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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:
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.
If you think you’ll eventually want to add satellite speakers and/or a subwoofer, look for a modular system that will accommodate expansion to avoid replacing your soundbar later on.
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 subwoofergreatly improves the sound of any home entertainment systemand 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.
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.
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.
