Have you noticed yourself turning up the volume higher and higher when streaming your favorite shows, movies, or gaming on your modern television? When today‘s super slim LED and OLED TVs emphasize sleek, minimalist aesthetics, audio quality often gets neglected in the process.
While built-in TV speakers have marginally improved over the years, they remain poor substitutes for component audio setups of yesterday. This often leaves you cupping your ears to hear dialogue clearly as on-screen special effects overwhelm TV drivers designed only as an afterthought.
Fortunately, a new wave of immersive entertainment technology – namely, the soundbar – provides a simple all-in-one audio upgrade path perfect for modern households. Let‘s explore why right now might be the perfect time to save your ears and finally invest in one of these handy devices!
The 6 Reasons I‘d Buy a Soundbar Today
Here is a quick preview of what we‘ll cover regarding soundbar motivations and benefits:
| Reason | Soundbar Advantage |
|---|---|
| Installation | Quick plug-and-play setup takes just minutes |
| Cost | Options for all budgets starting under $100 |
| Size | Slim build perfectly fits under thin TVs |
| Audio Quality | Immersive 3D sound via Dolby Atmos/DTS:X |
| Gaming | Audio modes heighten video game immersion |
| Smart features | Built-in voice assistants enable hands-free control |
Now let‘s explore each of those motivations in more detail:
1. Seamless Setup
Getting started enjoying a major audio upgrade couldn‘t be easier with a soundbar. The all-in-one units come equipped with the necessary cables like HDMI or optical audio to plug directly into your TV‘s input ports.
From opening the box to enjoying enhanced sound, the setup experience takes ~10 minutes on average – a fraction of the time complex A/V receiver configurations demand. Most soundbar brands aim for pure simplicity with just 1-2 necessary cable connections.
Place the soundbar centered below your mounted TV, connect power and the audio cable, turn on your set‘s external speaker option in settings if necessary, and enjoy the vastly improved output!
"I was definitely skeptical spending $300 on a soundbar to improve my new LG C2 OLED‘s audio since built-in TV speakers have always been terrible. But I‘m blown away by how good movies sound now with the surround effects perfectly synced…and I can finally make out what characters are actually saying!"
Why Now?
Today‘s largest screen TVs continue shrinking to the point where entertainment spaces now accommodate 85-inch screens that were unthinkably massive just a few years ago. This is where a soundbar‘s compact footprint shines as the perfect audio upgrade companion. Models measuring just 2-3 inches tall slide seamlessly beneath today‘s wafer-thin screens without impacting the clean, modern aesthetic.
For context, TCL offers an 85-inch 4K LED TV for just $1,400 – astonishing considering equivalent TV sizes easily cost over $10,000 less than a decade ago. Simultaneously, leading soundbar makers like Sonos, Sony, Samsung, Vizio, and more target the exact size constraints of contemporary entertainment setups.
You can now conveniently upgrade your experience without compromising on premium industrial design.
2. Options For Every Budget
While fully-equipped home theater sound systems often still demand thousands for quality audio, soundbars now cater to just about every budget range:
| Soundbar Price Range | What to Expect | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | 2.0 channels with better-than-TV fidelity | TCL Alto 6+ |
| $150-$300 | 2.1 – 5.1 setups, Dolby Atmos compatibility | VIZIO M-Series M512 |
| $500-$1000 | Premium sound hardware, included subwoofer | Samsung HW-Q990B |
Cost no longer prohibits meaningful A/V upgrades! Even base models offer exponential improvements over resigned acceptance of lackluster built-in speakers.
Mid-range tier options now integrate immersive 3D audio technology like Dolby Atmos within approachable price points. We‘ll explore how this takes entertainment viewing to new heights next.
Finally, soundbars availing all premium bells and whistles still max out around $1,000 – merely a fraction of what equivalent AV receivers and speaker bundles have traditionally demanded.
3. Perfectly Sized for Modern TV Aesthetics
We touched on sizing advantages already with how elegantly soundbars pair with super slim screens. But this synergy bears repeating as arguably today‘s most impactful purchasing motivator.
Review site Rtings performed an interesting analysis documenting an LG C7 OLED TV‘s width at just 0.3 inches thick. For reference, that‘s over 25 times thinner than the original iPhone!
As industrial designers prioritize wafer-thinness above all else, audio components shrink as casualties. The anorexic TV frame simply leaves no room for even moderately decent integrated speakers.
This is where soundbars shine as heroes to the aesthetic-first rescue:
All desired audio upgrades no longer require sacrificing on minimalism. The soundbar form factor was tailor-built for modern configurations advancing the "picture hanging on the wall" illusion.
4. Immersive 3D Audio
A key inflection point in soundbar technology breakthroughs traces back to 2016 when Dolby introduced Dolby Atmos integration with home units.
You likely recognize Dolby as the ubiquitous audio logo animation that plays before movies in theaters – this signals the advanced surround sound hardware powering cinema rooms. Dolby Atmos marked the company‘s push into 3D soundscape effects rather than traditional directional audio.
This transition helps explain the night and day experiences between built-in TV speakers versus enabled soundbars.
With Dolby Atmos, sound emanates from all around you rather than just left, center, and right channels. Soundbars that incorporate upfiring drivers actually bounce specialized audio signals off your ceiling to create the 3D dome effect.
You‘ll swear rain is pelting the space above you, furious dragon wings flap overhead, or arrows whiz dangerously past your shoulders. This holds especially true as streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ continually invest in Dolby Atmos mixing for top original programs.
