well as the MSI Crosshair on paper. In real world benchmarks, the Legion 5 Pro is one of the best performing gaming laptops on the market. It also looks more like a standard laptop, so you might want to pick this over the Crosshair if you're not into the gamer aesthetic.
XPG S70 1TB M.2 SSD with Heatsink for $109.99
The XPG Gammix S70 Blade is the least expensive 1TB PS5 compatible SSD available right now. Just because it's the cheapest doesn't mean it's the slowest. In fact, the S70 is actually one of the fastest SSDs available with transfer rates up to 7,400 MB/s. It's on par with the likes of the WD Black SN850, the Samsung 980 Pro, or the Seagate Firecude 530. This is a PCIe Gen4 SSD that was pretty much released specifically for PS5 gamers in order to double or triple the storage capacity of their PS5 without limiting the speed. To make this deal even sweeter, it already comes with a very low-profile heatsink.
ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1660 Ti Gaming PC
Walmart is offering this AMD Ryzen 5 3600X GTX 1660 Ti equipped gaming PC for only $799. The GTX 1660 Ti is still a very capable video card that can handle just about any game at 1080p resolution. You certainly won't find a more powerful video card for this price.
New Apple AirPods Pro for $179.99
The current generation Apple AirPods Pro is one of the best sounding "truly wireless" earbuds you'll find, especially at this price point. "Truly wireless" earbuds have no wires whatsoever; even the earbuds aren't hardwired to each other. In addition to the excellent sound quality, the AirPods Pro is the only AirPods with active noise cancelling technology. That, combined with the inherent nature of in-ear earbuds, means that the AirPods Pro will provide better noise isolation than over-ear headphones like the Bose QuietComfort or the Sony WH1000XM5. If you're thinking of getting a pair of new AirPods, we highly recommend jumping on this particular model.
Dell S2721DGF 27" 1440p GSYNC Gaming Monitor
This excellent monitor has hit a new price low for Black Friday. It's one of the best 27" gaming monitors you can buy for under $500. The S2721DGF boasts a high quality IPS panel (better than the VA panel found on the popular S3220DGF model). It features wide viewing angles and excellent color rendition including 98% DCI-P3 color coverage, a super fast 1ms response time and up to 165Hz refresh rate through the DisplayPort. It's also FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC compatible.
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From its epic scale and unmatched sense of adventure to its beloved characters and the unforgettable relationships between them, Lord of the Rings remains the all-time best series of fantasy films. Now, 21 years after The Fellowship of the Ring, LotR is back in the zeitgeist thanks to Amazon’s upcoming Middle-earth TV series, The Rings of Power.
Watching the Lord of the Rings movies in order is a fairly straightforward endeavor, though ahead of the TV series' September 2 debut, we’ve put together this article to make sure newcomers can properly navigate both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. With series newcomers in mind, the brief plot synopsises below will be spoiler-free beyond broad plot points and character introductions.
At the bottom of the article, you'll find a second list that orders the films by their actual release dates, if you’d prefer to watch them in that order instead (as I do).
There are six total movies set within J.R.R. Tolkein’s Middle-earth: three The Lord of the Rings movies and three The Hobbit movies. There is also the 1997 animated film, The Hobbit, which is separate from the newer films. No future movies are planned, though Amazon is set to release its big-budget Lord of the Rings TV series, The Rings of Power, on September 2.
Where Does Rings of Power Fit in the Lord of the Rings Timeline?
Amazon’s Rings of Power series is set during the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. This is the period in Middle-earth during which we’ll see "the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men," according to showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.
The Lord of the Rings Movies in Chronological Order
The only potential confusion in the Lord of the Rings-Hobbit timeline comes from the fact that The Hobbit trilogy is set 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, despite being released a decade later.
