Tips to Consider When Buying A Soundbar for TV | Soundbar Buying Guide
Soundbars have been a popular choice for many Indian customers when it comes to improving their home audio experience.
A soundbar is a small and stylish audio gadget that provides an immersive sound experience, making it an excellent complement to your television or music system.
In this soundbar buying guide, we will look at the many factors to consider when selecting a soundbar, such as its features and specs, as well as sound quality and connectivity choices.
This guide will help you make an informed selection and choose the best soundbar that meets your requirements and interests, whether you are a movie buff seeking a cinematic experience or a music lover desiring rich, immersive sound.
What is a Soundbar?
A soundbar is a long, thin rectangular-shaped bar that contains speakers as well as a substantial number of sound processing circuitry. Voices coming from a soundbar are crisp and distinct, to the point that even whispered speech can be heard.
Soundbars are elegant and small audio devices that improve the sound quality of your TV by providing a more immersive audio experience. They are intended to be put beneath or in front of the television and are made up of several speakers that generate high-quality sound without the need for an expensive speaker arrangement.
The latest soundbars have an impressive listening environment while having fewer wires and configurations. It is a set of speakers that project sound into space from the same location as the television.
They’re also getting better at dispersing sound to the sides, allowing you to hear it clearly from everywhere in the room.
Do We Need a Soundbar?
When TVs get smaller and thinner, there is less room in the bezels to accommodate speakers. As a result, built-in speakers have been smaller and less impressive-sounding. Some modern televisions lack built-in speakers entirely.
We can’t blame the TV manufacturers in this situation. Because of space limitations, big-size speakers cannot be accommodated in TVs as they get smaller and thinner. A wafer-thin television can only have a wafer-thin speaker.
When we are unable to obtain high-quality sound from our television, we will consider buying additional speakers, which will ultimately lead to the acquisition of a soundbar.
And if you were unable to invest a significant amount of money and time in installing a complete stereo or home theatre system, TV audio was already blurry and of low quality. Installing a soundbar, on the other hand, will quickly and reliably improve TV audio these days.
We’ll go into the advantages of using a soundbar. We’ll even give you some guidance on how to find the right soundbar for your needs.
Soundbar vs. Traditional Speaker Systems
When we are comparing soundbars with home theatre or traditional speaker systems, traditional speaker systems provide better audio performance, while soundbars are a more practical and cost-effective option.
They produce greater sound than built-in TV speakers and are simpler to install. A classic speaker system, on the other hand, may be your best pick if you’re an audiophile or have a dedicated home theatre room.
Alternatively, you can attach your TV to external speakers. They ignore the sleek look of a soundbar and take up more room. Speakers, on the other hand, have the advantage of almost everyone seeing one lying around their house. They can also locate used speakers at a reasonable price.
Another choice for a portable speaker is to use a Bluetooth speaker for your television. When not watching TV, you can use the speaker for your smartphone to play games. You can even bring it along with you to outdoor events or picnics.
Bluetooth speakers, on the whole, do not deliver the same level of sound as a soundbar. They are, though, a significant improvement over the television’s built-in speakers. They’re all inexpensive, so they’re a decent place to start with your TV audio solution without breaking the bank.
Is a Soundbar a Good Fit for a TV?
Soundbars are primarily designed to operate in combination with televisions. Some people buy soundbars because they don’t have enough room for a true home theatre surround sound system.
True home theatre sound can take several forms, but it typically needs a separate amplifier and at least five speakers. Much of this normally costs more than a soundbar. If you have space and the funds, you should think about investing in an authentic home theatre setup, which is amazing in so many respects.
If a good soundbar improves your TV audio by a factor of 100 times, a real home theatre improves both the TV audio and the overall experience by a factor of 10,000 times.
However, if you just need a quick and simple solution, a soundbar will be a significant improvement over the audio on your TV. Soundbars project sound further out (to the left and right) and, to some degree (though somewhat insignificantly), get you closer to a true home theatre experience.
Normally, the voice from the television is packed with background music, and the actors’ dialogue is submerged in it. Soundbars outperform standard Bluetooth speakers or stereo speakers in this application.
The majority of speakers available in India reproduce base sound very well. Most people like ‘boom, boom’ speakers with a higher base influence because they feel that the base is a good sound.
Soundbars, in general, do not work as these speakers do with televisions. Their primary concern is not noise, but rather voice clarity. The aim is to enhance the clarity of the actors’ dialogue. Such a faint sound can be easily heard if the soundbar is of high quality.
Soundbars with a lot of basses and a large volume range are suitable for big action movies. Clear audio is beneficial to dramas because it makes it easy to understand the dialogue.
