How to choose a sound bar | Crutchfield

By admin | January 25, 2021 |

How to choose a sound bar | Crutchfield

Flat-panel TV speakers are thin and weak, and a sound bar offers an easy-to-install upgrade that’ll have your movies, games, TV and music sounding amazing.

Shop for sound bars at Crutchfield: https://www.crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc2CE/g_316150/Sound-Bars.html

There are lots of sound bars to choose from. In order to find the perfect one, you’ll have to ask yourself a few questions:

1. What space do I have? Some sound bars are better for bigger rooms than others.

2. Where will I put it? You may want a bar that sits flat in front of a TV on a stand. Or maybe your TV is wall-mounted, and you’d like to mount the sound bar below it on the wall. Another style is like a base that the TV sits on top of.

3. Do I want surround sound, either in a virtual way or by adding satellite speakers? Some sound bars bounce sound off your walls and ceilings for a virtual surround effect, while others have optional rear satellite speakers.

4. Do I want deep bass? Some sound bars come with a separate wireless sub, while some have optional subs or bass modules.

5. Would I like to incorporate the sound bar into my whole-house music system? Some sound bars connect to your system as a separate zone for music.

6. How about working with my Alexa or Google Assistant? Some of these let you speak basic commands without a remote, thanks to either built-in virtual assistants or by working with a connected device like an Echo Dot.

And naturally, sound quality and aesthetics play a role, too. With so many choices, you’re sure to find a sound bar that’ll fit your lifestyle.

Crutchfield, America’s trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at http://www.crutchfield.com

See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv

Posted in Soundbars/Surround

50 Comments

  1. neol07707 on January 25, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    thanks so much J.R. This is extremely helpful 🙂



  2. Scott S on January 25, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    THANK YOU! a great video for this newby! I did go to your website and used your filters as recommended. this helped me a lot and went for the… Samsung HW-Q60T Bluetooth 5.1 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer – Black. i would buy from you but you are in the states and i’m here in the UK. boy, things are a lot cheaper over there than here! thanks again.



  3. Scott Bryant on January 25, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    brilliant review.. new sub..



  4. John Naylor on January 25, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    Wow, so helpful and informative!



  5. Tapirdea Alex on January 25, 2021 at 9:16 pm

    That Bose remote looks funny af.4 total buttons on a huge empty space



  6. Les Widner on January 25, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    I have a sanyo 2.1 sound bar that comes with a sub woofer. How do I add more speakers to it for a surround sound



  7. Laura Roca Ticó on January 25, 2021 at 9:19 pm

    Hello, I would like to buy a soundbar with extra speakers but wireless (no cables that connect one speaker to the other) plus I would like these speakers to connect to my wifi at home so I can play them directly from my phone and activate them also remotely (without pressing the botton on/off physically). I would use them for music. Would be for a loft, so I can place speakers upstairs and downstairs. Can you provide me please with some options? It will be very useful… Thank you very much in advanced! I am kind of lost with so many options…



  8. Anthony Kallingal on January 25, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    How can I experience Digital atmos feature from my soundbar if my Tv got only hdmi arc? Should I be getting atmos supported streaming devices in that case?



  9. One of a kind Kev on January 25, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    much respect for crutchfield after all these years still holing strong with over high dollar products . But when its time to learn something they aew still my go 2 website



  10. Mr Serrano on January 25, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    I was wondering if the vizio sb46312 has decent atmos decoding, it looks to only have ARC, won’t the sound be compressed since it doesn’t have eARC? Looking for a decent 3.1.2 without breaking the bank.



  11. sebas R on January 25, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    Now damn… Why mentioning Sonos over Harman Kardon citation? I mean… Dude! This tells me you don’t REALLY know what quality is. Sonos is almost the worst brand in this market quality wise.



  12. Mitchell One on January 25, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    Your video helped me a lot to understand sound bars. Very well explained! Thank you very mutch! Keep on the good work!



  13. vader.1318.93 Mike on January 25, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    I tried two soundbars one with Atmos….. It just never worked for me. Had to switch back to true 5.1.2 and will never get a soundbar again!



  14. VDHNYC1 on January 25, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    I’m trying to find a good outdoor soundbar for tv watching and music. Is there one that you could recommend?



  15. David Kimari on January 25, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    Very helpful indeed. Video came out right at the time I am researching sound bars. Never had one though. Thank you.



  16. JumpyBuggy on January 25, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    Stay away from jbl soundbars…



  17. RolexDSSD on January 25, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    Good video!!! Bose 700 ✅



  18. Redouane Bendriouch on January 25, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Thank you very nice video I would like to have your opinion, I would like to buy a sound bar and I hesitate between:
    Yamaha yas 207
    Sonos beam
    Sony HT-X8500
    Thank you for your help



  19. jirehguy on January 25, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    With soundbars, is there a point where you start getting a decent deminish on return on investment? In other words, is there a point where you can’t hear much of a difference in improvement?



