1. Sound Standards 

Sound standards refer to the technology used for sound reproduction and naturally affect its quality, range, and naturalness. 

There are 3 basic sound standards.

The most common is Dolby Digital, which is usually found in televisions and DVDs. It is a popular multichannel sound standard, with great range and rich sound experience. The difference from a conventional speaker is that the sound is reproduced through independent audio channels, creating a more immersive sound environment. 

Dolby Atmos is an advanced sound technology that provides three-dimensional acoustic range. It does not only focus on audio channels, but sounds can be placed and moved in any direction, including height, offering a more enriched acoustic experience. 

DTS is another popular multichannel sound standard similar to Dolby Digital, which offers better sound quality compared to Dolby Digital, especially in higher sound settings. However, there is also DTS:X which uses object detection and sound movement technologies to create a three-dimensional acoustic sensation, where sounds can move freely around the space.

2. Sound Channels 

Channels refer to the number and type of individual speakers contained in the device and are described by 2 numbers separated by a dot. 

The first number refers to how many full-range speakers (speakers for the full frequency range) the device contains, while the second refers to how many subwoofer speakers (speakers specialized for bass frequencies). For example, a speaker with 2.1 sound channels has 2 regular speakers and 1 subwoofer.

Almost all music tracks are stereo (for playback from at least 2 speakers), meaning they are made to sound different in each of the 2 channels to give the listener a sense of space. More speakers make this sensation even more realistic, and the presence of a subwoofer provides fuller bass.

In more expensive options, you will see numbers like 7.1.2, 11.2.5, etc., where this refers to the number of channels in the bar (7), the number of subwoofers (1), and the number of additional speakers (2), which are separate and can be placed in other areas of the room to create real surround sound 

3. Connectivity

Make sure the soundbar is compatible with your TV or other devices you plan to connect it to. How? Choose the relevant filter that interests you! 

4. Power

The RMS (root mean square) power is expressed in watts and describes the actual intensity that can be heard from the speaker, mainly indicating how quickly the sound will start to distort at high volumes.

In general, several other factors play a role in determining how loud a speaker can be, such as its age, how it manages its power, etc. There may be speakers with the same nominal power (watts), but their intensity and sound quality may differ. Practically, watts indicate how much power your speaker has, meaning that if you tend to play it at high volumes, greater power will prolong its lifespan as you won't be reaching its "limits".

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Do you know exactly what you're looking for? Let's see what features you should pay attention to, based on the intended use.

For simple everyday use on a budget

If you want to stay within budget for an all-around simple and everyday use, choose a soundbar with approximately 200 watts and 2.1 channels. Most in this price range support connection via an Optical cable.

"Experience" the moment

If you want to frequently enjoy action movies or even gaming, then you need a soundbar ranging from 400 to 600€. They have exceptional sound and the majority have 3-5 channels that send sound in different directions. Of course, you can also consider ones with 2 channels, which, however, are state-of-the-art with incredible Dolby Atmos performance, where the sound feels like it's coming from all around the room. In this category, most have built-in Google Assistant or Alexa and support connection with smart home devices.

Bring the cinema home

If you want to create a home cinema with fewer devices, then we would recommend a soundbar with 7 channels, so that the sound is distributed in all directions. It should have built-in Chromecast/AirPlay and support for Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

Don't forget! Many times, there may be differences in a product based on its overall features and construction. Before making a decision, read reviews from other users to see their opinions as well!