Before making a decision, head to an electronics store and test out any soundbars. Since the speakers are farther apart, soundbars work better in terms of stereo channel separation.
Soundbars, like televisions, are becoming thinner. Furthermore, although being slim is appealing, it is not needed for successful audio quality.
You should certainly consider installing a subwoofer to get the best audio from your soundbar. That’s where soundbars, which can be used in place of standard speakers, come in handy. It’s better to listen to movies in the same manner that the sound is embedded in the original track.
Advantages of Using a Soundbar
Say goodbye to the tinny, unpleasant sound from your TV speakers! Soundbars provide several advantages, including:
- Improved Sound Quality: Soundbars improve your whole watching experience by providing clearer speech, deeper bass, and more detailed audio.
- Compact form: Because of their small and compact form, soundbars can blend perfectly into any area without taking up too much space.
- Simple Setup: Unlike traditional speaker systems, soundbars are easy to install. They often have wireless connectivity and may be simply linked to your TV or other devices.
- Decorative: Soundbars are meant to compliment the appearance of your TV and give a touch of refinement to your entertainment setup.
Soundbar Features and Specifications
Soundbar Size and Design Options:
Soundbars are available in a variety of sizes and styles to accommodate a wide range of preferences and room sizes.
Before deciding on the size and design of your soundbar, consider the measurements of your TV or available space.
Some soundbars are meant to be wall-mounted, while others are meant to be placed on a TV stand or shelf.
In terms of aesthetics, the new soundbar should not be larger than your TV, and in a perfect environment, it will be the same width for a clean look.
Technically, a soundbar may be used or matched with practically every television. As a result, when it comes to design, keep an eye out for one that is aligned with the size of your television.
Audio Channels and Speaker Configuration:
Consider each soundbar channel to be a separate speaker or sound source. A soundbar has all of its channels in a single device.
Each of these circular sound-producing components, or speakers are frequently referred to as drivers.
Drivers are usually categorized according to the frequencies they create, such as “woofers” (lower-frequency drivers) and “tweeters” (high-frequency speakers); there are also mid-range drivers, subwoofers, super-tweeters, and so on.
Soundbars come in a variety of audio channel combinations, including 2.1, 5.1, and even 7.1. The first number reflects the number of speakers, while the second indicates whether or not a specialized subwoofer for bass is present.
Based on your tastes and the size of your room, determine the amount of surround sound you want.
Buy a Model with at Least Three Sound Channels
Some soundbars are nothing more than stereo systems. There will be two speakers in each of these. However, if you want to buy a flawless soundbar, make sure it has at least three channels.
They are made up of three different speakers. If you want something more solid, look for 5-channel and 7-channel soundbars.
Technically, it should get better sound from the 7-channel soundbar. But if the products are not from good companies 7 channel quality be only available in papers.
Dolby Atmos and Surround Sound Technologies:
Consider soundbars that enable technologies such as Dolby Atmos or virtual surround sound for a more immersive audio experience.
These characteristics produce a three-dimensional sound experience, putting you right in the centre of the action.
For a good theatre sound experience, buy a soundbar with Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos systems include the numbers 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 in their specifications.
The first digit 5 or 7 shows how many speakers are included. The second digit represents the subwoofer. The third digit refers to the number of speakers that send the sound upwards.
It is hoped that the sound pushing upwards of the room will present you with more like a theatre sound experience. Always go with a soundbar having more sound channels. The more, the better, and the more immersive the experience will be.
Soundbar Placement
Figure out where you want to position the soundbar first, and then look for a style that would fit in the available space.
What kind of soundbar is best for you is determined by where you place your TV and how much area you have around it. The soundbar cannot be taken somewhere and put out so it must be placed near the television.
Soundbars are more adaptable in terms of installation. They’re supposed to be hung on the wall or located under (and in front of) the television.
The trick to choosing where to position a soundbar is to target it so that it fills the room with as much sound as possible.
Think about where you want to put the soundbar in your room. If you have a wall-mounted TV, seek a soundbar that can also be wall-mounted.
Choose a soundbar that fits nicely in front of or below your TV for TV stands or shelves. Also, be sure that the soundbar is not blocking the TV screen or any other important components.
You want the sound to come from the same direction as the TV because you don’t want books or other things to obstruct the soundbar.
You don’t want the soundbar to block your view of the TV as well. There should be a suitable power plug available for the soundbar.
If you’re going to install the soundbar in a cabinet, place it as far forward as practicable so that it doesn’t get obstructed from projecting sound out the sides.
Avoid placing a soundbar with surround sound features like Dolby Atmos in a cabinet because the best effects require vertical space.
