Nowadays finding a good soundbar isn’t as difficult as we used to face in the past. Because the amount of technological advancements that are happening in the soundbar devices is remarkable. But when we see so many options, we often get confused and reach a point for how to pick a soundbar?
Soundbars is one of the best audio device platforms for your television set. You can listen to your favourite songs and watch movies with a theatre-like experience. This is what soundbar can help you with.
When we look at the list of soundbars that are currently available in the market, it confuses us to choose the best one. But if we look at the overview functions and features, every soundbar is a leader in its own segment. This can be based on the features, price, quality, and other functionalities.
The only way to go ahead in choosing a soundbar for you would be based on your requirement. This can be the budget that you have planned or the features that you are seeking from the Sound Bar.
How to pick a soundbar?
While there are so many options that are available in the market. Here are some of the major factors that you need to watch out for is how to pick a soundbar.
1. Sound output
The sound output of the Sound Bar is measured in Watts. It is the metric for the audio output. This helps you to determine the level of audio output that is required for you. Usually, the range of output that is available in the market is from 20 to 200 watts. More the watts, more the volume.
This is purely dependent on the room space for the audio device. If you have a large room, then it is ideal to go ahead with a high-wattage Sound Bar. This will help in facilitating the sound experience across the parts of the room. It also helps in getting you crystal clear sound especially when you have such a large room.
The importance of sound output is something that consumers are always looking forward to. Because whenever they are watching a movie, the high wattage soundbar produces a cinema theatre-like experience for consumers. And the price is also based on the level of sound output.
2. The size and shape
Size and shape of the soundbar help in many ways. Whether you are looking forward to placing the soundbar above or beneath the television set. Or the shape can come in a different way that suits the design standards of your interiors. This is a brief way how the size and shape of the soundbars influence consumers’ decisions.
When it comes to the size of the soundbar, you need to ensure that the size is suitable for the type of room you want to place. Let’s take an example if you are going to place the soundbar in the hall. Obviously, you need a big-sized song bar because space will be so huge. Other factors can be whether the soundbar can fit into your television set. And it can even be the space that is available for the soundbar. Through these ways, the size of the soundbar is being measured and carefully evaluated by consumers.
If we look at the shape of the soundbar, usually we compare the soundbars with the interior designs of the room. Whether the design is compensating for the shape of the soundbar. Or it can be the modular look of the soundbars that have been kept in the television set.
3. The number of channels in the Sound Bar
This is one of the most popular choices preferred by consumers when it comes to selecting a soundbar. Shoppers are always conscious when it comes to the types of audio channels featured on the soundbar. Currently, in the market, you will be able to find 4 different types of audio channels.
The 4 types of channels are 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0
These are basically the number of speakers that have been integrated within the soundbars. If you’re considering the example of 2.0, that means there are two speakers which have been integrated within the Sound Bar, one is at the left side and the other is at the right side of the device.
When we are considering the example of 3.0, one speaker is on the left side, another speaker in the middle and the third speaker is on the right side. This is how the channels get diversified within the soundbars.
Basically, more audio channels help in delivering a better audio experience.
4. Wireless Technology
Nowadays you will easily find many soundbars coming with wireless technology. This is the technology that is based on the Bluetooth platform. It provides you a cable-free experience when it comes to the connectivity between the television set and the soundbar. Wireless Technology has become an essential feature when it comes to picking a soundbar. Because it is convenient to carry around and easy to set up. It also tends to consume less space due to the absence of cables.
The best part about getting a wireless Technology-enabled soundbar is that you can place it in any part of the room. You need to ensure that your television set has been integrated with Bluetooth features so that it can connect seamlessly without any hassle.
You can also connect from your laptop and mobile phone. This makes it another great portable feature that is introduced with wireless technology. You can start to stream audio files and visual files just by the tap of a button from your cell phone and desktop.
