Which is Better: a Soundbar vs Home Theater?
If someone wants to improve the sound of their TV, they can buy a soundbar or home theater.
Recently, audio technology has evolved in three general directions.
The first is the improvement of digital technologies, which will achieve maximum sound clarity with a minimum of non-linear, frequency, phase, and dynamic distortion.
The second is to expand the functionality of the equipment.
Minimize the size of the devices so that they are easy to operate.
A consequence of these trends in the development of audio technology has been the appearance of soundbars and new models of multifunctional cinemas with stunning acoustics. These two devices perform practically the same function — improving the TV’s sound and making it spatial.
The question often arises: what’s better than a soundbar or a home theater speaker system?
What is a Soundbar?
A soundbar is an acoustic panel capable of greatly enhancing sound and improving its quality.
For deep and surround sound, match it to specific equipment and place it near the TV.
We present the soundbar as an alternative to the classic home theater. It performs decently, but the previous equipment does not lose its position.
The soundbar is ideal for small rooms up to 250 square feet, saturating them with pure acoustic sound. In this respect, it is not inferior to the speakers. However, if the room is more extensive than 250 square feet, it can no longer compete with a home theater.
Nevertheless, this equipment has many advantages.
You can cope with excellent sound with just one compact panel.
- It is easy to operate.
- Has a beautiful design.
- The equipment supports almost all modern formats.
- External storage devices are supported.
- Has a built-in player.
Also, note the disadvantages of the acoustic panel: its sound is inferior to that of the home theater and depends on the display’s diagonal.
Also read: new QD-OLED panel designed for 2025
Soundbar Design
The soundbar case contains the following components:
- an amplifier for multiple channels;
- sound decoder;
- system board;
- audio processor;
- shortwave tuner;
- speaker system;
- equalizer.
The soundbar is placed under the TV set, on a unique mounting stand, or on a shelf if it comes with the set. The panel is based on the reflectivity of sound waves.
Many speakers, assembled in the panel, are deployed at different angles, which allows bringing the sound to each listener.
So, soundbars fall into two groups:
- the first expands the sound capabilities of the TV by providing it with additional speakers;
- the second has sound projectors that can provide stereo sound, stunning volume, and depth of sound.
And one more piece of advice — don’t rush into buying a model with a built-in subwoofer. It looks more compact but loses in sound. It is better to buy a subwoofer as a separate unit.
Also read: The best soundbars can connect directly to a smartphone
The presence of a subwoofer greatly complements the sound of the soundbar. However, if a person needs simplicity in settings and minimalistic design for any interior, only one soundbar is chosen.
The built-in amplifier’s power rating is essential when choosing a soundbar. This rating allows us to evaluate the speakers’ volume and the device.
The 160 watts rated power will provide high-quality, loud sound in a room up to 130 square feet.
On the other hand, a room of 130 to 250 square feet needs up to 400 watts.
In a room larger than 250 square feet, it is better to use a home theater system.
Home Theater Features
As the area of the room where a movie or other video content is considered increases, the soundbar’s surround sound quality decreases somewhat. In these cases, it is better to opt for home theater systems.
Previously, when there was no alternative to home theaters, lovers of quality sound installed them even in small rooms. Bulky audio equipment looked ugly in them and did not add comfort.
Today, lovers of spatial sound can replace this equipment with compact sound panels without sacrificing sound quality. Home theaters can be used in specially equipped rooms for their intended purpose.
A home theater system is much larger than a soundbar and is limited to a single panel. It is a whole piece of comp equipment that affects the sound picture. Placing such equipment in an unprepared small city apartment will cause complaints from the neighbors, who will encounter extraneous sounds.
It is more about protecting your home theatre from line voltage interference.
Unlike sound panels, home theaters are systems of devices. They include players, AV receivers, subwoofers, and speakers, which can be five or more, depending on the DC model. The acoustics are systemically placed around the room’s perimeter to provide genuine surround sound, like in a movie theater.
How a Home Theater Works
When buying modern equipment, you should take care of sound insulation. It is worth understanding that home theaters can fully manifest themselves only in large rooms, so they are ideal for country houses, where you can provide individual space for watching your favorite movies and listening to music without disturbing others.
