A soundbar may seem like a convenient way to improve the sound on your TV. Unlike a traditional speaker system, which can involve multiple cumbersome cables and connections, a soundbar combines multiple speakers into a single cabinet. This allows you to improve the sound on your TV without tedious setup. However, before investing in one of these units, it is important to research all of your options. There are some limitations of soundbars that you should be aware of before deciding that purchasing a soundbar is the ideal way to optimize your home theater audio experience. In fact, it’s not uncommon for true audiophiles to discourage others from purchasing one of these devices.
That’s not to say that soundbars don’t have any benefits. In some circumstances, a soundbar may even be the ideal option. Just be sure to understand the pros and cons of a soundbar before committing to one. Knowing why some audiophiles hate soundbars so much can be helpful when upgrading your own home audio system.
Audiophiles Hate Soundbars Because They Don’t Prioritize What Audiophiles Matter
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When discussing the topic of soundbars in communities like Reddit’s r/audiophile subreddit, users point out that audiophiles often have a generally negative opinion of soundbars, mainly because soundbars are not necessarily designed for audiophiles. Users explain that audiophiles care about technology that “focuses on high-quality audio reproduction.”
Soundbars don’t exactly serve this purpose. Yes, soundbars are supposed to deliver more impressive sound than what a TV’s speakers can offer, but that doesn’t mean they deliver the same quality that a decent speaker setup would. Soundbars are also designed to fit comfortably into a living space without taking up as much space as traditional speakers.
Again, this may mean that they are relatively practical for people with smaller entertainment rooms, but the sleekness that a soundbar offers requires a certain degree of compromise in terms of overall audio quality. That said, even in the thread above, some users admit that a soundbar might make sense in an apartment with thin walls, since real speakers playing at high volume might disturb the neighbors.
Audiophiles think soundbars may be useful for TV, but not ideal for music
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In the thread above and in a thread in Reddit’s r/Soundbars community, several users state that a soundbar might be a perfectly acceptable alternative to a speaker system if someone plans to use their soundbar only for casually watching TV. They claim that a decent soundbar should improve dialogue clarity, and that proper calibration can allow a subwoofer to add real sonic punch to action scenes. However, they also explain that soundbars do not have the ability to reproduce certain frequencies that traditional speakers can reproduce.
This means that soundbars may not be ideal for listening to music. Specifically, users explain that soundbars often have smaller speakers than traditional speakers. This means that it is basically physically impossible for them to reproduce some of the frequencies that speakers can handle. As such, no amount of fine tuning or calibration will allow a soundbar to match the quality of good speakers when it comes to listening to music.
This highlights an important point: whether a soundbar is a smart investment depends on how you plan to use it. If you live in a small apartment and just want to improve the sound on your TV, a soundbar might do the trick. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy every nuance of your favorite music, you might be better off opting for a true audiophile setup.
Audiophiles point out that a soundbar might not save you money
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A solid home theater setup, especially one intended to optimize the audio experience, will typically be made up of several components. These can include a receiver and various speakers placed strategically throughout a room. Naturally, you might assume that designing and installing such a setup would cost more than purchasing and installing a soundbar, which is just a single unit.
This is not necessarily the case. According to some audiophiles, an impressive setup doesn’t necessarily cost more than a soundbar. Although installing such a setup will be more complicated than a soundbar, that doesn’t mean it will be more expensive.
Remember, none of this is to say that no one should ever buy a soundbar. It’s just helpful to know what these devices can and can’t do before you spend your money on one. If you decide a soundbar is right for you, research the best soundbars on the market to make sure you’re buying something that will meet your needs. You can also search for soundbar tips and tricks to get the most out of your device.
