Samsung 4K UHD Blu-ray Player UBD-K8500

[elwaylite]

A simple 3.1 system is easy to do and would sound a lot better. I run a 3.2 system due to my area, granted with pretty pricey gear, and it sounds wonderful. People get caught up in 5.1 and 7.1 too much and think they can't make the room for a decent system.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

A simple 3.1 system is easy to do and would sound a lot better. I run a 3.2 system due to my area, granted with pretty pricey gear, and it sounds wonderful. People get caught up in 5.1 and 7.1 too much and think they can't make the room for a decent system.

Is that center spkr, left side spkr, right side spkr, and subwoofer?

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Not really. There are alternatives that will give you better performance, and I don't mean Bose.

Soundbars are normally for people who really don't know what's out there in A/V land.

Of for married men with wives running the house

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

A simple 3.1 system is easy to do and would sound a lot better. I run a 3.2 system due to my area, granted with pretty pricey gear, and it sounds wonderful. People get caught up in 5.1 and 7.1 too much and think they can't make the room for a decent system.

I still contend you need at least two more speakers for surround sound. You're missing a good chunk of the sound field.

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Is that center spkr, left side spkr, right side spkr, and subwoofer?

yes, here is mine.



At our old house I had a much smaller area. I had a small center and small bookshelfs for the front (def tech), and a small 12" sub. It took up little space and sounded great. You can even get small towers from Polk, etc... for a good deal. And I get that still isn't for everyone, but I have seen people spend $600 on a soundbar, that could have done better.

[aaronwt2065]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Not really. There are alternatives that will give you better performance, and I don't mean Bose.

Soundbars are normally for people who really don't know what's out there in A/V land.

Not true. I went to a 5.0 setup in 1991 and a 5.1 setup in 1995. A 7.1 in 2001 and a 9.1 setup in 2013. But this is my main system. For my secondary and Tertiary setups it's just must easier to use a speaker bar.

My Sony speaker bar from 2008 could handle 7.1 pcm as well as DD/DTS. My Sony 2012 speaker could handle that plus all the advanced audio codecs. And the Sony Speaker bar I got in 2015 to use with my UHD TV has those features plus also(which is a secondary setup) greatly improved upon the quality of the audio.

A speaker bar can be a great compromise when not wanting to setup a system with discrete speakers. While also greatly improving upon what TV speakers will do. Although the features of the speaker bars are all over the place. I do find it amazing that in 2016 there are many new speaker bars that can't even match the features of the Sony speaker bar I had in 2008.

[Sky_Captain]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Soundbars are normally for people who really don't know what's out there in A/V land.

I know plenty of people, (myself included), that either can't have, or don't want a surround sound set-up. I can't distinguish sounds coming from behind me, so there's zero point of having rear or over-head speakers, (and I did have a full 5.1 set-up for many years).

Front directionality and good bass response do the job perfectly fine for me.

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

I still contend you need at least two more speakers for surround sound. You're missing a good chunk of the sound field.

Duh, that wasnt the discussion I wanted to have. It is the fact that you can do a 3.1 system at low cost, and it will sound much better than a soundbar. All while using little room.

BTW, my 3.2 system pictured smokes several 5.1 systems I have listened too.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Duh, that wasnt the discussion I wanted to have. It is the fact that you can do a 3.1 system at low cost, and it will sound much better than a soundbar. All while using little room.

BTW, my 3.2 system pictured smokes several 5.1 systems I have listened too.

That certainly beats the performance of a soundbar...But some people have setups that do not allow for towers and subwoofers to be involved.
The thing with soundbars is that they offer sound that is superior to the TV built-in speakers while keeping an elegant room in a living space.
Not everybody aims at building a Home Theater room yet they want to enjoy superior audio beyond the TV speakers.

