What the best sound bars have

  • Solid audio performance: The limited nature of sound bars limits them from sounding as full as a true 5.1-channel home-theater system, but the best sound bars still deliver clear audio with a decent bass punch, though many include a separate subwoofer in order to hit the really low notes.
  • Decent simulated surround sound: Again, sound bars can't compare to the full sonic landscape of a 5.1-channel surround-sound system, but a good sound bar should deliver a fairly convincing simulated surround sound if you're sitting directly in front of it whether the bar uses virtual sonic trickery or highly focused internal drivers. Some cheaper models only offer stereo sound.
  • Features you need: If you plan on connecting a Blu-ray player directly to the sound bar, you'll need a sound bar capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio natively, or you'll need a sound bar with a rear IR emitter if it's going to block your TV's sensor. Others have satellite radio or iPod compatibility.

Know before you go

  • Sound bars don't sound as good as a full 5.1-channel home theater system. That being said, they're a big step up from integrated HDTV speakers, and they're an excellent choice if you want a single sleek package but don't want a room full of wires and speakers -- and don't mind giving up the fully believable surround sound of a 5.1-channel system. Adding a subwoofer to a sound bar can create a better sonic low end, which is crucial for enjoying some types of entertainment -- including high-octane movies. Because of that, some sound bars are offered with separate wired or wireless subwoofers.
  • Is your room fairly square? Standard sound bars use sonic trickery to fool the mind into thinking that sound coming from small speakers in the front is emanating instead from spots all around the listener. The effectiveness of the techniques used to pull this off varies and can be greatly affected by things like seating positions and room geometry.
  • Active or passive sound bars? Most sound bars are "active" sound bars and contain the amplifier and signal processors necessary for stand-alone operation. However, there are also some "passive" sound bars that rely on a separate A/V receiver or amplifier to handle those tasks. If you don't have a receiver or amplifier, shy away from passive sound bars. All of the sound bars profiled in this report are of the active variety.
  • Does the design meet your needs? A functional design isn't all about connection, although you definitely want to ensure that your sound bar has the necessary ports to talk to your other electronics. You also have room considerations to think about. Will the sound bar fit in the space you have available? Consider the size and shape of the sound bar itself as well as whether or not there is a discrete subwoofer -- and whether or not that subwoofer is wired or wireless.
  • Check the manufacturer's policy regarding authorized dealers before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. For example, Boston Acoustics will not honor its warranty if you buy its sound bars from an unauthorized dealer. Some dealers will offer a substitute warranty, but whether that's a suitable alternative is something you should consider before buying.

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