Time to stop using those bad TV speakers
Buying the best soundbar is the easiest way of giving your TV some much-need sonic steroids as virtually all screens have the option of being used with an external speaker.
What's the best soundbar?
Soundbars come in many shapes and sizes, and range in price from under £100/$100 to over £1,000/$1,500. Cheaper models have basic connections (including a digital optical socket, which is essential), more expensive ones add superior HDMI inputs, wireless audio streaming (e.g. Bluetooth and AirPlay), better power, more refined speaker drivers, and decoding of Blu-ray sound formats.
Design is also important, with some models able to sit in front of your TV on a stand, others may need a separate shelf or to be wall mounted. Whatever your budget though there are some cracking good acoustic upgrades to be had that can give your TV the sound it deserves.
1-Philips Fidelio B5
Surround sound or portable Bluetooth – the choice is yoursThe Philips Fidelio B5 is an impressive bit of kit, and it's almost the perfect soundbar for someone who appreciates good cinema sound but has no interest in tearing up their living room to install a 5.1 surround sound system which they'll only use every now and then.
The B5 enables you to pick and choose your movie moments, and do it on a whim. And it creates a pretty decent surround sound experience too, using both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround decoding.
The combination of convenience and good audio – the raison d'etre of the soundbar – with its transformative surround sound capabilities makes the Fidelio B5 a great option for the movie fan who can't face all the aggravation of a proper 5.1 installation.
Today's best Philips Fidelio B5 deals
2-Focal Dimension
An impressive-sounding soundbar with a few setup faux-pas
Focal, most known for its excellent sounding speakers (and the recently released Focal Listen headphones), is late to the soundbar space but its Focal Dimension was worth the wait. The Dimension soundbar is simply gorgeous with its piano black accents and aluminum unibody construction.
At $1,399 (£799, AU$1,699), it's not exactly cheap but you're paying for excellent build quality, sound and design.
No comments