How does a UHD player effect sound?

[Nishe11]

Hi Guys

So i'm looking to dip into the world of 4k and having selected a display all i really have to decide on is a UHD player. I'm aiming to hook this up to the TV and a soundbar. I know there are only 2 options right now, the panny or Samsung.
When i was reading reviews of the two players it often commented on its audio performance, and that's confused me as i didn't think the player would be responsible for dealing with the audio as well. Does the player effect the sound quality ill be getting from my soundbar and kit? Would anyone be able to shed some light on this? Thanks i really appreciate the help

[slimdude]

If you want to hear the best audio quality that a 4K Blu-ray Player is capable of outputting, it's highly recommended to get a A/V receiver, and a nice set of speakers. With HD audio, you do not want a soundbar! You already have the best quality in the video department, so why not invest in having the best in the audio department, which is HD, lossless audio as well.

[Nishe11]

Thanks, so if i don't have a A/V receiver connected is there any point on spending the extra money on a more expensive Player?

[Canada]

A player won't effect the quality of the sound all that much. It would be very helpful for people on this thread if you told us what you are willing to spend on speakers, soundbar or a player. I have no idea how many soundbars support HDMI 2.0.

[Opips3]

Originally Posted by Canada

A player won't effect the quality of the sound all that much. It would be very helpful for people on this thread if you told us what you are willing to spend on speakers, soundbar or a player. I have no idea how many soundbars support HDMI 2.0.

Soundbars are same quality as T.V include speakers left, right and behind bass speakers.

[Nishe11]

Originally Posted by Canada

A player won't effect the quality of the sound all that much. It would be very helpful for people on this thread if you told us what you are willing to spend on speakers, soundbar or a player. I have no idea how many soundbars support HDMI 2.0.

Sorry it's the Samsung HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbar i'm looking at. I was just wondering if it would sound better with the Panasonic UB 900 over the samsung k8500. But i don't think it would make too much difference.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by Nishe11

Sorry it's the Samsung HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbar i'm looking at. I was just wondering if it would sound better with the Panasonic UB 900 over the samsung k8500. But i don't think it would make too much difference.

You must be sold on soundbars! If you're contemplating on paying $1,500.00 or more for a soundbar, then you might as well get inexpensive Dolby Atmos receiver, and a set of speakers for almost the same amount of money or less. Personally, I wouldn't dare pay that much for a soundbar. You can get a very nice Dolby Atmos receiver between $500.00 - $700.00 depending on the brand and features. Here are some inexpensive Dolby Atmos and DTS-X receivers to check out. These are just a few, but there are more:

http://www.monoprice.com/StaticConte...rpath=/Product

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zch9fiQ...9272305&awdv=c

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...C&A=details&Q=

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=REG&A=details

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by slimdude

You must be sold on soundbars! If you're contemplating on paying $1,500.00 or more for a soundbar, then you might as well get inexpensive Dolby Atmos receiver, and a set of speakers for almost the same amount of money or less. Personally, I wouldn't dare that much for a soundbar. You can get a very nice Dolby Atmos receiver between $500.00 - $700.00 depending on the brand and features. Here are some inexpensive Dolby Atmos and DTS-X receivers to check out. These are just a few, but there are more:

http://www.monoprice.com/StaticConte...rpath=/Product

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zch9fiQ...9272305&awdv=c

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...C&A=details&Q=

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=REG&A=details

Careful with your recommendations. They need to include DTS:X and HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 ports. Half of those models linked are missing specific features.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by slimdude

You must be sold on soundbars! If you're contemplating on paying $1,500.00 or more for a soundbar, then you might as well get inexpensive Dolby Atmos receiver, and a set of speakers for almost the same amount of money or less. Personally, I wouldn't dare that much for a soundbar. You can get a very nice Dolby Atmos receiver between $500.00 - $700.00 depending on the brand and features. Here are some inexpensive Dolby Atmos and DTS-X receivers to check out. These are just a few, but there are more:

http://www.monoprice.com/StaticConte...rpath=/Product

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zch9fiQ...9272305&awdv=c

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...C&A=details&Q=

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=REG&A=details

Careful with your recommendations. They need to include DTS:X and HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 ports. Half of those models linked are missing specific features.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by Nishe11

Hi Guys

Does the player effect the sound quality ill be getting from my soundbar and kit?

Sorry to be the dictionary mod here, but the more typically used word you want is "affect: to act on or make a change in"

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Nishe11

Hi Guys

So i'm looking to dip into the world of 4k and having selected a display all i really have to decide on is a UHD player. I'm aiming to hook this up to the TV and a soundbar. I know there are only 2 options right now, the panny or Samsung.
When i was reading reviews of the two players it often commented on its audio performance, and that's confused me as i didn't think the player would be responsible for dealing with the audio as well. Does the player effect the sound quality ill be getting from my soundbar and kit? Would anyone be able to shed some light on this? Thanks i really appreciate the help

That soundbar idea is a waste of money. It doesn't even include full DTS audio decoding let alone include DTS: X support.

