Anyone reluctantly buy a Sound Bar this holiday season?
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BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I tried a few years ago due to space. A Yamaha sound bar. Don't recall the model, but it was about $495 at Best Buy. Hooked it up, played with it for a while, and said, nope! Got to go back. Never considered one again.
Instead, I got some IKEA Shelving and custom cut it, and put the braces on them for bookshelf sized speaker shelves. Works really well and looks great!
Instead, I got some IKEA Shelving and custom cut it, and put the braces on them for bookshelf sized speaker shelves. Works really well and looks great!
janikphoto
Lunatic Member
I had a dream that someone bought that stuff for Christmas. Good thing I woke up, and realized it was only a dream!
They will be better than just the TV speakers, at least.
They will be better than just the TV speakers, at least.
gbroot
Super Member
I involved my wife on my Norman Labs grill cloth reburb. Now the WAF is fine. I learned a long time ago that the WAF on most anything involves her inclusion!
Incidently, what's a soundbar?
Just kidding!
I enthusiastically bought a UE Boombox which we use as a "sound bar" for the 24" LCD TV in our front room; it's behind the TV pointed up at the wall at a 45 degree angle. No fancy sound system wanted or needed, just good TV sound and the ability to Bluetooth Sirius radio from an IPad and stream ITunes.
Good tool for the job intended, it has nice tone and throws a spacious mono image, indeed, sometimes I listen to music from it rather than from my hi-fi.
Good tool for the job intended, it has nice tone and throws a spacious mono image, indeed, sometimes I listen to music from it rather than from my hi-fi.
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whoaru99
Epic Member
Been looking for something like a sound bar to use at my GFs place. The speakers in her LG TV are not very good at all.
That said, I've seen some used Bose Acoustimass systems for sale at a fraction of their original cost that peak my interest. Still more than she probably wants or needs, but I think we could compromise since the speakers are small.
That said, I've seen some used Bose Acoustimass systems for sale at a fraction of their original cost that peak my interest. Still more than she probably wants or needs, but I think we could compromise since the speakers are small.
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I was reading up on soundbars recently. The general concensus seems to be that the Yamaha is the best, although also the priciest. Reviews varied, but it didn't take many to detect a pattern. As with "Beats" headphones, the soundbards appeal to people with little or no experience of real hi-fi. They like the "spaciousness" of the sound. But if you're used to a good sound system, forget about it! 
I guess they "aim" and "bounce" some sound to create a pseudo-soundstage, but of course it can never be clear and precise when done that way.
If you don't care about sound quality, the sound bar had the advantage of being able to take multiple inputs (computer, internet streaming, DVD/Blu-ray player, etc....) if your television doesn't accept enough of them.
I remember when I visited relatives in the States a few years back. and they bought an HTIB, a pretty cruddy one. They asked me to help them "set it up", since they knew I was into audio. Wasn't much that could be done with it, and it was fairly idiot-proof, with color-coded connectors that could only go together one way. Worse than Bose, if you can believe that. I would have recommended a sound bar before those tacky little speakers, but they seemed quite pleased with their new "sound system"! I decided to not say too much. I did communicate a general sense of what I thought of it, but why overdo the negatives and possibly spoil their enjoyment of their new toy? As frustrating as it may be to those of us who do, it's worth remembering that not everyone really cares about sound quality.
I guess they "aim" and "bounce" some sound to create a pseudo-soundstage, but of course it can never be clear and precise when done that way. If you don't care about sound quality, the sound bar had the advantage of being able to take multiple inputs (computer, internet streaming, DVD/Blu-ray player, etc....) if your television doesn't accept enough of them.
