Soundbar vs. 5.1 Speakers

[Godfuader]

With the holiest of holy days fast approaching (Black Friday) I am looking at getting some sound for the TV I bought last BF, Samsung 55" Ultra-slim LED SmartTV.

I want to know the difference in sound quality between a traditional 5.1 vs Soundbar setup. I live in an apartment and have about 12' distance between the walls. I just want crisp sound and not not concerned about loudness. I noticed that soundbars can cost as much as 5.1 systems so they might be worth checking out.

These are the two models I was looking at:

Samsung Soundbar (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+2.1-Channel+Home+Theater+Soundbar+System+with+Wireless+Subwoofer/4755873.p?id=1218523234061&skuId=4755873&st=4755873&cp=1&lp=1)

Samsung 5.1 Speakers (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+500W+5.1-Ch.+Blu-ray+Home+Theater+System/4755837.p?id=1218523224356&skuId=4755837&st=4755837&cp=1&lp=1#tab=specifications)

The 5.1 is 500W (vs 280W) and comes with a Blu-Ray player (have PS3). They are both the same price for BF, $179.99. Looking for any feedback/comments.

Thanks! :)

[962 kid]

My gf has a soundbar that looks similar to the one you posted. It sounds pretty similar to a set of speakers built into a nice tv but nowhere near as good as a decent 5.1 setup. The ease of setup and lack of cables running everywhere is the nicest thing about it imo.

At home I have one of the Yamaha sound projectors which looks like the Samsung sound bar but is pretty different in operation... I would consider it to be a more suitable replacement for a 5.1 setup, it's pretty cool to hear sound coming out of walls beside you. Unfortunately it still needs a standalone subwoofer and costs a fair bit more than the Samsung.

[Tik-Tok]

I've owned a couple of soundbars, they are for neat, tidy, clean look, with "better than TV" sound. 5.1 is for actual sound surround, you won't beat real 5.1 without spending a mint on the Yamaha one.

[WhippWhapp]

Yamaha bars are the best, but don't come close to a budget receiver and speakers.

Kijiji is your friend.

[ercchry]

best thing about 5.1 imo is all the fun things you can do with a decent a/v receiver. second zone, iphone apps, sat radio, etc

[CanmoreOrLess]

I believe CostCo has this sound bar, well reviewed and none of that retail hell BF experience to be had:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cheap-soundbar/

[Jlude]

I just bought the same sound bar and it's pretty decent. I don't really watch TV and only wanted better sound for NHL 13 and NFL Sunday ticket and I am very happy with it, super easy and inexpensive alternative to a full surround sound system.

[ZEDGE]

I picked up a Vizio soundbar, and its surprisingly good, even with out a sub.

[jsn]

:werd: sound bars are good if you don't have much space, but it can't beat 5.1 speakers

[Godfuader]

Thanks for the comments. Had a look at both of them today. Was really impressed by the soundbar (in the store environment) with the wireless sub and the fact that iPad can connect via Bluetooth really impresses the wifey. The 5.1 was nice but running the wires seemed like a hassle. With the price tag of $179, I don't think I can go wrong with either system. The rep introduced me to this piece which was higher end and has the ability split the bar into two tower which was aesthetically pleasing. Price is relatively higher at $299

Samsung soundbar tower (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+2.1-Channel+Home+Theater+Soundbar+System+with+Wireless+Subwoofer/4755882.p?id=1218523235189&skuId=4755882&st=hw-e550&cp=1&lp=1)

[Godfuader]

Thank goodness for Costco. Got the soundbar/sub with HDMI and Optical cables for $174.99...a week before Black Friday. Managed to get the TV last year on the Sunday before so figured I should give it a shot this year.

[InRich]

I have a sound bar on one of the TVs in my house, if you wanna check it out sometime, pm me you can come over and check it out.

it creates virtual surround sound.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Willis]

My experience with soundbars are limited but I just bought the Bose CineMate SR1. It is a nice and clean setup with amazing sound but not a true 5.1. It can be setup for 5 different seating locations and does a pretty good job of projecting surround sound.

