Home theatre systems are best for audio quality and immersive sound performance, while soundbars are sleek and easy to install in small spaces. The choice between a soundbar and a home theatre system depends on your budget, listening preferences, and the exact space available in the room. A soundbar is a long and rectangular speaker with some models having an inbuilt subwoofer too, and has a budget-friendly price along with low space usage, which is perfect for enhancing your TV audio. On the other hand, a home theatre system usually includes front and rear speakers along with a soundbar and subwoofer, depending on the channel configuration, so it is better for movies and gaming. Choose the best audio system for your gadget zone based on your sound preferences and budget from top brands like Sony, Samsung, JBL, Boat, and more.
Soundbar Vs Home Theatre: Which Is Better for Small Spaces?
A soundbar has a sleek design and is more convenient and affordable, while a home theatre system is better for a loud and immersive audio experience, even in small rooms.

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Top Four Products
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JBL Cinema SB510 Dolby Audio Soundbar
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The JBL Cinema SB510 is a top-rated soundbar that comes with a built-in subwoofer as well. This Dolby Audio soundbar with subwoofer is a budget-friendly option and offers a sleek design to fit in small spaces easily. Offering an easy-to-set-up speaker system, this soundbar comes with one cable HDMI ARC connection for all your devices and also supports wireless music streaming through high-speed Bluetooth connectivity. This soundbar for TV comes with a dedicated centre channel for clear movie and show dialogues. Equipped with a 3.1 ch system, this compact sound system for small rooms has 3 drivers along with an inbuilt subwoofer for deep bass and impactful sound output.
Specifications:
- Model Name: JBL SB510
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 200 Watts
- Frequency Response: 20 KHz
- Subwoofer Diameter: 12 Inches
- Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
- Audio Output Mode: Surround
- Dimensions: 10.5D x 95W x 6.7H cm
- Weight: 5 kg
Pros:
- Dolby Audio
- Built-in subwoofer
- Versatile connectivity options
Cons:
- Average UI
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Samsung Soundbar (HW-C45E/XL) 2.1 Channel
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Experience impressive sound output on a budget with the Samsung soundbar under 10000 rupees only. This budget-friendly sound bar offers a loud and impactful audio performance with 300 watts output along with a wireless subwoofer system. Offering a 2.1ch configuration for a simple setup in small rooms and apartments, it comes with 3 speaker drivers in the soundbar and also support Dolby digital enhancement for better audio clarity. You can connect this 2.1 ch soundbar for TV and other devices as it comes with versatile options including USB music playback, Optical input, high-speed Bluetooth, and more. Its adaptive sound modes adjust the audio based on the content from bass boost, game, adaptive lite, standard, DTS Virtual:X, and more.
Specifications:
- Model Name: HW-C45E/XL
- Audio Output Mode: Surround
- Battery Life: 72 Hours
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 300 Watts
- Surround Sound Channel Configuration: 2.1
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz
- Dimensions: 7.5D x 85.9W x 5.9H cm
- Weight: 1.4 Kg
Pros:
- Surround sound expansion
- One remote control
- Adaptive sound technology with bass boost
Cons:
- No major cons
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boAt Aavante 5.1 5000DA Home Theatre Soundbar Speaker
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The Boat Aavante 5.1ch home theatre system is one of the top-rated options for clear and room-filling audio without spending hefty amounts. This Dolby Atmos home theatre system offers a loud and powerful 5000W output from soundbar, subwoofer, and rear satellites as well. Its dual center channels on the soundbar offer voice clarity for a great entertainment experience for movies, shows, and news as well. Experience seamless connectivity as this home theatre comes with HDMI, USB, AUX, Optical, eARC, and high-speed Bluetooth connectivity as well. To suit the type of content from new, music, movies, games, etc, this Boat home audio system for small spaces offers multiple EQ modes that can be controlled easily from the master remote.
Specifications:
- Model Name: HA0091
- Surround Sound Channel Configuration: 5.1
- Speaker Type: Soundbar
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 500 Watts
- Dimensions: 87D x 10W x 6H cm
- Weight: 7 kg 700 g
Pros:
- Multi-compatibility options
- 3 EQ modes
- Dual centre channels for voice clarity
Cons:
- Average remote responsiveness speed
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Sony HT-S20R Real 5.1ch Home Theatre System
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Sony is a leading speaker brand in India and offers the top-rated and best-selling HT-S20R home theatre system that can fit in small to mid-sized rooms easily. This 5.1ch home theatre with Dolby Audio includes a 3-ch soundbar with two rear speakers and an external subwoofer that together create an immersive surround sound experience in your living room. You can feel every action and listen to each dialogue with clarity with its 400W power output along and a cinematic audio performance that engulfs you with both front and rear speaker setup. Easily create a perfect home audio setup as it comes with HDMI ARC, Optical, analogue, and USB connectivity options along with high-speed Bluetooth connectivity as well.
Specifications:
- Model Name: HT-S20R
- Subwoofer Diameter: 12 Inches
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 400 Watts
- Frequency Response: 0.01 Hz
- Dimensions: 8.6D x 76W x 5.2H cm
- Weight: 13 Kg
Pros:
- Supports USB plug-and-play
- Real surround sound technology from 5.1ch speakers
- Dolby Audio
Cons:
- No major cons
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Best Audio System: Soundbar Or Home Theatre
Here, let us look at the features of performance to understand which is best for audio experience in your small space, a soundbar or a home theatre system?
Feature |
Soundbar |
Home Theatre System |
Design |
Long, sleek, rectangular and minimalistic |
Has multiple components like speakers, soundbar, and subwoofer, either attached or built-in |
Space required |
Takes very little space and can be installed beneath the TV or on the table too |
Requires a dedicated installation space in your room |
Audio performance |
Clear with loud bass and dialogue clarity |
Immersive and theatre-like, with various channel configuration options |
Usage |
For enhancing TV audio, casual listening |
For a cinematic experience at home, perfect for movies and gaming |
Price |
Affordable |
Higher than a soundbar, but justified considering its impactful performance |
Read more: Panasonic Home Theatres
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Faq's
- How is a soundbar different from a home theatre system?+A soundbar has a small size and sleek design and is more affordable, while a home theatre system has multiple speakers and a subwoofer and is usually more expensive.
- Which is better, 2.1 or 5.1 ch speaker system?+The best home audio speaker type depends on your preferences, space, and budget, as a 2.1ch speaker system is more affordable and easy to install and takes less space, while a 5.1ch speaker system is slightly more expensive but offers a surround sound experience.
- Which speaker brand is best for home audio?+You can opt for some of the top speaker brands like Sony, Samsung, JBL, and Boat as these offer high-quality sound, reliable build, and powerful bass performance in their top-rated soundbars and home theatre systems to suit every home and budget.