Why you need a soundbar and where to put it

Why do you need a soundbar and does it make a big difference?

Modern TV sets, with their flat screens, deliver amazing images with an attractive form factor.  However, due to their thin panels, the units usually feature small speakers. The sound quality is fine for casual viewing, but if you want an audio experience that matches the quality of the picture that your TV can deliver, a Dolby Atmos soundbar is a great solution. Many sets can’t deliver the small details and big sound that make for a cinematic experience. While some TVs have made room for more powerful speakers, and can deliver Dolby Atmos, the best way to get improved sound quality is with a soundbar. 

  

A soundbar incorporates a number of speakers into a single housing that can be connected to your TV to give you better sound. A soundbar is more convenient than running a home theater with multiple speakers, all of which must be installed with wired connections. Placing a soundbar is simple and requires minimal cabling. And, since you want the best sound, you’ll benefit from selecting a soundbar with Dolby Atmos. 

 

Dolby Atmos is a pioneering spatial audio technology. This means that sound is no longer limited to coming out of a specific speaker. With Dolby Atmos, soundbars can place sounds all around you. A helicopter can hover overhead. A race car can roar past you and then weave in front of you. A mosquito can drive you crazy buzzing around your head. Dolby Atmos is entertainment you can feel. For a creator, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. For film lovers, it means being inside the story. Best of all, a soundbar can be a good way to bring Dolby Atmos home. 

  

We’ll explore which soundbar setup might be right for you later in this piece. But first, let’s cover the basics. 

Where to put your soundbar for the best listening experience

Most soundbars are a single, integrated unit. However, there are others that come with subwoofers, as well as those with additional speakers to improve the surround and Dolby Atmos experience. If you’d like help deciding on your home theater setup, we have an article about that. You put a lot of care into selecting the right TV for your home and into getting the right soundbar. Placing your soundbar in the right spot will give you the best sound quality that your system can deliver. There are a few options, all of which can work well. 

 

Some people like to place their soundbar on a media console below their TV. This setup is easy and can create a stylish look. If you’re going to do this, consider that you want the soundbar to not be too far below the TV. Ideally, a soundbar should be about level with your ears when you’re seated. However, your TV screen should be at about eye level when you’re seated for optimal viewing. Getting the best sound from your soundbar while still getting a great picture means placing your soundbar and TV as close together as is practical. To do this, some people prefer to wall-mount the soundbar. If you are wall-mounting a soundbar, it is usually best to mount it below the TV. However, if your TV is mounted low on the wall, a wall-mounted soundbar could be placed above it. If you place it off-center, too high, or too low, the sound will seem like it’s coming from somewhere other than the action on the screen. 

 

If you use an adjustable wall mount for your TV that allows you to move the TV to be viewable from different angles, consider placing your soundbar on a bracket connected to your TV mount. That way, your soundbar’s audio will always be aligned with your screen, regardless of which way your TV screen is facing. 

 

How to choose the best soundbar for your TV

When it comes to choosing a soundbar for a smart TV, there are many options. TVs with Dolby let you enjoy your entertainment your way, whether via streaming services, Blu-ray, cable, or game console. Getting a good soundbar will give better sound and improve your overall experience. 

 

A compact, all-in-one soundbar is a great choice for a small room and fills the space with better sound without taking up a lot of space. Even a compact soundbar can deliver sound that moves you if you choose one with Dolby Atmos. And connecting that soundbar is easy. Our article will help you connect your soundbar with Dolby Atmos to your TV.

 

If you want to build a home theater, complete with Blu-ray player, immersive audio, and comfy chairs, you can do that too. Many soundbars come with satellite speakers (usually two or four) that are used to provide Dolby Surround Sound. This delivers a more cinematic experience and gives extra depth to sound effects and music. If you have the space, they’re a great way to bring even more detail to your experience. Some soundbars come with speakers with extra, upward-firing speakers to provide a Dolby Atmos audio experience. Regardless of whether your satellites have extra speakers for Dolby Atmos, you’ll want to position them for the best effect. 

