Tired of straining to hear dialogue on your TV or missing out on the full impact of your favorite movies? Been there! But thankfully, the solution is simple — and it doesn’t require a full-fledged audio makeover either!
With only a soundbar, you can upgrade your TV's tiny (and, let’s face it, tinny) speakers from mediocre to clearer dialogue, richer music, and more immersive sound effects without cluttering your living space! You can fit a soundbar anywhere around your TV, and it only takes a few moments to set up. And with a few expert tips from the pros at Great Bend Appliance Center, you’ll have all the insider knowledge to make the most out of your viewing experience!
The Perfect Fit
Selecting the right soundbar can significantly impact your home entertainment experience, especially when space is at a premium. That’s why it’s so important to have the perfect fit! So, you should aim for a soundbar that matches the width of your TV so the sound dispersion is even across the screen — it makes the audio seem like it’s coming from the screen instead of an external source!
Typically, a 40 to 50-inch soundbar pairs with a 55-inch TV, while a 50 to 60-inch soundbar will suit a 65-inch TV. This ensures that the soundbar complements your setup without overwhelming it. But you can always try custom soundbars if you have unique space constraints or specific audio needs!
Key Features
While soundbars greatly enhance your audio, not all are created equal. That’s why it’s so essential to consider these key features!
- Audio Technology: Dolby Atmos and DTS are game-changers, creating an immersive, three-dimensional sound experience. They make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action, with sound coming from all directions, enhancing movies, music, and gaming.
- Connectivity Options: HDMI ARC and optical inputs allow for a single-cable connection between your TV and soundbar, simplifying your setup and ensuring high-quality audio. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enable wireless streaming, making it easy to play music from your phone or integrate your soundbar into a multi-room audio system.
- Smart Features: Modern soundbars often come with built-in voice control, allowing you to use assistants to control your soundbar and other smart home devices.
Placement Tips for Optimal Sound in Small Spaces
Getting the best audio from your soundbar isn’t just about the hardware — it’s also about where and how you place it. Here are some tips for achieving optimal sound in compact areas:
- Positioning: Ideally, it should be centered below your TV, around your ear level when seated, to ensure the sound is directed towards you. While you could mount it above the TV, your sound won’t be as optimal unless the soundbar has upward-firing speakers.
- Mounting Options: Wall-mounting your soundbar saves space and can enhance sound projection by keeping the soundbar at an optimal height. If wall-mounting isn’t an option, a tabletop placement works well too. Just make sure it’s positioned near the TV and not obstructed by other objects.
- Room Acoustics: Every room is different, and sound can be affected by the size, shape, and materials in your space. Hard surfaces like tiles or bare walls can cause echoes, while soft furnishings like curtains and rugs can absorb sound, reducing clarity.
Pro Tip:
Many soundbars have modes or settings for different room sizes and layouts, so take advantage of these features to fine-tune your audio experience.
Maximizing Your Soundbar’s Performance
Getting the best audio from your soundbar isn’t just about buying the right one—it’s about setting it up and maintaining it correctly!
- Customization: Use the sound modes and equalizer settings to tailor the audio to your space and preferences. Advanced models offer detailed equalizer settings, allowing you to adjust frequencies to enhance bass, midrange, or treble to suit your taste.
- Regular Maintenance: Wipe the soundbar regularly and ensure no objects block the speaker grills. And keep your soundbar’s firmware up to date to improve functionality and fix bugs.
- Integration with Existing Systems: If you have other audio equipment, integrating your soundbar can create a more cohesive sound environment. For a more immersive experience, consider adding a subwoofer to enhance bass or satellite speakers for surround sound.
Soundbars vs. Traditional Speakers
You might be thinking, why use a soundbar instead of traditional speakers? In many circumstances, a soundbar stands out, especially if you have a limited layout. Here’s why soundbars might be your best bet:
- Space Efficiency: Traditional speaker systems with multiple speakers, subwoofers, and receivers occupy much room. A soundbar fits neatly under your TV or can be wall-mounted, keeping your living area uncluttered and stylish.
- Cost-Effectiveness: A typical speaker setup can be pricey, with costs adding up when you factor in receivers and subwoofers. Soundbars provide excellent audio quality at a fraction of the price, offering a budget-friendly solution without sacrificing performance.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Soundbars are designed to complement flat-screen TVs and eliminate the need for multiple speakers and tangled cables. Traditional speaker systems, while potentially offering richer sound, can look bulky and disrupt your room’s aesthetic.
Pro Tip:
If you have the space and a budget, a full-fledged audio system can transform your viewing to movie-theater level!
Sound Off in Style
Having limited space in your viewing area doesn’t mean you need to limit your audio experience! With a soundbar, you’ll have richer, crisp audio without tripping over cables or dealing with bulky setups! So, if you’re ready to blow your TV watching out of the water, look to Great Bend Appliance Center and our wide selection of top-brand soundbars!
We carry various sizes, so you’ll be sure to find the one that fits your TV setup. But if you have any questions, ask our team in person or online!