What’s the difference between a 2.1 and 5.1 Soundbar?

Adding a soundbar to your TV allows you to hear the sound of your favourite web series or video game just as the makers intended to. That said, choosing the right soundbar can be a daunting task given the sheer number of choices on offer. When shopping, you’re bound to have come across the terms – 2.1 soundbars and 5.1 soundbars. So what do these numbers indicate, and which of them is the better buy? Read on to find out.

2.1 soundbar

A 2.1 soundbar, as the name suggests, will have two speakers on the left and right, and a subwoofer. They may not provide the kind of well-rounded audio experience as a home theatre system, but they are definitely an upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers. These speakers are more compact than most home theatre systems, are easy to set up and support connectivity options like HDMI, Bluetooth, and more. They are also relatively more affordable.

5.1 soundbar

A 5.1 soundbar will have five speakers – right, left, centre, surround right, and surround left. Along with these will be a subwoofer. The speakers are able to produce distinct sounds making for an immersive experience, while the centre channel speaker makes dialogues clearer. These soundbars tend to have multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, HDMI, Wi-Fi, and more.

2.1 soundbar vs 5.1 soundbar

Many factors differentiate between a 2.1 soundbar and a 5.1 soundbar, below are some of them.

Sound quality

A 5.1 soundbar provides a richer listening experience than a 2.1. A true surround sound experience is just not possible with just two speakers. In addition to the multiple speakers on board, the additional centre channel on a 5.1 soundbar provides better dialogue clarity.

Connectivity

Both soundbars tend to have HDMI ports onboard that can handle high-definition content. In comparison to other cables, HDMI supports 4K passthrough and can handle a greater load. Your next best option is a digital optical connection if your soundbar doesn’t have HDMI. A passthrough of 4K is also possible with digital optical.

Bluetooth

Almost all soundbars offer Bluetooth connectivity as a form of wireless connection. Even top-of-the-line 2.1 wireless speakers and soundbars have it. The Bluetooth feature on 2.1 and 5.1 soundbars lets users stream content from their mobile devices. 

ALSO READ: How to connect a Soundbar to a TV?

Voice assistance

The performance of your soundbar will not be affected by voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You can, however, control the soundbar hands-free and get fast information, such as weather and news reports, through these devices.

Setup

With fewer external components, a 2.1 soundbar is easier to set up. 5.1 soundbars take a bit more effort since you also have to place rear satellite speakers and sync them with the main system.

Price

Not surprisingly, 5.1 soundbars are more expensive than most 2.1 soundbars. They have more speakers on board and require some effort to set them up.  

Choosing the right soundbar comes down to your personal preferences. A 5.1 soundbar is the best choice if you want a more immersive audio experience. However, a 2.1 soundbar is also a good enough upgrade over your TV speakers if you’re restricted by space or budget.

हिंदी में पढ़ें: 2.1 और 5.1 साउंडबार के बीच क्या अंतर है?