Do you want to decide which is better to buy Sound Bar or a surround sound system (Surround Sound) for your home? We did this review to make it easier for you to know the best technique to find the difference between sound bars and surround-sound systems (home theater).
So, whenever you open your ears, you can hear the difference in the tuning and sound quality.
As you know, Sound Bar is now a fashion. Many are attracted by their elegant design and simple installation process.
Surround sound system have been around for a long time, they are already known and very well accepted. Sound Bars are newer technologies that are not yet widely known. But which of the two is better? Which one should you buy?
Don’t worry! In this post, you can find these answers and get the definition of which device to buy.
The Sound Bar can be an ideal solution for those who are looking for loudspeakers for a TV or if the room is too small for the placement of 5.1 acoustics.
Pros and Cons of sound bars system and surround sound system
Let’s analyze the pros and cons of each of them. So, you can decide what will be best for you.
– Sound Bars System Overview
|
Pros |
Cons |
| Easy to install and connect | In many cases, you need to buy a separate subwoofer |
| Minimal wires | The placement of the soundbar creates an audible non-integrated soundstage |
| Modern construction | There is no full surround sound, especially in large rooms |
| Great for small living spaces | |
| An excellent virtual sound in small living spaces, which simulates 5.1 surround sound |
– Surround Sound System Overview
|
Pros |
Cons |
| Full range of surround sound3 | Most quality systems require the connection of multiple wires from the receiver (amplifiers) for each acoustics |
| Ability to place speakers for optimal sound 5.1 | Takes up a lot of space |
| Great bass | A more complex installation process |
| More expensive |
Soundbar or Surround Sound: which is better?
When it comes to setting up a cinema-quality TV room, the customer is faced with a variety of new features and a huge variety of technologies on the market. One is the sound system. Among the options come two especially: Sound bar or Home Theater.
Practicality
The Sound Bar, as the name already says, is just a “sound bar,” so they are more practical and more straightforward to install. The Home Theatre has several speakers and subwoofer that need to be fixed in different positions, requires more detailed care.
If the customer is looking for practicality, the choice should be a Sound Bar, install it in front of the television in the right way and enjoy.
Environment and layout
The quality of a Sound Bar is very closely related to the room and the way in which it is positioned. The desired pattern is not always reached. Surround sound system can be installed in any environment. Because it has several speakers, it has greater mobility and can be adapted to any room.
For people who want to create a movie theatre indoors, one can lower the ceiling with plaster and place the speakers or even install them trapped in the ceiling.
Price range
Prices vary greatly for both types of equipment. There are simpler models of Sound Bar that sell for around $ 400, others brands like Philips, Samsung and Sony cost from $ 999. For models with subwoofer and Wi-Fi, it is necessary to disburse values above R $ 1,499.
Best wireless surround sound system that cost from $400 can connect with tablets and smartphones using Bluetooth. This feature eliminates the use of wires when listening to music from your portable device.
Home Theaters or Surround Sound are often more expensive. You can use the best small home cinema speakers like some LG models. But some models pass the sensation of the user being in a movie theater that cost about $ 1500. Such as the Sony BDV model. Most of the current models are wireless surround sound speakers and connected through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Depending on the type of installation the customer wants, it is necessary to hire technicians to position the speakers. Further emphasizing the value of the sound system.
For each one there is a device that fits better. We advise the client to study the available models in the market, decide what amount to pay and what he would like the sound system to offer.
What Is Surround Sound and Do You Need It?
Surround Sound System, or a Home Theatres refer to a series of equipment that, combined, enhance the sound experience you have in the home. Although some consider that the connection between two speakers and a subwoofer already sets up in such devices. The market is currently dominated by the best wireless surround sound system that includes a central subwoofer and five to seven audio outputs (systems known as 5.1 and 7.1 respectively).
When choosing a system of this type, the consumer should have as main objective to create an environment surrounded by sound. That is, it is not enough simply to put Home theater box or the speakers side by side – you have to spread them around the room to fill spaces, which usually means passing a few cables around the room.
The subwoofer should be left in a central area near the ground, responsible for the reproduction of low tones and for “shaking” the environment in scenes with more action. Those who have more money can opt for systems that have wireless surround sound speakers, or they can also buy wireless speakers for TV.
Check Bose, invisible wireless speakers, below:
The speakers can connect to both a receiver and the subwoofer itself, depending on the system feature chosen. When purchasing a product of the type, you must be aware of the types of connection offered: a greater variety and quantity increases the chances that you can connect the devices you have at home without significant problems.
