Talk to me about Sound Bars
#1
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Talk to me about Sound Bars
Moving in the next month to a house we are renting. Unfortunately it's not pre-wired for surround sound like our current place was and I'm not sure I want to go through the hassle of wiring it.
So I'm looking t soundbars to match with my 60" LG. Is there any benefit to powering one through a receiver?
What should I be looking for?
Also, I'd like something for the 55" samsung in the bedroom, but something without a sub...any rec's for that?
So I'm looking t soundbars to match with my 60" LG. Is there any benefit to powering one through a receiver?
What should I be looking for?
Also, I'd like something for the 55" samsung in the bedroom, but something without a sub...any rec's for that?
#3
Team Owner
If I were in the market I would get a MartinLogan Motion Vision. It does not come with a sub woofer but one can be added. Find a local dealer and take a listen. You can probably get it cheaper from a dealer than what Amazon has listed. If your local dealer won't budge on price then give AVS Science a call.
http://www.martinlogan.com/motionSer...s/soundbar.php
I'm not really a fan of soundbars, the cheap ones sound exactly that. The only advantage to using a receiver with a soundbar IMO is if you need to connect a lot of devices.
http://www.martinlogan.com/motionSer...s/soundbar.php
I'm not really a fan of soundbars, the cheap ones sound exactly that. The only advantage to using a receiver with a soundbar IMO is if you need to connect a lot of devices.
Last edited by doopstr; 12-23-2013 at 12:28 PM.
#4
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Cheap ones meaning $150 or less?
Our Panny VT came with a Panny sound bar. And I won't lie, I thought it was very good. Light years better than the TV itself. It was like one of the $250 models with a wireless sub.
And I think most will. The downside really comes into play when the room it's in gets bigger. They just don't pump out enough dB.
Our Panny VT came with a Panny sound bar. And I won't lie, I thought it was very good. Light years better than the TV itself. It was like one of the $250 models with a wireless sub.
And I think most will. The downside really comes into play when the room it's in gets bigger. They just don't pump out enough dB.
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#6
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Not a big fan of soundbars, but my buddy is very happy with his samsung sound bar, comes with wireless sub, and bluetooth
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I am looking for a sound bar for our bedroom....
The TV is not bad but watching movies on it is not fun since the sound quality is not as good (i think 2x10W down firing speakers)....
I am looking for a sound bar for our bedroom....
The TV is not bad but watching movies on it is not fun since the sound quality is not as good (i think 2x10W down firing speakers)....
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swoosh (12-23-2013)
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This was just updated 4 days ago...
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-sound-bars/
and
Is what we have on the TV in the basement. I am more than pleased with it and as you can see the newer models probably put it to shame.
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-sound-bars/
and
Amazon.com: Panasonic SC-HTB520 2.1-Channel SoundBar Speaker System with Wireless Kelton Subwoofer (2011 Model): Electronics
Is what we have on the TV in the basement. I am more than pleased with it and as you can see the newer models probably put it to shame.
Last edited by maharajamd; 12-23-2013 at 02:14 PM.
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swoosh (12-23-2013)
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Justin, yeah I dont wanna spend 500 bucks....something around 150-200...
i might check something around 250+ and wait for a deal LOL....
Thanks for the link Chad...
i might check something around 250+ and wait for a deal LOL....
Thanks for the link Chad...
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No problem boss.
#13
Suzuka Master
Thats a shame on the budget. The only one on the market I will sell currently is the Sonos Playbar + Sonos Sub. Sounds way better than the other crap on the market, actually has some minor adjustments, adds the Sonos infrastructure, and can easily expand into a full surround sound system if desired down the road with a pair of Play:1's or Play:3's (and word is they will be adding the ability to use a Connect:amp with traditional speakers as rears at some point soon).
