Nowadays, media systems are pretty expensive. If you want to buy an excellent Television, it can cost you a good amount of money. Other media equipment such as home theater setup and soundbars are also expensive. So after buying a nice TV with a sticker price to match, you may think that purchasing a soundbar is a luxury or even a waste of money.
Soundbars are specifically designed for use with home TVs. Most soundbars will not have the proper output to work well in a small room, but they can be effective at projecting higher-quality audio than standard TV speakers. It is worth buying a soundbar because you can hear the audio better than tiny speakers. The soundbar is not a waste of money, but it can be used when there is no TV in the room.
Adding a soundbar with your TV can make your media experience better at a reasonable price. It is a great way to add quality to your media system. Simply adding the left and right channels of a soundbar or an entire surround sound system can enhance your media watching experience.
Nowadays, there are different kinds of home theater electronics available. You have to know the details. You also have to know what are features of a soundbar you really need to get. So let’s get started.
At first, you have to know that how soundbars enhance your media experience. Then you can build up from there and explore what you need and what you don’t so that you can pick the right soundbar for you with full of confidence.
Read More: Are Soundbars Worth It?
The Value of Soundbars
When you are looking for components to build a home theater for yourself now, it is clear to you that there’s more in play than just the TV or screen. While building a home theater system, people mostly start from getting a big, nice screen or even a projector. TVs almost always come with built-in speakers. Moreover more expensive and higher-end TVs may come with good quality stereo speakers. But projectors won’t have any built-in audio components.
If you are using a high-quality TV or screen, you also need to keep your audio at a standard level. And adding a soundbar to your system is a very easy and affordable way to do that. Even you want to upgrade your sound system to an entire stereo surround sound system; you can start with a soundbar. Some soundbars are designed to add more speakers when you need them.
The Sonos Arc (on Amazon) and more advanced soundbars like the Nakamichi Showkwafe Ultra 9.2.4 (on Amazon) system even come with a whole stereo system of wireless speakers.
If you are interested in any stereo surround sound system, then remember that buying a soundbar isn’t a step backward or away from having an entire stereo surround system. It is very beneficial. It can give you more options and a better user experience.
So as we have mentioned above, there is a lot of option available in the world of soundbars. And the pricing of these units starts from below 100 dollars. Some stereo systems with this type of pricing will provide you with two-channel stereo sound with lots of limitations. You ever visited an electric store or Amazon, then you may know that prices can get very serious very quickly.
So you may be thinking about which option will be the best for you. At first, you have to make sure what features you really need in a soundbar and which ones you can leave for a later upgrade.
The Soundbar Features you Really Need
You’re really going to want some very useful features in your soundbar, while there are many unnecessary features also. A great example of that is a voice assistant. Some available soundbars come with a built-in voice assistant. Whether it’s Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, it will be very useful to make your soundbar a little futuristic and enjoy futuristic services. There are also some other more obvious features you need. But first, let’s talk about the most important feature you’ll have to decide on, and that is the number of channels.
How Many Channels Do I Need on My Soundbar?
If your TV comes with a stereo sound system, then there will be two channels. But unfortunately, the quality of those drivers on the TV is not going to be so good. Because the TV manufacturer is just checking the box when they design the speakers in. The TV has to have them, but they know that most of the cost needs to be dedicated to a high-quality panel.
Why Purchasing a Simple Soundbar is Such a Great Upgrade
Moreover, Manufacturers also know that spending a good amount of money on a high-end TV will not rely on the internal built-in speakers only. They will add a soundbar to their system. So if you want to replace the TV’s stereo with a two-channel system with a simple budget soundbar, it will definitely be an upgrade. So if you do not have a big budget, you can start out with a simple stereo soundbar. Moreover, in the future, you can always upgrade.
Next Big Step For Home Theater Upgrade: 2.1 Channel with Wireless Subwoofer
If you want something better than a simple stereo soundbar, then you should look for a 2.1 channel sound system with a wireless subwoofer. There is no subwoofer built into your television. It is mainly an external speaker, and it adds a whole additional dimension to the soundscape and enhances your hearing experience. So if you want a nice upgrade but at an affordable cost, you can go for a soundbar with two channels and a wireless subwoofer.
Next Upgrade: Going From 2.1 to 5.1 Surround Sound and Beyond
The 3.1 channel systems-based soundbars come after the 2.1. But going to 3.1 from 2.1 is really not a good upgrade. If you want to upgrade your sound system, then you can upgrade it up to 5.1 from 2.1. It is a surround sound system. The 5.1 channel soundbar system adds two wireless speakers behind you, making the sound more realistic. If you are looking for something to upgrade your sound system but within an affordable budget, then you can go for a 5.1 channel system.
