Most TV speakers offer lackluster sound quality, driving consumers to seek better audio experiences. While they can invest in an amplifier and multiple large speakers, not everyone wants the complexity and clutter that come with this solution.
That’s where soundbars come into play. They offer a discreet and hassle-free way for consumers to upgrade their audio experiences, all contained in a neat and compact product. This article will dive into five booming soundbar trends audiophiles will love in 2023.
Table of Contents
Why are soundbars important in 2023?
Five soundbar trends worth considering in 2023
The bottom line
Why are soundbars important in 2023?
Soundbars present several distinct benefits when compared to traditional home theater speaker systems. They occupy less room, offer simpler installation, and often come with a more budget-friendly price tag.
Whether consumers desire a soundbar with Dolby Atmos support or if they need one compatible with their older MP3 player, they’ll be able to find a suitable model. These are a few reasons why soundbars are becoming increasingly popular in 2023.
Experts currently value the soundbar market at US$ 8.13 billion, and they expect it to reach US $12.11 billion by 2028. They estimate this boost will happen at an 8.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2028.
Five soundbar trends worth considering in 2023
Surround sound
Surround sound speakers integrated into a soundbar represent an emerging trend in the audio industry, providing an immersive and spatial audio experience in a convenient and compact form. This technology combines the benefits of traditional multi-speaker surround sound setups with the simplicity and aesthetics of a single soundbar.
The concept of a traditional surround sound system is straightforward: speakers are strategically positioned around users to envelop them in sound. But since such systems require multiple speakers, how do soundbars generate surround sound?
Well, it’s simple. Despite being all-in-one devices, these soundbars typically include multiple speaker drivers positioned strategically within their housing. Then, these drivers project audio in various directions, creating a more immersive sound field similar to conventional surround sound effects.
But to add deep bass to the audio experience, many soundbars come with wireless subwoofers that consumers can place anywhere in a room.
In truth, these devices can’t change the laws of physics to create surround sound systems without multiple speakers. But they do a good job creating a convincing surround sound illusion by bouncing sound waves around the room, allowing them to dominate as one of the top soundbar trends.
More importantly, Google Ads data underscores the popularity of the search term “surround sound,” with an average of over 165,000 monthly searches. “Surround sound soundbars” also garners significant attention, with around 14,800 monthly searches.
In-built Dolby Atmos speakers
Soundbars with in-built Dolby Atmos Speakers are also popular options for audiophiles. According to Google Ads data, these soundbars attract over 49,500 monthly searches, indicating their significant interest and popularity among consumers.
Dolby Atmos introduces a three-dimensional audio experience by incorporating height channels into the conventional surround sound system. Soundbars featuring in-built Dolby Atmos speakers are designed to produce immersive audio without requiring a complicated multi-speaker arrangement.
What’s intriguing is that Dolby Atmos speakers achieve remarkable experiences through their upward-firing design. These speakers enable height channels, producing overhead audio effects replicating high-quality audio popular in cinemas.
In addition to the upward-firing speakers, Dolby Atmos soundbars also feature multiple forward-firing drivers to cover the horizontal soundstage, ensuring the audio delivered remains well-balanced.
They also come in various styles, sizes, and channel setups, ensuring consumers can discover one that perfectly matches their audio requirements, personal style, and budget. Additionally, installing Dolby Atmos soundbars is a breeze. Regardless of where users position them—the sound will remain pristine.
3.0 soundbar
A 3.0 soundbar is a compact, all-in-one audio solution that enhances audio quality in various scenarios. The “3.0” signifies the number of audio channels or drivers within the soundbar.
Consequently, a 3.0 soundbar consists of three channels – left, center, and right – each equipped with its speaker driver. This configuration enables spatial audio separation, creating an immersive and well-balanced sound experience.
More importantly, 3.0 soundbars are upgraded versions of the 2.0 models, offering three channels for audio playback instead of stereo sound. Plus, they’re a solid pick for consumers who favor dialog-heavy content.
With the 3.0 soundbar, your customers will experience a wider and more immersive soundstage, making it perfect for creating a cinema-like atmosphere. 3.0 soundbars are also sleek and compact—their minimalist designs can easily complement any home decor, adding more points to their attractiveness.
While 3.0 soundbars might not be as popular as surround sound or Dolby Atmos options, they still attract some attention. Google Ads data shows that the keyword “three-channel soundbars” receives an average of only 480 monthly searches.
5.1/7.1 soundbar systems
Who says consumers can’t make a home theater system with soundbars? A 5.1 soundbar aims to deliver the audio experience of a full-fledged 5.1-channel surround sound system. It often features a soundbar unit with five (not in-built) speakers and, most times, a separate subwoofer.
The five speakers include a front left, front center, front right, rear left, and rear right, while the subwoofer handles the low-frequency bass sounds. However, the 7.1 soundbar system takes things up a notch with two extra speakers: rear surround left and rear surround right.
Although 5.1 and 7.1 soundbar systems are incredibly similar, they have different space requirements for the best audio experience. While 5.1 soundbar systems can work well in smaller rooms due to their space-efficient setup, their surround sound might not suffice for a larger space.
Conversely, a 7.1 soundbar system is the better choice for consumers with a more spacious room because of its two extra speakers. Consumers will genuinely appreciate the immersive
surround sound in such situations, as the larger space enhances the audio effect and delivers a flawless media experience.
While other surround soundbars come with all the speakers in a single package, these systems opt for something similar to traditional home theater setups—without all the wires.
Based on Google Ads data, the search interest in “5.1 soundbars” decreased by around 50% from 18,100 in 2022 to 9,900 in 2023. However, it experienced an uptick in August, returning to 12,100 monthly searches
On the other hand, 7.1 soundbars are less widely sought after than their predecessors, averaging only 1,300 monthly searches. However, they continue to be an appealing upgrade option for those with 5.1 soundbars. Despite the lower search volume, it remains a profitable market.
Soundbase
Soundbase is a distinct type of audio gear that’s become popular in home audio. It stands out from the traditional soundbar due to its unique shape and features, doubling as impressive speakers and TV stands.
Unlike traditional soundbars, manufacturers design the soundbase to sit under the consumer’s television or other AV equipment. They typically have a wider and flatter profile, resembling a sturdy base or platform.
Soundbases typically feature larger speaker drivers, more integrated amplification, and the capacity to incorporate a bass driver. Moreover, they’ll take up less space since they don’t require a separate subwoofer.
Additionally, most soundbases feature 2.1 or 3.1 speaker configurations. In other words, they can include left and right speakers with a subwoofer or left, right, and center channel drivers paired with a built-in subwoofer.
According to Google Ads data, soundbases are less prominent than traditional soundbars but still maintain a reasonable level of interest. “Soundbase” receives an average of 4,400 monthly searches, although it did decrease from its previous average of 5,400 queries. Nonetheless, this soundbar trend is a worthy investment for businesses targeting audiophiles with a huge taste for amplified music.
The bottom line
With various soundbars flooding the market, it’s easy for businesses to get overwhelmed. While some are exceptional, others might leave consumers disappointed. Moreover, the features vary among soundbars, with some sporting wired connections (via HDMI) and others offering Bluetooth capabilities.
This article discussed five outstanding soundbar trends that are perfect for new businesses hoping to enter the market, or for veterans seeking to increase sales and profit in 2023.
