You can find a lot of Smart TV options these days with various useful features like smart operating systems like Android. While the TV panels offer technologies like HDR, 10-bit color, QLED, and much more, the same cannot be said about the speakers.
Almost all TVs have very basic speakers in terms of sound quality. And this where soundbars can be quite useful as they are quite easy to install in comparison to multiple speaker systems. But there are some factors that you should consider before buying one for your Smart TV:
- Power Output: The power output tells you the maximum loudness a soundbar offers. And if you are using your soundbar in a large room, it is recommended to get a soundbar setup with high power output.
- Connectivity: Just like any other speaker system, a soundbar also needs to be connected to your TV to work properly. As a result, having multiple connectivity options like USB, Bluetooth, AUX, and others make a soundbar quite versatile.
- Woofer: The internal woofer port of a soundbar is usually much better than the speaker of your TV. But if you want a fuller sound output, you should consider an option that comes with an external woofer for extra bass.
And today, we are here with some of the best soundbars in India available on websites like Amazon. You can also find their features and differences along with a detailed Buying Guide and FAQ section. All of these things can be quite useful if you are looking for a soundbar to improve the audio of your TV setup.
Best Soundbars in India 2020
| Soundbars | Output | External Woofer | Connectivity Options | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F& Sound Bar Speakers | 5 watts | No | Bluetooth, aux, USB, RCA | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| 2. JBL Bar 2.0 Soundbar | 30 watts | No | Bluetooth, aux, USB, HDMI, optical | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Portronics Soundbar | 10 watts | No | Bluetooth, aux, USB | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Instaplay Soundbar | 10 watts | No | Bluetooth, aux, USB, RCA | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Bose Solo Soundbar Speakers | 30 watts | No | Bluetooth, aux, USB | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Sony Soundbar | 60 watts | Yes | Bluetooth, aux, USB, NFC, optical, HDMI | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| JBL Bar 2.1 Soundbar | 300 watts | Yes | Bluetooth, aux, USB, HDMI | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Yamaha YAS-109 Soundbar | 120 watts | Yes | Bluetooth, aux, USB, HDMI | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Blaupunkt Soundbar | 120 watts | Yes | Bluetooth, aux, USB | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| boAt Aavante Soundbar | 80 watts | Yes | Bluetooth, aux, USB, remote control | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Best Soundbars For Smart Tvs in India: Reviews
1. F&D E200 Plus Sound Bar Speakers
F&D is one of the most popular and oldest speaker brands out there and offers various options. And today, we are here with one of the cheapest soundbar options offered by F&D on websites like Amazon.
The F&D E200 is in the 1st position in this article if you are on a budget. Even though this is one of the cheapest soundbar options available out there, you get pretty decent sound quality. As a result, you have an immersive experience while watching movies and TV shows. You also get multiple connectivity options in this soundbar to connect it with all of your devices easily.
You can find things like Bluetooth, USB, and aux ports in this soundbar. As a result, you can connect this soundbar with your TV, play songs via a USB flash drive, or connect your smartphone and play music wirelessly over Bluetooth.
Power Output: You get a total power output of 5 watts from this F&D soundbar.
Connectivity Options: This soundbar offers multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB, and an aux port.
Best Features:
- Inbuilt 2600 mAh Battery
You get an inbuilt battery of 2600 mAh capacity in this soundbar, which can be quite handy. This battery can be easily charged using the micro USB port present on the back. And this battery allows you to use the soundbar without any external power for portable usage if needed. - Small and Compact
A great thing about this soundbar is that it is quite small and compact. And you can mount it under your TV or put it on a TV table without any issues. The smaller size also makes it useful for portable usage due to the internal battery. - Controls on the Side
If you are using this soundbar with your smartphone over Bluetooth or using a USB flash drive, then the music can be controlled directly from the soundbar. It offers easy to use controls right on the side of this soundbar.
Warranty and Customer Support:
As F&D is quite reputable, it offers a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty to the user. You can avail this warranty quite easily using the following link:
Pros
- Various connectivity options
- Control buttons on the side
- Compact and small design
- Inbuilt 2600 mAh battery
- Offers Bluetooth connectivity
- Decent audio quality
Cons
- Power output is low
- Bass response is poor.
