The most cost-effective system right now is Google's Chromecast built-in which also allows multi-room playback and control with the Google Assistant. With so many options it's worth investigating Wi-Fi music options before you buy. There are two main "open" standards, AirPlay and Chromecast built-in, plus a number of specific ones such as Spotify Connect, Sonos and Yamaha MusicCast. Wi-Fi offers several upgrades to Bluetooth including the ability to listen in multiple rooms and even control it with Google Assistant or Alexa. Likewise, almost every soundbar on the market features Bluetooth, and if it doesn't you can buy an adapter like those made by Belkin or Logitech. It works with the music stored on your device and any music app (for example Pandora or Spotify), plus it's platform-agnostic - virtually all iOS, Android and Windows phones and tablets have built-in Bluetooth. Wireless streaming lets you play music from a multitude of sources - like Spotify on your phone, or iTunes on your computer - via your soundbar.īluetooth is the easiest way to wirelessly stream audio from your phone or tablet. This can take one of two main forms: Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. While many features are superfluous when it comes to soundbars, there is one main exception: wireless streaming. The Sonos Beam is a soundbar with support for wireless music and multiple voice assistants Read more: Best Dolby Atmos soundbar Do I need Bluetooth or Wi-Fi music? If you have a more expensive soundbar with Dolby Atmos you will need a TV which can pass these signals over HDMI. Connect your set top devices to the TV first and then connect a cable between the TV's HDMI ARC port and the soundbar. If the soundbar only has an HDMI ARC input, be aware that you can't connect a source directly to it. For the sake of future proofing, look for at least three inputs and try to make sure they can pass 4K and HDR signals - especially if you already have a 4K TV. Many newer soundbars, usually at the $200-and-over mark, do include multiple HDMI inputs, which you'll need if you want to connect AV devices directly to the soundbar (rather than route them through the TV). Most bars are stereo-only, but surround-capable bars work best with a surround input. Another issue is that most TVs downgrade incoming audio to stereo, rather than a true surround-sound signal. You could get around this using an HDMI switcher, but then you start adding complexity you were probably hoping to avoid by getting a soundbar in the first place. If your TV only has three inputs, you can only connect three devices. For one, you're limited by how many inputs your TV has. There are some drawbacks to this configuration, though. Given the ease of use, using the TV as a switcher is the way to go for most people. Most TVs these days have both an optical audio output and HDMI ARC. (For more information, read our guide to using your TV as a switcher.) It's a simple overall design, since you only have to switch inputs using your TV remote. The idea is you connect all your home theater devices directly to the TV, then connect your TV's HDMI or optical output to the soundbar. HDMI eARC, Optical: Which connections do I want?įor a long time, most soundbars were connected via an optical output between the TV and the speaker, but the increasing prevalence of ARC (audio return channel) and even newer eARC HDMI means you now have a choice of connection types. If matching the dimensions precisely isn't as important you can try the following guide: Soundbar lengths for TV screen sizes If you want them to match you have two main options, a) check the width of your TV compared to screen size with this handy chart, or b) more accurately, you can check the width of both models in the manufacturers' spec sections before you buy. Buying a soundbar that is designed by the same manufacturer may help but it's not guaranteed. Televisions are measured diagonally while soundbars are measured lengthways, so a 46-inch TV won't match up with a 46-inch wide speaker, for example. If you want the soundbar to be exactly the same width as your TV then take note. While the larger soundbars sometimes offer more drivers and hence a bigger sound, there are others where all you're paying for is a longer box. ![]() Soundbars come in all shapes and sizes: from under a foot long to wider than a big-screen TV. Soundbars are sometimes designed to match the width of certain TVs. Read more: Best soundbars with Amazon Alexa Which size soundbar do I need? Want to know more? Here's a quick primer on which features are the most important for your needs and other stuff you should know.
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