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Soundbar Buying Guide
A comprehensive sound bar guide that will give you all the information you need on how to buy a new sound bar.
Getting Started
One of the best ways to get great sound without having to purchase and wire a bunch of
speakers is to get a soundbar for your home theater system. Unlike a surround-sound system, the soundbar does not require you to set up several speakers around the room to receive optimum sound performance.
Most soundbars work well in a small-to-medium sized room. Just as with conventional speakers, you'll want to consider a larger and more powerful soundbar (or a conventional home theater) for a larger room.
The shape of your room can also be a factor when it comes to virtual surround sound models. If you're adding sound to a square or rectangular room with four walls, like a bedroom or den, you might like soundbars that work by "beaming" sound around your room and bouncing it off the walls. Models that use this technology, however, won't be as effective in an open floor plan.
How Does it Work?
The ability to have many smaller speakers working from one source allows for easier setup. For smaller areas, such as a dorm room, condominium or even a bedroom, the sound bar allows the sound to travel around the room without the need for running wires to various speakers. Below, there is a diagram of the physics of how a soundbar works:
As you can see, the speakers angled at the room's walls allow for sound to reverberate around the room, settling at the listeners' front, side and rear. The "C" represents the sound coming from the sound bar's main center channel speakers. The "L" and "R" reflect the sound for the left and right ears. The "Ls" and "Rs" represent the left and right surround sound you experience as the sound bounces off the walls. If your room is oblong, or if your setup is done in a non-traditional manner, some sound bars will adjust to your room using digital surround processing (or DSP). After hooking it up, a setup menu is available on your television screen. Simply choose the shape of the room, the size, and the location of the seating and the speakers in the sound bar will automatically adjust to your listening situation.
Types
Active Sound Bars
Active sound bars are plug-and-play - all amplification is built into the soundbar itself.
Passive Sound Bars
Passive soundbars require separate amplification from a home theater receiver and are available with complete single-speaker surround sound, or a front and center configuration that combines three speakers into one.
Connectivity
Connecting a soundbar to your television is extremely easy. Different sound bars have different audio and video functionalities to provide the best fit for your needs. The hookup is simple: connect the soundbar directly to your television using a coax cable and audio cables. Turn on the soundbar and your television and follow the basic menu setup. Once you are done, start playing your favorite movie and get ready to immerse yourself in a world of new sound.
Some sound bars can be connected to your television with an HDMI cable. From there you can hook up components (video game console, DVR, Blu-ray player, etc.) directly to your TV and the sound bar, thus maximizing your sound experience for all components.
Connecting with an Optical Cable
How to: Hook Up Your Soundbar With An Optical Cable
Connecting with an HDMI Cable
How to: Hook Up Your Soundbar With An HDMI Cable
Features
Subwoofer
The soundbar alone does a great job of replicating sound from your movies or video games, but to get the full sonic experience, a sound bar works best with a subwoofer. A subwoofer is used to amplify the bass sound of your movies, TV shows, music or video games. Some of the higher end soundbars come with a subwoofer and most of these operate wirelessly. However, subwoofers purchased separately can also work well with a soundbar.
Video Switching
Just plug all your audio/video components into the soundbar and switch between them from there.
DVD/Blu-ray Playback
A built-in DVD or Blu-ray player saves space and adds function to the soundbar.
Satellite Ready
Enjoy the commercial-free, uncensored, static-free sounds of satellite radio right from your soundbar. All you need is a subscription to your choice of service.
Multi-band Remote
Avoid extra remotes and control other audio/video gear with a multi-band remote. Some soundbars do not include a remote, but will adapt to your televisions remote control.
Q&A Summary
What features should I be looking for when shopping for a budget-friendly soundbar to ensure the highest quality audio?
There are two things to look for to take your sound to the next level: an included wireless subwoofer and a minimum of 3.1 channels. An included subwoofer will provide more bass for a more immersive listening experience. While a 2.1-channel soundbar consists of a left and a right channel for sound production, a 3.1-channel soundbar adds an extra channel in the center. This dedicated center channel will give you greater dialogue clarity every time you watch movies, TV shows and more.
Why should I invest in a soundbar rather than relying on my built-in TV speakers?
Soundbars are larger and more powerful than any speaker you'll find in a TV. And because so many soundbar models come with that additional subwoofer, the two can produce deeper bass than your screen. Even if you don't purchase a soundbar that comes with a subwoofer, there are plenty of budget-friendly models that allow you to add supplemental speakers later on so you can create a surround sound experience.
Are there any budget-friendly soundbars that support more advanced audio technologies like wireless streaming or Dolby Atmos?
Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of streaming music and television, wireless streaming is a feature that can be found on most soundbars today. Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, is only available on some budget-friendly models. Additionally, only a few soundbars are built with upward-firing speakers that can make Dolby Atmos technology even more impactful.
When it comes to connectivity and compatibility, what should I consider when browsing budget-friendly soundbars?
Don't worry about matching your TV brand to your soundbar brand. Most soundbars are completely universal and can adapt to any device. It is important to note, however, that if you decide to match brands, you may gain access to specific, exclusive features. To factor in connectivity, first check the back of your TV to see what kind of inputs are available. Older models may offer optical connections, while more modern TVs may have HDMI or eARC (these inputs are recommended). Just ensure that the soundbar you're looking at has the same connections as your TV and you should be good to go.
Is there a proper way to tell how durable a budget-friendly soundbar is before buying?
When it comes to speakers of any kind, longevity can be hard to predict. Speaking with friends and family who have soundbar experience or reading reviews online may give you more confidence in your investment. Ultimately, we suggest buying from reputable stores like Abt that can offer future support should any issues arise.
Do lower-priced soundbars offer dialogue clarification too? If so, what's the best way to use it and what kind of viewer would benefit from it?
There are many inexpensive soundbar models that carry a dialogue clarification feature. This technology is ideal for content that may have background sounds that overcome conversations and individual voices, like action films. If hearing each and every word is your priority and you don't mind losing a little bit of the other audio details, then this feature may be great for you.
How powerful does a soundbar need to be in order to fill an average-sized room with high-quality audio?
Power is not the only thing to consider when measuring audio output, but if you're just looking at that factor, any soundbar showing 150-200 watts of power should be more than enough to do the job.
Is it recommended that you should always pair a soundbar with a subwoofer? If so, why? What does a subwoofer contribute to the audio performance that a soundbar does not already provide?
If you have room in your budget, adding a subwoofer to your soundbar and TV setup is a great idea. It allows your soundbar to handle the mid and high tones alone, while the subwoofer takes care of the bass more powerfully. Adding more bass to your experience makes your content more engaging and makes the audio sound better at lower volumes too. This is a benefit for those trying to watch more quietly, so as to not disturb others' work, sleep, etc.
Shop the Best Soundbars at Abt
If achieving cinematic sound quality at home is a priority for you, a soundbar is a great solution. Browse our entire selection with options from the best brands and enjoy the latest sound technology like Dolby Atmos. If you have questions about a particular product or need help setting up your new soundbar, call 800-860-3577 to speak with an audio specialist.