Best Soundbar Buying Tips: You all are aware of what a soundbar is for, but do you know what it brings to the table? I think not! It is more than a mere channel for listening to music. Sure, you would think that a TV provides an audio channel for all your listening content. But is it true? No, it’s not. A TV can sure provide sound, but you can never get a real sonic experience out of it like a soundbar.
With the RIGHT soundbar, everything is worth listening to, whether it’s your most played melodies or a cinematic sound of your favourite movies. The perfect soundbar does it all. So, are you in for a ride through the best soundbar buying guide of 2024? With our best soundbar buying tips, you can get a profound understanding of “what the features of a good soundbar are” and “how to choose the best soundbar in India” for all your entertainment needs.
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Types of Soundbars: Best Soundbar Buying Tips
People just go up and buy a soundbar, not knowing about their types. Yes, the soundbars are divided into two kinds: one is active, and the other is passive. In our best soundbar buying tips guide, we will explain the differences between the two.
Active Soundbar
An active soundbar can be immediately linked to your TV or other audio devices and comes with built-in amplifiers. The active soundbar’s integrated amplifiers produce a crisp, strong sound that enhances every conversation, explosion, and musical piece. The active soundbar will take your entertainment to a whole new level, whether you’re playing intensive video games or viewing your favourite movies.
Passive Soundbar
A passive soundbar allows for the option of upgrading or replacing the amplifier or receiver separately, providing more versatility in the long run. This type of soundbar is ideal for those who prefer to have more control over their audio setup and are willing to invest in separate components for a tailored audio experience.
Let’s Explore the Significance of the Soundbar: Best Budget Soundbar
A soundbar performs extraordinarily well when set up in your living space. With the wonder of providing an ambience of music, a soundbar offers many significances to your home space that are listed below in this best soundbar buying guide of 2024.
What are the Features of a Good Soundbar?
Your TV or other audiophile-grade electronics will sound better with the help of the best soundbar in India. Some of the features in our best soundbar buying guide that you may want to look for when buying a soundbar are mentioned below:
Number of channels
This refers to how many speakers or audio signals the soundbar can produce. For example, a 2.1-channel soundbar has two speakers and a subwoofer, while a 5.1-channel soundbar has five speakers and a subwoofer.
Supported formats
This refers to the types of audio and video formats that the soundbar can decode and play. Some of the most common formats are Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 4K passthrough, and PCM.
Connectivity
This refers to the methods by which you can link your soundbar to your television or other electronics. The most popular connectivity choices are AUX, HDMI, Bluetooth, and optical. The best option is HDMI since it supports high-quality video and audio formats, providing a seamless and immersive audiovisual experience.
Night and Voice Modes
When in night mode, the dynamic range of the sound is compressed, making loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder so you can enjoy the sound without disturbing others. On the other hand, voice mode enhances the clarity and volume of dialogue, making it easier to hear what the characters are saying.
Remote Control and Voice Assistant
A remote control allows you to change the sound level, switch inputs, and change settings from a distance. A voice assistant lets you use voice commands to control your soundbar and other smart devices, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
Above are some of the main features in our “best soundbar buying tips guide” that you should consider when shopping for a soundbar. Of course, by carefully evaluating these aspects, you can find the perfect soundbar that improves the quality of your sound and matches your home entertainment system.
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Factors to Consider Before Buying a Soundbar: How to Buy Soundbar in 2024
You can choose the RIGHT soundbar based on the factors listed below by following our best soundbar buying tips for how to buy soundbar in 2024.
Audio Signature
When purchasing the best soundbar in India, look for its unique sound signature rather than focusing only on its Max output or affordable price. An inexpensive soundbar will do the trick if you need to improve the TV’s audio quality. If the only requirement is Bass from the Soundbar, then one should look at a Budget Soundbar of less than 10000. However, if you are an audiophile and value high-quality sound reproduction, it is worth investing in a soundbar with a more balanced audio signature.
How Much You Should Spend?
When considering how much to spend to buy the best soundbar in India, you must think about your budget and the level of audio quality you desire.
You spend more for clarity if you want to hear every detail in the audio and comprehend how each beat was created. The bass will have more depth and detail, which is more critical than an amplified bass in the soundbars, which are more expensive than 20k.
Always remember that you can buy the best soundbar under 10000. However, more expensive soundbars typically come with better sound quality and more elaborate features.
