The Best Soundbars Of 2025: Expert Tested And Recommended

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TVs person travel a agelong measurement complete nan years, but there's 1 area they still struggle pinch -- audio. The speakers built into TVs coming are acold from amazing, truthful if you want awesome audio, you'll request a soundbar, particularly if you're incapable aliases don't want to put successful a sound system. It's beautiful easy to get a decent soundbar for your home, and it doesn't person to return up overmuch space.

Still, not each soundbars are created equal. Some are built for unthinkable situation sound, but those systems thin to costs a small extra. Others are built for fund buyers, and while they won't sound arsenic awesome arsenic nan much costly models, they'll still sound a full batch amended than nan speakers built into your TV.

Choosing nan cleanable 1 for your abstraction tin beryllium daunting. That's why ZDNET rounded up nan champion soundbars we've gone hands-on pinch to make our apical picks. Our number 1 prime arsenic nan champion soundbar is nan Sonos Arc Ultra, but we've besides included different options from nan likes of Hisense, Samsung, and more.

What's nan champion soundbar correct now?

After testing dozens of soundbar models, we've chosen nan Sonos Arc Ultra arsenic nan champion for astir group for its fantabulous audio value and nan truth that it delivers heavy and powerful bass without an outer subwoofer. Additionally, nan Arc Ultra has Dolby Atmos support, AirPlay, adjustable EQ settings, AI-powered speech enhancement, and a database of audio formats.

That said, location are different models to consider, too. The Arc Ultra is pricey and large, and immoderate mightiness want thing cheaper and much compact. So, we've included Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars that are much compact and affordable, for illustration nan Bose Smart Soundbar, and DTS:X-enabled options for illustration nan LG S95TR. Regardless of what you're looking for, we've recovered thing for your needs.

The champion soundbars of 2025

Why we for illustration it: Sonos has a agelong history of building excellent-sounding soundbars, and its latest and top exemplary is nan Sonos Arc Ultra. The Arc Ultra takes nan champion things astir nan original Sonos Arc but makes it moreover amended pinch a larger soul subwoofer that allows it to nutrient heavy and powerful bass without nan request for an outer subwoofer.

Review: Sonos Arc Ultra

One of nan champion things astir Sonos soundbars is that they tin beryllium expanded upon down nan line, but successful my experience, nan Arc Ultra's bass consequence is powerful capable that it's astir apt not worthy buying Sonos' smaller sub, nan Sonos Sub Mini. On apical of that, if you want a much immersive experience, you tin harvester nan Arc Ultra pinch nan Sonos Era 100 aliases Era 300 speakers, which thief complete nan system.

Beyond nan description options, nan Arc Ultra besides integrates pinch different Sonos speakers for a multi-room setup. While you'll want to perceive done nan soundbar arsenic overmuch arsenic possible, sometimes you want a quieter environment. And successful that case, nan soundbar besides useful pinch nan Sonos Ace headphones for backstage listening, though you will person to bargain those headphones separately. Additionally, it supports wireless connections for illustration Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Bluetooth.

The Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio, Alexa sound control, AI-powered reside enhancement, and Trueplay for tuning nan soundbar to room acoustics. The Sonos app allows you to wirelessly watercourse euphony from your preferred streaming level to nan Arc Ultra. For wired connections, nan Arc Ultra supports HDMI eARC and Optical.

Who it's for: The Sonos Arc Ultra is for anyone consenting to walk $1,000 connected a soundbar and wants nan champion soundbar they tin get. It's besides an fantabulous action for those who aren't rather fresh to group up a afloat situation strategy but want nan expertise to grow pinch further speakers down nan line. And, if you're already successful nan Sonos ecosystem, nan Arc Ultra is worthy considering, arsenic it will activity pinch those different Sonos speakers.

Who should look elsewhere: If you're connected a constricted budget, nan Sonos Arc Ultra astir apt isn't nan soundbar for you. It's not unreasonably costly for its performance, but it's surely not inexpensive for an individual soundbar. The Arc Ultra besides isn't perfect for group pinch smaller TV-watching spaces, arsenic it's a ample soundbar that gets plentifulness loud.

Sonos Arc Ultra tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.95 in), W(46.38 in), D(4.35 in) | Channels: 9.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Sonos Voice Control; Amazon Alexa | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Sonos app | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos

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Why we for illustration it: The LG S95TR is simply a 9.1.5-channel location theatre successful a box, meaning your one-time acquisition includes nan main soundbar, 2 rear speakers, and a subwoofer. We for illustration this location theatre strategy for galore reasons, including nan wireless rear speakers and subwoofer that destruct aggregate wires moving astir your surviving room.

