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The best soundbar with HDMI passthrough depends on the video signal and number of devices you need to route through it. The Samsung HW-Q990H is the strongest complete surround package here; the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is the premium single-bar choice; and the TCL Q85H Pro combines 4K/120Hz passthrough with VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision support. If you need several HDMI inputs but 4K/60Hz is enough, consider the JBL Bar 1000MK2. These models differ in more than whether they have an HDMI port: check the supported resolution, refresh rate, HDR formats, gaming features, and input count against your TV and sources.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung HW-Q990H | A complete surround system out of the box | 11.1.4 channels; two HDMI inputs; 4K/120Hz passthrough | Nov 2026 |
| Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 / HT-A9000 | A premium single bar with expansion options | 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz passthrough; VRR and ALLM | Nov 2026 |
| TCL Q85H Pro 7.1.4ch | Gaming-focused features with a physical surround package | Two HDMI inputs; 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision passthrough | Nov 2026 |
| Yamaha TRUE X BAR 90A | A Yamaha-centered system with 4K passthrough | One HDMI input and one eARC output; 4K passthrough | Nov 2026 |
| JBL Bar 1000MK2 | Several HDMI sources at up to 4K/60Hz | Three HDMI inputs plus eARC output; Dolby Vision and HDR10+ passthrough | Nov 2026 |
Which soundbars support HDMI passthrough?
All five models in this list route video from connected devices through the soundbar to a TV, but their bandwidth and feature support differ. For a console that can output 4K at 120Hz, focus on the Samsung, Sony, or TCL; the JBL is documented at 4K/60Hz, while Yamaha’s cited specification confirms 4K passthrough without stating 120Hz.
Rankings reflect the role each model best fits, not a claim that one specification makes a soundbar universally superior. A full surround package, a single-bar design, gaming compatibility, and HDMI input count solve different problems. The specifications below are attributed to the named manufacturer or published review; the listening observations are attributed to the review that reported them.
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1. Samsung HW-Q990H — best complete premium surround system
The HW-Q990H is the strongest choice if you want a multi-speaker home-theater setup in one package rather than a single bar you might expand later. Samsung’s 2026 specification sheet lists an 11.1.4-channel system with a soundbar, subwoofer, and rear-speaker kit, along with two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output with eARC. It lists Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 4K video passthrough at 120Hz.
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TechRadar’s 2026 review says the two HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K/120Hz passthrough. The review describes powerful, immersive sound, controlled bass, accurate sound mapping, and consistently clear speech. Those are the reviewer’s listening findings, not a guarantee that every room or listener will perceive the same result.
The main compromise is the size and complexity of a system with separate rear speakers and a subwoofer, as well as its premium positioning. If your TV already has enough suitable HDMI 2.1 ports for your sources, you may be able to connect them directly to the TV and use eARC for audio instead of routing them through the soundbar. TechRadar also notes that the preceding Q990F may represent better value while it remains available; that is a reviewer’s value observation, not a current price comparison.
2. Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 / HT-A9000 — best premium single-bar platform
Sony’s Bar 9, also identified as the HT-A9000, is the premium single-bar choice for someone who wants a high-end foundation without starting with a full rear-speaker kit. Sony lists HDMI 2.1 passthrough for 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz, plus VRR and ALLM. That makes it a documented option for compatible gaming sources, provided the rest of the video chain supports the same features.
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The Bar 9 makes most sense if you prefer one main bar now, have a Sony BRAVIA TV, or value an expansion path to optional rear speakers and subwoofers. Its single-bar starting point is less physically complete than the Samsung package. Sony’s product page reproduces AVS Forum contributor Erik Wesley’s assessment: “The Sony Bar 9 represents just how far soundbars have come in recent years.”
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3. TCL Q85H Pro 7.1.4ch — best feature-led gaming and value candidate
The Q85H Pro pairs a physical 7.1.4 layout with two HDMI inputs and a gaming-oriented passthrough specification. TCL says it supports native 4K/120Hz passthrough, VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision passthrough. Its product page describes seven main channels, one wireless subwoofer, and four up-firing channels.
