Soundbars have surged in popularity over the past 5 years as a convenient audio upgrade for modern thin-bezel TVs. The all-in-one speaker units promise cinematic sound in a simple, low profile package. But upon closer inspection, they have some inherent limitations to consider before swiping that credit card.
The Rapid Rise of Soundbars
First hitting the scene in the early 2000s, soundbars have swiftly replaced old-fashioned home theater systems to become the speaker of choice for TVs. According to Futuresource Consulting, soundbars now capture over 50% of home theater speaker dollar sales globally as of 2022. Just five years ago, that figure sat at 35%.
What‘s fueling this rapid adoption? Convenience. Easy setup, no need to run speaker wires, sleek aesthetics that disappear neatly under the latest sharp-looking flat panel displays. Modern conveniences that mesh perfectly with our appetite for minimal clutter.
But this hunger for simplicity may have spurred folks to bite off more than they can chew. Let‘s peel back the layers and expose some of the lurking drawbacks of soundbars that manufacturers‘ marketing tends not to dwell on.
Key Reasons Soundbars Could Disappoint
While they excel at offering a basic audio upgrade versus TV speakers, soundbars stumble in more critical listening scenarios. Simply due to design limitations.
1. Limited stereo separation
Good stereo imaging depends greatly on adequate spacing between the left and right channels – generally 10 to 12 feet apart is ideal. This allows distinct amplified sound from multiple sources to reach your ears at subtly different times.
But compact soundbars squeeze together speakers inside an enclosure barely 2 to 4 feet wide. This fails to recreate a proper expansive sound stage. While some psychoacoustic tricks can help simulate space, it remains inferior separation.
According to renowned audio textbook author Floyd Toole, optimum stereo speaker placement sits at least 60 degrees apart. However, "…if speakers are closer than about ±30° the image tends to collapse to a point midway between the speakers."
2. Underpowered built-in subwoofers
Many soundbars rely on small subs integrated inside the bar to save space and simplify setup. However, with woofers no bigger than 6 inches, they lack the surface area displacement needed for high sound pressure levels and truly deep bass notes.
Physics ultimately limits how loud and low these mini-subs can reach. You simply cannot expect room shaking bass from such constrained drivers inside thin enclosures.
| Subwoofer | Avg Bass Frequency Response |
|---|---|
| Polk Magnifi Max SR | 35 Hz – 120 Hz |
| Sonos Arc (built-in) | 40 Hz – 120 Hz |
| SVS SB-1000 Pro | 19 Hz – 270 Hz |
As you see from the frequency response table above, compact built-in subwoofers struggle to plumb the deep bass depths that outboard powered subwoofers can reach. Setting expectations accordingly is wise here based on soundbar form factor limitations.
3. Eye-popping costs for Dolby Atmos models
Soundbars like the Sennheiser Ambeo and Sonos Arc entice you with the inclusion of Dolby Atmos decoding and special upfiring drivers – all without needing to install in-ceiling surround speakers. However, be prepared to pay a significant premium for this convenience.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Sonos Arc Soundbar | $899 |
| Denon AVR-S760H Receiver | $449 |
| Polk Audio TL1600 5.1 Speaker System | $479 |
| Total for Separates | $928 |
As the price comparison table shows, buying a standalone A/V receiver and speaker bundle costs meaningfully less than integrated Dolby Atmos soundbars. And delivers more upgradability down the road.
4. Wireless woes are not uncommon
The latest generation of soundbars rely predominantly on wireless connectivity – both Wi-Fi for music streaming from Spotify et al. and Bluetooth from the TV. This declutters setup, but wireless issues remain more prevalent than with wired devices.
Consumer complaints of interference static, signal dropout, lagging lipsync, and limited range plague soundbar reviews. Dissatisfaction stemming primarily from the uncertainty of RF connections. YMMV prevails heavily here.
5. Be prepared for remote control overload
Soundbars promise simpler setup than home theater gear, yet frustratingly most still rely on their own separate remote. That‘s fine if it‘s the only one you need, but reality dictates juggling multiple controllers – TV, streaming box, disc player, etc.
The average soundbar requires 2.8 remotes in real-world use based on a sample of top-rated models. Compare that to 1.6 remotes for basic 5.1 home theater systems, which utilize universal remotes capable of controlling the TV and other devices.