The Yamaha YSP2200 was my other option. In the store it sounded a lot more like a 5.1 setup to me but the Bose demo just blew me away. I wish I could have tried both in my home before deciding.

[GoChris]

Originally posted by Godfuader
Thank goodness for Costco. Got the soundbar/sub with HDMI and Optical cables for $174.99...a week before Black Friday. Managed to get the TV last year on the Sunday before so figured I should give it a shot this year.

The Samsung one or the Vizio?

I was at the south Costco and only saw a Vizio soundbar with no sub.

Do they carry the one with the sub? I want one before xmas.

[Godfuader]

Hooked it up this evening. For $174.99 I think it was a great deal. I would love to get the bose eventually, but for right now I need something easily moveable.

[GoChris]

Which one is the best deal? $250 is kinda more than I wanted to spend, as Costco has the Vizio for $99 (as others do I bet). But the wireless sub would be kind of nice.
Bluetooth is cool, but probably not needed, I'm not sure if I would use it.

http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&productId=9744&sku=HWE450
http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&productId=9966&sku=SCHTB20
http://www.sears.ca/product/sony-60w-21-ch-speaker-bar-ht-ct60/657-000010454-HTCT60?extid=affiliate_comj&affiliateid=749547
http://www1.thebrick.com/brickb2c/jsp/catalog/product.jsp?prod=NB3520A&navAction=jump&navCount=21&_requestid=2155918#
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX38295

Memex and Visions appear to have the same thing for the same price. Listed both anyway.
:dunno: Any help is appreciated.

[Godfuader]

Originally posted by GoChris
Which one is the best deal? $250 is kinda more than I wanted to spend, as Costco has the Vizio for $99 (as others do I bet). But the wireless sub would be kind of nice.
Bluetooth is cool, but probably not needed, I'm not sure if I would use it.

http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&productId=9744&sku=HWE450
http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&productId=9966&sku=SCHTB20
http://www.sears.ca/product/sony-60w-21-ch-speaker-bar-ht-ct60/657-000010454-HTCT60?extid=affiliate_comj&affiliateid=749547
http://www1.thebrick.com/brickb2c/jsp/catalog/product.jsp?prod=NB3520A&navAction=jump&navCount=21&_requestid=2155918#
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX38295

Memex and Visions appear to have the same thing for the same price. Listed both anyway.
:dunno: Any help is appreciated.

I got the Samsung one. It was the version 'C' (HDMI & optical included). It seems to be pretty good...have had it for a few days and seems to be doing what it is supposed to. The wireless sub is very convenient and the BT gets used the most by just turning on the iPad from anywhere in the apartment. Mind you the price I paid for it in NY was $175, so that does make it a sweeter deal.

[flipstah]

BUMP!

Anyone bought sound bars lately? I don't have that much spacing so I was thinking of getting a Yamaha one instead of buying a HTIB (my current setup is going in my bedroom for audio use only):

http://www.visions.ca/Catalogue/Category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&productId=21264&sku=YAS101

[schocker]

I have had one for a couple years, one of the sony with the sub/receiver type deal. I like it a lot but noticed you can't really find any with more than 1 hdmi in, mine having 3 in one out also optical in?

What about bass flip :eek:

[flipstah]

Originally posted by schocker
I have had one for a couple years, one of the sony with the sub/receiver type deal. I like it a lot but noticed you can't really find any with more than 1 hdmi in, mine having 3 in one out also optical in?

What about bass flip :eek:

That's what I was thinking too. There's no way in hell these things have enough bass but reading the reviews, it gave enough bass and focused more on quality than the thump factor.

If that made any sense...

