After getting your dream TV now, you will want to have a great sound system that will also match your TV. Sometimes higher-end TVs also come with speakers that do not sound great. Installing a sound system is a common and easiest way to upgrade your entertainment system. But questions can come to your mind that, what kind of speaker will be best for you, or what’s the difference between a 2.1 and 5.1 soundbar system?
So let’s see what the difference between a 2.1 and 5.1 soundbar is? A 5.1 system has 6 speakers including the left and right in front and a center speaker. It also includes rear left and right speakers plus a subwoofer for the surround sound experience. A 2.1 system only has 3 speakers, two in front for the left and right channels, plus 1 speaker in the back to provide a high-quality sound experience.
In a 5.1 soundbar system, all the front channels are generally built-in to the soundbar, and the surround speakers come separated. But one thing you should remember is that adding more speakers doesn’t just add more volume; they also help the system improve the surround sound quality. It also helps you give you a unique entertainment environment.
Unfortunately, A sound system that is 5.1 is not for everyone. If you are going to buy a system, make sure to think about the factors so you can choose the perfect one for your needs.
2.1 Channel Soundbar
A 2.1 Channel Soundbar is formed on the Left and Right Channels in the Soundbar and a Separate Subwoofer.
A 2.1 channel soundbar usually comes with at least two speakers (sometimes more). They are separated into two channels, left and right. It also comes with a separated subwoofer. The extra speaker is not only for increasing the volume. More speakers help you to enjoy a more authentic surround sound experience.
With a 2.1 soundbar, you will be able to enjoy the clear sound from the left and right channels of audio. This sound system is pretty standard, but it will not improve your listening experience in a significant way.
With a 2.1 soundbar, you will get a left and a right channel only. These soundbars come with both “stereo” and “surround sound” settings, but unfortunately, in the 2.1 soundbar system, both settings will sound almost the same.
5.1 Channel Soundbar
A 5.1 soundbar system usually comes with three extra speakers or channels than a 2.1 soundbar system. So obviously, it will make a much richer sound and enhance your listening experience. It comes with a front left, front right, front center, surround right, surround left, and a separate subwoofer included.
The front speakers are usually built into the soundbar itself, where the surround speakers and the subwoofer is separated. But sometimes, all five sound speakers or channels are built into the soundbar. After being located into the soundbar itself, the additional two speakers still work as surround speakers.
5.1 Channel Soundbar with Separate Surround Speakers
So you can say that the traditional 5.1 surround system has three channels in the front, two surround channels, and a subwoofer.
The separated surround speakers can be placed anywhere to the back left and back right of the room. With a 5.1 soundbar system, you will be able to enjoy a ripe sense of left and right sound with additional depth.
That depth increases the entertainment experience. It can give you the experience that just can’t be matched with a few front speakers. It will make the sound more realistic. You will feel like the explosion in that action movie is happening right behind you. Even you will be able to locate from where the enemies’ footsteps are coming from in the video game.
5.1 Channel Soundbar with Integrated Surround Speakers
We have talked earlier that some soundbars come with the two surround channels built-in the soundbar itself. But the surround speaker comes angled so that they can output soundwaves in a very particular way.
The integrated surround speakers output the sound so that the soundwaves reflect from the back of your room, and they sound like the speakers are actually situated behind you. When in reality, the surround speakers are actually in front of you.
But it would be best if you remembered that this thing doesn’t work with all room sizes and shapes. It works great in a more boxed or closed-off room. But if the room is very open, the soundwaves will not bounce perfectly, and the speakers will not work great.
But after all, the 5.1 soundbars with integrated “surround” speakers still sound really amazing!
What if There’s a 3rd Number?
Some of the 5.1 surround soundbars come with a third number, such as 5.1.4. It means that the soundbar directs some of its sounds upward. So that the sound can bounce in the ceiling and you can enjoy a new dimension of the surround sound.
