If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with your TV’s sound quality, you’re not alone. Many modern TVs come with built-in speakers that struggle to provide clear dialogue or immersive audio. This is mainly because of their thin profiles—there’s just no room to fit high-quality speakers into such compact designs. So, what’s the solution? Enter the sound bar: a sleek, space-saving speaker system designed to significantly enhance your TV’s audio experience.
In our sound bar buying guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about what’s available. In this blog post, we’re going to highlight the key things you need to know about what sound bars are, how they work, and if you really need one for your home setup. From understanding their benefits to how to choose the right model and what “channels” mean in the context of sound bars, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started!
Key benefits of having a sound bar
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to invest in a sound bar, here are a few reasons why so many people swear by them.
Better audio quality
One of the main reasons people turn to sound bars is to improve their TV’s sound. While modern televisions may offer stunning picture quality, their built-in speakers often fall short. They simply don’t have the physical space to produce rich, immersive sound. Sound bars provide much clearer audio, especially when it comes to dialogue. If you’ve ever struggled to hear characters speaking softly in a movie or TV show, you’ll appreciate the difference a sound bar can make. A good sound bar will also give you fuller, more dynamic sound for music, action sequences, and more, without the need for a full-blown surround sound system. Plus, many sound bars come with companion subwoofers, which offer deep bass that you’d typically miss when using a TV’s default speakers.
Space-saving design
Let’s face it: we’re all trying to keep our living rooms neat and tidy. And while a surround sound system with multiple speakers might sound appealing, they can take up a lot of room and be a hassle to set up. Sound bars, on the other hand, are sleek, compact, and incredibly space-efficient. They’re designed to sit neatly under your TV or can be mounted on the wall, freeing up valuable floor space. Whether your home is big or small, a sound bar will blend seamlessly into your room and can even enhance the look of your entertainment area.
Ease of setup
One of the biggest selling points of sound bars is how easy they are to set up. Unlike traditional surround sound systems, which often require multiple wires and speakers to be positioned just right, sound bars only need one or two connections. You’ll usually connect the sound bar to your TV using an HDMI cable (often via HDMI ARC/eARC) or optical cable. With fewer wires and a much simpler installation process, a sound bar offers an easy way to boost your audio without the technical headache of configuring a full speaker system. In fact, most sound bars are ready to go straight out of the box, meaning you can enjoy better sound in just minutes.
How to choose the right sound bar for your needs
Now that we’ve covered the main benefits, how do you know which sound bar is right for you? Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping.
TV size and placement
One of the first things to consider when choosing a sound bar is the size of your TV. If you’re working with a smaller TV in an apartment or bedroom, a smaller, more budget-friendly sound bar should suffice. However, if you have a large TV, you might want to invest in a more powerful model that can fill the space with clear sound. Most sound bars are designed to fit nicely beneath a TV of a specific size range. Larger sound bars are best suited to TVs that are 55 inches or bigger.
Speaking of which, you’ll need to figure out if you will be mounting the soundbar under a wall-mounted TV or placing it atop or in a piece of furniture. Most sound bars come with brackets for mounting and this offers the cleanest set-up. But you might also like to position it on a TV stand for easy access to buttons and ports.
Budget & performance
Sound bars come in a wide range of prices, from affordable entry-level options to high-end models with advanced features. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a noticeable improvement in sound quality. However, if you’re looking for additional features like Dolby Atmos, voice control, or a wireless subwoofer, you may need to stretch your budget a bit.
If you’re just after simple, better sound, an entry-level sound bar with basic stereo sound (2.0) might be just what you need. But if you want something that truly elevates your home theatre experience, consider spending a bit more. Some higher-end sound bar systems offer more channels and come with a powerful dedicated subwoofer and even rear speakers for full surround sound.
Connectivity options
It’s essential to think about how you want to connect your sound bar to your TV and other devices. Some common options include:
- HDMI ARC/eARC: This allows for higher-quality audio and easy control of the sound bar through your TV remote.
- Optical: A simpler, no-fuss connection that’s often used for older TVs.
- Bluetooth: Ideal for streaming audio from your phone, tablet, or laptop. Some may even work with a companion app.
- Wi-Fi: With Wi-Fi, you can wirelessly connect various source devices as well as easily integrate with smart home devices or streaming services.
