Soundbars which are designed to enhance a TV sound experience have in the past struggled to get traction in Australia are suddenly a big hit with worldwide shipments doubling in 2011 to 2.5 million units.Ideal for watching football or when space is limited, soundbars deliver excellent sound and can accomodate up to 48 small speakers in one unit.
Futuresource Consulting said in a new report that “Vendors and retailers alike have vigorously promoted soundbars to the consumer, and premium TV brands have benefited from bundling TV sets and soundbars, often at a discount,”.
 |
| Yamaha Soundbar with cover off |
In the mid-2000s, Futuresource added, “soundbars were targeted at relatively high-end consumers who did not have the space for complete home-theater systems, which are also associated with multiple speakers and wires, but who wanted good quality sound.” As flat-panel TV market boomed, however, the “sound quality of some TV sets has been compromised,” and as a result, suppliers expanded the soundbar market by targeting new models to people “who are not interested enough in audio to purchase a home theater but who believe that the sound of their TV would benefit from a little extra investment.”