A famous sound speaker, The Nakamichi Shockwave Pro 7.1.4 (on Amazon), also comes with this technology. This soundbar uses its satellite speakers, and it really sounds extremely well.
- Transform your living room into a state-of-the-art movie theater with True 360° Dolby Atmos surround flowing around, above and beyond you. Like cinemas with speakers located around you, SHOCKWAFE Pro 7.1.4 SSE duplicates the same experience to your home, courtesy of Two rear surround speakers & Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) processing technology. Created with same DNA as our flagship Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 SSE, Winner of the best Dolby Atmos Soundbar Battle (hosted by Brian Tong, Ex-Cnet host)
- Experience a whole new level of surround performance with our exclusive SSE Technology. Featuring 3 advanced audio processing engines working in harmony to enhance directionality, enlarge spaciousness & unlock extra details of any audio soundtrack. Envelop your home theater with up to 7.1.4 channels of uncompromising moving audio that flows all around you. Unleash the full dynamics of your audio experience with 105dB of room-filling sound.
- TWO 2-WAY REAR SPEAKERS (industry's first!) produce spacious and dynamic surround sound. Each of them (connected to sub via RCA wires) is constructed with a tweeter that reproduces high frequencies with captivating clarity, and a full-range driver that delivers surround effects with power and precision. Simply put, the surround sound performance from simulated/virtual 2.1 or other 5.1 channel surround soundbars does not come anywhere close to this.
- The main soundbar unit features upgraded high-performance speaker drivers. The signature front surround effects tweeters deliver a 35% wider soundstage. Our newly-designed 8" down-firing wireless subwoofer delivers tight, room shaking low frequencies that enhances the impact of your home theater. Bass effects are fired onto the floor surface and distributed equally in all directions across the entire room for maximum immersiveness.
- All units sold since Aug '19 can receive Dolby Atmos surround via TV’s eARC when streaming with TV’s smart apps like Netflix (Note: not all TVs can output Atmos. Refer to your TV brand’s audio output specs). Enjoy advanced connectivity with Dolby Vision, 4K UHD pass-thru and High Dynamic Range (HDR). Connect up to 6 devices via 1 HDMI ARC, 3 HDMI, 1 Optical and 1 Coaxial inputs. The 52-key backlit remote allows seamless control of sources, DSP modes, individual channel and room size optimization
Conclusion Between 2.1 and 5.1 Soundbars
Adding more speakers does not ensure you give you better sound. 2.1 soundbars also come with high-quality speakers, and they also can please anyone. These high-quality speakers can also be found in 5.1 surround soundbars, but you can also find 5.1 systems with sub-par speakers. It really enhances the quality of the speaker drivers and soundbar enclosure.
Before you buy anything, you have to make sure that what sound aspects are important for you and which one will be best for your budget. Moreover, you should also think, is it really worth it to sacrifice a surround sound system for top-quality speakers or sacrifice top-quality speakers for a surround system? Would you like to enjoy a surround sound experience with a fair speaker quality?
Benefits of Soundbar Systems
You might ask that why you should buy a soundbar at all. For that, you should know that Soundbars are convenient and they can give you a great sound quality also. Just look at a 2.1 soundbar. It can give you a true quality sound with just a single soundbar and a subwoofer.
With a 5.1 soundbar, you can get a few more speakers, and it can enhance your audio experience even more. If you want to skip the hassle of wires, you can buy a Bluetooth surround speaker so that you can easily set it up.
To set up a traditional surround sound system, you have to give effort and connect all the speakers correctly via cables. But with a soundbar, you don’t have to take that much hassle. So you can say that it is the easiest way to elevate your listening experience.
Benefits of a Soundbar’s Easy-Setup Subwoofer
Subwoofers usually come with traditional surround sound setups. In 2.1 and 5.1, the 2 and 5 mean the number of sound channels it has, and the “.1” indicates the subwoofer. They are very important for sound quality. In a traditional surround sound setup, you have to connect the subwoofer via a cable.
