Do Smart TVs Need a Soundbar? (Pros & Cons Explained)


Smart TVs are the future of home entertainment, offering the latest in cutting-edge features with excellent image quality. But what about the sound? Do smart TVs need a soundbar in order to deliver the best possible audio experience, or are the inbuilt speakers good enough? 

Although you technically don’t need a soundbar to use with a smart TV, using one will almost certainly improve the audio quality of your setup. Smart TVs generally don’t have the best speakers installed and therefore benefit from the additional depth and frequency response offered by a soundbar.

Soundbars have exploded in popularity in recent years, as they offer an upgrade on TV speakers but don’t take up as much room as a surround sound system. This guide will discuss whether you need one to accompany your Smart TV or whether you’re better off investing in other equipment for your home theatre setup. 

Benefits of Soundbars for Smart TVs

A soundbar is an essential investment for those who want to improve their smart TVs’ sound quality significantly. In terms of bang for your buck, soundbars are easily the most cost-effective way to upgrade the audio quality of your television.

Aside from that, they offer a variety of other advantages.

Their small size makes them perfect if you have a limited area available or want to avoid having a cluttered home theater system.

Additionally, many models come with wireless technology, so there’s no need to fuss over complex wire connections and efforts in hiding cables.

Furthermore, soundbars provide improved audio quality over the speakers that come with many smart TVs, as the manufacturer often concentrates their efforts mainly on the visual aspects of the television. 

Another bonus is that many modern soundbars facilitate additional features such as surround sound and boosted bass, which can add an immersive feel to the audio.

Finally, soundbars are easy to install and operate, so even those who don’t have a lot of technical expertise can easily set them up with a smart TV.

Soundbar Features to Look Out For

Today’s Smart TVs are perfectly complemented by soundbars, offering a variety of features to bolster your audio experience. Packed with multiple in-built speakers, these bars deliver an immersive soundstage and help you avoid the hassle of using several individual speakers.

Furthermore, some come with subwoofers that provide the deepest low-end, making films and music even more enjoyable!

If you want to create the next best cinematic experience in your home, look no further with advanced technologies such as Dolby Atmos, Alexa, DTS:X, and other immersive surround sound formats featured on most premium soundbars.

The common Bluetooth connectivity feature allows for a seamless streaming process from multiple devices that don’t even have to be close, by-so go ahead and enjoy music straight from your phone or laptop without getting up off the couch!

You can also integrate soundbars into a surround sound system, combining it with an additional six, eight, or more speakers. If you’d like to learn more about using these two audio devices together, you’ll probably find my guide on the topic helpful.

How to Use a Soundbar With Your Smart TV

Installing your soundbar and using it with your smart TV is a relatively straightforward task. The first step is finding the right location for the soundbar.

In most cases, the soundbar should be placed directly under or slightly above the Smart TV. To ensure that the listener receives the best sound quality, it is essential to position your soundbar so that it directly faces the.

If you are uncertain where exactly to place the soundbar for optimal audio performance, I previously wrote a guide on whether or not they should be centered that you may find useful.

Moving on, wall mounting can prove advantageous if space is limited; this allows for an uncluttered and open appearance while freeing up room for furniture or other objects!

If you choose to mount the soundbar, make sure to use the appropriate hardware to ensure the soundbar is securely attached, but if you’re not mounting the soundbar, you’ll need to find a suitable place to position it.

To get the best sound from your soundbar, place it on a shelf or furniture piece of equal width to the device. It’s essential to stay away from uneven surfaces, which will muffle audio and could cause it to tumble off.

Last but not least, connect your system with its compatible cables – HDMI, optical, or 3.5mm aux-to your smart TV for optimal performance.

Closing Thoughts

All in all, pairing a soundbar with your smart TV is an intelligent decision that pays off. With improved sound quality, movies and shows become more enjoyable while providing heightened immersion.

Plus, most soundbars are affordable and easy to set up. So if you’re looking for better audio without sacrificing the room’s aesthetics or surpassing your budget, investing in the right type of soundbar may be just what you need.

Ross

Ross Mcleod is a musician, songwriter, producer, and recording engineer from Yorkshire, England. He has a first-class honors degree in Music from York St. John University and a National Diploma in Music Technology from Leeds Conservatoire.

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