Flat TVs have tiny speakers, and almost everyone notices it the first time they struggle to hear dialogue over a movie soundtrack. The fix is better sound, and the choice usually comes down to three options: a soundbar on its own, a soundbar with wireless rear speakers, or a full surround system with a receiver.
Quick answer: soundbar or surround sound?
A soundbar is best for bedrooms, small living rooms and condos: one box, one cable, much clearer dialogue. Add wireless rear speakers for a surround effect without running wires. Choose a full 5.1 or 7.1 surround system with a receiver for dedicated media rooms and basements, where true cinema sound is the goal.
- Connect over HDMI eARC so your TV remote controls the volume
- Speaker wire can usually run inside drywall walls and ceilings
The three options compared
| Feature | Soundbar | Soundbar + wireless rears | Full surround (5.1 / 7.1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces | 1 (sometimes + subwoofer) | 3 to 4 | 6 to 8 plus a receiver |
| Wiring | One HDMI cable | Power for each rear speaker | Speaker wire to every speaker |
| Sound | Clear dialogue, wide front | Adds rear effects | True cinema surround |
| Best rooms | Bedrooms, small living rooms | Living rooms, condos | Media rooms, basements |
| Setup | Simple | Moderate | Most involved |
Soundbars: the biggest upgrade for the least effort
A good soundbar improves dialogue more than anything else you can add to a TV. Many include a separate wireless subwoofer for bass. Mounted directly under a wall-mounted TV, centred and level, it looks like part of the TV.
Connection matters. Use the TV’s HDMI eARC (or ARC) port so the TV remote controls the soundbar’s volume and the soundbar turns on with the TV. Optical works too, but you lose some features and convenience.
Choose a soundbar if: you want clearer sound with minimal clutter, or the room is small.
Soundbar with wireless rears: surround without the wires
Many soundbars can pair with wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer. The rears still need power, so they need an outlet nearby, but there’s no speaker wire running across the room. It’s the most popular choice for condos and open living rooms.
Choose this if: you want rear effects for movies and games, but can’t or don’t want to run speaker wire.
Full surround sound: the cinema experience
A receiver powers separate front, centre, surround and sometimes rear and height speakers, plus a subwoofer. It’s the most immersive option and the most flexible: you can upgrade individual speakers over time, and in-wall or in-ceiling speakers keep the room clean.
The challenge is wiring. Each speaker needs a run of speaker wire back to the receiver. In drywall walls and ceilings, it can be fished inside so nothing shows. In a basement being finished, pre-wiring before drywall is the easiest time to do it.
Choose surround if: you have a dedicated media room or basement theater and want the full cinema effect. See our basement home theater planning guide.
Room size and layout
- Small rooms and bedrooms: a soundbar is plenty.
- Medium living rooms: a soundbar with a subwoofer, or with wireless rears.
- Large open-concept rooms: wireless rears help fill the space; full surround needs careful speaker placement around open sides.
- Basements and media rooms: full surround with in-ceiling speakers for the best result.
Tips for better sound in any setup
- Mount the soundbar centred under the screen, not on a shelf far below it.
- Put the subwoofer near a wall, but test a few spots; bass changes a lot with position.
- Run the soundbar or receiver’s room calibration if it has one.
- Turn on dialogue or voice enhancement if voices are hard to hear.
- Set the TV’s audio output to the soundbar or receiver and turn off the TV speakers.
Soundbar and surround FAQs
Is a soundbar as good as surround sound?
A good soundbar is excellent for dialogue and fills a small or medium room well, but a full surround system with separate speakers creates a more convincing cinema effect.
Can a soundbar be mounted on the wall under the TV?
Yes. It’s mounted on its own bracket or attached to the TV mount, centred under the screen, with the cables hidden behind the TV.
Do wireless surround speakers need power?
Yes. Wireless rear speakers and subwoofers still plug into an outlet; only the speaker wire is eliminated.
Can speaker wire be hidden inside the walls?
In most drywall walls and ceilings, yes. It’s fished through the wall to neat plates or terminals near each speaker.
Want it set up properly?
We mount soundbars, pair wireless rears and install full surround and in-ceiling speaker systems across Hamilton and the GTA, with the wiring hidden and the levels tuned to your room. See sound system installation or get a free quote.
