By David Webster, Chief Technology Officer.
The huge popularity of ever larger sized TVs and monitors has been accompanied by a multitude of compact sound systems designed to compensate for the generally poor sound performance of today’s ultra-thin screens. Manufacturers of these have adopted different approaches but most fall into one of two types; active, with integrated amplifiers and possibly surround sound processing, and passive, that require an external power amplifier. While there is no industry standard as to what these types should be called, a working definition is that SoundBars are active and SpeakerBars are passive.
For home users looking to reduce their box count of connected devices, a SoundBar is attractive since there will no longer be a need for an AV Receiver. Plus, if equipped with virtual surround processing, many SoundBars can even be used without the usual surround speakers. However most of these products are built-down to a price and so are not capable of the highest sound quality or best surround sound experience.
For those users who do want better performance but still with minimal visual impact to their room, then a low profile SpeakerBar connected to a conventional AV Receiver is just the answer. Matching surround speakers, with equally discrete on-wall designs, can complete the system for a true 5.1 or 7.1 sound.
SpeakerBars are generally best for sound quality and capable of higher sound levels, especially in larger rooms. This makes them ideal for home cinemas and meeting rooms alike. The latter particularly when used with video conferencing systems where intelligible sound is paramount for successful meetings.
Passive SpeakerBars are also the easiest to install as no AC power is required and they can simply connect directly to business audio products with integrated power amplifiers while avoiding complications like additional remote controls for volume adjustment etc.
So, if you need a good looking, high performance SpeakerBar for your next home or commercial project then consider the Ultra 3 (with unique customizable length) or Ultra 1 models, all just 41mm deep, by RBH Sound and available now from RGB.
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