Review: LG S95TR

The S95TR is fitted pinch Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio protocols, and nan soundbar's 3 upfiring halfway channels assistance successful spatial audio tallness transmission capacity and speech clarity. The soundbar includes an HDMI IN, eARC, and Optical successful wired connections, and wireless connections for illustration Apple AirPlay astatine Chromecast.

This soundbar strategy besides includes an AI-powered room calibration feature, which ZDNET's Artie Beaty tested and said made a noticeable betterment to nan soundbar's performance. The S95TR's sound capacity is awesome for movies, TV shows, and music, and its debased latency via HDMI IN and eARC makes for constricted audio/visual lag.

Who it's for: The S95TR is perfect for group pinch LG TVs, particularly 1 of nan company's caller OLED TVs. This soundbar strategy includes aggregate LG-exclusive audio features, for illustration Wowcast Ready, which wirelessly connects nan soundbar to your LG TV, and Wow Orchestra, which syncs nan soundbar's audio pinch your TV's speakers.

The LG Wow Interface allows you to usage 1 distant to power nan LG soundbar and TV, and nan LG Soundbar app houses nan soundbar's three-band EQ settings. You tin still entree wireless streaming pinch AirPlay and Chromecast via Wi-Fi without an LG TV, and you tin bask Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio, truthful agelong arsenic your non-LG TV has an HDMI eARC port.

Who should look elsewhere: You whitethorn want to look elsewhere if you don't person a compatible LG TV and don't want to salary other money for LG-exclusive features you can't access.

LG S95TR tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.5 in), W(49.2 in), D(5.3 in) | Channels: 9.1.5 | Inputs: HDMI, eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

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Why we for illustration it: If you're consenting to walk nan money for nan champion soundbar strategy you tin get correct now, and want thing that comes pinch a subwoofer and surrounds each fresh to go, past nan Samsung HW-Q990F is nan measurement to go. The strategy is powerful, immersive, and unthinkable sounding, and while it's acold from cheap, it pushes nan limits of what a soundbar tin offer.

Review: Samsung HQ-Q990F

The Samsung HW-Q990F is beautiful bulky, and for a reason. It has a 23 drivers built consecutive into it, pinch 11.1.4 channels for Dolby Atmos support. The speakers built into nan soundbar itself, mixed pinch those built into nan outer situation speakers, create an incredibly immersive acquisition that will person you afloat immersed successful your content. The included subwoofer besides delivers fantabulous bass response. Although it is rather compact, it still delivers heavy and powerful bass.

What makes it specified a awesome action for audiophiles is nan truth that it's truthful elaborate successful nan precocious end. The soundbar offers a comparatively neutral tuning retired of nan box, though it's worthy noting that nan EQ successful nan Samsung SmartThings app isn't very precise. Still, I appreciated really it sounded, and you tin make usage of things for illustration nan subwoofer level to tweak nan bass a small much precisely.

One of nan things that I astir loved astir this soundbar is really its situation sound setup improved stereo tracks. The strategy delivered an impressively wide soundstage, giving plentifulness of room for each instrumentality successful a track, moreover without a virtualized situation algorithm. To beryllium fair, I tested it successful a mini cube-shaped room, which is beautiful overmuch perfect for a strategy for illustration this, but moreover larger surviving rooms should get nan ultra-immersive feel. And users tin move up nan measurement of nan surrounds to thief amended that immersion.

The HW-Q990F is 1 of nan first systems to support nan caller Eclipsa Audio spatial audio format, though there's almost nary Eclipsa contented retired location correct now.

Who it's for: The Samsung HW-Q990F is nan strategy for those consenting to walk nan rate connected thing incredibly immersive and ultra-detailed. It's awesome for audiophiles who simply want nan champion audio response. At unit price, nan HW-Q990F strategy is $2,000. Comparably, a fully-kitted flagship Sonos strategy is astir $700 more.

This soundbar is perfect for group who want aliases request an precocious soundbar, acknowledgment to its big of audio features, 4K @ 120Hz pass-through, and 7 audio decoding formats (including FLAC and WAV).

Who should look elsewhere: If you're connected a budget, past nan Samsung HW-Q990F astir apt isn't nan soundbar strategy for you. If you person a mini TV viewing area, you should walk connected nan HW-Q990F. It's a hefty soundbar, and it performs champion erstwhile you tin move up nan volume.

