With the influx of streaming content, coupled with the increasing affordability of 4K televisions, the standard for multimedia playback has risen dramatically. The problem is that it's not all about the picture; sound is equally important if we want to enjoy series and movies in the highest quality. That's why today we want to tell you everything you need to know about soundbars , so you can bring cinematic quality to your living room in both picture and sound.
What is a sound bar for?
If we're talking about home cinema systems, which became popular many years ago, you probably have a very clear idea of ​​how they work. Well, a soundbar does exactly the same thing, but all of it is integrated into a single unit— or at least almost all of it . Therefore, thanks to these devices, we can enjoy more powerful, higher-quality , and more immersive sound than what we hear through our television.
But how do they manage to create immersive sound in a single soundbar? The key lies in the different speakers being positioned with varying orientations . In addition, several technologies enable these soundbars to achieve this 3D sound . For example, the most popular technique is the use of algorithms that generate virtual 3D positioning through audio.
Using these techniques, soundbars, just like home theater systems, can be 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 systems depending on the number of speakers and their orientation. A greater number of speakers means the audio channels are more separated, allowing for a wider range of nuances to be heard. Therefore, the quality will be higher, and consequently, the price will also increase.
These teams are usually placed in front of the television or just below it, either hanging on the wall or on the furniture in which we have it. This placement is due to the layout of its speakers, which are usually aimed directly at the front, which is where the viewer will normally be listening.
In addition, some soundbars include a subwoofer , which is simply a relatively large speaker with a large resonating chamber designed to accurately reproduce bass frequencies . It's typically placed on the floor next to the television. Due to their design, soundbars don't typically achieve powerful bass, which is why those aiming for the highest sound quality include a subwoofer.
Important details before buying
As with many other equipment, especially those dedicated to image and sound, there are different very important sections before opting for one model or another. Below we list all those characteristics that you should know to choose the best sound bar for you:
- Number of loudspeakers: This is, perhaps, one of the fundamental aspects when choosing one or the other. As we have mentioned before, this directly affects the sound quality and, of course, that enveloping sensation that we all like to feel when we watch a good movie. Therefore, if you want the best of the best, you should think about buying a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker.
- Sound power: this parameter will surely sound familiar to you, it is the one that is measured in watts (W) and represents how "loud" or "soft" our speaker will sound. The power is a value that we must pay attention to depending on how far we are from the sound bar. The manufacturer's recommendation for this product is usually specified on the product box itself. distance to place the product. So, if we want the sound to be heard well and punchy, the power must be high enough.
- Connection type: These products have different ways to connect to the TV and other equipment to play content. The most typical are HDMI, optical cable, jack o, in the case of being wireless Bluetooth. The alternative that will give us the highest quality according to the manufacturers will be HDMI, but if we want to use other equipment such as Blu-ray players or a console, it would be important that both the television and the bar be compatible with HDMI ARC. This technology allows the use of a single cable to transmit and receive audio. On the other hand, in the case of the wireless signal, you should know that it may be the most comfortable but the one with the least quality.
- Audio Formats / Codecs: Another interesting parameter to take into account is that of the formats or codecs. It is very important that you check that the codecs of the content you usually play are compatible with the bar before buying it. Currently you can find from the Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, DTS And a long etcetera.
- Subwoofer: as we mentioned before, the presence of this added speaker is vital if you want to enjoy some good bass. So, despite the fact that it is "one more piece of junk", it is something that you should value depending on the importance you give to the audio.
Best sound bars to take home
Having said all that, now that you know all the relevant information for buying one of these devices, it's time to choose which one you're going to buy . There are many different devices on the market, so to make things a little easier for you, we've selected some of the most interesting models you can find on Amazon.
Sony HTSF150
The first model in this collection, and the most affordable, is the Sony HTSF150 soundbar . It's a compact model from this manufacturer, known for its excellent sound quality. You can connect it to your TV via HDMI ARC, optical cable, or Bluetooth. It's a 2.1 system with 30W of power, which might not seem like much, but for under €100, you can't ask for much more.
See offer on AmazonSamsung HW-T430/ZF
Among the budget-friendly models of these devices, we also find the Samsung HW-T430/ZF . This 2.1 soundbar boasts 100W of power and includes its own subwoofer to enhance the bass. It features Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, but lacks an HDMI ARC port. Its price is around €159.
See offer on AmazonLG SN6Y
We're moving up a bit in price, though it's not quite skyrocketing yet, and we have the LG soundbar . This is the SN6Y model , a 3.1 system with 420W of power and its own subwoofer. This model is compatible with DTS Virtual:X to take advantage of that surround sound. It has an optical input, Bluetooth 4.0, and HDMI. If you want to buy this soundbar, you'll have to pay just under 300 euros.
See offer on AmazonPhilips B8405/10
In this case, Philips is another manufacturer that prioritizes high-quality sound, and we can see that in the Philips B8405/10 . This 240W soundbar is compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS Play-Fi, and a 2.1 sound system with the included subwoofer. As an added bonus, this soundbar is compatible with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. It also works with AirPlay 2. Regarding connectivity, you can rest assured that it supports HDMI ARC. Its price is around €400.
See offer on AmazonSonos Beam Gen 2
This is the second generation of the Sonos Beam , and its main feature is the addition of Dolby Atmos technology . Thanks to its compact design, it can be placed under many Smart TV models, although a wall mount is also available if needed. Its connectivity with other Sonos speakers allows for extremely easy setup of a multi-room system, and you can also use two Sonos One speakers as rear speakers, further expanding the system's capabilities.
See offer on AmazonBose Smart Soundbar 300
Bose needs little introduction when it comes to audio equipment. This is their Smart Soundbar 300 , a device that also features Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, an optical port, and HDMI ARC. This device costs around €424.
See offer on AmazonSonos Beam
The Sonos Beam soundbar is one of the most popular on the market if you're looking for a compact, high-quality sound option. This model is compatible with AirPlay and also features Alexa as a smart assistant. It includes HDMI ARC and optical ports. This 5.1 soundbar offers a total of eight speakers for a more immersive listening experience.
See offer on AmazonJBL Bar 5.1
Another well-known brand in this sector is JBL . This is the Bar 5.1 model , which, as its name suggests, is a 5.1 speaker system with its own subwoofer for enhanced bass. While there is a 9.1 model from the same manufacturer, it jumps in price from the €600 we're discussing to €999. It boasts 550W of power and features HDMI, auxiliary and optical ports, Bluetooth, and AirPlay.
See offer on AmazonSamsung HW-Q950T
Finally, and being the most expensive model of all those we've shown you in this roundup, there's the Samsung HW-Q950T , which reaches a price of 850 euros. This soundbar has a 9.1 audio system, with its own subwoofer for bass and two additional speakers to place behind you. Of course, it's compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and boasts a power output of 546W. It includes compatibility with Amazon's voice assistant and Samsung's own Bixby. It also features Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and NFC. Very complete, but, of course, at a high price.
See offer on AmazonThe links you see in the article may earn us a small commission on their sales, as they belong to the Amazon affiliate program. Of course, this would not affect the price you pay for them. Even so, the decision to publish them responds to a purely editorial criterion on the part of El Output, without responding to suggestions or requests from the brands mentioned.