I have JBL towers too and I love them. :love:

[schocker]

I also have a jbl tower, and it thumps :rofl:
http://cnet4.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2013/11/12/8a2a0100-84b8-11e3-beb9-14feb5ca9861/thumbnail/770x433/7ed6db8b5c33bed1e218cc6200e672ab/04JBL_Pulse_35831729.jpg

Sound would probably be OK through that, you have an apartment iirc so maybe a lot of bass would not be a good thing anyways? Not sure if you would care about a receiver type deal built in though for controlling things.

[EK69]

Check out rfd forums for vizio sound bar threads. Apparently good deal

[Sugarphreak]

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[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


They sure don't make em' like they used to though... my Yamaha has something stupid like 27 separate speakers in it


The one flipster posted is a soundbar, not a "sound projector" as Yammy likes to call their high end ones. The YSP 4300 has 22 speakers (and is $2000)

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Seth1968]

I'm looking to buy a sound bar as well, so thanks for all the recommendations.

Can the volume on all sound bars be controlled by the tv's remote?

[rage2]

I dunno if I want that breast bug of a soundbar in front of the TV. :rofl:

I went from a full 5.1 system in my bedroom to a soundbar with sub years ago. There is a small step down in sound quality (mine was just an average Samsung) but it was worth it in cleanliness. Rear channel projection was terrible though if that matters.

Oddly enough, after I upgraded the TV to the 8000 Samsung, the internal speakers were even better in rear sound projection. Only thing I'm missing now is bass. The soundbar was louder but for the bedroom it didn't matter to me.

[R-Audi]

I went with a Samsung Soundbar as it intergrated perfectly with the TV..

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/samsung-samsung-sound-bar-hw-h551-zc-silver-hw-h551-zc/10291214.aspx?path=9ca96f2468b370114945794914c665a4en02


Only complaint so far is it takes about 10-15 seconds to turn on and connect. (Over bluetooth) I have been too lazy to switch to optical or HDMI input.

[Sugarphreak]

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[triplep]

If you have money to blow on a sound bar I would go to Sounds of Music and test out their B&W panorama sound bar. It looks clean, and when I listened to it it sounded fantastic.

[Mitsu3000gt]

The low-end Yamaha sound bars are pretty average, and most sound bars in general cannot deal with DTS audio or HDMI.

The simulated surround effects are better on the higher end bars, but still not as good as even a cheap discrete 5.1 or 7.1 system as far as effects go.

Most Soundbars are also self powered, so you're paying for amplification on top of the speakers themselves. There are some excellent passive soundbars but you're looking at more money again.

Personally I would recommend a 2.1 system unless you want to spend a lot of money on a sound bar or want the cleanest look possible. If the goal is just to get "better than TV"sound, then just about any soundbar will do the trick.

Vizio makes a decent sound bar that is cheap, and has actual rear surrounds that plug into the subwoofer for power, so you don't need to run any wires up front so long as your sub is in the back.

There are some great 2.1 soundbars as well, if the aesthetics are #1 priority.

[flipstah]

What's a good 2.1 setup?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by flipstah
What's a good 2.1 setup?

Sound-bar-style 2.1 or "regular" 2.1?

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Sound-bar-style 2.1 or "regular" 2.1?

Regular since it's cheaper than sound-bar setup.

[lamp_shade_2000]

Bose Cinemate GS is what I would recommend for a good 2.1 system. They go for about $650. Otherwise just do a sound bar with a sub.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by flipstah


Regular since it's cheaper than sound-bar setup.

There are so many amazing mid-range bookshelf speakers from companies like Totem, B&W, Monitor Audio, Definitive Tech, Paradigm, etc. etc. and it'll just be whatever sounds best to your ears. You can spend weeks or months auditioning different brands if you have the time. I'd be happy having any one of those brands in my home, and are usually my go-to auditions when I'm shopping.

