Should You Buy a Soundbar for Your TV? Expert Insight

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There’s a certain mystery around soundbars. They are currently very popular in this era focused on streaming. As they are available and visible at nearly all electronics retailers, regular consumers are asking two questions: “What do they do?” and “Should I buy one?”

Well, I’m here to share my professional insights on all aspects of soundbars and address those pressing questions, along with more.

I have been evaluating and examining technological products — with a primary emphasis onhome theater tech— for more than six years now. I have tested various soundbars during this period and, prior to understanding how these devices function, shared the same questions. I am here to provide you with an authentic explanation of how soundbars operate and whether they are a good purchase.

Do soundbars actually have an impact?

When evaluating whether a soundbar is essential for your home theater system, I always suggest a straightforward test to those who are doubtful or interested. Specifically, if you’ve just purchased a new TV, listen to the audio produced by its built-in speakers. Have you ever observed that, regardless of how high-end or stylish the television is, the sound remains just as average as your previous one, or perhaps even worse?

That’s due to the design of modern televisions, which feature ultra-flat screens and slim frames, leaving little room for built-in speakers. Although the audio quality is satisfactory for regular watching, if you’re seeking a truly immersive sound experience similar to a home cinema, a soundbar is one of the few options that can achieve this.

TL;DR:Every television comes with subpar built-in audio — regardless of its cost. Therefore, purchasing a soundbar is a reliable method to significantly enhance the audio quality with minimal effort.

What soundbar size is appropriate for me?

Soundbars are available in various sizes and speaker setups, with the key factor being the number of internal full-range speakers, bass, and height channels they include — none of which are visible from the outside.

If you’ve ever looked into soundbars, you might have come across a decimal number format in their specifications. For example, theSonos Arc Ultrais a 9.1.4 speaker bar — but what does that mean?

First, let’s begin with something basic. For instance, a 3.0 system. This indicates that this specific soundbar includes at least three speakers that are each powered separately. Moving a bit further, a 3.1 system means the soundbar consists of three independently powered speakers — left, center, and right — along with one dedicated subwoofer, typically sold as a separate component.

You’ll notice an extra number at the end of the decimal range in more sophisticated soundbar systems such as the Arc Ultra. For this 9.1.4 soundbar, the “4” indicates the number of upward-facing speakers. This feature provides immersive audio by reflecting sound off the ceiling, creating the illusion of ceiling-mounted speakers.

This extra feature proves useful when experiencing content encoded in 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, where the audio is powerful and envelops the space. Soundbars that include these three decimal notations are typically pricier, yet offer a more immersive and spacious auditory experience.

TL;DR:It all relies on the kind of audio experience you desire and what your budget can accommodate. If you want sound that fills the space and reflects off the ceiling and walls, a soundbar featuring three decimal notations would be ideal because it offers a mix of separately powered speakers, a specific subwoofer, and upward-facing speakers, all in one unit.

If you’re looking for a more basic audio experience that is still significantly stronger than your TV’s built-in speakers, a soundbar featuring two decimal notations would be a better choice.

What are the primary advantages of a soundbar?

Some unique advantages are associated with using a soundbar that you won’t find in your TV’s built-in speakers, even if you have a smart TV.

1. More immersive audio

If you’re aiming to attain thatmovie theater soundIf you’re looking to enhance your living room experience, investing in a soundbar is the best choice. Many modern movies and TV shows are equipped with Dolby Atmos, an audio format that provides a highly immersive listening experience, delivering powerful sound that standard TV speakers often fail to achieve. This technology allows you to perceive subtle sounds like soft footsteps and intense explosions exactly as they were intended to be heard.

So, purchasing a soundbar, particularly one that is compatible with Dolby Atmos (such as theSonos Arc Ultraor the significantly cheaperHisense R652 Soundbar featuring a wireless subwoofer, is the most effective method to accomplish that.

2. Intelligent functions and Bluetooth capability to connect with other devices

Soundbars have evolved significantly! Many of the top models available now include Bluetooth technology, enabling you to connect the device to your phone, tablet, or other electronic gadgets. This feature enhances user flexibility, allowing the soundbar to also serve as a Bluetooth speaker for playing music, podcasts, and other audio content.

Certain soundbars enable you to stream music wirelessly from leading music streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora, directly through the soundbar manufacturer’s official application.

Another clever function that many soundbar owners appreciate (including me): voice assistants. TheYamaha YAS-209 soundbar, Sonos Arc Ultra and Polk React Home Theater SoundbarFor example, they come with Amazon Alexa and/or Google Assistant integrated. This allows you to use the soundbars as smart assistants within your home. You can ask them to provide weather updates, adjust the volume, or even switch off your television.

3. Simple installation, tailored to your area

Soundbars are also recognized for their simplicity in installation. No technical expertise or passion for audio is required to properly connect a soundbar to your television.

Most soundbars are connected to the HDMI-eARC port on your television (this link enables the soundbar to play content encoded with Dolby Atmos), and only need a few cables to start functioning: a regular HDMI cable and a power cord that connects to any electrical socket.

This simple installation also simplifies relocating your system. Therefore, if you move or choose to rearrange your area, you won’t need to deal with a time-consuming setup to get your system working once more.

4. Enhanced television audio performance

This is the primary factor that leads individuals to invest in a soundbar. Honestly, this is the only reason I decided to purchase one, despite being a professional product tester and reviewer. The contrast in audio quality with and without a soundbar is extremely noticeable.

As most modern televisions feature narrow, back-facing speakers that direct sound away from the viewer, the audio from native speakers often becomes unclear, making it difficult to understand and follow the dialogue. A soundbar changes this approach, directing the sound toward you, as you are seated facing the TV and the soundbar.

Our Verdict

In summary, a soundbar is essential when setting up a reliable home theater system because the built-in speakers of TVs are generally poor. They emit sound primarily forward, unlike most built-in speakers that project sound backward and to the sides of the TV. This results in a more engaging audio experience while watching your preferred programs and movies.

If you are looking to enjoy the most authentic audio from films and television, and wish not to overlook any subtlety, a soundbar is a worthwhile purchase that you will find satisfying.

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