Soundbars

Soundbars—The Number of Channels Matters

The classic TV soundbar is installed beneath the TV screen and only transmits audio from the front. With more sophisticated solutions, you can simulate multi-channel (4/5/7.1) speaker sets to create surround sound. If the soundbar contains real rear speakers, spatial localisation almost always ends up being more accurate and precise.

• 2.0-channel soundbars feature two front channels for classic stereo audio without a subwoofer.
• 2.1-channel soundbars have two front channels complemented by a subwoofer.
• 3.0-channel soundbars hold two front channels, a subwoofer, and a centre channel for dialogue.
• 5.1-channel soundbars include three front channels expanded with two rear channels and a subwoofer for better surround sound.
• 7.1-channel soundbars offer a total of 7 channels, 4 of which are special surround channels, located at the front and back in two pairs. The remaining 3 channels are standard fare - 1 at the front and the last 2 at the back.
• Soundbar 9.1 brings you cinema-like sound. It features 9 audio channels and a subwoofer.
• Soundbar 13.0 offers a total of 13 channels for absoltely incredible sound.

Soundbars Bring Booming Bass to Your Living Room 

A subwoofer is a special type of speaker that produces low frequency sound, commonly known as bass, that really enriches your audio experience. The subwoofer is often combined with a soundbar, and comes in two forms:

1. A soundbar with a built-in subwoofer is an elegant and compact solution, but its volume and bass output aren’t quite up to par.
2. A stand-alone active subwoofer is used by the higher-quality soundbars, creating deep, powerful bass.

Creating strong and deep bass means the subwoofer must move a relatively large amount of air. If you want a soundbar with strong bass performance, choose a subwoofer with the largest diaphragm possible and a big enclosure (the bigger the better).

How to Choose a Soundbar

Modern soundbars include many different technologies, inputs, and outputs, so it’s good to take some time to understand what they really offer. Remember that the best soundbar is one that fits all your requirements.

More Powerful Soundbars Give More Decibels 

The power output for a soundbar is measured in RMS, which indicates how much power can be fed into them without breaking down. A typical soundbar has a performance of 20 to 200 W. However, discerning buyers can find speakers even more powerful.