Action movies are made to be watched ona big screen. The car chases and the loud crashes dazzle anyone who views them as the director intended. There is a definite problem when it comes to the idea of watching every action movie in theaters: it’s impossible to do so. Nobody goesto the moviesevery single time they want to catch a flick – there are just too many good ones and not enough time to get in your car and make your way over to the local cineplex.
You are inevitably going to watch an action movie or another type of show or film from the comfort of your home. If you’re trying to recreate the experience of sitting in a movie theater for these kinds of viewing occasions, you might get a bigger TV. But, you don’t have toget a big TVto achieve that same immersive viewing experience. Enhancing your sound with a soundbar can give you that same feeling, making you feel like you’re riding shotgun in a racing movie or underwater with divers.
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Not all soundbars are created equally, and it’s important to understand what your viewing situation is like when you want to buy one. There are some must-have features for anybody, and others that will only apply in certain circumstances. Let’s look at these features and which ones you should avoid.
Sony HT-G700 Soundbar
1Pay attention to the numbers
You don’t want one with two channels anymore
You may be looking at listings for soundbars and trying to figure out what some of the descriptions mean. The numbers 2.1, 3.1, 5.1 and 7.1 are frequently mentioned in product descriptions for soundbars. These refer to the channels of the soundbar, but they are actually talking about how many speakers are inside the soundbar. The first number refers to how many speakers there are – any that lead with a 2 have two speakers: one on the right side and one on the left.
As you can imagine, the more speakers a soundbar has and any that have specialized audio with three numbers are more expensive. You can still find reasonably priced 3.1 soundbar systems.
Quite frankly, this isn’t much better than what your TV is producing. If you have a smaller space, this could work fine, but if your space is larger, chances are you need more to give your viewing experience that punch. 3.1, 5.1, and 7.1 increase the number of speakers contained in the soundbar.
The second number in these listings refers to the number of subwoofers, which provide a deeper sound. Some speakers have a third number which highlights the height channels. A 5.1.2 soundbar has five speakers, one subwoofer, and two speakers that face either up or sideways, so the sound can bounce off walls and create a fuller and more immersive experience.
These soundbars usually include standards like Dolby Atmos.
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2Active and passive don’t just describe lifestyles
Think of the sound as moving around
There are two different kinds of soundbars in terms of their power connections. Active soundbars have built-in power amplifiers, so you don’t have to plug them into anything. They also include processors that will separate the channels and allow each one to work separately without relying on a receiver. Active soundbars also won’t have as many additional wires, meaning you’re able to place them more easily around a room and not have them be as obvious.
Passive soundbars don’t have amplifiers or receivers, so you need to either install or purchase separate ones tohave them power up and connect with a TVor other entertainment device. While it requires more components for your sound system, the trade-off is that the speakers are generally better in passive soundbars, meaning that your sound is boosted. When people have customized sound systems installed in their homes, chances are they have a passive soundbar, which is more expensive and requires more speakers or subwoofers.
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3HDMI ARC is a simpler way to go
You’re relying on your ISP otherwise
There are a few ways to connect a soundbar to your devices, and some are more versatile than others. A lot of modern soundbars come with Bluetooth, so you’re able to use them like a regular Bluetooth speaker – just connect your phone or laptop and start playing music. Some also support Wi-Fi, which lets you stream audio wirelessly as long as your internet connection holds up.
But, if you want your soundbar to be pair with your TV more easily, get one that connects with HDMI ARC. An HDMI cable plugged into your soundbar will plug into the audio return channel (ARC) of your TV and let the sound from one go to the other. Newer TVs and soundbars offer enhanced ARC (eARC) which delivers more uncompressed sound with higher quality. You’ll be able to choose the source of the audio by going through your TV’s settings and either opting for the built-in speakers or the soundbar.
For those TVs that don’t have an HDMI ARC port, an optical cable will work through the optical port. But those don’t support higher-end audio like Dolby Atmos.
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4Mounting it doesn’t always optimize the sound
There’s one place to avoid if you can
Before you buy a soundbar, figure out where it’s actually going to go. Not everyone has a console or shelf under their TV, so sometimes the easiest move is to mount it. Just make sure you’re actually buying a soundbar and not a sound base – those are heavier, meant to sit flat, and usually can’t be mounted. Brands like Sonos and Bose make them, but they’re becoming less common.
If you are mounting your soundbar, aim to place it below the TV. That helps the sound travel better through the room – outward and upward. Mounting it above the TV is doable if needed, but it won’t sound quite as good. Still, it’ll be miles better than relying on your TV’s built-in speakers.
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5Cinema Sound makes a difference
Give it a shot when you’re watching that action movie
A lot of soundbars come with a setting called Cinema Sound, which is meant to mimic that in-theater-feel. It adds a slight delay or echo to make everything feel more powerful – so it’s great for movies, especially in smaller rooms.
But heads up: you don’t want this on all the time. That reverb can make the news or your music sound a little weird and echoey.
