Best sounding soundbar - Blu-ray Forum

isteen · 08-23-2009, 08:23 AM

Some people tell me that Yamaha YSP er the best soundbars around.
Another swear by the Denon soundbar.

What's your opinions, for a first experience with a soundbar - I just want a soundbar that..ehm..sounds great, when I watch a BD. If it's relative cheap, thats an extra plus

Beta Man · 08-23-2009, 03:25 PM

I don't have any first-hand experience with them, but did see the Yamaha one being used in my local HT shop, and it sounded alright. I may pick one up for the bedroom.

Driver_King · 08-23-2009, 04:06 PM

I think the Polk SDA sound bar is the best sound bar I've ever heard, although I haven't had the chance to hear sound bars in the thousands range yet.

jomari · 08-23-2009, 07:16 PM

you also have to consider that these soundbars also rely heavily on the room environment to maximize its spatial effects. we can have great soundbars alike in the same room, but perform differently based on its placement, and how the room interacts with it.

i am tho partial towards yamaha soundbars, great product for the price and the performance.

Big Daddy · 08-23-2009, 10:37 PM

A real 5.1 or 7.1 setup is much preferred to a soundbar. However, they are very useful in a small bedroom, second room, or if you live in a very small rental place. I have a dedicated home theater room. However, I have a Zvox soundbar in our family room and I am very happy with it. I don't use it for home theater applications, but for casual TV programs, it is very convient and is much better than the speakers on the TV.

Yamaha YSP-4000 for $1,800 used to have the title for the best high end sound bar (they call it Sound Projector) and Zvox 425 for $600 had the title for the best budget sound bar. The Yamaha has 42 drivers.

If you are trying to save money, Zvox has several models. Check their website.

DragonSarc · 08-23-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

A real 5.1 or 7.1 setup is much preferred to a soundbar. However, they are very useful in a small bedroom, second room, or if you live in a very small rental place. I have a dedicated home theater room. However, I have a Zvox soundbar in our family room and I am very happy with it. I don't use it for home theater applications, but for casual TV programs, it is very convient and is much better than the speakers on the TV.

Yamaha YSP-4000 for $1,800 used to have the title for the best high end sound bar (they call it Sound Projector) and Zvox 425 for $600 had the title for the best budget sound bar. The Yamaha has 42 drivers.

If you are trying to save money, Zvox has several models. Check their website.

Big Daddy those sound bars already powerd? or do you still need a reciever for them? kinda looking in to it want one in my bedroom need 1 that has its own power so i wount have to buy a receiver and wont take more space...

sapiendut · 08-25-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isteen

Some people tell me that Yamaha YSP er the best soundbars around.
Another swear by the Denon soundbar.

What's your opinions, for a first experience with a soundbar - I just want a soundbar that..ehm..sounds great, when I watch a BD. If it's relative cheap, thats an extra plus

Up to this minute, I have to admit that the only soundbar that "works" as closely as advertised is the Yamaha YSP series. Anything else is just a waste of money.

Maybe sometime in the future another company can come up with something better, but Yamaha is still the king of soundbars.

PS: and yes, each of the tiny speaker is powered and DSP controlled separately from one another.

jomari · 08-25-2009, 01:56 AM

its also a matter of physics. as much as sony is trying to create 'decent' soundbars (im being kind when i say that), physics simply cannot allow them to produce that good amount of sound from them. sure it can be 'loud' but is it good enough to listen to? in regards to soundbars, i like the fact that most yamahas can definitely produce some very good midrange from their compact speakers, and most of them at a various 4-almost 5 inch woofer if ever. this is also why vox can do so well due to their quality components, and well, like oppo, this is 'their' business so to speak. you want to sell a specific product, you better be pretty damn good at making one.

Driver_King · 08-25-2009, 02:08 AM

Here is a good video on how the SDA technology and the Polk Audio IHT SDA soundbar works. It does not rely at all on the room boundaries for quality sound production. The effect is very similar to my SDA speakers...

sapiendut · 08-25-2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Here is a good video on how the SDA technology and the Polk Audio IHT SDA soundbar works. It does not rely at all on the room boundaries for quality sound production. The effect is very similar to my SDA speakers...

I've listened to the Polk system. It's nowhere near as good as the Yamaha YSP system.