In a quick search on the internet, you can find the best cheap wireless surround sound system models with prices ranging $ 160 to $ 1600. Specialized equipment can cost more than twenty thousand dollars depending on its brand and features. To avoid impulse buying and research well to find an option that fits your needs and budget. We have tried our best in this article to help you pass through that confusion phase.
Wired Surround Sound VS Wireless Surround Sound
Technological advancements had made it possible to equip their living room like a real movie theater. With the help of flat screen television and home theater box or with best small home cinema speakers one can enjoy wireless movies. Is this wireless audio system the best choice of the moment?
Read below to know more about wired surround system and wireless surround sound system.
The main difference between a wireless or wired surround systems is to set cables that connect the speakers for the last one. The larger the room, the more complex the installation will be and the longer the cable will be.
Be aware however that for so-called wireless home theater, speakers must always be powered. This supply of electricity is either via the sector (which ultimately means passing cables) or via several batteries (which will eventually change them).
Difference between wired surround sound VS wireless surround sound system
– Audio system with or without wire
To better understand the advantages and disadvantages of each system, analyze point by point what are the specificities regarding sound quality, visual appearance, ease of installation, size of the room to be covered, available space and price to help you better decide.
– Wired vs. wireless speakers Sound quality
The sound quality between a wireless system and a wired system is equivalent; you will notice a deterioration in quality for the wireless system after a while. The reason? Unlike a system with wire or the amplifier is usually centralized and each speaker of a wireless system has its amp, which must be powered.
Often, to avoid connecting the sector to each speaker, batteries are inserted. And any battery wears over time, degrading the sound quality. To have a high sound quality for a wireless system, it is better to change the batteries regularly or opt for rechargeable batteries.
At the sound quality level, the system with wire wins.
– Visual aspect
In this area, unless the cables are well hidden in ducts or sheaths of the same color as the walls, the wireless system is one that will fit like best home theatre speakers in a living room. The cables (usually black) are difficult to conceal at the arrival of each speaker, which will not fail to affect the decoration. However, the more experienced do-it-yourselves will be able to opt for sheaths in the walls (bled and then plaster/plaster cover) to conceal them completely. Which tends to the system with wire to bring them closer to the level of aesthetics to the system without thread. But this technique is not available to everyone and requires adequate equipment.
On the visual aspects, one can give a slight advantage to the wireless system.
– Easy installation
The wired system requires each component (speakers, subwoofer and sound bar) to connect to the center amplifier. If the plugs on the amplifier are usually well explained and the unit has a complete installation guide. The number of connectors and routing the cables through ducts or chutes can make the installation difficult.
On the contrary, the wireless system does not require any particular connection. The central element will detect the presence of the speakers and record them automatically (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies). Each element will be provided with an IP address (Wi-Fi) and will communicate bidirectionally with the central element to contribute to the best home theater systems. The soundbar generally interacts with the Bluetooth wireless technology.
In summary, the wireless system appears as the big winner at the simplicity of installation.
– Size of the room to be covered
Regarding the size of the room where the surround sound will integrate, there are several criteria to consider, depending on the system:
Wired system: the length of cables to connect speakers. The longer the length, the more the impedance grows and the more the sound quality deteriorates
Wireless system: wireless surround sound speakers further away the speakers are from the central element, the greater the risk of interference and attenuation of control signals, which may affect the quality and timing of sound.
On the surface of the room and provided you have enough good quality wire (resistance or weak impedance), the system with wire appears as the winner, but a short head.
– Price comparison
Let’s come to one of the most important criteria: the price. While wireless home theater has slowly become more affordable with prices becoming affordable and cheap, traditional wired systems are still less expensive. There are many best cheap wireless surround sound system available in market having one amp in each speaker, having Wi-Fi / Bluetooth antennas and batteries for a fully wireless system.
Even if over time, this is less and less true, wired home theater keep a step ahead of its wireless cousin about the purchase price. we have seen that most audiophile always try to shy away from the wireless speaker system, as they are tuned to hearing the tonalities of the recording and can make out the losses happen in the wireless systems. So if you are one of such perfectionist, go ahead and try it for yourself! we strongly believe that it is always a combination of good source, lossless (almost) wires and finely crafted output.
of Wireless Surround Sound Systems
There are two types of wireless surround systems:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
If you’re hesitating between the two, be aware that Bluetooth devices are often small and easy to use, while those that work with Wi-Fi usually offer better sound quality. Also, most Wi-Fi devices allow you to connect using Bluetooth.
