CONTENT
- 1 Soundbar and soundbar - what is it
- 2 Soundbar device and how it works
- 3 How to choose a soundbar: basic specifications
- 4 Which soundbar to buy for TV: rating of the best models
- 5 Which is better: soundbar or home theater
- 6 How to make a soundbar for your TV yourself
Soundbar and soundbar - what is it
These are devices that appeared on the market not so long ago, but have already managed to win the well-deserved popularity of consumers. The use of such a variant of acoustic equipment allows you to expand the standard capabilities of the TV, at the same time, the soundbar, in comparison with full-fledged acoustics, is compact, powerful enough and inexpensive device.
To understand the need to purchase and the correct choice of a soundbar for a TV, you should define what it is and how it differs from a soundbar.
The soundbar is a monaural speaker, inside which there are full-range speakers plus a subwoofer, usually supplied. Externally, this acoustic component is a long and narrow panel placed under the TV receiver.
Soundbars look somewhat different, despite the generality of functionality. They are a more massive device that can be placed on a cabinet and serve as a TV stand. The choice of soundbar is determined by the TV model - the panel must be able to support its weight. Inside such a device, there are not only full-range speakers, but also bass ones, so a separate subwoofer is not required for the soundbar.
Soundbar device and how it works
We have established that soundbars and soundbars are speakers for enhancing the sound of the OEM TV speakers. Now let's take a look at what the soundbar consists of. Since this is a system, it includes several components.
- Turntable. The heart of the entire speaker system is the device that reproduces sound. Since the sound quality will depend on it, experts recommend choosing more technologically advanced models.
- Acoustics or speakers. It is desirable that the selected model contains not just full-range speakers, but separate ones for each frequency range, which will guarantee the best sound quality.
- DAC or a digital-to-analog converter, which may also be referred to as a central processing unit. It is this detail that is responsible for coding the signal, transforming it and shaping the output to the line. When choosing which soundbar to choose for a Samsung TV or another brand of TV set, there is no limit to perfection with regard to the DAC. Everything is limited only by the financial capabilities of the consumer.
All soundbars, like simple speakers, are divided into two categories according to the principle of operation.
- Activewhich already include a signal amplifier to provide sufficient playback power, a sound processor and a power supply. Also, such models have a fairly large number of various additional interfaces. How to connect LG Soundbar to LG TV or other receiver? The device can connect directly to the TV using a cable, or it can support wireless connections such as Bluetooth.
- Passive. A type of device that does not have a built-in amplifier or receiver and requires the purchase of additional components to be able to connect. This option has a lower price, but in the end, spending on passive models is comparable to the cost of active ones due to the need to purchase a separate signal amplifier.
Some more advanced soundbar models may have a built-in DVD player, support Smart TV format or play sound from any source that supports wireless transmission methods data.
How to choose a soundbar: basic specifications
There are several decisive criteria for choosing the optimal soundbar model for your TV. They should be taken into account so as not to miscalculate when buying.
The size
All models on the market differ in their dimensions and installation method. Some compact options suggest placement on a pedestal, others can be wall-mounted, there are also universal ones. Sometimes users start to waste time looking for a model that exactly matches the width of the TV, but there is no technical reason for this, only aesthetic satisfaction. When buying a model for a shelf, you need to make sure that the plane of the soundbar will not cover the bottom of the screen.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
It can be noted that panels with a greater width, other things being equal, will provide better sound due to the expansion of the acoustic picture and channel separation.
Equipment
When choosing, it is important to take into account that there are only three types of soundbars according to the configuration features. The first category is budget models, which are a classic version of the speaker with the inclusion of all speakers in one body. The second type assumes the presence of a separate subwoofer. The most expensive equipment consists not only of a soundbar, but also of a separate “subwoofer” and rear speakers.
IMPORTANT!
Classic variants can offer the user high-quality multichannel sound, but the final sound is determined by the manufacturer. Therefore, it is better to choose models from brands that specialize in the manufacture of acoustics.
Number of channels
On the market you can find models with 2 to 15 channels. The simplest are columns, suggesting scheme 2.0, which can be used only when it is necessary to improve the quality of the original TV sound. More advanced configurations (for example 5.1) are used to create a full-fledged home theater.
Power
Many manufacturers sin with marketing gimmicks, offering inflated power ratings. Often, the documentation may indicate a total indicator, which is also given without taking into account the level of distortions, sometimes up to 10%. Therefore, when choosing, one should take into account not only the value in watts, but also the area that the speakers occupy. The larger it is, the higher the real power.
Switching capabilities
When choosing a budget option that will be used exclusively to improve the standard sound TV speakers, the connection of such a device will be carried out through an optical or analog cable.
More expensive models have HDMI outputs, which are used to reproduce content in the highest possible quality.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
If a soundbar with multiple HDMI ports is selected, it can be adapted as a switcher without a receiver.
Some models may have a USB input. which is for playing music. Some soundbar models can additionally play video files from a USB flash drive.
Wireless protocols
Most modern soundbars have support for wireless data transfer protocols. This enables the user to listen to music or watch movies from a mobile device through a large screen. Usually, Bluetooth is used to connect the soundbar to an LG or Samsung TV (the most common brands). If you use Apple technology as a source, you must select devices that support the AirPlay protocol.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
If you want to listen to music wirelessly, you need to select models that support the aptX or aptX HD codecs to maintain high quality playback.