Chronologically, the story kicks off with 2012’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which sees Martin Freeman take on the role of a younger Bilbo Baggins (played by Ian Holm in the LotR trilogy). Gandalf – one of several characters whose stories run through both trilogies — recruits Bilbo to join Thorin (Richard Armitage) and Company to help reclaim the Dwarven kingdom beneath Erebor, aka The Lonely Mountain, that had been sacked by the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters Gollum for the first time and comes into possession of the One Ring.
Where to watch: HBO Max (August 25), or rentable on Amazon
Thorin and Company continue their journey toward The Lonely Mountain, fending off giant spiders and orcs along the way. Orlando Bloom’s Legolas (another LotR staple) joins the fray alongside newcomer Tauriel (played by Ant-Man’s Evangeline Lilly). While the company reaches Esgaroth, a lake-town south of Erebor, Bilbo descends into the mountain, where he encounters Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Smaug ultimately leaves his lair and departs for Esgaroth, setting up the conclusion of The Hobbit trilogy.
The conflict with Smaug is resolved and the film’s titular battle ensues involving the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and two tribes of orcs. We’re being extra vague here as The Battle of the Five Armies is ripe with resolution (and therefore spoilers), but prepare for an action-heavy film that ultimately leaves off where The Lord of the Rings trilogy begins: back at the Shire, 60 years later, as Gandalf visits Bilbo on his 111th birthday.
The first Middle-earth film by release date (and the fourth chronologically) is 2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring. The perspective shifts from Bilbo to his much-younger cousin Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood). Following some exposition that sets up the current state of affairs in Middle-earth, we return to Bilbo’s 111th birthday celebration in the Shire.
Bilbo departs on one last adventure, leaving the One Ring with Frodo; Gandalf warns Frodo he must leave the Shire, as Sauron (the Lord of the Rings) and his evil cronies — specifically the Nazgûl, a host of nine horse-mounted wraiths — will be coming for the ring. Frodo departs the Shire with his best friend, Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), along with fellow hobbits Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippen (Billy Boyd).
After some perilous travel and character introductions, including Aragorn (Mortensen), Legolas (Bloom), and Saruman (Christopher Lee), a plan is devised to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mordor's Mount Doom, where the Rings of Power were forged. The plan is to be carried out by a ragtag group dubbed the Fellowship of the Ring: the wizard Gandalf; the hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Merry, and Pippen; the elf Legolas; the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies); and humans Aragorn and Boromir (Sean Bean).
A treacherous journey leads them to Lothlórien, an Elven realm ruled by Cate Blanchett’s Galadriel, who also appears throughout The Hobbit trilogy and is one of the main protagonists of the new Amazon series (this younger version of Galadriel is played by Morfydd Clark). Galadriel advises Frodo, and he decides to continue his journey to Mordor without the others, bringing only his most trusted confidant, Sam.
Frodo and Sam take on a third, reluctant travel companion in Gollum (voiced by Andy Serkis), a hobbit long ago corrupted by the power of the One Ring. The trio makes it to the outskirts of Mordor, though are stalled by an unforeseen intervention. The other members of the Fellowship embark on a rescue mission; Gandalf takes a new form; and the trilogy’s first epic battle occurs in the gorge of Helm’s Deep.
As with The Battle of the Five Armies, The Return of the King’s plot is essentially all spoilers, so we’ll again highlight only the broadest story beats. Gollum, exploiting the influence of the Ring, pits Frodo against Sam and leads the former into the lair of a deadly foe. The other members of the Fellowship, meanwhile, partake in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields — a massive, final fight against the dark forces of Sauron.
Frodo and Sam ultimately enter Mordor in disguise and, with help from the other members of the Fellowship, see the original plan through. With the journey concluded, we enter the Fourth Age of Middle-earth and are treated to a bittersweet finale.
