In this guide, we’re going to pit the two against one another, to see which solution delivers the best overall solution for your content. We’ll take a look at price, sound quality, and form factor, to help you decide which option is best for your living room.
What Are The Key Differences Between Soundbars And Speakers?
Sound Quality
A quality soundbar can easily be an improvement over your TV’s bog-standard built-in speakers. Soundbars are actually made of numerous individual speakers each packed into a single compact device. Each of these speakers is aimed in a specific direction, to allow audio to travel throughout your living room. Essentially creating audio that surrounds you from all directions!
However, it’s worth noting that a soundbar does not offer true surround sound like a traditional speaker setup does. While effective, it is ultimately an illusion. Traditional speakers are allowed a little more room to breathe when it comes to setting them up. This ensures there’s no risk of the speakers drowning each other out. It also means you can enjoy true surround sound that approaches you from different directions.
If you’re keen to enjoy a true surround sound experience, then we’d recommend opting for a speaker setup.
Connectivity
Soundbars are incredibly easy to connect and set up, which has helped to make them a very popular audio solution for many homes. Many top soundbar models are equipped with BlueTooth compatibility, which allows them to connect wirelessly to your TV. If BlueTooth isn’t an option for your TV, you can simply use an HDMI cable to connect it to a soundbar. HDMI cables can send detailed audio signals effortlessly between your TV and a soundbar, and vice versa!
If you’re looking for a simple audio solution that’s easy to set up in your living room, then a soundbar is the option for you. Though there are some wireless options available, the majority of external speakers will need to be wired directly to your TV. This can make the setup a little more complicated. Especially in unconventional spaces.
Wired speakers also have a slight advantage when it comes to fidelity and responsiveness. Audio signals are able to travel much faster via a cable, than via a wireless connection, which requires coding and decoding an audio signal to create sound. Again, if you need absolute fidelity from your audio, then it’s worth opting for a speaker setup.
Form Factor
Soundbars are perfect for living rooms with limited space. They’re designed to be incredibly compact while still delivering immense audio fidelity. Soundbars are also available in a wide range of sizes, so you can account for even the tightest of spaces. When choosing the perfect soundbar model, make sure to carefully consider the audio experience you’re looking for. The smaller the soundbar is, the fewer speakers it contains, and vice versa. If you’re looking for truly powerful audio, you may need to look for a larger soundbar.
Traditional speakers, on the other hand, can vary massively in size and shape. Again, this mostly depends on the number of speakers you’re installing. A stereo speaker setup, for instance, involves just two speakers, which you can arrange to the left and right of your TV. A surround sound speaker setup, on the other hand, will involve more individual speakers that you have to more carefully arrange. Depending on the speaker setup you choose, you may need to ensure you have more available space.
Some speakers and soundbars come equipped with subwoofers, capable of delivering immense floor-shaking bass. In order to make the most of a subwoofer, you’ll need to make sure you have suitable space.
Cost
When it comes to cost, soundbars have a slight edge over the competition. Many fantastic soundbar models come at a fraction of the cost of some of the very best speaker setups. In fact, there are some great soundbar models that you can purchase for well under £100. The cost of a soundbar will depend on a few factors, such as its size, brand, and any extra features.
Speakers vary much more wildly when it comes to cost. Again, cost most often varies as a result of the number of speakers in a given setup. Costs can also differ depending on which brand you are considering. Surround sound setups can often be particularly expensive, as they come with many more individual parts to consider.
When choosing between a soundbar or speaker setup, you’ll need to strike a balance between cost and function. You don’t want to spend too much on a sound system full of features you’ll never use, but you also don’t want to spend too little on a solution with subpar audio quality.
Using a Soundbar With Your TV
Pros
- They’re incredibly affordable, especially when compared to some speaker setups.
- They’re easy to connect. Many soundbars are compatible with both HDMI and Bluetooth connections.
- Soundbars have a compact form factor, with everything contained in one piece of kit. Perfect for smaller spaces!
- Many soundbar models come equipped with wireless or wired subwoofers, which are capable of delivering extra bass for even more impact.
- Top models are readily equipped to make the most of Dolby Atmos and other top audio features.
- Individual directional speakers inside the soundbar deliver room-filling audio that emulates the surround sound experience.
Cons
- Even some of the largest soundbars struggle to compare to the sheer power of a dedicated speaker setup. If you’re looking for an audio solution for a truly massive living room, then speakers may be better.
- Audio fidelity often lags behind more traditional speaker setups.
- While soundbars are capable of producing directional audio, they cannot create true surround sound. If you want sound that truly surrounds you from all directions, we recommend opting for a more traditional speaker setup.
- Soundbars are not recommended specifically for listening to music. The tight arrangement of individual speakers inside of the soundbar makes it difficult to hear specific audio frequencies, resulting in a diminished experience.
Using Speakers With Your TV
Pros
- Traditional speaker setups can deliver truly immense audio with unrivalled fidelity.
- A surround sound speaker setup can truly immerse you in directional audio that actually travels around your space. Perfect for true immersion.
- Many speakers can be mixed or matched to create an array that best suits your space. Add or remove speakers from your setup however you see fit.
- Individual speakers and receivers can be upgraded at any time, so you can easily ensure you have up-to-date sound.
- Many top speakers utilise a wired connection, which results in audio with greater fidelity.
- Speakers are fantastic for enjoying music. With more space between each individual speaker, audio frequencies don’t get lost in the mix. This lets you identify every distinct instrument in your favourite songs.
- Speakers are great for larger living rooms, as they’re able to deliver louder sound that can reach every corner of the space.
Cons
- While speakers offer greater audio fidelity, they tend to be much more complex to set up. Each individual speaker needs to be connected to your sound system, and then arranged around your space suitably.
- Speakers are not the best option for small spaces. Even some of the smallest speaker setups will require a more complex arrangement, which may not be suitable for smaller rooms!
- You’ll have to pay much more for even the simplest of speaker setups. When compared to soundbars, they’re a very costly investment.
- A complex speaker setup might prove challenging if you're trying to create a clean look with a smaller living space. Soundbars are a lot easier to fit in your living space and don't require additional room.
- There are so many different types of speakers to choose from. So much so that you might find yourself quickly overwhelmed trying to find the right one. A soundbar is a much simpler choice when you are unsure.
The Final Verdict
Soundbars are a cost-effective and compact sound solution perfect for smaller spaces, but they may lack slightly in terms of audio fidelity. Traditional speakers, on the other hand, may cost more, and necessitate a more complex setup, but offer far superior audio fidelity.
As such, when it comes to choosing between a soundbar or traditional speakers, you’ll want to strike a gentle balance between cost, form, and function. Think about the amount of space you have in your living room, the sound quality you’re looking for, and the budget you have available. This will help you to find a solution perfect for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A Soundbar Count As Surround Sound?
Technically speaking, no. Soundbars instead simply emulate the surround sound experience. Soundbars are packed full of numerous individual speakers. These speakers are pointed in different directions and pump out powerful audio. When this audio bounces off of the walls of your living room, it creates the sense that it’s surrounding you from all directions!