Verdict:
The F&D E200 can be a great pick if you are on a budget. While it is not the loudest soundbar option out there, it certainly offers decent audio quality. And its various connectivity options and controls on the side make the soundbar quite easy to use.
2. JBL Bar 2.0 Wireless Soundbar
JBL is mainly known for its bass-heavy headphones, which sound pretty good. And that is also the case with this soundbar from JBL, which offers excellent low-end response without using an external woofer.
The JBL Bar 2.0 wireless soundbar is in the 2nd position in this article as if you are looking for a single unit soundbar; then, it is one of the best options out there. This soundbar comes with dual bass ports, which results in excellent bass even though there is no external woofer. And since this is a JBL soundbar, you can also expect great audio quality from it.
It also comes with a remote control, which allows you to control the soundbar from far away. This can be useful if you are playing music via Bluetooth or a USB flash drive. You can also find other connectivity options like an aux port, optical, and HDMI on the back.
Power Output: It offers a power output of 30 watts in total.
Connectivity Options: You get Bluetooth, USB, optical, HDMI, and aux connectivity in this soundbar.
Best Features:
- Works with your TV remote
While this soundbar comes with a remote controller for easily controlling it, you do not need it. A great thing about this soundbar is that it can be controlled directly from the TV remote that you already have. And thus, you do not have to keep two remotes on you at once. - Excellent Audio
This soundbar comes with dual bass ports for excellent low-end frequency response. And the tweeters of this soundbar are also equally good. This results in a great overall excellent audio experience while watching movies and TV shows via this soundbar. - Easy to Set Up
As there is no external woofer in this soundbar, you do not have to manage with extra cables. You can simply connect it to a power source and connect it to your TV via an aux or HDMI cable. And it will start working right away.
Warranty and Customer Support:
JBL offers a 1-year warranty on its various products, including this soundbar. You can contact JBL in case of any issues using the following link:
Pros
- Excellent audio
- Great bass without an external woofer
- Easy to set up
- Works with your TV remote as well
- Multiple connectivity options
- Decent surround sound
Cons
- A bit large
Verdict:
If you are looking for a soundbar without an external woofer unit and still want a great audio experience, the JBL Bar 2.0 can be a great option. Apart from offering great audio, you also get multiple connectivity options. And installing and using this soundbar is quite easy as you can control it using your TV remote.
3. Portronics POR-891_Pure Soundbar
Portronics is quite a popular brand that is known to make a lot of mobile accessories. And it also makes soundbars out of which we have mentioned a highly popular option in this article.
Portronics’ POR-891 is in the 3rd position in this article as it offers a great value for money. Even though it is one of the cheapest options out there, it offers 10 watts of total audio output. And you even get an FM Tuner option in this soundbar, which allows you to listen to FM radio without using any external device with this soundbar.
Another great thing about this soundbar is that it comes with an internal battery. And the 2500 mAh battery allows you to use this soundbar without any external power. This can be useful if you wish to use this soundbar wirelessly with your smartphone over Bluetooth.
Power Output: This soundbar offers a total of 10 watts of audio output via its twin speakers.
Connectivity Options: It comes with multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth, USB, and aux.
Best Features:
- 7 Hour Battery Life
The internal speakers of this soundbar can be used to play music up to 7 hours on a full charge. This allows you to use this soundbar as a portable Bluetooth speaker if needed. - Excellent Audio
You get twin speakers in this 10W soundbar, which results in a great audio experience. The surround sound effect, as well as the low-end response of this soundbar, is pretty good for its given affordable price. - Lightweight and Compact
Since this soundbar has an internal battery, it can be used as a portable Bluetooth speaker. To make this soundbar even more portable, it weighs only 930 grams. And the size of this soundbar is also quite compact.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Just like various other mainstream brands of soundbars, Portronics also offers a 1-year warranty. And if you are facing any issues with the soundbar, you can contact Portronics using the following link:
Pros
- Loud sound for the given price
- Works as a Bluetooth speaker
- Comes with an internal 2500 mAh battery
- Small and lightweight design
- Easy to install and control
Cons
- Sound quality is average
- Limited connectivity options
Verdict:
The Portronics POR-891 is one of the cheapest soundbar options available out there. And even then, it offers a loud audio output. You also get various useful features in this soundbar, which makes it quite practical.