5. Designed With Gaming in Mind
Another key application where soundbars provide exponential improvements lies with gaming. As console and PC titles grow increasingly cinematic on par with Hollywood blockbusters, audio tech keeps pace to maintain immersion.
The Xbox Series X actually mandates Dolby Atmos compatibility while the PS5 specifically only supports this 3D audio format. Top-tier titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales on Sony systems or Gears 5 for Xbox take full advantage by integrating effects only Atmos soundbars can recreate.
Gamers will appreciate key features like:
- 4K/120Hz passthrough to eliminate visual bottlenecks between console and screen.
- ALLM auto mode-switching between media formats to optimize settings.
- Integrated spatial mapping that custom tailors audio output to room size.
Balancing bombastic explosions, dramatic scores, and even subtle atmospheric cues remains crucial for suspension of disbelief. As next-gen consoles double down on immersive technologies like ray tracing, 3D spatial sound proves the perfect complement.
6. Built-In Voice Assistants
Last but not least, soundbars help simplify your at-home entertainment command center thanks to integrated smart assistants. Alexa and Google Assistant in particular feature on most mid-range and higher soundbar models.
Why does this matter? Consider a few examples where calling up these ambient AI aids streamlines responsibilities:
- "Alexa, switch to BluRay player input"
- "Hey Google, play Stranger Things on living room TV"
- "Alexa, turn up volume 5 notches"
Rather than juggle multiple remotes when adjusting settings or managing content, trusty vocal sidekicks remain keenly on call.
We see smart display adoption crossing 30% of US households this year as owners appreciate the versatility. Soundbars packing the same abilities essentially centralize requests related to equipment control, visual/audio adjustments, and entertainment selection.
This leaves your phone free for distraction and social media instead!
Top Soundbars Worth Buying Today
Now that you hopefully feel pumped about finally upgrading your entertainment audio game, let‘s shift gears to highlight three top-rated soundbars fitting various budgets and needs:
Overall: Sonos Arc – $899
| Pros | Cons | Who It‘s For |
|---|---|---|
| Deep expansive Dolby Atmos 3D sound | Expensive for budget buyers | Households wanting a premium long-term sound investment |
| Tuned drivers specifically for speech audio (great for dialogue in movies/TV) | Requires a bit of tweaking to optimize audio | Those with oddly shaped living rooms needing custom equalizer settings |
| Seamless integration for streaming music libraries | Lacks illumination indicators | Owners wanting to play soundbar audio throughout the house via other Sonos speakers |
Representing Sonos‘ new flagship release, the Sonos Arc justifies its premium price tag by filling rooms with rich, swelling sound. Wall-to-wall Dolby Atmos support combines with Trueplay tuning to size up the distinct room then calibrate output accordingly.
While expensive as far as soundbars go, know that Sonos products age beautifully with continued long-term software support. This remains a sound platform you can build upon incrementally.
For Gamers: Sony HT-A5000 – $799
| Pros | Cons | Who It‘s For |
|---|---|---|
| Expansive Dolby Atmos & DTS:X support | No included external subwoofer | Households with gaming consoles or high-end TVs looking to level up immersion |
| High-resolution audio passthrough | Angled design requires low-profile TV stands | Those wanting rich atmospheric audio for movies without full speaker components |
| Supported HDMI 2.1 specs for 4K/120Hz gaming | Limited inputs (just 1 HDMI) | Sony TV owners seeking audio hardware matching visual caliber |
Offering Sony‘s proprietary vertical surround engine and S-Force Pro front surround sound, the HT-5000 also stands out with integrated Google Assistant and Alexa support.
Auto calibration ensures audio output reaches its full potential regardless of room setup or wall placement. For gamers running next-gen 4K/120Hz-ready hardware, HDMI 2.1 passthrough guarantees no compromises on visualized fidelity.
For Budget Buyers: TCL Alto 6+ – $129
| Pros | Cons | Who It‘s For |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in subwoofer for rich bass | Lacks Dolby Atmos support | Cost-conscious shoppers wanting better-than-TV audio |
| Blends in perfectly with TCL Roku TV aesthetic | Light on features besides basic I/O | College students outfitting dorm rooms on a budget |
| Includes voice remote with TV power/volume integration | Less future-proofed than premium brands | Households wanting good enough "set it and forget it" sound |
Given TCL‘s meteoric rise selling budget-friendly 4K TVs loaded with features, the brand now also targets equivalent audio experiences. The Alto 6+ bundles great 2.1 channel sound with deep bass all for under $130.
While no match for the room-filling Dolby Atmos spatial audio discussed earlier, first-time soundbar shoppers will still gain noticeable improvements with TCL‘s plug-and-play setup. Sometimes simple just works!
Let Your Entertainment Come Alive
This overview aimed to convinces you why 2023 proves an opportune period for embracing soundbars based on a combination of:
- Maturing Dolby Atmos integration reaching down to lower prices
- Easy installation that won‘t drive couples to early divorce
- Sizing perfectly in line with living room aesthetics
- Major quality-of-life enhancements to both movies and gaming
Today, insufficient bundled TV audio no longer warrants resigned tolerance. As consumer technology analyst, I evaluate innovations based on genuine real-world utility and soundbars check every box.
Hopefully this crash course properly demonstrates how to drown out outside distractions and truly immerse yourself at home! Feel free to reach out with any other questions before pulling the trigger.
