{"id":17050,"date":"2022-08-30T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T07:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=71282"},"modified":"2022-08-31T13:45:12","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T11:45:12","slug":"best-soundbars-to-buy-in-2022-reviewed","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/best-soundbars-to-buy-in-2022-reviewed\/","title":{"rendered":"Best soundbars to buy in 2022 reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Verity Burns\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 30 August 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Whether space is an issue or you just don\u2019t like the idea of having too many wires running around the place, the best soundbars offer a neat alternative that sits underneath your TV to give TV sound a little more welly.<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll give dialogue a boost in clarity, improve bass performance and add back in the detail that goes missing when left in the hands of the tiny speakers built into your TV.<\/p>\n

However, what started out as an easy way of improving your sound has slowly got more complicated as manufacturers have tried to make them more and more capable, including the addition of advanced audio like Dolby Atmos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course there are a wealth of other options out there for different spaces and price points that are well worth exploring. Take a look at our pick for inspiration and check out our jargonbuster for all the terms you\u2019ll need to know.<\/p>\n

How to choose the best soundbar: a buyer\u2019s guide<\/h3>\n

Size and positioning<\/h4>\n

When you\u2019re buying a new soundbar it\u2019s important to consider design carefully. Not all soundbars are created equal. Some are very slim but come with a separate subwoofer; others are bigger and manage without. You\u2019ll need to think about the space you have before choosing one, as unless you\u2019re prepared to give your entire setup an overhaul, it can have a big say in what you can accommodate.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re putting it in front of your TV, you\u2019ll want to check the soundbar\u2019s dimensions to make sure your rack has the width and depth to hold it. You\u2019ll also want to ensure your TV sits high enough so your chosen soundbar doesn\u2019t obscure any of the screen.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning on wall-mounting a soundbar, first check that the one you\u2019ve chosen is suitable, and then check the fixtures and fittings you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n

And if your soundbar comes with a subwoofer, make sure you\u2019ve got space to house an extra box. We would recommend placing it to the side of the TV and as close to the soundbar as possible for the best integration.<\/p>\n

Dolby Atmos considerations<\/h4>\n

Remember not to put a Dolby Atmos soundbar in an enclosed space. Atmos soundbars generally work by bouncing sound off your walls and ceiling to create a 3D surround sound effect. If you\u2019re spending the cash on the extra processing, you won\u2019t want to hide it away on a shelf in a TV rack, or the built-in height and side channels that fire sound upwards and outwards won\u2019t be effective. Give an Atmos soundbar room to breathe for the best performance.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to realise that if you\u2019re going for Atmos, you\u2019ll have to first make sure your setup supports it. If you\u2019ve just bought a new Atmos soundbar and connected it to an older TV, you might be disappointed to learn that your TV isn\u2019t capable of processing the Atmos codec. Some soundbars will allow you to run your HDMI sources through the bar instead, to bypass old telly tech but not all \u2013 and this won\u2019t help built-in TV streaming apps. Just be sure to do your research before buying to ensure you get the most from your setup.<\/p>\n

Inputs and extra features<\/h4>\n

Understanding your inputs is important. You\u2019ll usually connect a soundbar to your TV via an HDMI or optical digital connection. More affordable soundbars will usually only offer the latter, but if you have the option for HDMI, take it. It will offer you the highest resolution sound decoding that your soundbar is capable of. You\u2019ll usually need to connect it to an ARC or eARC HDMI port on your TV for it to work though, so check yours has one first.<\/p>\n

Many soundbars come packed with features that make them just as useful when you\u2019re not watching TV. Look out for Bluetooth connectivity, high-res network streaming and even multi-room playback. You\u2019ll also find a growing number with built-in voice assistants, so be sure to get them set up if you\u2019ll find them of use.<\/p>\n

The best soundbars to buy in 2022<\/h2>\n

Sonos Arc<\/h3>\n

Best overall soundbar<\/h4>\n
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Price:<\/strong> \u00a3799 | Channels:<\/strong> 5.0.2 | Dimensions (hwd):<\/strong> 8.7 x 114 x 12cm | Weight:<\/strong> 6.3kg | Separate subwoofer:<\/strong> No | Bluetooth:<\/strong> No | Wi-fi:<\/strong> Yes | Atmos:<\/strong> Yes<\/p>\n

Offering up a hard-to-beat balance of features, design, ease of use and performance, the Sonos Arc, the company\u2019s first Atmos soundbar, is an easy product to love. There are very few soundbars out there that do so much so well.<\/p>\n

No matter what you\u2019re watching, it sounds superb. There\u2019s a stunning clarity to dialogue, a fullness to bass and stacks of detail across the frequency range. But when you listen to an Atmos soundtrack, you really hear the added breadth and depth you\u2019d expect from a more immersive 3D soundstage, with sound effects that are placed precisely around and above you, delivered by the Arc\u2019s carefully angled drivers.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019ll fit into a wider Sonos multi-room system if you have other Sonos speakers, or act as a superb sound system on its own for crisp, expressive music playback. Its size means you\u2019ll probably want a 55-inch TV or larger though, as it\u2019ll dwarf anything smaller.<\/p>\n

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