4. Instaplay 10W Wireless Bluetooth Soundbar
Instaplay is a fairly new and smaller brand of soundbars available on Amazon. But the Instaplay soundbar mentioned in this article is a great option if you are on a budget and want to upgrade the audio of your TV.
This soundbar from Instaplay offers an audio output of 10 watts due to its dual speaker setup. And you can use this soundbar with most of your devices without any issues. This is possible as you get various connectivity options, including Bluetooth for wirelessly connecting to your smartphone and other devices.
It offers a 2.0 audio channel surround sound effect, which results in a great immersive experience. And since this speaker offers 10 watts of audio output, it is decently loud. It also offers a wide frequency response rated at 75 Hz – 18 kHz.
Power Output: You get a total audio output of 10 watts from this soundbar.
Connectivity Options: This soundbar features multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB, aux, and RCA connection.
Best Features:
- Inbuilt Battery for Portable Use
You get an internal battery in this soundbar, which takes 2 hours to charge via a micro USB port. And once fully charged, it offers 8 hours of media playback on a single full charge. - Sleek and Compact Design
This soundbar has a length of just 41 cm. This is quite compact when you consider the loudness offered by this soundbar. It has a stylish piano finish and a fabric grill at the front for a very modern and sleek design. - Easy Controls on the Side
It offers control buttons on the side of this soundbar, and this can be quite handy. You can simply control the music as well as adjust the volume while playing music over Bluetooth or using a USB storage device.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Even though Instaplay is a fairly small brand of soundbars, it offers a 1-year warranty to the consumer. You can avail this warranty in case of any issues using the following link:
Pros
- Twin speakers for a loud sound
- Various connectivity options
- Offers an 8 battery life
- Takes 2 hours to charge fully
- 41 cm in length for a compact size
- Easy to use controls on the side
Cons
- Average bass response
- Build quality could have been better
Verdict:
Instaplay offers a decent value for money soundbar on Amazon. It offers 10 watts of audio output with various features for easily enjoying movies and TV shows on your TV. You can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker with your smartphone due to its internal battery.
5. Bose Solo 5 Soundbar Speakers (Black)
Bose is a high-end brand of audio equipment, and it offers a lot of options on Amazon. And as you would expect, it also offers various premium soundbars out of which we have mentioned a popular choice in this article.
Bose is known for its excellent audio quality from all its products, which is also the case with this soundbar. While this soundbar is quite expensive, the 30 watts of audio output is quite crisp and clear. You also get a great surround sound effect along with decent bass output from this soundbar even though it does not have an external woofer.
You also get an advanced remote controller with this soundbar, which offers various useful buttons and options. This remote can be quite useful while playing music over Bluetooth or USB storage devices. It makes this 2.1 audio channel soundbar quite easy to use.
Power Output: This soundbar offers a total of 30 watts of audio output.
Connectivity Options: You get various connectivity options in this soundbar, including Bluetooth, USB, optical, coaxial, and aux.
Best Features:
- 1 Audio Channel Surround Sound
Even though this is a single unit soundbar, it offers 2.1 audio channel surround sound. And it offers great bass output along with a highly immersive surround sound effect, which is great to have while watching movies and TV shows on your TV. - Universal Remote Controller
The remote controller included with this soundbar is quite versatile as it is a universal remote. You can use it to control all of your devices and not just the soundbar. As a result, you only need a single remote controller for your TV setup. - Wall Mountable
Since this soundbar offers 2.1 audio channel surround sound, making sure that it is in the centre is quite important. Thankfully, you can easily keep this soundbar in the centre of your TV by mounting it on the wall right under your TV.
Warranty and Customer Support:
As Bose is a high-end audio brand with various options available out there, it offers a 1-year warranty. And you can avail this warranty in case of any issues using the following link:
Pros
- Twin speakers for a loud sound
- Various connectivity options
- Offers an 8 battery life
- It takes 2 hours to charge fully
- 41 cm in length for a compact size
- Easy to use controls on the side
Cons
- Average bass response
- Build quality could have been better
Verdict:
If you want the ultimate sound experience in a single soundbar unit, then the Bose Solo 5 soundbar can be a great pick if you can afford it. Ignoring its high price tag, the 2.1 audio channel surround sound is best in its class and offers an immersive experience while watching movies and TV shows on your TV.
