I want to get some sort of surround sound system for my TV/house but my wife refuses to let me get one. She says "When we have our own house" I can do whatever I want. I'm also a little limited in space as it is. The LCD/Plasma TV's have always been known to having "average" sounding speakers coming from the manufacturer. I noticed something I thought about getting as an alternative-Sound Bars to put under or around the TV area. I noticed it in a magazine the other day and thought that it might be a temporary solution to at least give me a little better sound until I get what I really want. I'm not sure where the pricing is, but it seems like some can be almost as expensive as a surround sound system, so that might be a deal breaker. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about this?

 

I have this:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665361523

It supports HDMI audio so only one connection between this and your PS3/Blu Ray Player/Xbox 360. No optical cables needed. Get this at Wal-Mart for about $285. It's cheaper than the other sound bars and some require receivers as this one has everything in the sub and the IR is at the sound bar.

Here are some actual users' posts on it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1026566

I love mine. It does have some limitations but it's dirt cheap and it supports HDMI audio. That means you only have to switch inputs through the receiver and not on the TV. It's definitely better than TV speakers.

 

The ONLY speaker bar I would even consider is a Yamaha YSP series. The YSP-4000 offers HDMI Switching, Am/Fm/, XM, and over 40 speakers. It is pricey though. I do not think you will find any sound bar that completely replaces a true surround sound system. Also, depending on the TV that you get, the speakers may not be so bad. My LG plasma actually has incredible sound, but the newer LG sets are lacking in that department unfortunately. Pioneer plasmas have excellent sound for a flat panel tv, really just depends what you get. If I were you, and you have to wait a little while, I would just get a tv with decent sound, and worry about the sound later on when you get your own place.

 

I picked up the Samsung LN40A550, The speakers are "OK" to say the least...

At the same time, instead of the Sound Bar, I was thinking about a Home Theater in a Box.....Anyone have any HTIB's that aren't ridiculously expensive that I would be able to justify with my wife that we "just gotta have"?

 

What's the price range? There are Sony and Yamaha HTIB's for less than $500 and Onkyo ones for about $500 or a little more.

 

Under $500....the less the better-for now.

 

polk audio soundbars are real nice

 

The built-in speakers that my Sharp Aquos has sound pretty good IMHO. They work for 90% of my TV usage.

An LCD TV a friend of mine bought (some model Sony) has speakers that sound very "empty" if you know what I mean. The same with the Viszio my parents recently bought.

I have to agree that it depends on the TV.

 

Samsung AS720 is said to be pretty good. Check out avsforum for in the HTIB section. Sony came out with a few. If you go to sonystyle.com you'll see some that can be bought at retail stores for a little less.

 

http://www.6ave.com/shop/Product.aspx?sku=YAMYSP800S