Related: What Shall Be a TV Soundbar Placement for the Best Listening Experience?
Connectivity Options of Soundbar
If you want to purchase a soundbar, make sure it has all of the connectivity solutions you need. Just make sure your TV has the required connectivity to connect your new soundbar, especially if it’s more than eight years old.
The most recent soundbars provide a variety of connectivity options as well as several ways to use them. It is preferable to buy a soundbar with all of the connectivity options. Otherwise, you will be required to change your soundbar when you upgrade to a new TV in the future.
Most models today will be able to support Bluetooth, HDMI, or HDMI with ARC, USB, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
You may want to stream content to your soundbar from your phone, tablet, or computer. Then the Soundbar Bluetooth connectivity feature would come in handy.
Wireless Soundbar with Wi-Fi connectivity can connect to your home’s Internet network and access almost everything from various entertainment platforms such as JioSaavan music or Gaana.
An optical patch cable provides a solid, best-case-scenario connection between your TV and the soundbar. It’s also one of the easiest, most transparent, and most reliable connections available. It does not, though, have the bandwidth to transfer over a 5.1-channel bandwidth.
Some soundbars have USB inputs, which are usually used for firmware updates. Most soundbar updates, though, are now done via web-based software updates. So, unless you want to attach a USB drive storing your music, you don’t need a USB port.
Soundbar and TV Compatibility
Check the soundbar’s compatibility with your TV before making a purchase. Check that the soundbar supports your TV’s audio formats and that the connecting choices are suitable.
This guarantees that your soundbar and TV work together smoothly and effectively.
Remember that a soundbar may enhance your home entertainment experience, so select one that fulfils your personal needs, fits your space, and provides great sound quality.
Active and Passive Soundbars
Another thing to keep in mind for soundbars is that they come in both active and passive models.
Passive Soundbars
Passive soundbars are absent from built-in amplifiers. As a result, they may need an external receiver or amplifier. They do, though, have better speakers. A subwoofer can be needed if you want a smoother bass sound.
As a result, assembling a passive soundbar system is more costly, and you’ll still need to attach more components. However, the sound quality from these will be much greater. This is the way to go if you want to fully configure the audio setup.
Active Soundbars
However, if you believe you don’t have time for it or are unfamiliar with it, invest in active models. These versions come with an amplifier. It will be outfitted with channel processors as well as all of the required components.
So there’s no need to buy (or plugin) a separate receiver and an all-in-one unit has fewer wires. However, the audio quality may be inferior to that of passive models.
If you simply want to improve the sound on your television, an active soundbar is a way to go. Passive soundbars are better adapted for custom installations.
Room Size and Layout Considerations
The size and layout of your space are important considerations when selecting the perfect soundbar.
To fill larger spaces with sound, soundbars with multiple speakers or a separate subwoofer may be required.
Compact soundbars with balanced audio quality, on the other hand, might benefit smaller rooms.
Compatibility with Existing Audio Equipment
Check that the soundbar you select is compatible with your existing audio equipment, such as your television or Blu-ray player.
To guarantee smooth interaction with your devices, look for connectivity choices such as HDMI ARC, optical, or Bluetooth.
Conclusion
Finally, getting a soundbar may significantly improve your home audio experience by giving high-quality sound and immersive features.
You may pick a soundbar that precisely meets your needs and tastes by evaluating criteria such as size, specs, positioning, and connectivity choices.
A soundbar can take your enjoyment to new heights, whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or playing video games.
So take your time, do your homework, and pick a soundbar that matches your budget while still providing the audio quality you want.
We hope we have addressed all of the important factors to consider when choosing a soundbar. If you believe we have overlooked some important points to discuss, please leave a comment below.
Related: 11 Best Soundbars in India
Frequently Asked Questions
No, soundbars aren’t exclusively for televisions. While soundbars are most typically used to increase the audio quality of TVs, they can also be attached to other devices such as smartphones, laptops, or gaming consoles to improve audio quality.
No, not always. To offer improved bass, several soundbars have built-in subwoofers or a separate low-frequency speaker. If you want a more powerful and deep bass response, you might consider buying a soundbar that has a separate subwoofer or one that allows you to connect an external subwoofer.
The placement of a soundbar might vary based on the layout of the space and personal choice. Soundbars should ideally be placed immediately beneath the television or mounted on the wall below or above the television. It is critical to align the soundbar with the TV screen for best sound synchronization.
Yes, many latest soundbars come with wireless communication options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC. These capabilities let you connect your smartphone, tablet, or other compatible device to the soundbar, allowing for smooth music streaming without the need for cables.
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