The SLMan Guide To… Soundbars

First of all, what is a soundbar?
Soundbars are wide, thin speakers designed to sit beneath your television. They enhance the sound of any source plugged into your screen – think Sky Box, a Blu-Ray player or a Firestick.

What makes it a worthwhile investment?
As TVs have gotten thinner, it’s become increasingly difficult for them to reproduce good quality sound and bass. Put simply, there is not as much space for large speakers, unlike the older, more traditional sets. Soundbars are designed to fill this void and enhance your listening pleasure.

Do they come with any extra features?
Most are equipped with Bluetooth which will allow you to stream music from a phone or tablet. Some newer, more premium models are also Dolby Atmos enabled. In layman’s terms, this means sounds are fired at different angles around the room to give you the sense of things moving on the screen.

How much should you be prepared to spend on one?
They can start from as little as £50 for a very basic solution and go right up to £2,000. However, it would depend on the room size and your viewing habits as to what you eventually spend. For everyday use in an average size room, aim for around the £300-£500 mark – although £1,000 will get you a pretty decent model if you’re more of a movie buff.

Is there anything else you need to consider?
They’re designed to be pretty simple – just plug in and play. Though you may need extra leads for your source equipment to connect.