The device is endowed with a multi-channel format and high acoustic data; it includes:
- 5 to 7 speakers that are spaced around the perimeter of the room to support high-quality sound;
- player for perfect picture reproduction;
- sound amplifier;
- AV receivers;
- remote control.
This system must be configured appropriately. Otherwise, you may not get the expected effect.
Home theaters have disadvantages, including the complexity of setup, which in some cases requires the participation of a professional.
The second disadvantage is the requirement for the room’s scale and the presence of sound insulation. But if everything is done correctly, you can get outstanding equipment and a room for recreation, allowing you to join the art of cinema and music. The owner of such a room is an opportunity to appreciate the genuinely pure sound and crisp, realistic image.
When choosing a home theater, you should consider that it comes in two modifications — 5.1ch and 7.1ch.
Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
Also read: Liquid crystals in a VA matrix are perpendicularly aligned when the voltage is switched off
5.1 Channel Receiver
It has been in use for the past several decades.
The 5.1ch receiver makes it possible to appreciate the sound in medium- and small-sized rooms.
It contains all the various channels, including a subwoofer, to provide surround sound at different frequencies.
This 5.1ch format is the most common among users. It produces a sound distribution in a room similar to a movie theater. Five speakers of this power need at least 250 square feet of floor space.
A soundbar is a good choice for a room of less than 250 square feet.
Channel Receiver 7.1
This system includes all the components of a 5.1ch receiver but with some additional features. But, it can remove extraneous noise from the listener, leaving him alone with clear sound.
In addition, the 7.1ch modification reproduces a deeper sound, performs a specific wave directivity, and covers a larger acoustic field. Such advantages influence the choice between systems in favor of 7.1ch but limit the choice of room. A more sophisticated channel receiver is only suitable for larger rooms.
By the way, 9.1 receivers with very flexible settings are already in use, satisfying the advanced requirements of any movie buff and audiophile.
However, we should not forget the prohibitive cost of such equipment. When discussing budget options, we must return to the 5.1ch modification.
Advantages
Considering the advantages of any home theater, it is worth noting:
- the ability to configure the system for a particular room;
- convenient control of the remote control;
- pleasant, deep, and clear sound reproduction;
- the presence of the media player affects the image.
It is worth remembering when choosing a home theater because it is suitable for large rooms, is challenging to configure, and is expensive.
What is better to choose?
Soundbars and home theater are undoubtedly excellent modern equipment that can please any family with their capabilities. But which one should you choose for home use? Let’s try to understand together.
If you want to replace built-in TV speakers with external acoustics without substantial requirements for theatrical sound, a soundbar with an external subwoofer will do. If the absence of an immersive effect in an artificial environment is not critical, take a soundbar here, too, especially if the speaker wires get in the way and you don’t want to complicate the setup.
But if you want an immersive experience when watching a movie, then you need a home theater.
Today, each device has occupied its niche. When it comes to improving the sound quality of a TV set installed in a small area and making the sound three-dimensional, the soundbar’s compactness and serious sound advantages are apparent.
If your goal is to create conditions for watching modern movies in your home, and a special room of impressive size is allocated, then your choice is a home theater, which will provide surround sound in all its subtle shades.
Comparing the technical characteristics of both systems, the home theater is different for the better. It is designed for discerning moviegoers and sophisticated audiophiles who enjoy perfect sound.
Also read: Connecting an amplifier to your TV antenna provides a benefit
Conclusions
Multi-component acoustics with uniform sound pressure throughout the room are naturally out of competition with the device, which in some cases enhances the sound capabilities of the TV.
However, you can also choose a more expensive soundbar with a 5.1-channel receiver capable of providing high-quality sound.
The advantage of a soundbar is its compactness and aesthetic appearance. The beautiful design of the panel will suit any modern interior. In contrast, the home cinema is a multi-component device that requires lining up the speakers around the room.
The second advantage is the cost, which is less with a soundbar. However, a home theater needs a large, specially equipped room. The walls’ reflectivity, thickness, and upholstery material affect 70% of the acoustic sound.
When approaching the choice of sound reproducing equipment, each user can decide for himself what possibilities he has of the room, budget, and what he desires in achieving sound quality.
