When buying a TV, buyers most often pay attention to image quality. And the soundtrack fades into the background, if not into the background.
Which is not surprising, because what can you expect from built-in standard speakers. Therefore, choosing additional acoustics for the TV is an excellent solution in this situation.
But it doesn’t get any easier here either, because the huge variety of speaker systems can confuse even the most experienced in this matter.
Therefore, it is worth not only studying the characteristics of a particular audio system, but also paying attention to where exactly it will be located: the sound quality and sound reproduction format of different systems can change dramatically depending on the area of the room.
Let's figure out when a soundbar is better and when a 5.1 home theater is better.
Types of additional acoustics for TV
Additional acoustics can easily include TV speakers , which are presented in a huge assortment today.
Typically, an acoustic system consists of elements such as front and main speakers, rear and side speakers, and a subwoofer. The speaker housing itself can be closed or with a bass reflex, which accordingly affects the sound. At the same time, we should not forget that any acoustics comes in two types, regardless of the format of sound reproduction: active - this is when the sound amplifier is built-in and passive - an amplifier must be purchased additionally.
The best speaker system is a 5.1 home theater , because if you correctly place all the components included in the system around the room, the sound will be truly rich and voluminous. An option for those who have no restrictions on budget or space.
The music center is also suitable for installation on a TV as a sound amplifier, although previously it was only used for independent playback of audio formats. Thanks to a high-quality center, the sound will be balanced and spacious.
A small-sized soundbar is an excellent alternative to a classic home theater. A soundbar, where all the speakers are arranged strictly in a row, is unlikely to be able to fully compete with a home theater, but, nevertheless, the sound quality will be better, louder and more voluminous than the original version.
Perhaps the budget option, but not the worst, is to choose a stereo system that will improve the sound quality, but you shouldn’t expect any special effects from it.
What to choose
As you can see from the information above, each device has its own pros and cons. However, it is obvious that against the backdrop of “competitors” the home theater is the undisputed leader. Why? It's simple.
- By purchasing a DC system, the user has the opportunity to simultaneously equip a room in his home with audio equipment at a favorable price, in comparison with the total cost of each device separately.
- Unlike a soundbar, the functional elements of a home theater have sufficient technical capabilities to reproduce an audio stream of maximum quality with an optional “surround” effect.
- The DC system, as a rule, is compatible with all modern formats of not only audio, but also video content, unlike traditional music centers, the vast majority of which are capable of working exclusively with music.
- Compared to stand-alone acoustic systems (AS), home theaters are easier to repair and replace a failed element, which means that the service life of home theater systems is much longer than that of speakers.
- When buying a home theater, the user can count on the opportunity to “adjust” the sound and picture “output” at his discretion, which cannot be said about competitors of a similar class.
As a result of studying the information presented above, a logical conclusion is formed about the greatest feasibility of preferring DC systems to other “representatives” of audio equipment. However, no matter what choice the buyer faces - to purchase a home theater or a high-quality sound bar, music center, and so on, it is important, first of all, to objectively evaluate the technical characteristics and functionality of the device.
When is it better to use a soundbar?
If you want to make the sound louder and more voluminous, but do not waste time on installation and invest in a small budget, purchasing a soundbar will help with this.
The speaker system will appeal to those who love minimalism , because the soundbar in the form of a panel that houses several small speakers will not take up much space and will fit neatly under the TV. The issue with wires can be resolved by purchasing a model with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Surround sound, like a full-fledged audio system, will be maximized in a small room of up to 25 sq.m. What is also worth considering when choosing a soundbar.
The soundbar can be used not only as an addition to the TV, but also as a full-fledged audio system with all sorts of functions.
How to make the right choice?
To make a choice, you need to understand why you are buying household appliances. Let's look at several usage scenarios as examples and decide which equipment is best to choose in each option.
The first option is for home
Buying equipment for home use, as they say, “for everything.” The buyer in this case does not have any special requirements for the quality of video and audio; he wants to buy one universal device. In this case, only basic functions will be required, without additional requirements.
The best choice in this case would be to buy a home theater in the budget or mid-price range. A plus will be the presence of good acoustics and karaoke support.
The second option is for film buffs
When choosing equipment for those who like to watch movies, you should first of all pay attention to functionality and the presence of good speakers. Already from the task it is clear that home theaters in the mid-price range and more expensive models are best suited. Check out our ranking of the best home theaters of 2017 to make the right choice.
The third option is for music lovers
For fans of listening to audio tracks, a home theater is not suitable. They usually use weak amplifiers. The ideal option would be to choose a middle or top class music center. If necessary, you can choose models with cassette and vinyl players.
The fourth option is for the dacha
When choosing equipment for a summer house or other small space, it is better to focus on compact devices. A small-format music center or a compact home theater is perfect. It is best to give preference to an audio player: it is more mobile and compact.
For what purposes do you need a 5.1 home theater?
A home theater consists of a TV, a 5.1 speaker system, an AV receiver and an audio or video source.
But the whole essence lies precisely in 5.1 acoustics, which consists of 6 speakers: two front, two rear, a center channel and a subwoofer.
And since most films are recorded in Dolby Digital format, without using a special acoustic system, it is impossible to understand the sound that the sound engineer originally intended.
Therefore, to create the effect of presence and surround sound of a film or music content, a home theater will cope with this task with a bang. And you will get maximum pleasure and positive emotions from watching.
In addition, a home theater is great for listening to music concerts . It also easily synchronizes with a computer or game console. Listening to music from external media is also possible in the cinema.
