• Red Lobster could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection next week, per The Wall Street Journal.
• The restaurant chain, burdened with hundreds of millions in debt, recently shut down 52 stores.
• Red Lobster blamed some of its financial struggles on an all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion.

Restaurant chain Red Lobster could file for bankruptcy protection as early as next week, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

People familiar with the matter told the Journal that the company, overwhelmed with hundreds of millions in debt, plans to file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in Orlando before Memorial Day.

Bloomberg previously reported in April that the restaurant company was considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The bankruptcy news comes after Red Lobster, which has around 650 locations, shut down over 50 locations across the US, restaurant liquidator TAGeX Brands confirmed to Business Insider on Monday.

States that will see Red Lobster closures include California, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Texas.

Over the past few years, financial troubles have beset the popular seafood chain.

Leasing costs, less foot traffic during COVID-19 lockdowns, and a failed all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion are some of the reasons Red Lobster and outside observers have attributed to the company's downfall.

These financial troubles resulted in Thai Union Group, which had assumed majority ownership of Red Lobster in 2020, pulling out its investments. On a February earnings call, Thai Union Chief Executive Thiraphong Chansiri said, "We're going to exit. We are not going to inject any more money into Red Lobster."

"The combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, sustained industry headwinds, higher interest rates, and rising material and labor costs have impacted Red Lobster, resulting in prolonged negative financial contributions to Thai Union and its shareholders," Chansiri previously said.

Red Lobster and Thai Union Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

• OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever is leaving the company, he said on X on Tuesday.
• The chief scientist played a key role in the November ouster of CEO Sam Altman, reports said.
• Sutskever said in his Tuesday announcement that he is confident OpenAI will build "safe" technology. 

OpenAI cofounder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever is stepping away from the company after almost a decade, he said in a Tuesday post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Sutskever said he is "confident" that the company will continue to build technology that is "both safe and beneficial."

Sutskever's role at the company has been in doubt for the last six months after reports indicated he played a key role in the shocking and ultimately failed board ouster of OpenAI CEO and cofounder Sam Altman in November.

Two people familiar with the company told Business Insider in December that Sutskever had essentially been shut out of OpenAI in the aftermath of the attempt to remove Altman as CEO.

Sutskever said he is "excited" about his next steps, which he said he would share more details about "in due time."

Neither OpenAI nor Sutskever immediately responded to a request for comment from BI.

In his own post on X, Altman said, "Ilya and OpenAI are going to part ways. This is very sad to me; Ilya is easily one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend. His brilliance and vision are well known; his warmth and compassion are less well known but no less important."

This story is breaking. Please check back for updates.

• Project Astra is an experimental effort to reimagine what AI agents can be in the future.
• I got to test out the new AI technology at Google's I/O conference. 
• I danced with the AI agent and spoke with Gregory Wayne, the head of Project Astra. He's a human. 

Project Astra was the coolest new technology Google showed off at its I/O conference on Tuesday.

After the keynote, journalists were herded over to a demo area for Project Astra. It's an experimental effort to reimagine what AI agents can be in the future.

"We've always wanted to build a universal agent that will be useful in everyday life," Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis said.

Once at the test location, Google let four journalists at a time into little demo booths. Before we went in, while waiting in line, two members of the Project Astra team from DeepMind walked us through how to use the technology. 

They described four modes for us to try out: Storyteller, Pictionary, Free-Form and Alliteration.

Free-Form mode

We tried Free-Form mode. Max Cherney, a journalist from Reuters, held up a Google-provided Android phone and pointed the camera at me.

"Describe his clothes," Max said.

Google's Gemini model reviewed the phone's live video and said I was wearing casual clothes. An accurate, solid answer. 

I started dancing and Max asked, "what is he doing now?" Gemini responded incorrectly, kind of. It said I had put on sunglasses. Which was true, because I'd put on some sunnies to dance. But it didn't spot the dancing. Admittedly, I was dancing badly, so maybe the AI model gets a pass on that. 

No stock quotes

Then Max asked Gemini to critique my attire, because he wanted Gemini to do some analysis and share a point of view. 

The AI model said "I can't provide stock quotes right now." We all stopped as the AI magic had abruptly ended. 

A car and a story

I then moved to a large touch screen that offered the four modes to try. I chose Pictionary. I drew a really bad car, and Gemini said "that looks like a car."

I asked it to put the vehicle in an interesting story. "The sleek, blue car sped down the highway, a lonely traveler on a moonlit night," Gemini said. 

I had the car drive into a marketplace and Gemini said doing that would be unsafe in reality, but it could make a good story plot twist. 

"Is that it?" Gemini asked. 

I drew a table of fruit at the market. It was even worse than the car. Then I said someone should steal fruit in the story. 

"Ah, a fruit thief adds an interesting twist! Are they getting away with it so far?" Gemini said. 

At this point, the demo ended and we were ushered out of the booth.

Gregory Wayne and Captain Cook

Just outside, I ran into Gregory Wayne, the head of Project Astra. He's been at DeepMind for about a decade and we discussed the origins on Project Astra. 

He said he's been fascinated by how humans communicate using language. Not just written and spoken words, but all the other forms of communication that make human interaction so rich and satisfying. 

He recounted a story about when Captain Cook arrived in Tierra del Fuego and met the inhabitants. They did not speak the same language, so they communicated through actions, such as picking up sticks and throwing them to the side, which signified that Cook and his crew were welcome. 

Wayne and his colleagues were fascinated by the story because it showed all the other ways that humans can communicate with each other beyond what people are taught to do through written words and speaking aloud. 

Beyond chatbots

This is part of what inspired Project Astra, Wayne said. It's all about going beyond what chatbots do right now, which is mostly understanding written and spoken words and conducting simple back-and-forth conversations, where the computer says something, then the human does, then the computer again and so on. 

One of the main goals of Project Astra is to get AI models to comprehend many of the other things going on around text and speech-based communication. That might be hand signals, or the context of what's going on in the world at the moment of the conversation. 

In the future, this could include something like an AI model or agent spotting something in the background of a video feed and alerting the human in the conversation. That might be a bicycle approaching, or telling the user when a traffic light changes color. 

The options are endless, and also include an AI model understanding, through kind of reading the room, that it should stop talking and let the human say something. 

SuperEvilMegaCorp

I told Wayne about the slightly disappointing moment when Gemini didn't critique my clothes and instead said it couldn't provide stock quotes right now. 

He immediately looked at my T-shirt, which has a real startup logo on it that reads "SuperEvilMegaCorp." Wayne theorized that Gemini saw the corporation name and guessed that we wanted to know financial information about this company. 

SuperEvilMegaCorp is a gaming startup in Silicon Valley that is not publicly traded, so there's no real-time stock information to be had. Gemini didn't know that. Maybe it's learning this right now, though.   

• While promoting Project Astra, Google CEO Sundar Pichai teased the possible return of Google Glass.
• Pichai told CNBC that Google is working on prototype glasses to work with Project Astra's AI model.
• The first Google Glass was originally launched in 2013 and was a remarkable commercial failure.

Google Glass might be ready to make a comeback.

In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Google CEO Sundar Pichar teased the possible return of the wearable technology, integrated with Google's new multimodal AI assistant, Project Astra.

"Project Astra shines when you have a form factor like glasses," Pichar told CNBC. "We are working on prototypes."

