Soundbar as we know them in the present age, they have become the mainstream music commodity. Well, and you cannot blame anyone right! The soundbar has that compactness to it. You can easily set them up and mount them on your table or a cabinet.
For someone living in a tighter space, a soundbar is one of the go-to loudspeakers. In terms of pure use, the soundbar provides so many options. It can easily be paired up through an HDMI. On the flip side, some of these also have Bluetooth connectivity enabled.
The soundbar is the ultimate dancing to the coolest hit gadget. Now, coming towards the main course, today we will be reviewing the two versions of a soundbar. These will be the 2.1 model and the 3.1 model. So, without further ado, let’s break them down step by step and get ourselves started.
Contents
What Is A Soundbar? Get To Know The Concept First
For those of you who might have a little less knowledge about the soundbar. You would be surprised to know that the compactness which the soundbar brings is insane.
A soundbar is an improved version of your average loudspeaker. It is less bulky, super slick and it has a long dimensional design.
Now, it is a perfect solution for you to improve your home theater systems by adding this compact piece of a puzzle.
Generally, there are two most sought out versions of a soundbar in the market. There is a fantastic 2.1 model vs. an orthodox 3.1 model. What are the major pros and cons of each model? How much does the price cost? Well, we shall discuss them in detail so that you can find out what you are paying your bucks into!
Breaking Down The Numbers
What do the numbers on your soundbar model mean? Well, these constitute two portions. The first number represents the number of speakers on your soundbar. And the second number depicts the number of subwoofers included in the model.
So, for a 2.1 soundbar, you would be getting two main loudspeakers and a subwoofer as well.
Reasons To Prefer 2.1 Soundbar
- Capability To Connect Through HDMI: The 2.1 soundbar also supports HDMI connectivity. Therefore, you won’t have limited options. With this soundbar, you can easily pair it up with your TV and play the music on the go.
- Supports Bluetooth: I mean it would be pretty awful if you are not being able to connect your soundbar through the Bluetooth right. So, you would feel relieved to know that Bluetooth connectivity is available even in the 2.1 version.
- Compactness Is Its Charm: When it comes to soundbar you are trying to get a compact one! In this regard, the dimensions of this soundbar meet the criteria for a compact music playing speaker.
- Price Is Not An Issue: As the 2.1 soundbar has one less loudspeaker than the 3.1 soundbar. This eventually has an impact on its price tag. So, generally, you would find the 2.1 soundbar to be cheaper than its competitor.
Reasons To Prefer 3.1 Soundbar
- Dynamic Sound: When you switch to a 3 loudspeaker soundbar. The sound starts to pick up and it’s more of a natural vibe to it. The sound distribution in 3.1 is better and it is why you are paying extra bucks.
- Larger Size Complements Large TVS: The sound produced by your TV is directly impacted by the soundbar which you have in place. So, for a larger TV, the 3.1 soundbar smoothens out the sound in a superior way.
- Bluetooth & HDMI Connectivity: Both of these features are available in the soundbar. So, connectivity is not an issue when you have a 3.1 version.
- Built-in Or External Subwoofers: Depending on the design, the subwoofers will be included in your package.
Side By Side Comparison Of Features:
Now that we have a better insight into both of these bad boys. The next logical step is to have a side-by-side comparison of both models. In that way, you can easily have an insight into what you are going to get straight out of the box! So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it
Design:
The design of these superb speaker systems is what majorly drives their demand up. Not only are these speakers entirely made under a compact design. They also have the height aspect which greatly influences their look and makes them look even cooler.
In terms of design and structure, there are two major topics of discussion. Firstly, you know by this point that in the 3.1 model, there will be an extra center channel. So, consequentially they are a little bulkier than the 2.1 soundbar.
Now, if you are planning to introduce a soundbar in your apartment with compromised space. It would not be ideal to go for a much bigger 3.1 model. In this scenario, you should prefer to invest in a compacter 2.1 soundbar.
In addition to this, if you are bent on getting a 3.1 soundbar that will truly enhance your music and listening experience. It is advisable to pair it with an external subwoofer as opposed to an internal one. The reason being that an external soundbar will boost the multi-layered aspect of the audio and your listening experience will be wonderful, to say the least.
Sound Performance:
From an average listener’s perspective, there might not be that much of a difference in a 2.1 and 3.1 soundbar. But, if you are one of the purists who has his ears on every high and low note. You would conclude that the 3.1 model which is equipped with a central channel has enhanced dialogue and vocals.
The absence of the central channel in a 2.1 soundbar puts extra pressure on the left and right speakers to drive out the sound effects from either side. On the other hand, this is not the case in a 3.1 soundbar with a dedicated center channel speaker.
