No matter if you’re an audiophile or not, a good sound system can make watching TV or movies a much more enjoyable experience. Whether you’re into big blockbusters like Marvel films, exciting TV shows like The Mandalorian or livestreaming concerts over Zoom or YouTube, a good sound system will allow you to experience the show in the way it was meant to be heard.
It’s true that your TV does already have speakers, and they probably work just fine. But even the best TV speakers won’t come close to the sound quality that comes with good external speakers. There are many styles of speaker setups to choose from, but today we’re going to focus on home theater systems vs. soundbars in San Bernardino County, CA.
There are many similarities between home theater systems and soundbars for your TV. Both use multiple speakers for the best audio performance, and both are tailored for audio that you will play on your TV. But there are some key differences you should be aware of before making the decision between a home theater system vs. a soundbar in San Bernardino County, CA.
Home theater systems
A home theater system consists of multiple speakers. This allows you to experience the sound in stereo, 5.1 surround, 10.2 surround or beyond. The most common home theater system is a 5.1 surround sound setup, with five speakers and one subwoofer, but there are larger systems of 10 speakers and two subwoofers, and smaller systems with two speakers and one subwoofer.
These can be wired or wireless, but you may still need to plug them in for power even if you don’t have to wire them up to your TV. You may also need other components like an audio receiver or amplifier to power them.
Soundbars
Soundbars are simpler than home theater systems. In these setups, all the speakers are contained in a small bar. They often fit right under your TV for a sleek look, and are easy to connect. They can also be wireless and be placed elsewhere around your entertainment center.
While soundbars often look better with a TV setup, one common complaint about them from audiophiles is that they don’t sound as good as a full home theater system. It’s true that most soundbars can’t match the full audio experience of a full speaker system, but there have been several advancements in the technology of these units in recent years, and nowadays a good soundbar can sound just fine or even really good to most of us.
Price considerations
Soundbars have an advantage over home theater systems in that they are usually less expensive. A decent soundbar can cost between $100 and $300, while it’s difficult to find a decent home theater system for less than $200. Soundbars also require fewer external parts and often include Bluetooth connectivity as a standard feature.
Whether you’re looking for a home theater system or a soundbar for your TV in San Bernardino County, CA, call JDS Systems today to enhance the audio of your TV.