Samsung HW-Q990F tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.8 in), W(48.5 in), D(5.4 in) | Channels: 11.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Bixby | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio

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Why we for illustration it: Marshall's foray into nan location audio marketplace was a smash hit, acknowledgment to its jam-packed characteristic catalog, big of wired connectivity options, unsocial design, and awesome sound. This soundbar has a awesome spatial audio performance, and it reproduces speech well. It's compatible pinch Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio formats, and nan Marshall soundbar app hosts EQ settings and audio modes.

Review: Marshall Heston 120

For wireless fans, nan Heston 120's Wi-Fi compatibility unlocks Apple AirPlay, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, on pinch Bluetooth. It's besides packed pinch codecs and audio formats, including LC3, FLAC, Vorbis, WMA9, and more. Wired fans person moreover much fun, arsenic nan Heston 120 includes HDMI eARC, RCA stereo, RCA mono, USB-C, and Ethernet for relationship to analog devices.

Its creation pays homage to Marshall's amp-making roots, making it guidelines retired from nan soundbar bunch. The Heston 120 is simply a 5.1.2-channel soundbar, and soul passive radiators boost nan bass moreover more.

Who it's for: The Heston 120 is perfect for group pinch a much eclectic style, arsenic its creation isn't astir arsenic nondescript arsenic nan different soundbars connected nan market. It's besides a coagulated prime for group who for illustration to perceive to euphony done their soundbar arsenic overmuch as, if not much than, they for illustration to watch TV and movies. It has plentifulness of wired connections for analog euphony players, making it much versatile for euphony fanatics.

Who should look elsewhere: You should look elsewhere if nan Heston 120's creation is excessively large for your location decor. You should besides see different options if you're looking to build a Marshall location theatre strategy down nan line. Although Marshall promises much location theatre products successful nan future, there's nary timeline. Additionally, nan only smart speaker characteristic nan Heston 120 lacks is sound adjunct compatibility.

Marshall Heston 120 tech specs: Dimensions: H(3.0 in), W(43.3 in), D(5.7 in) | Channels: 5.1.2 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, RCA stereo, RCA mono, Ethernet | Voice assistants: N/A | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

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Why we for illustration it: Bose's compact soundbar is simply a coagulated action for Bose fans who want a compact soundbar. The Smart Soundbar has plentifulness of up-to-date audio features for movie and TV-watching, for illustration Dolby Atmos support, AI Dialogue Mode, and Bose TrueSpace for automatic upmixing of nan contented you're watching.

Review: Bose Smart Soundbar (2024)

Additionally, nan Smart Soundbar includes options for digitally streaming euphony via Wi-Fi, including streaming services recovered successful nan Bose app, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast. If you person Bose headphones, for illustration nan QuietComfort aliases QuietComfort Ultra, you tin link them to nan Smart Soundbar via Bose SimpleSync for backstage listening.

Bose's Smart Soundbar has exceptional Dolby Atmos and situation sound capabilities and impressively debased latency complete eARC. It besides has a amazingly wide soundstage, which immunodeficiency successful its Dolby Atmos performance.

Who it's for: The Bose Smart Soundbar is simply a coagulated action for group seeking a compact Bose soundbar. Its mini framework doesn't dictate its awesome audio performance, and it's packed pinch features for some TV and music. Since this soundbar is compatible pinch Bose SimpleSync, it's besides a awesome action for group who already ain Bose headphones and earbuds.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want a soundbar pinch a deeper bass response, you should look elsewhere. The Bose Smart Soundbar is simply a 3.0.2-channel soundbar, meaning it doesn't person an soul subwoofer.

Bose Smart Soundbar tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.21 in), W(37.34 in), D(4.09 in) | Channels: 3.0.2 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos

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Why we for illustration it: If you want an immersive situation sound acquisition but don't needfully want to ever dedicate abstraction for outer speakers, past nan JBL Bar 1000 mightiness beryllium for you. This soundbar has a unsocial outer speaker setup, pinch nan satellites connecting to nan sides of nan soundbar erstwhile you're not utilizing them, past detaching from it to beryllium placed down you erstwhile you do want to usage them. When they're attached to nan soundbar, nan artillery wrong them will beryllium charged.

Thankfully, nan strategy sounds great. It comes pinch a 10-inch subwoofer for punchy and heavy bass, positive it offers crisp and elaborate precocious end, making speech bully and clear. On apical of that, it tin beryllium tuned pinch a schematic EQ, meaning that you tin personalize nan audio pinch immoderate precision to your preferences. And for illustration immoderate of nan different options connected this list, it has a room correction instrumentality that allows nan soundbar to tune audio depending connected really that audio interacts pinch nan walls, furniture, and different aspects of your room.

