As a digital technology expert and audio enthusiast, I‘ve witnessed firsthand the rapid evolution of home audio over the past few decades. Two of the most popular choices for enhancing your TV or movie watching experience today are soundbars and surround sound speaker systems. But with so many options on the market and conflicting opinions on which is better, it can be challenging to know where to start.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll dive deep into the key differences between soundbars and speakers, providing objective data, expert insights, and analysis to help you make an informed decision for your specific needs and preferences. Whether you‘re a casual viewer looking for a simple audio upgrade or a hardcore cinephile building your dream home theater, understanding the pros and cons of each option is essential to getting the best possible sound for your investment.
Soundbar vs. Speaker Sound Quality
One of the most important factors when choosing any audio setup is, of course, sound quality. In general, standalone speakers are capable of producing higher quality sound than most soundbars due to their larger size, higher-end components and greater flexibility of placement. However, the gap in performance has narrowed in recent years as soundbar technology has advanced.
Key aspects that impact a speaker‘s sound quality include:
- Frequency response range: A wider range, typically 20Hz-20kHz for speakers, means the speaker can accurately produce sounds from low bass to high treble frequencies. Soundbars often have a more limited range
- Driver size: Larger drivers can push more air and produce deeper, more impactful bass. Soundbars are limited by their compact enclosures.
- Sensitivity: Measured in decibels (dB), this spec indicates how much volume a speaker produces from a given power input. Higher sensitivity means a speaker can play louder with less power.
- Power handling: The maximum wattage a speaker can handle before distorting or suffering damage. More power equals greater dynamic range and reduced distortion at high volumes.
Here‘s an example of typical specs for a decent bookshelf speaker compared to a midrange soundbar:
| Specification | Bose 301-V Bookshelf Speakers | Bose Smart Soundbar 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 40Hz – 20kHz | 40Hz – 20kHz |
| Woofer Size | 8" | (4) 2.25" Racetrack drivers |
| Tweeter Size | 2x 2" | (1) 1" |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | N/A |
| Power Handling | 10-150W | N/A |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
While the soundbar has a comparable frequency range on paper, its smaller drivers and limited power handling mean it can‘t match the overall dynamics, clarity, and soundstage of the bookshelf speakers. The Bose 301‘s 8" woofers in particular give it a clear advantage in bass response.
That said, higher-end soundbars like the Sennheiser AMBEO or Sony HT-A7000 are bridging the gap with larger drivers, built-in subwoofers, advanced digital signal processing and support for 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos. These premium models can cost as much as a full surround sound system though.
A key advantage of speakers is the ability to fine-tune and upgrade your setup to suit your exact needs and budget. Don‘t listen to music much? You can prioritize your spending on the center and front left/right speakers for better movie dialogue clarity. Want more bass impact? Add a larger, more powerful subwoofer down the line. With a soundbar, you‘re stuck with an all-in-one solution until you replace the entire unit.
Active vs. Passive Speakers
Another important distinction when comparing speakers and soundbars is whether the speakers are active (powered) or passive. Active speakers have built-in amplifiers, allowing you to connect them directly to your TV or source device without the need for a separate AV receiver. Passive speakers require an external power amplifier to drive them.
Many soundbars are active, which is a big reason for their growing popularity – they‘re easy to set up and don‘t take up much space compared to a full-size receiver and passive speaker combo. Some soundbars like the Sonos Arc even support wireless surround speakers and subwoofers for a more immersive experience without all the wires.
However, passive speakers have some advantages when it comes to flexibility and upgradability. With an AV receiver, you can swap out and mix different brands and models of speakers, add additional channels, integrate other components like a turntable or media streamer, and take advantage of the latest surround sound formats and HDMI features.
Some benefits of active speakers over passive include:
- Simpler setup with fewer wires and components to manage
- More energy efficient and compact
- Built-in digital crossovers and DSP for optimized sound
- Direct digital inputs eliminate D/A and A/D conversion stages
Passive speakers have the edge when it comes to:
- Flexibility to choose your ideal amp and mix/match speakers
- Longer lifespan since electronics aren‘t hardwired into the cabinet
- Ability to drive speakers to higher volume levels
- More options for custom designs and finishes
For smaller spaces or simpler setups a powered soundbar is often the better choice, while dedicated home theaters with multiple sources and more demanding performance requirements will benefit from a passive speaker/AV receiver combo.
