{
  "id": 1409378,
  "title": "Guter Sound in der guten Stube: Wunderkisten fürs Wohnzimmer: Sind Soundbars Alleskönner?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/guter-sound-in-der-guten-stube-wunderkisten-furs-wohnzimmer-sind",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T03:11:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/guter-sound-in-der-guten-stube-wunderkisten-fuers-wohnzimmer-sind-soundbars-alleskoenner/100247643.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "When dialogue is hard to understand in a film, and explosions fail to make an impact, it's usually not the recording's fault – it's the TV. Televisions are becoming thinner as speakers take up less space. This is where soundbars come in. Henning Withöft, from Stiftung Warentest, explains that soundbars primarily improve the sound of a TV set. Most of them do this quite well – because they offer more space for speakers than ultra-slim TVs. The difference is audible: voices become clearer, effects more powerful, and a richer overall sound is created. Once you've seen a film with a good soundbar – more accurately, once you've heard it – the TV's sound is often no longer acceptable. Better sound to a cinema atmosphere However, modern soundbars can do more than just amplify the sound. Many models create a spatial sound environment – sometimes with 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos, simulating a soundscapes above and around the viewer. \"What you can expect, primarily, is a more spatial, room-filling sound – and, depending on the model, deep, powerful bass, especially when a subwoofer is involved,\" says Herbert Bisges, from the online magazine Hifi.de. This can make a big difference in movies and series. No extra box, the sound often remains thin. True home cinema feeling, however, does not automatically appear. While many devices simulate a room sound, physical limitations remain. \"A comprehensive home cinema sound is offered primarily by soundbar sets with an active subwoofer and rear satellite boxes,\" says Bisges. Only then does the helicopter truly roar above your head, and gunfire comes from behind. This is also confirmed by a comparison test by Stiftung Warentest: 11 single-soundbars and 17 models with additional speakers were examined. All 28 devices received a \"good\" overall rating. The sound impressed especially with the combos featuring subwoofers and satellite speakers. Single soundbars regularly lacked bass, noticeable, for example, in action scenes. All-rounder with compromises Many soundbars are designed to take on several tasks: improve the TV volume, replace home cinema, serve as a music system. Does it work? \"Perhaps not for everyone, but already for many: watching TV, a movie night, gaming, but also listening to music or streaming,\" says Bisges. However, the form factor remains a limiting factor. \"In a single-soundbar, the speakers are quite close together, which limits the stereo effect,\" explains Withöft. \"A classic music system with widely spaced boxes is clearly more advantageous here.\" For those who mainly watch TV or stream movies, the soundbar is a practical and compact solution. For serious music enthusiasts, there is an alternative: modern active speakers with HDMI input connect the best of both worlds: wide stereo sound with direct TV connection. \"A true all-round solution if surround sound from all sides is not required,\" says Bisges. Equipment decides the possibilities How much a soundbar can achieve depends strongly on its technical features. When connecting to the TV, \"at least one HDMI-eARC should be present, because via this improved return channel, high-quality sound formats such as Dolby TrueHD can be transmitted,\" says Bisges. The older HDMI-ARC is compatible but not designed for the most demanding soundtracks. Many devices offer Bluetooth for fast playback from smartphones, as well as WLAN for streaming services, Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast. Automatic sound adjustment and room acoustic analysis functions are also common in newer models. \"Those who only want to improve the TV sound don't need much,\" says Withöft. \"Those who also want streaming, voice assistants, or an analog input for the turntable, however, must look closely at the equipment list, and that also becomes noticeable in the price.\" Soundbar capabilities depend on their technical equipment. Connecting to the TV requires at least an HDMI-eARC to transmit high-quality sound formats like Dolby TrueHD. Older HDMI-ARC is compatible but not designed for the most demanding soundtracks. Many devices offer Bluetooth for playback from smartphones, WLAN for streaming services, Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast. Automatic sound adjustment and room acoustic analysis functions are also common in newer models. \"Those who only want to improve the TV sound don't need much,\" Withöft says. \"Those who also want streaming, voice assistants, or an analog input for the turntable, however, must look closely at the equipment list, and that also becomes noticeable in the price.\" Soundbars' capabilities depend heavily on their technical specifications. Connecting to the TV requires at least an HDMI-eARC to transmit high-quality sound formats like Dolby TrueHD. Older HDMI-ARC is compatible but not designed for the most demanding soundtracks. Many devices offer Bluetooth for playback from smartphones, WLAN for streaming services, Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast. Automatic sound adjustment and room acoustic analysis functions are also common in newer models. \"Those who only want to improve the TV sound don't need much,\" Withöft says. \"Those who also want streaming, voice assistants, or an analog input for the turntable, however, must look closely at the equipment list, and that also becomes noticeable in the price.\" Soundbars are versatile all-rounders for everyday use, offering clear strengths in improving TV sound, but also with limitations if one seeks true surround sound, deep bass, or high-quality music playback. \"Overall, the market ranges from around 300 to 3,000 euros, with one should not have too high expectations under 500 euros,\" says Herbert Bisges. Soundbars remain practical all-rounders for everyday use, with clear strengths in improving TV sound, but also with limitations when it comes to providing true surround sound, deep bass, or high-quality music playback. \"Overall, the market ranges from around 300 to 3,000 euros, with one should not have too high expectations under 500 euros,\" says Herbert Bisges.",
  "summary": "Lang und schmal liegen sie vor dem Fernseher: Soundbars sollen den TV-Klang verbessern, neuerdings aber auch Heimkino-Atmosphäre schaffen und am besten die Stereoanlage ersetzen. Klappt das?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}