Music Center
Considering the name of the device in question, it is logical to assume that a music center means an element of an acoustic system that is capable, depending on the technical characteristics, of reproducing or recording audio content. Based on the specific functionality of such devices, manufacturers try to make their product compatible with the maximum number of digital formats stored on various types of media.
The main classification of music centers is considered to be their difference in size and appearance of the structure. According to these indicators, the equipment of the segment under consideration is divided into:
- microsystem (compact monoblock design);
- mini-system (usually used at home and is a medium-sized monoblock or block design);
- midisystem (such block systems are traditionally installed in clubs or nightlife establishments, due to their impressive dimensions and high power rating).
Having decided to purchase a music center, it is important for the user to remember the possible inconveniences of its use, which will most likely be encountered in practice. This is about:
- high cost of truly high-quality multifunctional systems;
- impressive design dimensions in the presence of additional amplifiers or a subwoofer;
- inability to play 4K video.
However, having ultimately decided to purchase a music center, the user will appreciate it:
- the ability to work correctly with “outdated” digital media, in particular cassettes or vinyl records;
- built-in several channels of audio stream playback;
- wide range of price categories.
The best inexpensive soundbars
Let's start with models costing up to 10,000 thousand. It is difficult to find solutions with adequate sound in this price segment, but it is possible.
Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar
- Type: 2.0
- Power: 30W
- Price: 5200 rubles
The cheapest soundbar from our selection boasts not only a stylish design and good build quality, as is customary with Xiaomi, but also very good sound. Mi TV Soundbar supports all current wired connection standards and wireless Bluetooth connections with smartphones and laptops, meaning you can listen to music from any source in the house. The model is subject to wall mounting, and control is carried out using convenient mechanical keys in the upper part of the case.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Soundbar delivers 100% of its value in terms of sound; it plays better than the built-in speakers of any budget TV, which is especially noticeable when watching movies. Reviews from fans of listening to music about the Xiaomi soundbar are also mostly positive. The only drawback, considering the price, is the lack of a remote control that would allow you to switch between sound sources while comfortably sitting on the sofa.
A few words about design
Today, when choosing technology, design is not the last thing. Often it is this that becomes the determining factor when purchasing equipment. Both types of equipment under consideration differ significantly in this matter. It is impossible to imagine a home theater away from a TV or monitor, and speaking of design, the first thing one imagines is the appearance of the speakers included in the kit. But the music center is a completely independent device. It can either deliberately stand out from the overall style of the room or harmoniously complement it.
The best premium soundbars
Well, let's finish with options for buyers who are not strapped for cash.
Bose Soundtouch 300
- Type: 2.0
- Power: 75 W
- Price: 56 thousand rubles
The reader will ask a reasonable question: why pay 56 thousand, if there is not even a separate subwoofer and the power of the bar is several times less than that of competitors. However, the Soundtouch 300 is positioned as a premium product, and therefore special emphasis here, in addition to sound quality, is placed on the quality of workmanship - the soundbar made of metal and glass looks simply luxurious in real life, and it also has a number of unique functions. For example, there is an NFC module, which allows you to instantly connect a smartphone or tablet to the acoustics.
And everything is fine with the sound here. The Soundtouch 300 includes a special microphone, which is used to calibrate sound - the system determines the position of the microphone in space and adjusts the propagation of sound waves in the room and taking into account the position of the listener. You can upgrade the SB300 by purchasing rear speakers and a subwoofer from the same manufacturer, the latter is called Bose Acoustimass 300 and costs almost 60 thousand rubles.
LG SK9Y
- Type: 2.1
- Power: 500W
- Price: 56 thousand rubles
LG SK9Y is a soundbar loaded to the brim with the latest technology. Unlike cheaper analogs that can only emulate surround sound, it supports Dolby Atmos technology, which is used in modern cinemas. The system sounds bright and clear, the bass is velvety, and the detail and scene of sound sources will surprise even the most demanding users. There is support for Hi-Res audio 192/24 bits, which is almost never found in this class of audio equipment. The LG SK9Y has no drawbacks, but to unlock its full potential, it would still be a good idea to supplement it with SPL8-S rear speakers.
Sources
- https://Otvet.tv/tehnika/akusticheskaya-sistema/saundbar-domashnij-kinoteatr-muz-tsentr-chto-luchshe.html
- https://tehnopomosh.com/tsifrovaya/domashnij-kinoteatr/kinoteatr-ili-saundbar.html
- https://setafi.com/elektronika/domashnij-kinoteatr/xem-otlichaetsya-saundbar-ot-domashnego-kinoteatra/
- https://stroy-podskazka.ru/saundbar/ili-domashnij-kinoteatr/
- https://ProSmartTV.ru/tehnologii/saundbar-ili-domashnij-kinoteatr.html
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Is it worth buying a soundbar?
A soundbar is a compromise with a full-fledged sound system. Soundbars are attractive because they are easy to set up and can simulate the presence of a multi-channel sound system with multiple speakers.
However, a soundbar cannot replace a sound system with speakers placed around you. Even if you want to use your soundbar as the center speaker in a larger system, problems may arise if the soundbar is not designed specifically for that purpose.
A soundbar is a great option if you want a simple audio solution that punches above its weight class and that you can also quickly set up and then forget about. When used carefully, a high-quality soundbar can be part of your system for many years, and it's hard to beat the simplicity they offer.
Recording source: https://thehometheaterdiy.com