More output or peak range
Every soundbar has a peak range between 80 and 90 volume, where all frequencies receive their maximum power, and the soundbar sounds its best. You won’t be satisfied with the audio quality of a higher-output soundbar if you purchase one just because it has a great output. The effectiveness of a driver is significant. In comparison to a low-efficiency driver in a high-production soundbar, a high-efficiency driver in a low-output soundbar will yield superior output and clarity.
Channel Vs 5.1 Channel
One vital factor to consider before buying a soundbar is the number of channels it offers. A 2.1-channel soundbar consists of two speakers and a subwoofer, providing a good audio experience for smaller spaces or for rooms up to 300 sq. ft.. On the other hand, a 5.1-channel soundbar includes additional surround speakers, creating a more immersive surround sound experience suitable for larger spaces or with a room size of more than 300 sq. ft. So, a comparison between a 2.1 soundbar and a 5.1 soundbar is incorrect as they cater to different room sizes and audio preferences.
Portability and Placement
Consider where you plan to place the soundbar and whether you need it to be easily movable. Consider the size and weight of the soundbar, as well as any mounting options available. Additionally, think about the layout of your room and how the soundbar will fit in with your existing furniture and decor.
As you sit, position the surround channels with their faces towards your ears and the subwoofer on the corner of the room’s ground level. The soundbar should be placed beneath the TV. The length of the surround channel wire can’t be increased, so make sure to position the surround channels within a reasonable distance from your seating area.
3S
According to the best soundbar buying guide, when purchasing a soundbar, one should take three factors into account: soundstage, separation, and surround sound. A good 5.1 soundbar should be able to achieve all three, but a 5.1 system should only be purchased if the area is more than 250 square feet and at least 15 feet wide. It is important to consider the size and layout of the room before buying a soundbar. A smaller room may not require a 5.1 system, and a compact soundbar may be sufficient for achieving good sound quality.
Dolby or DTS
Contrary to the general opinion, Dolby or DTS decoding does not necessarily result in increased clarity. The audio and channel separation of various frequencies is facilitated by Dolby or DTS. A soundbar without Dolby or DTS will play all the frequencies from all the drivers; to provide more clarity, a soundbar with Dolby or DTS will distribute the frequencies to particular drivers.
On the flip side, audio for several channels is uncompressed using DTS Virtual X or Dolby Atmos. The soundbar can obtain clear, uncompressed audio channel separation.
The above are some of the crucial factors in our “best sound bar tips” guide to buying a soundbar in 2024. But it’s also necessary to consider your budgetary constraints, your room’s dimensions and architectural design, and the connectivity choices to choose the best soundbar in India. Finding the best budget soundbar for your requirements can also be aided by reading reviews and contrasting various models.
End Note: Best Soundbar Buying Tips
Best Budget Soundbar: We’ve wrapped up the best soundbar buying tips guide with everything you need to know before making your purchase. From understanding the different types of soundbars to comparing their features and performance, we’ve tried to cover everything in this best soundbar buying guide of 2024. Now, armed with this knowledge of the best soundbar in India, you can confidently choose and see the ideal soundbar that will improve your audio quality and make your entertainment more engaging.
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FAQs
Choosing a soundbar requires considering size, design, compatibility with your audio setup, and connectivity options like Bluetooth or HDMI.
The main difference between a 3.1 and 5.1 soundbar is the number of channels and speakers they have. A 3.1 soundbar typically has three front channels (left, center, right) and one subwoofer, while a 5.1 soundbar adds two rear speakers for a more immersive surround sound experience.
When looking to pair a soundbar with a subwoofer, it is crucial to consider compatibility and audio quality.
When looking for a good soundbar for home use, it is essential to assess factors such as audio quality, connectivity options, and design.
Hi Vineet,
First of all thankyou for sharing valuable reviews with so much details and explanation. It really helps 🙂
I wanted to have your guidance on choosing a soundbar. I have a room size of just about 220 Sq feet. As advised by you that 5.1 system is not recommended for such small room sizes, i want to get the best Sound experience with Dolby Atmos effect under this space. I have a budget of upto 1 Lakh. I had shortlisted bose 600 + bose base module Or LG SC9S. Please recommend me the best option out of the two. Alternatively if you have any other recommendation please let me know.
Regards
Komalpreet