There are 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your TV. The main reason to recreate the entertainment experience of a theater in your own home. The sound bar allows you to immerse yourself in high quality sound just like you would get at the movies.
What is a Soundbar?
A soundbar is a rectangular box that houses multiple speakers. It is attached by a cable to your flat screen TV from which it receives the audio input. The sound bar contains circuitry for processing and amplifying the audio signal. The soundbar also houses multiple mid-range speakers and tweeters. Some soundbar systems come with a separate sub-woofer to handle the bass. Generally, the soundbar sits below and in front of the flat screen TV.
My Flat Screen TV Has Speakers – Why Do I Need a Soundbar?
Although the flat screen TV has speakers, they are not of particularly good quality. This is due to the limited available space in the flat screen cabinet; there is just not enough room to install quality speakers. Speakers require a certain amount of space within the enclosure to produce accurate sound reproduction. The flat screen TV simply does not have sufficient space. Hence the sound is not capable of producing high quality audio.
Why Not Just Get A Home Theater Sound System?
You could certainly get a home theater surround sound system but the cost will be much higher than a soundbar. For example, a home theater sound system will run from $700 – $6,000. For that amount of money, you will get a premium sound system especially if you buy a higher end system from $6,000 plus. However, with a soundbar you will get quality sound a much lower price point. Expect to pay from $100 to over $1,000 for a soundbar.
How Does the Soundbar Work?
Soundbars project sound off of the walls to give the effect of audio coming from everywhere, even from the back of the room. Depending on how many speakers are in the soundbar, each speaker will be aimed in a specific direction to simulate surround sound. They will be pointed left, right, straight ahead and angled up at the ceiling to produce the desired surround effect.
There are also soundbars that comes with separate left and right rear speakers for true surround sound. Accordingly, expect to pay more for these soundbar surround sound system.
What Specifications to Look For?
An important specification for a soundbar is the number of channels it has. They are identified using a system consisting of three numbers separated with periods. For example, 3.1. The first number, 3, refers to the number of channels the system has. Each channel usually has its own dedicated speaker. In this example, there are three speakers, left, right and center. The second number (1) refers to a subwoofer.
Another example of a specification is 5.1.2. In this case, the number 5 refers to the number of channels (5) with each channel having its own speaker. The second number, 1, refers to the subwoofer. The third number 2 refers to the number of speakers that are pointed up towards the ceiling. The three number designation indicates a surround sound such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
2.0
The 2.0 specification soundbar is the bare bones spec. Get this only if you are on a tight budget. You will get separate left and right channels and internal soundbar speakers. The sound will likely be better than what is built into the flat screen TV but you will not get a sub-woofer which makes a big difference in sound quality. You will be cutting off your entertainment experience. But read on to make sure that you have the knowledge to get the best budget soundbar if that is what you want.
2.1
The 2.1 spec is better than the 2.0 because you will get a sub-woofer. Accordingly, the sound difference will be noticeable and more enjoyable.
3.1
The 3.1 is a step up as you will get three channels and speakers. The best part is that there is a dedicated channel for dialog which helps to improve the sound quality. The sub-woofer is also included of course. A 3.1 system should be the lowest you go unless you are on a very tight budget. The sub-woofer along with the separate channel for dialog really make a difference in sound quality.
5.1
5.1 is where you will really add to the enjoyment of your entertainment system. It will get you 5 speakers with surround sound and a sub-woofer. Firstly, you get the left, right and center channels and speakers but also you get an extra left and right channel and speaker built into the soundbar. Secondly, the extra speakers are used to bounce sound off of the walls creating the surround sound effect. Additionally, the higher end 5.1 systems include or at least are capable of attaching separate rear speakers for true surround sound.
7.1.2
The 7.1,2 system has everything the 5.1 system has but includes left and right upward firing speakers. The upward firing speakers really enhance the sound experience and add an additional dimension to the sound.
9.1.2
The 9.1.2 has all the features of the 7.1.2 but has an extra rear left and right channel and speaker.
How Many Watts Do I Need?
What are Watts?
Watts as it applies to a soundbar is the amount of power that a soundbar amplifier is capable of outputting. An amplifier that outputs higher watts will be able to handle peak sound demands better than a lower powered amplifier. This will result in better sound quality with less distortion. Most soundbars have a built-in amplifier. These are called active soundbars. The manufacturers will match the watts of the active soundbar to the speakers to ensure that they will perform properly with minimal distortion. A soundbar without an amplifier is called a passive soundbar. A passive soundbar requires an external amplifier such as a receiver.