The Songbirds take their stage, as they always do, on the white cobblestones of Limsa Lominsa. It's dusk in Final Fantasy XIV. Foot traffic around the city swells after the sun goes down, when students race home from school and grown-ups clock out from their day jobs. A faint, familiar MIDI melody leaves the band's violins and keyboards, and after a few bars I'm able to place it: "Kiss From A Rose," by Seal. A row of identically dressed bards — like a '60s Phil Specter girl group — weave together a miraculous harmony despite bandwidth and latency. Fans toss glow sticks in the air, warriors and mages lock into their dance animations on the periphery, it's Coachella with Chocobos. The Songbirds are the most famous band in MMO history, and their world tour of Hydaelyn is never going to end.
"It’s a surreal experience seeing our name out there," says Raven Ambree, a Canadian who serves as The Songbirds manager, and asks to be quoted by his in-game name. "Seeing our emotes being used in others' chats, seeing someone wear one of our T-shirts during a stream, or having other famous folks turn up at one of our concerts. It’s difficult to explain."
The Songbirds formed in 2018, and at its core, the band is a partnership between Ambree and MewsicalMiqo. Both of them are MMORPG veterans — they've played everything from Runescape to Eve Online — and fell in love with Final Fantasy XIV because of the ingenious ways Square Enix purged the onerous grind out of the genre. There is a liberty in Square's modern classic that allows the community to play however they'd like without fearing any punishing throttles on their progress. (You don't ever feel like you've fallen hopelessly behind the curve in Final Fantasy 14, even after taking a week-long break.) Perhaps the best example of that philosophy came in 2018, when Square introduced a performance mechanic to the bard class, letting players cue up a simple, 37-note scale for their in-game instruments. Instead of dungeoneering or martial combat, you could now spend your days in Hydaelyn fingerpicking the "Stairway to Heaven" guitar solo. The world was their oyster.
Both Ambree and Miqo were fascinated by the idea of starting a band using these new tools. If they could master the intricacies of the instruments — if they melded all of those MIDI tones together — perhaps they could achieve a rarefied notoriety in Final Fantasy XIV without any raiding, PvP, or auction house bartering. "[I was interested] in its limitations, merits, and really, just how far it could be pushed," says Ambree. They christened themselves The Songbirds, borrowing the same name given to a trio of NPC troubadours, and started translating their favorite pop songs into the musical language of an MMO. I've seen The Songbirds cover Coldplay, Europe, and Linkin Park, and they keep an expansive set list available on the internet for anyone interested in making special requests. (Want to hear "Funky Town?" Just say the word.) Sometimes Songbirds sets can become extremely meta; here they are playing Aerith's Theme, as if the multiversal borders of Final Fantasy are bleeding into each other.
Ambree and Miqo regularly stream their concerts on Twitch, and they keep a frequently updated touring schedule posted on their website so fans know when and where they can catch them live. Neither Ambree nor Miqo identify a specific moment when the band's fame took off, but they say their appearances in the broadcasts of a number of high-profile streamers — particularly World of Warcraft megastar Asmongold — helped introduce their craft to the community writ large. Today, anyone can purchase Songbirds-branded T-shirts and mugs from the band's merch store to further consecrate their fandom. The Songbirds are probably never going to scoop the same box office profits as Harry Styles summer stadium run, but Ambree tells me that a highly successful virtual rock band does pay some dividends.
"The Twitch streams are an IRL income — we do make enough to keep the channel afloat through subscriptions and bits to pay for new content; song transcriptions, midis, giveaways, art assets," he explains. "Commissioned performances are either paid in-game currency, six million gil per hour of performance, or $15 per hour for our time to set up and be there. There's no exchange rate."
You read that right. If you are so inclined, you can absolutely book The Songbirds for a private event in Hydaelyn. You name it, they've probably done it. "Housewarming parties, grand openings of clubs, free company events, birthday parties, holiday parties," lists Ambree. "For Valentine's Day, a patron had hired us to perform for a double date. Two couples and The Songbirds performing for them. They were blown away by the private performance, and we were able to customize the playlist to their tastes, making the night even more special for them. Certainly worth it."
"It’s a surreal experience seeing our name out there."
If love is not locking eyes with your partner's avatar while a symphony cues up a squelching, MIDI interpretation of "Heaven Is A Place On Earth," then I'm not sure what it is.