That combination makes it a promising candidate if you want high-refresh-rate console support and a physical surround package without jumping straight to the most elaborate flagship systems. TCL’s product page describes the connections this way: “Equipped with HDMI eARC and 2 HDMI IN interfaces, Q85H Pro supports up to 4K 120Hz signal transmission, variable refresh rate and automatic low latency to improve audio details and give you more wonderful moments.”
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4. Yamaha TRUE X BAR 90A — best straightforward Yamaha ecosystem option
The TRUE X BAR 90A is a Yamaha-centered option with a confirmed 4K passthrough path and network-audio features. Yamaha’s current specification page lists one HDMI input and one eARC output, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, AURO-3D, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, and a wireless subwoofer.
The important limit for console buyers is that Yamaha’s cited specification confirms 4K passthrough but does not state 4K/120Hz. That does not establish that this model passes 120Hz; if 4K/120Hz gaming is essential, check a current manual or a regional specification sheet that explicitly confirms it before choosing this bar.
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5. JBL Bar 1000MK2 — best for multiple sources at 4K/60Hz
The JBL Bar 1000MK2 is the most useful pick here when the problem is connecting several HDMI devices rather than passing 120Hz video. What Hi-Fi?’s 2026 review reports four HDMI sockets in total: three inputs and one eARC output. It reports 4K/60Hz passthrough with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
That three-input arrangement can suit a TV with too few convenient ports for a console, streaming box, and Blu-ray player. But the same review explicitly says the bar does not support 4K/120Hz. Do not choose it if 120Hz passthrough is a central requirement, even if its input count and HDR support otherwise look suitable.
What is the difference between HDMI passthrough and eARC?
HDMI passthrough sends video from a source device through the soundbar to the TV. eARC sends audio from the TV back to the soundbar. They can be part of the same HDMI setup, but they describe different directions and jobs.
A passthrough path usually looks like this: console or player → soundbar HDMI input → soundbar HDMI output → TV. An eARC path connects the soundbar’s eARC port to the TV’s eARC port so the TV can return audio from its own apps or from devices connected directly to the TV. A soundbar having eARC does not, by itself, establish that its HDMI input can pass 4K/120Hz video.
This distinction matters when planning connections. You can route a source through the soundbar to use its passthrough, or connect that source to the TV and return audio over eARC. Which arrangement works best depends on the TV’s ports and the features each port supports.
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Do you need 4K/120Hz passthrough for a PS5 or Xbox Series X?
You need 4K/120Hz passthrough through the soundbar only if your intended connection runs the console through the soundbar and you want to preserve a compatible 120Hz signal. If your TV has a suitable port for the console and can return audio to the soundbar over eARC, you may not need the soundbar to pass the console’s video at all.
Before buying, check the complete signal chain: console, soundbar input and output, TV input, and the HDMI cable connections between them. A feature listed for one device does not make the whole chain capable of that feature. Check that the TV itself supports the resolution and refresh rate you want, and confirm the relevant TV port supports the gaming features you plan to use.
- Choose a model with explicitly documented 4K/120Hz passthrough when the console must connect through the bar. The Samsung, Sony, and TCL models in this comparison list that capability.
- Check VRR and ALLM separately. Sony and TCL list both; the cited Samsung and JBL details establish 4K/120Hz or 4K/60Hz passthrough, respectively, but do not establish those two gaming features here.
- If you connect the console to the TV instead, confirm that the TV’s chosen port supports the console’s required signal and that the TV can return the desired audio to the soundbar.
How many HDMI inputs should a soundbar have?
Count the source devices you want to plug directly into the soundbar, then compare that number with its HDMI inputs. In this group, the JBL has three inputs, Samsung and TCL have two each, and Yamaha has one; the cited Sony information establishes passthrough capabilities but does not state an input count.
For example, a console, streaming box, and Blu-ray player would use three soundbar inputs if all connect directly to the bar. With fewer inputs, one device may need to connect to the TV instead, or you may need to switch which source is connected. A TV’s available ports and supported features can make that alternative convenient or impractical.
