Four Disadvantages of Soundbar Audio You Ought to Know About

the finest soundbars available can be set up in mere minutes — and we’re confident the first film or series you try will sound significantly better than anything your TV could produce independently.

However, a soundbar is not a definitive solution for inadequate audio. Although they connect easily, most systems won’t offer the same degree of immersion and channel separation as a proper surround sound configuration with an AV receiver. There’s also a chance of purchasing a soundbar that’s either too large or too small for the listening area you’re attempting to accommodate, a typical soundbar buying error you won’t realize you made until your new device is unboxed.

We wish to ensure no one is unhappy with their soundbar acquisition. Research and reviews are essential when choosing one of these TV audio replacements, and it’s also beneficial to explore this list of four drawbacks to soundbar audio you should be aware of. Buyer’s remorse can be particularly intense when an audio product falls short — not to mention that repacking a soundbar can be quite a hassle.

The compact design will influence the width of your soundstage

A standard soundbar housing includes multiple speakers placed in close proximity to one another, with tweeters and bass radiators sometimes included as well. While this integrated design is excellent for conserving space in your living area, positioning left and right audio channels so narrowly can affect the breadth of your audio.

Front channels (left, right, center) are critical components of any speaker system, but you’ll prefer a reasonable distance between each bookshelf or floor-standing unit for proper stereo imaging. Conventional speakers can be positioned throughout a room as you like, so you won’t have to be as concerned about a constricted soundstage; if something sounds off, you can simply relocate a speaker.

Soundbar producers may try to mitigate a narrow stage with cinematic settings or a loudness enhancement feature, but there is only so much you can do.