Upgrade your big game experience with the right TV and soundbar

As we gear up for the big game, now is the perfect time to consider upgrading your entertainment system. A new TV and soundbar can transform your living room into a mini stadium, providing a near-live experience of the game.

But deciding which equipment to buy can feel more difficult than kicking a game-winning field goal.

How can you ensure your home entertainment setup fits you like a well-loved jersey? Here’s what to consider.

Finding the perfect TV

Before you buy a new TV, ask yourself some key questions. How much space do you have? What kind of display and resolution do you prefer? What will you be plugging in to your TV? Answering these questions can help you make an informed choice that suits your needs.

How much space do you have?

Determining the right size for your TV depends on where you plan to place it and how far away you'll be sitting.

For a living room TV, measure the distance in inches between your couch and where you plan to place your TV. Now divide that number by 1.4. This calculation will give you the minimum recommended TV size. If you’d rather not crunch the numbers, try this calculator instead.

Remember, TVs are measured diagonally from corner to corner. For example, a 65-inch TV is approximately 55 inches wide.

As a general guideline, for a medium-sized room, a screen size of 43-55 inches should work well. If it fits your budget, bigger might be better, especially if you plan to have guests over to cheer on your favorite team. TVs 65 inches and larger have emerged as the most popular sizes in the last few years.

If you have an entertainment center that you plan to keep using, make sure there is at least an inch of space on the sides and top of the TV cavity to ensure proper ventilation.

What resolution do you need?

Resolution defines the number of pixels displayed on a screen. Also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD), 4K resolution is quickly becoming the standard for TVs. These state-of-the-art displays offer four times the number of pixels compared to standard 1080p resolution TVs.

For most viewers, 4K TVs offer more than enough detail to meet their viewing needs. Something to consider is that not all content is available in 4K. Popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Max do offer a selection of titles in 4K.

While 8K TVs are now available (and offer four times the number of pixels of 4K models), they are currently incredibly expensive. And there's not much 8K content available to watch.

What kind of display features do you want?

Resolution isn't the only player in the TV display game. Lighting also plays a crucial role. Different TVs use different methods to illuminate their pictures.

If you're looking for unparalleled picture quality, OLED TVs are widely regarded as the top choice. Unlike conventional TVs that use a backlight behind the pixels, OLED TVs use over 8 million pixels that emit their own light. This results in deep blacks and stunning contrast.

It's important to note that OLED TVs come with a higher price tag. For a more budget-friendly option, LED and LCD TVs can provide impressive performance.

It's also worth mentioning that many 4K TVs support HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology, which enhances contrast and color accuracy.

What will you be plugging into your TV?

Consider the soundbar and other devices you plan to use. How many game consoles, Blu-ray players, and other devices do you intend to connect? Ensure your new TV has enough HDMI ports to accommodate everything you need. Most TVs have three HDMI inputs, an optical audio output, and built-in internet connectivity. For the soundbar, make sure your TV has an ARC (Audio Return Channel) HDMI port. ARC connects your TV and audio system with one high-speed HDMI cable.

If you're an avid gamer, the latest HDMI 2.1 standard is particularly beneficial. It maximizes graphics capabilities by enabling super-low-latency streams at 4K resolution. Features such as 4K/120Hz and variable refresh rate can significantly enhance gameplay when paired with next-generation consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X.

When you buy your TV, don't forget to buy new HDMI cables. Keep in mind that cable quality doesn’t vary significantly, regardless of price.

Enhancing sound with a soundbar

As TVs continue to get thinner, their built-in speakers often lack depth in sound. That's where soundbars come in. They can significantly enhance your TV viewing experience and are a cost-effective alternative to home theater speakers and AV receivers. With few exceptions, the soundbar you choose will work with your TV.

Which size should you get?

Soundbars are designed to be positioned in front of the TV. Most are less than two inches tall, so they're not likely to obstruct the screen. Just like with your TV, the size of your soundbar matters. Larger soundboards often offer bigger sound. Generally, however, the soundbar's width shouldn't exceed the width of your TV. Soundbars are sometimes designed to match the width of certain TV models, so after you pick your TV, find out its width and choose the appropriate soundbar.

Whether you choose to wall-mount it or place it in front of your TV, make sure it complements the design of your space.

Which connection do you need?

Your TV will need an ARC HDMI port, which is the most common input on modern soundbars. Ideally, your soundbar should offer multiple HDMI ports, allowing direct connections of AV sources instead of routing them through the TV. This not only simplifies the setup process but also enhances convenience and flexibility.

Will you want to stream music?

With wireless streaming, you can play music on your soundbar from a variety of sources, such as Spotify on your phone. The two primary ways to stream are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Many soundbars come with Bluetooth so you can listen to your music when the TV is off.

Is upgrading a smart play for you?

Whether you're on a tight budget or ready to splurge, there's likely a TV and soundbar out there for you. Are you ready to go big for the big game with an upgraded entertainment system?

Be sure to check out the TV schedule for Super Bowl weekend to make sure you don't miss any of the extensive coverage across different channels.

Snap Finance can help

If less-than-perfect credit is keeping you from getting what you need now, Snap Finance can help. Snap-branded products include loan options and lease-to-own financing for all credit types.(1)

Snap-branded product offering includes retail installment contracts and lease-to-own financing. Some product offerings are not available in all states or store locations.

Some restrictions on leasable electronics may apply. See merchant for exclusions.

(1) Not all applicants are approved. While no credit history is required, Snap obtains information from consumer reporting agencies in connection with submitted applications, and your score with those agencies may be affected.