However, as many do not have batteries, you will not be able to use them without a power outlet. Here are eight points that distinguish the two technologies:
- The sound quality of the Bluetooth connection is generally lower because of the compression process inherent in this technology.
- Bluetooth models are easier to configure than Wi-Fi devices.
- On average, Bluetooth models are cheaper and lighter than Wi-Fi devices.
- The range of Wi-Fi speakers is better. In Bluetooth mode, your audio source must be in the same room, which is not the case in Wi-Fi.
- Interference is lower with a Bluetooth connection because it has a short range. In Wi-Fi, follow our tips to avoid interference.
- A Wi-Fi device is operating using an application. The advantage: your music will not be interrupted by a call. The disadvantage: you are confined to what the application offers. For example, you will not be able to hear the sound of a video on YouTube if the app does not include the YouTube feature.
- Only Wi-Fi can create a true multi-room system by connecting speakers placed in different rooms.
- Have you read terms like aptX and LDAC on the internet? These are codec names. A codec is a program that lets you compress your music to send it to your speaker, then unzip it to play the sound. This is the communication language of your Bluetooth devices.
- Wi-Fi devices use data transmission technologies such as AirPlay, Google Cast, Play-Fi or more closed protocols, such as Sonos, which only connects speakers of the same brand. Two speakers that use the same transmission technology can play the same music simultaneously.
Are these systems really Wireless?
Mainly all system which claims to be wireless is not fully wireless. Most of them have sound bars which you have to connect with TV through wires.
The wireless systems applied to pro audio systems to have a very simple function: to provide more comfort and better aesthetics for the user.
Wireless systems are composed of some parts: transmitter, receiver, sound source, and power supply.
The transmitter is responsible for converting the analog audio signal into radio frequencies and fires them in the environment. In the case of handheld systems, the transmitter is attached to the microphone on the same stick, and this justifies its usually larger and thicker format compared to wired microphones. Also, it is common to find in the bodypack format in the headset, lovelier and instrument systems. In in-ear systems, the transmitter is more common as tabletop equipment.
Check out the latest Bose SoundLink Revolve+ Bluetooth Speaker
The receiver is responsible for locating the radio frequency in the environment and converting it back as an analog audio signal. In the case of in-ear systems, the receiver is presented as a bodypack. On handheld and other systems, the transmitter is more common as tabletop equipment.
The sound source may be a microphone or an audio signal already generated by an instrument or other audio equipment.
The power supply is necessary for the transmitters and receivers since they are active circuits. It can be supplied from sources connected to the AC network (in the case of desktop equipment) or from batteries in the case of mobile equipment.
Should You Go Wireless?
Here is one prevalent question which everyone wants to know “should you go wireless or not?”
First of all, you can’t buy a decent wireless surround sound system so first try best cheap wireless surround sound system or best small home cinema speakers. If you liked it then you can buy your favorite one.
Difficult to decide between the two systems as each has its strengths. We are, however, tempted to orient buyer profiles to the most appropriate system:
- If you plan to move your speaker frequently from room to room or outside (ice fishing this winter or at the beach this summer), choose a portable model. Equipped with a rechargeable battery that offers up to 33 hours of battery life, most of these models weigh less than 1 kg. Pay particular attention to the shape of the device (cubic, cylindrical, etc.) to make sure it fits easily in your luggage if you want to transport it to the cottage or even abroad.
- If you are rather young, not a handyman and do not worry about changing batteries, the wireless home theater is the best option. Especially since you can directly program the home theater from your computer with Wifi. For example by launching some music or watching a movie on the Internet.
- If you like electricity and if you have experience in the installation of cables, and if the computer seems to you as difficult, wired technology will remain for you a safe value, with a fixed installation that will not move in time.
- Do you plan to use your device especially at home? You will get a much better sound quality with the fixed models (which must be connected). The sound of these larger speakers fills the room better than portable models. You can use a fixed device in fairly large spaces – like your living room or terrace – without losing sound quality.
Conclusion
We hope this helps answer some questions about the best cheap wireless surround sound system, we have tried answering few frequently asked questions about the home theater box and how to choose the best home theater speakers system. Most people generally ask about a simple layout and are looking for best small home cinema speakers and wireless speakers for TV as they don’t want a complex wiring system. It all depends upon your individual requirement, remember that most of this comes down to personal preferences, not just sound, and do not forget to look at the characteristics and associated performance standards of each sound system. The good part is that there is something for everyone in the current market.
We will also discuss best home theatre speakers and best wireless surround sound system, so keep reading upcoming articles at our site: AudioWaveGeek
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