Pros and cons: TV speakers or a soundbar - which is the better option?

Deciding whether TV speakers or a soundbar are the right choice depends on many factors: sound quality, space requirements, cost and individual needs. Whilst modern televisions impress with crystal-clear pictures and innovative technologies, their built-in speakers often remain a weak point. Their slim design and rear placement compromise sound depth, which detracts from the enjoyment of watching TV with sound. Soundbars, on the other hand, promise a significantly better sound experience and easy installation, but are they really the better choice? Find out more here about the pros and cons of TV speakers and soundbars, and discover the right solution for your specific needs.

What are TV speakers and soundbars?

TV speakers are the standard speakers built into televisions, designed to reproduce sound directly from the TV. They offer a straightforward solution as no additional devices are required. However, due to their small size and positioning, these speakers are usually unable to reproduce lower frequencies or complex soundscapes realistically and clearly. This means that the sound often comes across as flat and lacking in detail, whether for films, TV series or news programmes. As the speakers are usually mounted on the back or underside of the TV, the sound is further compromised by their restricted positioning. In many cases, the audio quality falls short of expectations, even on high-end TVs.

Soundbars, on the other hand, are specially designed speaker systems aimed at significantly improving a TV’s sound. They offer broader and more precise sound reproduction, which makes a real difference, particularly with films, series and music. Many models incorporate a subwoofer or offer the option to connect an external subwoofer, resulting in much better bass reproduction. Their compact or elongated design allows for simple, space-saving installation in front of or beneath the TV. With advanced technologies such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, soundbars often produce a room-filling sound that complements the TV with a significantly better listening experience and takes the home cinema experience to a whole new level.

Advantages of TV speakers

The greatest strength of TV speakers is their integration. As they are built directly into the TV, they require no additional space or equipment. For users who do not want complex audio setups, they offer a straightforward solution. Operation is also incredibly simple, as no separate remote controls or connections are required. Another advantage is the cost factor. As TV speakers are already included in the television, there are no additional purchase costs. Particularly in smaller rooms where high volume or complex sound profiles are not required, the built-in speakers are often sufficient.

Furthermore, TV speakers offer a time-saving solution: they are ready to use straight away and require no installation or configuration. For people who do not wish to make major changes to their setup, TV speakers are a quick and easy option. Their compact design is also an advantage, as they take up no extra space and do not clutter the living room with additional devices.

In situations where space for additional devices is limited, such as in small flats or bedrooms, TV speakers offer a space-saving alternative. They are also a functional solution for simple use cases such as watching the news or listening to dialogue whilst watching TV. They also offer an energy-saving option, as no external devices need to be powered.

Last but not least, TV speakers are easy to maintain and durable. As they are permanently integrated into the TV, there are fewer moving parts or components that need to be replaced over time. This reduces maintenance requirements and ensures a longer lifespan for the entire device.

Disadvantages of TV speakers

The limitations of TV speakers are most evident in the sound quality. Due to the slim design of modern televisions, space for powerful speakers is severely limited. This means that the sound often remains flat and quiet, particularly with more demanding content such as films or music. Deep bass is almost entirely absent, and dialogue often sounds muffled or difficult to understand, particularly when background noise or music drowns out the speech.

Another problem is the lack of expandability. TV speakers are designed for basic sound reproduction and offer no option to expand the system with subwoofers or surround speakers. Anyone looking for a home cinema-like experience with a fuller soundstage or better bass reproduction will quickly reach their limits here. These speakers are simply not designed to create the wide soundstage required in larger rooms or with more demanding audio sources.

TV speakers are not the ideal choice for larger rooms or more intense audio playback. The sound often remains confined to a localised area, which in open-plan or large rooms can result in it not being distributed evenly and the volume being insufficient in certain areas. So, anyone who values precise and detailed sound reproduction often has to make compromises with TV speakers.

