A single soundbar is actually packed with multiple individual speakers, which are referred to as “Sound channels”. These speakers are angled in different directions to then pump specific sounds all around the room, emulating the surround sound experience!

Soundbars have become an incredibly popular option for home audio setups since they first entered the market. Part of their lasting appeal is their simple nature. There’s no complicated installation or setup process for a soundbar. Just pair it to your TV, place it nearby, and let it work its magic!

Soundbars are also a popular option because of their all-in-one design. You don’t need to dot multiple soundbars around the room just to get the full experience. You truly only need one of them.

But the seemingly magical nature of soundbars naturally excites curiosity. Just how do soundbars work? How do they deliver such immense audio from one spot?

Want to find out how soundbars work their magic, but don’t want to get bogged down in technical mumbo jumbo? Then you’ve come to the right place. This guide, put together with the help of the Reliant tech experts, will dig into the inner workings of soundbars, to find out a little more about how they work!

How Do Soundbars Work?

Soundbars are often used as a more simple alternative to a surround sound setup. Soundbars are specially designed to pump out powerful audio that seems to surround you from all directions. However, all a soundbar is really doing is tricking your mind into thinking it’s hearing audio all around. It does this through the use of tiny speakers.

Within a single soundbar, you will find a number of tiny individual speakers, all arranged horizontally. Each of these speakers, which are most commonly referred to as “Sound channels” is angled in a very specific direction. These speakers then pump out audio in those specific directions. As the sound bounces around your room, it creates the sense that it’s truly approaching you from all directions, when really, it’s just coming from right in front of you!

Soundbars work through the clever arrangement of multiple individual speakers. Inside each soundbar is a horizontal line of speakers that are each designed to send sound in a specific direction.

It’s important to note that soundbars actually differ in terms of the number of individual speakers they contain. For instance, some larger models contain up to 7 individual speakers, and a smaller model might contain only 3 individual speakers. Speakers are most often referred to based on the number of audio channels they have. For instance, the largest models are referred to as “7.1 channel”.

What Size Soundbar Should You Buy?

If you were in the market for a brand new soundbar, you might find yourself a bit daunted trying to choose the perfect model. After all, what size is best? Ultimately, the answer comes down to personal preference.

Of course, soundbars with more sound channels are guaranteed to sound a little more powerful. If you’re planning to watch blockbuster films, and you want to truly be immersed, then you might want to spend a little more on a larger model. If you just want a simple soundbar that can replace subpar built-in speakers, then a smaller model would be just right.

Just make sure to keep in mind that the more sound channels a soundbar has, the bigger it will ultimately be. You don’t want to end up buying a soundbar that simply doesn’t fit into your living room!

We also recommend that your chosen soundbar closely matches the size of your TV. It doesn’t need to be a total match, but the closer the two are in terms of size, the better the experience. After all, pairing a massive 85 inch TV with a small 2-channel soundbar would be immensely unsatisfying!

Do You Need More Than One Soundbar?

Don’t worry, you don’t need to grab more than one soundbar just to put together a good sound system! In fact, pairing two soundbars together is incredibly difficult. Not only that, but there would also be a slight delay between the two speakers, which could prove incredibly distracting when trying to watch a film!

Are Soundbars Worth Buying?

Absolutely! As we’ve highlighted a few times throughout this guide, soundbars are an incredibly convenient option for those who want to improve their TV audio. Soundbars are incredibly easy to install, and they take up very little space. Despite this, they’re still able to deliver truly breathtaking sound.

There are a lot of things that make soundbars worthwhile. But one of the most important is the fact that they are incredibly easy to install in your home. Many soundbars operate wirelessly, for simple integration!

Soundbars are also great for both audio experts and those who are buying their very first sound system. They’re incredibly affordable, and yet they’re not a total budget option. If you often find yourself daunted by all of the different sound systems on the market, then a soundbar might just be right for you. Even if you are a total pro when it comes to home audio, soundbars are a great option to supplement an existing TV and to account for subpar speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Soundbars Work?

If you were to take a look at the inside of a soundbar, you would notice that it is packed with multiple speakers. These tiny individual speakers are lined up and pointed in specific directions. These speakers then pump sound out into those directions, allowing sound to bounce around your space. This results in a sound experience that’s similar to surround sound!

How Does A Soundbar Work With Your TV?

Most soundbars are connected to the TV through the use of an HDMI cable. HDMI cables are not only responsible for transmitting high-quality video to a TV but also for high-quality sound. Through the use of HDMI, your soundbar can more easily access high-quality sound that closely matches HD video content.