But in almost all soundbar systems, you do not have to connect a subwoofer via cables. You will be able to connect them easily with the help of Radio Frequencies via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
When you use the built-in speaker of your TV, do you ever noticed that the audio is becoming distorted or fuzzy? It is because the built-in speakers are not so powerful. So they can’t handle the extreme pitches (from the high squeals to the super low rumbles).
A subwoofer is actually a dedicated bass speaker, so you can hear the bass more clearly and strongly while using a soundbar setup. Even the floor can rumble from the bass, but the subwoofer will not get damaged, and you will hear a clear sound.
Not Everyone Prefers 5.1 Soundbar Systems
If your priority is convenience, then you should go for a 2.1 soundbar instead of 5.1. Because setting up a 2.1 soundbar is much easier than setting up a 5.1 soundbar because there are fewer speakers.
Though a 2.1 soundbar comes with two speakers, these speakers are built into the soundbar.
There is a subwoofer also. So you just have to set up these two pieces. And enjoy a superb sound. You cannot find a better balance between convenience and quality than a decent 2.1 soundbar system offers easily.
Price Difference
After all, now you can ask, what’s all this going to cost you? More speakers will cost you more, and it is not surprising at all. But the 5.1surround soundbar might not be that much more costly than a 2.1 soundbar system.
So if you are looking for soundbars, you may find a 5.1 soundbar for less than $200. If you do not have any issues with the budget, you can easily spend hundreds of dollars more on high-quality speakers with a wireless setup.
JBL is a famous speaker manufacturer. You can find their wireless 5.1 soundbars with detachable surround speakers on Amazon. You can also go for the bigger systems, such as the 7.1 soundbars if your budget allows you to do that.
- Compatible with OEM radios that have short circuit protection, these units take as much as 55 watts of input and deliver up to 8 volts of output.
- This sonically neutral converter delivers outstanding sound quality in an incredibly small footprint.
- KISLOC 2-ch speaker-to-RCA converter, LOC
Again if your budget is not so more, you can easily find a standard 2.1 soundbar for about $100. If you want to save more cash, you even push down the budget to 70 dollars. But if you want the best quality like this Vizio soundbar (on Amazon), then you have to spend $400 or more.
- Compatible with OEM radios that have short circuit protection, these units take as much as 55 watts of input and deliver up to 8 volts of output.
- This sonically neutral converter delivers outstanding sound quality in an incredibly small footprint.
- KISLOC 2-ch speaker-to-RCA converter, LOC
Best Seller List Of Sound Bars:
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Elevate faint sounds to vibrant with automatic loudness boost. Experience immersive sound through 4 versatile placements—horizontal for distortion-free audio, vertical for room-filling sound, tabletop for vibrant clarity, or wall mount for 360° cinematic magic. Transforms your room into a personal theater.
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨】: Powered by 4 high-performance drivers, 60W powerful sound output, it provide richer details, like soft whisper or subtle croon, whether deep thunder or sonorous roar, turn flat audioto vivid, adding weight to music, making the virtual game experience immersive.
- 【𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝】: Fine-tune your listening experience with 3 dynamic equalizer modes—movie, music, and news. Enjoy rich, cinematic audio, luxurious melodies, and crystal-clear dialogue, tailored to enhance every scene and soundtrack. Spreading the audio evenly throughout a room, ensures that everyone, regardless of seating position, experiences the full range of sound.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞】: Enjoy seamless setup with cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.0 or reliable ARC, OPT, and AUX connections. In ARC mode, control your soundbar with ease using your TV remote, guided by our easy-to-follow instructions and video tutorials.
- 【𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Enjoy peace of mind with our 18-month warranty and 24/7 online tech support. Our 60-day hassle-free replacement policy, with top-tier assistance whenever you need it.
- Compact, versatile design – Sleek, rounded all-black finish with easy-to-clean textured surface, optimized for small-med rooms.
