Soundbar for TV that Simulates True Surround Sound?

How does a soundbar work?

When I had my first soundbar, I did not know much about how it produces sound. But it always amazed me how it can make powerful, loud sound that envelopes my room. 

In my first impression, I thought my entire house had the sound reception of my soundbar.

As it turned out, all those sounds came from the soundwaves that bounced off from different angles and walls in my room, making the sounds seem everywhere and in the right places.

And yes, all that immersive loudness doesn’t have to disturb the person next to your room.

A soundbar is a sound system wherein two or more speakers are enclosed in a bar. These speakers are positioned to fire in different directions and emulate the sound effects we experience from a true surround sound system. 

With this design, soundbars can create psycho-acoustic effects from sound waves bouncing off the wall in the room.

Soundbars today are better than before because they offer more versatility and intelligent features. They take less and less of a space and deliver more. 

Imagine them getting thinner, including seven speakers inside or more and about the length of your TV. Crazy, right? Some even have sixteen speakers in one bar and can still emulate the virtual surround sound.

If it’s your first time getting a speaker or a soundbar, you don’t have to be clueless about the capabilities and features you can have with your next purchase.

If you want to know what to look for in a soundbar, keep reading.

How to choose the right home theater soundbar?

1. Choose between an active or passive soundbar.

If you’re a beginner in the audio world, you may not understand what a passive and active soundbar is. 

Most soundbars we included in this list are powered or active, which includes a built-in amplifier inside the small enclosure.

Today, even soundbars are keeping up with the trend of TVs that keep getting flatter, slimmer yet bigger on screens. 

Soundbars today pack a lot as they get thinner, and you may find traditional or passive soundbars boring– without the added features. Expect yours to power most features that allow a more immersive home entertainment experience.

Passive soundbars are the bars you connect to an external receiver or amplifier.

The TV connects to the amplifier or receiver, which is then connected to your soundbar to distribute sound. And since you have to connect it to a receiver or amplifier, you can add more speakers and customize your setup.

Remember that when you choose active soundbars, your setup will be tied up to its technology.

You will have restrictions on or adding more speakers because, technically, you have all the speakers needed inside the enclosure. Many households today prefer active soundbars because they can already support the latest audio formats, and most of them are packed all in one.

2. Decide your preferred soundbar channels.

The more channels you prefer, the bigger your soundbar will be. Amazingly, many soundbars in our list offer sleek and stylish designs that can blend into your interior seamlessly.

You can start with the basic 2.0 setup if you just want to enhance your TV audio.

With more channels in your soundbar, there will be more spatial accuracy in reproducing audio.

Simulated surround sound becomes more efficient and immersive. With Dolby Atmos support and the like, the higher speakers reflect from above your head, creating a 3D soundstage.

I would advise starting from the 5-channel setup if you want a more cinematic audio experience.

3. Check the connectivity available.

Connectivities are solutions available to link the soundbar to various devices.

For example, if you want a soundbar that can connect to your mobile phone, aside from your TV, find one with ports for auxiliary cables.

But if you want to connect it wirelessly, find one that you can integrate with a smart app or simply on a Bluetooth connection.

Nowadays, soundbars have multiple connectivities available.

One of the most important ports in a soundbar for home entertainment is the HDMI port because it processes both visual and audio data and delivers it to the speakers inside the soundbar.

4. Find out the audio and visual formats supported

Powered soundbars support different formats to process and deliver various audio and visual experiences. 

The most advanced audio formats, known as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, convert and distribute sound for a more immersive cinematic experience.

They process audio and visual data more efficiently, providing clear, crisp, and detailed audio or movies that create a surround sound experience, even if you do not use multiple speakers.

If you simply want to make your TV sound louder, you can use speakers that support stereo. You will only need a left and right speaker for that.

But if you want to future-proof your home entertainment investments today,  get a soundbar that can process most audio formats.

5. Know the mounting options.

Most soundbars today are mounted on the tabletop. But if you want to save space, you can mount the soundbar on the wall.

If you use an articulating TV mount that extends far away from the wall, you need to mount the soundbar with the bracket.

Having the soundbar left out from the wall could affect its performance if the TV blocks the sounds from the speakers. 

I will put the soundbar above or below the TV so it continues to fire up in its intended direction.

Check where the mounting holes are in your soundbar. Most soundbar mounts are universal anyway, but you want to know if the holes are at the bottom or the back of the soundbar.

Reasons to own a soundbar

1. Create spatial audio.

Even though a soundbar is a single-unit sound system, it can create 3D sound effects and a virtual surround sound as if the sounds come from multiple speakers.

Some soundbars include beam forming technology, which focuses in specific directions by intensifying and adjusting the timing of sounds, making it like they come from different places in the room.

2. Wireless connections

The main reason the soundbar exists is to reduce clutter and save space. Some soundbars require only Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection to stream movies or listen to music.

Some of them use an app or voice assistant to control the soundbar.

This innovation allows more home entertainment systems to achieve a completely wireless setup and have all the necessary channels in one bar.

3. Connect to different smart devices

Soundbars today, just like any smart AV device, communicate with other devices.

As long as they share the same technology, you can link different media sources to a soundbar and play music or videos. You can connect a PC to a TV with a soundbar.

You can connect tablets, watch movies from your mobile phones, and have the music delivered by a soundbar.

4. For easy setup

Multiple speakers and receivers are complicated to set up. Unlike a soundbar, most units are plug-and-play.

You just have to turn it on and connect your TV or streaming device and you’re good to go.

5. For a cost-effective audio solution

Soundbars eliminate the need for having multiple speaker setups. This strategy alone reduces the upfront cost of buying individual speakers, amplifiers, or receivers.

