Sound Bar vs Speakers - Which One Is Best For You?

A quick video comparing soundbars to home theater speakers and explaining the benefits of each.

Inexpensive Sound Bars:

High End Sound Bars:

Home Theater Speaker Systems:

[motorcyclemichael]

At the end of the day it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.

[matthewbradley]

I had a 5.1 surround system/DVD player for years. One day it fried after a power outage.
I replaced it with a Sanyo sound bar with wireless sub and just the lack of all those friggin' wires was worth it to me.
I don't have a very large TV rom so the sound is juuuust fine. And no wires!

[thewaywb]

Soundbars are for bedrooms or small living rooms

[raymondleggs]

I almost bought a soundbar a year ago lol. The receiver and speakers cost the same amount, so I got the receiver & speakers instead.

[VenVile]

Speakers generally have wave guides, which (apart from placement) helps create a wider sound-stage and sweet spot. Because of the cabinet build/design, you're also able to get better quality sound, more efficient sound and better tuning, especially with bass.

[alexfernandez]

I have a complete Sony 5.1/5.2 surround system set up to a Ultra Short throw projector/95” screen as my main entertainment/Music system. I only use about 75% of total a available power. Still very loud and clear.

I set up a 55” 4K Vizio with a Visio 5.1 sound bar system in a extra room room. We use this mostly for watching movies and gaming. I’ve gotten this one up to about 90% of available power. Very good sound quality.

I’m very happy with both! I set up the Vizio for a few weeks as a temporary system while I got everything needed for the new Sony “Home Theatre” setup. Again, I am happy with both. Bigger is better though for my application.

I do like the sound bar, because I can take it outside and use it along with its small wireless subwoofer. Works great for gatherings and parties. I picked up some really cool DJ lights and it’s is even better than I thought! No too worried if anything breaks because it is kind of inexpensive, compared to one $300+ Klipsch subwoofer I recently purchased(Man I love this thing!).

All in all, I do feel sound bar systems have come a long way.

[abandonallships]

See these are the type of videos I like!! Short and sweet!! Thanks a lot man! 😎

[ptg]

Great video! Just bought my first 75'' TV, next year I will try to buy some nice audio, it's a dream since my childhood :) Will keep monitoring your channel, I find it the most viewer-friendly one out there.

[jayshine]

For me i will take 5.1 or 7.1 over sound bar any day i like the surround sound better than the bar

[jacobwonder]

Wasn’t big on your cover photo and small follower total, decided to click on the video anyway.

Top notch video. Glad I clicked.

[MrTimdtoolman]

Thanks for another great video Chris. Keep em coming you always do a great job.

[railerswim]

After going to a 7.1 surround setup with Klitsch speakers I can’t stand the sound bar I use in my living room

[Oliviathespud]

short and to the point, I got everything in need... great video, here's a comment for the algorithm

[clanpsi]

My biggest problem with soundbars is they almost never have a centre channel.

[Clint]

Could you test a $xxx 5.1 setup against an equally priced sound bar? There are lots of videos with people talking about it, but I would really like an actual comparison review. Thanks for another awesome video.

[vaishaks.r]

You are always very helpful. Straight to the point, it's help me clear the confusion and I'm going for a speaker system. Thank you

[leahhumphrey]

I have Samsung soundbar with subwoofer which sounds amazing in the small space I have which is basically a small box room. When I move to a bigger place I’ll upgrade to speakers as soon as I can afford to.

[monicamckinney]

This is the exact information I needed. Thank you for the research you did

[kevindavis]

Question? Speakers on the far right at 1:34 why not put the tweeters in the same box with the woofers old school style? Because if you put those tweeters on top of the subwoofer box be looking like a pair of 90s speakers

[jimmyshoes]

If your not going for a soundbar, don't go splashing all your money on a surround sound setup. Start with a decent receiver like Denon or Onkyo and two of the best bookshelf or floorstanding speakers you can afford (take your time picking the speakers thats the fun part) and later add a sub and don't skimp on the sub either, later a matching center, and rear surrounds of your choosing( not as important as he front stage)
A 2.1 channel setup like kef ls50 and maybe svs sub will blow the socks of any soundbar or those 5.1 all in one deals, and now your system is modular you can upgrade different components down the line
One last thing make sure if your going for a center channel make sure its a good one cause 80% of your content will come from there
I went with the Klipsch rp 600 for the bookshelfs, RP-504C for center and svs sb200 or sub, Dali c1 for atmos, whaferdale for surround, Took me 8 months to get everything but was worth the patience