As mentioned, your best bet is a real immersive system with receiver and speakers/sub. Soundbars don't cut it.

[Nishe11]

Sorry guy's ive not checked in here in a few days.

I get what you all are saying but for the room im looking at a soundbar is as good as it gets.
However there is another room downstairs where i have more play, I've not really looked into a receiver and speaker set up so i don't really have a clue where to start and obviously it is allot more hassle. But if it really is going to give a much better audio experience i'd be silly not to consider it.
Any recommendations for the an amp (with atmos), speakers and sub? Max budget would probably be $1300.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Nishe11

Sorry guy's ive not checked in here in a few days.

I get what you all are saying but for the room im looking at a soundbar is as good as it gets.
However there is another room downstairs where i have more play, I've not really looked into a receiver and speaker set up so i don't really have a clue where to start and obviously it is allot more hassle. But if it really is going to give a much better audio experience i'd be silly not to consider it.
Any recommendations for the an amp (with atmos), speakers and sub? Max budget would probably be $1300.

Could you maybe stretch your budget just a little bit (it would help if you didn't get a high end sound bar for upstairs)? You're at the short end of the spectrum by a few hundred dollars.

A lot depends on the size of the room downstairs you're dealing with. Small satellite speakers and a small sub may not cut it (room volume and physics are a b!tch), but then again they may. Also, when you're dealing with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X you have to consider the speaker layout you want: 5.1.2 (the min), 5.1.4, 7.1.2, or 7.1.4 (the max in normal gear). Obviously, the better the immersive experience, the more a receiver will cost.

They are important pieces of the information puzzle.

And yes, it's well worth it... but don't cheapen out if you don't have to.

[DavePS3]

I own the Samsung... connect the main HDMI direct to the TV, the secondary HDMI to the receiver or soundbar - BUT... if you are connecting the optical from the player, you may notice a slight delay on the audio so the player has the adjustment for that in the 'Tools' Menu. Great player. If you need SACD and analog out of the player, get the Pana'.

[Nishe11]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Could you maybe stretch your budget just a little bit (it would help if you didn't get a high end sound bar for upstairs)? You're at the short end of the spectrum by a few hundred dollars.

A lot depends on the size of the room downstairs you're dealing with. Small satellite speakers and a small sub may not cut it (room volume and physics are a b!tch), but then again they may. Also, when you're dealing with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X you have to consider the speaker layout you want: 5.1.2 (the min), 5.1.4, 7.1.2, or 7.1.4 (the max in normal gear). Obviously, the better the immersive experience, the more a receiver will cost.

They are important pieces of the information puzzle.

And yes, it's well worth it... but don't cheapen out if you don't have to.

Thanks for the info. Ok so if i saved up for a while i could maybe stretch the budget to around $1700 max, is there anything descent in that price range?
The room downstairs is fairly small rectangle, dimensions around 9'3" x 12'0"ft, the ceilings are low, about 2.30m
I think i'd be content with a 5.1.4 setup but i guess it would be nice for a receiver that at least gives the option of 7 channels.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Nishe11

Thanks for the info. Ok so if i saved up for a while i could maybe stretch the budget to around $1700 max, is there anything descent in that price range?
The room downstairs is fairly small rectangle, dimensions around 9'3" x 12'0"ft, the ceilings are low, about 2.30m
I think i'd be content with a 5.1.4 setup but i guess it would be nice for a receiver that at least gives the option of 7 channels.

Are you in the states? The reason I ask is availability of hardware. If I recommend something and you can't reasonably gain access to it, then it won't help you much.

As for pricing... in U.S. dollars... I can find you a well reviewed, better than basic 5.1.2 satellite/sub combo setup for around that budget. Nothing hugely fancy, but much better with solid, small speakers compared to a home theater in a box with "enabled"/pseudo height speakers that wouldn't really sound that good.

However, even by saving some money and purchasing a 2015 closeout 5.1.4 capable receiver and an extra set of overhead speakers, you're looking closer to $2,000-$2,100 for something you would be happy with. You also need something to power the two extra rear height/overhead speakers. If you have an old receiver laying around that could work.

Four physical overhead/height speakers are recommended, but you would need to stretch just a little more.

[Nishe11]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Are you in the states? The reason I ask is availability of hardware. If I recommend something and you can't reasonably gain access to it, then it won't help you much.

As for pricing... in U.S. dollars... I can find you a well reviewed, better than basic 5.1.2 satellite/sub combo setup for around that budget. Nothing hugely fancy, but much better with solid, small speakers compared to a home theater in a box with "enabled"/pseudo height speakers that wouldn't really sound that good.

