OK, so as you probably realize, at any bar whether it’s public or your home bar, music is usually one of the main staples of entertainment besides drinks and people. One question that I hear come up a lot when people are in the planning stages of their home bar or even after the fact sometimes, is where is the best place to put my speakers and what kind should I get?? Well unfortunately there’s not one answer for everybody because, no person, home and bar combination are ever going to be exactly the same.
So you will have to evaluate what’s important to you and what kind of entertaining you plan to be doing. For example, if you picture that you’re likely going to be watching a lot of movies or sporting events where good surround sound is key or cranking up the music and getting down with your bad self, then you probably want to use find a receiver with some decent surround sound capabilities in the form of floor standing or bookshelf speakers etc. to strategically place them in your bar or entertainment area.
This may sound obvious, but a lot of people seem to want to get these built in speakers above the bar in the ceiling or in the walls etc, but the problem is that it’s more work, you often have to pay someone to install those, and once they’re in, they are a pain to deal with if they aren’t living up to your standards. In addition, they usually get placed in a place that is less than optimum for watching sports or dancing and people’s conversations start getting drowned out. Not to mention, I’ve heard from many people that once they are cranked up, they often sound like crap up in the ceiling for some reason.
I agree it’s cool to have built in sound, I’m not saying it’s not, but you just have to make sure you understand it’s limitations and better purpose. I think if you just want to have some lower level music playing in the background or just a bit of extra sound for watching sports at your bar, then it may be a perfect solution. Especially if space is a concern! You could also go with some kind of floor standing or bookshelf speakers in the front and then have the rear speakers in the ceiling. But still the ceiling speakers unless somewhat high end are likely to not perform as well.
So with all that being said, all I can really offer is the obvious…make sure you think through what you want and analyze your situation to the fullest, don’t be one of those people that just go with what you think is cool without really knowing how it will work!
Sound bars is suppose to simtalue the sound of a surround sound all in one position at the front. Personally it does not have the same sound effect as having the rear speaker placed to the side or rear of the listener, also the front left and right speakers are too close to distinguish the right or left. You have to check the sound bar itself, it they are powered or require an external amplifier or receiver. If they are not powered you can not just plug your tv to is and have sound. Go online to Home theater magazine and read reviews on sound bars. Hope this will help you out.