Soundbars have been quite popular in recent years because they are sleek, attractive, and small. While the manufacturing quality continues to improve, they may help keep your home entertainment space appearing neat by eliminating excess cable and speaker clutter.
Soundbars, on the other hand, provide superior sound quality. Some models, on the other hand, are better suited for Vaulted Ceilings. That’s the conclusion we’ve reached after conducting several testing on hundreds of soundbars.
Vaulted ceilings might make it difficult to choose the best soundbar. But don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the best soundbars for high ceilings. Our top 8 soundbars for high ceilings are listed below, so you’ll be able to make an informed decision in no time.
Issue with Vaulted Ceilings
If you have vaulted ceilings, they may seem gorgeous, but they may also cause sound waves to be bounced about in a variety of strange ways. Echoes of previous audio noises may be heard echoing throughout the room, making it seem like a jumbled mess.
If my memory serves me well, vaulted-ceiling rooms shouldn’t use Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Even if something has Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, it doesn’t mean it is superior to others of the same kind. In addition, there are additional variables to take into account.
Non-flat ceilings modify how sound waves transmitted to the top bounce back, resulting in strange atmos/sound from the top. For vaulted walls, don’t purchase virtual surround sound. They sound just marginally better than usual. Without atmos implementation, you can still acquire a soundbar that sounds better than virtual surround in domed areas.
If you have a vaulted ceiling in your home, acoustic treatments may assist to reduce the negative effect it has on your sound quality. It is common practice to apply acoustic treatments to enhance the sound quality of an area. Depending on the kind of facility, many treatments may be necessary to create the desired acoustics.
The ideal ceiling height is between 7.5 and 12 feet. Some manufacturers say you can successfully adapt Atmos speakers for use in ceilings up to 14 feet high and users describe good results with vaulted and cathedral ceilings.
Adding Acoustic Treatments to Your Vaulted Ceilings
acoustics professionals have a variety of options for dealing with the issues of reflection, reverberation, and resonance. When it comes to dealing with noise, many facilities need a mix of these methods.
Bass Traps
In vaulted ceilings, low-frequency sound waves are the most difficult to control. These waves are very lengthy and strong, and they tend to gather in corners, making the bass sound in a room feel excessively loud. Bass traps come into play here.
For vaulted ceilings, absorbing or trapping bass sounds in the corners of a space is critical. Using porous materials like stiff fiberglass and foam, bass traps are able to absorb sound waves in the corner of a room more efficiently.
Acoustic Panels
Similar to bass traps, acoustic panels are meant to suck up sound waves. Even if bass traps are thicker and more powerful, acoustic panels are less successful at catching lower frequencies. However, in areas where reverberation is a concern, they may still make a substantial difference. Acoustic panels absorb sound instead of allowing it to bounce about and pass across a space. With vaulted ceilings, this may help make a room seem less echo-y.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate acoustic panels into a space. Acoustic panels may be placed anywhere in a space, however they are most often used along the walls. It’s possible to hide your acoustic treatments in plain sight using acoustic panels that seem to be works of art on the wall.
Ceiling Clouds
Wall-mounted acoustic panels are the most common kind. There are, however, ceiling-specific panels. Ceiling clouds, a kind of panel that hangs horizontally from the ceiling, are lightweight panels. In vaulted ceiling constructions, ceiling clouds are extremely useful. As an architectural element, vaulted ceilings may be very appealing. However, vaulted ceilings may also lead to excessive sound reverberation, which can be a problem in certain situations.
A wide variety of materials and designs are available in the form of ceiling clouds. Various materials are used to make the ceiling clouds, such as foam, metal, and even cloth.
Diffuser Panels
Some acoustic treatments, such as bass traps, acoustic panels, and ceiling clouds, are meant to distribute sound rather than absorb it. The total noise level in the space is reduced via sound absorption. Keep sound waves from reverberating without completely absorbing them, so the space doesn’t seem excessively silent in particular situations.
Diffuser panels might be useful in certain situations as an acoustic remedy. These panels have varying degrees of three-dimensionality, with various elements protruding from the surface. The diffuser panel causes sound waves to disperse in a random manner. Diffusion panels, on the other hand, are an acoustic treatment that helps to keep a room’s sound alive by absorbing sound energy.
Acoustic Foam
Panels made of sound-absorbing foam are also known as acoustic foam. Foam is used in numerous acoustic panels. However, unlike acoustic panels, acoustic foam comes in a more raw material form and is less appealing to the eye. In recording studios, acoustic foam is more widely employed than in companies that need acoustical treatment.
There are two unique types of acoustic foam: smooth and egg-crate. These reasons are among those that lead to the usage of acoustic foam for heavy-duty, practical acoustic treatment in places such as restaurants and retail. Acoustic foam may be applied to walls and ceilings to assist reduce noise.
