You just purchased a new 55-inch smart TV and wondering what size soundbar would look good with it? Remember, the soundbar will likely be placed under the TV, so you want everything to look neat and symmetrical. Do not worry. In this article, we will help you find the best size soundbar to choose for your 55 inch TV.
What size Soundbar do I need for a 55 inch TV? You should use a 40 to 50-inch wide soundbar with a 55-inch TV since a 55-inch TV has a width of about 47.8 inches. If the soundbar is a few inches smaller or larger, that’s fine, but for the best results, it should at least cover the base of your TV.
It is recommended to place the soundbar under the TV for high-quality sound in your home theater.
Are TV Soundbars Worth It?
Many video lovers are maybe asking whether soundbars are really worth it. The answer is definitely yes. Soundbars are a stylish and affordable choice for home entertainment systems.
They are easy to set up, easy to use, and offer great sound. Besides, they have been intuitively designed to work with all the latest audio/visual technology.
Are Soundbars Better Than Speakers?
You probably want to upgrade your TV speaker system. If that is the case, the convenience and affordability of the choice of upgrade.
Soundbars are a great choice especially if you want a dedicated surround sound system that you can afford and even set up easily. It is, therefore, true that soundbars take up less money and space, while multi-speaker surround systems take up more of both.
What Is The Difference Between A 2.1 And 5.1 Soundbar?
From the name, a 2.1 channel soundbar features 2 channels only on both sides, while a 5.1 channel soundbar has 2 channels on both sides, one center channel, and two rear speakers either in-built or external.
More channels, therefore, mean larger soundbars. A 2.1 channel soundbar is therefore good for upgrades and smaller spaces, and smaller TVs. 5.1 channel soundbars however require larger rooms and are more suitably used with larger TVs.
Some of the features to consider when choosing between 2.1 and 5.1 channel soundbars include:
- Design
- Price
- Sound quality
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Voice assistant
- Control
- Setup
Why Have A Soundbar With A TV?
It is becoming common practice for people to add more power and volume to the entertainment they get from their TV systems.
Besides, with the increased access to live video streaming from smart TVs, you need the real theater experience while enjoying the movies from home.
Adding a soundbar to your TV, therefore, brings more depth, power, and volume to your entertainment. Although some of the in-built TV speakers may sound really good, the performance you get from soundbars is really unmatched.
How Do I Know If A Soundbar Is Compatible With My TV?
Generally, the term compatibility is used with reference to connectivity. This is to say that a soundbar is only compatible with the TV which it can seamlessly connect and play sound from.
Regardless of whether a soundbar matches your 55-inch TV or not, it is more important to consider the kind of connection you want between them. For modern systems, it is important to consider HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC that allow your TV to output audio to your new soundbar.
Modern soundbars however come with a wide variety of connectivity options such as optical ports, USB inputs, and wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) on top of the HDMI. We have discussed some of the additional factors to consider when buying a soundbar for enhanced compatibility below.
Point Of Placing
A soundbar can be either placed below or above the TV set. It is recommended that when placing your soundbar its grilles should face the room and not the wall.
Where you place your TV and the amount of space available around it will therefore define the type of soundbar that works best for you.
On the other hand, and aesthetically speaking, the soundbar should not be wider than the TV. When both of them are exactly the same width, your TV and soundbar get an even look that is perfect for your home interior too.
Number Of Channels Needed
When buying your TV a soundbar, always go for the one with at least three channels. That is to mean that your choice of soundbar should have three separate speakers that reproduce the audio.
Such a soundbar has a subwoofer and speakers that produce sound upwards and then are reflected to give a theatre-like experience. For a good experience, consider purchasing soundbars with many channels.
Space Availability
Another great thing to consider when matching your 55 inch TV and a soundbar is space. Always ensure you have a central place to keep the soundbars. Most soundbars can either be placed above the TV or just below it.
Active Or Passive?
Like speakers, soundbars are either passive or active. Passive soundbars need a separate receiver and a sub-woofer.
This makes it costly and consumes much space in the room and can be complex to set up. On the other hand, active soundbars are compact since they have inbuilt amplifiers and things like channel processors altogether. They are the most preferred as they help save up space and are easy to set up.
It is recommended that you go for an active soundbar if it is just upgrading your sound system; however, if you want a full-blown Dolby Atmos system, the passive soundbar is the best.
Warranty Services
Did you know that most soundbars have a warranty attached to them? However, for you to enjoy the rights of these warranty services, you have to do the purchasing from an authorized dealer.
Pricing
Despite your desire for the best soundbar, remember your budget will always dictate also. For instance, a 5.1 soundbar is more expensive than a 2.1 soundbar.
Always go for a soundbar that is within your reach such that you can purchase it and also pay electric bills that may arise because of the soundbar consumption.
Can You Use Any Soundbar On Any TV?
As we have already mentioned, the soundbar you choose should not be wider than the TV itself. Choosing a soundbar that is as wide as the TV only adds to the aesthetic value though.
This is because you can technically pair any size soundbar with just about any size TV. It will therefore fully depend on your discretion to choose the right size soundbar that meets the sound and aesthetic requirements of your TV room.
What Size Of Soundbar For 55 Inch TV?
So, finally, what size of soundbar for your 55-inch TV? Since a 55-inch TV has a width of about 47.8 inches, a soundbar with a size of between 40 to 50 inches is suitable.
You can therefore pick a soundbar that is either smaller or larger than 55 inches and still get the best sound delivered from your TV. This is especially true if you are using say a regular short optical cable to connect your soundbar to your TV.
What Is The Difference Between 3.1 And 5.1 Soundbar?
A 3.1 Soundbar has three channels (left, right, and center) in the soundbar in addition to an external subwoofer while a 5.1 Soundbar has those three channels, plus surround left and surround right channels and an external subwoofer.
How Do I Match My Soundbar To My TV?
For optimum aesthetics, it is important that there is a size balance between your soundbar and your TV.
A soundbar a couple of inches smaller, bigger or the exact same width would pair amazingly physically speaking, however, it is really the sound that matters so factors to consider include the space, setup and arrangement that will provide the most optimized sound experience.
Which Soundbar Is Best For Your TV?
There are quite a number of notable soundbars that pair very well with the current range of smart, flat-screen TVs.
This includes the JBL Bar Studio, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, the Sonos Arc, the Sonos Beam Gen 1, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar, the Sony HT-A7000, the Yamaha YAS-207 and the Dali Katch One, to mention a few.
How Do I Choose A Good Soundbar?
The first and possibly most important factor to consider is how many channels the soundbar has. For maximum sound quality, it is advisable to purchase a soundbar with at least three channels.
Next ensure that the soundbar has multiple connection options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI switching. Also, be sure to pick an active soundbar that comes with its own built-in amp.