If you are looking to decide between getting a soundbar or a speaker system to upgrade your TV sound, I will help you choose the one that will work better for your room as well as your budget.
Soundbars are all the rage today because of their easy installation, sleek design, wireless connectivity feature, and their ability to provide a surround sound-like experience. This does not mean that they have replaced speakers systems that can provide us with a full-blown home theater experience.
A Soundbar alone cannot provide the same experience that a speaker can provide, but if you just want an upgrade from your lousy TV speakers, then soundbars are a good option too.
Now, before deciding anything, let’s break down the pros and cons of both the soundbar and the speaker, so that we can decide which one will be better for you;
Soundbar:
Soundbars are very lightweight and compact as well as very easy to install. Its simple design and easy-to-use software make it very easy to get it connected with other devices. Moreover, its small size makes it ideal for small or medium living spaces.
A soundbar can essentially be put anywhere, you can attach it to the wall next to your TV or anywhere on the floor or a table as long as it is within range. Moreover, its modern and sleek design combined with its minimal wires allows it to blend in with the rest of your home décor.
Lastly, a quality soundbar will give you excellent virtual audio that will simulate the experience of surround sound.
The downside with having a soundbar is that you might have to buy yourself a separate subwoofer, although many do come with in-built subwoofers. Moreover, you will have to look for “sweet spots” in your room to get the best audio quality and if you have a large room, you might not get the surround sound experience.
Speaker:
A speaker is ideal for audiophiles. A single speaker is capable of converting your simple TV setup into a full-on home theatre. It can give you a full range surround sound experience with maximum bass.
A single speaker is more than capable of getting your job done, but if you can get more speakers, you can place them in multiple stations for optimal acoustics.
The downside with using speakers is that they require cable connection with each speaker that if not managed properly, can look like a lot of mess. They take up more space as compared to a soundbar, are more expensive, and have a more complicated setup process.
FAQS:
Q: Does bigger mean better?
No, looks can be deceiving. Bigger systems might look like that they pack quite a punch, but often they don’t deliver. While it is true that bigger speakers can produce eardrum tearing sound levels, soundbars, as well as smaller speakers, can be just as good in terms of sound quality.
Q: How do I know which one is better in terms of sound quality?
You cannot determine the audio quality of a speaker just by looking at them, you will have to compare a few features to know which one is better, a speaker or a soundbar. You need to compare their sensitivity, their frequency responses, their power handling, and their impedance.
Q: Can I connect wirelessly with a speaker and a soundbar?
Today, almost all soundbars and speaker systems come with a dual connectivity option. You can connect with them while using Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth. Furthermore, some manufacturers go a step further and allow you to connect via radio waves.
Conclusion:
Now that you know the difference between soundbar vs speaker, you will be better able to decide which one will be better for you while keeping in mind your budget and the space in your room.
In my opinion, if you have the budget and a bigger room, you should go for the speaker set up because it will get you the best possible audio experience. But, if you are on a tight budget and are tired of you or low-quality TV speakers, then a soundbar can do just fine too.