You can now peruse our list of the best soundbars for a vaulted ceiling here.
Vizio SB3851-C6
Best for Midrange Audio
Vizio’s 38-inch SmartCast SB3851 is a breath of fresh air in a market where soundbars can easily cost the equivalent of a month’s salary. In addition to a bar, a wireless subwoofer, and two satellite speakers for approximately the same price as a Blu-ray player, the SB3851 is an excellent value.
Details
5.1.2 soundbar setup Vizio SB3851-C6 is nice. As a result of its up-firing speakers and Atmos capabilities, it provides a truly immersive listening experience. Although it has a neutral sound profile, it has a little additional bass. Although the bar can be loud enough for many forms of programming, it lacks the volume of the other speakers. On the bright side, it’s ideal for rooms with high ceilings.
VIZIO‘s 38-inch soundbar reigns supreme in the affordable audio market. A soundbar, a subwoofer, and two satellite speakers for less than $300 is a rare feat for a hardware maker. Even rarer is a company that includes half a dozen connectors required to connect the sound system to all of your devices.
On the other hand, although I consider the soundbar to be an excellent all-arounder, there are those who argue that the soundbar is lacking in sonic finesse. Because it can do it everything, does not imply it treats everything with the utmost of care.
It’s not going to sound as nice as it would on a high-end piece of equipment because of the transition. A replacement for your TV’s speakers, the SB3851 is a great option at a reasonable price. VIZIO’s newest soundbar isn’t going to win over audiophiles, but as a bargain shopper, I can’t help but enjoy it.
Product Differentiator
Perfect for individuals who seek high-quality surround sound without having to pay a lot of money.
JBL Bar 5.1
Best for 5.1 Surround Sound System
In terms of home theater soundbars, this is the best option if you’re looking for a 5.1 channel system. It’s hard to find fault with anything about this JBL Bar 5.1.
Details
The style of this JBL 5.1 soundbar is modern and fresh, making it a great addition to any house. With these bars, your home cinema or living area will seem upscale.
Not only is the aesthetic stunning, but it also functions admirably thanks to the unique features. Sound output is amplified thanks to the system’s 550 watts of total output power. Both the built-in and the separate speakers much exceed expectations in terms of quality. You may hear a more defined, deeper tone. In a live performance, high-quality sound fills the space and alters the mood.
Adds sharpness and richness to the sound, making it more exciting. Everything about this song is so lovely and clean. Sport or rock music’s sound becomes much better and louder, while delicate music’s sound is even smoother.
Dolby Digital, Dolby Vision, and HDR 10 are all supported as well. All three of these characteristics work together to produce audio of the highest quality. There’s no need for anything else when it’s packed with such unique capabilities.
Product Differentiator
Suitable for bass-heavy music and action-packed movies, it provides a powerful and boomy sound.
Pyle PSBV200BT
Best 2.1 sound system
With a price tag of about $135, the PSBV200BT is a great way to get started in the home theater world. For the V200, Pyle has included a 3D processing technology that it claims will offer a surround sound-like experience worthy of decorating your entertainment center.
Details
The V200’s all-black hardwood frame is complimented with a gloss-black plastic front panel that is also painted black. Blue illuminated monitor, USB and SD card ports, and on-board controls are housed in a square command center between the system’s four primary drivers.
With the V200’s remote control, you may navigate the FM radio channels, adjust bass and treble, and activate “3D” sound processing capabilities.
There are two 1-inch tweeters on each side of the center console, flanked by two 2-inch midrange drivers, all protected by metal speaker grilles on the V200. To our dismay, the V200 relies on Bluetooth version 2.0 +EDR, which is almost a decade old and notoriously unreliable when it comes to audio.
3D digital processing was the V200’s most astounding feature for us, since it pushed sound well beyond its physical confines. Music with broad sweeping effects, such as electronic music, was pleasurable when the impact kicked in.
The treble may be harsh at times, and the midrange is poor. The V200 could be a good fit for you if you value quantity above quality and are on a budget.
Product Differentiator
The $135.00 price tag is a bargain for the sound quality you receive from this speaker, which has a strong bass and clean treble.
Sony Z9F
Best for 3.1 Surround Sound
Sony HT-Z9F stands out from the competition since it is a 3.1 model that does not have actual up-firing speakers. However, Sony claims to have a sound field that is similar to that of a 5.1.2 system. A conundrum, even in the amorphous Atmos hardware world.
Details
The Z9F’s design is clean and straightforward. The bar is about a meter wide and has a detachable grille that hides a trio of speakers.
There is no NFC but Bluetooth headphones may be used for private listening, and Sony’s LDAC extension is compatible with Bluetooth. Chromecast is pre-installed, and Google Assistant may be used to control the device.
