As TVs have gotten thinner, the sound quality they provide has gotten worse, which is a problem that needs solving. Thankfully, there are two excellent solutions to this issue: soundbars and soundbases.
While they’re similar and they solve the same problem, soundbars and soundbases offer different solutions to the problem of poor TV sound. We’re going to help you decide which is right for you.
What Are Soundbars and Soundbases?
It’s simplest if you think of a soundbar or soundbase as a replacement for your television’s speakers. They’ve become a necessity for those of us that desire high quality sound because modern TVs are too thin to pack good speakers.
A soundbase is typically rectangular in shape and much larger than its soundbar cousin. Its size means that it’s designed to have the TV resting on top of it and it’s definitely not suitable for mounting on the wall.
Why Should I Buy a Soundbar?
The most significant advantage of a soundbar is its compact design, which lets you install it in a variety of locations. It needs to be near the television, but you’re free to mount it on the wall, rest it on a TV stand, or get creative.
Soundbars have gotten much cheaper over the past couple of years and can provide a massive boost to your TV’s sound quality without breaking the bank.
Drawbacks to a Soundbar
The most significant downside to buying a soundbar is that you’ll almost certainly need to add a subwoofer if you want any sort of bass to you TV sound experience. The slender design of a soundbar means it simply can’t project that deep, bass-y sound you might crave.
Why Should I Buy a Soundbase?
The biggest advantage of a soundbase is there’s no need to add a subwoofer. Because of the bigger design, there’s plenty of bass included, so if you have the space and you don’t mind the bulky look, a soundbase is a good choice.
With higher end soundbases you’ll get fuller, louder, better sound in one piece of equipment.
Drawbacks to a Soundbase
The most obvious downside is the size of a soundbase. The bigger footprint just won’t work for some people and there’s no way to mount it on the wall, so you’ll need to have a stand to keep the equipment on.
If you’re an apartment dweller, a soundbase may be a bad choice because the bass can be disruptive to your neighbors. If you have no interest in extra bass, you should almost certainly just go with a soundbar.
Should You Buy a Soundbar or a Soundbase?
Ultimately, both soundbars and soundbases will solve the problem of poor sound coming from your flat screen television. Which one you buy largely comes down to your particular needs.
A soundbase is a great choice if you want bass included and you don’t mind have a bigger piece of equipment resting on your TV stand.
You can’t go wrong with either. You just need to know what’s going to work best for your home and what kind of sound experience you want.