6. Sony HT-RT3 Real 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar
Sony is a highly popular electronics brand that makes all kinds of products. And if you are familiar with Sony, then you must know that it also makes audio products, including soundbars that we have mentioned in this article.
The Sony HT-RT3 is the only soundbar mentioned in this article, which offers a 5.1 audio channel surround sound. As a result, you can expect a great immersive audio experience along with excellent bass due to the external woofer unit. Since this soundbar unit offers 600 watts of total audio output, it is quite loud and more than enough for the average user.
But to achieve this 5.1 audio channel surround sound, this soundbar unit also includes external satellite speakers. While this makes the installation process a bit difficult, the audio experience is worth it.
Power Output: You get a total audio output of 600 watts in this soundbar.
Connectivity Options: It features multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, aux, USB, NFC, optical, HDMI, and much more.
Best Features:
- NFC Support
It is one of the only soundbar options available out there which comes with NFC. This can be quite useful as you can easily connect your smartphone with this soundbar using NFC and simply tapping your smartphone on the external woofer unit. - Dolby Digital Support
You get Dolby Digital support in this Sony soundbar for the best audio experience. It results in a highly immersive 5.1 surround sound with great lows, mids, and highs. This is one of the best sounding soundbars available on Amazon. - Multiple Connectivity Options
Apart from offering NFC, you also get various other connectivity options in this soundbar. It even features an HDMI ARC output port, which allows you to connect this to your TV without needing an extra audio cable.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Since Sony is a major electronics brand, it offers a year manufacturer’s warranty with this soundbar. If you are facing any issues with this soundbar, you can contact Sony using the following link:
Pros
- Best in class audio quality
- 1 audio channel surround sound
- Various connectivity options
- Easy to control
- Powerful sound with an output of 600 watts
- External woofer and satellite speaker units
Cons
- The installation process is not easy
Verdict
The Sony HT-RT3 offers the best possible sound in any soundbar that you can buy from Amazon. And its external woofer and satellite units ensure that the audio experience is quite great. All of the connectivity options offered by this soundbar make it highly versatile and flexible.
7. JBL Bar 2.1 Soundbar
We have yet another great soundbar option from JBL in this article. But unlike the previous one, this one offers 2.1 audio channel surround sound as you can expect from the name of this soundbar.
JBL offers a great audio experience in the JBL Bar 2.1 soundbar. As per its name, it offers 2 speaker units in the soundbar itself along with an external woofer unit. And since this is a JBL product, you can expect a great low-end response from this woofer. This soundbar unit also offers 300 watts of total audio output, which is quite loud.
This soundbar system also comes with a compact and easy to use remote controller. This remote controller can be quite useful for controlling the soundbar while playing music over Bluetooth or using a USB storage device. But you can also control this soundbar directly using your TV’s remote controller, which is quite useful.
Power Output: It offers a total audio output of 300 watts.
Connectivity Options: You get multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, HDMI, aux, and a USB port in this soundbar.
Best Features:
- JBL Soundshift
A great feature of this soundbar is that it comes with an option called JBL Soundshift. As per its name, you can use it to connect to multiple devices at once, and you can easily switch between these to play music. - JBL Surround Sound and Dolby Digital
You get Dolby Digital support as well as JBL Surround Sound in this soundbar. As a result, you can expect full audio from this soundbar and a great surround sound experience while watching movies and TV shows on your TV. - Easy to Install and Set-Up
Even though this soundbar comes with an external woofer unit, its installation process is quite simple. You have to simply connect a few cables, after which the soundbar will start working right away.
Warranty and Customer Support:
As mentioned previously, JBL offers a 1-year warranty with its soundbars. And you can contact JBL in case of any issues using the following link:
Pros
- Great low-end response
- Offers an easy to use remote controller
- Works with your TV remote controller
- Comes with Dolby Digital audio support
- Easy to install and set up
- JBL Soundshift for easily connecting to multiple devices
- Offers various connectivity options
Cons
- Price is a bit high
- Does not offer 5.1 audio channel support
Verdict:
If you want a great low-end response from a soundbar, then this JBL Bar 2.1 can be a great pick. You get support for Dolby Digital along with various useful features like JBL Soundshift. This makes this soundbar a great overall package if you can afford its high price tag.