- DTS Virtual:X – Sound Enhancement for room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized sound
- Full-Range Speakers – 2 full-range speakers in the sound bar provide coherent sound and brilliant clarity.
- Optimized for 4K HDR Content with Dolby Audio – Bring out the best audio performance from your 4K HDR content with Dolby Audio when connected through HDMI.
- 70Hz – 20kHz Frequency Response – Wide, natural frequency response means you can hear what the artist intended.
- Amp up your audio - Fire TV Soundbar enhances TV audio with dual speakers for fuller sound, clearer dialogue, and deeper bass—all in a compact design.
- Immersive sound - Enjoy a three-dimensional virtual surround sound experience with DTS Virtual:X and more detail with Dolby Audio.
- Easy setup - Just plug in the included HDMI cable to the HDMI eARC/ARC port on your TV to instantly enjoy audio that's always in sync.
- Compact design - With a length of 24“ and a height of just 2.5", Fire TV Soundbar fits most entertainment consoles and TV stands.
- Stream audio with Bluetooth - Connect your phone or tablet via Bluetooth to fill the room with your favorite music.
- Straight from the theater to your home: easy set-up, built-in tweeter, 2-ch speaker with simple Bluetooth connection
- Deep sound with Bass Reflex speaker
- High power with a slim design that matches any room and is perfect for small living spaces
- Voice enhancement feature is great for TV content with hushed dialogue, or to make conference call participants easier to hear
- Easy TV set up with HDMI ARC
- DTS VIRTUAL:X: Expand your listening experience; DTS Virtual: X creates spacious 3D sound putting you at the center of the action for an elevated and immersive home theater experience
- SUBWOOFER INCLUDED: Get that big boom with our included subwoofer; Bring home intense sound with rich, powerful bass; Elevate the action and take things to the next level
- BASS BOOST: Bass you can boost with a tap; Feel the depth of distant thunder as your listening experience is taken to another level; Tap the button Feel the power
- ADAPTIVE SOUND LITE: Enjoy all your favorite video content with dynamically optimized audio and enhanced voice clarity so you can follow along with action packed games and blockbuster films
- GAME MODE: Optimize your gaming experience with perfectly synced directional audio that moves with the onscreen action; Game Mode eliminates distractions so you can hear better and play harder
- Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
- Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
- Bluetooth TV Speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
- 2.1 CHANNELS WITH SUBWOOFER: 2.1 channels and immersive audio technology bring you new levels of sound, while the compact wireless subwoofer adds satisfying weight to effects and music. Four EQ modes let you pick a sound style to suit what you're watching—and voices get clearer in any mode if you activate Dialogue Enhancement.
- 3D SOUND WITH DTS Virtual:X: Compatibility with DTS Virtual:X transforms your TV sound, bringing you a virtual 3D sound experience no matter what's on screen! You don't need extra speakers, and it works in any room: turn it on via the soundbar's remote control, or the PHILIPS Home Entertainment app.
- SURROUND-SOUND WITH Dolby Digital Plus: Enjoy a front-row seat to all the dramas you watch and play. This Dolby Digital Plus compatible soundbar gives you a surround sound experience without the need for extra speakers. You'll hear, and feel, the difference.
- SIMPLE SETUP, EASY CONTROL: You'll enjoy a simple setup, easy access to sound settings, and compatibility with any Roku TV remote. Say goodbye to hunting for multiple remotes—this soundbar connects to your TV via HDMI eARC, allowing you to control the soundbar with the same remote you use for your TV. If you have a PHILIPS Ambilight TV, the EasyLINK function lets you use the remote to switch between the soundbar's preset EQ modes, adjust bass and treble—and more.
- EASY CONNECTIONS: Compatibility with Bluetooth LE Audio gives you a steadier connection, better sound, and less lag if you're streaming playlists from a smart device that is also compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio. You can also connect audio sources to the soundbar via audio-in, USB, or optical input.
