Are expensive soundbars worth it?

When individuals consider investing in a high-priced item, they often ponder its value and whether the purchase will be justified. In this discussion, we will delve into the considerations that come into play when buying an expensive soundbar. We will ensure that such a purchase fulfills all your requirements and aligns perfectly with your expectations, checking off every essential criterion on your list. We will explore the various aspects that make a soundbar worth its price, from sound quality to compatibility, to help you make an informed decision about which you can be confident. 

Check out the best soundbar for dialogue that is affordable but high-quality and produces crystal clear sounds. So, whether you are looking for a premium soundbar, something in between, or the best budget soundbar for the money, you want to ensure it fits your requirements perfectly. 

Black Wireless Sound Bar Speaker, Modern home theater device isolated on white background with clipping path

Understanding soundbars

Soundbars are a type of speaker system designed to enhance the audio experience of home entertainment systems, offering a superior sound quality compared to the built-in speakers of televisions. They are sleek, compact units that can sit unobtrusively under a TV or be mounted on the wall, providing a simple yet effective way to improve your TV’s audio without traditional surround sound systems’ complexity or space requirements. 

Over the years, soundbars have evolved significantly in the home audio market. They have become sophisticated audio technology pieces initially introduced as an essential improvement over TV speakers. Modern soundbars deliver high-quality sound with features like wireless connectivity, smart home integration, and support for advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos. This evolution reflects a growing demand for high-performance and convenient home entertainment systems.

Part of the interior of the living room with a TV on the wall, hi-fi equipment, a Soundbar, a gray cabinet, and a sizeable indoor flower. TV and music system in the interior.

Factors That Influence Soundbar Prices

Premium and Portable

Soundbars are considered luxurious and sleek, much like top-of-the-line laptops, TVs, and other sophisticated gadgets. Their slim design allows them to be placed discreetly under your television, saving space compared to the bulkier traditional speakers that occupy more room on the floor. Moreover, soundbars are known for their portability, setting them apart from conventional speakers that are typically large and meant to stay in one spot. This makes soundbars versatile for enhancing your audio experience without sacrificing space or style.

Audio Quality

The quality of sound a soundbar delivers is the primary reason for the variation in its price. Premium soundbars provide a richer audio experience, featuring more precise high notes, profound bass, and well-rounded middle tones. These high-quality soundbars usually include sophisticated audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, which create a more enveloping surround sound effect, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the action. This addition of advanced audio capabilities is a significant factor that can raise the cost of a soundbar, as it enhances the overall listening experience by a considerable margin, offering listeners sound that’s not just louder but also more nuanced and immersive.

Connections

When choosing a soundbar, the type of connection it uses is crucial. Most modern soundbars come with HDMI connectivity, preferable for transmitting high-resolution audio from your TV. This contrasts with optical connectivity, another standard but slightly less advanced option. 

HDMI not only carries better quality audio, but some soundbars offer an HDMI ‘passthrough’ feature. This feature is handy if your TV has a limited number of HDMI ports, as it allows you to connect other devices, like gaming consoles or set-top boxes, directly to the soundbar, which then sends the video to your TV. This capability might affect the price, with more affordable soundbars typically offering primary connections like a single cable or optical, whereas pricier models boast HDMI ports. For the ultimate sound experience, ensure your soundbar and TV support HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), allowing for more straightforward connections and control. Thus, opting for the best connection type available is essential, and if you’re constrained by budget, there are still high-value soundbars with excellent connectivity options to consider.

Size

One critical consideration when shopping for a soundbar is its size. Often, the price difference between soundbars can lead to variations in length, with some less expensive options being more extensive. Ideally, the best soundbar for your setup matches the width of your TV, creating a harmonious visual balance. 

It’s essential to choose a soundbar that fits well in your available space. If your TV is wall-mounted, you can install the soundbar directly below it. Alternatively, if your TV sits on a stand, the soundbar can be placed in front, ensuring it doesn’t obstruct the screen. The size of your TV also plays a crucial role in choosing a soundbar; a large TV paired with a small soundbar might look out of place, and the reverse can also be true. Soundbars come in various sizes to match different TV sizes, so it’s wise to measure your TV and compare it with the soundbar dimensions before purchasing. The goal is to select a soundbar that fits physically and complements your TV size aesthetically, ensuring a seamless addition to your entertainment setup.

