Should you buy a soundbar? Benefits, features and setup explained

Soundbars have gained in popularity in recent years for a number of reasons, largely focused on the convenience and ease of setup. Delivering better sound quality and audio performance than your TV speakers without the need for complex wiring and installation, many brands offer soundbars that fit right into your home entertainment setup without much trouble and minimal installation requirements. You also get soundbars across sizes and price points, including many which come with subwoofers or wireless rear speaker systems.

If you’re finding your television’s audio performance to be inadequate in your room or want to be able to get a loud, clean, and cinematic audio experience when watching movies and TV shows, a soundbar is likely the easiest and most convenient way to go. We’ve detailed the benefits, features, and typical requirements that go towards setting up a soundbar in your home. Read on to know more.

What is a soundbar?

A soundbar is a multi-channel speaker that projects audio from a wide, but usually not very tall speaker unit. You typically get at least two speaker drivers for proper stereo sound output, but high-end soundbars come with more drivers and channels built into the speaker unit, such as five or seven channels. Because of the dimensions, it is usually possible to set up the soundbar easily; either wall-mounted or placed on the TV table or a desk, right below the television.

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The fact that you get a multi-channel setup within one unit, as well as the proximity to the TV or the source itself, means that wiring is usually very easy. It’s easy to hook up the soundbar to the power socket, as well as the connection to the television or other source devices such as streaming boxes, game consoles, or set-top boxes.

Soundbars are available in various sizes and budgets, ranging from affordable single-speaker units such as the boAt Aavante Bar to premium options such as the Sennheiser Ambeo Max. This usually depends on the power and configuration of the speaker system, with more complex setups priced higher.

Some soundbars also come with subwoofers as well as rear speakers in the box, such as the Sony HT-S20R. This promises a better listening experience, depending on your budget and the space available in your viewing room. While additional speaker units will require separate power connections, connectivity on some soundbars such as the LG SC9S is wireless between the main speaker and the additional speakers. This reduces the need for complex wiring.

Benefits and features of a soundbar

The key benefit of a soundbar is the ease of setup and connection. While home theatre systems with multiple speakers require complex installation involving drilling and mounting, concealed wiring, and dedicated equipment such as amplifiers and receivers, soundbars just need a bit of space right under the television. You can place it directly on the TV table, and you get a wide, multi-channel sound straight away.

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Soundbars with wireless subwoofers offer a bit more convenience than those with wired ones, since you can position the subwoofer even at a distance from the main soundbar speaker. A single connection directly to your TV or source device is enough to get the soundbar operational, while others may even be able to work wirelessly using Bluetooth. Some high-end soundbars can also act as pass-through devices, letting you further minimise the need for cables and wiring.

A soundbar can thus more efficiently and effectively replace not only your television’s speakers to give you better sound, but can also serve as a viable, space-saving alternative to a full-fledged home theatre system.