  

Browse our speaker setup guides to learn more about how to set up your surround sound speaker system. 

  

Not all soundbars enabled with Dolby Atmos require extra speakers, though. You can choose a soundbar that fits your space and still get great sound quality from all-in-one units that deliver spatial audio using virtualized Dolby Atmos. For a family room, kitchen, or bedroom, an integrated solution gives you convenience without having to give up better sound. 

   

If your soundbar has a separate subwoofer, you can place that just about anywhere around your seating area, because low bass notes are not directional. Wherever you place it, you’ll get that extra punch for entertainment you can feel. 

Do you need a soundbar for a Smart TV or 4K TV?

Whether you need a soundbar for a Smart TV is a matter of personal preference and whether you want better sound than your set can deliver on its own. A 4K TV soundbar can add immensely to your audio experience. Many of the leading TV brands that make Smart TVs and 4K TVs also make soundbars, including Sony, LG, Samsung, TCL, Hisense, and Panasonic. Many leading audio brands also offer soundbars, including JBL, Sony, Nakamichi, and Sennheiser. You have a lot of choices to get the best sound possible from your 4K TV. One of the best things about soundbars — especially when paired with a TV with Dolby Vision — is that they let you go from just hearing and seeing to feeling. Soundbars are also a great way to bring Dolby Atmos home. There are soundbars and home entertainment devices to fit every room size, set, and budget. 

 

Many streaming providers, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, and Amazon Prime Video, offer films and seriesmovies and TV shows in Dolby Atmos, providing you with consistently delivered titles for endless entertainment. 

 

If you want to know more, let us help you set up your own personalized theater with our interactive guide. 

FAQ

Q: How big a soundbar do I need? 

 
A: It’s a good idea to select a soundbar that comfortably fits the space you have and complements the look of your TV. But more than physical size, consider the number of channels offered in the soundbar. 

 

Q: What are channels and how many does my soundbar need? 

 
A: Channels are how sound is projected and are represented by numbers such as 2.0, 3.1, or 5.1.2. In a 2.0 system, for example, you have a left channel and a right channel. The zero means there is no separate subwoofer. The 3.1 system has a left channel, a center channel, and a right channel (the 3) and one (the .1) subwoofer speaker dedicated to producing low bass frequencies.  
 
A 5.1.2 system has five main channels to deliver surround sound (left rear, left, center, right, right rear), one dedicated subwoofer, and two dedicated Dolby Atmos channels providing height effects. Each channel normally has one speaker dedicated to it. 

 

Q: Do I have to have lots of speakers around my room if a want a Dolby Atmos audio experience? 

 
A: No, you don’t. That’s the great thing about soundbars. Through clever engineering, manufacturers incorporate multiple channels into a single soundbar unit. It’s possible, for example, to have a 5.1.2 system that consists of just a soundbar and a subwoofer. Some soundbars do feature additional speakers, but it’s not required to get great sound. 

 

Q: What is the best location to put your soundbar for surround sound? 

A: The best place to position your soundbar for surround sound is at ear level, directly in front of your TV. Avoid placing it behind or inside enclosed furniture. 

 

Q: Can wall-mounting a soundbar improve sound quality?  

 
A: Yes, wall-mounting a soundbar can improve sound projection and clarity, especially if it’s positioned at ear level and free from obstructions. 

 

Q: Should a soundbar be below or above the TV? 

 
A: A soundbar is typically best placed below the TV, as this ensures the sound is directed toward the listener without obstruction. 

 

Q: Do I have to run a lot of wires to use a soundbar? 

 
A: No. A soundbar is a simple way to get the best sound. Some soundbars connect to your TV wirelessly, requiring only a power cord. Others connect with a single HDMI cable (they need a power cable too), so you can set up a soundbar with minimal wiring in just a few minutes.