X400 · 08-25-2009, 10:31 AM

i like the mirage L/C/R (i know not the same thing, but still)

http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/vann...1?$large_item$

it needs to be powered though, you can get it for $750 at vanns etc, MSRP is double that

wow Jomari sounds like ye need a chill pill

SeanMF · 08-25-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X400

i like the mirage L/C/R (i know not the same thing, but still)

http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/vann...1?$large_item$

it needs to be powered though, you can get it for $750 at vanns etc, MSRP is double that

wow Jomari sounds like ye need a chill pill

+1....the mirage l/c/r looks sweet. I gave that a look when I was ordering Mirage speakers for my living room.

jomari · 08-25-2009, 05:42 PM

the mirage does look good, and as x400 mentioned, it isnt necessarily the same thing. it DOES work almost like it, but most if not all (again, most if not all

) soundbars used end up modifying the sound via DSP to give you the illusion of a virtual 5.1 setup. if it doesnt, then its a typical center speaker.

08-23-2009, 08:23 AM	#1
isteen New Member Member since:Aug 2009	Best sounding soundbar Some people tell me that Yamaha YSP er the best soundbars around. Another swear by the Denon soundbar. What's your opinions, for a first experience with a soundbar - I just want a soundbar that..ehm..sounds great, when I watch a BD. If it's relative cheap, thats an extra plus

08-25-2009, 10:31 AM	#11
X400 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Kent Blu-ray collection:328 Blu-ray reviews:41 Trading Score:23	i like the mirage L/C/R (i know not the same thing, but still) http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/vann...1?$large_item$ it needs to be powered though, you can get it for $750 at vanns etc, MSRP is double that wow Jomari sounds like ye need a chill pill Last edited by X400; 08-25-2009 at 10:42 AM.

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08-23-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I don't have any first-hand experience with them, but did see the Yamaha one being used in my local HT shop, and it sounded alright. I may pick one up for the bedroom.

08-23-2009, 04:06 PM	#3
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	I think the Polk SDA sound bar is the best sound bar I've ever heard, although I haven't had the chance to hear sound bars in the thousands range yet.

08-23-2009, 07:16 PM	#4
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	you also have to consider that these soundbars also rely heavily on the room environment to maximize its spatial effects. we can have great soundbars alike in the same room, but perform differently based on its placement, and how the room interacts with it. i am tho partial towards yamaha soundbars, great product for the price and the performance.

08-23-2009, 10:37 PM	#5
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	A real 5.1 or 7.1 setup is much preferred to a soundbar. However, they are very useful in a small bedroom, second room, or if you live in a very small rental place. I have a dedicated home theater room. However, I have a Zvox soundbar in our family room and I am very happy with it. I don't use it for home theater applications, but for casual TV programs, it is very convient and is much better than the speakers on the TV. Yamaha YSP-4000 for $1,800 used to have the title for the best high end sound bar (they call it Sound Projector) and Zvox 425 for $600 had the title for the best budget sound bar. The Yamaha has 42 drivers. If you are trying to save money, Zvox has several models. Check their website.

08-25-2009, 01:56 AM	#8
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	its also a matter of physics. as much as sony is trying to create 'decent' soundbars (im being kind when i say that), physics simply cannot allow them to produce that good amount of sound from them. sure it can be 'loud' but is it good enough to listen to? in regards to soundbars, i like the fact that most yamahas can definitely produce some very good midrange from their compact speakers, and most of them at a various 4-almost 5 inch woofer if ever. this is also why vox can do so well due to their quality components, and well, like oppo, this is 'their' business so to speak. you want to sell a specific product, you better be pretty damn good at making one.

08-25-2009, 02:08 AM	#9
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Here is a good video on how the SDA technology and the Polk Audio IHT SDA soundbar works. It does not rely at all on the room boundaries for quality sound production. The effect is very similar to my SDA speakers...

08-25-2009, 05:42 PM	#13
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	the mirage does look good, and as x400 mentioned, it isnt necessarily the same thing. it DOES work almost like it, but most if not all (again, most if not all ) soundbars used end up modifying the sound via DSP to give you the illusion of a virtual 5.1 setup. if it doesnt, then its a typical center speaker.

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