In the Project Astra demo, the prototype glasses help the wearer enhance schematic plans on a whiteboard, interpret a drawing meant to reference the Schrödinger's Cat paradox, and create a band name based on a Golden Retriever and its stuffed toy tiger.

Representatives for Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

In his CNBC appearance, Pichar didn't elaborate further on the prototypes under development or how soon Project Astra will be implemented into wearable tech like glasses.

However, users commenting on the demo quickly congratulated Google for reinvigorating the technology that stopped production nearly a decade ago.

"Google Glass has RE-entered the chat," one user quipped below the YouTube video promoting Project Astra and featuring the prototype glasses.

"I do think the Google Glass was ahead of its time, and now is the ideal time to rerelease it, especially after Apple and Facebook's sudden interest in this market," another wrote.

The original Google Glass debuted in 2013 but was a remarkable commercial failure. Initially toted as the way of the future, wearers of the tech were mercilessly mocked, and the release of Google Glass 1.0 was marred by literal and figurative headaches during production, as author Quinn Meyers noted in his book "Google Glass: Remember the Internet no. 3."

Production on the original Google Glass was ultimately discontinued in 2015, though two enterprise editions were attempted in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Sales on both were discontinued by 2023.

However, given the Project Astra demo, it appears Google never fully gave up on its plan, and a resurgence of the tech featuring Google's latest iteration of its Gemini AI assistant may be very close on the horizon.

• Mark Zuckerberg's 40th birthday bash featured recreations of his old bedrooms.
• Bill Gates, in a black hoodie, hung out in a replica of Zuckerberg's Harvard dorm room.
• Gates and Zuckerberg both dropped out of Harvard to pursue their own ventures.

Mark Zuckerberg's 40th birthday bash gave us a glimpse of an alternate universe where Zuck and Bill Gates are college roommates.

Zuckerberg showcased the party in a Tuesday Instagram post. The slideshow shows him in mini-replicas of some of his former cribs — including the Harvard dorm room where he launched Facebook.

Gates, in a black hoodie, blue-gray gym shorts, and tennis shoes, was crouched on a little red sofa next to him.

"Grateful for my first 40 years! Priscilla threw me a little party and recreated a bunch of places I lived in the early days," Zuckerberg wrote in his Instagram caption.

Zuckerberg's wife, Priscilla Chan, also recreated her husband's childhood bedroom, his first apartment, and a pizzeria where Zuckerberg said he "basically lived in college."

The Meta CEO attended Harvard University between 2002 and 2004. He dropped out before he finished his schooling soon after he founded Facebook.

Gates's story is similar: He attended Harvard between 1973 and 1975 but dropped out to start Microsoft.

At the party, Zuck was dripped out in a chain necklace.

Zuckerberg has recently changed his style, opting for more plain tees and gold chains. The look has drawn comparisons to "mob chic" trends and rapper swag.

He also sported a black shirt that read "Carthago delenda est" in old English lettering. The Latin message translates to "Carthage must be destroyed" and was famously uttered by Cato the Elder.

It's unclear if Zuckerberg wanted anything to be destroyed at his birthday party, but he reportedly uttered this phrase on the day Google Plus was launched in 2016.

Zuckerberg's birthday post ended with a video message from his closest family and friends set to "In Da Club" by 50 Cent. Some friends sent sweet and heartfelt well wishes, while others opted to roast the tech billionaire.

"I can't believe you're 40, you old piece of shit," one unidentified person said.

Representatives for Zuckerberg and Gates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

• Google demonstrated Gemini-powered updates for Gmail at its developer conference on Tuesday.
• Gemini will be able to pull, summarize, and organize information from all over your inbox. 
• The features show just how incredible Gmail could get with an AI-powered assistant.

One of the big takeaways from Google's big developer conference on Tuesday was just how incredible Gmail looks like it's about to get.

Google's signature email service is already beloved and indispensable for many, with more than 1.8 billion users worldwide. But the coming updates and seemingly smooth integration of Google's AI model Gemini could take Gmail to the next level.

In a live demonstration during the Google I/O keynote, Aparna Pappu, vice president of Google Workspace, announced three updates coming to Gmail that will use a Gemini-powered Side Panel Assistant:

Summarize

The first feature is a summarize option, where Gemini can read through a long email thread and summarize the main points, saving you from having to scroll up and read replies you may have missed.

Q&A

The Q&A function allows Gmail users to simply ask a question that Gemini can answer by referencing all of their emails and attachments. Examples given include, "What time do doors open for the Knicks' game?" and "When are my shoes arriving?" Rather than have to search for an email, open it, and read through it to find the answer you're looking for, Gemini can do it for you.

Contextual smart reply

The third feature is contextual smart reply, where Gemini suggests potential email responses. Unlike basic predictive response tools, the new function will suggest customized responses based on Gemini reviewing what's already been discussed.

Google said the features will first roll out to Google Workspace Labs, a program where users can experiment with AI, in the coming months.

The AI-powered assistant could transform the Gmail experience

If you're still not sure exactly how useful the new Gmail features could be, Pappu walked through a real-life use case.

In her example, she was trying to schedule someone to do roof repairs on her house. First, Gemini summarized a long email thread with one of the potential contractors for her to review. But she couldn't remember what the quotes were from the other two contractors she contacted.

Rather than have to search through her inbox, find the other emails, remember the various quotes and availability of each, she simply asked Gemini to "compare my roof repair bids by price and availability."

Within moments, Gemini returned a brief summary of each bid, accessing and compiling the relevant information from three different email threads, making it easy to quickly compare them.

When she went to reply, Gemini's suggested response options showed it understood the back-and-forth up to that point.

Integration into other Workspace products

Google also showed just how well integrated the Gmail of the future could be with other Workspace products, like Google Sheets.

In another example, Pappu asked Gemini to help her organize and track receipts.

Within moments, Gemini scanned the inbox and compiled all the receipts into a detailed and neatly laid out spreadsheet — a process that could take hours if completed manually. Users can also have Gemini automate this process, so receipts in the future would automatically be organized and added.

Overall, Google's demonstrations showed just how impressive AI-powered features could be in Gmail.

For those who rely on Gmail in their professional and personal lives, the integration of Gemini sure looks like it might be a game-changing AI assistant.

• The F-22 Raptor, a fifth-generation fighter, has a reputation as the top US air superiority fighter.
• But the stealth fighter jet lost mock dogfights to older jets, like the German Eurofighter Typhoon.
• So is the Raptor or the Typhoon the superior fighter? The answer: it depends on the circumstances.

Despite the F-22 Raptor's reputation as the world's most capable air superiority fighter, the stealth jet has lost a number of notional dogfights over the years to older and less advanced platforms like the F-16 and even the Navy's electronic-warfare specialist, the EA-18G Growler. But few exercises have done more damage to the mighty Raptor's reputation than a series of training dogfights with German Eurofighter Typhoons that took place just about a decade ago.

These losses may have been notional, but some people clearly took them seriously. So seriously, in fact, that German Eurofighters were spotted wearing F-22 kill markings on their fuselages after telling the press that they had "Raptor salad for lunch."

With the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance fighter cruising toward service in the coming decade, it now seems likely that the mighty Raptor will retire without ever firing a shot at another aircraft in anger, making these simulated combat exercises and a handful of exciting intercepts the extent of the Raptor's air-to-air legacy.

So what is that legacy exactly? Is the F-22 truly as dominant as people believe? Or is this fighter's biggest advantage not stealth… but hype?