Which soundbar to buy for TV: rating of the best models
The list of the best models in the opinion of the editors and users includes all types of soundbars on the market. There are both budget options with two speakers, and universal devices with the ability to deliver full sound.
Samsung HW-H450
One of the best representatives of the budget class, offering a 2.1 speaker system. A special feature is the widely spaced tweeters, which allows for channel separation. The model also has a separate subwoofer.
Often users have a question: how to connect the Samsung soundbar to the TV via Bluetooth? This is a feature of this model, which can be considered a disadvantage. The wireless protocol uses a frequency similar to that of a Wi-Fi router - 2.4 GHz. Therefore, when pairing, you will need to fine-tune the adapter. Among the advantages, we can note the high total power - 300 W, as well as high-quality sound when connected via HDMI. The cost of the model is 15 400 rubles.
Review for Samsung HW-H450
Samsung HW-H450
Denon DHT-S514
A model that also offers 2.1 sound, but belongs to the premium segment. The device is equipped with an HDMI output, has a line-in and optical input, and supports wireless protocols. Two mid-range speakers with their own bass reflexes, tweeters and two subwoofers are responsible for the sound quality. Of the advantages, we can note the fact that when the volume is lowered, sound detail is not lost. Also, the benefits include universal control. The presence of an IR repeater allows you not to aim the remote control at the soundbar. The disadvantages include a small number of sound processing settings, but this is more of a subjective quibble. The cost of the model is 41,990 rubles.
Denon DHT-S514 Review
Denon DHT-S514
Yamaha YAS-207
A model that has become a worthy continuation of the line. It qualitatively differs from previous models, for example, from Yamaha YAS-203: the device uses three decoders responsible for playback at once - DD, DTS and DPLII. A similar design is rarely found among manufacturers of this technology. The device operates according to the 2.1 scheme, the total power is 200 W, half of which falls on a subwoofer connected via wireless technology. Among the advantages are also a convenient remote control, a special application for control from a smartphone, compact size. The disadvantages are the insufficient length of the power cord, the large weight of the "sub" (2.7 kg). The cost of the model is 27,990 rubles.
Reviews for Yamaha YAS-207
Yamaha YAS-207
Bose SoundTouch 300
Soundbar, which is also listed in the premium class of similar devices. Its cost is 50,000 rubles. For this money, the user receives not only high-quality sound from a brand known for its scrupulous approach to acoustics, but also a visually beautiful product. The top panel is made of glass and the side edges are made of perforated metal grill. The device supports all types of wireless connections, there are also HDMI connectors and jacks for connecting an optical cable. A separate word should be said about the sound quality. All available technologies of the company are applied in the system. Smart speaker placement and PhaseGuide technology deliver a 5.1 effect. Even greater efficiency can be achieved by including other speakers in the series, purchased separately.
Bose SoundTouch 300 Review
Bose SoundTouch 300
Soundbar for TV Samsung HW-M360
Another representative of the budget segment - its price is only 13,900 rubles. This model cannot boast of many characteristics. There is not even an HDMI connector, which has been replaced by an optical TOSLINK interface, as well as the ability to use a wireless connection. It is the presence of Bluetooth that allows you to create a full-fledged home theater by purchasing the Samsung Wireless Rear Speaker Kit. The unit supports playback of many formats, including FLAC. Among the advantages, we can note the ability to control from a smartphone and the expandability of the standard system.
Review on Samsung HW-M360
Samsung HW-M360
Which is better: soundbar or home theater
When choosing between purchasing a soundbar or a full-fledged cinema, it is important to consider which set you plan to purchase. If you compare a regular pair of speakers and a soundbar, the latter will produce a much better sound. But if you plan to buy a home theater, the price tags for which start from 60 thousand rubles and above, it cannot be replaced by any, even the most advanced soundbar.
One more point: when purchasing full-fledged speakers, you can be sure that a satellite is a satellite, and a subwoofer is a subwoofer. Not everything is so simple with soundbars. Unscrupulous manufacturers can claim that the device works according to the 5.1 scheme, but in fact the subwoofer will be just an imitation.
An additional advantage of the speakers is the freedom of their placement to ensure the maximum surround sound. The soundbar is required to be placed only under the TV, which somewhat reduces the sound spectrum.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
Completeness and quality can be achieved only in the case of using premium-segment devices, where all parameters are set ideally to ensure the required volume of sound.
How to make a soundbar for your TV yourself
Usually, old speakers are used to assemble a soundbar, which are in working order, but are simply not used. Additionally, to create a soundbar, you may need to purchase a Bluetooth module.
IMPORTANT!
You need to be prepared that the complete schematic diagram of the assembly may simply not be found, therefore, certain knowledge in electronics is required to get a working device.
One of the difficulties that will have to be faced is the wiring of the stabilizer and the circuit that matches the line input when using an optical or analog cable.
The simplest soundbar involves connecting the adapter directly to the speakers through an external jack that is used for power. If the required parts are not available, you can use a USB cable with sufficient shielding to prevent the transmission of external noise.
Despite the simplicity of creating a soundbar, it is worth doing this if you have solid knowledge in electronics, otherwise it is better to buy a ready-made device.
Purchasing a soundbar or soundbar allows you to expand the sound range of the TV's standard acoustics. It is important to take into account the main technical parameters when choosing. You can also assemble the device yourself. How to do this is presented in the video for this material.
