Soundbars produce clear dialogue, rich music and dramatic special effects that viewers crave and most TV speakers fail to deliver. They’re also easy to use and their sleek forms match today’s flat-screen televisions. What’s more, they do all this without breaking the bank.
Today’s flat-screen TVs deliver the kind of stunning picture quality that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago and at a price point, we can all afford. They also look great, bringing a minimalist vibe to any space. But as for the audio, that’s a different story. The problem is that with the TV’s slim frames, there’s just no place to put the kind of loudspeakers that churn out that rich, deep bass or crisp, thrilling treble modern consumers demand.
One option is to hook the TV up to an AV receiver with multiple speakers. Other than the expense and often baffling connectivity options, this solution tends to be overkill. Most of us just want to turn on our TVs and start enjoying quality video and audio without having to faff around with plugs and controls. Fortunately, there’s a solution that’s simple, elegant and economical.
Unknown just a few years ago, Soundbars are now ubiquitous and come in a wide range of styles, types and price points. Manufacturers include mainstream electronics firms, such as Philips and Sony, along with dedicated, high-end audio companies such as Bose and Klipsch.
Soundbars are generally great additions to any home entertainment system. So, with that said, here are how some of the technical aspects of some of the most popular devices on the market stack up against each other.
Be sure to match the size of your chosen unit to the size of your TV. Take measurements of the height, width and depth of the area where you plan to position your soundbar.
You’ll also need to consider the size of your rooms. Soundbars are just fine for use in small to medium sized spaces, but larger areas may demand the use of more powerful AV receiver and speaker systems.
Decide whether you want to place your soundbar under your television on a cabinet or stand, or mount it on the wall. If the former, be sure there’s enough space to safely position it that it doesn’t block your TV’s remote control sensor.
If you’re investing in a platform-style model, be sure it can take the weight of your TV.
If you plan to acquire a model with separate subwoofer, consider where you’re going to position it. Choosing a wireless model will give you greater options, but bear in mind it will require a power source.
Check the connectivity options on your TV. Most modern televisions feature HDMI, optical and AV audio outputs, which are all you need for basic use.
If your TV features Dolby or some other enhanced digital audio output, you might want to choose a soundbar with built-in decoders that can render it.
Check that your soundbar comes with all the cables you need. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy them separately.