Where it all started…

Arguments about the F-22 and Eurofighter Typhoon largely stem from German Eurofighters' participation in the Air Force's large-scale Red Flag air combat exercises over Alaska in 2012.

Red Flag is an advanced aerial combat training course that pits a wide variety of aircraft, often from multiple nations, against large-scale and realistic threats meant to simulate a real near-peer fight.

That year, Germany sent 150 Airmen and eight Eurofighter Typhoons from JG 74, or the Luftwaffe's 74th Tactical Air Force Wing, to Eielson AFB in Alaska to participate in a wide variety of missions over two weeks. Included among them was a series of close-range Basic Fighter Maneuver (BFM) drills with America's Raptors. BFM, of course, is fighter-pilot parlance for dog fights.

After the exercises were over, Germany's Eurofighter pilots arrived at 2012's Farnborough International Air Show, where they were quick to discuss their victories over the F-22. According to David Cenciotti's coverage for The Aviationist, Germany's Typhoon pilots explained that when the F-22 was flying with external fuel tanks attached and fighting within visual range, Typhoons were often able to outclass the Raptor.

How does the Eurofighter Typhoon compare to the F-22 Raptor?

Despite their generational differences, the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon actually have a number of things in common. They were both originally designed to serve as air superiority fighters born out of the Cold War, with the Typhoon first taking to the skies in 1994 and the F-22 following behind in 1997. Likewise, both fighters ultimately entered service in the early-to-mid 2000s, with the Typhoon entering active duty in 2003 and the Raptor, once again, following behind in 2005.

But despite these aircraft being designed at around the same time to serve in similar capacities, they differ dramatically in how they go about accomplishing their mission.

The F-22 Raptor was always meant to be a revolution in airpower, leaning heavily into America's groundbreaking stealth technology to produce what was — and remains — the stealthiest operational fighter on the face of the planet. But it's not just stealth that makes the Raptor a capable platform. It also boasts a high degree of sensor fusion and advanced avionics that allow for an extreme degree of situational awareness while reducing cognitive load for the pilot. In other words, the F-22's onboard computers allow the pilot to devote more attention to the fight and less to operating the aircraft.

"When you're flying the Raptor, you're not thinking about flying the Raptor," explained F-22 pilot Randy Gordon in a lecture he gave at MIT, "You're thinking about employing the Raptor. Flying is secondary."

But the F-22 isn't all about stealth and sensor fusion. It also incorporates elements of what might be considered 4th-generation dogfighting design: like thrust vector control or the ability to orient its jet nozzles independent of the airframe to perform incredibly aerobatic maneuvers, a high thrust-to-weight ratio, and an M61A2 20mm Gatling gun that can fire its onboard 480 rounds at a blistering rate of 6,000 per minute.

"Raptor has vector thrust: Typhoon doesn't," RAF Typhoon pilot and squadron commander Rich Wells told Breaking Defense in 2013. "What the aircraft can do, it's incredible. The Typhoon just doesn't do that."

And while it usually carries a total of eight weapons internally (six AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders), it can be fitted with four external pylon stations for additional munitions when it's tired of speaking softly and decides to become its own big stick.

As a result, the F-22 bridges two combat philosophies offering such a high degree of stealth and situational awareness that it can win most fights before the opponent even knows that it's there, alongside a highly respectable slew of traditional dogfighting traits that allow it to stand and swing with the most dynamic hotrod dogfighters of the previous generation.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, on the other hand, wasn't aiming to reinvent the existing air superiority model, so much as to perfect it as it was. Its delta-wing design, a shape nearly adopted by the F-22's defunct bomber sibling, offers a high degree of subsonic maneuverability alongside increased lift and range. The design, as well as the materials that make up the Typhoon, all lend it a higher degree of stealth than you might find in most comparably advanced 4th-generation fighters.

In fact, according to Eurofighter promotional materials: The aircraft is built with advanced composite materials to deliver a low radar profile and strong airframe. Only 15% of the aircraft's surface is metal, delivering stealth operation and protection from radar-based systems."

Like many other fighters, including the F-22, the Typhoon also leverages electronic warfare capabilities to obscure its radar return. And unlike the maintenance-heavy Raptor, the Typhoon was designed to be easy to maintain, assembled out of 15 interchangeable modules to minimize repair time. When up close and personal, the Typhoon's Mauser BK27mm gun fires at either 1,000 or 1,700 rounds per minute, with 150 rounds carried onboard.

Since entering service, the Typhoon has matured into an extremely capable multi-role platform, leaving its air superiority roots behind to become one of the most well-rounded fighters in service today, leveraging its 13 hard points for a wide variety of mission sets.

"The Eurofighter is certainly, as far as smoothness of controls and the ability to pull (and sustain high G forces), very impressive," explained Gen. John P. Jumper, former Air Force Chief of Staff and among the few pilots to have seat time in both the Raptor and Typhoon. "That is what it was designed to do, especially the version I flew, with the avionics, the color moving map displays, etc. — all absolutely top-notch. The maneuverability of the airplane in close-in combat was also very impressive."

The Typhoons pair of Eurojet EJ200 afterburning turbofan engines aren't quite as powerful as the Raptor's, propelling the Eurofighter to a top speed of Mach 2, vice the Raptors 2.25 — but top speed doesn't mean much in a fight, and the Eurofighter's comparatively lower weight allows for a better thrust-to-weight ratio for the Typhoon (in its interceptor configuration) than a similarly equipped Raptor.

F-22 vs. Eurofighter Typhoon: What do we know about the exercises?

Although many details remain murky, there are some things we know for sure about these 2012 dogfight exercises. Based on pilot statements, we know that at least some (if not all) of them were one-on-one engagements. Most importantly, they occurred within visual range with a number of reports stating that the Raptor was carrying stealth (and aerobatics) hindering external fuel tanks.

This distinction is essential because it means the fighting began under a forced pretense that effectively neutered the Raptor's greatest strength: its ability to use stealth and situational awareness to dictate how an engagement begins and, if the reports of fuel tanks are true, its aerobatic maneuverability.

In real life, F-22 pilots would almost certainly be aware of the Typhoon before the Typhoon was aware of it, allowing the Raptor to put itself into an advantageous position before the fighting began (or simply taking out the Typhoon from beyond visual range). And it goes without saying that no pilot would dogfight for their lives with external fuel tanks still hanging from their wings.

This type of exercise is common in military training, however, and could be compared to offensive and defensive positions in scholastic wrestling. A neutral start in wrestling begins with both athletes on their feet — this would be like two fighters flying into an exercise in the same way they might in real life.

Starting in a defensive (or disadvantaged) position, on the other hand, is when one wrestler begins the period on their hands and knees, with their opponent next to them on one knee with an arm over their back (the advantage). In the case of these specific exercises, the F-22 played the role of the disadvantaged wrestler starting from its knees — playing to the Eurofighter's strengths, rather than its own.

But like in wrestling, we should note that starting in a defensive or disadvantaged position isn't an excuse for losing. It's just part of the game.

Some allowances were also made for the Eurofighter before the fighting began. While the F-22 was carrying external fuel tanks that, to some extent, compromised both its aerobatic and stealth performance, the Eurofighter Typhoon that participated in one-on-one dogfights against the Raptor was allowed to fly not only without fuel tanks, but without any external munitions at all. This not only improved the Typhoon's maneuverability, but it also couldn't happen in a real fight lest the Eurofighter be left with nothing but its guns.

