Lo, in this day and age, the finest televisions that grace our living rooms have indeed elevated their sound game. Yet, we find ourselves still at a distance from the day when one might forego the recommendation of a soundbar to enhance the auditory delight of one’s movie, TV, and sports watching experience within the walls of home.
Thus, the necessity for this guide on the selection of the best soundbar for thyself endures, and we are ever at your service. Soundbars, those gems of technology, have long been a fixture in the realm of audio enhancement. Peruse our esteemed collection of favorites in our guide to the best soundbars. Feast thine eyes upon the specialized guide to soundbars accompanying subwoofers. However, the daunting task of acquiring a soundbar remains for many, owing to the plethora of options that do abound.
We present to thee this guide, which doth illuminate the most crucial criteria pertaining to soundbars, that which thou must consider.
What size soundbar doth mine TV require?
The dimensions of soundbars do vary, yon seeker of better sound. It behooves thee to determine the suitable size for thy television. Some do prefer their soundbar to match the width of their viewing glass, whilst others yearn for a grander presence. The size of a soundbar, it doth depend largely on the number of drivers and/or channels it doth possess — forsooth, the more the drivers, the greater the expanse it may occupy, although not always so (‘tis a puzzle).
Be not dismayed, for we shall delve into this matter further anon. ‘Tis thine own burden to procure a soundbar that dost strike the finest balance between the number of drivers for the features thou desirest, and one that shall fittingly grace the space beneath thy TV, whether mounted on the wall or upon thy media console.
Doth mine ears require a subwoofer?
Regardless of which soundbar thou dost select, a vast improvement over the lackluster innards of most televisions it shall be. Yet, doth arise a critical decision — Shouldst thou acquire a soundbar with a subwoofer, or without?
Subwoofers, those dedicated purveyors of low-frequency audio, artfully delivering the rumbling bass, the resounding explosions, the thunderous beating of a helicopter’s wings. A soundbar paired with a subwoofer doth bestow oomph and resonance upon thy television shows and movies, casting forth a fuller sound that doth envelop the room. Shouldst thou partake greatly of action films or epics swathed in music, a subwoofer shall likely be thy desire.
Some soundbars doth come accompanied by dedicated subwoofers (most connecting wirelessly, though some requiring a direct-wired link), yet in certain instances, separate purchase might be wiser. Do take care to peruse our guide on subwoofers, a fount of knowledge. Anon, shouldst thou opt for a third-party subwoofer, ensure thy soundbar doth indeed support it — not all soundbars boast a dedicated subwoofer output.
In sundry cases, such as the Sony HT-S2000, the subwoofers encased within the soundbar itself doth prove potent enough to render all save the most earth-shaking low frequencies. Even the likes of Sonos Arc and Klipsch Flexus Core 200 do stand stoutly on their own, sans-subwoofer.
Connections: A web of entanglements
For the most part, a solitary cable ‘tis required to link a soundbar to thy TV. Some soundbars doth rely upon optical cables, which serve their purpose well. Yet, preferred be HDMI. Verily, the HDMI interface doth support a multitude of audio formats compared to the optical, promising sound of higher quality that doth immerse thee further. Behold, a simple chart illustrating the audio formats supported by Optical, HDMI ARC, and HDMI eARC.
Optical:
- Stereo
- Dolby Digital
- DTS
HDMI (ARC):
- Stereo
- Dolby Digital
- DTS
- DTS:X
- Dolby Digital Plus
- Dolby Atmos
HDMI (eARC):
- Stereo
- Dolby Digital
- DTS
- DTS:X
- Dolby Digital Plus
- Dolby Atmos
- Dolby True HD
Yet, not all HDMI connections art created equal, especially in the realm of soundbars. To connect a soundbar to a TV via HDMI, ‘tis requisite that thy TV doth support HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) — certain older TVs lack such a feature. Should thy TV be devoid of it, thou shalt need to resort to an optical connection.