Soundbar output range from 20 – 500 watts. A smaller soundbar with around 20 watts will be perfectly fine in a small room such as a bedroom or in an apartment where playing sound a high levels is not acceptable to the neighbors.
More Speakers More Watts
Generally speaking, the more speakers you have in your soundbar system including a sub-woofer, the more watts you will need. For example a 2.0 – 2.1 system will only need about 20 watts RMS whereas a 7.1.2 system may output up to 500 watts. RMS is a way to measure power output that some feel is more meaningful.
A larger room may require a 5 – 9 channel soundbar and increased wattage to fill the room with sound especially if there are thick carpet and heavy drapes. However, keep in mind that a smaller system may suffice if the speaker placement is optimal. 5 channel and above are surround sound systems and careful placement of the speakers including the satellite speakers are very important to making the most of your system.
As if all of the above were not confusing enough, you will also want to be aware of a specification called dB (decibels) which is a unit of measurement for sound. There is a relationship between watts and dB.
What About dB?
dB is linked to the sensitivity of the speaker. dB is a measurement of the sound level. It is measured by inputting one watt into a speaker and measuring the sound level one meter away from the speaker. The dB specification is important as a higher dB speaker will require less power to produce a specific volume level. Each time you double the power to the speaker, it increases the dB by only 3.
For example, if a speaker has a dB of 85 it will require twice as much power to produce 88 dB. However, if you have a 88 dB speaker, it will produce the same volume using half the power. You will have more power in reserve which should help to reduce distortion.
So you may want to consider dB rating along with watts when choosing your soundbar. A rule of thumb is to look for a soundbar with a dB rating of 85 – 88. If you really like a loud system, look for a dB rating of 90 and above.
What is a Soundbase?
A soundbase is like a soundbar except that it is designed to sit underneath a flat screen TV. That is, you can attach the flat screen to a stand and put it on top of the soundbase. A soundbase is a big, flat box like device. Keep in mind that a soundbase is designed to sit on a piece of furniture due to its size and weight. You cannot mount it on a wall like you can with a soundbar.
A soundbase has a larger cabinet than a soundbar and can accommodate a heavier speaker for better sound. They have a built in sub-woofer and eliminate the need for a separate sub-woofer cabinet. Soundbases are not as popular as soundbars so there are fewer options available. They seem to be on the way out so it is best to avoid them. You should get a soundbar instead.
Reasons To Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
Now that you know what a soundbar is, let’s get into the 9 reasons why you should get one.
Reason 1 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
The first of the 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your tv is that soundbars improve the sound quality over the built-in flat screen TV speakers. Hands down, this is the biggest reason to get a soundbar. The built-in flat screen TV speakers just can’t deliver the sound quality that most viewers expect. To this end, a quality soundbar will add immeasurable enjoyment to the viewer. The rich sound, crisp highs and booming bass is half the reason for owning a big flat screen TV.
Reason 2 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
Yet another of the 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your TV is that you will enjoy music more with a soundbar. Whether you watch an orchestra, rap, rock concert or live country music you will feel like you are right there with the artists.
Reason 3 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
If you enjoy going to movies theaters, you know how great their sound systems are. You can reproduce the great sound experience at home with a quality soundbar. If you get a 7.1.2 surround sound capable system, you can have a similar experience at your own home.
Reason 4 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
Another of the 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your TV is if you are a gamer, a soundbar will enhance your gaming experience. Being that many games emphasize sound effects, explosions and music, a soundbar you will maximize your gaming pleasure. Moreover, you will be immersed in sound the way the game designers intended.
Reason 5 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
Soundbars are less expensive as compared to surround sound home theater systems. Top quality surround sound home theater systems can run in excess of $6,000. On the other hand you can get a top quality soundbar from $700 – $2,000. You can get a top end soundbar capable of surround sound and save thousands over a home theater sound system. You can also get a soundbar for much less than $700 but if you do so you should downgrade your expectations accordingly.
Reason 6 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
One of the 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your TV is that soundbars help to keep the installation sleek and tidy. Soundbars are designed to be attractive and low key. Accordingly, by using Wi-Fi, they can be installed without excessive amounts of exposed wiring making for a tidy installation.
Reason 7 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
The 7th of the 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your tv is that a soundbar saves space. The long, narrow soundbar is easy to place in front of the flat screen TV or mounted to a wall under the TV. Compare that to the space needed for a left and right speaker as well as left and right rear speakers for a surround sound speakers.
Reason 8 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
A little known of the 9 reasons to buy a soundbar for your TV is that your soundbar can be used as your stereo music player. With your soundbar as in integrated music system, there is no need to buy a separate stereo system. If you plan to do this, make sure your soundbar supports multiple input types such as USB, RCA AV, 3.5mm jack, Toslink, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You will then be able to connect various devices to your soundbar to input a sound signal. Using Bluetooth, you can also play music from your smart phone through your soundbar.
