But soundbars can vary quite a bit from model to model. With different features, and different specifications. One common way these devices differ is in terms of their overall size. Some soundbars are much smaller, while others are much larger. This might cause you to wonder whether your chosen soundbar should match the size of your TV.
Do the two need to match exactly? Or is there some wiggle-room afforded when building a home theatre setup? To help us answer this, we’ve employed the help of our trusty team of Reliant tech experts. We’ll find out how you can perfectly pair your TV to a soundbar and make the most of TV audio!
Should You Soundbar Be The Same Size As Your TV?
Rest assured, your soundbar does not need to be the exact same size as your TV! You won’t have to painstakingly scour the market just to find a soundbar that exactly matches your TV. However, it is recommended to strike a good balance between the size of your TV and your soundbar. You don’t want your soundbar to be too big, just like you don’t want it to be too small!
When the size of your soundbar and TV are close, it more easily sells the sense that the sound is coming from the TV. If you think about it, a tiny soundbar, paired with a 98-inch TV would sound incredibly small. This would pull you out of your immersion! This also applies in the other direction. The contrast between smaller imagery and massive room-filling sound would be incredibly distracting.
For cinematic screen sizes, it’s best to go large and find an appropriately sized soundbar. Cinematic images will be seamlessly paired with cinematic audio. This allows for total immersion in the greatest stories.
Your soundbar’s size does not need to exactly match the size of the TV screen. However, it is recommended to get them close. It will match the scale of the image to the scale of the audio!
Pairing your soundbar and TV based on size is also beneficial for making the most of your space. If you have a smaller TV, then pairing it with a much larger soundbar would simply be impractical. You’d need to find a TV stand that can accommodate the larger soundbar! A large soundbar would also look very odd when contrasted against a smaller TV screen as the centrepiece of your space.
What Size Soundbar Should You Opt For?
Again, you should opt for a soundbar that complements the size of your TV. This results in a smoother experience, with visuals matching audio. You don’t have to completely match the size of your soundbar to your TV. If you wish, you can go for one slightly larger, in order to achieve a slightly stronger sound.
Don’t be afraid to go a little smaller as well. Smaller soundbars often have much lower price tags. Making them a great budget option!
Sparing some thought for the size of your soundbar is also important for getting the right sound experience. Soundbars can differ in terms of the number of audio channels they offer. The smallest soundbars offer 2 channel audio, meaning there are two speakers packed in the unit. Much larger soundbars have many more internal speakers. For instance, incredibly wide 7-channel soundbars have 7 individual speakers built into them!
If you want a TV with more powerful audio, you’ll need to grab a soundbar that offers enough speakers.
You should opt for a soundbar that is reasonable for your home and your TV. The soundbar should have a similar size to the TV for the best experience. You should also have enough space to safely store the soundbar.
Finally, you’ll also need to consider whether your soundbar has an external subwoofer. Many soundbars do come with external subwoofers, which are connected via a cable. The subwoofer is able to produce floor-shaking bass that lets you feel the on-screen action. You’ll need to make sure you have space for this subwoofer, as well as space for the soundbar itself.
Should You Grab An Active Or Passive Soundbar?
If you’re looking for a compact soundbar that pairs with a smaller TV, you will want to look for an active model. Active soundbars have built-in amplifiers that power the whole unit. Passive units, on the other hand, require you to hook up an amplifier in order for the soundbar to produce any audio.
A passive soundbar would require much more dedicated space. This would make it incredibly impractical to pair with a smaller TV!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should A Soundbar Match The Size Of The TV?
You don’t have to worry about finding a soundbar that exactly matches the width of your TV. However, for a great audio-visual experience, it’s great to strike a balance between the two. A larger image becomes all the more impactful when paired with an equally large sound! The larger the soundbar, the more powerful it is.
How Much Space Do You Need Under A TV For A Soundbar?
You should aim to have a good amount of space between a TV and its soundbar. A soundbar placed too close to the TV will result in the screen vibrating. This could not only produce annoying extra noise. It could also put the screen at risk of toppling from its position on the TV stand!
Is A Soundbar Worth It In A Small Room?
Yes. In fact, a soundbar is a perfect stand-in for a traditional surround sound system. A surround sound system will require plenty of free space to be safely installed in the home. A soundbar, instead, can simply be placed right under your TV. This makes it much easier to find a spot for it in a smaller room.
