Improving Your Television Sound Quality with TV Soundbars: A Guide

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Are TV soundbars necessary when televisions have built-in speakers?

Do you ever feel like you are missing out on the full experience of movie watching due to poor sound quality? This is a common frustration among viewers, but there is a solution to this dilemma: soundbars.

Televisions have come a long way in terms of picture quality, but sound quality has not always kept up. Built-in speakers on most televisions are often small and underpowered. Often, this leads to muffled and unclear sounds. This is where TV soundbars come in.

Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of your new audio setup!

What Are TV Soundbars?

TV soundbars are audio devices designed to enhance the sound quality of televisions. They are typically long and thin and can be placed above or below the TV unit using a wall mount bracket.

Soundbars are easy to set up and require less space. This makes them a popular alternative to traditional home theatre systems. They also offer a more immersive audio experience than the built-in speakers on most TVs. Moreover, they come with additional features such as:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Voice control
• Built-in subwoofers

What’s more, they feature advanced audio technologies for enhanced output, such as:

• Dolby Atmos
• DTS:X
• Virtual Surround Sound

Sound-wise, they provide a more immersive and dynamic sound experience than TV speakers.

How do soundbars improve TV sound?

TV soundbars are one of the best audio-upgrade choices available. They add amplification and point the sound in the proper direction rather than at the floor or wall. But the underlying point lies in the stereo sound of a television.

Stereo sound is usually divided into two (2) channels: one to the left and the other to the right of a TV. These speakers help produce the perfect stereo sound for the soundbar.

Connecting TV Soundbars with HDMI

If you have recently bought one, chances are you will see different kinds of connection ports at the back, e.g. an HDMI. Most experts claim it is the best way to connect a soundbar to a TV. For one thing, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) transfers audio digitally—raw and uncompressed.

Connecting a TV soundbar with HDMI is straightforward. First, make sure that your TV and soundbar both have HDMI ports. Then, connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI output port on your TV. The other end is the HDMI input port on your soundbar.

Once the two devices are connected, you may need to adjust the audio settings on your television. This is to ensure that the sound is coming through the soundbar.

Many TVs have a “sound output” or “audio output” option in the settings menu. Check yours, as this allows you to select the soundbar as the primary audio source. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy high-quality audio from your TV soundbar!

Getting the Most Out of It

From features to positioning, here’s everything you need to know.

Features

There are hundreds of models from different brands to choose from. Finding the one that is right for your entertainment needs takes consideration.

Which size should I go for? What are the features and functions that I need from it? Questions like these will help you narrow down your options. Features to look out for include the following:

• Style and size. Will it be mounted to the wall under your TV? Sit in front of your television? Or placed on a shelf below or above the TV set? As for the size, it should not be any wider than the television itself, ideally.
• The number of channels. A unit with three or more channels can simulate surround sound a lot better.
• Pay attention to connectivity. For this, you have 4 options: HDMI, wireless connectivity, optical port, and USB inputs. The HDMI is especially good for multi-channel TV soundbars. Wireless features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. An optical port is one of the easiest and most reliable connections. UBS inputs, in contrast, are good if you are looking to plug in a thumb drive with your songs on it.

Make sure you have measured the wall or surface where you are planning on putting your soundbar. This includes height, width, and depth. Otherwise, the wrong fit might not give the drive units the space they need to get the sound out into your space.

Positioning

Look for the set-up instructions included to know the best way to position your soundbar. If it has upward or side-firing drivers, allow it some space to do its job. Tucking it too far inside a shelf, for instance, may not result in it working the way it is designed to.

Most TV soundbars are ideal for both wall mounting and surface placement. If you wish to mount it, it is worth having a play around with positioning before you do the drilling work.

Keep it steady

You want your soundbar to be on level ground to make sure it won’t spoil the audio production. See if the product you bought comes with some kind of rubber feet to stand them on. Then, ensure all of them are in contact with the same solid surface. If, for whatever reason, there are no rubber feet included, you can use Blu Tack instead.

Calibration

Most soundbars have more than one audio preset to choose from. There is one dedicated to music, another to movies, and more. Go through them and pick the one that suits your space best.

Add more speakers

If you need more bass, you can connect an external subwoofer to your TV sound system. This will help minimise any synchronisation issues. You are lucky if the item you bought already comes with one!

Better still, some TV soundbars will allow you to add more than a sub. The Opus One Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer (ATC5059), for example. The soundbar and subwoofer are combined in a simple, sleek design with 140W output power. It levels up your TV, movie, music, and gaming experiences!

The wireless subwoofer system offers more positioning flexibility. Enjoy it anywhere in the room while listening to explosive bass.

The Bottom Line

If you are looking to improve your television sound quality, TV soundbars are a great option. When investing in one, choose a soundbar that fits your TV and room size. Next, look for a model with built-in subwoofers for bass enhancement.

Connect your soundbar with HDMI or optical ports (if the TV supports it) for better sound quality. Adjust the soundbar settings to your liking by experimenting with the settings.

Overall, just make sure to choose one that fits your needs and use it correctly for the best results!

This article was originally published in July 2021 and has been updated.