Reason 9 to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV
Some soundbars are compatible or come with a voice assistant such as Google Assistant, Alexa or Bixby. Check with the manufacturer to make sure your soundbar is compatible with the voice assistant of your choice. This handy feature allows you to control your soundbar using voice commands. You can change the channel, adjust the volume and more just by talking to your voice assistant.
What Features to Look For in a Soundbar
A soundbar is a must have if you want to experience the best from your flat screen TV. With so many available on the market, you will want to narrow your choice according to your personal preferences and what flat screen TV it will be used with. The following are suggestions on what to look for.
Specification
A 5.1 system or better will give you surround sound along with the solid bass that comes with a sub-woofer. This will give you the full entertainment experience that you are looking for. If you are planning on using a voice assistant, make sure that it either comes with or is compatible with the voice assistant of your choice. You will want 5.1 or better so that you can enjoy surround sound.
Flexibility
If you will be using your soundbar to provide music when not watching TV make sure that your soundbar accepts a variety of input cables such as USB, RCA AV, 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth. You should be able to connect devices such as a CD player, smart phone or computer to your soundbar. Although you can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to connect devices a cable connection will give you a better connection and quality signal.
Size
For best aesthetics, try to find a soundbar that matches the width of the flat screen TV. Since the soundbar sits below the flat screen TV, it will look better if it is the same width as the TV. However, this is subjective so you will have to decide if this is a priority to you. A more important reason for having a soundbar the same width of the TV is so that the sound will seem like it is coming from the proper location on the screen especially if the source of the sound moves from one side of the screen to the other.
Sub-woofer or no?
Get a sub-woofer with your soundbar. This ensure that your system will adequately cover the low frequencies and give you that solid bass sound.
Do You Need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Although Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not needed to connect to your flat screen TV, both will make your soundbar more flexible. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will allow you to connect to your computer or other Wi-Fi / Bluetooth enabled device so that you can stream music or audio files through your soundbar. Therefore, both are a good thing to have. If you want to use a digital assistant such as Google Assistant, Alexa or Bixby you will need to have Wi-Fi in order to use this feature. Keep in mind that Wi-Fi range is limited to 125 – 235 feet depending on conditions. Furthermore, Bluetooth is even more limited at around 32 feet. Additionally, getting a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled soundbar will make connecting compatible devices easier and tidier by avoiding the hassle of running cables to the components.
Active or Passive Soundbar?
Make it easy on yourself and get an active soundbar. An active soundbar has an amplifier built in. Most soundbars are active so finding one shouldn’t be a problem. An active soundbar is easier to install and setup. Furthermore, they offer more options than a passive soundbar such as working with a remote control, sub-woofer (although some passive soundbars have a sub-woofer as an option),
On the other hand, a passive soundbar requires an external receiver/amplifier. The setup for a passive soundbar is more complicated due to having to hookup an external receiver or amplifier. It is recommended that you get an active soundbar unless you have some experience with sound systems.
9 Reasons to Buy a Soundbar For Your TV Summary
You now have the knowledge to make an informed decision so that you can get the best soundbar for your budget. Although sound bases were covered in an earlier section, it is recommended that you get a soundbar instead. The soundbar will give you more options and flexibility.
Once you have decided on a soundbar, if at all possible, go to an authorized soundbar dealer and listen to the soundbar of your choice. You can study the specifications all you want but the final decision is best made by using your own ears. Listen to how accurately the sound is reproduced by the soundbar with special attention paid to the type of entertainment you will be listening and watching whether it be music, movies or games. How realistic is the dialog that you hear. To that end, if you close your eyes does it sound like the person speaking is actually in the room with you? Equally important, can you make out individual components of the soundtrack? Listen to how crisp the highs sound and how strong and solid the bass is. Does the mid-range sound clear or is it tinny and muddy sounding?
More Tips
Make sure that the soundbar of your choice has the input jacks to support any devices that you may want to connect to it. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, you will want to get a soundbar that comes with a sub-woofer. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth should also be on your list of wants of you want a flexible system. Additionally, don’t forget to check for voice assistant compatibility if you wish to take advantage of automation technology.
Now is the time to increase your entertainment satisfaction by upgrading your flat screen TV with a soundbar. The best advice is to go to a showroom that has the soundbar that you are interested in and listen to it at low, medium and high sound levels. Ask a lot of questions to the sales staff. When all of your questions are answered only then you will know which is the best soundbar to buy. You know what to do. Shop now.