Any opinions on soundbars?

Tech, TV, Mobile, Internet and Geek Corner
81
That's a fantastic idea, thanks - I'd been wondering what to put on the CY15 Christmas list, and had been considering a new NAS... but you're right, I do need a couple new Sonos speakers as well!

82
Technology changes so fast with these things so bumping this thread.

I currently have a Samsung 5.1 HTS with wireless rears, hooked up to a bluray and their is nothing really wrong with the sound.... but. All our media is now digital and stored on RAID, we have a full LAN and media accessed via Apple TV, so we are thinking of replacing the Samsung HTS with a sound bar for less clutter. We aren't big audio buffs, so movies and especially voice (I'm hearing impaired) is the biggest thing, so I guess:

- good sound quality and a reasonable attempt at surround sound

- good sound adjustment to cater for enhanced speech

- simple operation

- enough ports to connect TV, STB from WWZ, ATV and a a spare for a console

I haven't mentioned budget as I haven't though of one, and a bar that ticks the boxes we want is rather more important, but guess these thing go from 'that seems ok' to 'HOW MUCH'

Any current recommendations from the buff's who know more about these things than me would be greatly appreciated.

83
Just a heads up... there is a soundbar on the market called the Sony HT-RT5 which is a true 5.1 solution with wireless rears that can also be taken to other rooms and used as multi-room speakers. http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/sound-bars/ht-rt5

Reviews are pretty much all decent for example http://geekculture.co/geek-review-sony-ht-rt5-soundbar/ and http://soundbarreviews.net/sony-ht-rt5-review/

Amazon reviews http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Soundba.../dp/B013H1WQKK

User feedback: https://www.avforums.com/threads/son...-have.1976283/

The only real negative things I have seen are that volume can be finicky and to get it at full blast you have to fiddle with the settings sometimes. However for most people in an apartment that shouldn't be an issue.

Seems like a decent solution for those wanting less clutter and acceptable sound quality.

84
How are the rear speakers powered; by battery or mains?

Edit: found it, mains, obviously .

85
Bumping an old thread due to all the new soundbars since. Thinking of the new LG SK10Y, wondering if anyone has some recent experiences with soundbars they'd care to share?

86
The JBL Bar 5.1 looks like a bit of a stormer... https://ch.jbl.com/soundbars/JBL+Bar...ck-USA-Current

Media Markt also has it for the same price as the online stores... https://www.mediamarkt.ch/de/tv-audi...FVSXdwod06oDSQ

87
Hi,

I am looking forward to the jbl link bar being launched https://www.tomsguide.com/us/jbl-lin...ews-27177.html

Also the new Sonos Beam https://www.digitec.ch/de/s1/product...hoC7sYQAvD_BwE is looking interesting.

Also has anyone heard the sony ht-st5000 which is meant to support Dolby Atmos https://www.whathifi.com/sony/ht-st5000/review ?

Lots to look at

Martin

88
Not a soundbar per se but we bought a Sonos Playbase. Sits under the TV and since that's sort of in the middle of our flat, it serves the entire place really well. Dual purpose as a) significantly better sound than the TV's crap built-in speakers, and able to stream to it too

89
Dolby Atmos on a soundbar

90
I have the samsung hw ms750 that I got on Ricardo brand new for just over 400. Highly recommended.

91
I did go for the Sonos Beam a few years ago. Paired with Sonos One's for surround sound and have numerous One's throughout the house. Does anyone have the Sonos Subwoofer? Seems overpriced (Sonos, after all), but wondering if it will change my movie watching experience. Maybe I wait until I replace the Beam with the Arc and upgrade to a 70" TV.

Still interested to hear how their Sonos TV experience is with the Sub... TIA

92
A 5.1 system for 400 sfr will be a hard ask.

I recommend the bose companion 50 (2.1system)

A good 5.1 system will be more expensive:

https://www.teufel.ch/pc/concept-e-4...SABEgJlavD_BwE

I found an offer on the teufel website for 410 sfr:

https://www.teufel.ch/heimkino/conso...iABEgJT0fD_BwE

93

I brought the Sonos Sound Bar, Sub and Play 1 as a package. I had to return the Sub tho, yes... it enhanced the sound for sure and the bass was crisp as can be.. But I felt it was just too loud for the apartment, I turned the bass down but just felt like I would get complaints from the neighbours. The Play Bar alone was enough for me, and the Play 1 on the Kitchen.

If the above is not a concern 😉 then I can recommend the Sub.