Are Soundbars Really Worth it for Hi-Fi Audiophiles?

If you’ve just purchased a TV in the past few years, then it’s very likely that you’ve encountered or have been offered a soundbar.

These tiny speakers, often placed in front of or below a TV, claim to deliver audio with more fidelity than what’s normally achievable with the TV’s built-in speakers.

Many leading electronics companies are producing high-quality soundbars, and you get a ton of options both online and in physical stores. But of course, you’d want to know if they’re worth it before you get one.

Are soundbars really capable of what they claim to do? Can they really give you better sound than your TV’s built-in speakers? Let’s find out!

What is a Soundbar?

A soundbar is a rectangular speaker device that’s specifically designed to work with the TV in your home theater system.

Soundbars have gained notoriety as a well-liked remedy for a frequently disregarded issue. 

The speakers that are included with the new TV sets could be better. Often, they become glued to the back of the monitor and are compelled to reflect audio off the walls behind or surrounding the display. They’re almost always vying for a place with other parts.

Most speakers are only as powerful as the area that they have to work with, similar to the multi-lens video cameras on the rear of contemporary smartphones. 

Television speakers have more difficulty producing acceptable sound when forced to operate within the constraints of a flat-screen form factor.

The form of speakers plays a massive role in how they sound. More than just its appearance, a speaker’s design influences and facilitates several forms of spatial acoustics.

Soundbars work around this issue by focusing exclusively on it. They aren’t included with the TV. Instead, they each sit in front of it and work on their own to produce the superior surround sound experience you can’t get from most TVs.

Pros of Having a Soundbar

Due to their ability to deliver high-quality audio at a reasonable cost, soundbars are becoming a more and more popular alternative to traditional speakers. 

Here are the benefits that you can get from having a soundbar with your TV.

1. Soundbars produce outstanding sound.

Since televisions are now made as slim as possible, the sound quality has significantly declined. And you’d be surprised at how much of an upgrade soundbars can provide.

Soundbars now have audio systems similar to conventional surround sound configurations, which is in addition to serving their original goal of improving the sound from your TV.

Regardless of how big or tiny your space is, you can add suitable components to soundbars at any point to create excellent surround sound.

Soundbars are now available with better-than-ever built-in loudspeakers. Top-notch sound tech is always available to manufacturers who have successfully won over consumers.

Many include surround subs and other essentials so you can set up a top-notch sound system in your house without breaking a sweat or splurging on high-end equipment.

2. They’re small in size.

There are instances when installing a soundbar under a television is better than using speakers that need to be scattered across the space. 

Small spaces and any area without the ideal location for huge speakers will surely benefit from soundbars. Additionally, you can reposition your furniture without worrying about how it would impact audio quality. 

3. They only require one wire to connect.

In most models, a single wire is enough to link a soundbar to a TV. It results in a much smoother appearance and renders setup simpler. 

Although many speaker sets would still need a cable for every speaker, others connect wirelessly.

4. They can work with the latest tech.

You’d have no problems finding a soundbar that can work with your preferred technology, whether it is Amazon Alexa, Dolby Atmos, 4K TV, or other intelligent home electronics.

Many soundbars have ports such as Coaxial, Optical, USB, standard HDMI, and HDMI ARC, as well as Bluetooth capability for wireless audio streaming.

Soundbars are a terrific investment because it’s simple to pick one that works well with your present and future technologies. You can be confident that your soundbar won’t become obsolete even as technology advances.

Additionally, many soundbars are outfitted with technology that enables them to get updates and keep up with new technology integrations.

5. They’re affordable.

In general, soundbars are less expensive than speaker systems. 

Although there are numerous models with different price points, you can get a decent good-quality soundbar for as little as $100, which is barely enough to buy a basic set of speakers.

Cons of Soundbar

Soundbars provide audio akin to surround sound but they’re not exactly the same. When all of the audio originates from one place, there are limitations to what can be accomplished by this device. 

Generally, they’re not recommended for big rooms, which require a complete surround sound system to give you an immersive audio quality.

Are Soundbars Worth it for Hi-Fi Audiophiles?

Soundbars are indeed worth it for hi-fi audiophiles. 

They’re an economical and fashionable alternative for surround sound systems if you want something that offers great sound for a significantly lower price. Of course, don’t expect an immersive sound experience from these devices considering how affordable they are.

Soundbars are simple to use and set up,  plus they’re designed to work with all of the most recent technology.

Final Thoughts

There are so many good reasons to get a soundbar, and with so many excellent options on the market, you’ll surely find one that fits your needs.

If you’re thinking of getting one and have some questions about it, feel free to drop a comment below and I’ll be more than happy to help.