Soundbars are used to enhance the audio output of your TV. They can offer a greater stereo effect with wider sound staging. But when purchasing a TV, a soundbar, or both, should you be concerned about buying them from the same brand? That’s what we are going to answer here. We will weigh the pros and cons of buying a TV and soundbar from the same brand versus different brands. Moreover, we will explore new technologies and proprietary features you should know before making this decision.
Table of Contents
Why buy a soundbar and TV from the same brand
Easier installation
Soundbars and TVs from the same brand are more likely to be compatible. The design of the products, the setup process, and the language in the installation guide will all be similar and easier to understand.
Smoother connectivity
Since they are most likely designed with the same standards and protocols in mind, it will be easier to connect/sync a soundbar to a TV. When they both are in sync, you can expect lower latency as well in some cases. You may also require just a single remote to control both the TV and soundbar, like with the Samsung One Remote feature.
Differently put, the chances of facing compatibility issues are reduced when you go with the same brand.
Smarter features and better sound
Just like a single remote syncing, you get features like Wireless Dolby Atmos or the ability to sync the TV’s audio with the soundbar for a louder and enhanced sound. In the latter’s case, the TV speakers act as an extra channel for compatible soundbars. Eg: Samsung Q-Symphony and LG WOW Orchestra.
Aesthetics
If you want the TV and soundbar to look the same and think they match your indoor aesthetic, it’s better to go with the same brand. Especially, if the TV display is curved, you are likely to find a curved soundbar from the same brand.
Discount
If you buy both products at the same time, you may be lucky to get a discount. For instance, you could get a combo offer of up to Rs 8,000 off on soundbars when you buy the Sony XR-85X95L Bravia TV from Sony Center.
Easier customer support
You can contact the same customer support channel for both products, in case you need help with something. This is convenient as you don’t have to explain the problem repeatedly or be thrown around between the two brands. While that doesn’t necessarily mean a smoother solution, you can save some time and energy.
Note: Ensure you update the software of both the TV and soundbar to the latest version for everything to work smoothly.
Why buy a soundbar and TV from different brands
Common standards
Thanks to industry standards like ARC, eARC, and CEC, you can get compatible soundbars and TVs from different brands. This allows for the following benefits:
Affordability
You can buy a soundbar and a TV from different brands based on the price and deals available. Whatever combination saves you more, you may want to go with that.
Flexibility
You can buy a compatible TV or soundbar from a different brand and set them up. You can buy the TV with the best visuals in your budget and the soundbar with the best audio in your budget.
Understanding related features and technologies
Q-Symphony
Q-Symphony is a feature on new Samsung soundbars that let you connect the soundbar with compatible TVs through HDMI cable, optical cable, or Wi-Fi and you can get synced audio from the TV and soundbar at the same time. The TV’s speakers act as an additional audio channel.
SmartThings
SmartThings is a Smart Home controlling app from Samsung. You can connect your soundbar and TV to the SmartThings account through Wi-Fi. You get smart features like Wireless Dolby Atmos, and virtual remote control of the TV and soundbar using a Samsung phone.
Samsung One Remote
Samsung One Remote is a remote controller from the brand that can connect and control multiple Samsung devices like TVs and soundbars. You don’t need to carry around or bother with multiple remote controllers.
Samsung Autopower Link
When a Samsung soundbar and TV are connected via an optical cable, the Autopower Link feature automatically turns on the soundbar when the TV is powered on.
LG WOW Orchestra
LG WOW Orchestra lets compatible LG soundbars and TVs to play sound simultaneously.
LG Simplink
LG Simplink lets you control compatible LG TVs and soundbars using a single remote through HDMI CEC.
Sony Bravia Acoustic Center Sync
Sony Bravia Acoustic Center Sync allows you to sync the audio of Sony Bravia TVs and soundbars. In this case, the Sony TV will act as a center speaker channel.
Sony Bravia Sync
Bravia Sync lets you control compatible Sony TVs and soundbars using a single remote through HDMI CEC.
HDMI ARC
ARC is an HDMI port’s feature that lets two-way flow of sound between a TV and a soundbar. So if your TV and soundbar have this feature, the audio from the soundbar can play on the TV and the other way around. You can connect these two devices using a single HDMI cable and two-way communication takes place between them.
ARC stands for Audio Return Channel and has been part of HDMI 1.4 and later. A device with HDMI ARC support can be an audio output and input device.
HDMI eARC
Enhanced Audio Return Channel was introduced along with HDMI 2.1. This enables the two-way communication of uncompressed audio formats like Dolby Atmos at full bandwidth.
HDMI CEC
Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) is a HDMI feature that allows controlling compatible devices with one remote.
FAQs
What is a universal remote?
A Universal Remote comes with pre-configured setups for a wide range of TVs and soundbars. It can be used to control a TV and soundbar, even if they are from different brands.
Should the size of a soundbar match the size of a TV?
Aesthetically, it is good to have either a similar size or a tad smaller size soundbar below your TV. When they are of the same size, there will be some sense of uniformity in the source of the sound. You should also consider the room size and placement while deciding the size of a soundbar.
What do I do if my TV and soundbar don’t have compatible HDMI ports?
If the device supports an optical cable connection, you could try to connect them both. Else, try using a converter.
