Are you in the market for a new soundbar but not sure what wattage to look for? The wattage of a soundbar can determine its volume and overall sound quality, making it an important factor to consider when selecting one. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know what wattage is right for you.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about soundbar wattage and help you determine what wattage soundbar is best for your needs. So sit back, relax, and get ready to find the perfect soundbar for your home entertainment system.
What Does Soundbar Wattage Mean?
Soundbar wattage refers to the power output of the soundbar. It is measured in watts (W) and represents how loud the soundbar can get. However, the wattage alone does not necessarily determine the sound quality of the soundbar
Do you struggle to find a Soundbar’s wattage from the specifications? In some cases, manufacturers do not include the wattage of their products since it does not provide much information about them. Amplifier wattage refers to the amount of power they produce. The watts indicate how much power the amplifier produces. The watts listed in the specs refer to the amplifier built into most soundbars.
You can, however, find out the exact wattage of regular passive speakers passive speaker displays the power input. Therefore, this number indicates how much power a speaker can hold before it breaks.
Is more wattage equivalent to a better sound? Not necessarily. The result is louder sounds, but it tells you nothing about the sound quality.
What Wattage Soundbar Do I Need?
Several factors come into play when determining the wattage you need in a soundbar. The size of your room, the distance between your TV and soundbar, and the type of content you watch all play crucial roles.
For example, if you have a small room, a soundbar with 60-80 watts of power should be sufficient. For a medium-sized room, a soundbar with 80-120 watts should be ideal. If you have a large room or want to achieve a cinematic experience, a soundbar with more than 120 watts of power is recommended.
Additionally, suppose your soundbar is positioned far away from your TV. In that case, you will need more power to ensure the sound carries across the room effectively. Moreover, the type of content you watch also determines the wattage you need. If you mostly watch movies or listen to music, you might want to invest in a soundbar with higher wattage. On the other hand, if you only watch the news or sitcoms, a lower-wattage soundbar might be sufficient.
How Many Watts Does a Soundbar Use?
The wattage of a soundbar can vary depending on the model and brand. Generally, soundbars range from 20 watts to 500 watts, with most falling between 60-120 watts. The wattage of a soundbar directly impacts how loud it can get and the quality of the sound it produces.
It’s essential to choose a soundbar with the right wattage for your space and needs to ensure you get the best possible audio experience. Keep in mind that a higher-wattage soundbar doesn’t necessarily guarantee better sound quality.
What Does The Soundbar Spec Mean?
Wattage does not matter in terms of the sound of a soundbar, as mentioned above. The wattage of the speakers has nothing to do with their quality.
You probably need to understand what each soundbar specification means before digging through the different specifications provided. Now I will explain the different specifications given for speakers and soundbars in a straightforward manner.
Speaker Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a speaker determines how well it converts power (watts) into volume (decibels). It is measured in decibels. The SPL (sound pressure level) may also be referred to as sensitivity. When the speaker is given 1 watt of power, the decibels it produces from 1 meter away are measured.
Imagine a speaker with a sensitivity of 85 dB. With 1 watt of power applied and 1 meter away from the speaker, you should hear 85dB volume. Increasing the wattage of a speaker does not directly affect the dB produced. Each time the wattage is doubled, the volume will only increase by 3dB.
Following is a dB sensitivity rating chart that better represents watts to dB conversions. In the case of soundbars, the specifications are generally very general, but it is essential to understand how some specs are measured.
85 dB Sensitivity Rating
| Watts | dB Produced |
| 1 | 85 |
| 2 | 88 |
| 4 | 91 |
| 8 | 94 |
| 16 | 97 |
| 32 | 100 |
| 64 | 103 |
| 128 | 106 |
| 256 | 109 |
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90 dB Sensitivity Rating
| Watts | dB Produced |
| 1 | 90 |
| 2 | 93 |
| 4 | 96 |
| 8 | 99 |
| 16 | 102 |
| 32 | 105 |
| 64 | 108 |
| 128 | 111 |
| 256 | 114 |
It is difficult to tell what a dB specification means, which some soundbar manufacturers will provide. In the manufacturer’s specification, it is not specified whether it is the sensitivity rating of the Soundbar or its maximum volume.