Note: I dont own a soundbar, FYI

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

That certainly beats the performance of a soundbar...But some people have setups that do not allow for towers and subwoofers to be involved.
The thing with soundbars is that they offer sound that is superior to the TV built-in speakers while keeping an elegant room in a living space.
Not everybody aims at building a Home Theater room yet they want to enjoy superior audio beyond the TV speakers.

Note: I dont own a soundbar, FYI

I know, that is why I still said it wasn't for everyone. I do see some people that go soundbar that could have done better for themselves with actual speakers and a 10 or 12" sub.

I went from tv speakers, to HTiB, to decent speakers, to really good speakers and high end subs. I won't go back unless I am forced too. Audio never was a big deal to me, until I heard good audio. Now I focus more on audio than PQ, because PQ varies so much across content. This is the same reason streaming movies will never be my first choice, until they offer lossless audio.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

I know, that is why I still said it wasn't for everyone. I do see some people that go soundbar that could have done better for themselves with actual speakers and a 10 or 12" sub.

I went from tv speakers, to HTiB, to decent speakers, to really good speakers and high end subs. I won't go back unless I am forced too. Audio never was a big deal to me, until I heard good audio. Now I focus more on audio than PQ, because PQ varies so much across content. This is the same reason streaming movies will never be my first choice, until they offer lossless audio.

Well, audio is also dependent on content...Audio varies across content just as much as PQ. That is why when I go from watching a bluray to a streaming app I have to adjust the settings in my Denon receiver or it will sound awful

[Nishe11]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Run! Run far away from that soundbar!

Put your money into a proper receiver with true speakers plus overhead or height speakers, and a subwoofer. Yes, it might be a little more of an investment, but the quality of sound and immersive experience will be miles and miles ahead.

Also, besides Dolby Atmos there is DTS: X, which that soundbar doesn't even support, let alone multi-channel DTS decoding, which is on a majority of Blu-ray discs. Very, very few players these days, if any, will convert DTS and DTS Master Audio lossless to Dolby.

We can guide you in the right direction if you're willing to look at alternatives.

I'd definitely look into a speaker setup in the future, but as i live with my parents, just dont have the space. And my setup would be in my bedroom, which shares a wall with the neighbour so i just wouldn't be able to enjoy it the way i wanted to.

Think a soundbar is as good as its going to get right now.

Out of interest, what Atmos speaker package with receiver would you guys recommend, max budget £1400 (excluding blu ray player)?

[elwaylite]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Well, audio is also dependent on content...Audio varies across content just as much as PQ. That is why when I go from watching a bluray to a streaming app I have to adjust the settings in my Denon receiver or it will sound awful

It is different though. I always have my displays calibrated, but that means little if the content is compressed, or the director makes a choice, it just means my image is "accurate".

Having a crappy speaker setup ruins a lot more (low dialog, no bass). What I learned is you set everything up properly by aiming them, spacing them, buying the right gear, and eqing them. Most audio sounds great all the time, whether it be Directv DD 5.1 or blu-ray lossless.

Audio is also part of what hooks you into the movie (horror, action) and if it is lacking, the experience is less, regardless how good the image looks. I can watch a DVD with a good audio track and be happy, but an action movie on blu-ray with a crappy audio system kinda sucks.

That is where buying real speakers changed my mind, because I was "PQ" is everything for a long time. Plus, 2 channel audio for music is a lovely thing.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

It is different though. I always have my displays calibrated, but that means little if the content is compressed, or the director makes a choice, it just means my image is "accurate".

Having a crappy speaker setup ruins a lot more (low dialog, no bass). What I learned is you set everything up properly by aiming them, spacing them, buying the right gear, and eqing them. Most audio sounds great all the time, whether it be Directv DD 5.1 or blu-ray lossless.

Audio is also part of what hooks you into the movie (horror, action) and if it is lacking, the experience is less, regardless how good the image looks. I can watch a DVD with a good audio track and be happy, but an action movie on blu-ray with a crappy audio system kinda sucks.

That is where buying real speakers changed my mind, because I was "PQ" is everything for a long time. Plus, 2 channel audio for music is a lovely thing.