"There were two mornings where we flew against them 1v1. We pulled off all the tanks to get the most alpha [angle of attack]; the Eurofighter really is an animal with no tanks," Germany's Maj. Marc Gruene, one of the pilots who participated in the drills, explained.

How many of each fighter participated in these drills, what the rules of engagement were, and what the final kill ratios for each fighter were are all details that neither nation has disclosed, though there have been a number of claims made online. While these claims haven't been confirmed, they all report more wins for the F-22 than the Eurofighter, but F-22s clearly took home some losses as well.

Today's Eurofighter Typhoons come equipped with both a helmet-mounted targeting system to engage enemy fighters off-boresight (without aiming the nose of the aircraft at them), as well as the PIRATE infrared search and track (IRST) system that's potentially capable of spotting stealth fighters at distances as great as 30 miles out. This would have been a significant advantage over the F-22 — which carries neither capability to date — but at the time of these dogfight exercises, these systems were still being rolled out to Germany's Air Force, and the Typhoons that participated in the drills did not have them.

What happened when the F-22 and Eurofighter squared off?

According to the German pilots, once the fighting began, the F-22's thrust-vector control (TVC) actually hindered the Raptor, rather than helping it when sparring in close quarters with the Typhoon.

"The key is to get as close as possible to the F-22 and stay there. They didn't expect us to turn so aggressively," Gruene told Combat Aircraft magazine back in 2012. "As soon as you get to the merge… the Typhoon doesn't necessarily have to fear the F-22." 

(The Merge, for clarification's sake, isn't just the name of a great aviation newsletter. It's also what fighter pilots call it when two fighters meet head-on in a close-quarters pass.)

TVC does allow a fighter to perform extreme maneuvers, but they come at a high cost. In a dogfight, airspeed is life, and the exotic displays TVC allows all scrub a great deal of it. When the F-22 uses its thrust-vectoring nozzles to turn on a dime, the jet is vulnerable until it can regain airspeed. If it doesn't manage to score a kill immediately after performing such a maneuver, the Raptor becomes easy prey until its powerful pair of F-119-PW-100 turbofan engines can get all 70,000 pounds of fighter moving again.

Here's how it was explained by an unnamed Eurofighter test pilot to Cenciotti:

"If you are 'defensive' and your aircraft has Thrust Vectoring, you can possibly outturn your enemy, but that most likely won't prove to be a great idea: an energy fighter like the Typhoon will conveniently 'use the vertical' to retain energy and aggressively reposition for a missile or gun shot. Also the subsequent acceleration will be extremely time (and fuel) consuming, giving your opponent the opportunity to tail chase you forever, exploiting all its short range weapon array."

But even on the offensive, using TVC to quickly orient the nose of your fighter toward the enemy isn't always a good idea either. Because aggressive maneuvers strip the fighter of energy, you may score a kill against the opponent in front of you, but you're left vulnerable to any others nearby. This inherent issue with thrust vectoring combat tactics is really why no other American fighters are equipped with it, and in fact, Raptor pilots themselves will tell you that the real benefit of TVC in their aircraft is maintaining a degree of maneuverability while flying at a high angle of attack when control surfaces aren't as effective, rather than performing air show maneuvers in a dogfight.

At least two Eurofighters scored kills against F-22s… but there's more to this story

We know for sure that at least some (likely two) Eurofighters actually scored notional kills against their F-22 opponents in these drills. That story was quickly picked up by news outlets around the world, eager for a story about America's expensive Raptor failing to live up to expectations.

What we don't know, however, is how many kills Raptors scored against Typhoons, though it seems clear from official statements that the number was definitely not zero. In other words, the story wasn't that Raptors consistently lost to Eurofighters, but rather, that sometimes they did.

So what does that mean, exactly?

When aviation buffs start squaring off in the comments sections below articles and videos about their favorite (or least favorite) fighter platforms, it usually doesn't take long for the discourse to stop sounding like a well-informed debate and start sounding like 3rd graders arguing about whose dad can beat up who's. The complex context of air combat gives way to oversimplification and hyperbole until everything devolves into ad hominem attacks and seemingly made-up and uncitable statistics.

What can I say? Airplane folks go hard.

There are, however, reasonable arguments to be made from both sides of this debate, which I'll try to capture below:

The Raptor-fan argument

Those in the Raptor camp will contend that exercises like these, with their contrived circumstances and intentionally one-sided rules of engagement may be good for training, but they're a poor measure of a fighter's actual performance in the absence of broader context. The very nature of these exercises set out to put the Raptor at a disadvantage, eliminating the platform's greatest strengths — its stealth and beyond-visual range capabilities, in favor of an old-fashioned shoot-out the likes of which haven't been seen at scale since the Vietnam War. According to media reports, the F-22 "decimated" the Typhoon when able to engage from beyond visual range because it didn't have to fly with one wing tied behind its back.

In a real fight, the F-22 would likely be aware of the Typhoon's presence well before the Typhoon was aware of it, and even if the Eurofighter and pilot proved too quick on the stick to be taken out with an AMRAAM at long distance, the Raptor could use its superior situational awareness and low observability to close in on its European foe from an advantageous position, greatly improving its chances of success.

And perhaps most importantly of all, Raptor fans will argue that Germany was bragging about scoring a few kills against the Raptor… but they never once claimed that the Eurofighter won more sparring matches than the Raptor did. They simply claimed that it won some, and that was with a number of distinct advantages handed to them.

The fact of the matter is, the headline-grabbing story wasn't about Eurofighters dominating the F-22… It was about two of them managing to score wins at all against an aircraft many think of as invincible.

The Typhoon-fan argument

Those in the Eurofighter Typhoon's camp, on the other hand, will argue that these exercises, like real combat, aren't about being fair. The Eurofighter's ability to stand and scrap with the Raptor in close quarters is proof positive that the Typhoon is capable of competing with the most advanced (and expensive) fighters on the planet when it comes to close-quarters air combat.

And that, combined with its improved avionics and beyond-visual range capabilities that have manifested since that interaction, make the Eurofighter Typhoon one of the best pound-for-pound fighters anywhere on the planet.

Its foreign-sales price is, after all, right around $124 million — which is an incredible bargain compared to the estimated $400 million or so per Raptor, at least, when you include its research and development costs in each F-22's price tag.

Even if Raptors did score more kills against Typhoons than the Germans did against Raptors as a number of sources have reported, the fact that the 4th generation Eurofighter was a genuine threat to the F-22 at all proves that its supremacy isn't as assured as so many Raptor fanboys like to believe.

But the truth is…

Both of these arguments are right. The F-22 Raptor isn't considered the most dominant air superiority fighter in the sky because it can't lose. That's not how combat works — heck, it's not how any kind of fighting works. No matter how capable, no matter how advanced, no matter how well trained, anyone can find themselves knee-deep in a disadvantage they can't overcome.

Eric Wicklund, a former Operations Specialist in the US Navy, made this point rather eloquently earlier this year:

"World War II ace, Erich Hartmann is the highest scoring ace, ever, with 352 kills. That doesn't mean he never lost. He got shot down 16 times! He's still the greatest ace, because he won much more often than he lost."

The F-22's advanced avionics, high degree of maneuverability, and extremely low observability all make it an incredibly capable platform, but nothing makes a fighter invincible. If you stack the deck against anything, it'll find its limits — and it's important to note that finding those limits, of both the pilot and the platform, is the real reason these exercises exist.