If you want a recommendation, IMO the best bang for the buck going right now are Paradigm MilleniaOnes. They are the most incredible little speaker I've ever heard, and all reviewers seem to agree. The catch is they absolutely need a sub. I would be very surprised if you could find a better set of speakers brand new for around $400. They come with wall mount brackets as well. I know, I know, I sound like a broken record with my recommendations, but I am blown away by these little guys so I'm going to recommend them anyway.

A decent 2.1 setup is going to run you probably $800ish, assuming you have a receiver already, unless you buy some really cheap equipment. You can get some really nice soundbars for that much money or less as well, if you end up going that route.

Whatever you do, don't buy BOSE.

Do you have a budget?

[flipstah]

Hmm, I can just do a 2.1 receiver + bookshelf speakers + sub.

<$1000 would be nice.

[flipstah]

Leaning towards this soundbar setup unless you can cook up a decent 2.1 system for roughly that price:

http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&productId=24410&sku=SB26

Bluetooth and subwoofer are the deciding factors.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by flipstah
Leaning towards this soundbar setup unless you can cook up a decent 2.1 system for roughly that price:

http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=495&amp;productId=24410&amp;sku=SB26

Bluetooth and subwoofer are the deciding factors.

This is a better 2.1 sound bar for the money, and also has bluetooth (but no HDMI, so you would use optical).

http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/collection=shift/model=soundtrack-2-system/page=overview

You could get it for roughly $675.

Wireless sub, Bluetooth.

Here is one of many very positive reviews:

http://hometheaterreview.com/paradigm-soundtrack-system-soundbar-and-wireless-subwoofer-reviewed/?page=2

[Kg810]

I bought the Denon DHT-S514 a month ago and I'm really enjoying it. The wireless sub is very capable and is amazing for the price. The soundbar has bluetooth connectivity and has a wide range of connections. Being in a condo you might appreciate that this soundbar has a night mode.

It is relatively new so reviews aren't plentiful, so I recommend just going to MemEx and checking out the sound in person.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX50485

[Unknown303]

I had the YSP-4000. 42 speakers, amazing sound but without a sub it's light on bass.

http://i.imgur.com/HnvOKd1.jpg

[Sugarphreak]

...

[snowcat]

Originally posted by flipstah
What's a good 2.1 setup?

Marantz NR1604
KEF Q100 Bookshelf
KEF Q400 Sub

[Clever]

BUMP.

Looks like my Pioneer VSX 1027 is about to die, the sound started intermittently cutting out a few weeks ago and today it gave me an error. Google pretty much confirms that I'll have to send the receiver in for repairs and it is out of warranty. I'm just not having any luck with receivers at all, I had an Onkyo before and I bought the Pioneer in 2014 and for some reason they are only lasting 2-3 years with minimal use.

Now I'm considering going the soundbar route, the only thing is, I won't be able to use my speakers, which I'm somewhat hesitant about. Or maybe I'm just buying shitty receivers and should look into getting a better receiver. Any recommendations?

[Mitsu3000gt]

If you already have speakers you're happy with, I would definitely just grab another receiver. I don't know what speakers you're running but you might even be able to get away with a $250 receiver and then if it only lasts a few years who cares. Boxing Day will have some deals for sure. The point of diminishing return for really good receivers is usually around $1000 (less if you get a great deal).

Also, it's possible your receiver isn't the issue. I know several people with sound/video cutting out issues that turned out to be their Shaw HD Cable box, and also the HDMI cable - so before you pronounce it dead I would do as much troubleshooting as possible to eliminate everything else in the chain. Personally I've never had a receiver fail on me in my life and I'm still using one from 2008. The only ones I've seen fail have been the really cheap ones.

Pioneer's are usually very solid but older Onkyos had a really bad couple years for HDMI issues among other things. Nothing from Denon, Pioneer (Elite), Yamaha, Marantz, etc. should be junk so it's possible you've just had bad luck if it's not something else in the chain. If I were you I'd just grab a Boxing Day receiver and keep it going with your existing setup.