Home theater systems seem very popular these days. But not for everyone. These systems, which tend to be expensive, require a lot of free space and lots of cables to install. But for many, the unmatched sound quality of a home theater system is well worth the cost. But what if you want something more manageable? This is where soundbars come into play. Soundbars are simply the midpoint between a TV’s built-in speakers and a home theater system. So what are the features, advantages and disadvantages of these devices? Why might you want to own this device?
What is Soundbar?
The soundbar becomes a relatively small but spacious speaker system that amplifies its sound by replacing the TV’s built-in speakers. Soundbars produce much better sound quality than a stand-alone TV. However, most soundbars still aren’t as rich as a full home theater system.
What Does a Soundbar Do?
There are many reasons why you should want a soundbar. For example, you may not like the sound quality of your TV’s built-in speakers. Finding a suitable soundbar system for your TV should be relatively easy and inexpensive. If you prefer a high-quality soundbar, you can purchase ones designed to emulate a home theater system with surround sound. They all have different prices and there are hundreds of options with distinctive features.
Some soundbars specialize in enhancing spoken dialogue by prioritizing the mid and high ranges and making speech clearer and more specific. It offers excellent sound quality for podcasts or news. However, such soundbars may not offer a high-quality experience for listening to music or watching movies. Other systems are specifically designed to enhance these experiences. At this point, it becomes very important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
The Purpose of the Soundbar
Soundbars were originally invented as a low-cost alternative to home theater systems. At least on paper, they would provide rich sound without the need for massive speakers or confusing cable management. The first models of the late 90s were rather bulky and not versatile. They did not include subwoofers or upward facing channels. Another issue surrounding soundbars was that they were ahead of their time. The benefits of a soundbar were not so necessary in the age of CRT TVs using big box-like speakers. But now in the age of flat screens, TVs with much smaller speakers may not sound as good as older TVs. This is why the benefits of enhancing your sound through a soundbar become much more significant. Hardly anyone in the ’90s had the problems that soundbars were intended to solve. But in the 2020s, the advantages become apparent.
Home Theater System, Soundbar or Speaker?
Want to use your sound system for movies, music or video games? What to look for when looking for a good setup for your living room; home theater, soundbar or speaker? Each of these arrangements requires a different approach. Consider the following configurations when deciding on the best sound system for your situation.
If you want rich, immersive sound for your movie experience, a home theater system is your best bet. Especially if you are a passionate movie fan. However, the downside is the cost. Home theaters provide the best sound but can also break your budget. A soundbar, on the other hand, comes in handy and inexpensive. It does not require much space and blends beautifully with the surrounding environment. If you’re more of a TV watcher and want to improve the sound of your set, this could be a great option. What about a soundbar and speaker? Even the top-of-the-line soundbar doesn’t sound as good as a low-end surround sound speaker system. However, the speakers require a lot of cable management and are difficult to install.
Most soundbars aren’t designed for listening to music and their speakers aren’t big enough to sound good. When it comes to video games, the number of options for speakers is huge. So, is a soundbar better than speakers in terms of music and gaming? In terms of audio, the answer is almost always “no”. But where soundbars shine is in their convenience and relatively low cost. If that appeals to you, it becomes an option worth exploring. If comfort is what you value and you’re not much of a music fan, a soundbar might do the trick.
Soundbar Features
It’s easy to understand why soundbars are so popular. It stands out as a low-cost alternative to home theater setups. It doesn’t include all the cables and bulkiness that accompanies a home theater system. The working styles and features of soundbars vary from model to model. It contains multiple speakers, often larger than those found in TVs. This provides clearer, more solid sound and the volume can be increased without distortion.
Soundbars; specified by the amount of built-in treble, bass, and loudness channels. Most models feature subwoofers for enhanced bass that dramatically amplify a sound that would be impossible to experience with a small built-in TV speaker. Typically, soundbars have at least three channels on the front (left, center and right) and come with a subwoofer. A 3.1 soundbar has three speakers, indicated by the first number, usually representing the left, right, and center speakers. The second (‘1’) number here indicates a subwoofer. The 5.1 system has five speakers (a center, left, right and two surrounds) and a subwoofer. The most important channel becomes the center channel because that’s where the TV and movie mixers put the dialogue. If you have trouble hearing dialogue in movies and shows, you can at least get a 3-channel bar.
Some soundbars also mimic surround sound, making it seem like sound is coming from all sides. Most models feature upward-facing speakers that reflect sound from your walls and ceiling, creating the feeling of coming from above and around you. So how do you know if a soundbar has such speakers? If a model has a third number in the channel description (for example 5.1.2), it includes the speakers. In this example, the number ‘2’ represents channels facing upwards. These would be upward- or side-facing speakers that project sound through walls, simulating side and ceiling speakers for content mixed in Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Basically, these soundbars try to create a surround sound experience without having to install a bunch of speakers in your living room. More expensive soundbar setups come with additional dedicated rear and loud surround speakers for even more immersion. The more channels there are, the bigger your soundbar will be. The most important step here is to make sure everything you buy will fit on your media console (ideally, between your TV stand legs).
Some soundbars use intelligent computer processing, which creates the illusion of surround sound. This process carefully manages the volume and frequencies of the system, among other finer elements, to trick your brain. Soundbars won’t be as good as home theater surround sound. Some soundbars try to create auditory illusions from different directions. But at the end of the day, the sound comes directly from the speakers under your TV, and a soundbar is never as good as a real AV setup. But to make up for it, many models come with additional Bluetooth speakers that can be placed around your walls to simulate surround sound. This may override the original purpose for some.