Red Flag isn't about winning internet dog fights, it's about going on to win real ones. Taking home a few W's in a series of staged exercises doesn't mean nothing, but it doesn't mean everything either.

The truth is, the Eurofighter Typhoon is an incredibly capable 4th generation fighter, but when you pit it against a 5th generation fighter, that stealthy opponent — be it F-22, F-35, or maybe even J-20 — is likely going to win most engagements in a relatively boring (and rather sneaky) way.

But if these stealth jets happen to find themselves within gun's reach of the Eurofighter, the victor isn't as easy to divine. And that's an important lesson for both 4th and 5th generation pilots to take away from these exercises.

This assertion is substantiated in numbers we can confirm: in its earliest appearances at Red Flag back in 2006 and 2007, F-22s racked up 144 and 241 wins respectively, but lost a handful of jets as well to lowly 4th generation fighters like the F-16C — which was the first platform ever to down an F-22. in a mock dogfight. In fact, in the F-22's first air-to-air outing (without being limited to within visual range), it took out eight F-15s without them ever managing to paint it with a target.

But… if you can get in close with the F-22 and eliminate its technological advantages, the Raptor is just another aircraft in a fight for its life.

"The Raptor's unique capabilities are overwhelming, but as soon as you get to the merge, which is [admittedly] only a very small spectrum of air combat, the Typhoon doesn't necessarily have to fear the F-22 in all aspects. We gain energy better than the F-22 when we are slow, for example," Fighter Wing 74 commander Col. Andreas Pfeiffer said of the mock engagements.

This all reminds me of something an American intelligence contractor told me years ago about US special operations units. They're the most elite operators in the world with the best training, the best equipment, and the best support… but just about every Navy SEAL, Delta operator, or Army Ranger who's been killed in combat over the past two decades wasn't taken down by a similarly elite group of ISIS or Al-Qaeda commandos. More often than not, it's a poorly trained young man with a poorly maintained AK-47, no body armor, and some luck on his side.

You can give your warfighters all the advantages in the world, but nobody knows how a fight will play out until it does. In fact, according to Air Force Col. Thomas Bergeson, in Red Flag exercises, "you have a great day if you lose only 10% of your forces." And he's not alone.

"If you see numbers where you never have a loss, I don't think you're training to your full ability," explained Lt. Col. Wade Tolliver, 27th FS commander, back in 2007. "If you don't, at some point, have that simulated loss, we're not going to push ourselves to be as capable as we are."

That's the unfortunate reality of defense technology analysis. The real answer is rarely pithy, rarely simple, and rarely can stand on its own without some broader context. The internet prefers that we speak in concise absolutes, but the only incisive answer you can really give when asked which out of the two contemporary platforms is best is… it depends.

It depends on the mission, the circumstances, the rules of engagement, the pilots, the mission planning, the training, the budget, the over-arching combat doctrine, and if any of the pilots had two extra cups of coffee this morning and is distracted by the pressing need to find a toilet.

"No matter how magical the F-22, any pilot can make a mistake, explained Air Force Lt. Col. Dirk Smith in 2007. "The beauty of Red Flag is that we were able to go out and practice our tactics in a challenging scenario, make a mistake, learn a lesson, and be that much better prepared for actual combat."

So what's the verdict between the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon?

Can the Eurofighter Typhoon beat the F-22 Raptor in a dogfight? The answer is an unequivocal yes. It's a very capable jet, and, under the right set of rare and unusual circumstances, just about anything could beat the F-22. In fact, if you were really impressed by the F-22 kill markings on those Typhoons, you should know that they've been applied to other aircraft after notional victories… including at least one A-10 Warthog (alongside another mark for an F-16 kill).

But are F-22 pilots losing sleep over this? The answer there is no.

"When the sensors work and each plane talks to each other, the Raptor is nearly untouchable when things are right," F-22 pilot Mike 'Dozer' Shower said in Bertie Simmonds" book, F-15 Eagle.

"The F-22 versus a 4th-generation fighter is like having two football teams against each other, and one of them [the F-22] is invisible!"

People don't call the F-22 Raptor the reigning king of the skies because it never loses. Having the F-22 Raptor on your wing in the sky, like Micheal Jordan on the basketball court or Chesty Puller on the battlefield, isn't a guarantee of victory. They all have a few L's on their resumes.

Nobody wins all the time. Not even the mighty Raptor.

But if you want to get a fight going in the comments anyway… I still think my dad could have beaten up yours.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in January 2023.

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• Hundreds of Teslas are parked outside a mall in Missouri, including dozens of Cybertrucks.
• The mall is closing in October and Tesla needed space to hold excess vehicles. 
• Tesla had a decline in EV sales last quarter, which hit 90,000 lower than expected.

Chesterfield Mall, set to shut down in October, has become an unexpected parking lot for hundreds of Tesla vehicles over the last few months.

The Teslas, including Cybertrucks, parked outside of the Chesterfield, Missouri, shopping spot puzzled people passing by, especially as the number of EVs seemed to increase over time.

A couple of weeks ago, local news station KTVI solved the mystery.

According to the report, Tesla is storing unsold vehicles at the mall until it shuts down.

Michael Staenberg, the president of The Staenberg Group, which owns the Chesterfield Mall, confirmed with BI that dozens of Tesla Cybertrucks, along with brand new Tesla Model Ys and Model 3s in various colors, are stored in the lot outside the mall.

Staenberg said Tesla has occupied the space for about six or seven months and can stay until the mall closes in October. He said at least 90 groups are using space at the mall for different purposes before it closes.

"One of our users happens to be Tesla, who does have a dealership in the Valley, but does not have enough capacity at the dealership to park all of the cars they are bringing in," senior vice president of leasing and development at The Staenberg Group Tim Lowe, told KTVI. "So they are renting space within the parking lot to store their cars."

Tesla has a dealership about 2.5 miles away from Chesterfield Mall. Staenberg said 300 to 400 Teslas are stored in the parking lot.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

Inventory lots aren't uncommon

Tesla isn't the only car brand to store its unsold vehicles outside a dealership.

Excess vehicles are often stored at factory lots close to manufacturing facilities, port facilities, distribution centers, transit compounds, and rail yards.

Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne stores vehicles before transporting them to dealers or other facilities. General Motors also has a centralized distribution facility in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where it replenishes inventory.

EV makers are struggling with oversupply

Electric vehicle sales across the industry have taken a hit as demand weakens — and Tesla is no exception. Over the past year, Tesla significantly lowered the prices of its EVs, which resulted in lower profits.

Cox Automotive previously said in August 2023, there were nearly twice as many EVs as gas cars sitting at dealer lots.

Around the same time, more EVs were being produced than ever before, forcing dealers to turn them down because inventory was piling up.

Tesla reported its first year-over-year decline in quarterly deliveries last quarter. The EV giant sold about 386,800 cars in the first quarter of 2024, which was about 90,000 fewer than investors expected.

That's 20.1% lower from the fourth quarter of 2023 and 8.4% down from a year ago. It also marked the company's lowest quarterly performance since 2022.

Tesla cited several reasons for a drop in deliveries, including challenges ramping up production of the new Model 3, an arson attack at its factory near Berlin, and supply-chain disruptions linked to the conflict near the Red Sea.

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The best soundbars deliver a convenient way to upgrade your home audio setup. Even top TVs often have wimpy built-in speakers that lack depth and clarity. A good soundbar can be a game changer, providing clearer dialogue and deeper bass. 

