Soundbar guide: Better sound for your home cinema
27.2.2020
Translation: machine translated
There is no room for large speakers in flat televisions. If you want more volume in the sound but don't want to set up a home cinema system with several speakers, a soundbar is a good alternative.
The elongated soundbars usually contain several speakers. Some models come with a subwoofer for more bass. Depending on the model, you can hang it on the wall under the TV or place it in front of the base of the TV. With some models, you can even place your TV on top. However, a soundbar is not necessarily just a TV speaker. You can also use it as an output device for other sound sources. Some models go online via Wi-Fi or can be integrated into a multi-room system.
Subwoofer for more bass
If you have space on the floor next to your TV and are interested in powerful bass, then you should take a look at the Soundbars with subwoofer.
Surround sound only with additional speakers
Manufacturers are constantly trying to improve the sound of soundbars with all kinds of tricks and ideas - and they are certainly successful. But despite all their efforts, the speakers are still in front of you when watching TV. For comprehensive surround sound, you still need additional speakers that you can distribute around the room. Regardless of whether the additional speakers are part of the soundbar set or you buy them separately, you should make sure that they have a Mehrkanal-Tonsystem wie 5.1 unterstützt.
The 5.1 system comes from the cinema and consists of five main channels and a separate bass channel. The three main speakers are positioned at the front left, centre and right. There are also two surround speakers on the left and right at the rear and a bass speaker. However, this also means that, unlike a soundbar, you need more space in the living room for the correct setup.
The 7.1 system comes from Sony and is also called "Sony Dynamic Digital Sound". It is divided into eight channels, five of which are located in the front. One each provides the audience with sound from the left and right. A subwoofer for the bass is also the 1 behind the dot.
Not just for televisions
If you buy a good-sounding soundbar, it would be a shame to only use it for the TV. Some soundbars can be integrated into a multiroom setup. However, the choice is limited if you are already using a multiroom standard. Not every manufacturer supports overarching standards.
For example, LG and Panasonic rely on "Google Home" and are therefore compatible with other Google Home devices. Samsung uses its own multi-room app and Denon has created its own multi-room standard for its speakers with Heos.
If multi-room is not a topic for you, you can connect many soundbars to your smartphone, tablet or computer via Bluetooth and play music through them. Some models can also be integrated into the Apple universe via AirPlay and others can stream music via an integrated Chromecast.
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
