Is A Sound Bar Required For My Smart TV?

If you want to get the most out of your smart television and enjoy an enhanced audio experience then investing in a good-sounding sound bar might be something worth considering. The main benefit is that it eliminates the need for a 5.1-channel or 7.1-channel speaker system, with its complicated wiring and receivers which can take up a lot of space in your home.

A soundbar is much more compact and easier to install than a larger speaker system, giving you an improved audio experience without taking up too much room.

What Exactly Is A Soundbar?

A soundbar is an all-in-one music system that can be used to improve your smart TV's sound quality and give you a much more immersive viewing experience. It's a single unit, usually rectangular in shape, and can be placed beneath or in front of your TV.

You can find soundbars in a range of designs and sizes, from entry-level to luxurious and sophisticated. Most come with separate subwoofers for added low-end sound.

Thanks to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, many people are now creating their own home cinemas with recliners, smart TVs, and other equipment aimed at giving them the best viewing experience possible.

Why Do You Require A Soundbar For Your Smart TV?

Investing in a soundbar is an excellent way to enhance the entertainment experience. With a soundbar, you can enjoy more immersive content and get the closest experience to being in a cinema hall. Soundbars are an all-in-one unit; they are designed to produce surround sound on demand.

Your Smart TV may be giving you ultimate sound quality, but having a soundbar will take it up another level. Soundbars are specifically designed for maximum audio enjoyment and clarity of dialogue.

What Features Should You Look For In A Soundbar?

When shopping for a soundbar for your Smart TV, there are several features you should look for that will ensure you get the best audio experience. First and foremost, the size of both your TV and the room it's in should factor into which soundbar is the ideal choice for you.

Additionally, make sure to take into account the sound quality of the model. If possible, test out how well its bass and treble performance deliver as you adjust settings; also make note of any special features such as Dolby Atmos or multi-room support.

Subwoofer As An Extension

When it comes to soundbars for your Smart TV, one of the best features you can get is a subwoofer as an extension. A subwoofer is a unit that comes with the main soundbar speaker, and it will generate deeper bass so you can have a more immersive experience when watching movies and TV shows on your Smart TV screen.

Most wireless soundbars come at a higher price since there are no wires dangling around the room. But if you want the ultimate audio experience, then the extra money you spend on a subwoofer will definitely be worth it.

Surround Sound

If you're looking to experience the full surround sound effects without having to set up a ton of hardware around your room, then you need to check out a sound bar for your smart TV. What makes the sound bar so great is that it can mimic the surround sound of the traditional 5.1 or 7.1 channel systems with just one piece of hardware without sacrificing quality.

Plus, it takes up less space than those bulky systems! So if you want to enjoy truly immersive audio along with your movie or game night, invest in a sound bar and maximize your home movie experience!

Dolby Atmos And DTS:X

If you're looking for a true immersion entertainment experience, then Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology is something you should definitely consider. It's the latest sound industry technology that can bring cinema-level sound to your own home.

Consisting of digital revelation shooting out different levels of sound, it reflects off the walls of any room and creates an unbelievably realistic atmosphere. All this audio comes through one soundbar that sits in front of the smart T.V., delivering high-quality, realistic sounds right into your living room.

Choosing A Soundbar Or A Sound Base

Deciding between a soundbar or a sound base for your smart TV can be confusing, so let's break it down.

Soundbars are great if you're looking for something that is sleek and small, and also mountable on a wall. However, if space is not an issue and you want a more robust sound experience then the sound base may be the way to go.

Soundbases are bigger in size than soundbars, but they do provide superior sound quality compared to the latter. Additionally, with a sound base, there's the possibility to add additional surround sound speakers later on for an even better cinematic experience.

The Operation Of A Soundbar

The operation of a soundbar is surprisingly simple. It takes the encoded sound from your smart TV and decodes it, using auditory technology to provide a crystal-clear and immersive sound experience.

Whether you're watching a movie or enjoying music, with a soundbar you'll be able to hear every word and all of the natural sounds in great clarity, giving it a greater depth and realism.

If your soundbar has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enabled, then the sound can also be projected around the room for an immersive 360 degrees experience.