Keep in mind that the ZF9 is a 3.1 arrangement, therefore the paired wireless subwoofer has a 16cm paper driver pointing forward. Good news: The HT-Z9F delivers an enlarged soundfield thanks to post processing virtualization. For the ears, this is sleight of hand. For Dolby Atmos soundbars, the Sony HT-Z9F is a one-of-a-kind. Until date, Atmos soundbars have featured Dolby-integrated front-firing drivers that allow up-firers to generate immersive audio.
As a result, it may be difficult to keep track of all of the options available to you. There is Sony’s Vertical Sound Engine, which is enhanced by an up-mixer, at the core of this model’s design. Dolby’s Atmos virtual processing is also included. However, it has a narrower sweet spot than Sony Vertical Sound Engine.
Use this solely for two-channel and non-object-based sound mixes, since it does not turn the Vertical Sound Engine on or off.
Product Differentiator
A good 3.1 soundbar arrangement with a dedicated center speaker that performs a terrific job with conversation.
Polk Audio Command
Best for Smart TV
With Alexa preinstalled, as you can see from the soundbar’s appearance, the Polk Audio Command Bar is an unmistakably smart soundbar. At $250, it’s also a good value for the money, especially considering the subwoofer that’s included.
Details
When it comes to appearance, the Polk Audio Command Bar is much like any other soundbar. Though we’re not blown away, there are a few aspects of it that we like, such as the material finish that gives the soundbar a more homey feel.
It is, however, one of Polk’s most fascinating design decisions that the gadget isn’t uniform. Even yet, it has a nicer appearance than some other soundbars because of its more complex design. For rooms with high ceilings, it works well.
With the remote, Alexa may be activated by activating Alexa, which is a welcome feature given the fact that the virtual assistant isn’t excellent at listening when there is a background noise. To set up the system, it’s a breeze: In order to sync up the soundbar and sub, all you have to do is put them into a power outlet. To make use of Alexa, you must first download the Polk Connect app and then connect in to your Amazon account.
In terms of bass, this soundbar has a subwoofer, so it has a wide spectrum of frequencies to cover.
The mid-range is well-tuned, although the upper mids may be a touch overemphasized, as you would expect from a soundbar of this price. Although the soundbar’s high-end performance may need some improvement, we were nevertheless impressed by how responsive, clear, and detailed it was.
Product Differentiator
A smart, low-cost solution that sacrifices sound quality too much.
Sony HTX9000F
Best for Surround Sound
This year’s Sony HT-X9000F is a 2.1 channel soundbar. Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine, which downmixes Atmos information into stereo, allows this soundbar to play Atmos content, unlike other competing 2.1 soundbars.
Details
Soundbar and subwoofer Sony HT-X9000F promise strong vertical surround and compatibility with object-based height-enhanced soundtracks that may transmit sound parts to wherever the processor feels is most effective given the speakers available. ‘
While its loud and boxy sound may not be to everyone’s taste, there are seven EQ settings that may help you get a more personalized tone. For those who like watching movies, this bar can play both Atmos and DTS material. In addition, it precisely and clearly reproduces voices, making it ideal for listening to podcasts or watching the news.
We anticipated the HT-X9000F to perform well despite its technical restrictions because of its 300W output and Sony’s audio expertise.
The soundstage is restricted, however the presets allow the user to modify the sound. In terms of range, it’s exactly as broad as the soundbar. Users will discover that the sound is coming from a broad direction rather than being able to determine the exact location of the source.
Music isn’t its strong point, although it may be loud enough to fill a big or busy area. There is, however, a lot of pounding and compression problems when the volume is at its highest level. The vaulted ceilings, on the other hand, are ideal since they allow for louder discussions and higher highs.
Product Differentiator
A fantastic loudness, but a lack of bass, makes Sony’s HT-X9000F a terrific choice for podcasts and news, but it fizzes out at high levels.
Wohome Soundbar S28
Best for Budget Audio system
When it comes to a soundbar, Wohome Soundbar S28 takes things to a whole new level by including a built-in subwoofer. For a variety of TV experiences, this soundbar will provide you with the sound you need.
Details
There is a built-in subwoofer in this Wohome soundbar to ensure that you don’t lose out on any bass. If you’re looking for high-quality sound, go no further than this soundbar. It has less than 1% overall harmonic distortion and allows you to pick the sound setting you want thanks to DSP technology.
Music, movie, news, and the default setting enable you to fine-tune your bass and treble levels with this Wohome soundbar. As a result of these sound modes, you’ll be able to enjoy a movie night, a spontaneous dance party, and even hear the newscaster when you’re still half-awake in the morning.
This soundbar can be installed in a matter of minutes thanks to Wohome’s vast selection of connection options. Optical and AUX connections are available through the included cords, which is a nice perk. You may also connect wirelessly over Bluetooth, allowing you to stream music or films from your mobile device.