I imagine The Songbirds will keep composing, and keep building their legacy, for as long as Square supports Final Fantasy XIV. There is still so much untapped potential in the game's songwriting system, and the company has already made some smart changes to allow for an honest-to-god music scene to emerge in the game. For instance, in 2019 Bards received an "ensemble mode," which added a metronome making it easier for characters to track their BPMs across spotty WiFi connections. "It's a system that offers more freedom compared to any game publicly available," says Ambree. Sure enough, The Songbirds are not the only band in Final Fantasy XIV. Check out Moogle Troupe or Mosh Mosh or the many others busking throughout the capital cities. Who knows? Maybe someday they'll come together and throw their own Woodstock. That's a metaverse I can believe in.
The thing I loved most about the MMO boom of the mid-2000s was how those games were able to create these incredible, unpredictable player-celebrities within the source code. That's the beauty of a mass gathering of players; beyond the boss fights and the bloodstained arenas, MMOs had a way of creating a strange, bespoke culture, where local legends transcended the mechanics and permeated through the General Chat. That philosophy has fallen by the wayside in 2022, as the vast majority of multiplayer games are gummed up with copious instancing, log-in bonuses, and mobile game-style itemization — I never feel like I truly know any of my fellow Guardians in Destiny, and I think that's the point. But The Songbirds are a relic of those golden years; they make a server blade feel like home. Square Enix handed off the tools, and Ambree and Miqo turned themselves into stars. It's a rock and roll success story as old as time. To think neither of them needed to leave the computer?
Luke Winkie is a freelance writer for IGN.
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The sound built-in speakers of even the best 4K TVs usually don’t cut it, and this is where a soundbar steps in. These all-in-one speaker systems will amp up your whole audio experience making your action-packed games and movies more immersive than you ever thought possible. Plus, they are usually much easier set up than multi-speaker systems that require loads of wires and an AV receiver to drive it all.
There is a wide variety of soundbar options currently on the market, so you’re bound to find one that meets your specific needs. Most are standalone soundbars that offer everything you'd need in a simple-to-setup, compact device. You’ll also find a few that include an additional subwoofer or speakers to produce a more authentic surround sound experience. Many now come with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are becoming the gold standards in sound. Plus, these systems come loaded with connectivity, so you can use them for listening on all of your devices, not just your TV.
We’ve made your life a bit easier by narrowing down some of the best soundbars available. There are a range of options from simple surround sound on a budget, room rumbling bass, to best in Dolby Atmos sound. Take a look and see if there is a soundbar that’ll work for you.
Sonos is known for offering up impressive-sounding, easy-to-setup soundbars at a variety of budgets, and their mid-range Arc is the perfect addition to the lineup. With this soundbar, Sonos added Dolby Atmos support, which puts you in the middle of all the dynamic, richly detailed sound when you’re playing games or watching movies. And, this is added on top of the smarts Sonos’ already packs into their devices, making it our favorite soundbar option.
The Sonos Arc is a whole lot more than just a soundbar. The Sonos app allows you to make simple adjustments to the sound and switch between channels. There is even Trueplay technology that tailors the bar’s sound specifically for your room. If you plan on listening to music through this speaker, there’s no need to even use the app, as it should appear as a playback device on most music platforms. To push the smarts even further, it can be controlled via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Plus, you can pair the Arc with any other Sonos devices you might own for whole-home surround sound.
2. Vizio V-Series 5.1
Best Budget Soundbar
Vizio is known for its plethora of high-quality, affordable soundbars, and one of its most budget-friendly options is the V-Series 5.1. You may be missing out on Dolby Atmos compatibility and Wi-Fi connectivity, but you get a great-sounding speaker system to transform your home theater. And, there’s Bluetooth connectivity to listen with your other devices.
