speedemon90

So we're looking for a soundbar for our tv, and wondering if you guys have any suggestions.

Right now we bough a boston acoustics one at best buy, but as it sounds really great, it only has one optical input, which is coming straight from our tv right now. And i'm guessing since our tv outputs stereo sound we wont get surround sound like quality from the sound bar. Under my assumption sound would come better straight from the dvr/bluray player/xbox360.

Unless my tv has an output from the optical that isnt stereo? Going to find out if i can find that out somehow.
Here is our tv
55" Class (54.6" Diag.) 8000 Series 3D 1080p LED HDTV
Model #: UN55C8000XFXZA

and here is no sound bar we have right now


any help would be great!

2001AudiS4

Want to note for others that the TV is a Samsung (you did not mention this)

What is your price range? I am not a fan of feeding soundbars from the TV. In fact, I will typically go with a non powered bar coupled with a receiver.

With all this said, I have not heard any soundbar that will replicate the sound of a true surround sound system, and find it a pointless task of trying to find a bar that will. The closest I have found is the Yamaha YSP series, but these bars are larger and don't look all that great under a tv. Will you only have the bar or can you add speakers in the rear as well? If the answer is yes, than I would recommend the non powererd bar/receiver option for the best overall sound.

doopstr

Since you are using the optical connection I would assume that the TV is passing the entire digital stream and not just left/right?

2001AudiS4

Actually, most tv's will only output two channel stereo via the optical output.

doopstr

That's interesting. So most of these sound bars can't do what they claim without an external processor. Not that I would really expect a bar to produce surround sound anyway.

FWIW, MartinLogin just released one http://www.martinlogan.com/motionSer...s/soundbar.php only $1500.

2001AudiS4

Not directly from the TV. If you feed from the equipment it can. Of course they usually only have one or two optical inputs, and not all equipment has optical outputs. IMHO, they are not great options and only serve a purpose when there are no other options, such as a TV over a fireplace where you cannot run wires without cutting up the walls. If I cannot place LCR's, I will only use sound bars that are passive and attached to a receiver.

speedemon90

well this is gonna build up to a system eventually? I'm not sure, but our family room is really small and the way we have a tv set up the sound bar makes it look nicer, i'll post pics tomorrow.

Main thing is, my mom doesnt want anything bulky as speakers go (sound bar is ok cause there is room for it) because our room is so small. And with my bro and me going to college budget is also holding us from getting an actual system.

We want a sound bar for not too much more than $300. And also the ones with wireless subs are better cause we cant fit a sub near the tv.

I know sound bars wont replicate true surround sound, but i always thought some are able too throw sound in different directions.

And all our equipment has optical/hdmi outputs. So connecting straight from the device would probably be better like you said. We have three things: DVR, Blu-ray, and xbox360.

Other sound bars i was looking at have hdmi inputs to connect from equipment. Vizio seems to have some good options i think my dad wants to try that one.

speedemon90

so an update, looks like the sound bar didnt cut it haha

planning on getting a full surround sound system eventually

so far: denon receiver, two front speakers (forgot brand) and on B&W center speaker. Rear and sub to be added soon enough.

doopstr

FWIW my father in-law just got a Samsung HW-E450 Wireless AirTrack Sound Bar. Not bad for the price. I like that it came with an external wireless sub. I wish it had a grill to cover the speakers in the sound bar. It sounds pretty good. He is happy with it but I would want something with more punch.

speedemon90

haha forgot to update, but the soundbar wasnt enough for my dad....

Right now we have a 3 speaker setup +sub and soon enough whenever we find the rear speakers we want we will put it in.

We have two definitive tower speakers, B&W center, Polk Audio sub and a denon receiver.

EL_PIC

No Soundbar will ever equal even a cheap reciever setup.
I also have Denon 2112 + 3 channel Paradigm LRC speakers.
Prob will add Sub but the 4,5,6,7 channel background speakers seem not necessary to me.
They say 80% of your sound comes fro the 3 channel setup.
Would like to hear from others who went 4 5 6 7 setup...

2001AudiS4

That is not entirely a true statement. A soundbar and a receiver are two separate things. If you are talking about a all in one powered soundbar, in most cases, you are correct. I would probably take a Yamaha YSP soundbar over a crappy receiver. I can put together a system with a Episode Soundbar priced moderately, along with a Yamaha Aventage receiver and blow away most peoples setups with their inexpensive and cheap home theater in a box with small plastic speakers.

As far as rear speakers go, it depends what you listen to or watch. If you watch a lot of movies, or if you are a gamer, then the rears are a must IMHO. If you want to be in the action, get the rears. If you simply want sound better than the TV speakers, then you can keep it in the front. To me, it seems like a waste to go to the lengths of installing front speakers, a center, and a sub and not get the rears as well. It's like buying a brand new sports car, but deciding you will not buy gas.

Dem1K

iTrader: (1)

I have a Yamaha YSP-2200, and must say that it does a phenomenal job for being what it is...

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

We got a package deal with our TV and it came with the Panasonic HTB-350. For what it is it puts out outstanding audio.

In our apartment the sound was too much. Once we got this house and put it in a much bigger room though it's not nearly enough. So the sound bar is going downstairs on the bar TV and we will be looking at 5.1, 7.1 systems black friday.

My point is, they can be very good. Just know that if it's going to be in a large room, don't expect to much of it.

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

We have a Vizo sound bar. It does the job.

khannie112

Onkyo has some nice low cost surround sound systems that include the receiver and speakers.

They start at around $300 and I can't complain about the sound for that price. I've got it in my living room and even my buddy who has $800 speakers and a $600 receiver says it sounds pretty good.

ONKYO HT-S3500 5.1-Channel Home Theater - this is the one that I have.

Oh - my living room is pretty small too so this really does the job quite well.

BlueAc

iTrader: (2)

I have that same soundbar and love it. However, I purchased it refurbished from accessories 4 less (authorized boston acoustics dealer) for a lot cheaper.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...bwoofer/1.html