Recently, we explained all the benefits of the Bose TV Speaker sound bar, one of the sound bars that are currently standing out for their performance and audio quality, being a very good option in terms of quality/price.
However, your needs may be different, and it is normal that you have many doubts when buying a sound bar. Should it be an active or passive sound bar? 3, 5 or 7 channels? How easy would it be to connect the sound bar? In this guide we will help you to choose the sound bar that best suits you, taking into account the questions you will probably ask yourself when you go to buy it.
Where will the sound bar be placed?
The place where you place the TV, as well as the space you have around it can determine which type of sound device is more worthwhile (soundbar or soundbase). Of course, the type of device will influence the placement. In general, sound bars are more versatile in terms of placement, as they can be placed under the TV or hung on the wall, while sound docks should always be placed under the TV.
If the TV is placed on a table or on a sideboard, simply place the soundbar on the same surface, just below the screen. If the TV is mounted on the wall (fixed or with a mechanical arm), you must also mount the soundbar on the wall, just below the screen.
What size soundbar should I buy?
If we look only at the aesthetics (something important, mind you), the soundbar you are going to choose should not be wider than your TV (ideally, both should have the same width). But, beyond aesthetics and how “good it looks”, it does not matter the size of your sound bar or TV, only its performance.
If your TV already has a few gray hairs, you should check the connectivity to the soundbar before you buy it. While some soundbars may look great with your TV, they may not have the option to connect to your TV, so keep this in mind.
What are passive or active soundbars and what does this mean for me?
Passive soundbars do not have a built-in power amplifier. Therefore, you will need a separate receiver or amplifier to make it work. Despite this, passive soundbars usually have the best speakers. In other words: it will cost you more and you will have to connect more components, but you will enjoy spectacular sound.
On the other hand, active soundbars have integrated amplifiers, which power everything, as well as channel processors that separate the right, left and center speakers from the soundbar. With this type of soundbar you would not have to buy any separate receivers and you would have fewer cables (which is appreciated).
What are “channels” and how many do I need in a soundbar?
The channels are basically each of the individual speakers or sound sources included in the soundbar. Depending on the type of device and the number of channels it has, the sound will be more or less immersive. These are the most typical types of soundbars according to the number of channels they include:
- 2-channel sound bar. It has 2 speakers: right and left.
- 3-channel sound bar. It has 3 speakers: right, left and center.
- 5-channel sound bar (home cinema standard). It has 5 speakers: right, left, center and two rear speakers.
- Dolby Atmos sound bar. It has 5 to 7 channels, although they differ from conventional sound bars in that the upward speakers included reflect the sound above the user, thus obtaining a three-dimensional and enhanced sound stage. If you see a soundbar of this type with the numbers 5.1.2, for example, the first number refers to the number of standard speakers, the second number to the subwoofer and the third to the up-firing speakers.
How should I connect the soundbar?
The latest soundbars include a wide variety of options for connecting devices. Among the most prominent are the HDMI ARC connection, which is especially good for multichannel soundbars, and the optical cable, which offers one of the most robust and reliable connections, although it lacks the bandwidth needed to transmit a 5.1 signal.
Then, if our sound bar also supports wireless connection, the two most typical (and practically the only) options are Bluetooth, which will allow you to directly connect any mobile device that has this connection enabled (such as your cell phone or laptop), and Wi-Fi, with which you can connect any (compatible) device you have in the house that is also connected to the Internet.
How will I control the soundbar?
The simplicity of soundbars involves one key aspect: the use of a proprietary remote control is completely optional. While most come with a built-in remote, many Smart TV remotes can be programmed to make use of the soundbar without having to be using multiple remotes.
In addition, some soundbars also include a free mobile app, so you can control it through your mobile device quickly and easily.
