Sound Bar - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
Televisions have evolved and improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, delivering more pixels and better picture quality with each new generation. One thing hasn't changed, though, even in the midst of the 4K revolution: the built-in speakers in modern TVs still sound as fine as ever.
Fortunately, there is a solution for that: sound bars. Soundbars are slim, rectangular speakers that connect to your TV and content source, providing greatly enhanced audio. Soundbars easily blend in with any home décor, and most can even be wall-mounted.
The sound bar market itself is quite diverse. Models range from small units perfect for a bedroom to massive speakers that create virtual surround sound environments. Choosing the one that's right for you will be a matter of balancing your own needs with the right feature set, so read on for our top tips on finding your perfect soundbar.
Key Considerations
Before you start looking at specific features, consider how and where you will be using your soundbar. Start with these questions.
- How Big is your TV Room?
You'll want to make sure the sound bar you buy is loud enough for the room you're watching TV in. Smaller, less powerful soundbars typically only have two stereo speakers. Bigger, louder soundbars have more speakers and often include a subwoofer. The number of speakers is usually listed in the product description, followed by a “.1” if you have a subwoofer. For example, a 5.1 or 7.1 sound bar will have five or seven speakers inside and include a subwoofer.
- Do you Enjoy Movies and TV with Surround Sound?
If you're a home theater fan, you probably want a sound bar that supports surround sound formats. If that's the case, make sure the one you buy supports virtual surround sound. Many even include speakers that can bounce sound around the TV room.
- Will you get a Wired or Wireless Subwoofer?
Most sound bars include a subwoofer in order to produce rich audio with enough bass. Some subwoofers require a wired connection to the sound bar, which can limit your placement options. So if you can afford it, we recommend getting a sound bar with a wireless subwoofer.
Sound Bar Features
As you compare sound bars, keep your eyes peeled for these traits. These are the features that set the best performers apart from the crowd.
Bluetooth Support : Most people buy sound bars to make their TV sound better, but a good sound bar can be great for listening to music, too. If you have a lot of music on your phone, or a good streaming service or two, get a soundbar that supports wireless streaming of your music over Bluetooth.
Virtual Surround Sound : Just because you have a soundbar doesn't mean you have to give up surround sound! Many sound bars support TV audio in surround sound, using additional built-in speakers to create virtual surround sound by bouncing the audio off the walls so it sounds like it's coming from different directions. Virtual surround sound isn't as immersive as traditional surround sound with multiple speakers, but for most people, it's close enough.
Satellite Speakers : Some sound bars include two additional wireless speakers to use as surround back channels. If you like surround sound and want a solution that's a little better than virtual surround but not as expensive as a full system, buying a soundbar with satellite speakers might be an ideal compromise.
Essential Accessories
Don't forget to pick up the correct cables with your soundbar, along with a cable management kit to keep everything tidy. Here are our favorites.
- HDMI Cable :
One of the great secrets of the home theater industry is that most HDMI cables are the same...more or less; all carry audio and video signals between their components. That said, it's always a good idea to get braided cables that don't have an extra layer of protection that prevents the cable from fraying or getting damaged. AmazonBasics' braided HDMI cables are our choice because they're affordable, reliable, and come in all different lengths.
- Optical Cable :
If your soundbar doesn't have an HDMI port, you'll need an optical cable. Optical cables are easy to use, but quality can vary, so it's important to stick with a brand you trust. For us, that's AmazonBasics; they source the cables correctly and build them to high quality standards so they will last forever.
- Cable Management Kit :
After you finish hooking up your sound bar, TV, and video source, you're probably left with a bunch of messy cables, so to keep things tidy, we recommend getting a cable management system. Cable organizers are basically thin plastic sleeves that bundle cables together to make them less obtrusive and easier to keep out of the way. The Best cable management system is an easy choice, because it includes four sleeves, and each one includes a zipper so you don't have to struggle to pass the cables.
Tips
If you intend to mount your soundbar on a wall, be sure to drill through the studs. Soundbars often include mounting hardware, so you can mount yours on the wall below your TV. A soundbar mount is great for keeping everything out of the way, but soundbars are heavy, so you'll need to make sure yours is securely attached to the wall. When drilling into the wall for the first time, make sure at least one of the drilling points is on a stud, so the soundbar never falls off on its own.
Consider buying a sound bar made by the same company that makes your TV — in most cases, the TV remote will be able to control the sound bar. We're big fans of reducing the clutter of remotes, and using the same remote to control both your TV and sound bar is super convenient. If you have a TV made by LG or Samsung, take a close look at their sound bars; it's worth it for the luxury of changing channels and volume from the same remote.
If you're concerned that a sound bar is loud enough for you, consider getting a sound base. Sound bars are great for making TV audio sound better, but if you need something that's significantly louder, a sound base may be your best option. Soundbars are slim and rectangular; the sound bases are shaped like large pizza boxes. Sound bases are deeper than sound bars, so you'll need to make sure you have enough space, but they do have speakers on the sides, so they can output audio in three different directions. If you have a small or medium sized room, a sound bar is enough, but if you need bigger sound, buy a sound base.
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