Additionally, soundbars save a lot of space because you don’t have to plan extensively where and how to route the electrical wirings and cables beneath the wall.

6. Aesthetics and minimalist design

Soundbars are the best options for a usually pleasing and minimalist setup.

I really love how a soundbar blends into the interior like a part of the TV. Soundbars are so discreet, slim, and elegant on console tables.

JBL Bar 5.1 surround

Note that this JBL Bar 5.1 surround is not the other Bar 5.1 version with two magnetic satellite speakers.

Our top All-around soundbar for home is a standalone soundbar with a bass boost from a separate subwoofer.

We chose this all-in-one soundbar for its versatility and ability to create an exemplary virtual surround sound that fills our living room like a boss. 

High-powered. Clear voices. Deep bass. I’ve almost forgotten this unit is a mid-range 5.1 bar that does not support Dolby Atmos. Although we understand it could be better with the Atmos.

The 45-inch wide soundbar communicates seamlessly with the subwoofer when turned on. At the back, you’ll find HDMI, UDB, and ethernet connections. And with a Wi-Fi connection, you can stream through it with Chromecast and Airplay 2.

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4

Great for movies or TV shows with heavy dialogues. You might be surprised this lesser-known soundbar name became our most valued choice.

This 7.1.4 setup comes with quality surround sound at a fraction of the cost. The soundbar kit includes a soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, and two satellite speakers.  

Although the earlier version of this kit had DSP issues before, the Nakamichi did not fret and transformed.

Shockwafe digitally into the more capable surround sound kit it is today. It’s the most popular soundbar kit on our list.

Samsung HW-Q990B/ZA

You won’t believe it. But these four boxes– a soundbar, a subwoofer, and two rear speakers– pack in sixteen channel count. The most expensive in this list do have the right to charge a premium. 

With this channel count, the 48.5-inch soundbar creates an impressive spatial distribution of sound in 3D.

Imagine having two up-firing drivers for each rear speaker. Its subwoofer comes with an acoustic lens, which is mainly responsible for delivering refined, powerful, and resonant low-frequency sounds.

I can’t stress enough. But this four-box audio kit wraps all the sharp, riveting sounds from the TV in the entire room, making the most out of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Soundbar add-ons: Do you really need them?

Soundbars today are packed with exciting features. The fact that most soundbars connect to Wi-Fi means they can do even more with voice assistants.

The option to connect your soundbar to your Chromecast or Airplay2 wirelessly is further–  proof that audio technology is not standing still.

It seems we may not need receivers or amplifiers soon, but that is too early to say. We still cannot compare the audio quality of wired multiple speakers in creating surround sound.

What are these nice-to-have features equipped in premium soundbars?

• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
• Adjustable crossover frequency
• Beamforming technology
• Automatic recalibration
• App and voice control
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• 4k pass-through, HDR 10, and Dolby Vision support

The list of technologies present in soundbars may vary depending on the unit.

The need for additional features in soundbars depends on the individual owner’s preferences, requirements, and usage scenarios. So, it’s not my decision if you need the technology present in a soundbar.

For people very particular about the audio experience in watching movies, playing gamers, or listening to music, these additional features matter.

But for a sound enthusiast, I don’t think a soundbar will be your first choice, no matter the technology. Soundbars only mimic the capability of a true surround system.

For someone who casually watches TV or listens to music, a  basic 2.0 setup will suffice. 

If you have a smaller room, you will enjoy the immersive sound produced by soundbars, even if you use a single-piece unit. If you place it in a living room, you may need additional subwoofer and, probably– satellite speakers.

What could go wrong when choosing a soundbar?

At this point, you probably have your pick. So let us remind you a few things before finalizing your purchase.

Some things still could go wrong in your purchase if you are unaware of a few things.

• Buying an incompatible soundbar to your TV. Make sure to have the right connections. Remember, an HDMI port is a must to future-proof your home entertainment system.
• Getting an underpowered soundbar. A soundbar that is too small has inadequate technology, or lacks power for a large room will also lack the immersive experience.
• Limited future-proofing. Ensure your soundbar supports an advanced audio processor like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
• Incorrect placement. Avoid placing your soundbar on spots that can impede delivered sounds. Doing this will compromise its performance. As much as possible, follow the design placements.

How I compared the features

	JBL Bar 5.1	Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1	Samsung HW-Q990B/ZA	Sonos Arc	Sony HT-A7000	Samsung HW-LST70T	Samsung HW-Q800C	MartinLogan Motion SLM X3	Vizio M512E-K6	Bose TV speaker
Verdict:	Top All-in-one	Wise buy	Smartest							Most affordable
Connectivity:	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, analog, optical	Bluetooth, RCA, auxiliary, optical, HDMI, coaxial	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical, HDMI, USB	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, optical	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical, analog, HDMI, USb	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, HDMI Arc, optical	Terminal connectors	Bluetooth, HDMI, HDMI Arc, Voice, Analog	Bluetooth, auxiliary, optical, HDMI
Supported format:	PCM, Dolby Digital, and DTS	Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, LPCM 2.0, Dolby Digital	Dolby Atmos, DTS: X	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X	Dolby Digital	Dolby Atmos	N/A	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X	Dolby Digital, PCM
Audio channels:	5.1	7.1.4	11.1.4	5.0	7.1.2	3.0	5.1	3.0	5.1.2	3.0
Size:	45 inches	45.5 inches	48.5 inches	45 inches	51.25 inches	48 inches	48.5 inches	48 inches	41.38 inches	23.38 inches
Control	Remote, voice, app	Remote control	Remote, voice, app	Remote, voice, app	Remote, voice	Remote, voice, app	Remote, voice, app	None, reciever required	Remote, voice	Button, remote

Our top pick soundbar for home entertainment!