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^^^ I was thinking about the Sonos bar for the patio since its wireless....
but for a home theater since we have everything prewired, makes no sense spending a lot of money on wireless speakers...while building we spend coin on prewiring...
for the bedroom as well, since there is the attic on top am thinking of wiring in the home theater but wanted to have my options....I dont really want to wake up the wifey while am watching a movie....i rather just have a sound bar with a little more oomph, clarity and surround sound illusion...
wireless speakers are a great idea but my old TV is wireless courtesy Google ChromeCast and the new Samsung is a smart TV with built in wifi....so I can play whatever I want where ever I want wirelessly...
but for a home theater since we have everything prewired, makes no sense spending a lot of money on wireless speakers...while building we spend coin on prewiring...
for the bedroom as well, since there is the attic on top am thinking of wiring in the home theater but wanted to have my options....I dont really want to wake up the wifey while am watching a movie....i rather just have a sound bar with a little more oomph, clarity and surround sound illusion...
wireless speakers are a great idea but my old TV is wireless courtesy Google ChromeCast and the new Samsung is a smart TV with built in wifi....so I can play whatever I want where ever I want wirelessly...
#15
Suzuka Master
^^^ I was thinking about the Sonos bar for the patio since its wireless....
but for a home theater since we have everything prewired, makes no sense spending a lot of money on wireless speakers...while building we spend coin on prewiring...
for the bedroom as well, since there is the attic on top am thinking of wiring in the home theater but wanted to have my options....I dont really want to wake up the wifey while am watching a movie....i rather just have a sound bar with a little more oomph, clarity and surround sound illusion...
wireless speakers are a great idea but my old TV is wireless courtesy Google ChromeCast and the new Samsung is a smart TV with built in wifi....so I can play whatever I want where ever I want wirelessly...
but for a home theater since we have everything prewired, makes no sense spending a lot of money on wireless speakers...while building we spend coin on prewiring...
for the bedroom as well, since there is the attic on top am thinking of wiring in the home theater but wanted to have my options....I dont really want to wake up the wifey while am watching a movie....i rather just have a sound bar with a little more oomph, clarity and surround sound illusion...
wireless speakers are a great idea but my old TV is wireless courtesy Google ChromeCast and the new Samsung is a smart TV with built in wifi....so I can play whatever I want where ever I want wirelessly...
#16
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They aren't all crap. You being an audiophile you'd probably say my home theater setup is crap.
But to 98% of the people out there a $200 sound bar is going to sound amazing compared to the TV itself.
But to 98% of the people out there a $200 sound bar is going to sound amazing compared to the TV itself.
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#17
Suzuka Master
I've been doing this long enough to know how most people interpret sound. Loud and heavy on the bass sounds good to most people. That's what most of these soundbars offer. Sound quality is thrown out the window for sound quantity.
I don't know what your home theater setup is so I can't say if its crap
#18
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That Sonos bar is $700. I can't fathom paying that for a sound bar. If you require that good of sound, you aren't or shouldn't be, looking at sound bars. So it's a different market.
Not that my experience compares to yours but I would have no problem recommending a $200-$300 sound bar. Especially for say the bedroom like Anil needs.
That older, came in a package, bar I had worked great. And I never felt it was "unbalanced". Trebles were clear and it actually had bass unlike the TV itself. In our apartment it was more than enough to please me. Once we got the house though, and a much larger TV room, it was not good enough.
I'm currently rocking Energy classics, an Energy M8 sub, and a Denon 1712. Which wasn't much more than that Sonos bar! Lol
Not that my experience compares to yours but I would have no problem recommending a $200-$300 sound bar. Especially for say the bedroom like Anil needs.
That older, came in a package, bar I had worked great. And I never felt it was "unbalanced". Trebles were clear and it actually had bass unlike the TV itself. In our apartment it was more than enough to please me. Once we got the house though, and a much larger TV room, it was not good enough.
I'm currently rocking Energy classics, an Energy M8 sub, and a Denon 1712. Which wasn't much more than that Sonos bar! Lol
#19
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That Sonos bar is $700. I can't fathom paying that for a sound bar. If you require that good of sound, you aren't or shouldn't be, looking at sound bars. So it's a different market.
Not that my experience compares to yours but I would have no problem recommending a $200-$300 sound bar. Especially for say the bedroom like Anil needs.
That older, came in a package, bar I had worked great. And I never felt it was "unbalanced". Trebles were clear and it actually had bass unlike the TV itself. In our apartment it was more than enough to please me. Once we got the house though, and a much larger TV room, it was not good enough.