Soundbar Watts Explained
An amplifier’s power is measured in Watts. Watts are used to measure power output by amplifiers. Power input is expressed in watts for regular speakers. There will be a maximum amount of power that speakers can handle without becoming damaged. The manufacturer will always state it.
This is a little different in the case of soundbars since most will have a built-in amplifier. The soundbar is powered by the soundbar’s dedicated amplifier, which drives the speakers. Depending on the manufacturer, some will tell you the output watts of the built-in amplifier, while others will not.
Passive soundbars do not have built-in amplifiers. These soundbars are powered by a receiver or external amplifier. In addition to using high-quality speakers, passive soundbars usually cost more than active ones. Passive soundbars are, however, relatively uncommon.
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Frequency Range
A speaker’s frequency range consists of the difference between the lowest and highest frequencies it can produce. It is possible to determine a sound’s frequency by measuring its pitch in Hertz (Hz). The bass is made up of low-frequency sounds between 20Hz and 200Hz. It is the subwoofer that produces most of these very low frequencies.
Most midrange sounds occur between 200 Hz and 2000 Hz. Midbass speakers and woofers are mainly responsible for producing these ranges. A higher pitch or higher frequency sound can range from 2kHz to 20kHz. In addition, tweeters are capable of producing these ranges of sound.
The lowest and highest frequencies are a challenge for most speakers. In the same way that you might have trouble producing a very deep or super high-pitched sound with your voice, the same is true for speakers. Their sound and operation are usually at their best in the middle of their range.
The main limitation of soundbars is their low-frequency performance. The majority of soundbars are shallow. Thus, they cannot accommodate a subwoofer of standard size (usually 8 inches).
Therefore, almost all soundbars can be connected to a separate subwoofer. This is crucial to hearing those deep bass booms when using your system.
Understanding dB Levels
Some soundbar manufacturers claim to have an audio output that is “up to 90 decibels”, but most people won’t know what that means. This handy chart compares dB levels with recognizable and commonly known sounds.
| db level | Description |
| 30dB | Whispering Quietly |
| 60dB | Normal Conversation |
| 80dB | Cell Phone Dial Tone |
| 85dB | Average Dialog from Movie Theater |
| 90-95dB | Sustained Exposure will cause Hearing Damage |
| 95dB | Jackhammer at 50 Feet |
| 100dB | Motorcycle |
| 110dB | Chainsaw |
| 115dB | Loud Rock Concert |
| 120-125dB | Pain Threshold |
| 140dB | Jet Engine from 100 Feet |
| 165dB | 12 Gauge Shotgun Blast |
Soundbar Channels
There are usually two or three channels on the standalone soundbar. There are two speakers on the left and right sides of a two-channel soundbar. The three-channel soundbar has left, middle, and right speakers.
Wireless subwoofers are becoming increasingly common. If a subwoofer is used, the channels would increase to 2.1 or 3.1, which would drastically improve low-frequency performance.
A wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers are included in some systems. The system would have a 5.1 surround sound. If you are interested in learning more about the different types of Soundbars, you should read more about the differences between the 2.1 soundbar and the 5.1 soundbars.
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The Size Of a Soundbar
Like many other devices, Soundbars come in almost any size you need. The larger the device, the better the sound. The bigger the drivers, the better the sound. A smaller soundbar under your TV isn’t hard to find if you want a device that’s not too large and will look good under there.
Connection Options
The soundbar can be connected to TVs using regular cables. However, there are several other ways to connect soundbars to TVs. These can make connecting to other devices so much easier. The optical and coaxial ports on your soundbar will make connecting to your television easier. Today, every soundbar should have an HDMI ARC port as well. You can connect your device to the TV and enjoy high-quality video and audio through this port and HDMI cable.
Most soundbars come with wireless connectivity options as well. Bluetooth is the most popular. With it, you can use almost any modern device without cables, and it’s pretty easy to use. Therefore, you can connect it to your soundbar to listen to any Bluetooth audio source.
It can even be linked to personal devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Alternatively, you can add a Bluetooth adapter to your device if you cannot find a soundbar with Bluetooth.
Many devices today also have Wi-Fi capabilities. The soundbar can be connected to your home assistant or your favorite music streaming platform in just a few minutes using Wi-Fi.