Soundbar Channel Types

The various types of soundbar channels include:

2-channel Soundbar

With this type of soundbar, two decent speakers are mounted inside a single unit, one on the left and one on the right. This type of configuration is perfect for delivering immersive audio with enhanced stereo separation.

3-channel Soundbar

When it comes to soundbars, a 3-channel soundbar is the way to go. This soundbar features three dedicated speakers in one unit, with the center, right, and left speakers included.

5-channel Soundbar

The 5-channel soundbar from this unit is definitely something to get excited about. The soundbar unit has five powerful magnetically-mounted speakers: a center speaker, two side extension speakers (right and left), and two rearwards speakers that provide 3D audio for an enhanced viewing experience.

7-channel Soundbar

The 7-channel soundbar provides an extra layer of high-quality audio to any smart TV. While 5-channel soundbars have five channels, 7-channel soundbars are split into 4 channels for both the surround and rearward channel speakers, giving you a total of seven channels.

Dolby Atmos And DTS:X Soundbar

If you're looking for an immersive and three-dimensional soundstage experience, then you should seriously consider a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundbar.

This type of soundbar is only found in 5 or 7-channel models, featuring an upward-facing speaker mounted inside the body of the soundbar. This ensures that the sound is bounced off the walls, resulting in a truly unique 3D experience.

Additionally, this type of soundbar is perfect for larger rooms with at least 10 feet of ceiling height, as its expanded size allows it to fully capture and amplify all cinematic audio frequencies.

Which Sound Bar Will Make My Tv Sound The Best?

When looking for a sound bar, you'll want to look out for one that’s dedicated to providing superior audio compared to the speakers in your TV, as well as engineering specific features such as advanced equalization and surround sound blocks. Try exploring different models before opting for one that offers great quality and value - it just might be worth it.

What Should I Expect To Pay For A Sound Bar?

If you're on a tight budget, you can find cheap soundbars that will still provide an improvement in sound quality compared to your TV's built-in speakers. However, these more affordable models may not come with additional features like Dolby Atmos or a wireless subwoofer.

For the best soundbar experience, however, you'll likely need to invest some extra money. Generally speaking, the sweet spot for soundbars is around AU$800.

Are Soundbars Worth The Money?

When it comes to finding the perfect smart TV for your home, it pays to ask yourself: are soundbars worth the money? The truth is that modern TVs don’t always come with the best acoustics and manufacturers often expect you to supplement them with a dedicated soundbar.

But are they really worth the investment? Well, if you want an immersive cinematic experience then the answer is yes. Although buying a good soundbar is not cheap, having one can dramatically improve your audio experience.

The Top 4 Sound Bars To Purchase In 2024

This is a list of the best soundbars to buy.

Yamaha YAS108B Soundbar Speaker

The Yamaha YAS108B Soundbar high-quality speaker is an impressive piece of audio hardware. It offers virtual 3D sound and built-in subwoofers, making it perfect for creating an immersive home theater experience.

It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies which bring music, movies, sports, and gaming right into your living room with immersive sound quality. These separate speakers are designed to deliver powerful clarity and deep bass that can enhance any game or movie night.

Pioneer SBX-101 Bluetooth Soundbar And Subwoofer

The Pioneer SBX-101 Bluetooth Soundbar and Subwoofer is one of the best soundbars available on the market. If you have room for a separate subwoofer and want something dedicated, this product is an ideal choice.

It comes with Bluetooth support, allowing you to stream audio directly from your smartphone or another device to your soundbar for a richer experience. Additionally, it has built-in stereo speakers and a powerful bass output to provide crisp and powerful audio.

Sonos Beam

When it comes to soundbars, one of the best options available is the Sonos Beam. This compact, miniature soundbar provides plenty of audio quality while still being unobtrusive in size.

It's designed with sophisticated wireless speakers from the brand to provide an immersive listening experience that won't be beaten by any other sound bar.

Samsung Q70 Soundbar

If you're looking for the pinnacle of soundbar technology, then Samsung's Q70 Soundbar should be your must-have pick. Its intuitive design and user interface make it incredibly easy to customize your sound experience exactly to your liking.

The Automatic AI-powered optimization also works wonders and eliminates the need for those endless customization menus.