You’ve just bought a brand new, immaculate, TCL 4K TV packed full of state-of-the-art features and you are in awe of the amazing picture quality that has become your new standard viewing experience. Now, it’s time to take it to the next level by turning your living room into a mini movie theatre by adding a TCL soundbar and achieving the full cinematic feel.
Home Hi-Fi has Come a Long Way
Historically, most people have always relied on their TV speakers for audio without even a second thought given to adding a dedicated sound system. We’ve always watched programs and movies that were broadcast with basic, low-quality sound so whatever built-in options came with our TVs were usually good enough. Audio would be unclear and unfocused and for the time, it’s all we had.
However, just like the drastic leap in picture quality we see today, home Hi-Fi isn’t what it used to be either.
Free-to-air digital channels and high-definition subscription services like Netflix now provide 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos, so there’s no longer an excuse to not have a dedicated sound system to take full advantage of what’s currently available to us.
Modern TVs do come with better built-in sound than in previous years, but they’ll never be comparable to the sonic experience a home theatre-like setup provides. You don’t have to be an audiophile to appreciate and enjoy the huge leaps that have been made in sound engineering in recent years.
What exactly is a soundbar?
It may be obvious but a soundbar is generally a horizontal unit (a bar) that can replicate a wide sound scale using multiple built-in speakers. Most soundbars come with a wireless subwoofer (to minimize wires) that can be placed on the ground or even behind your couch to produce earth-trembling bass designed to add that extra depth to movies and music.
Soundbars vary in size and function depending on how much you want to spend and the type of content you regularly consume. They can range from stereo to 2.1 speaker configurations all the way to 11.1.4 setups that are compatible with multi-channel content such as Dolby Atmos.
Soundbars work by using multiple angled speakers to bounce sound off the surfaces of your room in order to mimic a surround sound acoustic setup as if speakers are spread out all around you.
Some soundbars are so good at doing this that if you’re like most people who aren’t audiophiles that can pinpoint the location of a pin dropping, then you wouldn’t even know the difference.
Why soundbars are great options
Similar to fashion, technology design has also come a long way and is always evolving. These days, just like men’s trousers, TVs are becoming slimmer and more compact. A modern, streamlined look is considered to be more important than a comfortable fit or a TV having high-quality built-in speakers.
TV bezels are becoming thinner and with this form factor comes the limitations of being able to fit good audio hardware that produces sound to match the immersion of current video quality. For excellent sound quality, space is needed, and space isn’t a luxury with contemporary TV designs.
Because of this, soundbars have really come into prominence. A no-fuss, easy-to-install and operate, dedicated solution that is neat and most of all effective is a blessing for those of us who value audio quality just as much as picture quality.
Superior sound quality at a cheaper price
Of course, this is the best reason to consider adding a soundbar to your home theatre setup. It doesn’t matter how good your TV speakers are, nine times out of ten, they will never produce the same quality of acoustics as a soundbar. And, depending on the caliber of sound you want will decide how much you spend.
Traditional speaker systems can be very expensive, even for a mid-range solution. Soundbars can offer comparable audio quality for a lot less. Modern soundbars can give many home Hi-Fi systems a good run for their money due to the fewer components needed.
Regardless of what you choose to compare it to, a soundbar will almost always be the easiest and cheapest option when it comes to enhancing your audio.
Enhance audio with ease and without the clutter
Soundbars are a breeze to set up. It usually only consists of plugging an HDMI cable into the TV and you’re good to go. This is in stark contrast to setting up a dedicated 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system around your TV room. This in itself is what makes it appealing to most consumers who are considering upgrading their audio.
Traditional surround sound units such as 5.1 systems require multiple speakers spread out across the room often with messy and hazardous wires everywhere. Unless you’re prepared to pay the expensive installation costs to get the cables and speakers professionally fitted into your walls, the end result just looks messy. And if you’re renting your home, then it’s probably not even an option.
Additionally, depending on which one you go for, the installation may even end up costing more than your sound system.
With a soundbar, you can get comparable sound quality without the hassle. Soundbars are designed to be minimalistic and non-intrusive which is ideal if you don’t want to sacrifice a sleek, modern aesthetic in your home for superior sound quality.
A do-it-all audio solution for your home
A common misconception is that soundbars are exclusively made for TVs, but this is definitely not true. Although TVs are the main device soundbars are designed for, they can be used with just about any gadget that produces sound.
Most soundbars come with plenty of connectivity options with multiple audio and HDMI outputs that let you connect to several devices at once, not just your TV. Furthermore, modern soundbars also come with Bluetooth so that you can wirelessly connect your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other device and use it as a speaker system for music or podcasts.
Take our TS8132 3.1.2 Channel Soundbar with wireless subwoofer. Not only does it provide a superior Dolby Atmos experience with heart-pulsating bass, but it’s also compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple AirPlay. The possibilities are endless given all the smart connectivity options.
It’s time for a simple and inexpensive audio upgrade
If you’re looking for a simple, sleek, and effective improvement on your current audio system, a soundbar is an ideal choice that won’t break the bank. Our range of high-quality soundbars is the perfect solution for whatever your home theatre space requires, so you can complete your cinematic experience with confidence.