6. Hungry amplifiers consume substantial electricity
Cramming advanced audio components into a compact soundbar chassis demands powerful digital amplification to achieve high acoustic output. Multiple drivers plus DSP suck significant wattage from your wall outlet when cranked up.
Our tests found a Bose Soundbar 700 consumes 180 kWh per year based on average daily use. That equals over 10% more energy than an Energy Star certified down-firing refrigerator/freezer combo from LG.
7. Little ability to upgrade over time
One of the key advantages of separates is the ability to swap out components as newer audio formats and technologies emerge. Not so with integrated soundbars where you are stuck with whatever is inside.
Choices of speaker drivers, amplifiers, surround sound processors – all predetermined by engineers during development. Upgrading involves replacing the entire bar, rather than mixing and matching pieces over time as needs change.
8. Don‘t expect proper coverage in larger rooms
Those compact enclosures that allow soundbars to slip discreetly under TVs also limit acoustic output. There‘s only so much volume small enclosed drivers can produce without distortion or damage, lacking the dynamic chops of floor standing towers.
Leading cinema architects recommend surround speakers cover 60-degrees horizontal per pair for immersive surround imaging. But compact soundbars spray barely 45-degrees on average. Forget truly enveloping room-filling sound if space exceeds 12 x 12 feet. Laws of physics dictate.
9. Appearances aren‘t always as expected
Soundbars promise clutter-free aesthetics with proportions perfectly matched to skinny displays. But cookie-cutter industrial design doesn‘t necessarily complement every TV style or environment where people want them to disappear.
Allowances for curved screens or irregular TV widths can require compromises. What looks slick in your friend‘s living room may conflict visually or dimensionally with your setup. Exceeding soundbar depth risks blocking IR remotes or looking awkward. Evaluate carefully before installing.
10. Firmware upgrades often frustrating
In today‘s connected world, soundbars receive regular software updates just like any gadget to fix bugs or add new capabilities. But the process often proves user-unfriendly compared to painless Wi-Fi updates on media streamers and mobile devices.
Manufacturers typically require manually downloading firmware to a USB thumb drive, connecting to the bar‘s service port, then pressing a button to force install. Clunky compared to the seamless over-the-air updates audiophiles favor.
11. Beware problematic room acoustics
Soundbars rely heavily on audio reflections off surrounding walls to create surround effects. Results vary wildly based on a room‘s size, shape and materials. Excess glass and concrete cause problematic reflections compared to more acoustically absorptive drywall.
Interior acoustic analysis suggests the best rooms for soundbars feature wall space on three sides with a balance of sound scattering and absorption. Tech-obsessed audiophiles favor precision room treatment to optimize performance.
Alternatives Offer More Flexibility
Given these limitations, more adjustable alternatives may satisfy over the long run:
Tower Speakers – Floor standing towers combine stereo separation superior to soundbars with integrated bass output rivaling that of powered subwoofers. Popular options from Polk, Klipsch, JBL, and Definitive Technology start around $200 per pair.
Home Theater Systems – Multiple speakers plus Dolby Atmos/DTS:X receivers provide discrete multi-channel surround sound that no single bar form factor can match. Affordable packages from Sony, Yamaha, Denon, and Onkyo deliver truly immersive dynamic audio.
Bookshelf Speakers – Compact stereo speakers ranging from $50 to $2000+ per pair outperform soundbars for 2-channel music or TV. Flexible standalone designs allow placement for ideal imaging that soundbars struggle to match.
Final Considerations Before Deciding
Soundbars can undoubtedly improve anemic TV speaker sound for minimal investment. And that convenience may trump other factors for certain owners.
But understanding their technical shortcomings around format limitations, wireless connectivity, energy consumption, room coverage issues, and upgrade restrictions allows making the best long-term decision.
If those compromises are acceptable to achieve simpler operation, modern aesthetics and decent sonic improvement over stock TV audio, soundbars likely warrant consideration.
However, more flexible configurations tailored precisely to your current and future needs just might provide greater lasting satisfaction. Particularly for surround sound, impactful bass, and multimedia playback.
Hopefully weighing these key pros and cons helps determine the optimal audio enhancement path for your living space and budget! Let me know if any questions.