This space-saving soundbar is compatible pinch Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio, and is Wi-Fi enabled for AirPlay, Alexa multi-room, and Chromecast.

Who it's for: The JBL Bar 1000 is for those who want versatility successful really they group up their soundbar and want to beryllium capable to alteration that setup depending connected what they're watching. It's besides perfect for group who want genuinely wireless rear speakers, but whitethorn not usage them each nan time.

Who should look elsewhere: Those connected a tighter fund whitethorn want to see looking elsewhere. Additionally, if you're consenting to permanently dedicate abstraction to situation speakers, it whitethorn beryllium worthy going for a different strategy pinch powered outer speakers. The Bar 1000's wireless speakers request to beryllium recharged, and if you forget, they mightiness dice successful nan mediate of movie night.

The Bar 1000 doesn't person built-in sound assistants, but you tin link it to different speakers aliases devices pinch those capabilities.

JBL Bar 1000 tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.2 in), W(34.8 in), D(4.9 in) | Channels: 7.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Works pinch sound assistant-enabled devices | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Alexa multi-room | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

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Our favourite soundbar is nan Sonos Arc Ultra for its unthinkable performance, sleek design, and cosmopolitan compatibility. It makes a awesome summation to your surviving room, acting arsenic a soundbar and smart speaker. However, each of our picks radiance successful their ain right, truthful present is really nan main specs comparison to 1 another.

Soundbar	Price	Subwoofer/rear speakers included	Spatial audio protocols	Channels	Inputs
Sonos Arc Ultra	$999	No	Dolby Atmos	9.1.4	HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical (cable sold separately)
LG S95TR	$1,600	Yes	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X	9.1.5	HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical
Samsung HW-Q990F	$1,999	Yes	Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio	11.1.4	HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical
Bose Smart Soundbar (2024)	$549	No	Dolby Atmos	3.0.2	HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical
JBL Bar 1000	$1,199	Yes	Dolby Atmos. DTS:X	7.1.4	HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical

Each of our picks is champion suited for different room sizes and usage cases. Here's what you should cognize earlier making a buying decision.

Choose this soundbar...	If you want...
Sonos Arc Ultra	A large, powerful soundbar packed pinch smart features, pinch nan expertise to build your home's Sonos strategy complete time.
LG S95TR	A flagship LG soundbar to complement your compatible LG TV.
Samsung HW-Q990F	The champion soundbar for audiophiles, packed pinch audio modes and smart features. Bonus points if you person a caller Samsung TV.
Bose Smart Soundbar (2024)	A compact soundbar for group who whitethorn game, perceive to music, and watch TV successful nan aforesaid room aliases area.
JBL Bar 1000	A cosmopolitan and compact yet powerful soundbar pinch detachable, genuinely wireless rear speakers, champion for group who won't usage them each nan time.

ZDNET only included soundbars we've tested astatine magnitude successful our ain homes, wherever we watch movies and TV and perceive to music. Spending astatine slightest $500 and up to $2,000 connected a soundbar is simply a immense investment, truthful we focused connected providing you pinch existent proposal from existent people.

Channels: The much soundbar channels you have, nan much immersive your audio acquisition will be, particularly erstwhile watching movies aliases listening to movies encoded successful Dolby Atmos aliases DTS:X spatial audio. More channels mean much speakers, and much speakers request much space. Therefore, larger soundbars for illustration nan Sonos Arc Ultra and Samsung HW-Q990F tin supply a highly immersive listening experience. However, smaller soundbars for illustration nan Bose Smart Soundbar (2024) pinch 5 front-facing speakers tin supply an immersive acquisition for smaller rooms.
Cable inputs and wireless streaming: Many group usage their soundbar to watch TV and movies arsenic overmuch arsenic they usage it arsenic a smart speaker to perceive to music. Most soundbars person HDMI ports to link to your TV aliases gaming console, and see wireless streaming options for illustration AirPlay and Chromecast for Wi-Fi streaming from your different devices.
Spatial audio: It's difficult to find a modern soundbar without Dolby Atmos support, a highly demanded feature. All of our picks are compatible pinch Dolby Atmos, but location are caveats. One being that your contented must beryllium encoded successful Dolby Atmos for your soundbar to reproduce it, and different is that your Dolby Atmos listening acquisition will only beryllium arsenic bully arsenic your soundbar. Pro tip: put successful rear speakers.
Device compatibility: Soundbars made by companies that besides make TVs typically person features that will only activity pinch a compatible TV. For example, Samsung's HW-Q990F has Samsung Q-Symphony, a characteristic that engages your TV speakers and soundbar audio for other volume. The bully point is that these exclusive features thin to beryllium inconsequential, and each soundbar connected our database will activity astatine its best, arsenic agelong arsenic your TV has an HDMI eARC port.

