Which is better to choose: soundbar or home theater?

High-quality and surround sound ensures complete immersion in watching: a movie, series, sports broadcast, TV show, etc. Clear sound also allows you to enjoy your music. The speakers built into modern TVs are not capable of providing the proper level of quality. Therefore, users are looking for alternative solutions: sound bars, speaker systems, recreation centers and stereo systems. Which is better to choose?

What is a soundbar

Soundbar is a budget-friendly, simple alternative to home theater. Inside the narrow soundbar are speakers and other components. Active device models are connected directly to a power source (220V), which are equipped with:

• speakers;
• switch;
• decoder;
• sound amplifier.

You can also purchase a passive soundbar. Inside there are exclusively acoustic elements. An external amplifier is connected separately. The speakers are located in accordance with the diagram. Three-piece models include: center, left and right speakers. As for multi-component models, they are additionally equipped with elements that simulate rear speakers. They also reproduce sound special effects.

The Soundbar can be placed on the wall under the TV. An alternative method is installation on a special rack. The headset may also have shelves necessary for installing a subwoofer and amplifier. The soundbar is not suitable for reproducing low frequencies, however, this problem is easily solved by connecting a subwoofer. This will significantly improve the sound quality.

Some soundbar models are sold with a subwoofer, which is included in the basic package of the device. Today you can get a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. Wireless synchronization of equipment is an extremely practical and convenient solution. All elements of the acoustic system can be located in different places.

Soundbar is the best purchase for installation in a small room. The equipment takes up a minimum of free space and also costs much less than a recreation center.

It should be noted that a sound bar is an additional device necessary to improve sound quality. Quite often, sound panels are installed in the kitchen or bedroom. Some users even prefer to connect the soundbar to the computer instead of regular speakers.

Which is better: home theater or soundbar? For an objective assessment, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study of the strengths and weaknesses of this technique.

Soundbar is good, but speakers are better!

Using a soundbar is the easiest way to improve the sound quality of any modern TV. We already know a lot about the advantages of soundbars, it’s time to look at their disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at this device and see what features it has, as well as what alternatives there may be to sound bars for sound reproduction.

So, in the simplest case, the soundbar has a two-channel configuration. This means that in one housing of this speaker there are two sets of speakers (or simply two emitters), which work separately on the left and right stereo channels. In addition to the speakers, the soundbar body also contains an amplifier – also two-channel. Modern soundbars are often equipped with an additional woofer for bass reproduction - it can be either built into the body or located in a separate device - a subwoofer. This soundbar has a 2.1 configuration, where the one after the dot means a separate channel for bass reproduction.

\ Installing a soundbar in your room is as easy as shelling pears!

Of course, there are also more complex soundbars, three or even multi-channel, in which separate speakers (or groups of speakers) for several channels of a surround sound system can be assembled in one housing. However, for now we will consider two-channel soundbars that actually work as stereo speakers.

So, two speakers (or two groups of speakers) in a soundbar should form a stereo image that fills the space in front of the audience as evenly as possible. From stereo theory, we know that the quality and extent of such a sound picture will depend on the distance at which the speakers are located from the viewer/listener and from each other. According to it, the distance between the speakers of the channels should be approximately equal to the distance from the center point of the line connecting them to the listener. That is, with an average viewer distance from the TV of about two meters, the speakers of stereo channels should be located at approximately the same (and even slightly greater) distance from each other. However, two-meter soundbars are not found in nature very often, if at all.

In real life, bringing the speakers of a soundbar's channels closer to a distance of about a meter (the most common value) leads to a narrowing of the stereo image. This will not be a problem for viewers sitting directly in front of the screen, but for those who find themselves away from its center, the sound picture will be significantly distorted. The situation will be approximately the same (that is, not very good) with music playback.

Of course, soundbar manufacturers are well aware of this problem. To solve this, for example, they try to install the tweeters of each channel in soundbars at the edges of the front panel, thereby maximizing the distance between them. It is the high frequencies that are most important for the formation of the correct stereo image, and this solution allows you to make it as wide as the size of the soundbar itself allows. Of course, to maximize the stereo image, two-channel soundbars also use digital sound processing. All these solutions are used, for example, in the Klipsch BAR40 soundbar, which is one of the best in its class.

