Soundbar vs TV Speakers: When Do You Need an Upgrade?

As televisions have become thinner and bezels have shrunk, audio quality has suffered. The simple physics of sound reproduction demand a certain speaker size and cabinet volume that ultra-thin TVs simply cannot provide. While manufacturers have developed clever solutions—downward-firing speakers, acoustic lens technology, and screen-vibrating systems—the reality is that most TVs struggle to deliver audio that matches their stunning picture quality. This guide helps you understand when upgrading to external audio makes sense and what options are available.

The Limitations of Built-In TV Speakers

Modern TVs typically use small speakers firing downward or toward the rear of the set. This creates several compromises. First, bass response is severely limited—you simply cannot produce deep, impactful low frequencies without larger speaker drivers and more cabinet volume. Explosions, musical bass lines, and cinematic rumble all suffer.

Second, dialogue clarity often suffers. The centre channel in a movie mix—where dialogue lives—can become muddy or lost when competing with music and sound effects. Many viewers resort to turning on subtitles not because of hearing issues, but because TV speakers can't adequately separate voices from the rest of the soundtrack.

Third, sound staging is limited. Even TVs with multiple speaker arrays can't create the immersive, room-filling sound that properly positioned external speakers provide. The sound feels like it's coming from a single point rather than surrounding you.

Signs You Need Better Audio

Consider upgrading your TV audio if you experience any of these common issues:

• Dialogue is hard to understand: You constantly adjust volume during movies, turning it up for quiet dialogue and down for loud action scenes.
• You're using subtitles involuntarily: Not by choice, but because you can't hear what characters are saying clearly.
• Action scenes sound thin: Explosions, car chases, and dramatic moments lack impact and excitement.
• Music sounds flat: Whether streaming concerts or watching music-focused content, everything sounds compressed and lifeless.
• You're missing atmospheric details: Rain, wind, crowd noise, and other ambient sounds that add richness to scenes are barely audible.

Soundbar Basics: What You Get

A soundbar is a single elongated speaker unit designed to sit below or in front of your TV. Better soundbars pack multiple speaker drivers into a compact enclosure, creating wider sound dispersion and improved clarity compared to built-in TV speakers. Many include dedicated centre channel drivers for dialogue enhancement.

Entry-level soundbars ($100-300) offer a noticeable improvement over TV speakers in clarity and volume capability, but limited bass and stereo separation. They're ideal for viewers who want clearer dialogue without complexity.

Mid-range soundbars ($300-600) typically include a wireless subwoofer, dramatically improving bass response. This is where most viewers find the best value—the subwoofer adds the missing low-end punch without requiring complex setup. Dolby Atmos support becomes common at this level.

Premium soundbars ($600+) add wireless rear speakers, more sophisticated Atmos processing, and higher-quality drivers. They approach (though don't fully replicate) the immersion of a dedicated home theatre system while maintaining simplicity.

Understanding Soundbar Configurations

Soundbars are described using channel configurations like 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, or 7.1.4:

The first number indicates main channels (left, right, center, surrounds). The second number indicates subwoofers. The third number (when present) indicates upward-firing Atmos speakers.

A 2.1 soundbar has stereo speakers plus a subwoofer—good for music and general TV watching. A 3.1 adds a dedicated center channel for dialogue. A 5.1 adds rear speakers for surround sound. A system like 7.1.4 adds additional surround channels and four upward-firing speakers for overhead Atmos effects.

More channels don't automatically mean better sound—a well-designed 3.1 system can outperform a poorly implemented 5.1. Focus on build quality and audio performance within your budget rather than chasing the highest channel count.

Dolby Atmos: Worth the Hype?

Dolby Atmos is an object-based audio format that adds a height dimension to sound. In a cinema, Atmos uses ceiling-mounted speakers. Soundbars simulate this with upward-firing drivers that bounce sound off your ceiling, creating the illusion of overhead audio.

Atmos works best in rooms with flat, hard ceilings 2.4-3 metres high. Vaulted ceilings, cathedral ceilings, or rooms with lots of soft furnishings may not achieve the intended effect. In the right room, Atmos adds a genuine sense of immersion—rain sounds like it's falling from above, helicopters convincingly fly overhead.

However, Atmos-capable soundbars cost more, and the effect varies by room and content. If you primarily watch dialogue-heavy dramas rather than action movies, Atmos may not be worth the premium. But for cinema enthusiasts in suitable rooms, it's a worthwhile upgrade.

Connecting Your Soundbar

The best connection method is HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). This sends audio from your TV to the soundbar over a single HDMI cable and typically allows your TV remote to control soundbar volume.

eARC is preferable because it supports uncompressed audio formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio from Blu-rays, as well as full-bandwidth Dolby Atmos. Standard ARC uses compression that can slightly reduce audio quality. Check that both your TV and soundbar support eARC for the best experience.

Optical (Toslink) connections work as a fallback but don't support the highest-quality audio formats. Bluetooth should only be used when wired connections aren't possible, as it introduces latency and quality loss.

Placement Tips for Best Sound

Position your soundbar directly in front of or below your TV, centred with the screen. Avoid placing it inside TV cabinets or behind doors—this muffles sound significantly. If wall-mounting your TV, many soundbars can also be wall-mounted just below.

For subwoofers, placement is more flexible since bass is non-directional. Start with the subwoofer near the front of the room, then experiment with corner placement (which often increases bass output) or along a side wall. Avoid placing subwoofers in the exact center of a room dimension, as this can create dead spots.

When a Soundbar Isn't Enough

Soundbars excel at convenience and improved audio in typical living rooms. However, serious home theatre enthusiasts may prefer traditional separates: an AV receiver with discrete speakers. This approach offers more power, better speaker placement flexibility, and upgrade paths—but requires more complexity, space, and budget.

Consider traditional separates if you have a dedicated media room, want the absolute best audio quality, or plan to gradually build a sophisticated system over time. For living rooms where speakers need to be unobtrusive and setup needs to be simple, soundbars remain the practical choice.

Upgrading from TV speakers to a soundbar is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to your home entertainment experience. While a high-end TV delivers stunning visuals, pairing it with quality audio completes the package, making movies, TV shows, and music dramatically more engaging and enjoyable.