Best for Audio format support
Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar
5.0 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best Sound Bars for Audio format support
Audio format support Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
Samsung HW-Q990D Soundbar
4.9 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
8 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
JBL Bar 500 MK2 Soundbar
4.4 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
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Format support is a major strength: reviewers cite Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, with some also noting Samsung/Google’s Eclipsa Audio readiness alongside common Dolby legacy formats.
Pros: Audio format support, Cohesive presentation
Cons: none
Supports a wide range of formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with common praise for how convincingly it renders immersive mixes.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Audio format support
Cons: Status indicators
Reviews consistently cite Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, and one video review also calls out LPCM support.
Pros: Loudness / maximum volume, Detail retrieval
Cons: HDMI 2.1 gaming, Cabinet construction / bracing
Audio format support is broad, covering Dolby Atmos, eARC-capable formats, PCM variants, DTS Digital Surround, and music format support, with DTS:X as a caveat.
Pros: Smart assistant integration (Alexa, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Gaming HDMI passthrough
Dolby Atmos support is consistently referenced; some reviews also mention DTS Virtual:X, while at least one video review (older Bar 500) notes a lack of DTS support. Expect strong format...
Pros: Spotify Connect reliability, Frequency response balance
Cons: Smart assistant integration (Alexa
Strong Dolby support is a headline feature, including Dolby Atmos; higher quality Atmos can depend on eARC and proper TV passthrough. Optical fallback is typically limited to non-Atmos formats, and...
Pros: Inter-speaker connectivity, Loudness / maximum volume
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Video passthrough support
Reviews agree the Nova S50 handles Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital signals properly for a budget bar, but several reviewers stress that it delivers virtual rather than true Atmos because...
Pros: Setup simplicity, Wired input availability
Cons: Smart features, Low-volume performance
Strong Dolby Atmos decoding and broad hi-res/lossless support, but notable gaps include no DTS:X and limited Dolby Atmos Music support depending on source and service.
Pros: Wired input availability, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: Chromecast compatibility, EQ customization
Multiple reviews say it supports Dolby Digital or Dolby Audio 5.1 alongside DTS Virtual:X, but not Dolby Atmos.
Pros: Setup simplicity, Value for money
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, AirPlay compatibility
Dolby Audio and common Dolby Digital formats are supported in reports and specs, but there is no Dolby Atmos support.
Pros: Value for money, Setup simplicity
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, App reliability
The bar supports Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace processing, but reviewers also noted missing DTS or DTS:X support and the need to use HDMI rather than optical for full Atmos...
Pros: Weight convenience, Setup simplicity
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, HDMI 2.1 gaming
Format support is a clear limitation: reviewers mention Dolby Digital, Stereo PCM, and later DTS compatibility, but repeatedly flag missing DTS/Atmos support for the original Beam.
Pros: Weight convenience, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Dolby Atmos height effects
Reviews agree the HT-S100F handles basic TV audio well but has limited format ambition, with explicit mention of missing DTS and no Atmos-grade presentation.
Pros: Setup simplicity, Dialogue clarity (for TV/soundbar use)
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, Smart assistant integration (Alexa
Audio format support is described as basic: Dolby Digital/Dolby Audio is referenced, while Dolby Atmos and DTS-family immersive/decoding features are repeatedly noted as missing.
Pros: Wired input availability, Low-volume performance
Cons: Wi-Fi streaming reliability, AirPlay compatibility