Soundbars for Enhanced Viewing Pleasure

Soundbars produce the 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.

An Inspired Solution

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 base or crisp, thrilling treble modern consumers demand for an immersive viewing experience.

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.

Enter the Soundbar

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.

What Exactly is a Sound Bar?

As the name suggests, most are bar-shaped structures around 40 inches or longer in length, containing loudspeakers, an amplification system (in the case of active models), and a range of control and connectivity options. You simply place the unit on the stand under your TV or affix it to the wall on a bracket, hook it up to your television with a simple lead, flip a switch: start enjoying far better audio quality than you ever got from your TV’s own audio system.

Most units hold between two and five speakers. Some feature speakers angling outward at each end to produce a sense of space. In addition, most higher end models feature a separate sub-woofer to deliver the rich bass that creates such a powerful effect when viewing sports programmes, movies, concerts and more.

Platform-Style Soundbars

While most models are bar-shaped, you can also find pedestal or platform-style soundbars. These are bulkier units made to fit under your TV serving as a base or platform. Some models feature subwoofers conveniently built into the unit. Others come with wireless speakers to position to the sides or rear and create a true surround sound effect.

Types of Soundbar

Most soundbars are active. That means they’re self-contained with their own amplification circuits, require a power source. Just plug in the output from your TV, switch them on, and you’re good to go.

You can also find passive units which have no amplifying function. Strangely enough, these tend to be more expensive than active models. They also require some form of amplification, usually in the form of an AV receiver. The complexity of such setups tends to negate the simplicity that makes active soundbars so alluring, but they are an option.

Sound Output

1. Most soundbars are only able to render the basic audio output delivered by your television. Should your TV be capable of delivering enhanced digital sound such as produced by various Dolby and other systems, basic soundbars will be unable to take advantage of it.


2. However, you can also find models with integrated sound decoding systems to render enhanced digital outputs so you can enjoy the highest quality audio.


3. Another option is to get a multi-channel sound bar, which creates faux or simulated surround sound. It does add a feeling of depth to your audio, but can’t compare with the real thing.


4. If you crave the real surround sound experience, look into models such as the Sonos Playbar, which hooks up wirelessly to other speakers for a genuine 5.1 channel effect.

Subwoofers

If you’re a movie buff who insists on rich dramatic audio, you’ll want a model with a subwoofer to deliver that window-rattling bass that’s part of a realistic viewing experience. These come in two types: integrated and external.

Integrated subwoofers are most often found in platform type soundbars. External models are separate bulky boxes that usually sit on the floor. If you opt for one of these, you’ll need to be sure you have the space to position it properly. Choosing a wireless unit offers far more flexibility in positioning but you’ll need an unobstructed spot near a power outlet.

Get Yourself Connected

One of the key factors to consider when looking for the right soundbar is the range of available connectivity options. Virtually all soundbars include one analog input (RCA) and a digital input socket, either coaxial or optical. These allow the unit to connect easily to most modern TVs. Other possible ports include SPIDIF (Toslink). However, choosing a model with HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) and USB (Universal Serial Bus) inputs greatly enhances the flexibility of your soundbar.

Choosing a soundbar with a HDMI port means you can simply connect it to the HDMI socket on your television. However, you need to choose the ARC (Audio Return Channel) HDMI port on your TV as this is the one that delivers an audio signal. You may have to enable ARC mode in your television configuration if this is not done by default.

HDMI connectivity on your soundbar may be important if you plan to link up with a Blu-ray player. This is because certain soundtracks on Blu-ray featuring enhanced frequencies can only be delivered through HDMI cables. However, this all hinges on you having a soundbar capable of handling these types of signal. If not, you’ll still be able to play your Blu-ray DVDs, but without the enhanced audio.

If you plan to hook up your smartphone or tablet to play music through your soundbar, look for a model with an USB port or two. This also allows you to link the soundbar to a computer, or plug in a memory stick and play the music stored on it. However, most users prefer to use wireless connections nowadays.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Wireless connectivity between TV and soundbar is currently limited to a few models produced by LG and Samsung. But having a Bluetooth enabled soundbar lets you link it up to your smartphone or tablet without the need for unsightly leads and wires. This way, you can seamlessly stream music from online services and import them to your soundbar over Bluetooth.

If you’re an Apple user, look for a soundbar that features AirPlay wireless technology. This lets you use your iPod, iPad or iPhone, to stream audio. You can also use Android or Windows based phones and tablets to access other on-line streaming services and render them through your soundbar.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-Fi is all the rage nowadays, linking up our printers and other accessories to our computers. Soundbars with built-in Wi-Fi are able to connect to your home router and stream music from online services or from your computer or laptop. It’s a great solution to produce background music for dinner parties or just to relax.

