If you’re like many people, you’ve purchased a high-def 4K TV, only to get it home and find the stock speakers sound terrible. The bass rattles the casing. The dialog is hard to hear, and when you raise the volume, you’re afraid you’re going to blow something out. The fact is that flat-screen TVs are not a great platform for incorporating a quality sound system.
If you want to get the most out of your investment, you’ll need to buy some external speakers. You can get a soundbar or speakers. Either way, you’ll improve your sound experience. But which is best? Here at Cathey’s Audio Visual Entertainment, we’re here to help you make the right call.
Soundbars Vs. Speakers
The good news is that both of these options are easy to set up. Choosing the right one is a matter of preference, available space, and your furniture setup.
Soundbars
Setting up a soundbar is almost certainly the easier option. A soundbar is just a single unit that you can plug in and use instantly. In many cases, soundbars are also less expensive.
If you choose a passive soundbar, you’ll also need to use external amplification, like an AV receiver. If you’re outfitting a small space, passive speakers may do the trick. But chances are, you’ll want a little extra power from your unit- so an AV receiver with an active unit is a good option.
For a full sound experience, you’ll want a unit with drivers for right, left, and central sound channels. Many 3-channel soundbars come with a wireless subwoofer, for a little extra oomph.
The best soundbars support HDMI ARC. That means that they will plug directly into your TV. Because you plug it right into your TV, you adjust the volume by adjusting your TV volume only- making things much simpler.
The one major downside is, if you want to expand your sound system later on, you’ll have to replace the soundbar and start from scratch.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Easy to install, and affordable
- Cons: Less flexibility for expansion
Speakers
This option is more expensive and requires at least one additional outlet. Of course, you could choose a pair of passive bookshelf speakers. Again, if you’re outfitting a small entertainment space, that could be more than enough. Passive speakers are also very affordable.
If you want a full-throated sound experience, active speakers with an AV receiver is the way to go. You can expect to pay as much as $300 or more for a top of the line set of active speakers. But if you spend a lot of time with your entertainment center, it could be a worthwhile investment. Just think of how much money you’ll save over time by skipping the movie theater!
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Better sound quality, more power, & better build-out flexibility
- Cons: Needs more room, more power, and is more expensive
Explore Your Options With CAVE Tucson
As a final note, you won’t be able to get true surround sound with a soundbar. Adding more accessories could overcome this drawback. To learn more, and explore your options, get in touch with Cathey’s Audio Visual Entertainment. We’ve got everything you need to outfit your home theater system.
