Soundbar or stereo system: which is better to choose?

Achieving clear, high-quality sound for playing music or movies at home is not an easy task. It is complicated mainly by the huge assortment of audio equipment offered on the modern market, because an ignorant person can get confused by the abundance of various home theaters, stereo systems and soundbars of all shapes and models on store windows. This article will discuss which system is better: a soundbar or a stereo system.

Music center: performance characteristics, pros and cons

An ordinary music center is an acoustic system with the functions of reading audio files of various formats, as well as broadcasting radio. Depending on the dimensions there are:

1. Midi systems (high power and large dimensions).
2. Mini-systems (medium power, small dimensions).
3. Microsystems (relatively low power, compact design).

In any case, a high-quality MC looks and sounds better than any wall-mounted radio or tape recorder, since its design and technical characteristics imply balanced and clear sound.

IMPORTANT! Not all modern MCs have karaoke installed by the manufacturer, and if this is important for the user, then you should definitely pay attention to the list of additional functions of the device.

The undoubted advantages of most high-quality music centers usually include:

• multi-channel audio stream;
• really high quality sound;
• a wide range of models in different price categories;
• ability to work with vinyl, cassettes and CDs.

Music centers also have their disadvantages:

• midi systems are bulky and take up a lot of space;
• high price of high-quality systems from well-known manufacturers;
• inability to play 4K video.

Features of the soundbar, its advantages and disadvantages

A soundbar is a small oblong panel that combines the capabilities of both autonomous operation with audio files and connection to a TV. TOThe design features of the soundbar provide good sound thanks to a large number of speakers located in the body at different angles. In modern models you can find more than a dozen speakers. A classic soundbar also has a bass speaker that acts as a subwoofer. The panel is controlled remotely.

Most soundbars are small in size, making them an excellent piece of equipment for those who want high-quality sound in their home without cluttering the space with amplifiers and speakers. The panel is most often mounted under or above the TV screen, making sure that it does not cover the IR sensor.

IMPORTANT! Due to their design, some soundbars reproduce sound better when they are further away from the TV body.

Among the positive qualities of such technology, experts highlight:

• small dimensions;
• ability to work with a large number of formats;
• Possibility of connecting a subwoofer to enhance the low frequencies of the audio range.

At the same time, there are several qualities that prevent sound bars from gaining a foothold in the market as universal speaker systems. Among them:

• the dependence of correct operation on the diagonal of the screen on which the image will be displayed;
• low sound power;
• inability to make the sound full and voluminous.

Simply put, a soundbar is great for family gatherings watching movies (many devices can be connected to a home theater), but it is unlikely to be useful for creating a noisy party with deafening music.

What is better to choose for your home?

To summarize all of the above, it is worth noting that both a sound bar and a music center have their disadvantages and advantages. The choice in favor of one device or another should be made based on personal preferences and capabilities.

For example, for music lovers who have enough free space in the house, a mini or midi music center is perfect. If you don’t want to clutter up the usable space with audio equipment, but want high-quality sound, then you can opt for a high-quality soundbar with a subwoofer included. For those who like quiet evenings watching movies, a regular soundbar panel connected to the TV will be enough.