Base

The bass quality can often be a point of contention in less expensive soundbars. Investing in a soundbar is expected to deliver not just any sound but one of high quality, with clear, rich bass that enhances the viewing or listening experience. 

Unfortunately, with some lower-priced options, you might encounter issues where the sound quality could be better, leading to a lack of clarity and depth in the audio. This can result in disappointment as if the investment yielded a different auditory experience. To avoid such a scenario, it’s crucial to prioritize soundbars known for their excellent bass performance. Opting for a device with a solid bass foundation ensures that the sound output is loud but also clear and immersive, making for a much more satisfying entertainment experience.

Some channels

The soundbar number of channels is also a matter of consideration. If you choose a sound with two channels, then only two speakers will be available in it, and if you choose a soundbar with six channels available, there will be six speakers. It depends upon the price you are paying. In less amount, you will not get the maximum number of channels in it. You need to know that the channels available in it are up to the mark as per your requirement.

Features and Technology

The variety of features and technological advancements in soundbars greatly influence their pricing. Soundbars incorporating the latest technology, such as voice control capabilities via popular assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, or connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy streaming often come with a higher price tag. The ability to connect to multiple rooms for a cohesive audio experience throughout your home also adds to the cost. 

Moreover, models with built-in subwoofers for a more bottomless bass offer multiple HDMI inputs for versatile connectivity and feature sound calibration technology for optimal audio quality in any room, typically found at the higher end of the price spectrum. These additional functionalities enhance the user experience and reflect the soundbar’s overall cost, making them a pricier yet more feature-rich option for those looking to upgrade their home audio systems.

Brand and Design

The brand and design of a soundbar significantly impact its price. Soundbars from established and reputable brands tend to be more expensive, reflecting the brand’s reputation for quality and reliability. Consumers often trust these brands to deliver superior products so they will pay a premium. In addition to the brand, the design and aesthetics of a soundbar also play a crucial role in determining its cost. Soundbars that boast a sleek, modern design and are made from high-quality materials usually carry a higher price tag. These models are designed not just for optimal audio performance but also to complement the visual appeal of your living space, making them an attractive choice for those who value both form and function in their audio equipment.

Market Position and Target Audience

The pricing of soundbars is also shaped by their intended market segment and target audience. Models crafted with audiophiles in mind or for integration into high-end home theater systems come with a heftier price tag. These soundbars are engineered to meet the exacting standards of audio enthusiasts and those seeking a cinema-like sound experience in the comfort of their own homes. They often feature advanced audio technologies, superior build quality, and a range of connectivity options to support a variety of media setups.

On the other hand, soundbars targeted at the broader consumer market looking for a significant improvement over their TV’s built-in speakers are priced more affordably. This differentiation in pricing based on the target audience ensures a soundbar is available for every type of user, from the casual viewer to the dedicated cinephile.

Benefits of Expensive Soundbars

Expensive soundbars have benefits that justify their higher price point, appealing to those who prioritize audio quality and feature-rich technology in their home entertainment systems. Investing in an expensive soundbar can significantly elevate your home audio experience, offering superior sound quality, advanced features, and stylish design that lower-priced models cannot match.

The Cost of Soundbars

Soundbars are worth the cost, even if you don’t consider yourself a die-hard cinephile. The best soundbars may completely transform the way you watch TV. Even the built-in speakers in the most incredible TVs can’t do justice to your favorite movies, TV shows, and video games. 

The price range for a sound bar depends on your search criteria. If you want the best soundbar technology, you can look at costs of $800, £800, or AU$ 1,000 and higher. However, many fantastic budget soundbars are on the market, with some costing less than $100 / £100 / AU$150.

Conclusion

Choosing a suitable soundbar involves considering size, audio features, and connectivity. With soundbars becoming a staple in home entertainment, offering excellent sound, ease of use, and seamless integration with modern technology, they represent a smart, stylish choice for enhancing your audio experience. The simplicity, minimal design, and reduced clutter of wires and buttons make soundbars an attractive addition to any home theater, bedroom, or living room setup. Investing in an expensive soundbar can be worthwhile, as it often means access to top-notch features and superior quality, ensuring a satisfying purchase without compromising performance.