However, even by saving some money and purchasing a 2015 closeout 5.1.4 capable receiver and an extra set of overhead speakers, you're looking closer to $2,000-$2,100 for something you would be happy with. You also need something to power the two extra rear height/overhead speakers. If you have an old receiver laying around that could work.

Four physical overhead/height speakers are recommended, but you would need to stretch just a little more.

No sorry i'm the the UK. I found this bad boy, Denon AVR-X3300W and it seems to be reviewed well, although it is quite expensive If I were to Wait until later next year it may have dropped a couple hundred?
Anyway yes any recommendations would be appreciated, also is it more important to a have a high end amp over speakers?

[FilmFreakosaurus]

KEF, Elac, Dali, and Wharfedale are good speakers with very different sound characteristics. Having listened to a few of them at trade shows, I was more impressed with the GoldenEar Technology speakers for their performance with both movies and music in relation to their price, at least in U.S. dollars.

With movies it's also about the quality of attack of the speaker drivers during high volume listening and whether they fall apart or not in sonic clarity. Some of those speakers listed are noted more for their music reproduction vs. their movie output.

I also really, really like American made and designed Triad Speakers. Their Bronze LCR line would be another much, much better than budget level of quality speaker that can dish it for your sized room, but I'm not sure how easy they are to find in the UK. I would say they're as good or slightly better in some respects than GoldenEar when talking about Triad Bronze speakers specifically. The Triad Silver LCR's are in another league altogether, but quite outside your budget.

Mike Budd
Triad Speakers, Inc.
Director of International Sales
503.517.2633 direct | 503.256.2600 main
Skype: mikebudd.triad
mbudd@triadspeakers.com

SVS speakers and subs are designed by a U.S. company and have been around for quite some time. They tend to hold their own with the big boys when talking about target sound and build quality vs. their price.

The question is: what sounds good to you within your budget? It's all quite subjective really.

If you can audition them with a variety of content and high quality audiophile music... not MP3's, not compressed to hell streaming, not dynamically compressed pop stuff, but something like classical piano, violin, solo voices, massed orchestra, etc. that showcase the real quality of the speaker, along with movie material... then you'll get a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses.

[Nishe11]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

KEF, Elac, Dali, and Wharfedale are good speakers with very different sound characteristics. Having listened to a few of them at trade shows, I was more impressed with the GoldenEar Technology speakers for their performance with both movies and music in relation to their price, at least in U.S. dollars.

With movies it's also about the quality of attack of the speaker drivers during high volume listening and whether they fall apart or not in sonic clarity. Some of those speakers listed are noted more for their music reproduction vs. their movie output.

I also really, really like American made and designed Triad Speakers. Their Bronze LCR line would be another much, much better than budget level of quality speaker that can dish it for your sized room, but I'm not sure how easy they are to find in the UK. I would say they're as good or slightly better in some respects than GoldenEar when talking about Triad Bronze speakers specifically. The Triad Silver LCR's are in another league altogether, but quite outside your budget.

Mike Budd
Triad Speakers, Inc.
Director of International Sales
503.517.2633 direct | 503.256.2600 main
Skype: mikebudd.triad
mbudd@triadspeakers.com

SVS speakers and subs are designed by a U.S. company and have been around for quite some time. They tend to hold their own with the big boys when talking about target sound and build quality vs. their price.

The question is: what sounds good to you within your budget? It's all quite subjective really.

If you can audition them with a variety of content and high quality audiophile music... not MP3's, not compressed to hell streaming, not dynamically compressed pop stuff, but something like classical piano, violin, solo voices, massed orchestra, etc. that showcase the real quality of the speaker, along with movie material... then you'll get a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses.

Yeah i think i need to get down to my local Richard Sounds and give them a listen. I would't be using it for music, only movies i would think.

I've got many questions but having very quick read through that huge Atmos white paper which you kindly supplied i think most of the info i need is there. However im not sure about one thing and that is how on earth is all this connected!? Do i need a specific type of cable or something, or is it even cable or HDMI?

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Nishe11

Yeah i think i need to get down to my local Richard Sounds and give them a listen. I would't be using it for music, only movies i would think.

I've got many questions but having very quick read through that huge Atmos white paper which you kindly supplied i think most of the info i need is there. However im not sure about one thing and that is how on earth is all this connected!? Do i need a specific type of cable or something, or is it even cable or HDMI?

sounds like you've got a lot of homework/research to do. don't look for a simple post to answer it. google is your friend. it won't hurt either, it will just take a few minutes of your time.

trust me, you will gain wealth of knowledge just by googling how are atmos speakers connected as well as visiting the Dolby site. good luck and you let us know what you have found.