Blade Runner 4K UHD (1982)

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

If you want to continue being speechless with your movie going experience... please do not even consider a soundbar. Do yourself a favor and build up a REAL home theater audio system.



BD 2049 is THUNDEROUS and you need a half-way decent Dolby Atmos setup with subs that can plumb the depths to really appreciate the audio mix. Why get some puny soundbar that will only sound like a fart in a windstorm?

Great advice, thank you. I'll start hitting the pages and see what's out there. I thought the soundbar was just the front piece of the surround system...

I haven't purchased speakers since 1997 when I brought home a huge 32" Trinitron with surround sound.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

Great advice, thank you. I'll start hitting the pages and see what's out there. I thought the soundbar was just the front piece of the surround system...

I haven't purchased speakers since 1997 when I brought home a huge 32" Trinitron with surround sound.

What kind of budget are you considering and what is the room size of your viewing location? Sound bars are designed for convenience only. They're only somewhat better than the built in speakers in your TV.


You may not be able to buy everything all at once, but if you build a little bit at a time, you will end up with a superior overall entertainment system.

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

What kind of budget are you considering and what is the room size of your viewing location? Sound bars are designed for convenience only. They're only somewhat better than the built in speakers in your TV.


You may not be able to buy everything all at once, but if you build a little bit at a time, you will end up with a superior overall entertainment system.

No, definitely won't be able to buy it all at once. But our living room is probably normal rowhome or townhome, if you're familiar. Budget is fluid honestly. I certainly do not need top of the line, hence I purchased that I think Samsung is discontinuing, but I want something decent, something that will impress even more.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

No, definitely won't be able to buy it all at once. But our living room is probably normal rowhome or townhome, if you're familiar. Budget is fluid honestly. I certainly do not need top of the line, hence I purchased that I think Samsung is discontinuing, but I want something decent, something that will impress even more.

I've sent you a PM.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

No, definitely won't be able to buy it all at once. But our living room is probably normal rowhome or townhome, if you're familiar. Budget is fluid honestly. I certainly do not need top of the line, hence I purchased that I think Samsung is discontinuing, but I want something decent, something that will impress even more.

Sent you another PM. FYI.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

What kind of budget are you considering and what is the room size of your viewing location? Sound bars are designed for convenience only. They're only somewhat better than the built in speakers in your TV.


You may not be able to buy everything all at once, but if you build a little bit at a time, you will end up with a superior overall entertainment system.

I think that might be a bit of a stretch given the higher end soundbars that are now on the market. Sure, they won't beat a full system with separate components, but some are miles ahead of anything your TV can do.

[KevinStriker]

I wouldn't buy one myself since I love the performance I get out of my front speakers, but there are some pretty high-end and Atmos-ready soundbars out there, like the LG SN11RG.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by drobswim13

I think that might be a bit of a stretch given the higher end soundbars that are now on the market. Sure, they won't beat a full system with separate components, but some are miles ahead of anything your TV can do.

Yep, I use a soundbar (plus Subwoofer) for my bedroom setup. Massive improvement over TV speakers.

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Yep, I use a soundbar (plus Subwoofer) for my bedroom setup. Massive improvement over TV speakers.

I had a nice 5.1 system in my home office, and then we started fostering kittens about 6 years ago. Wouldn't give that up for the world, but kittens and speaker wires don't mix. Rather than fight a losing battle, I switched to an LG soundbar with wireless sub about 3 years ago. It sounds so good, I almost don't miss the old system. Almost.

Soundbars, for lack of a better phrase, kick *ss and take names. And you don't have to spend a fortune for a good one, either.

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by KevinStriker

I wouldn't buy one myself since I love the performance I get out of my front speakers, but there are some pretty high-end and Atmos-ready soundbars out there, like the LG SN11RG.

There is lot of prejudice against soundbars by owners of separates.
I had a proper 7.2 setup and switched to LG SN11RG soundbar couple of months ago. Its performs close to my separates except the neutered low end which is the only thing that's annoying me. Amazing what these tiny things can do if you live in a confined space.

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by lgans316

There is lot of prejudice against soundbars by owners of separates.
I had a proper 7.2 setup and switched to LG SN11RG soundbar couple of months ago. Its performs close to my separates except the neutered low end which is the only thing that's annoying me. Amazing what these tiny things can do if you live in a confined space.

Yeah this was my thought originally behind getting a soundbar before going full surround sound. I don't have the measurements for my living room, but it's a smaller-ish town home. But man I cannot wait to add this to my set up!

[KMFDMvsEnya]

Soundbars are just generic brand BOSE equivalents in respects to audio reproduction.

They all have limited range and over emphasize the WOW LOud-FIdelity frequencies they can reproduce.

With that said they do have their uses and more ideal applications such as smaller spaces and can be an improvement over the TV speakers but I have yet to hear a soundbar that equals or excels beyond a reasonable set of decent separates.