5. USB ports
If you are looking to connect your soundbar with a USB drive, then this feature is preferable when it comes to picking a Sound Bar. USB connectivity helps in transferring the audio files from the thumb drive. It is one of the most convenient and efficient ways when you have to play audio files that are not available on your television, but it is available through the USB thumb drive.
Usually, you can find single or dual USB ports on the soundbar. And it is also dependent on the type of USB speed it has been integrated with. The modern-day soundbars come with USB 3 technology. This helps in transmitting the audio files quicker than the past generation.
6. Chromecast or Airplay connectivity
Chromecast is a feature that enables you to stream audio files from compatible devices. This is a good feature if you are looking forward to connecting your laptops, phones to the soundbar.
Whenever you are using an OTT platform like Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, Chromecast comes in handy. Because you can easily stream the visual content from your cell phone or laptop and link it to your soundbar.
Airplay connectivity is a popular feature that Apple devices have. You can usually see it on laptops and mobile phones where you can connect audio or video content using the airplay feature.
7. HDMI
HDMI Arc port is essential when it comes to the connectivity of the television set to the soundbars. Because most of the television support only HDMI connectivity to the speakers. This is where the HDMI Arc port is an essential component while picking a Sound Bar.
Connecting through an HDMI port is one of the best ways to get an immersive sound experience. Because if you are connecting through the 3.5 mm audio jack or the Bluetooth technology, it always has some audio experience lost while transmitting. When you connect through the HDMI port, then there is an absolutely lossless audio experience that you are going to get.
8. Subwoofers
Subwoofers are the audio device that supports the soundbars. Whenever it comes to producing bass and good surround factor, subwoofers are one of the best ways to get you that kind of experience. If you are a movie lover or use PlayStation and Xbox on the television set, then with the help of a subwoofer you will get the best audio experience ever.
You can find subwoofers that have been featured while shopping for a soundbar. It all depends on the type of subwoofer that you are looking forward to. Whether it can be wired or wireless.
If you want to save space, then it is better to opt for a soundbar that has inbuilt subwoofers. And if there is no space constraint, you can take the subwoofer additionally that comes with the song bar.
9. Dolby atmos Technology
While shopping for soundbars, you often come across terms such as Dolby Atmos surround sound or it can be the DTSX. These are the features that are developed by Dolby Laboratories for giving you a similar sound experience that you get in movie theatres.
These technologies are usually found in the high-end sound Bar. It is one of the most popular surround sound technologies that has been developed within the audio device. The level of Dolby atmos output is varied depending on the number of channels. To get a better experience, you need to prefer an audio device that has multiple channels.
When we look in the market for the alternatives of Dolby atmos technology, none of the competitors can even stand in front of them. Because these are some of the arguably best technologies that a sound speaker can have.
10. AI-Assisted soundbars
AI is almost entering into all levels of electrical appliances. With the AI Technology being introduced in Sound Bar, you can easily control the functions of those devices.
You might have come across so many soundbars coming with voice assistants. Generally, you can notice Alexa or Google Assistant is integrated into these audio devices. With just the audio commands, you can easily control the functions of the soundbar. This feature makes it so convenient for consumers when they want a completely hassle-free ownership experience.
I agree that these are some of the fancy features, but when it comes to usability. These can be the most resourceful innovations that make you future-ready. Some of the popular functions that you can utilize through this voice assistant will be checking the weather temperature, asking time and date, and controlling the flow between the audio tracks, and many more.
Interesting read: How to connect the TV to a home theatre system?
Conclusion
Through this blog, you might have found the answer to how to pick a soundbar. Shopping has been made easy when you follow this complete guide.
If we look at the list of features, there are many. But these are some of the major features that you can look forward to before choosing a Sound Bar. Not all features are mandatory. It completely depends on the requirement and the budget that you have allocated for soundbars.
When you can find a Sound Bar with the above features listed and comes in slim shape. Then this will be convenient for you to set up easily and get a complete-featured audio system for your home.
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