I'm currently rocking Energy classics, an Energy M8 sub, and a Denon 1712. Which wasn't much more than that Sonos bar! Lol
Not that my experience compares to yours but I would have no problem recommending a $200-$300 sound bar. Especially for say the bedroom like Anil needs.
That older, came in a package, bar I had worked great. And I never felt it was "unbalanced". Trebles were clear and it actually had bass unlike the TV itself. In our apartment it was more than enough to please me. Once we got the house though, and a much larger TV room, it was not good enough.
I'm currently rocking Energy classics, an Energy M8 sub, and a Denon 1712. Which wasn't much more than that Sonos bar! Lol
fuq i need to enroll in English 104 and Debate 101
#20
Suzuka Master
That Sonos bar is $700. I can't fathom paying that for a sound bar. If you require that good of sound, you aren't or shouldn't be, looking at sound bars. So it's a different market.
Not that my experience compares to yours but I would have no problem recommending a $200-$300 sound bar. Especially for say the bedroom like Anil needs.
That older, came in a package, bar I had worked great. And I never felt it was "unbalanced". Trebles were clear and it actually had bass unlike the TV itself. In our apartment it was more than enough to please me. Once we got the house though, and a much larger TV room, it was not good enough.
I'm currently rocking Energy classics, an Energy M8 sub, and a Denon 1712. Which wasn't much more than that Sonos bar! Lol
Not that my experience compares to yours but I would have no problem recommending a $200-$300 sound bar. Especially for say the bedroom like Anil needs.
That older, came in a package, bar I had worked great. And I never felt it was "unbalanced". Trebles were clear and it actually had bass unlike the TV itself. In our apartment it was more than enough to please me. Once we got the house though, and a much larger TV room, it was not good enough.
I'm currently rocking Energy classics, an Energy M8 sub, and a Denon 1712. Which wasn't much more than that Sonos bar! Lol
I was never a fan of soundbars, but I have been able to provide far better sound than I ever was able to in the past in certain situations that were simply impossible with conventional systems and no other soundbar could match the performance and features of the Sonos playbar. But we differ greatly on what we believe to be a decent system, if you believe a full surround sound in the $700 range is a decent system. I've heard many and our beginning systems start at around $3000 and that is a bare bones system. So as I said to each his own.
#21
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^^^ brother we are not denying what you are saying but I think you are missing the point....
I think most of us think of a sound bar to slightly improve the quality of sound from our TV's and easy solution for that....like I have a Bose sound dock in my garage....its a simple solution to getting music in my garage....no point wiring a 7.1 sound system in there....
in the end (just like buying a car) depends on the budget and what you need....if you have a budget of $1000, then I would suggest go with top of the line....if you want an SUV and have a budget of 100K, why stop at an MDX or X5....Cayenne or X5M it is !!!
I think most of us think of a sound bar to slightly improve the quality of sound from our TV's and easy solution for that....like I have a Bose sound dock in my garage....its a simple solution to getting music in my garage....no point wiring a 7.1 sound system in there....
in the end (just like buying a car) depends on the budget and what you need....if you have a budget of $1000, then I would suggest go with top of the line....if you want an SUV and have a budget of 100K, why stop at an MDX or X5....Cayenne or X5M it is !!!
#22
teh Senior Instigator
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thought I had responded to this thread but I guess not. I'm looking to stay in the $300 range. THis is just a temporary solution until we buy a place and I wire it up.
#23
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So I'd probably go with the Pioneer unit that CNET recommends. It's right at $300. Looks powerful, BT streaming...
Or save money and go a step below. Like one of the Vizio models. Which are still rated pretty high.
Or save money and go a step below. Like one of the Vizio models. Which are still rated pretty high.
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^That's a nice looking setup
#25
Suzuka Master
^^^ brother we are not denying what you are saying but I think you are missing the point....
I think most of us think of a sound bar to slightly improve the quality of sound from our TV's and easy solution for that....like I have a Bose sound dock in my garage....its a simple solution to getting music in my garage....no point wiring a 7.1 sound system in there....
in the end (just like buying a car) depends on the budget and what you need....if you have a budget of $1000, then I would suggest go with top of the line....if you want an SUV and have a budget of 100K, why stop at an MDX or X5....Cayenne or X5M it is !!!