  20. Roy Hooper on January 25, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Best information I have heard yet.



  21. Ben Cravin on January 25, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Good info. I’m wondering how well a soundbar with Atmos or DTS: X will sound? I don’t have space or money to invest in a full-on Atmos Surround system. Is an SB with Atmos/DTS:X worth the extra money? I’m looking at the upcoming Klipsch Cinema 800 expected 11/27. I have an LG OLEDC8 55" that features Atmos, only using the built-in speakers. Would I notice a difference or would be better served to buy a non-Atmos/DTS:X SB like the Klipsch cinema 600?



  22. Sergii Buchovskyi on January 25, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Great video! What would you recommend more ?
    Sony HT-S350 or Sony HT-X9000F? Difference is a 100$ cad. But cheaper one has better reviews on your website



  23. V M on January 25, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    How is surround possible without speakers actually surrounding you..?
    Let me tell you how. It’s not.
    It’s like saying I’m going for a swim in my water-free swim-bed.



  24. Total plonker on January 25, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    Having a integrated soundbar with my TV plus also having a full 5.2.4 setup with a flick of a button I can go from one to the other! And even though the so-called Dolby Atmos (virtual) sounds pretty good on the soundbar there’s just no comparison between the two! if you want subtleness go with the soundbar but if you want that chest pounding sound then you have to go with a wired setup! Click on the red dragon twice for a 2-minute demo of the extra benefit
    a wired set-up brings you???



  25. mdnor matnor on January 25, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    1)Deep subwoofer
    2)Analog and Bluetooth support
    3)clear voice
    4)5.1 or 7.1 dts x



  26. Abdulaziz Z on January 25, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Thanks for the great video!



  27. sameer choughule on January 25, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    This is just perfect.
    Thanks a lot for detailed step by step information



  28. Zion on January 25, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    As far as wireless rear speakers…Do you have to buy the exact same brand of the soundbar or is it pretty universal on which pair you can connect wirelessly?



  29. Nancy Huck on January 25, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    Your video helped me understand a lot about sound bars. Thank you!



  30. Kong akau on January 25, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    Sound bars seem to be for home theatre. For music, what do you need?



  31. Maria Djoukhadjian on January 25, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    Well explained , but finding and having deliver is the problem .. do you sell in Montréal Canada



  32. russell lobo on January 25, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    Great help an advice. Thanks will acknowledge it to friends an fly. You



  33. Madhan j on January 25, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    Thank you sir



  34. Levi McGlinchey on January 25, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    What an incredible well put together video.

    Hire this man to explain everything!



  35. mog dor on January 25, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    How to choose a soundbar – tell your audio nerd friend how much you wanna spend and let them figure it out because it’s fun for them lol



  36. Andrés Pérez Chacón on January 25, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    Ty for the video. Great explanation!



  37. pngrlrder 4you on January 25, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    The best is the bose 700 but its the $1500



  38. User on January 25, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    My question is and it’s for anyone who sees my comment, do i have to care about the 4k passthrough when it comes to eARC for example my new soundbar supports earc and my tv as well but the soundbar supports up to 4k 60hz and not 10 bit hdr i guess how is this going to work with the new ps5 ?? do i need a new soundbar since some games on ps5 will support 120hz on 4k or i’m good with earc and shouldn’t worry about the pass-through signals ? i don’t get the whole thing can anyone explain



  39. Endurance Ekhoragbon on January 25, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    Your website is the best, thanks



  40. Tom Handy on January 25, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    Is room size an issue when choosing a sound bar ? Small living room to larger living rooms or doesn’t that matter? Thanks



  41. MFF4Eva on January 25, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    Thanks man



  42. Zee B on January 25, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    Very informative



  43. Kyle Preston on January 25, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    Sorry to burst your bubble but… soundbars will never be as good as a home theater.



  44. My chuffin channel on January 25, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    How to choose a soundbar….

    Simple, dont bother, get a proper AV set up. None can replicate true cinematic sound 👍



  45. Jrspesh Muffinman on January 25, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    This was very useful. Thanks for the very informative video. 👍🏾



  46. Rahoul Rampersad on January 25, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    Any reviews on the LG sn11r please?



  47. Aloi Sacedon on January 25, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    Does a soundbar good for karaoke?



  48. Michael Nyansafo on January 25, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    sonos arc vs sennheiser ambeo



  49. Tlfce on January 25, 2021 at 10:07 pm

    Very informative. Thanks



  50. Shrife Azmy on January 25, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    I have fangor projector with normal HDMI port, I decided to attach a sound bar to that port.
    I want your advice whether this HDMI port in the projector will support the Dolby atmos or DTS-X if I want to have a surround experience, or the HDMI will not support that, so, it will be a waste of money to purchase such high spec sound bar?