Soundbars are growing in popularity because of their sleek design and ability to deliver much better sound quality than built-in TV speakers. Despite their plug-and-play nature, there are a few tweaks you can make to help you achieve the best possible sound quality.
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Whether you’re new to soundbar setup or consider yourself an audiophile, familiarizing yourself with a few key settings can take your viewing and listening experience to the next level. Read on for five tips on how to optimize your soundbar’s performance.
1. Location and acoustics
It may seem obvious (because it is), but where you place your soundbar is key. For the most balanced sound, place the soundbar directly below your TV, centered and parallel to the screen. Mounting the soundbar above Your monitor is also an option, but the ideal position for maximum clarity is at or near ear level. Make sure your soundbar is free from furniture or even decorative items that could block the sound waves.
Every room has its own acoustics. Does your room have high ceilings or large windows? Are your floors hardwood or tile? If so, consider adding soft furnishings like rugs and curtains to reduce reflections. Or, you can take it a step further by adding acoustic panels to your area. Acoustic panels or diffusers can help control sound reflections and create a more balanced acoustic environment.
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EQUAL Recorded by ZDNET contributor Artie Beatyadvanced soundbar like LG S95TR go through the process of adjusting specifically to your viewing area layout using AI room calibration. If your soundbar doesn’t have such a feature, experiment to find the sweet spot.
Remember that most soundbars are designed to project sound directly at the audience, so make sure the unit is angled to optimally disperse sound across all seating positions. Moving the soundbar about a foot away from your listening area or adjusting the angle just a few inches can significantly improve or decrease the quality of the output.
2. What about the subwoofer?
If your soundbar has a subwoofer, place it on the floor, preferably in a corner or along a wall, to enhance bass response. The goal is to create a seamless blend between low-frequency effects and the rest of the sound spectrum.
I read about a music producer who does a “cow test” to determine the best placement. This test involves playing some bass-heavy content and literally crawling around the room to find the spot with the most balanced bass output. Voilà — that’s the best place to put your subwoofer.
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Some soundbars have a built-in subwoofer, while others allow you to connect an external subwoofer wirelessly or via a wired connection. (We’ll get into this more later.)
In case you don’t have a subwoofer and if it’s within your budget, consider adding one like SVS SB-1000 professional. A more reasonable option is Klipsch Reference R-120SW. Connecting a subwoofer can dramatically improve your audio experience with deeper, more powerful low-frequency effects that make you feel like you’re part of the scene.
3. Customize the soundbar’s equalizer and sound settings
As I mentioned earlier, some soundbars have an automatic calibration system that uses a microphone to measure and adjust the sound settings for your specific room. Many other soundbars come with a variety of sound presets or EQ settings that you can adjust to your preferences. Some soundbars offer the flexibility to customize the sound settings for each individual input, allowing you to fine-tune the sound quality based on whether you’re watching a show, listening to music, or playing a game.
In any case, adjusting bass, treble, and other parameters can significantly improve sound quality based on your room acoustics and listening habits. Also, be sure to experiment with any advanced features, such as Virtual Surround Sound, Dialogue Enhancement, or Bass Boost, if available.
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Boosting the bass can add depth and power to action scenes, making explosions and other intense moments more dramatic and engaging. Boosting the dialogue levels will focus on the center channel and midrange frequencies, making vocals clearer and more intelligible — so you can actually understand what Yennefer of Vengerberg is whispering. Witch.
Along those lines, check to see if your soundbar has a volume equalizer. This feature (which can be turned on and off) allows you to hear content with more consistency. You’ll have to reach for the volume button on your remote much less often if you have volume equalizer.
4. Check your (HDMI) connection
Your soundbar can be connected to your TV via HDMI ARC (audio return channel) or eARC (enhanced audio return channel). This technology supports advanced 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Sony 360 Reality Audio for a super immersive surround sound experience.
Ideally, your soundbar will support HDMI-CEC (consumer electronics control), which allows you to control devices connected via HDMI with just one remote. In this case, you can use your TV remote to control the soundbar and, for example, an additional Blu-ray player.
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Integrating the functionality of multiple devices into one device is definitely my favorite. Who wants three separate remotes sitting on their coffee table? Plugging all your devices into the soundbar cuts down on clutter and eliminates the need for a switch box. You can then easily switch between audio sources by changing the soundbar’s input mode with your single remote.
Okay, this isn’t about maximizing sound quality, but it’s a related point. Compared to connecting your soundbar via Bluetooth, a wired connection is still the best way to transmit audio. Opting for a wired connection, such as HDMI or optical, ensures a stable, lossless audio transmission. This allows audio content to be heard as intended, without degradation or interruption due to wireless signal interference or compression. Also, keep in mind that not all cables are created equal. Make sure to use a cable that supports high-resolution formats and has a higher bandwidth that can handle more channels to support additional woofers and tweeters.
5. Updating is essential
This one is short and sweet: check for software and firmware updates! (This is a must for any device, by the way.) Manufacturers often release updates that can improve soundbar performance and add new features. Installing updates regularly ensures your soundbar benefits from the latest improvements and fixes, and eliminates bugs that can ruin sound quality.
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With these simple tips, you can maximize your soundbar’s performance and enjoy a richer, more immersive audio experience. Proper speaker placement, room acoustic optimization, and thoughtful settings adjustments are sure to enhance your streaming experience. Whether you’re watching an action-packed blockbuster or rocking out to your favorite tunes, your soundbar is ready to deliver exceptional sound quality.