8. Yamaha YAS-109 Soundbar
Apart from making bikes, Yamaha is also known for making premium audio equipment and instruments. And we are here with a great soundbar option from Yamaha with various smart features.
Yamaha’s YAS-109 is most likely the most feature-rich soundbar present in this article. You get various useful features in this soundbar which are not present in any other option out there. One of the best things about this Yamaha soundbar is that it comes with WiFi connectivity. And this allows you to connect this soundbar to the internet for additional functionality.
A great thing about this soundbar is that you can play Spotify directly in the speaker. It also offers support for Virtual DTS-X and Dolby Digital audio for a great audio experience. The 120-watt speakers of this soundbar offer a highly crisp and detailed audio output.
Power Output: This soundbar has an audio output of 120 watts in total.
Connectivity Options: You get various connectivity options in this soundbar, including WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, aux, HDMI, and much more.
Best Features:
- Inbuilt Alexa Voice Assistant
It is one of the only soundbars available out there that comes with an inbuilt Alexa voice assistant. As you would expect, it allows you to control this soundbar using voice commands. And you also get other Alexa functionality directly in this soundbar. - Virtual DTS-X and Dolby Digital Support
This soundbar offers support for both Virtual DTS-X and Dolby Digital out of the box. As a result, you can expect great surround sound and highly detailed audio from this soundbar, which can be expected from all Yamaha products. - Simple Controls
You can find multiple control buttons on the front of this soundbar, which are easily accessible. And these controls allow you to control this soundbar while playing music over Bluetooth or a USB storage device.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Yamaha also offers a 1-year warranty with this soundbar, just like other brands mentioned in this article. And if you are facing any issues with the soundbar, you can contact Yamaha using the following link:
Pros
- Comes with inbuilt Alexa Voice Assistant
- Offers Virtual DTS-X and Dolby Digital support
- WiFi connectivity for Alexa and Spotify
- Great audio quality
- Simple and easy to access controls on the front
- Clean and modern design
- Excellent surround sound
Cons
- The low end could have been better
Verdict:
For those of you who want various smart features in a soundbar, the Yamaha YAS-109 can be a great option. And apart from offering support for Alexa and Spotify, you also get pretty decent audio quality since this is a Yamaha audio product.
9. Blaupunkt SBW100 120Watts Wired Soundbar
Blaupunkt is primarily known for making affordable speakers and soundbars. And the Blaupunkt SBW100 is one of the best options out there if you are on a budget and want a soundbar with an external woofer.
This soundbar from Blaupunkt offers a total audio output of 120 watts, which is great for the given price. And since there is an external woofer unit, you can expect great bass from this soundbar as well. Apart from being loud, the sound from this soundbar also offers great audio detail and a decent surround sound experience while watching movies and TV shows.
You also get multiple connectivity options in this soundbar. This makes it quite versatile and flexible. It also comes with a remote controller, which can be quite handy to control the soundbar while playing music over Bluetooth or a USB storage device.
Power Output: This soundbar has an audio output of 120 watts in total.
Connectivity Options: It offers connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB, and an aux port.
Best Features:
- Side Firing Wooden Woofer
The external Woofer unit included with this soundbar is made out of wood and offers great bass output. And it is a side-firing soundbar which as good as some other options which are more expensive than this one. - Inbuilt Equalizer
You get an inbuilt equalizer in this soundbar. It allows you to easily switch between multiple audio profiles in the soundbar out of the box by default. - 1 Audio Channel Surround Sound
Even though this is one of the cheapest soundbars out there that offer an external woofer, this soundbar still offers a 2.1 audio channel surround sound. As a result, it sounds quite full while watching and movies with this soundbar.
Warranty and Customer Support:
You get a 1-year warranty with all Blaupunkt soundbars, including this one. If you are facing any issues with this soundbar, you can avail the warranty using the following link:
Pros
- Loud and clear sound
- 1 audio channel surround sound
- Comes with an included remote controller
- Various connectivity options on the side
- External woofer unit for great bass response.
Cons
- Basic connectivity options
- Average build quality.
Verdict:
If you are on a budget, the Blaupunkt SBW100 can be a great pick for a lot of users. Even though it is the cheapest option with an external woofer, it sounds much better than its competition. It is quite loud for most TV setups out there.
10. boAt Aavante 1200 Wireless Bluetooth Soundbar Speaker
At the end of this article, we have boAt, which is mainly known for Bluetooth headphones and wireless speakers. This one offers decent audio quality with various features.