After testing and researching several popular models, we've picked the nine best soundbars you can buy right now. The Yamaha YAS-209 is our top recommendation for anyone who wants a great all-around audio solution with good sound quality and a subwoofer at an affordable price. But buyers who crave a full-fledged Dolby Atmos system with rear surround sound speakers and up-firing drivers should check out the Samsung HW-Q990C. 

Below, you can find all nine of our picks for the best soundbars of 2024. We have options for every price range and type of user, from entry-level two-channel models to high-end systems with 11.1.4 audio channels.

Our top picks for the best soundbars

Best overall: Yamaha YAS-209 – See at Amazon

Best for budget shoppers: Vizio V-Series V21d-J8 – See at Amazon

Best premium Dolby Atmos system: Samsung HW-Q990C – See at Amazon

Best midrange for Dolby Atmos: Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Channel Soundbar – See at Amazon

Best entry-level Atmos bar: Bose Smart Soundbar 600 – See at Amazon

Best for high-end virtual surround sound: Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max – See at Amazon

Best all-in-one option: Sonos Arc – See at Amazon

Best for gaming: Sony HT-A7000 – See at Amazon

Best with video streaming: Roku Streambar – See at Best Buy

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Best overall

The YAS-209 delivers the perfect blend of solid audio quality, ease of use, and affordable pricing, making it the best soundbar for most people. This is the type of space-saving audio option many think of when looking for a soundbar, and it makes for a great upgrade to built-in TV speakers.

The system includes a 36-inch soundbar unit and a wireless subwoofer for dedicated bass. The 2.1-channel hardware delivers stereo playback but also has DTS Virtual:X processing for a simulated surround sound effect. It's not as convincing as pricier virtual surround systems, but it does a decent job. With or without virtual surround, the system provides clear and balanced audio for various types of content.

The YAS-209 connects to your TV using its HDMI ARC port, and the soundbar has a handy HDMI-in port that supports passing through video at up to 4K resolution with HDR (but not Dolby Vision) from a connected device, like a gaming console or Blu-ray player. An optical audio port is also featured for older TVs without HDMI ARC, and you can wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Thanks to built-in microphones, the YAS-209 even includes integrated support for Amazon Alexa, enabling hands-free control for functions like volume. All this at such a low price keeps the YAS-209 at the top of the list for many shoppers and reviewers alike, making it one of the best soundbars you can buy.

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Best for budget shoppers

The Vizio V-Series V21d-J8 is a simple 2.1-channel soundbar built for buyers on a budget. Its audio performance can't match more expensive models, but it still delivers a decent upgrade over the built-in speakers on most entry-level and midrange TVs. 

The soundbar has built-in woofers, meaning you'll get two main channels for pure stereo sound and a little extra bass, even though the system doesn't have a separate subwoofer unit. Vizio also uses DTS Virtual:X processing to simulate surround and height effects. The tech employed here is nowhere near as advanced as what you'd get on a high-end soundbar like Sennheiser's Ambeo Max, but it still helps to expand the device's soundstage.

Standing out from the typical boxy design we see on most soundbars, the V-Series has angled sides that slope down to create a hexagonal profile. Buttons for various controls, including volume, source, Bluetooth audio, and power, rest on the side of the bar.

The soundbar has an HDMI ARC port for easy connection to modern smart TVs, and you also get an optical audio port if your TV doesn't have an HDMI connection. There's no HDMI video passthrough, but you can hook up older audio sources to the bar's 3.5mm auxiliary port.

The V-Series supports Bluetooth for wireless playback, making it easy to stream music from your smartphone, but you can't stream via WiFi. An included remote handles all your needs for adjusting volume, accessing basic equalizer options, and toggling various modes.

Check out our full guide to all of the best budget soundbars.

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Best premium Dolby Atmos system

Samsung's flagship 11.1.4 Q990C is one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market. This has been a progressive process for Samsung over several years, resulting in a massive multi-piece system with 22 speakers working together to utterly submerge you in seamless sound. 

Dolby Atmos technology is designed to spread audio effects in all directions, including from above your head, and the Q990C is perfectly equipped for the task. Armed with four up-firing drivers to bounce Atmos sound effects off your ceiling, four side-firing drivers, a pair of dedicated satellite speakers, a brawny subwoofer, and an array of additional drivers, the HW-Q990C is a powerful machine that drops you directly into the action.

But this system isn't just about muscle. It also provides excellent balance and fluid transition between speakers, helping it excel at enhancing everything from sitcoms and action flicks to jazz and hip-hop.

The system is loaded with features, from built-in Alexa voice control to support for every major audio format. In addition to Dolby Atmos, the Q990C is compatible with the rival DTS:X format and many high-resolution audio files. Inputs include HDMI eARC, an Optical connection, and a pair of HDMI inputs with 4K HDR passthrough (though they stop short of HDMI 2.1 support).

Accessories include a stylish and intuitive remote, or you can use the Samsung SmartThings app for fine-tuning settings like EQ and individual channel volume. The soundbar is also designed to pair with many of the best Samsung TVs, like the S90C 4K OLED, via Q-symphony, which lets you use your TV's speakers as part of a combined audio system with the Q990C. 

Buyers should note that Samsung now sells a new 2024 version of this soundbar, the Q990D. The updated model retains the same basic design while adding a few features, including HDMI 2.1 support for 4K/120Hz passthrough when connected to a PS5 or Xbox Series X. For now, we think the cheaper Q990C remains a better value, but the Q990D is a worthy option if you want its added gaming capabilities. 

Read our Samsung HW-Q990C Soundbar review. 

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Best midrange for Dolby Atmos

When it comes to Atmos-capable soundbar systems in this price range, few options are as immersive as Vizio's Elevate soundbar. It's pricier than standard soundbar packages, but it's one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a full 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos experience.

The Elevate offers left, center, and right channels in the soundbar itself, along with two upward firing channels that bounce sound off your ceiling to create overhead effects. Two wired rear speakers with their own upward-firing drivers and an eight-inch wireless subwoofer are also included.

In an intriguing design twist, the Elevate's front height speakers feature a rotating mechanism that allows them to automatically tilt up or forward depending on what you're listening to. When fed a 3D audio mix like Dolby Atmos, they move up to produce overhead effects. For other mixes, they face forward, helping to create a wider and more powerful front soundstage. 

The Elevate's relatively large size and wired rear speakers make it more onerous and less space-saving than many soundbar options, but the system provides audio performance that's nearly on par with some home theater packages at a relatively low price.

Read our Vizio Elevate Soundbar review.

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Best entry-level Atmos bar

As its name implies, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is designed as a soundbar and smart speaker in one. It has built-in microphones with Amazon Alexa voice control and supports Google Assistant when paired with a separate device. It's also one of the most budget-friendly Dolby Atmos soundbars you can buy. 

Buyers can use the Bose Music App for easy setup, intuitive control, and access to popular streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music. You can stream additional services like Apple Music using AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Bluetooth. The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 can also be paired with other Bose speakers to create a multi-room audio system or to add satellite speakers for a true surround sound setup.

Despite its compact size, the Smart Soundbar 600 delivers impressive audio performance, with surprisingly full and clear sound from such a small profile. We were especially pleased by how clear dialogue sounds, even when watching big action scenes. And unlike other Dolby Atmos soundbars in this price range, like the Sonos Beam, this Bose model has true up-firing drivers to deliver more convincing overhead audio.

