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:
- 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.
- ✔️【2-IN-1 Detachable Sound bar】 This soundbar works with TVs, game consoles, and home theaters. Split the soundbar into two tower speakers for 360° surround sound by placing them beside your TV, or combine them into a single fashion bar for compact tabletop or wall-mounted use. Designed to provide a seamless transition between immersive cinematic audio and space-saving, it delivers deep bass and clarity with versatile placement options, great for movie nights, gaming, or music
- ✔️【Immersive 3D Sound & Deep Bass】 This 100W sound bar packs 6 Audio Sources—2 full-range speakers, 2 tweeters, and 2 bass diaphragms—to deliver room-filling 3D surround sound bass. Perfect for music, movies, or gaming, the soundbar's compact design blends effortlessly into small spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. Enhance movie effect with cinematic immersion or elevate casual meals with vibrant, room-filling audio clarity
- ✔️【Bluetooth 5.3 & 5 Connection Methods】Upgraded soundbar Bluetooth 5.3 delivers stable wireless streaming for synced movie/gaming experiences. This Bluetooth speaker delivers high-quality audio to phones, tablets, and TVs. The soundbar provides versatile connectivity: Bluetooth/USB/AUX/Optical/I ARC. You can use the TV remote control to control the soundbar volume in ARC mode. In non-ARC connection mode, you can only use the soundbar's built-in remote control to control volume
- ✔️【Personalized Audio Modes】This soundbar offers three EQ modes (Music/Movie/Game) to optimize your listening experience. Advanced 3D surround sound technology enriches explosive effects, sound details, and crisp dialogue. Whether watching movies, enjoying live concerts, following sports, or catching up on the news, this home theater sound system delivers enhanced depth and clarity for all your favorite content
- ✔️【Two Control Methods】Adjust your soundbar using either the included remote or front/top physical buttons. The remote offers precise surround effect customization and volume management. Both methods allow seamless volume control. If the speakers' prompt tone is too loud, press the remote's mute button to silence it instantly. Choose your preferred control style – handheld precision or tactile access – for optimized audio management
- 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.
- 🔊 Immersive Sound Experience Transform your living room into a home theater with this 80W Bluetooth sound bar. Featuring four full-range drivers and a large sound cavity, it delivers crystal-clear highs, deep bass, and immersive surround sound. Whether you're watching action films, live concerts, or news, enjoy TV audio like never before.
- 📡 Multiple Connection Options Supports Bluetooth, AUX, Optical, and ARC. Easily connect to your phone, TV, tablet, or laptop in seconds-effortlessly pairing with smart TVs, laptops, tablets, phones. With three customized EQ modes (Movie, Music, News), you can tailor your listening experience to any scene or content.
- 🎮 Convenient Remote Control Enjoy hands-free control with a user-friendly remote—adjust volume or switch EQ modes (Movie, Music, News) in seconds. This sound bar for smart TV puts immersive audio and effortless operation at your fingertips, perfect for any TV sound bar or home theater setup.
- 🎉 Portable & Versatile Design Modular and flexible— The matte black finish and compact profile blend beautifully with modern style into living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, or even dorm rooms.
- 🔋 Long Battery Life & Power Options Enjoy uninterrupted music with long-lasting battery performance and dual power supply options for flexible use.This bluetooth sound bar also supports plug-in power for worry-free use in any home theater sound system or TV setup.
- Immersive Sound with Enhanced Mid & Low Frequencies: Dive into rich, detailed audio with this soundbar's superior mid and bass performance. Great for music rich in rhythm and depth, ensuring every beat is felt.
- Compact 17-Inch Design, Big Sound: This sleek 17-inch soundbar for TV delivers powerful audio without taking up too much space, ideal for your smaller rooms or minimalist setups.
- Crystal-Clear Dialogue & Balanced Audio: Enjoy clear and natural dialogue for movies and TV shows, while the balanced sound profile ensures every detail shines through.
- Easy Setup & Versatile Connectivity: The Bluetooth soundbar connects effortlessly to your TV ,PC or other devices via AUX, Optical, or Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless streaming and control.(USB NOT SUPPORTED! )
- Elevate Your Home Entertainment: Transform your living room into a personal theater with this soundbar's immersive sound and stylish design, enhancing every movie night or music session.
- Immersive 50W Sound Power – Upgrade your audio with rich, room-filling sound. This compact 50W mini soundbar delivers clear highs, balanced mids, and enhanced bass—perfect for movies, games, and music.
- Bluetooth 5.0 & Wired Connections – Enjoy stable wireless streaming via Bluetooth 5.0, or connect with ARC, Optical, or AUX input for a lag-free, high-quality wired experience across all your devices.
- Sleek & Space-Saving Design – With its compact, minimalist profile, this soundbar fits effortlessly under your TV or monitor. Ideal for small spaces, desktops, or bedroom setups without sacrificing sound quality.
- Surround Sound Experience – Whether you’re watching movies or gaming, enjoy a more immersive experience with 360° surround sound and advanced audio processing that brings every detail to life.
- Easy Setup & Universal Compatibility – Plug and play with your Smart TV, PC, laptop, projector, or gaming console. Simple remote control and onboard buttons make operation easy for all users.
- Compact Small Short Sound Bars: L586*W108*H70mm/23.1*4.25*2.76 Inch, RMS power 60W/Peak power 120W for the all in one tv sound bar, suitable for 22"-43" smart tv, monitor, pc, computer, laptop,gaming.