I think most of us think of a sound bar to slightly improve the quality of sound from our TV's and easy solution for that....like I have a Bose sound dock in my garage....its a simple solution to getting music in my garage....no point wiring a 7.1 sound system in there....
in the end (just like buying a car) depends on the budget and what you need....if you have a budget of $1000, then I would suggest go with top of the line....if you want an SUV and have a budget of 100K, why stop at an MDX or X5....Cayenne or X5M it is !!!
#26
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
Reviving this thread since I'm considering re-doing my setup.
Background: I used to have a townhouse with a room dedicated to TV/music. Gear is A/V Receiver, Polk Monitor 50s for L/R, Polk PSW10 sub, and old H/K center and surround speakers that've been rockin' just fine since 2001.
Now I'm in a condo in the city that's 1/2 the size of my old place and all the stuff in the living room, with a Rocketfish handling the rear sound since there's no easy way to wire this place up. The floor-standing speakers and the sub are taking up valuable space.
I've been checking out soundbars but can't help but think I'll really miss those surrounds if they're gone. The only thing close to what I think I want is the Vizio S4251w-B4, but it's Vizio and I can't help but think I'll be disappointed (esp. with the 6" sub).
Anyone know of alternatives with wireless surrounds? I think I'm basically looking for a compact setup up front and wireless surrounds.
Background: I used to have a townhouse with a room dedicated to TV/music. Gear is A/V Receiver, Polk Monitor 50s for L/R, Polk PSW10 sub, and old H/K center and surround speakers that've been rockin' just fine since 2001.
Now I'm in a condo in the city that's 1/2 the size of my old place and all the stuff in the living room, with a Rocketfish handling the rear sound since there's no easy way to wire this place up. The floor-standing speakers and the sub are taking up valuable space.
I've been checking out soundbars but can't help but think I'll really miss those surrounds if they're gone. The only thing close to what I think I want is the Vizio S4251w-B4, but it's Vizio and I can't help but think I'll be disappointed (esp. with the 6" sub).
Anyone know of alternatives with wireless surrounds? I think I'm basically looking for a compact setup up front and wireless surrounds.
#27
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Reviving this thread since I'm considering re-doing my setup.
Background: I used to have a townhouse with a room dedicated to TV/music. Gear is A/V Receiver, Polk Monitor 50s for L/R, Polk PSW10 sub, and old H/K center and surround speakers that've been rockin' just fine since 2001.
Now I'm in a condo in the city that's 1/2 the size of my old place and all the stuff in the living room, with a Rocketfish handling the rear sound since there's no easy way to wire this place up. The floor-standing speakers and the sub are taking up valuable space.
I've been checking out soundbars but can't help but think I'll really miss those surrounds if they're gone. The only thing close to what I think I want is the Vizio S4251w-B4, but it's Vizio and I can't help but think I'll be disappointed (esp. with the 6" sub).
Anyone know of alternatives with wireless surrounds? I think I'm basically looking for a compact setup up front and wireless surrounds.
Background: I used to have a townhouse with a room dedicated to TV/music. Gear is A/V Receiver, Polk Monitor 50s for L/R, Polk PSW10 sub, and old H/K center and surround speakers that've been rockin' just fine since 2001.
Now I'm in a condo in the city that's 1/2 the size of my old place and all the stuff in the living room, with a Rocketfish handling the rear sound since there's no easy way to wire this place up. The floor-standing speakers and the sub are taking up valuable space.
I've been checking out soundbars but can't help but think I'll really miss those surrounds if they're gone. The only thing close to what I think I want is the Vizio S4251w-B4, but it's Vizio and I can't help but think I'll be disappointed (esp. with the 6" sub).
Anyone know of alternatives with wireless surrounds? I think I'm basically looking for a compact setup up front and wireless surrounds.
#28
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when you say rocketfish...are you talking the $99 wireless rear speaker set up?
How do you like it, work well?
Thinking about doing this.
How do you like it, work well?
Thinking about doing this.