On the downside, the Soundbar 600 doesn't support DTS audio formats and lacks some kick in its lower bass registers. You can pair it with a Bose subwoofer, like the Bose Bass Module 500, but that doubles the price.

Still, even without a separate subwoofer, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is easily one of the best soundbars out there for $500, especially if you want Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue, and Alexa smarts in one compact device.

Read our Bose Smart Soundbar 600 review.

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Best for high-end virtual surround sound

If you want an absolutely killer listening experience without the hassle of setting up multiple speakers, look no further than the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max. This high-end soundbar uses premium components and innovative software to create an unparalleled virtual surround sound experience from a single audio component.

The Ambeo Max is a beast of a soundbar, coming in at 50 inches wide and 40 pounds, making it tricky to fit in some living room setups. But its hefty design enables Sennheiser to pack in five tweeters, six four-inch drivers at the front and sides, and a pair of 3.5-inch up-firing speakers. The up-firing and side-firing drivers bounce audio off your ceiling and walls to make it sound like effects are coming from all around you in a full 5.1.4-channel configuration.

The bar creates an immersive soundscape with the most realistic sense of surround sound we've heard from a single soundbar. While not as convincing as having actual rear and overhead speakers, the Ambeo Max is more compact than having a full-sized system with multiple speakers.

As you'd expect from Sennheiser, the Ambeo Max is also excellent for music streaming, providing rich and detailed sound across genres. And though the soundbar doesn't include a dedicated subwoofer, mid-bass performance is deep and impactful. You can also add a separate subwoofer from your brand of choice if you crave more low-frequency oomph. 

Like most of the best soundbars, WiFi and Bluetooth are also supported for wireless music streaming directly from the Sennheiser app or many of the best music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

Read our Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max review.

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Best all-in-one option

In many ways, Sonos' Arc is the quintessential all-in-one soundbar. It offers a slick and stylish design, rich and immersive audio performance, and a simplified setup to get you up and running in minutes. And that's just for starters.

Because this is a Sonos soundbar, it's as much about what's inside this system as what you see and hear. Sonos' app makes it easy to stream music from various services, tune the sound to your liking, and even connect other Sonos speakers in a multi-room audio setup or as part of a multi-speaker surround system.

Armed with support for Doby Atmos, the Arc offers both side-firing and up-firing drivers to surround you in the immersive, hemispheric dome for which the format is prized. With Sonos going all in on Dolby Atmos music, you can also stream new Atmos tracks and remixes from your favorite artists directly to the bar from supported services like Apple Music.

There are some downsides to Sonos' minimalist design, including a lack of inputs. The Arc does not include a spare HDMI connection or optical input. And though DTS 5.1 audio is supported, the Arc does not support DTS' 3D surround sound format, DTS:X.

The Arc's typical $899 price point can also be tough to swallow, especially since it doesn't come with a separate subwoofer. It still offers relatively punchy bass performance, though, and its lack of extra trappings is part of what makes this concise package so appealing. With excellent sound and many modern features, the Arc is one of the best soundbars we've tested and a strikingly easy way to upgrade your audio setup.

Buyers who want to expand the Arc's surround sound performance should consider picking up a Sonos Sub for extra bass and two Sonos Era 300 speakers to serve as rear satellites. We listened to a demonstration with this configuration, and its performance blew us away. However, this setup is pricey. Sonos sells all four components packaged together for $2,471.

Read our Sonos Arc review.

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Best for gaming

Sony's HT-A7000 is one of the most immersive single-unit soundbars we've tested, second only to Sennheiser's pricier Ambeo Max. With excellent musicality, punchy bass, and up-firing drivers, this monster-sized bar delivers expressive and powerful performance across content, from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X films to jazz and acoustic music.

But it's the soundbar's hefty suite of gaming and A/V features that really kicks things up a notch. The system supports a laundry list of high-resolution audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, multiple high-resolution audio types, and Sony's own 360 Reality Audio format for streaming 3D music from supported apps.

On the gaming front, the HT-A7000 is one of the few soundbars that offers HDMI inputs with full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth support, including 4K HDR passthrough at up to 120Hz when connected to a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. Following a recent firmware update, the soundbar event supports passing through VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto low latency mode). For PS5 users, it also supports advanced features like Auto Tone HDR Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode.

Streaming over WiFi is available from the usual suspects, including Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth. Alexa and Google Assistant control are also supported, but only when paired with a separate smart speaker device.

At up to $1,400, price is an obvious barrier here, especially since the system doesn't include a separate subwoofer. Still, the HT-A7000 is a powerful performer with impressive gaming chops, especially for PS5 fans.

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Best with video streaming

If you're in the market for a soundbar and a new streaming media player, the Roku Streambar could be the convenient all-in-one device you're looking for. Not only is the Streambar smaller than any other soundbar on our list, but it also includes integrated video playback support for all of the best streaming services.

When it comes to audio performance, the 2.0-channel soundbar features four 1.9-inch full-range drivers for basic two-channel stereo playback. There are no fancy virtualization options for simulated surround sound, and there's no included subwoofer for extra bass, but the Streambar sounds surprisingly solid for a device of its size.

To be clear, you won't get the range, accuracy, or separation you'd get on a bigger soundbar, but during our evaluation, the Streambar still offered a nice upgrade over most built-in TV speakers. Its compact design makes it an ideal fit for apartments, dorms, and bedrooms.

As a media player, the Streambar provides access to Roku's extensive library of channels, including popular services like Disney Plus, Prime Video, and Hulu. It also supports up to 4K playback with high dynamic range using the standard HDR10 format. But while the navigation speed is decent, the Streambar isn't as snappy as the best streaming devices, like the Roku Ultra.

Roku's handy voice remote is also included, enabling easy content search. Though digital assistant functionality isn't built-in, the bar is compatible with separate Alexa and Google Assistant devices.

There are other soundbars on the market with built-in video playback, but the Streambar's compact size, affordable price tag, and reliable Roku interface make it our favorite of the bunch.

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How we test soundbars

To determine the best soundbars, we test various key factors, including audio quality, format support, connectivity options, smart features, and overall value. 

We also evaluate factors like build quality and aesthetics, as well as how easy a soundbar is to set up and use daily. After all, convenience is a big advantage of using a soundbar over more traditional speaker systems. A good soundbar should be easy to use and integrate into your entertainment setup.

When reviewing soundbars, we evaluate low-, mid-, and high-frequency performance using a mix of test movies and shows across different genres. We also pay attention to how easy it is to hear dialogue using multiple settings, and we test audio at numerous volume levels to ensure the soundbar can get loud without losing quality. We also listen to various music tracks that have been selected to showcase different frequencies to determine if the soundbar sounds tinny or distorted and if it maintains good sonic detail and instrumental definition for various styles like rock, pop, acoustic music, and hip-hop.

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What to look for in a soundbar

When shopping for a soundbar, pay close attention to various specs, including its size and the number of audio channels it supports.

Entry-level soundbars tend to be smaller and support basic two-channel stereo sound, while more expensive soundbars are larger and support multiple channels for surround sound effects. Some models consist of a single soundbar unit, others include a separate subwoofer, and some even have extra satellite speakers. Bigger, multi-speaker soundbar systems will deliver the best audio performance, but they'll take up more room. 

