Home Cinema · Explainer ·
A soundbar's numbers are a seating plan for the sound. 2.0 is left and right; 3.1.2 adds a real centre for dialogue, a subwoofer and two height speakers for Atmos.
The centre channel and the subwoofer change a film the most, and virtual surround is pleasant but not the same as speakers behind you. Try the layouts, then pick a bar at a budget that suits your room.
Int. the prop room · continuous
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The step up from TV speakers: a slim 2.0 bar with a cinema sound mode and a night mode. It has no real centre or subwoofer, so it suits small rooms and late viewing.
2.0 channels · 120 W · HDMI ARC, Bluetooth
The layout from the explainer's sweet spot: a real centre for dialogue, up-firing height speakers and a wireless sub, with no cables behind the sofa.
3.1.2 channels · Dolby Atmos, DTS:X · Wireless subwoofer
A bar with eARC for lossless Atmos from a disc player, plus a matching wireless subwoofer. It is a listening-first system that also handles music and multi-room.
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X · HDMI eARC · Wireless subwoofer