Do not count an eARC output as an additional source input. On the JBL, the three inputs accept sources and the separate eARC output connects to the TV; Yamaha similarly lists one input and one eARC output.
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How should you compare passthrough specifications?
Read the passthrough line as a bundle of separate capabilities, not as a single “HDMI 2.1” label. The useful match is the set of features your source and TV both support, carried across every connection in between.
| What to check | Why it matters | What this comparison establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution and refresh rate | These determine whether the bar can pass the video mode you want, such as 4K/120Hz rather than 4K/60Hz. | Samsung, Sony, and TCL list 4K/120Hz; JBL is reported at 4K/60Hz; Yamaha lists 4K passthrough without a stated refresh rate. |
| HDR formats | A passthrough route needs to carry the HDR format used by the source and supported by the TV. | TCL lists Dolby Vision passthrough; JBL is reported with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ passthrough. The cited details for the other three do not establish HDR passthrough formats. |
| VRR and ALLM | These gaming features are distinct from resolution and refresh rate; do not assume they follow automatically from a 4K/120Hz claim. | Sony and TCL list VRR and ALLM. |
| Number of inputs | More inputs let you connect more sources to the soundbar without moving cables. | JBL lists three; Samsung and TCL list two; Yamaha lists one. The cited Sony information does not state a count. |
| Speaker package and expansion | Passthrough says little about how much of the room the speaker system can cover or whether it can grow. | Samsung includes rear speakers and a subwoofer; Sony is a single-bar platform with optional expansion; TCL describes a 7.1.4 package with wireless subwoofer. |
Audio format labels such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are also not a promise of identical overhead or rear effects. Physical speaker placement, room geometry, and included hardware affect what a system can produce. RTINGS notes that no soundbar is perfect and that personal taste, listening habits, price, and availability affect the choice.
What should you verify before buying?
Confirm the exact regional model and intended connection layout before ordering. Product naming, package contents, dimensions, firmware requirements, and availability can vary by region or change over time, and the specifications summarized here do not settle every one of those details.
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- Check which TV HDMI ports support 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision, and the audio formats you use. Do not assume every port on a TV has the same capabilities.
- Count your sources and compare that count with the soundbar’s HDMI inputs. Decide which, if any, can connect directly to the TV instead.
- Confirm whether you need Dolby Vision, HDR10+, or another HDR format on the passthrough route. A resolution claim alone does not establish HDR compatibility.
- For Yamaha, obtain a current manual or regional specification that explicitly states 4K/120Hz support if that is a purchase requirement; the cited Yamaha page does not establish it.
- Check the package list if rear speakers or a subwoofer are essential. A single-bar system and a multi-box surround bundle are not interchangeable purchases.
- Review current regional pricing, dimensions, and stock with the seller before purchasing. No current price is established for these models in the cited specifications and reviews.
How we picked these soundbars
The shortlist prioritizes documented passthrough capability, HDMI input count, and the system each model provides for its intended buyer. The rankings distinguish a complete surround package from a single-bar platform, a gaming-oriented specification set, a Yamaha ecosystem option, and a multi-input 4K/60Hz bar. Manufacturer specifications are identified as such; independent listening descriptions are attributed to TechRadar or What Hi-Fi? rather than presented as first-hand results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get 4K/120Hz gaming if my soundbar only supports 4K/60Hz?
Possibly, if your TV has a suitable HDMI port for the console and the TV can send audio to the soundbar over eARC. In that setup, the console’s video does not have to pass through the soundbar.
Does an HDMI 2.1 label guarantee Dolby Vision passthrough?
No. HDMI version labels and HDR-format support are separate details; look for an explicit Dolby Vision passthrough specification for the exact model and region.
Will a soundbar with 4K/120Hz passthrough make my TV display 120Hz?
No. The TV and the source must also support the desired video mode, and the signal must use compatible ports and connections throughout the chain.
Can I connect a Blu-ray player to the TV instead of the soundbar?
Yes, if the TV has an available compatible HDMI input and can return the player’s audio format to the soundbar over eARC. Check the TV’s audio-format support if preserving a particular format matters.