Regarding format compatibility, all of the best soundbars support basic stereo PCM and Dolby Digital at the very least. But if you want a more immersive experience, you should look for soundbars that support DTS Virtual:X or true spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

The best soundbars use HDMI ARC or eARC ports to connect to your TV, but it's also nice when models include additional wired options like optical and 3.5mm to connect to older TVs or additional audio components. Extra HDMI ports to pass through video from connected devices like a Blu-ray player or gaming console are also great but shouldn't be expected on entry-level models.

Bluetooth music streaming is common on many of the best soundbars, but options supporting WiFi music streaming will deliver even better sound quality. If you want a soundbar that can double as a smart speaker, you should find a model with built-in microphones and Alexa or Google Assistant.

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How do I connect a soundbar?

Most soundbars we test connect to a TV via HDMI ARC or eARC. This is the most convenient connection type and the only way to source high-quality formats like Dolby Atmos from your TV directly. In most cases, the HDMI ARC connection also allows you to use your TV remote to control a soundbar's volume and power, reducing clutter.

Even if you're using a TV that's several years old and doesn't offer 4K HDR resolution, there's a good chance it supports HDMI ARC. You can find out by checking your TV's input section and looking for an HDMI port labeled "HDMI ARC" or "HDMI eARC."

If your TV does not allow for an HDMI ARC or eARC connection, you must use an alternative connection like an optical digital port. This still allows for good sound quality but doesn't support 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos. In that case, you may also want to consider upgrading your TV.  Budget 4K HDR TVs can now be purchased for about $300 or less, and even some of the best TVs hover around $500, depending on size.

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Soundbar FAQs

Are soundbars worth it?

Generally, even cheap soundbars deliver better audio quality than the speakers you'll find built into most displays, including many of the best 4K TVs. To keep costs down and ensure that the speakers fit within a flat-screen design, TVs usually include small divers and poor placement that can result in thin, muddy sound. The best soundbars can add more dimension, clarity, and bass to your TV-watching experience. 

Soundbars can also improve the definition of dialogue and other effects for those with hearing issues. That's especially true for soundbars with a dedicated center channel, where most dialogue and other important movie and TV sound effects are directed.

What size soundbar should I get?

Size is an important factor to consider when shopping for a new soundbar. Many compact, single-unit soundbars are built with a width of around 25 inches, while some models, like the Roku Streambar, can be as small as 14 inches wide. On the other end of the spectrum, high-end soundbar models can be as big as 50 inches wide.

Generally speaking, bigger soundbar models will deliver better sound quality since they can incorporate more speaker drivers with larger dimensions. But smaller bars are often cheaper, more convenient, and easier to set up.

If you plan to put your soundbar on an entertainment console with your TV, you should measure that area before you make your purchase. This way, you can ensure that the soundbar you choose won't be too wide to rest on your TV stand and that its height won't block your display.

Can soundbars do surround sound?

The best soundbars can support multiple audio channels. These channels refer to how many directions sound can be sent through the device. Entry-level soundbars often support two channels for basic left and right stereo playback, but many midrange and high-end models can support surround sound with five or more channels, including a center channel for dialogue, as well as rear channels via extra audio drivers, satellite speakers, or advanced virtualization techniques. 

Channel specifications are listed as a string of up to three numbers separated by decimal points. The first number represents how many standard ear-level channels are included (left, right, center, surrounds). The second number indicates if the device includes a dedicated low-frequency channel or separate subwoofer for extra bass. The final number indicates how many height channels are included for Dolby Atmos support.

Buyers who just want a simple upgrade from their TV's integrated audio will likely be satisfied with a compact 2.0 or 2.1 soundbar system. But if you're looking for a more complete home theater experience, you'll want to opt for a 5.1 surround sound system or above.

What is Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is an immersive surround sound format that uses object-based audio mixing. In practice, this means that sounds can be more precisely positioned around your room, with effects placed in all directions, including overhead. For instance, when rain falls from the sky or a helicopter flies overhead, you can actually hear the sound coming from above.

Dolby Atmos soundbars can use one of two methods to create overhead sound effects. The first involves using audio processing to create a simulated sense of height from regular ear-level speakers. The second method uses up-firing drivers angled up instead of forward to bounce sound effects off your ceiling. Generally, good upward-firing drivers provide a much more convincing sense of overhead sound than audio processing can produce alone.

For more specifics, see our What is Dolby Atmos explainer.

Do I need a subwoofer?

A subwoofer can be an integral part of your cinematic and musical experience. Due to basic physics, soundbars alone can't offer the power and authority you'd get in dedicated bass frequencies from even a moderately sized subwoofer. If you're looking for earth-rattling thunder, the deep boom of explosions, and hefty bass beats, you'll want to highly consider a soundbar that either includes a subwoofer or, at the very least, allows you to add one later.

For our top recommendations, check out our guide to the best soundbars with subwoofers. 

• Ukraine's air defense capabilities have become increasingly strained.
• Russia is now fielding more reconnaissance drones.
• The improved battlefield picture is giving Russia the ability to launch HIMARS-style strikes.

Ukraine's struggling air-defenses have opened doors for the Russians to launch their own strikes similar to Ukraine's HIMARS attacks.

Russia has begun sending out an increased number of unmanned aerial vehicles beyond Ukraine's positions, gaining intelligence about the positions of critical weapons and sites that can then be targeted by guided tactical missiles.

Russia's heightened UAV presence is "allowing their troops to accurately detect and destroy targets behind the front lines," senior research fellow Dr. Jack Watling of the London-based Royal United Services Institute wrote in an analysis on Tuesday.

Russia has not had sufficient ISR for much of the war due to robust Ukrainian air defenses, but as Ukraine reserves its limited interceptors for Russian jets, "Orlan-10 UAVs are now roaming far and wide over the front lines," he said.

With better targeting, Russia is executing strikes behind the lines with Iskander tactical ballistic missiles and rocket launchers like the Tornado-S system.

The attacks mirror in the kind of strikes that Ukraine has carried out Russia with rockets and missiles fired from US-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS.

"In recent days Russia managed to strike a Ukrainian Buk air defence system and catch two Ukrainian helicopters on the ground while they refuelled," Watling wrote. "There have been other notable strikes of a kind that Russia has long aspired to but rarely successfully executed."

Russia was originally unable to defeat or conduct the same kind of strikes as Ukraine's HIMARS due to a lack of precision, targeting capabilities, and timely intel.

These strikes, like the glide bomb attacks as Russian air forces have gained greater maneuverability, further strain Ukraine's military, which is facing continuously depleting resources as Russian forces have 510,000 soldiers on the front lines and compounding advantages.

These developments in Russian capabilities come as Russia sets the stage for a summer offensive, which could significantly pressure Kharkiv and areas around Zaporizhzhia before a push in the Donbas.

Ukraine is still waiting for more aid from its international partners that would boost increasingly weak areas in combat training, munitions, and industrial capabilities.

"So long as Ukraine lacks materiel, Russia will begin to compound its advantages," Watling concluded.

There are some things that only Ukraine can do, though. Watling said Ukraine needs to mobilize a sufficient number of troops and establish a training pipeline that would "not only replace losses in its existing units, but also raise enough units to manage their rotation on and off the line."

"This allows troops to be trained as well as the recovery of reserves," he said. But if international partners fail to provide artillery, air defenses, electronic warfare systems, and other enablers, then Kyiv's forces will struggle.

"The outlook in Ukraine is bleak," Watling wrote. But with the right effort and support, "then Russia's summer offensive can be blunted."