This soundbar has a straightforward design that makes it easy to integrate with almost any TV arrangement. There is a wall-mount kit included for those who like to free up more room on their tables and cabinets by lifting the speaker. In the end, you won’t be obtaining the same degree of sound quality as you would with a more expensive device.
However, the Wohome’s sound quality falls short of speakers costing twice as much, despite the speaker’s fantastic sound quality. The Wohome 2.1 channel soundbar is a must-have for every audiophile.
Product Differentiator
Despite the fact that this Wohome soundbar costs less than $100, it produces exceptional sound quality.
Bose Soundbar 700
Best Premium Soundbar
In spite of its price, the Bose Soundbar 700 is a unique high-end soundbar that can be used with smaller televisions. Its sound is neutral and well-balanced, making it suitable for a large range of musical styles as well as voice-oriented media, such as audiobooks and podcasts.
Details
The Bose Soundbar 700 looks and feels like a high-end product. In addition, it’s sturdy and weighty enough to indicate that it was built to a high standard. There are two touch-sensitive buttons on the front left of the tempered glass top edge.
Some premium features may be found in the Soundbar 700, which is why it costs so much. Its Adaptiq auto-calibration mechanism is very impressive. For optimal sound, you’ll sit in your favorite seats in your room while the soundbar plays a series of test sounds to see how it sounds in relation to your room’s arrangement. Taking the time to run the routine will make a big difference in the sound’s impact and dynamics, so do so.
The 700’s sound is well-balanced, even if it is an older model. Clearer and louder conversations are possible. Thus, the Bose 700 is ideal for listening to movies, audiobooks, and podcasts.
As a result, it’s ideal for large gatherings. Even at a high volume, there are no noticeable distortions. As a result, you can hear the rumble of movie effects via this soundbar’s bass. Incorporating PhaseGuide technology enables the music to fill the space and sound more expansive. In comparison to Dolby Atmos, the sound quality is still sufficient and will be enhanced with surround speakers.
Product Differentiator
Has a plethora of functions, many of which are geared toward its smart speaker capabilities.
Sonos Arc
Overall The Best Soundbar for Vaulted Ceiling
Sonos Arc is their newest surround sound system, and it’s all housed in one soundbar. It’s an amazing sleek Sonos soundbar, the Arc provides 5.1 surround sound without the need of additional speakers.
Details
With the addition of a wireless subwoofer and surround satellite speakers, this stand-alone soundbar can be upgraded to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for an even more immersive experience. The Arc’s side firing drivers provide a pseudo surround sound that should sound great in a lofty area.
The Sonos Arc is a perfect illustration of how Dolby Atmos is leading the push to create 3D audio effects from a more streamlined system, which was previously only possible with a multi-speaker array.
Because the Arc is designed to produce a 3D soundscape by reflecting audio off the ceiling and walls of your space, aluminum hole-punch speaker grilles cover the different orientations of the Atmos driver array on its top, front, and either end.
You’ll need Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus-encoded material, as well as an app, TV, and receiver that can process or at least pass-through these formats, to enjoy true Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Overall, the audio capabilities of the Sonos Arc are rather impressive. Eight elliptical woofers work together to provide a strong overall bass response, and the tuning strikes a wonderful mix between warmth and clarity in the mids.
Product Differentiator
A superb all-in-one surround sound system for those who want a simple surround sound setup but still want a home cinema experience.
Verdict
To keep up with the advanced televisions available in the market, soundbars are essential to make movie watching experience more enjoyable. And for vaulted ceilings, things can get tricky to setting up the sound system. These Soundbars can help you to get a immersive sound experience from your TV.
If you still haven’t made up your mind and don’t know which soundbar to buy, don’t worry because we’ve analyzed these 8 Best Soundbar for Vaulted Ceiling for you to tell you what our impressions have been after having tried them for a couple of days. You can find more soundbars and other audio solutions on our website if you are still haven’t found the right one.
FAQ
When it comes to resolving your issues, our FAQ sections are the most helpful resource available. Learn more about this specific section by clicking here.
Can I put a soundbar on the ceiling?
A soundbar cannot be mounted on the ceiling. The most important condition for soundbar placement is that it be at ear level. Unless you have a soundbar designed specifically for the ceiling, mounting your soundbar on the ceiling is not recommended; instead, it should be placed as near to your ear as possible for best sound.
Is the Bose Soundbar better than the Samsung Soundbar?
When compared to the Bose Soundbar on its own, the Samsung Soundbar is better, but the Bose can be easily upgraded. A separate subwoofer is included in the Samsung, which delivers a longer bass response as well as a greater maximum volume.
What’s better surround sound or a soundbar?
If you want to improve the sound on your TV, you have to decide whether you want the convenience and low cost of a soundbar or the improved sound quality and higher cost of a specialized surround-sound system. Soundbars are less expensive and take up less room, but AV surround installations demand more of both.
Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More