There are many 7.1 channel systems available on the market, and more modern 7.1.2 systems also add vertical dimensions for Dolby Atmos support. There are also 9.2.4 channel systems like the SHOCKWAFE. Sound systems like this one will really give you the experience of something close to the theater quality. But it would be best if you remembered that you have to make sure that the soundbar system has the feature you wanted. So you need to look for and understand.
Other Soundbar Features You Should Look For
A soundbar system comes with plenty of other features that the manufacturer includes. Here we are reviewing some of the features that are important for a soundbar.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a very important feature that you will really want to consider. If you want to connect your sound system with your phone or any other device wirelessly, you will need to have Bluetooth in your sound system. For some people, it is a very important feature. But if you do not want to use your sound system for any other circumstance instead of using it with your TV, then you can ignore this one. But whatever this feature is very useful. If you decide you don’t want and need to have it, at some point, you will end up kicking yourself.
HDMI ARC
HDMI ARC is another useful feature. With the HDMI ARC system, your soundbar will be able to communicate back with your TV and, sometimes, act as the full-on receiver taking your other HDMI channels in before connecting to the TV so that you can control the soundbars with your stock TV remote.
Wi-Fi Support and Expandability
It is another important feature to know about. As with Bluetooth, you can also think about whether you need this feature or not. You have to think about it before you start building the system you really want. If your soundbar does not have any Wi-Fi, it will not connect with more speakers. So it will limit your ability to build a larger system. The Sonos Arc (on Amazon) is able to connect with new Sonos speakers whenever you’d like to add them. So you have to plan before you buy one.
Do You Need A Soundbar?
After all, we want to say that buying a soundbar is really up to you. If you have a nice TV and you are happy with the built-in speakers of your TV, then that’s great, and that’s why you may think that buying a soundbar would be a waste of money. Maybe that’s a good thing because once you start upgrading your sound system regularly, you’ll likely never be able to go back.
But consider how you want to use your television. Are you just want to watch some boring news, or do you really want to enjoy cutting the lights and putting on a great movie? If you want to have a great home theater experience, you have to spend some money. You have to upgrade your sound system.
Just think about how often you are going to use your setup and for what purpose you are going to use it. It will help to figure out which soundbar will be the best for you.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
Best Seller List of Sound Bars:
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- ✅360° Surround Sound Experience: Transform your living room into a cinematic oasis with our sound bar, featuring four advanced drivers that deliver precise, powerful audio. From subtle whispers to booming explosions, enjoy a full spectrum of sound that makes movies and music truly immersive—right at home.
- ✅Advanced DSP Technology for Clear Audio: Upgrade your audio-visual experience with state-of-the-art DSP technology, delivering stable, high-fidelity sound without distortion. Custom sound profiles for news, music, and movies let you enjoy optimized audio tailored for every occasion, ensuring crystal-clear sound every time.
- ✅Dynamic, Stylish Audio Performance: Experience powerful, immersive sound with our unique TV sound bar, which can split into two sleek tower speakers. The vertical alignment enhances audio depth, perfect for movie nights and music. Beyond audio quality, its modern design adds a stylish flair to any decor.
- ✅Effortless Setup and Broad Compatibility: Begin your audio journey with easy setup and versatile connectivity options. Our sound bar is designed for seamless integration, supporting Optical, ARC, AUX, and Bluetooth connections to connect effortlessly with a wide range of devices.
- ✅Dedicated Support & Complete Package: Your satisfaction is our priority. Enjoy life-time after-sales service and responsive support within two days. The package includes the soundbar, remote control, power adapter, ARC/Optical/3.5mm audio cables, base, quick setup guide, and user manual for a smooth, complete setup.
- 【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!
- DTS Virtual:X&Dolby Audio: HS205G supports select Dolby Digital audio formats and DTS Virtual:X to reproduce multichannel audio, delivering a 3D surround sound experience.
- Wireless Streaming: Hisense Soundbar includes Bluetooth technology for easy wireless connections to the smart devices.Enjoy music from your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
- Connectivity: With HDMI OUT (ARC), Hisense Soundbar can connect to your TVs though one single HDMI cable, also connect wire— lessly via Bluetooth.You can control both with one remote.
- Multiple Audio Mode: According to different sound demands in different scenes, we designed multiple audio enhancements, such as Movie mode, Music mode and News mode, you can switch to your desired freely.
- Roku TV Ready: As a Roku TV Ready device.Hisense HS205G Soundbar is fully compatible with any Roku TV through HDMI ARC, and use only one Roku TV remote to control both, easier setup and better integrated on-screen Soundbar settings experience during use.
- Simple, Convenient 2.1 Design - Experience the performance and features of a larger, more complex home theater system in a simple solution designed to blend seamlessly into any home.
- Powerful Performance - Brilliant clarity, thunderous bass, and Dolby Audio and DTS Digital Surround support combine for performance beyond its size.
- Simple Setup, Streaming & Control - Get setup and listening in minutes with HDMI ARC and Bluetooth connectivity for unparalleled ease of use, control, and access to your content.
