Latest Soundbar Technology

The market for audio and visual equipment for the home has become a hotly contested arena.

13:42 06 June 2020

Many household names are mixing it with specialist companies providing quality, top-level equipment.

There are even exhibits like the Bristol HiFi Show where these hi-fi and audio systems are showcased.

For home theatre and hi-fi buffs this is great news, and let’s not forget that digital technology has changed the way we listen to music as well as giving us clearer, more watchable TV and screens. In terms of sound, there are many different devices you can buy that will enhance the audio of a television.

We’re here to talk about the soundbar. It’s perhaps fair to say that soundbars, while popular, have not quite made the impact that they were expected to make. Partly it is because many consumers are unsure if the soundbar is worth buying when the latest television sets promise excellent audio along with superb HD visuals. 

 

Developments in sound technology in very recent years, however, have made the latest in soundbar technology remarkably interesting indeed, and now may be the time to buy. So, let’s have a look in more detail at what a soundbar is, and why you might want to buy one.

 

Do I Need a Soundbar?

 

Let’s consider the television as it is. These days, it will be a thin device, usually with a flat-screen but sometimes a more sophisticated curved version, and it will have either stereo or mono sound in small speakers under or on the sides of the body.

 

This is where the problem lies with TV sound: the speakers are always going to be small, and that limits the overall quality of the audio. Even if you buy the latest HD TV you are going to get great visual, but the audio will be good at best, and often lacking. 

 

That’s why soundbars have a place in your home, especially now they have reached a level of technology that is impressive and effective. What is a soundbar? You’ll probably have seen them and, if you’ve recently bought a TV, may have been offered one. 

 

They take the form of a long, thin bar that sits beneath or in front of your TV set and connects either by cable or - in some cases - by Bluetooth. What a soundbar does is enhance the audio from your television, by way of better speakers than can fit into the frame or chassis of your TV set.

 

If you consider your hi-fi system; you may have bought separate items such as an amplifier, turntable, CD player, and speakers, with a lot of thought going into the latter. A TV soundbar is s similar consideration and if you want the best sound from your TV set, it’s what you need. Which one to choose?

 

Choosing a Soundbar

 

Some of the top manufacturers in hi-fi and audio systems have joined the trend and now offer soundbars. As a result, the market place is getting crowded and many options are on offer now. 

 

Prior to making your purchase decision, make sure you have read buying guides and considered online reviews of the top 10 soundbars of the year as well as customer feedback on the big brand sites such as Amazon and Best Buys.

 

You need to consider carefully what you want a soundbar for - is it for enhanced sound when watching movies or for music, or just for general TV viewing, and the overall compatibility of the device with your TV.

 

It is perhaps best to look at soundbars from your TV manufacturer, as these will be designed with it in mind, but we recommend you check reviews and ask around for advice, as there is plenty to choose from. You will find that a soundbar makes a difference, so check them out now for the best sound from your TV.