The Vizio V-Series 5.1 includes not only the soundbar but a subwoofer and two speakers. These components will help you feel the deep bass while watching the intense moments of the latest action-adventure flick or hear the detailed nuances of your favorite ballad. A 50Hz – 20kHz frequency range means you’ll be getting both dynamic and accurate sound. For under $250, you’re getting a complete surround sound system. It’s hard to beat that.
3. Vizio SB2021n-J6
Best Ultra Cheap Soundbar
Great quality sound doesn’t always have to come at a high premium, and the Vizio SB2021n-J6 is proof of that. For under $150, you get support for 2.1 channel surround sound and the impressive audio technology of DTS Virtual: X. This means all of your content will be brought to life, placing you in the middle of the action. This soundbar comes with an additional subwoofer on top of the two full-range speakers packed into the compact soundbar. This helps create a rich, balanced sound profile with powerful bass.
The Vizio SB2021n-J6 is ready for you to get listening right out of the box. As a wireless option, it comes toting Bluetooth, so it’s simple to get listening on your phone or tablet. Otherwise, you’ve got optical, USB, or analog ports for simple wired connections. We just wish Vizio included an HDMI option. Overall, if you’re looking for an easy and affordable solution for improved audio, look no further than this soundbar.
If you’re ready for your heart to be thumping along to an action-packed movie, look no further than the Klipsch Cinema 600. This soundbar comes with a massive wireless subwoofer, which means it will get your chest and your walls rumbling with impressively deep bass. The soundbar itself is no slouch either, producing a crisp, detailed sound through a stylish, low-profile enclosure. Plus, it’s a super affordable system coming in around $500.
The Klipsch Cinema 600’s powerful audio performance is going to blow you away, and with a solid surround sound mode and Dolby Digital support, it’ll really amp up your home theater setup. Unfortunately, this soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos or work with voice assistants. However, it does offer Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily connect all of your devices for an improved audio experience. You can kit out this soundbar even further, going from 3.1 to 5.1 channels, with the addition of two Klipsch Surround 3 speakers.
5. Sennheiser Ambeo
Best High-End Soundbar
The Sennheiser Ambeo is the best of the best, but with all its greatness comes a hefty $2,500 price tag. Once you get past the cost, this all-in-one system will launch your at-home theater setup into another dimension. The soundbar itself is a bit bulky, but that also allows it to fit large, high-quality drivers that cover a wide frequency range to produce rich and dynamic audio. Those drivers also eliminate the need for subwoofers or additional speakers while still creating a convincing surround sound experience.
With the Sennheiser Ambeo, you get not only Dolby Atmos but also DTS:X and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, so you’re in for a super immersive audio experience with compatible media. There’s also tons of connectivity that comes with this soundbar including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support to play audio from a variety of devices – and it even has Chromecast built-in. Though this all-in-one soundbar may come with a steep price, its ease of setup, insane sound quality, and staying power are worth the investment.
Dolby Atmos is almost the standard in most soundbars at this point. This technology allows you to hear your music, games, and movies with more depth, clarity, and details than ever before. One of the best options you have to use Dolby Atmos on is the LG SN11RG. A soundbar, subwoofer, and two satellites come with this system to provide a sizable soundscape. Plus, the 7.1.4-channel system comes with up-firing and front-firing drivers making it ready to take on Dolby Atmos.
The Dolby Atmos support might be the LG SN11RG’s main attraction, but its additional features are fantastic too. It offers both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. So, you can easily stream from a variety of devices, and Google Assistant is built-in for voice control. There is also adaptive sound control that will adjust the sound based on what you’re watching. The biggest downside to this soundbar is that it’s a bit of a splurge.
7. Sony HT-A7000
Best Standalone Soundbar
One of the biggest conveniences of using a soundbar is the fact that you can avoid all the wires and difficulty that comes with other sound systems. But, some soundbars still end up needing an additional subwoofer or speakers for a better audio experience. Therefore, convenience is lost. That’s where the Sony HT-A7000 comes in. It boasts a variety of integrated speakers, side beam tweeters, and subwoofers to bring all the noise and none of the hassle. That speaker array isn’t just capable of covering a wide range of audio frequencies, but it also provides the necessary positional audio for Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio.