- 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Engineered for cinematic sound, our 50W mini sound bar delivers crystal-clear audio and punchy bass with 4 speakers and advanced DSP technology, creating a full-range, 360° surround experience perfect for movies, gaming, TV, and music.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 & 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: At just 17 inches, this slim soundbar fits perfectly in tight spaces, making it ideal for small rooms, desktops, or bedrooms. Its modern design blends seamlessly with any decor, whether wall-mounted or placed on a TV stand.
- 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬: Elevate your entertainment with customizable audio modes for Movies, Music, and Dialogue, delivering immersive surround sound that enhances every movie, TV show, and gaming experience.
- 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: Enjoy seamless connectivity with versatile options including ARC, Optical, AUX, and Bluetooth 5.0, effortless setup and crystal-clear sound across all your devices—TV, gaming consoles, PCs, and projectors.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Enjoy peace of mind with our dedicated customer support, available to assist you within 48 hours.We offer a 36-month warranty and a 60-day unconditional replacement, ensuring a worry-free audio experience.Your package includes the soundbar, remote control, power adapter, ARC/Optical/3.5mm cables, easy-to-follow installation instructions, and user manual.
- 【Hearing Every Word】 Say goodbye to muffled dialogue and hello to our soundbar that brings words to life, making you feel like you're part of the conversation.
- 【Compact yet Suitable】At a little over 2.5 inches in height, our sound bar is compact enough to fit in most spaces. You can easily mount it on the wall or place it in front of your TV without worrying about it blocking the bottom edge or IR remote sensor.
- 【DSP&Three Sound Effects】With DSP, sound bar offers three sound modes or presets that cater to different program types, such as movies, music, news. These profiles can optimize the audio settings to suit the specific genre, enhancing your listening experience based on your preferences.
- 【Compatible with Fire TV Remote】Soundbar is compatible with Fire TV remote control. Additional remotes compatible with Roku box or Roku TVs can be provided as per your request.
- 【Hassle-free Installation】We've made the installation steps for the soundbar much simple. Plus, a special vibrant, easy-to-follow installation instructions has been included in the package. In case you still encounter any issues during the sound bar installation process, our dedicated after-sales team is always available to assist you!
- Fire TV Soundbar Plus – Elevate your audio with an all-in-one 3.1 soundbar that’s easy to set up. Featuring built-in bass, crisp dialogue, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
- Powerful sound with style – Take your entertainment to the next level with incredible sound, clarity, and depth packed into an all-in-one design.
- Crystal clear dialogue – A dedicated center dialogue channel sharpens conversations so you can catch every moment of your favorite shows.
- Sound in another dimension – Dolby Atmos features 3D sound that moves around you and clear dialogue. DTS:X delivers multi-dimensional audio for lifelike sound.
- Easy setup – Connect the included HDMI cable to your TV's HDMI eARC/ARC port and instantly enjoy audio that’s always in sync.
Related Questions
What does 3.1 mean on a soundbar?
The three means that the soundbar has three sound channels. Those are the left, right, and center channel. And the “.1” means the soundbar also comes with a single subwoofer.
Are standard TV speakers really that bad?
If you love high-quality audio, then the answer is YES. But Casual TV viewers may not mind some distorted voices or blown-out bass; usually, they’ll only notice it at high volume. But if you want a clear and strong sound at any volume, then you should install an extra sound system.
Are soundbar systems the only alternative to standard TV speakers?
No, there are some other alternatives also. It depends on anyone’s personal choice. Such as, Musicians may go for vintage analog speakers to match their vinyl collection, while Tech lovers may choose smart speakers so that the speaker can communicate with smart home systems and give you the output of superb audio quality with voice-activated software like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home.
But after all, we just want to say that soundbars are a great choice for those who are looking for quality sound with a convenient, fairly affordable, and easy installation process.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
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Last update on 2025-05-16
