
Factors to Consider when Buying a Soundbar for your Home
As manufacturers compete to produce the sleekest TVs, the affected parts are the TV speakers. You cannot get the best sound out of the squeezed-out TV speakers. Enter soundbars. Whereas most people prefer full-on home theatre systems, soundbars are designed to produce awesome sound, while occupying the least space possible. But what do you need to know before buying a soundbar?
When looking for the best soundbar for your home, you need to know exactly what to look out for. You don’t want to get an audio system that won’t fit your home, or one that probably doesn’t satisfy your taste and preference.
Here are some of the key factors to consider:
i) Do you need a soundbase or a soundbar?
First, you need to know the difference. A soundbar is literally a bar, usually long and thin. It can be placed in front of the TV on the TV stand, or just below the TV if it is wall-mounted. On the other hand, a soundbase acts as a pedestal on which you place your TV. The only thing you need to counter-check if your soundbar of choice can support the weight of your TV.
While most soundbars come with a separate subwoofer, soundbases have theirs inbuilt. Also, their large cabinet helps amplify the bass, making it unnecessary to have separate subwoofers.
ii) Size of the soundbar
To avoid compromising your home décor, get a soundbar that matches the size of your TV. For example, a soundbar that is too short alongside a huge TV set is definitely not appealing. The same applies when you have a small TV and a very long soundbar. If you have 42 inch TV set, a soundbar that is anywhere between 38 to 45 inches would match perfectly.
iii) Connections to the TV and other devices
Whereas most soundbars are compatible with any kind of TV, it won’t hurt to ascertain that there is compatibility. For example, if your TV has an HDMI in port, ensure that the soundbar of your choice supports HDMI connection. Other input options include analog and digital optical or coaxial.
iv) Remote Control & Wireless streaming
Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit on your couch and control your entertainment without having to walk to the front of the room every time? Well, most soundbars come with a remote control. Just be sure to check that it is actually included in the soundbar of your choice. Also, it would be great if the soundbar can be programmed to work with your TV’s remote. This would save you the headache of having numerous remote controls all over the place.
Another thing you might want your soundbar to have is wireless streaming. A soundbar that is Bluetooth-enabled will allow you to listen to music stored in your smartphone, tablet or PC with ease.
v) Subwoofer
Whereas it is not mandatory to have one, a subwoofer is important for most audiophiles. The reason for this is that it will add the often exciting bass. Most soundbars come with a separate subwoofer, in a cubical cabinet. A number of soundbars will have subwoofers in-built, but equally effective. So, if you love some bass, this is a key consideration.
vi) Budget
In as much as you need to have the perfect soundbar for maximum entertainment, we cannot overlook the fact that budget is key. If you cannot afford it, don’t buy it. It may be hard to enjoy that movie when you are unable to pay the electricity bill. If your preferred model is expensive, I would advise that you save for a few months before actually going for them.
You would have to sieve through thousands of products online before settling on one that will satisfy your needs. Luckily, there are awesome guides on the best soundbar under 300, best soundbar under 200, best soundbar under 100, best soundbar under 400, and best soundbar under 500.
Buying a Soundbar: Conclusion
It is always good to have a checklist before heading out to the store to purchase anything. Apart from getting one that suits your taste and preference, ensure that you can actually afford it. Before you go out and get a soundbar for your home, please ensure to check the few things mentioned in this article. I’m sure you’ll be able to make a better decision.
One Comment
Liam
This was really helpful in explaining to somebody who isn’t as familiar with sound technology. Thank you very much.