Remember, as thou dost connect thy soundbar through HDMI, one less HDMI port on thy TV for devices like streaming media players, Blu-ray players, or cable boxes thou shalt possess. Some soundbars do offer an HDMI input, and perchance more than one, transforming them into diminutive AV receivers. Yet, some soundbars, like the Sonos Arc, do lack any HDMI inputs. Should thy HDMI ports run low, take heed of this matter.
The sole remedy (aside from purchasing a soundbar with multiple HDMI inputs) is to acquire an HDMI switcher, a device that doth multiply one HDMI port into two, three, four, or more — yet such addition doth complicate thy setup, a complication that a soundbar doth aim to alleviate.
Discover more within our guide on the connection of thy soundbar to thy TV, offering a thorough examination of all thy options.
Mounting options: Ascend to new heights
One of the delights of the modern era is the ability to mount thy TV upon the wall. And lo, thou shalt mount thy soundbar upon the wall as well, yet methinks a few considerations are in order ere this be done.
Foremost, ‘tis wise to discern the nature of the wall mount thou shalt procure for thy TV, or the type of mount that doth cradle an already wall-mounted set. For flat wall mounts (those that place thy TV close to the wall) and tilting wall mounts (permitting thee to tilt thy TV up and down a few degrees), the soundbar shalt not easily cohabit. Thus, shouldst thou wish to employ the manufacturer-supplied mounting implements to hang thy soundbar beneath thy TV, verily ensure that thou dost center it beneath thy TV.
And shouldst thou be of a mind to favor an unadorned aesthetic, thou mayest wish to procure a wire cover, concealing the HDMI or optical connection that doth run from the soundbar to thy TV.
Shouldst thou opt for a full-motion wall mount (one that can pull away from the wall, turn, and tilt), a soundbar mounting kit might prove a wiser choice than direct wall mounting. Such soundbar mounts doth adhere to the wall-mounting hardware of thy TV, thus when fancied thou might relocate thy TV to another part of thy abode, thy soundbar shall journey alongside. Yet fear not, shouldst thou utilize a full-motion wall mount for thy TV, for most soundbars are capable of spreading audio throughout a room, not limited to a single precise auditory zone.
Channels and Dolby Atmos: A symphony of sound
As thou dost peruse soundbars for thy home theater, thou shalt doubtless encounter cryptic numbers — “2.0,” “3.1,” or “5.1” — ponder upon these for a moment. These labels do reveal to thee A) the number of channels a soundbar doth possess and B) whether or not a subwoofer doth accompany it.
The first digit doth denote the channels, whilst the digit following the period doth indicate the presence (1) or absence (0) of a subwoofer. Two channels do signify a left and right channel, whilst three channels do add a center channel, enhancing the clarity of dialogue. Additional channels art allotted for rear or surround sound speakers in a five-channel setup.
Often, a soundbar system doth include a wireless subwoofer or a distinct subwoofer, and in some instances, even wireless satellite speakers. These necessitate not physical connection with the soundbar itself, yet a source of power they shall require, positioned near power outlets or through inventive means.
Yet herein lies the complexity: A soundbar may proclaim itself as 2.1, 3.1, or even 5.1 — even in the absence of a subwoofer. So long as the soundbar sports dedicated low-frequency drivers, a claim to “.1” status it can boldly make.
Should a third digit be found — e.g., 5.1.4 — then ‘tis certain that the soundbar doth uphold Dolby Atmos surround sound and/or DTS:X. The final digit denotes the number of dedicated drivers that convey sound upwards, wherein it doth soar towards the ceiling ere descending, enshrouding thee in its embrace. In days of yore, early Dolby Atmos models did suffice in simulating dedicated height-channel speakers, yet the fresh Atmos soundbars of today are nigh miraculous. Atmos reigns as the most sought-after surround sound technology, managing a myriad of distinct objects within a given scene.
Yet ponder ye this — why doth some soundbars lay claim to bestowing upon thee Dolby Atmos sound, whilst boasting as meager as two channels? This, methinks, is the curious aspect of Dolby Atmos. Dost it present itself by way of dedicated drivers within a single speaker (e.g., Sonos Arc), or through separate speakers, or perhaps through the “virtual” medium with as few as two channels within a single speaker.