#29
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
My Samsung setup is pretty compact, 5.1 wireless surrounds, literally takes up no space other than on my TV stand (speakers on side of TV, mounted the center above, and the sub fits on the bottom, and the rears are on shelves I already had) HT-F6500, I got it for about $400 last year, no issues with it, sounds great. It's not the bassiest system is good all around and a simple set up.
This is one of the reasons I was hoping for something newer/better.
#30
Team Owner
Got this off ebay for $300 shipped, no taxes. I like Sony soundbars since they have 3 HDMI connections for my PS3, laptop, and if I get a Chromecast/Roku/Cable sub another. They support DTS-HD/TrueHD codecs. The bluetooth with my phone sounds great with the wireless sub. It's loud for my condo as I've had security called on me
#31
Q('.')=O
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Another bump.
Also looking for a soundbar, but it is a small room so no need for a big, expensive setup. The tv just doesn't cut it and as said above, any difference will be noticeably better than just the tv.
The tv is in an armoire and there really isn't much space at all left in it, just enough to put a soundbar in front of the tv. And no separate sub or speakers because it would have to be outside the armoire and the gf would get anal about it cus it doesn't look nice and neat and would clutter the room lol.
Just need to make sure it feeds the tv, roku 3 and dvd player. I'm not sure how many hdmi outlets are left available on each thing so wireless would be an option.
Also looking for a soundbar, but it is a small room so no need for a big, expensive setup. The tv just doesn't cut it and as said above, any difference will be noticeably better than just the tv.
The tv is in an armoire and there really isn't much space at all left in it, just enough to put a soundbar in front of the tv. And no separate sub or speakers because it would have to be outside the armoire and the gf would get anal about it cus it doesn't look nice and neat and would clutter the room lol.
Just need to make sure it feeds the tv, roku 3 and dvd player. I'm not sure how many hdmi outlets are left available on each thing so wireless would be an option.
#32
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Another bump.
Also looking for a soundbar, but it is a small room so no need for a big, expensive setup. The tv just doesn't cut it and as said above, any difference will be noticeably better than just the tv.
The tv is in an armoire and there really isn't much space at all left in it, just enough to put a soundbar in front of the tv. And no separate sub or speakers because it would have to be outside the armoire and the gf would get anal about it cus it doesn't look nice and neat and would clutter the room lol.
Just need to make sure it feeds the tv, roku 3 and dvd player. I'm not sure how many hdmi outlets are left available on each thing so wireless would be an option.
Also looking for a soundbar, but it is a small room so no need for a big, expensive setup. The tv just doesn't cut it and as said above, any difference will be noticeably better than just the tv.
The tv is in an armoire and there really isn't much space at all left in it, just enough to put a soundbar in front of the tv. And no separate sub or speakers because it would have to be outside the armoire and the gf would get anal about it cus it doesn't look nice and neat and would clutter the room lol.
Just need to make sure it feeds the tv, roku 3 and dvd player. I'm not sure how many hdmi outlets are left available on each thing so wireless would be an option.
As for the feeds, you'll likely connect the soundbar via an ARC HDMI or optical to the TV. Everything else connects to the TV then routes audio out to the soundbar...
#33
Q('.')=O
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Well most subwoofers that come with soundbars are wireless. You could stash it right next to or behind your seating area. It'd look clean and give quite a boost in sound.
As for the feeds, you'll likely connect the soundbar via an ARC HDMI or optical to the TV. Everything else connects to the TV then routes audio out to the soundbar...
As for the feeds, you'll likely connect the soundbar via an ARC HDMI or optical to the TV. Everything else connects to the TV then routes audio out to the soundbar...
Seems easy enough.
#34
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^Very easy.
#35
Q('.')=O
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I think I'm going to go with this Yamaha sound bar and sub: Yamaha YAS-203 review - CNET
I went to 2 Fry's stores but they were out at both locations, and it's a shame because they were on sale for $299. Oh well, I found some on ebay for more than $50 cheaper than amazon and other places selling it.
I went to 2 Fry's stores but they were out at both locations, and it's a shame because they were on sale for $299. Oh well, I found some on ebay for more than $50 cheaper than amazon and other places selling it.
#36
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DTS decoding
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