Soundbar

Features

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.