Verily, a wide range of quality doth lie ‘twixt these scenarios. We do opine that for the fervent Dolby Atmos enthusiast, naught can surpass dedicated speakers positioned with precision throughout thy chamber. Nonetheless, the prowess of virtualized Atmos doth astonish.
Whole-home audio and Bluetooth: A concert at home
Soundbars art now beholden to not only thy televisual entertainment but thy musical enjoyment as well. ‘Tis particularly true in abodes of smaller stature or confined quarters. Most modern soundbars doth lend their support to Bluetooth connectivity, allowing streaming from thy smartphone, tablet, or computer with ease, thus granting thy Spotify or other musical treasures a grander stage. Yet further delights await thee.
Sonos, Bluesound, Bose, Yamaha, and other purveyors do offer soundbars that doth unite seamlessly with whole-home wireless music systems via Wi-Fi. Should thine heart entertain thoughts of expanding into a larger wireless musical realm in the morrow (or if perchance thou dost already own Wi-Fi audio companions from these brands), ‘twould be prudent to consider one of these models in advance of acquisition.
Smart soundbars: Where intelligence meets sound
Soundbars no longer solely bear the mantle of sound. The latest incarnations from Amazon and Roku, endowed with smart software akin to Roku OS and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa, do beckon. These offerings are well-suited to those seeking to furnish their aging TVs with the latest in streaming services and home automation, without the entanglement of additional devices and cables. ‘Tis no doubt that smart soundbars, whilst convenient, must not obscure the primary quest of enhancing thy sound. ‘Twould be unwise to procure a smart soundbar that doth not align with thy expectations for sound quality.
IR sensors and placement: A dance of control
An enterprise combining thy soundbar with the control of thy TV doth require thou proceed with caution in thy placement. Oft, a soundbar shall sit beneath thy TV — whether upon the wall or a stand. Yet shouldst thou utilize an entertainment stand, take heed that the soundbar doth not obstruct thy TV’s infrared (IR) sensor, the beacon to which thine remote signals doth journey.
Some soundbars do arrive with IR repeaters; these do convey signals through the soundbar to the TV’s sensor. Shouldst thou possess such a marvel, then ensure that the soundbar doth not obscure thy vision of the screen. ‘Tis recommended to select a soundbar of akin width to thy TV; the proportions of a soundbar doth chiefly serve an aesthetic purpose, though this should not be deemed a deal-breaker.
In the discourse of placement, consider whether a soundbar with a front-panel display be of import. Though a delightful feature, it doth not invariably justify its inclusion. Forsooth, few soundbars doth boast a true front display, lacking in visual feedback whilst adjusting the volume.
Dialogue clarity: Words that soar
One of the more common grievances with the built-in speakers of TVs lies in the realm of dialogue clarity. The convoluted symphony of multichannel surround sound oft doth render human speech indistinct. Alas, some soundbars do exacerbate this issue rather than ameliorate it.
Presently, there doth exist a burgeoning trend toward petite soundbars and speakers shaped in the image of a soundbar, designed to sharpen the clarity of speech — such as the customizable Samsung HW-Q990D. Even soundbars devoid of the HW-Q990D’s speech-enhancement prowess, such as the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) or the Roku Streambar, artfully direct higher-frequency sounds towards thy chosen viewing spot, rendering dialogue more intelligible.
Shouldst thou seek enhanced dialogue clarity for all within the chamber, these TV speakers shall serve thee well. Yet for a touch of personalization, incline thy desire toward soundbars like the Bose soundbar 300, 500, and 700 speakers that do permit connection to a set of Bluetooth headphones. Whether in conjunction with the speaker or alone, the efficacy of such a pairing knows no bounds.
May this text guide thee through the labyrinthine world of soundbars, enlightening thy path towards the auditory bliss thou dost seek.