Furthermore, they do not offer dynamic adjustment of the sound to suit different content. As a result, the sound remains static, which can lead to unpleasant volume fluctuations, particularly with varying volume levels, such as those found in action films or music. The lack of customisation options, such as equaliser functions or sound settings, makes it difficult to optimise the sound to suit personal preferences.

Advantages of soundbars

Soundbars, as external TV speakers, offer a significant improvement in sound quality compared to a television’s built-in speakers. They are designed to cover a wide sound spectrum and deliver everything from clear highs to deep, powerful bass. Many models are equipped with built-in subwoofers or offer the option to connect an external subwoofer to optimise bass reproduction. This ensures a significantly fuller and more dynamic sound reproduction, which really comes into its own with action films, music and games.

Furthermore, many soundbars utilise advanced technologies such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, which provide an immersive surround sound experience. These technologies simulate spatial audio that draws the listener into the action, resulting in a more intense experience, particularly when watching films or gaming. Even when combined with compact speakers, soundbars create a wider soundstage that takes sound quality to a new level without cluttering the room with lots of equipment.

Another advantage of soundbars is their ease of use and installation. Unlike complex home cinema systems with multiple speakers and cables, soundbars can usually be set up quickly and easily. All you need is a connection to the TV, whether via HDMI ARC, optical inputs or Bluetooth. These versatile connection options allow the soundbar to be seamlessly integrated into your existing setup. Furthermore, many models feature automatic sound adjustments, so no manual fine-tuning is required.

Soundbars offer a space-saving solution: despite their compact design, they deliver outstanding sound enhancement. They can be placed either under or in front of the TV and take up minimal space. This makes them particularly suitable for smaller rooms where the TV’s speakers are inadequate but there is no room for a larger surround sound system.

In addition, many modern soundbars offer smart features such as voice control, app control or customisation options for different sound modes (e.g. for films, music or news). These user-friendly features make them particularly convenient to use and allow you to optimise the sound experience with minimal effort.

Disadvantages of soundbars

The biggest disadvantage of soundbars lies in the additional purchase cost. Whilst basic models are already available at affordable prices, high-quality variants with advanced technologies and subwoofers can quickly become expensive. They also require more space than TV speakers, particularly when an external subwoofer is added.

Another point is compatibility. Not all televisions support modern connection options such as HDMI ARC, which can lead to limitations. Even budget soundbars often offer fewer customisation options when it comes to sound and may disappoint those with high expectations.

Sound quality: TV speakers or soundbar?

TV speakers are generally not sufficient to deliver a truly convincing sound experience. They are often designed to meet basic requirements and are adequate for simple uses such as watching the news or occasional TV viewing. However, as soon as more demanding audio requirements such as clear dialogue or a fuller, more nuanced sound are called for, the built-in speakers quickly reach their limits.

A major shortcoming of TV speakers is their inability to reproduce dialogue clearly and distinctly, particularly when it is masked by background noise or music. Due to the limited size and positioning of the speakers, the sound remains flat, and deep tones as well as a precise reproduction of speech frequencies are often lacking. In contrast, external soundbars offer significantly improved sound quality, particularly when it comes to presenting dialogue clearly and intelligibly, regardless of the volume or complexity of background noise.

Improved speech intelligibility and overall TV sound reproduction are therefore crucial if you really want to enjoy the TV sound. Soundbars enable better clarity through special features such as voice modes, which optimise the frequencies for dialogue. Even if it’s not a high-end home cinema experience, the TV sound becomes significantly clearer and more detailed than with most built-in speakers, which is a major advantage, particularly for films, series or news programmes.

Space requirements: compact vs. flexible

TV speakers have the advantage of not taking up any extra space in the room. They are integrated directly into the TV and offer a space-saving solution, which is particularly beneficial in small rooms or minimalist interior designs. As no external devices are required, the room remains free of additional equipment and cables.

Soundbars are also compact, but require slightly more space than a TV’s built-in speakers. They are usually positioned beneath or in front of the TV. Some models can also be combined with additional speakers, such as subwoofers, to enhance bass reproduction. Those with limited space can opt for smaller soundbars or sound decks. Sound decks combine a soundbar with a stand that supports the TV, which can be particularly practical in cramped conditions. However, the available space in the room should be taken into account, as the additional equipment in larger systems also takes up more space.

