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+--- Thread: Top 5 tips to pick the right soundbar (/thread-47.html)
Top 5 tips to pick the right soundbar - Simon D - 21-02-2017
Soundbars are the easiest way to upgrade your TV audio. Here are our top tips to help you pick the soundbar that’s right for you.
1). SOUND QUALITY
One of the most important reasons to buy a soundbar is because you are not satisfied with the sound, your TV has on its own. A soundbar offers a convenient and compact solution to get a better audio experience from your TV setup. Sound quality is the most important factor that should help you decide which soundbar is suitable for you. Don’t worry too much about manufacturers’ power figures. The number of watts doesn’t translate to volume necessarily as other factors such as speaker sensitivity come in to play. Ultimately, use your ears to test the audio quality. A good soundbar provides a well balanced sound that is pleasing to your ears. Audio will be rich, clear and more detailed. If your favourite song or your favourite movie clip doesn’t come to life then don’t invest in that particular model, and move on.
Most soundbars have subwoofers to properly deliver bass. Whether wired or wireless, you are never going to get the same results without a subwoofer. With wireless subwoofers, these can be placed elsewhere in the room, although remember, it will need to be close to a mains socket for power.
Any subwoofer should be placed generally in the same area, or side of the room, as the soundbar to get the best audio balance.
2). CONNECTIVITY
It’s very important to consider how the soundbar will connect to your TV. The most common method is to use an optical cable. Most modern TVs support this, but be sure to check before choosing your soundbar. Many soundbars have HDMI inputs, but these can be more complex to set up when it comes to sync and compatibility. Many manufacturers increase the cost of their soundbars due to the inclusion of the HDMI port but at Orbitsound we feel they don’t present the best and simplest method of connecting sound from your TV to your soundbar.
Most soundbars also offer a 3.5mm minijack too. These allow you to play audio from just about every device, including phones and tablets. However, if you’d prefer the convenience of wirelessly playing music from a mobile device, look for built in Bluetooth or NFC.
3). EASE OF INSTALLATION
Not all soundbars offer you a complete package. Beware of soundbars that require you to buy additional cables. A well designed soundbar shouldn’t take you more than ten minutes to setup (unless wall mounting).
In addition, if you suffer from remote overload, you’ll appreciate being able to operate both the TV and the soundbar with one remote control. This is a feature that goes a long way to improving the listening/watching experience.
A good soundbar should enclose a wall mounting kit, should you want to wall mount to save space.
4). SIZE
Soundbars come in all shapes and sizes. Pick a soundbar that suits the size of your room. The bigger doesn’t always mean better. If you are looking to upgrade your TV speakers for a small bedroom but want a minimal dent in the living space then consider a soundbase. Soundbases do the same job as the soundbars but often have inbuilt subwoofers, saving you space, and offering a similar level of performance.
6). PRICE
The most expensive soundbar doesn’t necessarily mean the best. We don’t recommend splashing out on a soundbar that is beyond your needs. If HDMI is something you are hardly going to use, then choose a soundbar that provides great audio and is simple to use and set up. Above all, choose one that sounds right to you.