This soundbar offers a total audio output of 80 watts. And this power output includes both the speakers as well as the external woofer unit. Controlling the soundbar is quite easy as you get a free remote controller with this soundbar, which makes it a great pick.
You can also find multiple control buttons on the side. These control buttons are quite handy if you wish to change the music or eat food as per your call. The installation process of this program is also quite simple and easy.
Power Output: You get a total audio output of 80 watts with this soundbar.
Connectivity Options: This soundbar comes with Bluetooth, USB, aux, and more without any issues.
Best Features:
- Modern and Sleek Design
This soundbar has a very modern and sleek design and looks pretty good. If you want a clean looking TV setup, this soundbar can be a great option. - Easy to Use
You can use this soundbar quite easily without having any issues. It offers controls directly on the soundbar as well as a remote controller. This allows you to easily control this soundbar even if you are new to soundbars. - 40 Watt Woofer
The external woofer of this soundbar itself offers 40 watts of audio output, which is quite high. You can thus expect a great bass response from this 40 watt subwoofer. Great pick for a lot of users!
Warranty and Customer Support:
Just like various other brands, boAt also offers a 1 year warranty against manufacturing defects. And if you see any issues with the soundbar, you can contact boAt using the following link:
Pros
- Decent audio quality
- Multiple connectivity options
- Sleek and modern design
- Easy to connect and use
- It offers wireless connectivity
Cons
- Limited connectivity options
- The remote control could have been better
Verdict:
The boAt Aavante 1200 is another great pick if you want an external woofer without paying a lot for it. But unlike the previous options, this one also comes with various connectivity options, which makes this soundbar quite versatile.
Buying Guide for Best Soundbars For Tvs in India
We have already mentioned some of the best soundbars in this article. And the chances are that you already have chosen the best one for you. But there are a lot of things that you have to consider while buying a soundbar for your TV setup. All of these things play an important role if you want a great audio experience out of your TV.
Therefore, we are here with a detailed buying guide for the best soundbars in India. You can simply go through the following factors one by one to learn more about soundbars and the things that you should look for while buying one:
Audio Channels
The surround sound effect offered by a soundbar results in an immersive audio experience while watching movies and TV shows. And if you are familiar with multiple speaker systems, then you must know about the various options you get when it comes to audio channels.
You can easily find speaker systems like 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 channel audio systems, etc. As you would expect, you get similar audio channel options while buying a soundbar. A soundbar with multiple audio channels results in a better surround sound effect even though a soundbar is a single unit; it offers better surround sound than that of your TV. So make sure to check the number of audio channels offered by a soundbar before buying one.
Connectivity Options
The easiest way to connect any speaker system like a soundbar to your TV is via an aux cable. But soundbars offer various connectivity options to make them highly versatile. You can find multiple connectivity options like USB, Bluetooth, optical, RCA, HDMI, NFC, and much more. As a result, you can connect all kinds of devices to a soundbar. And if your soundbar has Bluetooth, you can even play music via your smartphone without disconnecting it from your TV. Thus, make sure to buy a soundbar that offers multiple connectivity options to the user.
Power Output
If you are buying a soundbar, you have to make sure that it is loud enough for the size of your room. You should be able to hear everything while watching a movie and a TV show. And the easiest way to make sure that the power output of your TV is sufficient, you can check its power output.
The power output of any speaker system is defined in terms of watts. A louder soundbar will have a higher power output rating in watts. Any soundbar with more than 30 or 40 watts should be more than enough for the average bedroom. Although you can find several options out there that offer much higher power output ratings.
Active vs Passive Soundbars
There are mainly two types of soundbars available out there in terms of their power. While one is active, the other ones are passive soundbars.
And if you are looking for an easy to setup soundbar, then an active soundbar is the way to go. As per its name, an active soundbar does not need external soundbar as it is an all in one package.
You can find various things like audio receiving equipment, amplifiers, digital to analog converters and much more. On the other hand, a passive soundbar is nothing more but a speaker. It requires external amplifiers and audio receivers in order to properly work.
External Woofer
The biggest issue with the internal speakers of your TV is the poor low-end frequency response. This is due to the lack of an external woofer in your TV as it is not possible to install a woofer inside the thin enclosure of the TVs that you find on the market.
