How I Picked the Right Soundbar for My Open-Plan Living Room

My open-plan apartment is amazing, but it has some specific quirks that affect how audio equipment performs. But that doesn’t mean I can’t use speakers and a soundbar—it just means there are some extra considerations to make sure it sounds great.

My Room Size and Shape

The first consideration was the size and shape of my room. It spans approximately 30 feet in length by 15 feet in width, with a high, protruding “false” ceiling that accommodates recessed lighting. The walls are made of solid concrete, with one large window at one end, and the floors are tiled throughout, with minimal carpeting. Each of these features contributes to sound reflecting in unpredictable ways, posing two challenges:

1. Sound dispersion: I needed a system to fill the space without sounding tinny or losing clarity.
2. Reverb control: Ideally, my choice of soundbar would have some kind of tuning or audio processing to prevent too much echo from muddying the sound.

By understanding the basics of room acoustics, you can narrow down the types of soundbars to consider. In my case, I needed one that performs across a wide soundstage and has room calibration functionality.

My Surround Sound Preferences

While any soundbar will significantly improve upon the sound of a TV’s built-in speakers, I feel that it’s better to go all-in and opt for some type of surround sound. For a little extra cash, you can upgrade your home entertainment system to a glorious, fully immersive experience, but which system is best for open-plan spaces?

I quickly realized that a traditional 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system would be challenging to configure in my open-plan space, as I had limited options for positioning the satellite speakers. I decided a soundbar with virtual surround sound technology, such as those with DTS:X and/or Dolby Atmos support, would be a better fit.

These speakers use audio processing and upward-firing drivers that deflect off the ceiling for an immersive sound. Using a soundbar with sideways-firing speakers also extends the soundstage on the horizontal plane, further enhancing the 3D effect.

My Ideal Speaker Configuration

Opting for virtual surround sound meant that I didn’t have to worry so much about speaker placement. I simply positioned my soundbar on the TV console, directly below the TV, and with a solid concrete wall behind to aid sound projection. Eventually, I plan to mount my TV and soundbar to the wall, so I ensured it had wall-mounting options and Bluetooth connectivity to keep wiring to a minimum.

If you choose to go down the 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound route, the optimal placement of the satellite speakers should be a chief consideration. Even without satellite speakers, a subwoofer greatly improves the sound of any home entertainment system and is essential to enhance those all-important low frequencies that emphasize rumbles, explosions, and ambient noises.

Soundbar Features I Considered

I spent a lot of time wading through reviews and spec sheets of soundbars that were suitable for open-plan spaces and fell within my budget. Identifying a few non-negotiable features made my search much easier.

• Audio format: I wanted a soundbar supporting either DTS:X or Dolby Atmos for immersive sound.
• Room calibration: The easiest option is automatic tuning that adjusts the soundbar to your room’s acoustics. However, only premium devices usually offer this feature, and you can achieve satisfactory results with preset EQ settings or manual tuning.
• Included subwoofer: Despite my limited budget, I wanted a soundbar and subwoofer combo to cover the broadest possible frequency spectrum, for a proper cinematic experience.
• Design and size: Aesthetics matter to me, and I wanted a neutral-looking soundbar that proportionally suited my 55-inch TV and wouldn’t impose too much on my home entertainment console.

This combination will typically give you a rich, powerful sound that can cope with pretty much any audio you throw at it.

The Best Soundbars for Open-Plan Spaces

As with most things in life, the more flexible you are with your budget, the better your soundbar options; however, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to get satisfactory results. A budget soundbar can deliver excellent results.

• Sonos Arc Ultra: If your budget allows, Sonos creates highly impressive home audio solutions that can be interconnected around the home. This high-end option has Trueplay automatic room tuning and 9.1.4 spatial audio.
• Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: Another reassuringly expensive brand, Bose is known for compact systems that deliver big sound. The Smart Ultra Soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and features AdaptIQ technology, which mitigates echoes in rooms with hard surfaces, like mine.
• LG S40TR: This mid-range system offers 4.1 surround sound and wireless satellite speakers for those whose open-plan living space can accommodate them. This was a strong contender for me before I realized speaker placement was an issue.
• Samsung HW-C450: This is an affordable model from the world’s largest soundbar manufacturer. Its wireless subwoofer and DTS: Virtual X provide good enough surround sound without requiring additional speakers, and I like its simple aesthetics.

While it’s true that any soundbar is better than no soundbar, understanding how sound behaves and how best to accommodate different types of surround sound will help you choose the perfect system for your open-plan living space. If my budget had allowed, I’d have chosen a system with better 3D sound and automatic tuning to optimize the system for my room. However, for now, I am happy with my choices, and I’ve immeasurably improved my enjoyment of home entertainment.