In a 3.1 soundbar with a dedicated center channel speaker, there will be no extra pressure on the left and right speakers to force out the sound from either side. Within a 3.1 soundbar, all the three dedicated speakers will work together to balance out the distortions and provide you with specificity in tones and crispiness and clarity in the audio.
Price Perspective:
At this point, you might have made up your mind that a 3.1 costs a little more than a 2.1 model. But this is not the only aspect that affects the price of a soundbar.
Depending on multiple factors the price tag of a soundbar can vary. Some of the variables which come into play and hike the price of a soundbar are add-ons like voice control, various sound modes, and built-in sound technology.
On the flip side, in terms of a broader perspective, it is the dialogue enhancing center speakers of 3.1 soundbar which raises its stock. Typically for a 3.1 soundbar, you can expect yourself to pay double the price at times.
For more on pricing and how you can hit the best deals, be sure to check out some tips which I have penned down below.
Voice Control:
Most of the soundbar on the market in 2021 support voice control. Voice controls like Amazon Alexa or Google can easily be connected. This provides you ease of access to the soundbar without needing to physically interact with the soundbar.
So, you can look up the weather, check the latest news, and control the soundbar activate right from your sofa.
HDMI Connectivity:
It is another aspect of your soundbar which you might want to confirm while checking out on Amazon or eBay. It is the HDMI connectivity feature that will allow you to easily pair up your soundbar to your TV set.
HDMI connectivity is preferable because it ensures proper audio output. So, if you want to hook up your TV with the soundbar. You can do it in less than a minute through the HDMI port available on your soundbar. All you have to do is find that tiny port and you are good to go.
Wi-Fi Connectivity:
Wi-Fi connectivity is another option that is an add-on in most of the soundbar models. What I mean by add-on is that the models with Wi-Fi connectivity included can cause you a little more than the ones without it.
But, if you have a flexible budget, I would suggest you opt-out with a 2.1 or 3.1 model which has Wi-Fi connectivity.
This will greatly improve your overall music experience and you can simply connect to the soundbar and hit the floor.
Bluetooth Pairing:
The fun of playing music on a soundbar has no limitations. It doesn’t matter if you have an upcoming family reunion or just a night out with friends. A soundbar can take that experience to the next level.
So, to enhance the user experience, most of the companies offer Bluetooth pairing options in their soundbar models. All you have to do is a double check to confirm that your soundbar supports Bluetooth pairing.
Subwoofers:
The next aspect of a soundbar which we will dive right into is a subwoofer. Well, as we have already established that the 1 in your 2.1 or 3.1 model stands for the subwoofer.
There are normally two options when it comes to a subwoofer paired up with a soundbar. Either you will have a built-in subwoofer in your soundbar. No doubt that this pairing sounds better portability wise and it maintains the look and design of your subwoofer. However, on the flip side, your sound performance and output might be a little compromised.
If you truly want a multi-layered music experience where every tone hits different and every note feels energetic. In that case, you might be well off pairing up your soundbar with an external subwoofer. Not only will you maintain the sound performance, but the additional external subwoofer will ensure that the music sounds dynamic and crispier.
Remote Set:
Last but not least, you might be thinking if my soundbar will be equipped with remote control. So, the answer is YES! You will be getting a remote control set with your package.
What can you do with this remote set? Well, as any ordinary remote control works. This remote set will allow you to take control of your soundbar. You can adjust the volume, nitpick the audio equalizers and also control the connectivity with the control set.
Some Useful Tips:
Below are some useful tips which might improve your overall shopping and user experience with a soundbar. Just take a couple of minutes out of your precious time and give them a read.
Related: The Best Soundbar without Subwoofer Reviews
Setting Up The Soundbar:
It might seem like a big deal but setting up your soundbar in the correct way ensures crispier sound output and overall superior sound performance. Moreover, the instruction manual rarely takes more than 5 minutes to read. So, it is better to read it carefully and set up the soundbar after that.
Keep An Eye On Hottest Deals:
Whatever your mode of shopping is, always look out for discounts. There are chances that you might be able to close in on a 3.1 soundbar at the price of a 2.1 model.
All you have to do is stop procrastinating and start surfing the web for some crazy deals. Moreover, when you are researching the price, you have a piece of mind. Because you will most likely choose a soundbar that is within your budget.
Some Last Words:
Both of these bad boys have become popular over time. Although, the extra speaker in the 3.1 model surely improves the sound dynamism. Overall, the breakdown was detailed to give you a clearer perspective on what you will be getting with your package. Hopefully, this article will be helpful to you in arriving at a decision. If you have any suggestions about the article, feel free to hit us up. We value your output dearly.
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