Thankfully, you can get better low-end audio by simply buying a soundbar that comes with an external woofer unit. While it is slightly difficult to install a soundbar unit that comes with an external woofer, the hassle is worth it. An external woofer offers a fuller sound and a highly immersive experience while watching movies or TV shows, as well as listening to music on your soundbar.
Size and Position
The size of your soundbar as well as the position at which you place it is also quite important. If your soundbar has an inbuilt battery, then getting a compact soundbar can be quite useful. A smaller soundbar allows you to use it for portable usage just like a normal bluetooth speaker with your smartphone.
On the other hand, a larger soundbar with a longer length offers a slightly surround sound effect. As for the position of your soundbar, placing it right under your TV in the center is quite important. Most soundbars work as a center audio channel with speakers on the sides for the left and right audio channels. Thus, placing it in the center results in a perfect audio balance for the surround sound effect.
Encoding Technology
When you have connected your soundbar with your TV or smartphone, all of the audio signals being sent are digital. But on the other hand, a speaker is completely analog which requires conversion from digital to analog signals. And this is done by the internal or external DAC of your soundbar.
These DACs or Digital to Analog Converters use different encoding technologies for the best possible sound. You can find the best audio from soundbar that offer encoding options like Dolby Digital or DTS audio. When compared to traditional soundbars, these one offer better audio quality along with a better surround sound effect.
Frequency Response
The frequency response of any speaker system like a soundbar tells you the range of the audio it can reproduce. It is generally represented as 50 Hz – 20k Hz, which gives you the audio frequency range in Hertz. As you would expect, a wider frequency response range means that the soundbar you want to buy offers a better audio experience. A soundbar unit with an external woofer unit will have a better low-end frequency response. And if your soundbar has tweeters, it will offer a better high-end frequency response.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have just bought a new soundbar for your TV setup, you might be confused about the best position for the soundbar unit. But unlike multiple speaker systems, all of the speakers and tweeters of a soundbar are in one place. And usually, most soundbar units come with a centre audio channel speaker for a better surround sound. And as this centre audio channel needs to be right under your TV, the best place to install a soundbar is either under or in front of your TV setup. This will result in the best surround sound effect from your soundbar.
For the most part, a soundbar is as good as multiple speaker systems in terms of audio quality. You can also get soundbars with an external woofer unit for a better low-end response. But multiple speaker audio systems generally offer a better surround sound effect due to the different positions of each audio channel. On the other hand, a soundbar is much easier to install in your TV setup which makes both of them equally good.
If your soundbar offers wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, then you can easily connect it with your smartphone. You have to simply turn on the soundbar and connect to it just like any other Bluetooth headphone or speaker. And once you have done that, music will start playing through the soundbar coming out of your smartphone.
As mentioned previously, a soundbar is meant to be placed in the centre of where your TV is placed. And the easiest way to do this is to mount your soundbar on the wall directly under your TV. This is possible as some soundbars offer wall mounting mechanism so that you can easily mount them on the wall.
Conclusion
Soundbars offer a much better audio experience when compared to the internal speakers of your TV. And since a soundbar has all of its speakers within a single unit, it is much easier to install when compared to multiple speaker audio systems. You also get various connectivity options in such soundbars to use them with multiple devices other than just your TV.
As a result, soundbars are quite popular if you want to upgrade the audio quality of your TV setup. And thus, we have mentioned some of the best soundbars in this article, along with their features and differences. But if you are still not able to choose the best one for you, here are some of our recommendations:
- For those of you who want a single soundbar unit without an external woofer, then the JBL Bar 2.0 can be a great option. Since this soundbar has dual bass ports, the low-end response is pretty decent even without an external woofer. And you also get various connectivity options with this wireless soundbar.
- On the other hand, if you want the best audio experience possible, then the Sony HT-RT3 makes a lot of sense. It is one of the only 5.1 surround sound soundbars available out there. And it also comes with an external woofer unit along with 600 watts of total audio output.
- The Blaupunkt SBW100 is another great pick if you want to buy a value for money soundbar. It offers an external woofer unit with 120 watts total audio output. And even then it is cheaper than some of the single soundbar units available out there.
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Thanks for such a nice information on soundbars. This is very useful for me. Now I can choose best speaker for me.