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New TVs, monitors, and screens in general are looking sharper and crisper with each generation. But with more components going into driving the visual aspect, and sets getting increasingly thinner, there’s less room inside for quality speakers that can project powerful sound outwards. What you’re left with: sound that’s also pretty thin, muffled and lacking. By now, manufacturers almost expect users to get an accompanying sound bar to go with their set, in order to complete the true home theater experience. But if you don’t have room on your entertainment unit, or want a sound bar that’s tucked out of the way, you’ll want to consider a bookshelf sound bar.
How Does a Bookshelf Sound Bar Work?
A sound bar is a long, thin speaker designed to work with your home media like TVs, laptops, even phones. Since most TVs and computers don’t contain powerful speakers, having an external unit like a sound bar can bring up the bass, volume, and ability to project overall sound quality of your favorite movies, shows and games. It can even mimic a full surround system, as movies and games are becoming increasingly encoded with commands to project a realistic soundscape firing from all angles – top to bottom, and side to side.
What to Look for in a Sound Bar
Audio Format: When shopping for a sound bar, make sure it’s going to fit the format of all the devices you want to connect, since not all of them have the same ones. For example, Dolby Atmos or DTSX are popular formats found in the best sound bars. It also helps to narrow what you’ll be primarily using it for, as some sound bars are engineered more for music than movies, but if you’ll be playing downloaded files or using this for studio mixing, you may want to double check it can play files such as WAV, AIFF and FLAC too.
Display:Some units have a built-in display up front to show you things like volume, which audio settings you’re on, and sometimes even the track name. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker if there isn’t, but it’s always helpful to get a visual confirmation of your voice or remote command, and saves you a trip from the couch.
Space and Size:Not all sound bars share the same size, and some are significantly larger than others. It may be an afterthought, since sound quality is the real priority, but if you’ve got limited shelf (or desk) space or a small entertainment center, definitely take some measurements before going all-in. Same goes for the reverse too – some bars are designed for bigger rooms, and won’t perform as well in enclosed spaces.
Remote:Sound bars sometimes include remotes to give you more options from afar, instead of having to keep the bar on one single setting and just adjust everything around it like your TV. Some are more involved than others, and a few have only the most basic functions, but may be compatible with a universal remote.
Ports:Depending on how many devices you’ll be connecting, ports are definitely something important to consider. While one HDMI port might suffice for now, chances are you’ll be getting another device in the future that’s going to need an input of its own. You can always buy an additional HDMI splitter later if needed, but it’s best to have a few free openings just in case. Other than HDMI, sound bar inputs can also include RCA and AUX. It’s also advised to make sure the ports support the latest tech like 4k, Bluetooth, and HDR, so you’re not missing out on all your media has to deliver.
Extras:Outside the bar, different brands offer varying options to beam music from your phone to the main unit, or connect up multiple speakers throughout the house to all sync up wirelessly over WiFi or Bluetooth. Voice control and smart home links are also available for services like Amazon Alexa. And the best sound bars will have the ultimate, excellent add-on: a subwoofer, which brings up the low-end like nothing else, and can add instant bassy punch to any music or movies. Same goes for extra external speakers too, which boost the high-end of the sound spectrum and can be placed around the room. But even without these, the bar alone will enhance your home audio dynamically.