Since the Sony HT-A7000 is an all-in-one soundbar, there’s a very simple setup – so, you’ll be listening to detailed, immersive audio in no time. It’s loaded with additional features to add to its ease of use like voice assistants and Google Chromecast built-in. Compatibility with both Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2 could come in handy too. And, on top of those connections, you can still add your devices to the system through Bluetooth. This soundbar should enhance everything you listen to on it for years to come.
Okay, so this option might not be an actual soundbar in a traditional sense, but there’s a good reason we’ve decided to include it. Klipsch’s The Fives is a ‘powered speaker system’ with similar connections to comparative soundbars and a built-in amplifier to power its drivers. These speakers can connect to pretty much anything thanks to support for HDMI ARC, USB, RCA, 3.5mm aux, digital optical, and even Bluetooth. Every device you own should be covered with this system.
The Fives is a versatile sound system that will perform well across the board. And, there are a few more bonuses that come with using it over a traditional soundbar. One of those being how hi-fi it actually is. Also, simply having two separate speakers gives you stereo separation that just isn’t possible with your average soundbar. It even comes packing a phono preamp. The speakers themselves will also produce a balanced sound no matter what you’re using them for. If you’re looking for a sound system specifically to use with your TV, then there are better options. But, if you want something that’s a one size fits all kind of deal, this is it.
9. Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2
Best PC Soundbar
You’ve invested in a high-end gaming PC, and now you need to complete your setup by adding a quality soundbar. The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 will blow your computer's built-in speakers out of the water– if it even has them. So when you’re gaming, you’ll be further immersed in the action thanks to the realistic sound reproduction on the 5.1 channel stereo with Dolby Audio. Plus, you can fine-tune your sound experience beyond your usual EQ settings with an app on your computer. Who knows, maybe you’ll have an advantage on the battlefield with these improved audio cues?
The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 packs loads of connectivity, including wireless support via Bluetooth plus HDMI, USB-C, and optical ports for wired options. So, not only can you use this speaker with your PC, but it’ll be a perfect sonic partner to just about any device in your home. Also, the latest design of this soundbar sees an upgrade in the tri-amplified driver design, which furthers the clarity and impact of this soundbar’s audio. Finally, to give it a true gamer aesthetic, RGB lighting is even included.
What to Look For in a Soundbar
As we’ve mentioned, the number of soundbars out there can be a bit dizzying, making it hard to make a decision on which one will work best for you. Here’s a bit of advice to help guide you along while choosing which soundbar to purchase.
Soundbars come with different channel options that will simulate the surround sound of a speaker system. If you’re just looking to watch some TV and listen to some music with a soundbar, 2-channels and maybe a subwoofer should have you covered. A 3.1 channel soundbar will come with a center speaker dedicated to dialogue. So, if you find you’re struggling to hear what’s being said while binging Succession, this will be a good option.
With 5.1 channels or more, your speaker system will be ready to take on all the action in your favorite movies and games. There are typically additional speakers and subwoofers that come with this many channels, however, some soundbars can pack all that noise into a great-sounding all-in-one system.
When looking at a soundbar, it is important to make note of its connections. An HDMI ARC (or eARC) is standard in most soundbars and TVs these days. This will simplify your life, as it’s the only cord needed to get your TV sending its audio through the soundbar. A Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection should also be on your shortlist if you're looking to listen to other devices on your soundbar. And, to make life even easier, some soundbars work with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
Finally, if you want the latest and greatest in sound technology, a soundbar with support for Dolby Atmos should be included in your search. Dolby Atmos can provide some insane virtual three-dimensional sound, turning any room into a theater. Just be sure your soundbar comes packing some up-firing drivers, subwoofer, and rear sounds. Some other impressive sound formats coming out include DTS:X and Sony’s 360 Reality, so you may want to find a soundbar that supports those as well.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