Latest soundbar news

Sony unexpectedly released nan Bravia Theater System 6, a midrange location theatre successful a box, meant to complement its newer Bravia TVs. ZDNET is expecting to reappraisal this merchandise successful nan coming weeks.
JBL released a caller flagship soundbar pinch detachable rear speakers, nan Bar 1000 MK2. ZDNET will reappraisal this merchandise successful nan coming weeks.
The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar and Ace headphones received a caller software update, pinch some products promising amended audio performance. You tin now link 2 Ace headphones to 1 compatible Sonos soundbar, and nan update included improved sidetone and noise-canceling performance.

All of nan soundbars connected this database (and astir connected nan market) will activity pinch astir modern TVs. Some soundbars made by companies that besides make TVs, for illustration Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony, will person audio features that only activity pinch a compatible TV.

Other soundbars, for illustration those from JBL, Bose, and Sonos, whitethorn not person TV-exclusive features, but whitethorn person features that only activity pinch their different audio products, specified arsenic headphones. Bose and Sonos' soundbars person exclusive features reserved for nan companies' respective headphones, but your TV audio acquisition remains unaffected.

Soundbar channels and speakers are often utilized synonymously, but they mean different things. A soundbar may have much speakers than channels. Channels tin beryllium considered speaker groupings, and each transmission points successful a circumstantial direction. More channels mean much speakers, and much speakers request much space, which is why larger soundbars tin person 20+ soul speakers.

Soundbar channels are represented by 3 numbers. The first number represents nan number of front-facing, horizontal audio channels, which are astatine look level erstwhile sitting connected your sofa crossed from nan soundbar.

The 2nd number represents a subwoofer. Soundbars for illustration nan Sonos Arc Ultra person an soul subwoofer, while Samsung's HW-Q990F considers nan outer sub, since it comes pinch your purchase.

The 3rd number represents upfiring audio channels, which task audio upwards to create height. In a cleanable environment, nan soundbar's upfiring audio channels would bespeak sound disconnected nan ceiling and onto you. However, your room acoustics and ceiling tallness greatly impact a soundbar's upfiring speaker performance.

Samsung's HW-Q990F has 11.1.4 channels, which intends it has 11 front-facing channels, 1 subwoofer channel, and 4 upfiring (height) channels.

Dolby Atmos support is simply a highly-demanded soundbar feature, and astir modern soundbars support it. However, nan contented you're watching aliases listening to must beryllium encoded successful Dolby Atmos for it to work. If you watercourse euphony connected your soundbar pinch Apple Music, Tidal, aliases Amazon Music Unlimited, you tin entree immoderate songs successful Dolby Atmos.

For movies and TV, immoderate contented connected platforms for illustration Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+ is encoded successful Dolby Atmos. Although we talked astir Atmos and DTS:X successful nan wide specs successful this list, your soundbar is apt equipped pinch a big of Dolby and DTS audio formats for high-quality stereo audio.

Latest updates

August 2025: Completely revamped our apical soundbar recommendations, refreshing our aged picks to see nan latest soundbars from nan past twelvemonth pinch amended audio performance, much smart features, and updated designs.

Other soundbars we've tested

Sonos Ace successful Soft White and Sonos Arc

Best smart alternative

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini

This compact Sennheiser soundbar delivers large sound successful a mini frame, promising a 7.1.4-channel configuration successful a 27-inch soundbar. It's fitted pinch automated self-calibration to tune its sound to your situation and sound enhancement for clearer dialogue.

The Ambeo Mini's Wi-Fi connectivity allows for AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, and it's compatible pinch Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MPEG-H audio, and Sony's 360 reality audio.

However, its mini framework doesn't make it inexpensive, arsenic nan Ambeo Mini is $50 disconnected from nan Arc Ultra aliases Heston 120. The Ambeo Mini has much spatial audio formats and 1 much speaker driver than Sonos' similarly-sized Beam, but nan Beam is simply a coagulated action for group looking to walk $500 connected a compact soundbar.

If your favourite spot to beryllium is astatine location and cozy connected nan couch, cheque retired our tips for improving your TV-watching experience.

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