Best Wattage For a 2.1 Channel Soundbar
The range of frequencies and the number of channels provided by the soundbar. 2.1 The channel soundbar has a subwoofer and multiple speakers for better sound.
To get the best surround sound quality on a 2.1 two-channel soundbar, you need an input of approximately 20 watts RMS.
If your TV is small and you don’t enjoy watching action movies, you only need a 1-channel soundbar.
When the power of your soundbar matches the size of your TV screen, you’ll have the best sound system.
Best Wattage For a Soundbar With 4 Speakers
A 4-speaker soundbar will provide you with the best sound quality when it comes to the midrange frequencies.
A soundbar with four speakers needs about 40 watts of power to deliver optimum sound quality. One of the most influential speakers in a 4-speaker system is the wireless subwoofer since the bass is heavily impacted.
It is best to opt for a soundbar with 40 watts or more if you have four speakers. Make sure the main speakers and the subwoofer are in perfect sync.
Estimate the power of the speakers. You calculate the wattage by adding the total wattage rating of each speaker and subtracting the difference between each speaker. Subwoofers and rear speakers add watts to the total. Watts is the amount of power output in regular speakers. A soundbar, however, usually comes with an amplifier unless it is a passive soundbar.
What Is the Recommended Wattage For a 3D Soundbar?
The high-wattage soundbar does not need to be matched with 3D movies. It is recommended that a 3D soundbar has a power rating of 20 watts.
Speaker Quantity and Sound Bar Volume
The higher the number of speakers, the higher the volume. More power is needed for more speakers.
There are some soundbars with only one speaker. The wattage is less than 20 watts if there is no external subwoofer.
It makes sense to match your Soundbar’s number of channels with your TV’s size when buying an excellent soundbar to have better TV speaker audio.
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How Can You Tell If a Soundbar Is Good or Not?
I had to swallow some pride to determine if a soundbar was good. What is their general perception of them? What can mislead people?
It is impossible to determine the sound quality of a soundbar or speaker based solely on its specs. Manufacturers are highly misleading, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post. To convince consumers that their product is the best, they will offer outrageous specifications. Equipment cannot be judged by its specs, which isn’t the best method.
The best method is to read product reviews. Customer reviews are lovely. Having an opinion is something that people love to do, oh how people love to express themselves. You can get audio advice from anyone, no matter what level you are at. Well-written reviews can tell a lot about a product’s quality.
Power Consumption of Sound Bars
The consumption of power by a high-wattage soundbar may concern some people. Choose the wattage that matches your speaker size to find the best wattage for you. You can only achieve optimum audio equipment quality and output volume this way. You might also consider a low-wattage soundbar if you search for an economical soundbar.
It is excellent to have a high-wattage soundbar with lots of features, but if you don’t need the features, it makes more sense to get a soundbar with a lower wattage and save on electricity costs.
Is a 300w Soundbar Good?
A 300-watt soundbar can provide a powerful and immersive audio experience. It produces clear and loud sound, making it an ideal option for larger rooms or those who want a cinematic experience. However, one should not solely rely on wattage to determine the sound quality of a soundbar.
For example, if you’re a movie lover, a 300-watt soundbar like the Sony HT-G700 can provide an authentic and immersive cinematic experience. And if you’re a music enthusiast, the Samsung HW-Q60R 5.1 Channel Soundbar with its 360-watt power output can deliver crystal-clear audio quality for your favorite songs.
Is a 120-watt Soundbar Good?
Yes, a 120-watt soundbar can still provide a quality audio experience for most rooms. While it may not be as powerful as higher-wattage models, it can still deliver clear and crisp audio with enough volume to fill most spaces.
The Vizio SB3621n-F8M 36-inch 2.1 Channel Soundbar has a 120-watt power output and delivers exceptional audio quality with its built-in subwoofer. And for those who want a more compact option, the Yamaha YAS-108 Soundbar with its 120 watts of power can deliver impressive sound in a slim and stylish design.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a clear understanding of what soundbar wattage means and its significance. Moreover, we didn’t want you to be entirely in the dark about which soundbar specs you should consider when purchasing.
The information you have now should enable you to make an informed decision. You should also make a shortlist of the best products. Please make sure the manufacturers’ statements are accurate by reading their reviews. For more informative pieces of content, head to SoundbarPro!