Connectivity: TV speakers or soundbar?

Connectivity is a key factor when deciding between TV speakers and soundbars. Whilst built-in TV speakers usually rely on the TV’s internal connections, which limits their flexibility when connecting to other devices, soundbars offer significantly more connection options. They can be connected via HDMI ARC, which ensures lossless audio transmission and also allows you to control volume and other settings directly via the TV remote control. Optical inputs are also a common connection option, frequently used with older devices to provide a stable digital connection.

For wireless streaming, many soundbars offer Bluetooth, allowing them to connect seamlessly with smartphones, tablets or laptops to stream music and other audio content directly. Some models also feature Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling easy integration into smart home systems, which further enhances their versatility. This functionality makes soundbars not only an excellent solution for enhancing TV sound, but also a valuable addition as a whole-house music system.

The OSKAR TV speaker from Faller Audio offers a cost-effective and wireless alternative. This speaker uses a base station to transmit the signal directly to the speaker, without the need for additional cables. The OSKAR TV speaker offers a user-friendly solution for anyone looking to easily improve their TV’s sound without relying on cables. The wireless connection allows for flexible placement of the speaker in the room and reduces cable clutter, making it a practical option for many households.

Cost and value for money

TV speakers are generally the most cost-effective solution, as they are already built into the television and require no additional devices or installation. Although they fulfil a basic function, they often offer only limited sound quality, which is insufficient, particularly for complex soundscapes or the reproduction of dialogue. This can significantly impair the listening experience, as depth and detail in the sound are often lost.

In comparison, soundbars offer a significant improvement in sound quality. They are an ideal choice for users who want a better sound experience but do not wish to invest in a full home cinema system. Soundbars cover a wide price range, from affordable entry-level models that already offer a noticeable improvement in sound quality compared to TV speakers, right through to premium options from brands such as Bose or Sonos. These high-quality models feature advanced technologies such as Dolby Atmos, which enable a wider soundstage and a more intense, immersive experience. They not only improve bass reproduction but also the clarity of dialogue, delivering a more precise sound overall.

For users on a limited budget, there are also simpler soundbars that still offer a remarkable improvement over built-in TV speakers and significantly enhance the overall viewing experience. Many soundbars stand out for their easy integration, user-friendly operation and durability, making them a worthwhile investment for almost any setup.

Decision guide: When to choose TV speakers, when to choose a soundbar?

For many users, the choice between built-in TV speakers and an external audio solution such as a soundbar or another speaker system is a straightforward one, provided the focus is on a significant improvement in speech intelligibility and overall sound quality. Even if the aim is not to create a sophisticated home cinema system, soundbars or similar systems offer a significant boost in audio performance compared to the often weak and hard-to-understand speakers built into televisions.

A key advantage of soundbars is their ability to improve the clarity of dialogue. Many users find it difficult to understand speech at lower volumes or, in particular, amidst complex soundscapes such as those found in action films or music. In such cases, soundbars help to highlight voices whilst minimising distracting background noise. This improvement is also of considerable benefit for TV series and news programmes, as dialogue is reproduced more clearly and naturally.

Soundbars also represent an ideal solution for smaller rooms where space is limited. They are compact and can be easily positioned under or in front of the TV without cluttering the room. In doing so, they significantly enhance the sound, ensuring it no longer sounds flat and lifeless. Even if a state-of-the-art, expensive audio system is not required, a soundbar or similar solution offers a noticeable improvement to the listening experience.

For the majority of users who wish to improve their TV audio quality in a simple and cost-effective way, without the need for complex systems or a large budget, soundbars and additional speakers are a worthwhile investment. Factors such as room size, budget and individual requirements influence the choice, but for many, a simple soundbar or a wireless speaker is an excellent choice for a significantly better TV viewing experience.