When setting up a home theater systemin addition to the classic stereo speakers, using an old mini system or buying a home theater kit, another option that we have available are sound bars, devices that have grown rapidly in terms of features and functionality.
They arose as a solution to the poor sound of modern televisions and thinking of situations in which we do not want or cannot opt for other options larger and more expensive, such as separate speakers with amplifiers.
Sound bars are the hot option, although they are not suitable for all use cases and are not liked by all types of users. Therefore, today we are going to review their advantages and disadvantages pointing out reasons for and against of the use of these devices as a sound system for the home.
Reasons to bet on a sound bar
- Easy to install: If there is something that we can highlight about the sound bars, it is their simplicity of installation and use. In general, it is enough to connect them to the TV by means of an optical, HDMI or RCA cable and that’s it, we have everything ready to start working without complicating our existence much. We may have to install an application on the mobile to access special functions, but normally everything will be ready in a few minutes.
- Ease of use and compatibility: Another important point if we do not want to complicate our lives is good compatibility and ease of use. You don’t have to worry about things like speaker impedances, the recommended powers of amplifiers, sound processors, etc. Even neither to install any additional sound player or that the speakers are not compatible with the amplification stages. Everything will work from the first minute.
- Ready for the theater at home: Also, if we are looking for a sound system for home theater, we are in luck, since this is its main reason for being. They come with everything you need For direct decoding of sound tracks in formats such as DTS, Dolby Digital or Dolby Atmos (depending on each model), many bars have a dedicated Center Channel, with extra speakers to recreate simulated or real surround sound spaces if they bring extra speakers to place behind the viewer, they usually have a subwoofer to improve low frequencies and take care of the LFE channel of the sound track, etc.
- Better understanding of the dialogues: Most of the bars have some specific function to improve the understanding of dialogues, one of the most frequent problems and the most common criticism of the sound of our flat-panel televisions.
- Low power consumption: Although in the specifications they usually boast hundreds of watts, the reality is that sound bars in general will offer reduced electrical consumption with enough figures less than those used by more complex sound systems based on receivers plus separate speakers, so they are ideal for frequent use on a daily basis.
- Adaptation to the installation environment: Until a few years ago this functionality was exclusive to sound receivers or processors, lately it is also reaching sound bars, although in a more modest way. However, they usually incorporate adjustments to adapt the sound response to the room where we have them installed, thus improving the final result.
- Expansion possibilities: This advantage occurs only in some models, generally high-end, allowing us to initially buy the bar and add it later. other surround speakers or an additional subwoofer to improve sound response.
Reasons not to bet on a sound bar
- Excessive dependence on the subwoofer: One of the negative points of the bars is related to their small dimensions, incapable of accommodating large drivers. With luck we will find 3-inch woofers that are not capable of going down to represent the low-mid frequencies, necessarily needing a additional subwoofer that covers these bands. This also means that we must place it very close to the bar Otherwise, the final sound obtained will not be optimal, as we have seen on previous occasions.
- Less fidelity in low-mid frequencies: Derived from the previous point, we have a lesser capacity to represent the low-mid frequencies, obtaining in many models a lack or little fidelity in said range and as a consequence a sound less realistic and convincing. There’s bass and they may have some punch, but they lack in the low-mids making effects less punchy and vocals sound more “canned” than on larger speaker systems.
- Poor stereo image for music: The limited length of the bar causes the stereo image offered by sound bars not so good like the one that provides us with a pair of speakers that we can separate more. It is true that the bars include processing to create surround sound effects and speakers that point to the ceiling and walls to simulate a larger environment, but the result, especially when listening to music, cannot compete with a good pair of stereo speakers.
- Difficulties for placement: Depending on how we have the room and the available space on the cabinet or under the TV a sound bar may not be for us as installing it can sometimes be tricky. It will also depend on how the screen pedestal is, there are cases where the TV is so close to the furniture that the bar protrudes above, cutting off a portion of the image.
- Increased planned obsolescence: Among the disadvantages we find that the sound bars are very specific use products They serve a very specific purpose. Once you take them out of there, we can give them little further use. If, for example, a new sound format comes out, a new type of connector, function, service or simply in the future we want to use them as an additional speaker for a larger multi-channel home theater system, in general we will not be able to do it except in few exceptions.
- Poor surround sound image: If what we are looking for is to recreate the surround sound effects that are in a movie theater, sound bars are not the best option. It is true that there are models compatible with multichannel audio tracks and even with Dolby Atmos sound, but the final effect achieved is far from that offered by a sound system based on loose speakers. Things get better with bars that have extra speakers for rear effects, but still play in another lower league than AV receivers plus separate speakers.
Cover image | Klipsch
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