Soundbar vs. Home Theater System: Which Is Better for Your Space?

Whether you're a movie lover, an audiophile or just an appreciator of quality sound, you're going to want the most optimized audio setup for your home. That's when you're likely to run into the age-old dilemma: Should you keep things simple and get a soundbar, or do you splurge and get an entire home theater system? We're here to fill you in on which solution might work for your space. Let's break it down room by room.

Living Room

As the main hub of the home, many people tend to put most of their entertainment technology in their living rooms, and that includes their audio setups. Though it may seem like an easy choice to commit to a full home theater system in your living room, there are a few factors to consider, especially if you don't live in a house.

Apartment Living Room

Apartment living rooms tend to be on the smaller side, which means you'll have less space for a full home theater setup. These compact spaces are where a soundbar really thrives, especially one with speakers facing multiple directions. In an apartment living room, a soundbar will have audio bouncing off of every wall, fully immersing you in whatever you might be listening to. Though you could probably fit all of the necessary components of a home theater setup into an apartment living room, it'll likely be better suited for a soundbar instead.

House Living Room

If you live in a house and have access to a larger living room, you can certainly get the most out of a home theater setup. A home theater system usually consists of a few different components: High-fidelity speakers, receivers and subwoofers are all typically featured in an audio-centric home theater setup. You'll be able to take your pick when it comes to other types of devices like bookshelf speakers and in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Those devices can be bulky and need enough space to create a proper listening environment. That space may be hard to find in an apartment, but is more available in a house.

Basement

If you have a finished basement, you've probably already turned it into the ultimate man-cave, home bar, or at least an additional hangout spot. A quality audio setup would only serve to further enhance this space, and depending on your basement size, you can likely take your pick between a soundbar or a home theater setup. If you have the room, and plan on using your basement for get-togethers or as a screening room, you may want to consider going the extra mile with the home theater system. If your basement is on the smaller side and it's mostly used as a personal space, it might make more sense to set up a soundbar for your tunes and your TV shows.

Bedroom

If you're trying to figure out audio for your bedroom, you've got options. If you're in a large master bedroom, you can probably fit a simple home theater system in it. If you love watching movies in bed or jamming while you get ready to go out, this is a great option for you. If you're setting up a smaller bedroom, it might make more sense to just get a soundbar. You might not have the space available for an entire home audio system in a bedroom, so a soundbar might do you just fine.

Room size, budget, and your lifestyle are all important factors in deciding if the rooms in your home are better suited for a home theater system or a soundbar. Even though you might be able to fit an entire home theater setup into a given room, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's the right step for your needs. Soundbars can deliver quality sound in nearly any space if positioned correctly. They also tend to be much more budget-friendly most of the time. However, if you're trying to maximize your audio quality, a home theater system might be the answer you're looking for. We hope this blog has helped you determine which solution might be right for you, and we wish you luck on your listening journey!