In general, it is best to opt for one of these models with a subwoofer or that gives us the option of taking the LFE channel to another external subwoofer. Otherwise, the sound experience will not be as good as it should be.

We must also look at the connections built into the bar. The usual thing is that they all carry one or several RCA inputs for analog audio, although we should not buy any bar that at least does not bring optical or coaxial digital audio connections and, if possible, one or more HDMI to which we will connect the audio output of the TV, DVD, Blu-ray, console, etc.

Special mention deserves the issue of audio processing and multi-channel effects. Although in principle they may seem very striking, we should not opt ​​for a particular model just for these factors. The quality of the speakers and the amplification power it is capable of providing is much more critical.

To summarize a bit, soundbars can be a relatively good option in situations of lack of space and low budget provided they integrate quality speakers, have sufficient power, all the digital and analog connections that we will need and be able to send the bass to an external subwoofer, whether it comes in the kit or we can buy it separately.

In the market, you will see models ranging from 100 to more than 1,000 euros. As in almost everything, the usual thing is that we opt for an intermediate team, since in my opinion, it does not make sense to spend large sums of money for a device that will not even be able to provide us with a sound like in the movies, or in the section of the rear effects, neither in the acoustic power nor in the scenic realism.

With modern televisions and the arrival of Smart TV, the usual thing is that every time we see more HDMI ports on the back of the TV. This greatly facilitates the task of interconnection between all the A / V devices that we have.

The recommended configuration for those who have several audio devices in the room is to use the TV as a hub. This means that you connect all the tools, such as a BluRay player, a console, a pay TV decoder, an Apple TV or the Chromecast directly to the TV. Then it would be to remove the audio from the TV through the optical digital audio output, or HDMI ARC.

This scenario is ideal, not only because the process is simplified, but because everything you see on TV will be reproduced in the sound bar through a single input, without the need to continuously change the sound source in the bar. Function if you are using one device or the other.

This configuration is the most logical, and in the end the most practical because it is the one that will give you the least problems. However, you should pay attention to the following:

You have to enter the sound settings of your TV and select as an audio output the one you have decided to establish, be it the optical, the ARC or the coaxial. By default, a television removes the audio through its speakers, and it is the user who must change the settings so that it stops playing the sound in the integrated speakers and goes through one of the audio outputs from which dispose

To this day it is not possible to enjoy HD multichannel formats such as Dolby True HD or DTS-HD through HDMI ARC. Neither Dolby Atmos or DTS: X. If you want to hear these formats, you must have a TV with HDMI port eARC, or use the bar configuration as a hub.

To enjoy multi-channel audio, you must ensure that the Pass-Through option is activated in the sound settings of your TV. This is a function that allows the TV to pass the audio intact from its origin to the end. For example, if you have a BluRay player connected by HDMI to the TV, it will transmit a Dolby or DTS signal to the TV, and the TV can do two things: decode it and convert it into a stereo PCM signal, or not touch it and send it as it is to the TV. Soundbar so that it is the bar that decodes it. The latter is what interests us, although for this the soundbar must be compatible with both Dolby and DTS.