- 7.1ch Virtual Surround Sound System for TV: This 7.1ch sound bar includes 3 main channels for clear dialogue and 4 surround sound speakers for a virtual surround sound field. SurroundX technology delivers precise audio with 99.99% detail accuracy. AI optimizes sound for lifelike audio, coordinating speakers to simulate accurate sound movement, enhancing your home theater experience.
- Wired Connection between 4 Surround Speakers: Connect sound bar and 2 front surround speakers with front surround cables (FR & FL). Connect 2 rear surround speakers with rear surround cable, power the rear right surround speaker to pair it wirelessly with sound bar. If pairing fails, hold the SURROUND button on the remote for 5s until "SUR" flashes. Then hold the PAIR button on the rear right speaker for 5s until its light flashes. When paired, the light will stay on.
- 4 Adjustable Surround Speakers: The Aura A40 soundbar for tv features 2 wired front surround speakers and 2 wired rear surround speakers, ensuring precise sound projection from the front and back, enhancing audio spatiality and immersion. With 13 adjustable surround levels, the rear speakers and sound bar connect wirelessly, reducing cables and improving space use.
- Ultimea Smart App Control: Ultimea is dedicated to making life more intelligent through the Ultimea Home. Ultimea smart App of this 7.1 tv sound bar for smart tv can switch multiple EQ, adjust bands and matrix. Stay ahead with regular OTA upgrades to ensure a seamless premium audio experience with Ulitmea 7.1 virtual surround sound system for TV.
- 121 Preset EQ Matrices: The Ultimea App caters to the ultimate audio enthusiast with 121 preset equalizer matrices, tailored for four distinct sonic preferences: Bass, Pop, Classical, and Rock. Explore precision tuning and fine-tune your listening experience with dynamic adjustments to achieve your desired effects.
- 【Immersive Deep Bass Stereo Sound】 Sound Bar with 3D Surround Sound & Deep Bass – Features 2 full-range speakers, 2 tweeters, 2 bass diaphragms, cinematic audio. Enjoy crisp highs, balanced mids, and powerful bass in Movie, Music, or News mode. The compact design fits easily into living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. Auto volume control ensures consistent sound, great for movies, music, or gaming. Perfect for upgrading your everyday TV audio into a full home theater experience
- 【3 Dynamic RGB Light Modes】 Enhance your viewing and gaming experience with vibrant RGB lighting that reacts to your audio. Control the lights by long-pressing the button on the soundbar or remote to turn them on or off; short-press to switch between 3 modes: Music Sync for beat-driven flashes, Breathe Flow with smooth gradient transitions, and Solid Hue for a single-color atmosphere. Paired with powerful bass audio, the lighting adds atmosphere and immersive energy to any setup
- 【Multiple Inputs 】Easily connect to your Smart TV, projector, or gaming console via Bluetooth 5.3, ARC, Optical, AUX, or USB. Compatible with many types of TVs and more, this sound bar offers seamless plug-and-play setup for flexible entertainment. Use the included remote to switch, adjust volume, and fine-tune EQ settings. Whether for movies, music, or games, enjoy a reliable and user-friendly experience across all your favorite devices
- 【Versatile Mounting Options】Place the 2-IN-1 sound bar horizontally beneath your TV for a sleek look, stand it upright as dual stereo speakers, or mount it to the wall with the included hardware—flexibility to fit your space. Its modern design blends into any decoration, whether in the living room, bedroom, dorm, or gaming station. Save space without compromising on sound quality, style, or performance. A perfect fit for both compact and spacious setups.
- 【Perfect for Home Theater & Gaming】Transform your audio experience with rich, theater-like sound that brings every scene to life. Ideal for movies, music, and gaming, this sound bar delivers crystal-clear vocals, thundering bass, and immersive 3D surround effects. Whether you're watching a blockbuster, streaming a concert, the sound pulls you into the moment, adding intensity, depth, and realism to every frame, shot, or explosion
- 【Immersive Audio Experience】 Elevate your sound experience with our powerful sound bar featuring dual full-range speakers that deliver rich, spatial sound. This sound bar for tv delivers 40W powerful sound through dual full-range speakers, making movies explosive and music vibrant. Specially tuned soundbar enhances dialogues in News mode, perfect for catching every word in podcasts or TV shows
- 【Versatile Connectivity】 Enjoy seamless pairing with Bluetooth 5.3, Auxiliary and Optical inputs, making this soundbar compatible with smart TVs, 4K TVs, computers, and more(Press the M button to toggle between Optical/Auxiliary/Bluetooth modes). The soundbar for TV also includes a SUB OUT port for adding an powered subwoofer, letting you expand your audio system for even richer bass. (Note: TV ARC and USB connections not supported)
- 【Slim Space-Saving Design】Enjoy cinematic audio with our ultra-thin 17-inch tv sound bar(just 3.5" wide and 2.5" tall) that tucks neatly under monitors or mounts on walls (wall-mounted kit included) – perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and small spaces. Control via remote or the soundbar's tactile buttons for effortless adjustments whether binge-watching videos or hosting game nights
- 【Unified Remote Experience】This soundbar for tv is compatible with Fire TV/Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV remotes, letting you control both your sound bar for smart TV and streaming content with one controller.Additional remotes compatible with Roku box or Roku TVs can be provided as per your request.
- 【Reliable Support】Your sound bar comes with 24/7 customer care and rapid access to replacement parts—including optical/auxiliary cables, power cords, and remotes
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 2025-09-25