A Networked World

Soundbars are becoming increasingly sophisticated with a rich array of features being added. These include the ability to access online streaming movie and music services including Netflix and Amazon Video and social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as various video sites. Smart TVs have this feature built in. But if you own an older TV that lacks this functionality, this is a great solution.

Multiple Connection Options

One concern buyers have when looking for the right soundbar is that most models feature only a limited number of input ports. While this is not a concern for regular viewers, users with multiple devices such as cable boxes, game consoles, satellite receivers or Blu-ray/DVD players may worry about how to link them all up to a soundbar, which possesses just a few sockets.

The straightforward solution is to hook up all the devices to your TV and play the audio through your soundbar, effectively bypassing your TV’s own speakers. Most modern TVs are equipped with at least 4 HDMI inputs and several component video inputs which should be sufficient to accommodate all your devices.

You can connect your TV to your soundbar with either a digital or analog connection. The digital HDMI or optical connection is the better choice if your soundbar can handle it, but the analog is almost as good. Now you have the convenience of all your audio inputs coming from one source – your TV. Depending on your choice of television you may have to go into settings and disable the internal speaker. Check your TV’s manual for details. Of course, if your soundbar has plenty of ports, you may wish to plug all inputs directly into it.

How to Connect a Soundbar to a TV

Soundbar Features

Most soundbars are refreshingly minimalist in form and function but some offer features that offer greater control over your unit.

Controls

Most models simply feature an on-off switch, volume control, and connection panel at the back. Higher-end soundbars may also feature built-in controls to alter tone as well as volume. You can adjust bass or treble, for example, to suit your taste and enhance your listening experience. Some models feature presets with customised modes for speech, movies, different types of music, along with concert hall and other effects.

Remote Controls

• Unless you want to keep getting up to adjust the volume, you might look for a soundbar that comes with a remote control. Unfortunately, most do not. One option is to invest in a model of soundbar capable of remote learning. That way, you can teach it to accept commands from your existing TV remote control.


• Another method is to acquire a universal remote. Getting a remote with backlighting is also a good idea, as TV is usually enjoyed in dimly-lit rooms.


• Yet another increasingly popular solution is to use an app that turns your Apple or Android smartphone into a remote for the soundbar. You’ll need to check if your manufacturer offers such an app.

Displays

In line with their minimalism, many makers of soundbars implement no display at all, save a power light. More advanced models offer LCD displays, generally taking the form of a number that indicates the volume level. Other displays can advise you as to which source the soundbar is currently hooked in. If you’re using a simple HDMI or AV input from your TV, the type of display probably won’t be important.

Using Soundbars with AV Receivers

One question many buyers ask is whether it’s possible to connect a soundbar to an AV receiver. As receivers and most soundbars both contain amplifiers, it seems like a recipe for conflict.

One point to consider is that the amplifiers in receivers tend to be more powerful than those in soundbars. That means it could be better to connect the receiver to external loudspeakers rather than to an active soundbar.

Another option is to acquire a passive soundbar that has no amplification circuitry.

Finally, a few soundbar models are designed to be able to work with receivers. So if this is a priority, you should check for this feature when doing your research.

Soundbar Buying Tips

1. 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.


2. 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.


3. 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.


4. If you’re investing in a platform-style model, be sure it can take the weight of your TV.


5. 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.


6. 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.


7. 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.


8. Check that your soundbar comes with all the cables you need. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy them separately.

The Verdict

If you’re a serious audiophile who plans to use the system to listen to music, or if you crave the full movie theatre or concert hall effect at home, you’d be better served investing in a component stereo or home theatre system. For most of us, however, soundbars work just great. They’re simple to use and deliver just the level of audio quality we need for a satisfying viewing experience while keeping our rooms uncluttered. And on top of that, they don’t cost the earth. What’s not to like?

Getting the Best Deals on Quality Soundbars

You’ll find quality soundbars at great prices at all the major UK vendors including Amazon, eBay and Argos. Bargains abound in the run-up to the Festive Season, especially before and during Black Friday. Another good time to snap up a good deal is at the start of the academic year in September, when retailers offer deals to students. Meanwhile in March, vendors push end-of-the-line appliances in readiness for the introduction of new models.

To get fast access to the best and latest deals, keep checking back right here at HotUKDeals. We gather all the hottest bargains in one place for your convenience and to ensure you get the utmost value in any purchase.