Surround Formats and Technology
If you‘re a movie buff, you know how important surround sound is to the viewing experience. Both soundbars and multi-speaker setups can deliver an immersive audio experience, but they differ in terms of supported formats and technology.
Most soundbars today support standard 5.1 or 7.1 channel Dolby Digital and DTS encoding, which can give you a basic surround effect but doesn‘t provide precise localization of sound effects or take advantage of height channels. For a more enveloping, three-dimensional soundstage you‘ll want to look for a soundbar that supports object-based formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
These formats allow sound designers to place and move audio objects anywhere in a 3D space rather than being limited to a fixed number of channels. To take full advantage, you‘ll need a soundbar with multiple angled and upward-firing drivers to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling, creating the illusion of sound coming from above and behind you.
Some soundbars like the Vizio Elevate take this a step further with rotating speakers that automatically angle up for Atmos content and forward for standard audio. Others use advanced beamforming and psychoacoustic tricks to create a wider, more spacious sound field without extra speakers.
While these virtualization technologies are impressive, they still can‘t quite match the directionality and precision of a true multi-speaker Atmos system. With dedicated speakers placed around and above your listening position, you‘ll be able to pinpoint exactly where that helicopter or raindrop is in the scene.
For the ultimate immersive experience, a 7.1.4 or 9.1.6 Atmos setup with 4-6 ceiling mounted speakers is hard to beat. But that also requires a much larger investment in equipment and more complex installation. Receivers that support 11+ channel processing often cost thousands of dollars alone.
If you‘re not ready to go all out on an Atmos setup, a basic 5.1 passive speaker system still offers excellent performance for most content. You can always start with a quality 5.1 receiver and add more speakers later as your budget allows. Many receivers even have onboard room correction software to automatically calibrate levels and EQ based on your room acoustics.
Connectivity
The way your audio setup connects to the rest of your AV system is another key factor to consider. Most modern soundbars and receivers use HDMI as the primary input, which makes for a simpler setup since a single cable carries both audio and video.
Look for a soundbar or receiver with an HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port, which has enough bandwidth to transmit lossless and high bitrate formats from your TV. This allows you to connect all your video sources directly to the TV and then send audio back down to the soundbar or receiver.
Some soundbars also support wireless audio streaming over Bluetooth or WiFi, which is handy for playing music from your phone or compatible streaming platforms. AirPlay 2, Chromecast Built-in, and Spotify Connect are some of the most popular wireless protocols to look for. Voice assistant integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri can also make it easier to control your audio with just your voice.
If you have other gear like a turntable or CD player without HDMI, make sure your soundbar or receiver has the appropriate analog or digital inputs to accommodate them. Some may even offer a dedicated phono input for connecting a turntable directly.
On the output side, if you plan to set up a multi-room audio system or want to use your soundbar as part of a wireless surround setup, look for models that support WiFi streaming to compatible speakers or subwoofers. Sonos, Bose, and Denon‘s HEOS are some of the most popular wireless multi-room platforms.
Room Size and Acoustics
The size and layout of your room along with its acoustics will also play a role in determining whether a soundbar or surround speaker system is the better choice. In smaller living rooms or apartments, a soundbar may be the most practical option since it won‘t take up as much space or overpower the room with too much sound.
Some soundbars even come with calibration microphones that measure your room‘s acoustics and automatically adjust EQ and levels for optimal performance. This can be especially helpful in oddly shaped rooms or those with a lot of hard, reflective surfaces like windows and hardwood floors.
As you move up in room size to a medium or large space, the benefits of a dedicated surround speaker system become more apparent. With speakers spread out around the room, you‘ll get a wider, more enveloping soundstage with clear separation between channels. Floorstanding speakers in particular can provide greater bass impact and dynamics compared to a soundbar.
No matter which route you go, experimenting with speaker positioning can make a big difference in sound quality. Placing your front left and right speakers at ear level and angling them towards the listening position is a good starting point. If possible, try to keep speakers away from walls and corners to avoid boomy, muddy bass.
Room treatments like acoustic panels, diffusers, and bass traps can also help tame reflections and standing waves for tighter, more accurate sound. But if you‘re not ready to turn your living room into a recording studio, even some strategically placed rugs, curtains, and furniture can improve acoustics.
