This is probably because most of the bass in music is in the middle of the bass range about 40 to 80 Hz , while action movies tend to have deeper bass to create more of that couch-shaking effect.
The Vizio subwoofer sounded boomy and distorted when it tried to play movie soundtracks loudly, while the Rogersound sub never seemed to strain. But while both of our listeners clearly preferred the sound quality of the receiver-based system, neither was likely to buy it—at least not given their current living conditions.
Although soundbar performance has certainly come a long way, our testing revealed that non-audiophiles can still hear and appreciate the sonic improvements that even a modest surround-sound speaker system can deliver.
Read our Yamaha YAS review. Read more: Best Dolby Atmos soundbar. Though there are more expensive, better-sounding Atmos soundbars, the excellent Vizio SBF6 offers the best value in this category. It brings refined atmospheric effects to a compact soundbar with rear speakers and a sub -- all for a very affordable price.
Get one before they sell out. Read our Vizio SBF6 review. Want to know more? Here's a quick primer on which features are the most important for your needs and other stuff you should know. Soundbars come in all shapes and sizes: from under a foot long to wider than a big-screen TV.
While the larger soundbars sometimes offer more drivers and hence a bigger sound, there are others where all you're paying for is a longer box.
If you want the soundbar to be exactly the same width as your TV then take note. Televisions are measured diagonally while soundbars are measured lengthways, so a inch TV won't match up with a inch wide speaker, for example. Buying a soundbar that is designed by the same manufacturer may help but it's not guaranteed.
If you want them to match you have two main options, a check the width of your TV compared to screen size with this handy chart , or b more accurately, you can check the width of both models in the manufacturers' spec sections before you buy. For a long time, most soundbars were connected via an optical output between the TV and the speaker, but the increasing prevalence of ARC audio return channel and even newer eARC HDMI means you now have a choice of connection types.
It's a simple overall design, since you only have to switch inputs using your TV remote. For more information, read our guide to using your TV as a switcher.
Given the ease of use, using the TV as a switcher is the way to go for most people. There are some drawbacks to this configuration, though. For one, you're limited by how many inputs your TV has. If your TV only has three inputs, you can only connect three devices. You could get around this using an HDMI switcher , but then you start adding complexity you were probably hoping to avoid by getting a soundbar in the first place.
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This can create overhead sound effects, such as a plane flying above you and then disappearing in the distance. Instead, it will remap the sound effects based on the number of channels you have in your system. Sound bars and other components that support Dolby Atmos use three sets of numbers to describe the system instead of just two.
For example, in a regular 5. But a Dolby Atmos setup has three sets of numbers 5. DTS:X tends to use the more conventional naming system, though you may see a higher number, such as Dolby Atmos is currently more widely available, on some Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray discs, as well as on some titles offered by streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Vudu.
These attempt to produce three-dimensional surround sound without extra speakers. Several sound bars come with rear speakers to create a true surround-sound experience. Most, but not all, subwoofers are powered, with their own built-in amps; these models must be plugged into an electrical outlet. A powered subwoofer often provides more control over bass. Most sound bars have a front display panel; look for one that can be easily seen, with controls grouped by function and labeled clearly.
Some models let you set up and adjust functions using the TV screen rather than the small display on the console. DSP digital signal processor modes use digital circuitry to duplicate the sound ambience of, say, a concert hall, or to synthesize a surround-sound experience from stereo soundtracks.
Each mode represents a different listening environment. A bass-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds. Some models may have a Blu-ray or DVD player built into the system, but these are becoming rarer, thanks to streaming services. Most of the major electronics companies make home-theater-in-a-box systems. Some offer systems across all categories, and others concentrate on a specific price range.
You can use this alphabetized guide to compare home-theater-in-a-box brands. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at Sound bars.
Sign in or Become a Member. Find the Best Sound Bar for Your Home We test, evaluate, and compare the latest sound bars to find the best, bar none. More on Sound Bars. Sound Bar Ratings by Consumer Reports. Sound Bar Ratings. Extra Speakers Several sound bars come with rear speakers to create a true surround-sound experience. Controls Most sound bars have a front display panel; look for one that can be easily seen, with controls grouped by function and labeled clearly.
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