That's simply my opinion and if soundbars work for you then great.
YMMV.

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by KMFDMvsEnya

Soundbars are just generic brand BOSE equivalents in respects to audio reproduction.

They all have limited range and over emphasize the WOW LOud-FIdelity frequencies they can reproduce.

With that said they do have their uses and more ideal applications such as smaller spaces and can be an improvement over the TV speakers but I have yet to hear a soundbar that equals or excels beyond a reasonable set of decent separates.

That's simply my opinion and if soundbars work for you then great.
YMMV.

Room layout plays a massive difference. You will be surprised how good some of these bars can sound in small spaces (12 x 12 ft). Biggest issue for me is lack of the deep bass. The upcoming Klipsch 54 is meant to feature a powerful 12 inch sub and ability to add dual sub (wired and wireless). If that does well, I will sell my LG and get that one and be done with the audio gear until my son graduates.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by KMFDMvsEnya

Soundbars are just generic brand BOSE equivalents in respects to audio reproduction.

They all have limited range and over emphasize the WOW LOud-FIdelity frequencies they can reproduce.

With that said they do have their uses and more ideal applications such as smaller spaces and can be an improvement over the TV speakers but I have yet to hear a soundbar that equals or excels beyond a reasonable set of decent separates.

That's simply my opinion and if soundbars work for you then great.
YMMV.

I have a Sonos Arc and I must say that in my smaller living room with my LG65CX, the pairing is pretty great, along with my Panasonic ub820.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

Yeah this was my thought originally behind getting a soundbar before going full surround sound. I don't have the measurements for my living room, but it's a smaller-ish town home. But man I cannot wait to add this to my set up!

I will echo what KMFD... had to say: I haven't heard a soundbar yet that can outperform a separate home theater system for the money.

In terms of features and capabilities, a soundbar normally has far less than a decent receiver. You also do not get true, discrete immersive audio either. They give you a pseudo (fake) bounce effect. The only way to get authentic Dolby Atmos or DTS:X is to have physical overhead or height speakers in the proper locations.

Soundbars are easy, but they sound cheap.

[Noremac Mij]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Yep, I use a soundbar (plus Subwoofer) for my bedroom setup. Massive improvement over TV speakers.

I highly recommend Bang & Olufsen Stage. Fantastic soundbar.

[bradnoyes]

In different circumstances I'd love to have a full HT setup--I've had one before and some day I'm sure I will again. But for now I have no problems with either of my soundbar setups. The HT-ST5000 is a beast (including the sub) and my cheaper Vizio 5.1.4 isn't exactly a world-beater but it sounds great in my small office and the discreet rears provide great immersion. So long as you do your research and get a good one that fits your needs there is nothing wrong with soundbars, y'all, despite some of what you might read here.

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

I will echo what KMFD... had to say: I haven't heard a soundbar yet that can outperform a separate home theater system for the money.

In terms of features and capabilities, a soundbar normally has far less than a decent receiver. You also do not get true, discrete immersive audio either. They give you a pseudo (fake) bounce effect. The only way to get authentic Dolby Atmos or DTS:X is to have physical overhead or height speakers in the proper locations.

Soundbars are easy, but they sound cheap.

So a soundbar acts as receiver and speaker??

I have always had nice receivers in the past (VHS and early DVD days, mind you. So 20 years ago), and would like to pick up a really good receiver. Something that really works with that SVS system you mentioned...

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Luke Dodge748

So a soundbar acts as receiver and speaker??

I have always had nice receivers in the past (VHS and early DVD days, mind you. So 20 years ago), and would like to pick up a really good receiver. Something that really works with that SVS system you mentioned...

A bar normally has small three channel (LCR) speakers and maybe two tiny "bounce" speakers built-in plus amps and a simple pre-amp/processor. The size of all that jammed together is a big clue that there are a lot of compromises in a soundbar. Ity bity speaker drivers don't have physics on their side either.

I had mentioned a Denon or Marantz (they are sister companies) receiver and AV Science as a possible dealer in a prior PM. They have new 2020 models with an updated HDMI 8k port or you may be able to get a closeout price on a 2019 model that will work just as well for your needs. I suggest a model that has 5.2.4 and 7.2.4 Atmos processing as you will have some upward mobility with your system.

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

A bar normally has small three channel (LCR) speakers and maybe two tiny "bounce" speakers built-in plus amps and a simple pre-amp/processor. The size of all that jammed together is a big clue that there are a lot of compromises in a soundbar. Ity bity speaker drivers don't have physics on their side either.

I had mentioned a Denon or Marantz (they are sister companies) receiver and AV Science as a possible dealer in a prior PM. They have new 2020 models with an updated HDMI 8k port or you may be able to get a closeout price on a 2019 model that will work just as well for your needs. I suggest a model that has 5.2.4 and 7.2.4 Atmos processing as you will have some upward mobility with your system.

You're the man, as always thank you