But how exactly do they work? And what is it that makes them different to more traditional home audio systems? Tune into our latest blog below for all the essential details of the soundbar’s inner workings.
How Does a Soundbar Work?
One of the biggest draws of the soundbar is its ability to provide transcendent surround sound. Whether you’re engrossed in the latest thriller for movie night or on the edge of your seat watching the sports event of the year, you’ll feel front-and-centre of all the action. Its exceptional surround sound is achieved by multidirectional speakers that push sound from all angles, meaning you won’t miss a beat.
Will a Soundbar Improve Sound Quality?
Inside the soundbar are numerous audio components that work together to provide this captivating sound experience. Soundbars improve the quality of whatever you’re watching or listening to via:
1. Deep, Controlled Bass
Powerful, detailed bass is fundamental to a truly immersive home cinema experience, providing the impact and emotion in every scene. The KEF XIO soundbar features meticulously engineered internal bass drivers, enhanced by our new Velocity Control Technology (VECO) to produce a remarkably deep and articulate bass performance all on its own.
For those seeking the ultimate cinematic impact, pairing the XIO with a dedicated KEF subwoofer will unlock another level of low-frequency power. We've made this integration seamless. Forget complex manual settings; the KEF Connect app includes perfect presets for every KEF subwoofer, ensuring the XIO and your sub work perfectly to deliver a flawless, powerful, and controlled bass performance tailored for your system.
Velocity Control Technology
VECO minimises distortion from the woofers (bass drivers) to produce cleaner sound with even more emotion. Instead of ‘one note’ or ‘sluggish’ bass, something soundbars have historically been critiqued for - VECO ensures the KEF XIO soundbar delivers bass with nuance and impact.
2. Tweeters
At the other end of the scale are tweeters, which handle high frequency sounds, from 2,000Hz to 20,000 Hz. Think of the halftime whistle of a football match, the squeal of tyres during Formula 1, or birds chirping during a tranquil music interlude.
3. Mid-Range Drivers
Mid-range drivers primarily cover frequencies between 100 Hz and 5,000 Hz. They produce the widest range of sounds, helping the soundbar provide balanced yet versatile sound. Human voice/dialogue is an example of sound produced in the mid-range.
The Difference Between Soundbars and Traditional Multi-Speaker Home Audio Systems
So, is a soundbar or a multi-speaker home audio system better? Well, that all depends on what your audio priorities and room limitations are, from surround sound quality to space restrictions and aesthetic details.
Use of Ease
Most people will find a soundbar easier to use than standalone home speakers. Where the latter has a more complex overall setup (think a separate receiver and extensive wiring), soundbars tend to connect to TVs using only a HDMI or optical audio cable. If you’re after high-quality surround sound with a simple arrangement, then a soundbar is the one for you.
Spatial Audio
Spatial audio technologies create a truly three-dimensional soundscape, enhancing realism by placing sounds precisely around and above you. The KEF XIO soundbar is expertly engineered to deliver these hyper-realistic experiences, featuring a 5.1.2 channel configuration with dedicated upward-firing drivers. It supports popular immersive formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 360 Reality Audio, placing you directly at the centre of the action.
Soundbars tend to have a minimum of three drivers to cover your left, right, and centre audio channels (also known as your ‘frontstage’). A quality soundbar’s 3D sound environment will rival any quality multi-speaker system, so you can sit back and hear the action unfold without the need for rear speakers.
And for a more 360-degree audio experience, look for a soundbar with a higher number of drivers, like the KEF XIO soundbar. With 12 drivers in total, you’ll feel high-resolution sounds from left, right, centre and above, behind, and at your sides, too. Supported by our Uni-Q technology, the soundbar disperses sound evenly throughout the space. No matter where you’re sitting, you’ve got the best seat in the house.
Space
Soundbars come in cylindrical or cuboid shapes and can be front-and-centre of your entertainment space, positioned on a shelf, media cabinet, or mounted on the wall. Wall brackets come as standard in the KEF XIO soundbar kit, so you’ve got plenty of positioning options depending on your style:
• Place your soundbar underneath your TV for a polished look. Use our blog on the ideal TV height for guidance on where to position your TV and soundbar.
• Turn your soundbar into a contemporary focal point by positioning it on a shelf or sideboard in front of the TV.
The KEF XIO soundbar also features KEF Intelligent Placement Technology (IPT) to deliver consistent, quality performance wherever it is positioned. IPT automatically tweaks its internal speaker configuration according to the room furniture setup and general room conditions, so you hear only the clearest sound.
With a sleek, minimalist design (one or two wires, max), IPT makes the KEF XIO soundbar an appealing alternative to multi-speaker audio systems, especially if you’re short on space.
Audio Enhancement
You’ll know as well as we do that clarity can make or break an audio experience. Whether you’re streaming a new album or catching up on a binge-worthy TV series, crisper sounds make for a more captivating experience.
While a film’s action scenes are brought to life with a fast-paced soundscape, the all-important dialogue is just as crucial in adding to the immersive experience. Revel in even greater audio clarity from your soundbar with KEF’s Dialogue Mode technology. Simply open your KEF Connect app or use the remote control to enable it, and experience clear, clean dialogue in all its glory.
So, Do Soundbars Make a Difference?
In a nutshell, yes! Soundbars make a huge difference to standard TV audio and are an exceptional alternative to traditional multi-speaker systems. Explore our KEF soundbars in more detail by reading our blog, What is a Soundbar?
