Soundbar vs. Surround Sound – Which Is Better?

Knowing the differences and similarities between soundbars and speakers will help you understand surround sound. It can be invaluable information to have, especially when deciding on audio equipment for your TV.

How Surround Sound Systems Work?

Surround sound is essentially a technique used to enhance the audio fidelity through the use of multiple dedicated speakers. The goal is to increase the depth of the sound, add richness, maintain or improve clarity, and represent all frequency ranges better.

This technique is employed in most home theatre systems, mostly those that use 5.1 and 7.1 speaker channel configurations.

But surround sound doesn’t just depend on the speaker configuration. The quality is also affected by how the audio was recorded. Surround sound recordings can use various techniques, such as recording different stereo images for the back and front.

There are also mixing techniques and customization options to achieve the surround sound effect. Last but not least, surround sound systems can also use psychoacoustic sound localization to achieve the desired result.

How Soundbars Work?

Simply put, a soundbar is a sophisticated all-in-one speaker. It’s an individual unit that tries to virtually emulate the characteristics of a surround sound system with multiple speakers.

Soundbars typically come in a slim and oblong-shaped design. Depending on how expensive they are, they can feature multiple mini-speakers inside.

The Best Soundbars with Subwoofers

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These gadgets excel at rendering higher frequencies, mostly due to their size. Since they feature small cabinets, they can’t reproduce satisfying bass. Some soundbars are sold alongside subwoofers, to complement the sound.

But, in some cases, you will have to purchase a woofer separately. Even so, the performance of a soundbar is quite good in a square room. You should sit on a sofa very close to the wall opposite of the soundbar for the maximum effect.

Soundbars project beams that can then bounce off the walls in the room to achieve the surround sound effect. Of course, it’s not as convincing as having separate speakers projecting sound from various positions and different height levels.

To further improve this effect, soundbars make use of volume and time difference adjustments. Delays in when we hear sounds can also affect where we perceive the sound is coming from.

Soundbars Pros

Getting a soundbar, even a high-end one, is considerably cheaper. That’s why soundbars are considered the most cost-effective way of upgrading a TV’s audio, and why they’re so popular.

But, there are other advantages to owning a soundbar:

1. Straightforward installation
2. Surround sound simulation
3. Powerful for small to medium-sized rooms
4. Minimal wiring eliminates cable clutter
5. Modern design

Soundbars Cons

Because they mainly emulate what an actual speaker system does, soundbars often lack some essential details. Lack of output aside, there are apparent sonic differences between a soundbar and a home theatre system.

It can lead to some of the following issues:

1. Not enough clarity in large rooms.
2. Little bass definition.
3. Won’t fill a room.
4. You might have to buy a subwoofer separately.
5. Placement presents soundstage limitations.
6. Surround sound emulation is highly dependent on the manufacturer’s technology.

Surround Sound Systems Pros

Although soundbar technology is progressing fast, there will always be some limitations. So, here are some pros of having a surround sound system.

1. True surround sound.
2. They have multiple speakers for optimum sonic projection.
3. Superior bass definition.
4. Many wireless options are available.
5. Comprehensive acoustics customization options.

Surround Sound Systems Cons

Most of the cons of owning a surround sound system are self-explanatory.

1. Most systems involve complex wiring.
2. Somewhat tricky installation process.
3. Higher prices.
4. They demand more floor or wall space.

Which Is Better for You?

Users either want the ultimate high fidelity audio experience or the best bang for their buck. If you belong to the latter group, soundbars are your best bet.

A high-end soundbar may not cost a fortune, but it will be an improvement over any standard TV speakers. In some cases, it may even beat 2.0 or 2.1 bookshelf configurations. That’s mostly due to the advanced surround sound emulation techniques.

But if you’re an audiophile, then you should get a surround sound system. It can create an immersive soundstage in any room, big or small. The raw output power is also going to be considerably higher than that of a soundbar.

And, if you want some bass in your sound, then this is the way to go.

Build Quality and Manufacturer’s Reputation

You can expect some soundbars to outperform some surround sound speaker systems. Premium soundbars, accompanied by subwoofers, are often better than the budget speaker systems.

That’s especially true if you’re comparing them to speakers from questionable manufacturers. Or any manufacturer that doesn’t use reputable patented technologies. Pricing often dictates quality, so don’t be surprised if some soundbars blow you away.

What Do You Prefer?

Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect, what do you feel that you should get? Are you ready to sacrifice fidelity for convenience, or are you more interested in getting the cinema experience at home?

Tell us your thoughts and past experiences with soundbars and surround sound speaker systems in the comments section below.