Soundbar Recommendations
If you‘ve decided a soundbar is the right fit for your needs, here are some of the top models I recommend in 2024 based on performance, value, and features:
Best Overall: Sonos Arc ($899) – This sleek Atmos soundbar delivers immersive, room-filling sound and integrates seamlessly with other Sonos speakers for wireless surround or multi-room audio. It also supports AirPlay 2 and voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Best Budget: Vizio V21-H8 ($180) – A compact 2.1 soundbar with great sound quality for the price, the V21-H8 includes a wireless subwoofer, Bluetooth streaming, HDMI ARC input and DTS Virtual:X surround sound.
Best for Small Rooms: Bose Smart Soundbar 300 ($499) – Bose‘s compact soundbar delivers big sound from a small package thanks to its PhaseGuide arrays and QuietPort bass technology. It also supports voice control, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and multiroom streaming to other Bose smart speakers.
Best for Large Rooms: Klipsch Cinema 1200 ($1,899) – With a massive 12" wireless subwoofer and Dolby Atmos support, the Cinema 1200 can fill even the largest spaces with dynamic, cinematic sound. It also includes two wireless surround speakers and supports eARC, 8K HDR passthrough and WiFi music streaming.
Best with Alexa: Polk React ($249) – This affordable Alexa-enabled soundbar has a far-field mic array for voice control even when the music is cranked up. It also delivers solid sound quality with Polk‘s patented Voice Adjust technology for clear dialogue.
Speaker System Recommendations
If you‘re ready to invest in a high-performance surround sound speaker system, here are some of my top picks for 2023:
Best Bookshelf Speakers: KEF Q150 ($599/pair) – These award-winning bookshelf speakers deliver exceptional clarity and soundstage with their Uni-Q driver array and sleek cabinet design. Combine them with a matching center and subwoofer for a stellar 5.1 setup.
Best Floorstanding Speakers: Klipsch RP-8000F ($1,198/pair) – Klipsch‘s Reference Premiere series offers incredible dynamics and efficiency with their proprietary Tractrix horn tweeters and Cerametallic woofers. The RP-8000F towers are a commanding addition to any home theater.
Best Dolby Atmos Speakers: Sony SS-CSE ($229/pair) – These compact Atmos modules sit on top of your main speakers and fire sound upward for immersive height effects. They‘re an easy and affordable way to upgrade an existing 5.1 or 7.1 system.
Best Wireless Speakers: Sonos One SL ($199/each) – While not technically a surround sound setup, adding a pair of One SLs as rear surrounds to a Sonos Arc or Beam soundbar creates an immersive wireless 5.1 system with no extra wiring needed. You can also use them for multiroom music streaming.
Best Premium System: Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series ($4,996 for 5.1.2 system) – If money is no object, it‘s hard to beat the refined sound and build quality of B&W‘s 700 series. This 5.1.2 Atmos package includes the flagship 702 S3 floorstanders, HTM72 S3 center, 707 S3 surrounds and ASW610 subwoofer for truly high-end performance.
The Future of Home Audio
As technology continues to evolve, the lines between soundbars and traditional speaker systems are blurring. Many newer soundbars support expandability with optional wireless surrounds and subwoofers, giving you the flexibility to build out a full surround system over time.
Streaming technology and voice control are also making it easier than ever to access and control your audio from anywhere in the home. Platforms like DTS Play-Fi and Apple‘s AirPlay 2 allow you to create a wireless whole-home audio system with products from multiple brands, while smart assistants like Alexa, Google, and Siri provide hands-free control.
On the horizon, technologies like Dolby Atmos Music and Sony‘s 360 Reality Audio are bringing immersive, object-based audio to the music world, allowing artists to create 3D soundscapes that go beyond the capabilities of traditional stereo. As more consumers adopt these technologies, we may see a shift towards more Atmos-enabled soundbars and speakers in the home.
Advancements in digital signal processing and beamforming are also allowing soundbars to create an increasingly realistic surround sound experience without the need for extra speakers. Sennheiser‘s Ambeo soundbar, for example, uses a whopping 13 drivers and advanced virtualization to create a convincing 5.1.4 Atmos soundstage from a single unit.
Ultimately, the right audio setup for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and space constraints. But whether you go with a soundbar, a traditional speaker system, or something in between, investing in quality audio can greatly enhance your enjoyment of movies, music, and more. By considering the factors outlined in this guide and auditioning different options for yourself, you can find the perfect setup to bring your home entertainment experience to the next level.