I remember when I visited relatives in the States a few years back. and they bought an HTIB, a pretty cruddy one. They asked me to help them "set it up", since they knew I was into audio. Wasn't much that could be done with it, and it was fairly idiot-proof, with color-coded connectors that could only go together one way. Worse than Bose, if you can believe that. I would have recommended a sound bar before those tacky little speakers, but they seemed quite pleased with their new "sound system"! I decided to not say too much. I did communicate a general sense of what I thought of it, but why overdo the negatives and possibly spoil their enjoyment of their new toy? As frustrating as it may be to those of us who do, it's worth remembering that not everyone really cares about sound quality.
whoaru99
Epic Member
I was reading up on soundbars recently. The general concensus seems to be that the Yamaha is the best, although also the priciest. Reviews varied, but it didn't take many to detect a pattern. As with "Beats" headphones, the soundbards appeal to people with little or no experience of real hi-fi. They like the "spaciousness" of the sound. But if you're used to a good sound system, forget about it!
If you don't care about sound quality, the sound bar had the advantage of being able to take multiple inputs (computer, internet streaming, DVD/Blu-ray player, etc....) if your television doesn't accept enough of them.
I remember when I visited relatives in the States a few years back. and they bought an HTIB, a pretty cruddy one. They asked me to help them "set it up", since they knew I was into audio. Wasn't much that could be done with it, and it was fairly idiot-proof, with color-coded connectors that could only go together one way. Worse than Bose, if you can believe that. I would have recommended a sound bar before those tacky little speakers, but they seemed quite pleased with their new "sound system"! I decided to not say too much. I did communicate a general sense of what I thought of it, but why overdo the negatives and possibly spoil their enjoyment of their new toy? As frustrating as it may be to those of us who do, it's worth remembering that not everyone really cares about sound quality.
Often its less a matter of caring about sound quality than it is of asthetics and practicality.
My GF recognizes good sound and likes it/appreciates it, but an intrusive system is not what she wants in her living room. I have plenty of "leftovers" to make a pretty darn good system but she will have none of it due to size and appearance and it is her house after all.
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cubdog
banging through drywall
I used to really be into Home Theater. I have, what I consider to be, an above average set of HT speakers. Four Klipsch CF3s plus a quite desirable Klipsch KV4 center. I also use 2 subs as well. These speakers are excellent for movies and while I enjoy them I'm to the point that I could probably live without them. They also take up a bit of real estate. If I sold them I'd have a fair amount of coin to invest in stereo gear. Sound Bar? :scratch2:
cubdog
cubdog
But if you're used to a good sound system, forget about it!
I'm used to a good sound system.
Soundbars are fine and work perfect for many situations if you are an audio person or not.....so many crappy ones makes it a mine field though. We personally have resisted because of huge value with decent mini systems that you can put together cheap and better sound. (Truly good soundbars "for me" are not worth it but....."gifting" is another story.)
Mr. Orange
Flat speakers rule!
I agree! I remember back before stereo TV or VCRs I was splitting the sound to get past those built in TV speakers. Even a small pair of book shelfs are better than the built in junk speakers. With a soundbar it would probably be a step up but separates are going to be far better.
TR6man98
Well-Known Member
What my wife and I found out is that our LG flat screen speakers sound really bad. But Wife didn't like movies and TV program played through 2channel stereo as dialogs and talking heads do not come (naturally) from the middle and that bothered her immensely.
I did listen to few sound bars like Sony, Sonos and such... While not a Hi-Fi, it is deffinetly better then TV and I believe it has it's place.
Few days go I've ordered Boston Acoustic TVee30; it's a 3.1 system and it's really discounted since it has no features like the new systems like Sonos...
I am not interested in streaming playlist of my iPhone andvsuch. I should get it on Friday and report back.
This would be for TV only and would coexist with main HiFi in our livigroom (Mc/KEF).
Regards,
I did listen to few sound bars like Sony, Sonos and such... While not a Hi-Fi, it is deffinetly better then TV and I believe it has it's place.
Few days go I've ordered Boston Acoustic TVee30; it's a 3.1 system and it's really discounted since it has no features like the new systems like Sonos...
I am not interested in streaming playlist of my iPhone andvsuch. I should get it on Friday and report back.
This would be for TV only and would coexist with main HiFi in our livigroom (Mc/KEF).
Regards,
