Sound bar ratings are a critical part of the buying process for any home theater or music enthusiast. They help you determine the best soundbar for your needs and preferences, whether you're looking for a simple and effective surround-sound solution or a high-end home theater system with voice control and Dolby Atmos.
How to Choose the Best Soundbar
There are several things you should consider when shopping for a sound bar, including audio quality, power output and connectivity options. You will also need space to install the sound bar in your room.
Basic sound bars are usually stereo designs that reproduce the same left and right channel audio information as your TV. They can be used to watch movies and TV shows, and are often powered with larger speakers or amplifiers.
A larger front soundstage can help improve the clarity of dialogue in movies and TV shows. Dolby atmos or DTSX 3D audio systems may support upward-firing driver that reflect sound off ceilings to create a three dimensional surround effect.
Although some sound bars can be paired to external subwoofers to produce deeper and more powerful bass, this is not always required. Some sound bars are built into a larger system that offers more flexibility when it comes to placement, and some are completely standalone with no extra speakers or subwoofers.
How to Select the Best Audio Features
Some of these models use technologies that presume your room is a standard shape and size, which can lead to dead zones in your surround sound. Some models let you adjust the EQ or calibration settings to match your room dimensions. This can be helpful in avoiding dead zones and delivering superior audio.
You will find sound bars that are made specifically for specific TVs like 4K UltraHD. These sound bars are typically less noticeable than other models. They can be placed on stands and positioned above your TV for better audio performance.
How to Choose The Right Bluetooth(r), Bluetooth Audiostreaming Technology
Many of these sound bars offer wireless streaming of audio from your favorite music services, so you can listen to your favorite songs without having to connect a separate audio device to your TV. This is a huge benefit to those who have smaller homes and want to save money on speakers.
How to choose the right multi-room capable A/V system
You can pair some soundbars with multiple A/V devices to create a central hub for all your audio and visual sources. This is great for a single-room setup, but some models can work as the center of a multi-room audio system that you can use in every room in your house.