The sound bar ratings are an important part of any home theater or music lover's buying process. They can help you decide the best soundbar to suit your needs, no matter if you're looking for a simple surround-sound solution with high quality audio or an advanced home theater system with Dolby Atmos and voice control.
How to pick the best soundbar for you
There are several things you should consider when shopping for a sound bar, including audio quality, power output and connectivity options. You will also need space to install the sound bar in your room.
Stereo sound bars are stereo designs that reproduce the same left- and right-channel audio information as your TV. They can be used to watch movies and TV shows, and are often powered with larger speakers or amplifiers.
A larger front soundstage can help improve the clarity of dialogue in movies and TV shows. Those that support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X 3D audio may have upward-firing drivers that reflect sound off the ceiling to create a three-dimensional surround effect.
External subwoofers can be used to enhance the bass of some sound bars, but it is not always necessary. Some soundbars are integrated into larger systems, giving you more options for placement. While others are completely stand-alone with no speakers or subwoofers, some sound bars are fully standalone.
How to choose the right audio features
Some of these models use technologies that presume your room is a standard shape and size, which can lead to dead zones in your surround sound. You can adjust the EQ and calibration settings according to the dimensions of your room. This will help to avoid dead zones and provide superior audio.
Some sound bars can be used with 4K Ultra HD TVs. These sound bars are usually less prominent than other models, and can be placed on stands or directly above your TV to enhance the audio performance.
How to Choose The Right Bluetooth(r), Bluetooth Audiostreaming Technology
Many of these sound bars offer wireless streaming of audio from your favorite music services, so you can listen to your favorite songs without having to connect a separate audio device to your TV. This can be a great benefit for those with smaller homes or who are looking to save on wireless speakers.
How to choose the best multi-room A/V systems
You can pair some soundbars with multiple A/V devices to create a central hub for all your audio and visual sources. This is a great option for a single-room setup. However, some models can be used as the center of multi-room audio systems that can be used in all rooms.