Soundbars are gaining popularity due to their sleek design and ability to provide a considerable improvement in audio quality compared to speakers built into your TV. Despite their plug-and-play nature, you can make a few adjustments to help you achieve the best sound quality possible.
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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 new heights. 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 sound bar is an important factor. For the most balanced sound, place the sound bar directly below your TV, centered and parallel to the screen. Mounting a Sound Bar above The screen is also an option, but the ideal height for maximum clarity is at or near ear level. Make sure the sound bar is not obstructed by furniture or even decorative items that can block sound waves.
Every room has unique acoustics. Does your room have high ceilings or large windows? Are your floors wood or tile? If so, consider adding soft furnishings like rugs and curtains to reduce reflections. Or you can go a step further and add acoustic panels to your area. Acoustic panels or diffusers can help control sound reflections and create a more balanced audio environment.
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As Spotted by ZDNET contributor Artie Beatyadvanced sound bars like LG S95TR Perform a fine-tuning process specific to your viewing area layout using an AI-powered room calibration feature. If your soundbar doesn’t have such a feature, experiment a bit to find the sweet spot.
Remember that most soundbars are designed to project sound directly toward the audience, so make sure the device is angled for optimal sound dispersion across all seating positions. Moving the soundbar a foot or so from the listening area or adjusting the angle just a few inches can noticeably improve or degrade output.
2. How about a subwoofer?
If your soundbar has a subwoofer, place it on the floor, preferably in a corner or next to a wall, to improve bass response. The goal is to create a perfect blend between low-frequency effects and the rest of the audio spectrum.
I’ve read about a music producer who would do a “crawl test” to determine the best placement. This involves playing bass-heavy content and literally crawling around the room to find the spot with the most balanced bass output. Voilà: there’s the best place to place the subwoofer.
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Some sound bars come with a built-in subwoofer, and others allow you to connect an external subwoofer wirelessly or via a wired connection. (More on this later.)
In the absence of a subwoofer, and if it’s within your budget, consider adding a unit like the SVS SB-1000 ProA more affordable option is the Klipsch R-120SW ReferenceConnecting a subwoofer can significantly improve your audio experience with deeper, more impactful low-frequency effects, making you feel like you’re part of the on-screen action.
3. Customizing the soundbar’s equalizer and audio settings
As I mentioned earlier, some soundbars feature auto-calibration systems that use a microphone to measure and adjust the sound settings for your specific room. Many more of them come with various audio presets or EQ settings that you can adjust to your liking. Some soundbars offer the flexibility to customize audio settings for individual inputs, allowing you to fine-tune the sound quality based on whether you’re watching shows, listening to music, or gaming.
In any case, adjusting bass, treble, and other parameters can greatly improve audio quality depending on the room acoustics and your listening habits. Also, be sure to experiment with 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. Increasing dialogue levels puts the focus on the center channel and midrange frequencies, making voices clearer and easier to understand, so you can really understand what Yennefer of Vengerberg is whispering out loud. The Wizard.
In that regard, check if your soundbar has a volume leveler. This feature (which can be turned on and off) allows you to listen to content more evenly. With the volume leveler, you’ll be hitting the volume button on your remote much less often.
4. Check your connection (HDMI)
Your soundbar is likely connected to your TV via an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port. This technology supports advanced 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio for a super-immersive surround sound experience.
Ideally, your soundbar supports HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) connectivity, which allows you to control devices connected via HDMI with a single remote. In this case, you can use your TV’s remote to control the soundbar and, for example, an additional Blu-ray player.
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My preference is definitely to integrate the operation of multiple devices into one. Who wants to have three separate remote controls on the coffee table? Having all your devices connected to the sound bar reduces clutter and saves you from having to install a switch box. This way, you can easily switch between audio sources by changing the sound bar’s input mode with a single remote.
Okay, this isn’t all about maximizing audio quality, but here’s something that is. Compared to connecting your soundbar via Bluetooth, a wired connection is still the best method for transferring sound. Opting for a wired connection, such as HDMI or optical cables, ensures stable, lossless audio transmission. This allows audio content to be heard as intended, without any degradation or interruption caused by 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 process more channels to support additional subwoofers and tweeters.
5. Updates are essential
This one is short and sweet: check for software and firmware updates! (This, by the way, is essential for any device.) Manufacturers often release updates that can improve your soundbar’s performance and add new features. Installing updates regularly ensures your soundbar benefits from the latest improvements and fixes and removes bugs that can harm 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 placement, optimizing room acoustics, and carefully adjusting settings will undoubtedly enhance your streaming listening experience. Whether you’re watching action-packed blockbusters or enjoying your favorite tunes, your soundbar will be ready to deliver exceptional audio quality.