- Minimal Modern Design - Clean, low-profile silhouettes, subtle textures, and matte finishes seamlessly blend into any environment.
- 2.1-Channel Sound - Experience a powerful room-filling, true stereo experience ideal for movies, music, and gaming.
- 【Detachable sound bar】:The 2 in 1 sound bar, suitable for TVs, computers, and more, is innovative. In detachable mode, it connects to a base accessory and can be placed on either side of the TV to create two two-tower soundbars, delivering immersive 3D surround sound. You can also combine the two tower speakers into a long soundbar for placement on a table or mounted on the wall. It not only provides a more immersive listening experience but also serves as an elegant piece of decoration
- 【6 Audio Sources&Powerful Bass】: The 100W soundbar features 2 full-range speakers, 2 tweeters, and 2 bass diaphragms, for total 6 audio drivers that deliver 3D surround bass sound. It's perfect for enjoying music working or dining. its compact design makes it a great choice for small spaces like living rooms, offices, or bedrooms. Whether gaming or watching movies, it creates a concert-like or personal theater atmosphere, enhancing overall home entertainment experience
- 【Upgraded 5.3 Bluetooth &5 Connection Methods】: The TV sound bar is upgraded with Bluetooth 5.3, offering faster and more stable connections, and easily connects to any Bluetooth device and improves sound clarity. Sound bar for smart TV supports USB, AUX, Optical, and HDMI ARC. In HDMI ARC mode, you can easily control the soundbar with your TV remote control. it has a dedicated subwoofer port for connecting the external subwoofer (not included), enhancing bass effect
- 【Distinct EQ Modes & Home Theater Audio】: The TV soundbar offers 3 customizable EQ modes for music, movies, and games, allowing to personalize your listening experience, and enjoy deep, immersive sound. The soundbar delivers cinematic 3D audio, ensuring explosion sound quality in any scene. Whether you're watching a movie enjoying a concert, or catching up on the news, the sound bar enhances the audio of your TV shows and movies for a richer, more dynamic experience
- 【Two control methods】: The TV speakers feature two convenient control methods. You can use the remote control to adjust the surround sound volume, switch tracks, and enjoy the listening experience. you can also use the buttons on the TV sound bar to control the volume
- IMMERSIVE SURROUND SOUND: S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital create cinematic style surround sound.
- ENJOY CLEAR DIALOGUE AND POWERFUL SOUND: Powerful audio technology, such as the X-Balanced Speaker Unit and Separated Notch Edge, works to deliver wide-ranging sound and enhanced vocal clarity.
- SIMPLE & EASY OPERATION: The simple, compact remote control and convenient OLED display window make operation a breeze.
- WIRELESS SUBWOOFER INCLUDED: A powerful wireless subwoofer with a large 160mm speaker unit delivers a deeper, richer bass sound.
- EASY WIRELESS CONNECTION: Flexible layout and wireless connection to compatible BRAVIA TVs minimizes cable clutter.
- 【𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Say goodbye to weak, muffled sound and hello to crystal-clear audio that automatically adjusts to suit your environment. Whether placed horizontally for room-enveloping sound or vertically for a dynamic audio, this splitable soundbar offers versatility to complement any room, bringing your TV’s audio to life in ways you've never imagined. Unleash the full power of your entertainment with our Automatic Loudness Boost feature.
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝】: Step into a world of audio excellence with our powerhouse 90W soundbar, designed to deliver breathtaking sound. Equipped with 4 high-performance drivers, this speaker transforms your flat TV audio into a captivating surround sound. Feel every heartbeat, hear every whisper, and experience explosive sound effects with unparalleled clarity—turn your living room into a personal movie theater.
- 【𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝】: Indulge in a fully customized listening experience with 3 expertly crafted sound modes: Movie, Music, and News. Whether you're diving into the latest blockbuster, jamming to your favorite tunes, or catching up on world events, our soundbar adapts to deliver exceptional audio tailored to your needs. Enjoy cinema-quality sound, crisp dialogues, and crystal-clear melodies.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩】: Setting up your new soundbar is a breeze with our intuitive connection options. Stream music wirelessly with Bluetooth 5.0, or enjoy a stable, high-quality connection with ARC, OPT, or AUX cables. In ARC mode, you can easily control everything using your TV remote, saving you time and effort. With our user-friendly instructions and detailed video tutorials, you’ll be enjoying exceptional sound in no time—no tech expertise required.
- 【𝐔𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: We stand by our product with our hassle-free 18-month warranty and 24/7 support. If you ever need assistance, our team is ready to help. Plus, our 60-day, no-questions-asked replacement policy ensures that you can shop with confidence. We’re committed to delivering not just great sound, but a stress-free experience from purchase to enjoyment.
Last update on 2025-01-16
