After spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a TV, you might as well add a new soundbar or surround sound system to upgrade its audio performance. The truth is that most TVs have an average sound quality, and it’s only gotten worse as their designs have become slimmer and have less space for components.
So, should you choose a soundbar or a surround sound system to improve your smart TV’s sound quality? The answer is more complicated than you think and depends on various factors. Today, I’ll discuss the factors to consider when shopping for TV audio upgrades, so you can decide which is best for you.
QuizHome theater systems
Trivia challenge
From surround sound to 4K projectors — how well do you really know your home cinema setup?
AudioDisplayFormatsHardwareHistory
What does the ‘1’ refer to in a 5.1 surround sound system?
Correct! The ‘.1’ in any surround sound configuration refers to a dedicated low-frequency effects (LFE) channel, which is typically handled by a subwoofer. This channel carries bass-heavy sounds like explosions and deep musical tones, adding physical impact to your listening experience.
Not quite. The ‘.1’ refers to the dedicated low-frequency effects (LFE) channel, handled by a subwoofer. The ‘5’ counts the full-range speakers — typically front left, front right, center, and two surrounds — while the subwoofer handles the deep bass on its own separate channel.
What is the native resolution of a Full HD (1080p) display?
Correct! Full HD, commonly known as 1080p, has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It became the standard for HDTVs in the mid-2000s and remains widely used today, even as 4K (3840 x 2160) becomes more mainstream in home theater setups.
Not quite. Full HD (1080p) has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. You might be thinking of 2K cinema (2048 x 1080), which is slightly wider, or 4K (3840 x 2160), which is four times the resolution of 1080p and increasingly common in modern home theater displays.
Which audio format was developed by Dolby Laboratories and introduced with Blu-ray as a lossless surround sound option?
Correct! Dolby TrueHD is a lossless audio codec introduced alongside the Blu-ray format, capable of carrying up to 14 discrete audio channels. It is the codec underlying Dolby Atmos on Blu-ray discs and delivers studio-master-quality sound to home theater enthusiasts.
Not quite. The answer is Dolby TrueHD, a lossless codec introduced with Blu-ray that can carry up to 14 channels of audio at full master-quality fidelity. Dolby Digital is an older lossy format from the DVD era, while Dolby Digital Plus is an enhanced but still lossy codec used for streaming services.
What is the primary function of an AV receiver in a home theater system?
Correct! An AV receiver is the hub of a home theater system, responsible for decoding audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, then amplifying those signals to power connected speakers. It also handles video switching, allowing multiple source devices to route through a single HDMI connection to your display.
Not quite. An AV receiver’s primary role is to decode multi-channel audio formats and amplify the signal to drive your speakers. While many modern receivers include video processing features like upscaling, their core purpose has always been audio decoding and amplification — making them essential for true surround sound setups.
In what decade was Dolby Surround — the first consumer surround sound format — introduced to home video?
Correct! Dolby Surround made its way into home video in the 1980s, first appearing on VHS and LaserDisc releases. It was a matrix-encoded format derived from Dolby Stereo used in cinemas, and it laid the groundwork for the more sophisticated discrete surround sound formats that followed in the 1990s.
Not quite. Dolby Surround arrived in homes during the 1980s, encoded into VHS tapes and LaserDiscs. While the technology had cinema roots in the 1970s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that consumer home video hardware began to support it, kicking off the era of home theater surround sound.
What does HDR stand for in the context of modern home theater displays?
Correct! HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it refers to a display’s ability to reproduce a wider range of brightness levels — from deep blacks to very bright highlights — as well as a broader color gamut. Formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG are all HDR standards used in home theater TVs and projectors.
Not quite. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It’s a display technology that dramatically expands the contrast ratio and color range of a picture, making bright highlights more dazzling and shadows more detailed. Common HDR standards you’ll see on home theater equipment include HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+.
Dolby Atmos introduced a fundamentally new concept to surround sound mixing. What was it?
Correct! Dolby Atmos revolutionized surround sound by introducing object-based audio. Instead of assigning sounds to fixed speaker channels, sound designers can place audio objects anywhere in a three-dimensional space, including overhead. The system then renders those objects dynamically based on whatever speaker configuration you have at home.
Not quite. Dolby Atmos introduced object-based audio, which was a major departure from traditional channel-based surround sound. Rather than mixing sounds into set channels like ‘left surround’ or ‘center’, mixers place audio objects in 3D space and the Atmos renderer figures out the best way to reproduce them through your specific speaker layout, including height channels.
Which physical disc format won the high-definition home video format war in 2008, defeating its main rival?
Correct! Blu-ray, backed by Sony and a broad coalition of studios and manufacturers, defeated HD DVD — championed primarily by Toshiba and Microsoft — in early 2008. The turning point came when Warner Bros. announced it would go Blu-ray exclusive, prompting several major retailers and studios to follow suit, effectively ending the format war.
Not quite. Blu-ray won the high-definition format war in 2008. The conflict between Blu-ray and HD DVD had raged for roughly two years, but Warner Bros.’ decision to go exclusively Blu-ray in January 2008 proved decisive. Toshiba officially discontinued HD DVD shortly after, leaving Blu-ray as the standard for high-definition physical media.
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What’s the difference between a soundbar and a surround sound system?