Audio varies tremendously based on content and how the soundtrack was mastered in the studio. One movie may sound great but another one on Netflix or in DVD may have low center level with poor dialogue quality

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[rroeder]

I went with a soundbar when we moved for a cleaner look mostly, but knew right away it wasn't providing the immersive experience a 5.1 or 7.1 did. Even the wife commented she missed the surround sound on the movies and she was the one pushing for the soundbar and the cleaner look. The soundbar also cost twice as much as my cheapy 5.1 system I had before and it still wasn't as nice.

I bought a 9 channel Pioneer receiver, 2 pair of Pioneer Atmos speakers, and a Polk center channel and sub. So I have a 5.1.4 speaker setup, watched Star Trek into Darkness and WOW, forgot how much true surround sound brings to the experience. For me no comparison to the soundbar, that said it is def better than TV speakers and I will use it in the bedroom.

Big props to FilmFreakosaurus for all his help and guidance picking out the gear and setting it up! Even tho he didn't approve of upfiring speaker purchase

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by rroeder

I went with a soundbar when we moved for a cleaner look mostly, but knew right away it wasn't providing the immersive experience a 5.1 or 7.1 did. Even the wife commented she missed the surround sound on the movies and she was the one pushing for the soundbar and the cleaner look. The soundbar also cost twice as much as my cheapy 5.1 system I had before and it still wasn't as nice.

I bought a 9 channel Pioneer receiver, 2 pair of Pioneer Atmos speakers, and a Polk center channel and sub. So I have a 5.1.4 speaker setup, watched Star Trek into Darkness and WOW, forgot how much true surround sound brings to the experience. For me no comparison to the soundbar, that said it is def better than TV speakers and I will use it in the bedroom.

Big props to FilmFreakosaurus for all his help and guidance picking out the gear and setting it up! Even tho he didn't approve of upfiring speaker purchase

All my fronts, front heights, sides, and center speaker are all Polk.
I also have 3 subwoofers hooked up but different brand.
Surround Sound expands the experience for sure

[rroeder]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

All my fronts, front heights, sides, and center speaker are all Polk.
I also have 3 subwoofers hooked up but different brand.
Surround Sound expands the experience for sure

I was seriously considering heights placed at the wall/ceiling junction instead of upfiring speakers, problem is my room is open in the back so no real option for rear heights. I'm still in test mode for the upfiring speakers tho, might return the whole lot of em and buy an SVS 5.1 speaker pkg and have 4 ceiling mounted speakers installed professionally. Of course this would set me back another $1500 or so, which is why I went the cheaper route in the first place.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by rroeder

I was seriously considering heights placed at the wall/ceiling junction instead of upfiring speakers, problem is my room is open in the back so no real option for rear heights. I'm still in test mode for the upfiring speakers tho, might return the whole lot of em and buy an SVS 5.1 speaker pkg and have 4 ceiling mounted speakers installed professionally. Of course this would set me back another $1500 or so, which is why I went the cheaper route in the first place.

Front Heights create a better Atmos effect that upfiring speakers for sure

[rroeder]

I would rather not spend anymore on the audio side and save up for an HDR display at this point. If I do make a change, it will be in-ceiling mounted speakers for the height channels.

I have not heard the ceiling mounted option but the upfiring speakers feel like a sound field right above your head. I'm assuming ceiling speakers will provide a more overhead feel and better distinct sounds?

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by rroeder

I would rather not spend anymore on the audio side and save up for an HDR display at this point. If I do make a change, it will be in-ceiling mounted speakers for the height channels.

I have not heard the ceiling mounted option but the upfiring speakers feel like a sound field right above your head. I'm assuming ceiling speakers will provide a more overhead feel and better distinct sounds?

Yes. It's the difference between pinpoint positional accuracy of sound and a DSP Hall expansion effect. Object surround is discrete 3D audio elements that can travel all around the room. Mo speakers, mo better.