The horn tweeters in the Klipsch Bar 40 soundbar are spaced as far apart as possible

Also, to solve this problem, tweeters are sometimes turned away from the listeners, but then the focus of the images will suffer - for cinema this may not be too critical, which cannot be said about the quality of music playback.

However, the Hi-Fi industry has long offered the best solution for proper stereo sound reproduction. This is a pair of speakers that can be installed at the optimal distance from each other. By experimenting a little with their placement, you can get an excellent stereo image with an accurate placement of images, and also perceived over a wide area.

A pair of Klipsch The Sixes active speakers are an excellent choice for both movie lovers and music lovers

What are the disadvantages of a pair of speakers compared to sound bars? From the user's point of view, the soundbar is much more convenient to place. There is only one wire to connect to the TV, and the external subwoofer, if there is one, in modern sound bars is usually wireless and does not require a cable to supply a signal. In the minds of many users, speakers require not only cables for connection, but also an external amplifier. But in reality, everything is not so scary.

There are quite a few so-called active speakers that already have everything necessary to reproduce sound. They are made in the form of pairs, in which one speaker contains all the electronics, while the other is passive and is connected to the main one with a cable. In fact, such acoustics are the same soundbar, only divided into two speakers, between which there is only one wire. The Klipsch R-41PM and R-51PM active speakers, as well as the Heritage Wireless model The Sixes, are made using this principle. And at the same time, active speakers have many advantages over sound bars, both in terms of the breadth of the generated stereo image and the richness of the sound.

A pair of Klipsch R-41PM speakers look great and sound great

Larger woofers provide powerful low frequencies, and often active speakers can do without a subwoofer - although the possibility of connecting one is also usually provided.

When installing active speakers to the left and right of the TV, the sound of films or programs will be precisely tied to what is happening on the screen - such is the nature of stereo. Moreover, this connection may be even better than in the case of sound bars, if the speakers are located approximately at the same level as the TV. And at the same time, active acoustics do an excellent job of playing music - after all, this is a pair of Hi-Fi speakers, an excellent basis for a real stereo system.

If you are very limited in free space, then a compact sound bar is the only way to significantly improve the sound quality of your TV. However, if a pair of speakers on both sides of the TV screen can organically fit into your interior, be sure to think about this option.

Home theater characteristics

The difference between a home theater and a soundbar is that it is a full-fledged system consisting of several speakers that can provide surround multi-channel sound. All speakers are placed around the perimeter of the room. A properly assembled home theater will provide truly high-quality sound.

DC is a universal complex that can be upgraded by connecting additional components. The arrangement of the speakers is carried out in accordance with a special scheme. The viewing point should be in the center of the room. The user will be able to experience basic and peripheral sounds. The distance between the columns can be changed.

A home theater consists of the following elements:

• media player that provides image transmission;
• speakers – their number varies from 5 to 7 depending on the model;
• subwoofer.

A home theater should be purchased in cases where the square footage of the room allows it. The living room should be very spacious. A small room will cause a lack of surround sound.

Arguments in favor of purchasing:

• superior quality surround sound;
• setting and changing the arrangement of elements depending on the room;
• remote control of sound quality.

Arguments against buying:

• high price;
• not the easiest setup and connection process;
• suitable for owners of spacious rooms.

So after all... Home theater or soundbar?

Finally, we come to the most controversial issue - what is worth buying? What is worth investing in – a full-fledged home theater or a soundbar for your TV?

We hope that the information provided has already managed to give you some idea of ​​what kind of beast a soundbar is. And it’s likely that by the end of reading you will already have decided exactly what you need.

If you need great sound to watch your favorite movies, buy a soundbar.

If the issue of space in your home is quite acute, buy a soundbar.

If you want to protect your expensive equipment from pets and overly active household members, buy a soundbar.

But if you are already a seasoned sparrow and react sharply to the subtleties of the sound of acoustic equipment, purchase a multi-link acoustic system. Although, perhaps, a modest, neat and melodic soundbar will still be able to win your heart?