Convenience or Performance?
Traditional soundbars, like the JBL Bar 300MK2-5.0 or the Bose TV speaker, are a single all-in-one system with multiple integrated drivers to boost your TV’s sound quality. They usually fit neatly under your TV, and have a simple plug-and-play design that connects to your TV via the HDMI eARC, optical port, or Bluetooth.
Modern soundbars, like the JBL Bar 1000MK2 and LG S95AR, blur the lines of the traditional offerings by adding speakers and subwoofers to the setup. These systems often provide the best of both worlds, with the streamlined simplicity of a soundbar and the added deep bass and spatial audio of a home theater system.
These systems often provide the best of both worlds, with the streamlined simplicity of a soundbar and the added deep bass and spatial audio of a surround sound system.
Surround sound systems, like the Klipsch Reference Cinema System and Logitech Z906, are usually more complex. They include a subwoofer, front left and right speakers, a central speaker, a pair of rear speakers, and a central receiver that connects to the TV via HDMI eARC or an optical cable. These speaker systems are usually more labor-intensive to install and require running cables to each speaker. Modern options often include wireless speakers, which simplify the installation but still require a power source.
Do surround sound systems cost more than soundbars?
Quality and other factors determine pricing
Surround sound systems usually cost more than soundbars because they have more components. This makes sense because it’s easier and less costly to have smaller drivers in a single box than to manufacture separate speakers, a subwoofer, and a receiver. For example, you can find decent entry-level soundbars, like the Sony S100F and Samsung B-Series HW B400F, for around $100, and it will be challenging to find a home theater system in that price range.
Bigger soundbars get more expensive as they include more drivers, and the cost climbs when you add more satellite speakers and features like wireless connectivity.
That said, things change dramatically when you factor in the size, quality, and technology of modern soundbars. Bigger soundbars get more expensive as they include more drivers, and the cost climbs when you add more satellite speakers and features like wireless connectivity. That’s why the modern Samsung HW-Q930F soundbar costs far more than the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus and Logitech Z906 surround sound system.
Are soundbars easier to install than surround sound systems?
Most of the time
Basic soundbars are easy to install in just a few minutes. All you need to do is place them in front of your TV and plug in a single cable. Even more sophisticated models with satellite speakers and a subwoofer have a simple installation process because they operate wirelessly. Soundbars offer better flexibility because you can easily move the speakers around or uninstall everything if you like.
This makes them a great choice if you’re living in a temporary residence or rental property and don’t want stuff permanently attached to the walls. Soundbars also require less space and can easily work in smaller living rooms or bedrooms.
Even more sophisticated models with satellite speakers and a subwoofer have a simple installation process because they operate wirelessly.
In comparison, surround sound systems are more complicated and labor-intensive to install. You need to place the subwoofer and speakers in their preferred locations, then run individual speaker wires to them. This involves gluing cables onto your walls or running trunking. It can also increase the system’s cost if you hire someone to do it for you.
Surround sound systems are usually fixed in place after the initial installation, and there’s no way to move them if you want to change your living room setup. They also require more space for all the speakers, and are better in a larger room where you’ll notice the sound details.
Do soundbars or surround sound systems have better sound quality?
There’s a clear winner
Soundbars drastically improve a TV’s sound quality, but they have their limitations. They cram multiple speakers into a slim casing, which doesn’t provide enough space for the air to move. They might use virtualization to mimic a surround sound experience, but they won’t match more advanced setups.
Things improve with more advanced soundbars with additional satellite speakers and a subwoofer. They are an excellent compromise and offer a substantial performance increase over a standalone soundbar. However, they do have some potential drawbacks, like latency and audio compression, which can compromise overall sound quality.
Surround sound systems offer immersive, rich sound that a soundbar can’t match. They have bigger and more powerful speakers strategically placed to maximize performance. You get to hear individual sounds and effects from different directions, and there’s a wider soundstage for enjoying music.
The specific make and model of your audio equipment plays a huge role in its sound quality.
This is true when comparing apples to apples, and the specific make and model of your audio equipment plays a huge role in its sound quality. For example, a high-quality soundbar with a powerful subwoofer might sound better than a budget surround sound system with mediocre components.
Should you get a soundbar or a surround sound system?
It depends on what you’re looking for
Basic soundbars without external subwoofers or speakers are probably the cheapest and easiest way to upgrade your TV’s sound quality. They offer substantial improvements in audio quality, are simple to install, and can work in most rooms. However, they have some limitations. The sound comes from a single direction, and you won’t get the same level of immersion or detail as you would with other speakers in the room.
Soundbars with external speakers and a subwoofer are pricier, but are worth the additional cost for what they deliver. Most are easy to set up via Bluetooth and provide low-end grunt and directional sound, which results in a better overall experience.
Surround sound systems have more components, which usually make them more expensive and more complicated to install. They deliver the best sound quality and create a 3D effect to mimic a cinematic experience.
Standalone soundbars are the best option if you’re looking for a cheap and simple TV audio upgrade. Soundbars with additional speakers are a viable middle ground. You get the convenience of easy installation and amazing audio quality at a reasonable price. Surround sound systems are best for people who want the best sound quality and don’t mind paying for it. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with any of these options, and the best choice depends on your budget and requirements.
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