Can You Put a Soundbar on the Floor?
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Soundbars are a good mix of excellent sound and small size, which works for most homes. But when it comes to soundbar placement, could you put it on the floor?
You can put a soundbar on the floor. It’s one of the most common placements for this device, especially under the TV, as it provides better sound quality. Ideally, you’d want to keep small children and pets away from it to avoid damage.
Soundbar placement can be really important to the quality of sound, which means that you need to think carefully about where you want to put it. A floor is a good option, but it depends where exactly on the floor you put it. So, if you want to know more, read on.
Also read: How to Connect a Soundbar to a Receiver
Why is it a Good Idea to Put a Soundbar on the Floor?
The floor placement of the soundbar is probably the most popular one. This is true for several reasons.
For one, it’s convenient. You can simply purchase the soundbar, connect it to your TV or any other device you want to connect it with, and put it on the floor without thinking much about it. You won’t have to worry about mounting it.
But, floor placement isn’t just great because of the convenience. It’s also a good placement for the best sound quality. Of course, as long as it’s close to the TV. The sound should be reaching you directly this way.
You may want to consider the placement of your TV before putting the soundbar on the floor. If the TV is too high, the floor placement may not be ideal. Aesthetically, the floor placement may also not be ideal for you. Take all of this into consideration before deciding on where to place your soundbar.
As mentioned, you should also take into account whether you have small children or pets. Soundbars are sturdy, but if your child or pet keeps tampering with them, pushing them, kicking them, or spilling things on them, they won’t last that long. Considering that they are not the cheapest audio devices, you might want to raise them off the floor in this case.
Adults spill too, so if you host parties in the same room where the soundbar is, you should consider taking the soundbar off the floor, even if it is just for the duration of said party or gathering. This way, you will ensure that nothing gets spilled on your soundbar and that it can last a very long time.
Where on the Floor Should Your Soundbar Be?
Now, after you decide that you want your soundbar on the floor, it’s time to decide where on the floor your soundbar should be. Certain areas work better than others.
For example, it would be a good idea to place your soundbar directly under the TV on the floor as the sound would be great. However, it would be a bad idea to place your soundbar on the floor behind the couch or in a similar area where the soundbar would be far from the TV and the sound worse as a result.
You want to place the soundbar in an area with as little interruption to the flow of the sound as possible. Any objects, walls, or devices other than your TV could block the sound and make it worse than it actually is. Some people believe that a good choice is to hide the soundbar behind the TV on the floor, but this will just disrupt the sound and make things worse for you.
The best way to know where the sound will be best for you and your needs is to test this out. Move the soundbar around until you find a location you think is suitable.
Consider raising the soundbar as well, even if it’s only to a low TV stand shelf. This could also improve the sound. Some people don’t like the floor placement of the soundbars as the sound needs to bounce off the walls to create that special effect, and it can’t do so if it’s on the floor.
There’s also a general recommendation for people to place the soundbars on the ear-level as that provides the best effect.
So, just make sure that you figure out what works for your room and you.
Also read: Passive Soundbars Explained (With Pros and Cons)
Other Soundbar Placements to Consider
Other than placing your soundbar on the floor, you have several other options you can consider.
Mounted on the Wall
This option requires a bit more work, but it can be a good idea if your TV is also mounted and especially if it’s mounted high off the floor. In this case, you can easily achieve that perfect ear-level and get a good sound quality.
Mounting is a good idea when you want to save some space and achieve that clean, minimalistic effect. It’s also a popular option.
You can mount your soundbar on top of the TV or below the TV. People choose different settings based on the look of their room, TV, and the effect they want to achieve. If your TV is mounted low, close to the floor, then you might want to place the soundbar on top of your TV.
Keep in mind that your TV should not be far from the soundbar. Anything more than three inches could prove fatal for your sound quality as the sound might lag behind the video. The placement above the TV can also look strange sometimes, so you might want to think about how it fits into your room aesthetically.
If your TV is placed high on the wall, then you might want to mount the soundbar under it. Again, remember that it shouldn’t be too far from the TV.
When mounting, make sure that everything is attached properly. You don’t want your soundbar to fall down and break. And even though the soundbar may look a bit like a shelf, remember not to put anything on it since it may interfere with the sound quality.
Shelf Under the TV
One of the most logical places to place your soundbar is below the TV on the shelf. This is a good idea if your TV is on a TV stand of its own or if it’s mounted, but you have a shelf underneath. As long as it’s not too far from the TV, it could be a good choice.
Remember that any decorations or other AV devices could harm the quality of sound, so keep the space around the soundbar clean.
Bad Spots for Your Soundbar
Just like there are good spots for your soundbar, there are some spots where a soundbar shouldn’t be placed. One of the worst spots would be behind or under the couch. This will negatively impact the quality of the sound, and if it’s too far from the TV, you might not even be able to connect it properly.
If you are considering hiding your soundbar behind some other object or within a closed shelf, this is also a bad idea as the sound will be bad, and you won’t be able to connect the soundbar to the TV.
If you are getting a subwoofer to go with your soundbar, this could alter your placement decision as well, so consider a placement that would fit all of your audio equipment properly.
Also read: 6 Best Soundbars with Headphone Jacks
Conclusion
Soundbar placement is crucial to the quality of sound. Placing your soundbar on the floor is a good idea, as long as it’s close to the TV and not disrupted by any objects or devices on it or around it.
Consider mounting if you have small children or pets. But, if you think that you can keep it safe while still keeping it on the floor, it can definitely work and provide good sound quality.