Music Center

The name of this device speaks for itself. A music center is an acoustic system capable of playing and recording audio content. Functionality directly depends on the technical characteristics of a particular model. Manufacturers of stereo systems make every effort to ensure that their products are compatible with popular digital formats.

Music centers are divided into subgroups depending on size and design:

• microsystem – compact monoblock;
• minisystem - a medium-sized block;
• media system – installed in nightclubs.

Having finally become convinced of the need to purchase a music center, the user needs to remember the real inconveniences of its use, which will manifest themselves during operation:

• a multifunctional system is very expensive;
• impressive dimensions of the music center, subwoofer and amplifier;
• not the easiest process to connect to a TV.

Of course, there are also advantages, namely:

• reproducing content from outdated media;
• several channels of audio stream playback;
• wide range of different models;
• high quality sound.

Acustic systems

Speaker systems can be independent or serve as speakers in a home theater system. Speakers mainly consist of powerful speakers and a subwoofer. Therefore, high-quality reproduction of low frequencies is guaranteed. According to the installation method, they are classified into the following types:

• floor;
• built-in;
• satellite;
• shelf;
• wall-mounted

Based on functionality, they are classified into the following groups:

• central channel;
• operating in different weather conditions;
• landscape;
• rear

Initially, it may seem that acoustic systems are too primitive a type of technology, but this is a big misconception. Using speakers to play media content has a wide range of advantages:

• long service life;
• amplifier power is automatically adjusted in accordance with the parameters of the speakers;
• clear sound.

Owners of acoustic systems note that during operation of the equipment certain shortcomings will be noticeable:

• if the amplifier breaks down, this component will be extremely difficult to replace;
• problems with frequency calibration;
• limited functionality.

Conclusions – which is better to choose?

Which is better: soundbar or home theater? Perhaps you should give preference to a music center or speaker system? Each type of technology has its own strengths and weaknesses that must be taken into account. If we talk specifically about sound quality, the undisputed leader is the home theater, which is noticeably different from a soundbar, speakers and music center:

1. Users will be able to arrange all elements of the home theater system in accordance with their needs and taking into account the characteristics of the room. A fine control system will allow you to achieve the highest quality sound.
2. The functional components of DCs significantly exceed sound bars in terms of technical characteristics, which ensures a surround sound effect and full immersion in viewing.
3. Home theaters support absolutely all modern audio and video formats, which cannot be said, for example, about music centers. They are mostly used for playing music.
4. Repairing a home theater system is much easier than repairing speaker systems. Therefore, the service life will be long, and the cost of maintenance will be as favorable as possible.
5. Home theater owners will be able to customize the sound and image to suit their needs.

Now you know what to choose in Moscow: soundbar, home theater, speaker system, music center. If you plan to install the equipment in a small room, then it makes more sense to purchase a soundbar. This solution also allows you to save a lot of money.

Description of systems

To figure out which music system to choose, you need to consider the main features of each option. This section describes the main features of the three types of audio devices:

1. soundbar;
2. music center;
3. acoustic system.

Soundbar

This device is an acoustic panel for enhancing volume and improving sound quality, which is designed as a compact alternative to a classic home theater.

Thanks to the soundbar, the user receives spacious, loud and much higher quality sound compared to that provided by speakers integrated into the TV. A soundbar is an excellent option for small rooms, which allows you to save space and still get decent sound.

Interesting: there are models with 3D sound. Externally, these are separate columns that are placed exclusively in one row.

In addition to its compact size, the advantages of the audio panel include:

1. Supports most modern audio and video formats.
2. Ease of use.
3. Integrated media players.
4. Possibility of connecting external drives.

You should know: when choosing a soundbar, it is important to consider the diagonal of the TV. It is necessary that the length of the acoustic panel coincide with it: this way the sound will be perceived as expected from any corner of the room. If this is not a panel, but a sound bar made up of several speakers, then you need to take into account both the distance between them and the angle of location, because these nuances affect the sound quality.

The soundbar also has disadvantages:

• The need to select the size of the system to match the diagonal of the video signal source.
• The sound quality is inferior to home theaters: for particularly demanding music lovers, such a device is not suitable as the main sound source.