- Voice assistants: Some models come with built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or other voice control features.
Be sure to choose a sound bar with the connectivity options that fit your needs.
Brand preferences & ecosystem
Consider which brand fits best with your current devices. For example, if you already own a Samsung TV, a Samsung sound bar might offer the best compatibility and integration. Similarly, if you have a Sonos ecosystem set up at home, you may want to stick with that company’s sound bars for seamless connectivity. Some brands, like Samsung and LG, have newer sound bars designed to work seamlessly with the TV’s own built-in speakers. This allows you to leverage the TV’s built-in sound for an even more immersive, richer sound experience that combines the two. Some also include special brackets for a specific sound bar to mount neatly beneath a specific TV from the same brand.
What do channels mean on a sound bar?
You’ve probably seen sound bars advertised with numbers like 2.1, 3.1, or 5.1. But what does this actually mean? Let’s break it down.
Definition of channels
In audio terms, a “channel” refers to the individual sound outputs that a speaker system can produce. For instance, a “2.0” sound bar has two channels: one for the left speaker and one for the right speaker. When you see numbers like 2.1 or 5.1, the first number refers to the number of channels, and the second number (if present) refers to the presence of a subwoofer (which is used to handle low-end bass sounds). Let’s look at some common channel configurations:
Common channel configurations
- 2.0 (Stereo sound bar): This is the simplest type of sound bar, featuring two channels for left and right audio. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a simple audio upgrade from their TV’s built-in speakers. It’s also great for dedicated music listening.
- 2.1 (Stereo + subwoofer): This configuration adds a subwoofer to the mix, enhancing the low-end bass sounds. This setup is great if you want richer, fuller audio for movies, music, and gaming.
- 3.1 (Three channels + subwoofer): A 3.1 system includes a centre channel (for dialogue), left and right channels, and a subwoofer. This setup offers clearer dialogue and a more immersive experience.
- 5.1 and above (Fuller surround sound setups): These sound bars often include rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer, providing a true surround sound experience. These setups are ideal for people who want to recreate a home theatre feel in a smaller package.
It’s worth noting that if you see a third number in the mix, like 3.1.2, that corresponds to ceiling channels that help reproduce sounds from above through technology like Dolby Atmos. This will provide a more realistic experience when there’s a rainfall in the movie you’re watching, for example, or jeys flying overhead.
Is a sound bar worth it?
After considering the benefits and how to choose the right one, you might still be wondering: is a sound bar really worth the investment? For most people, the answer is yes. Sound bars offer significant audio improvements over TV speakers without the complexity of a full surround sound system. They’re easy to set up, save space, and provide a much more enjoyable viewing experience. However, if you’re an audiophile or someone who demands the highest-quality sound, a dedicated surround sound system with multiple speakers may still be your best option. But for most of us, a sound bar offers a perfect balance of performance, simplicity, and affordability. Even if you’re not using one in your primary entertainment area, you might love one to go along with the bedroom, games room, or basement TV, for example. Plus, you can always add more speakers later as your needs suggest.
If you’re ready to enhance your audio experience, why not check out Best Buy’s selection of sound bars and find the one that fits your needs? You can also read through our home theatre buying guide to complete the perfect set-up for your home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the point of a sound bar?
A sound bar is designed to improve your TV’s audio by providing clearer dialogue, richer sound, and deeper bass. It’s a simple way to enhance your entertainment setup without the complexity of a full surround sound system.
Is it worth getting a sound bar for TV?
Yes! A sound bar can significantly improve the audio quality of your TV, offering a better listening experience for movies, shows, and music. It’s a great space-saving option for apartment and condo dwellers or small rooms.
Is a sound bar the same as a speaker?
Yes, but not exactly. While a sound bar is a type of speaker, it’s specifically designed to be a compact, all-in-one solution for enhancing TV audio. A traditional speaker system might require multiple speakers and more complex setup. A sound bar is a one-piece system that’s much easier to install and use.
Are there wireless sound bars?
Yes, you can opt for a wireless sound bar. These still need to be plugged into AC power. But you don’t need to run a wire from the sound bar to the TV. The benefit is a cleaner set-up with fewer wires and easy connectivity when you have a new component you want to connect. The downside is that you won’t get as reliable a connection. There can be some lag and audio drops. But the technology is improving. Still, you will get the best experience with a wired sound bar.
