Whats a speaker bar?? - Blu-ray Forum

redtornado · 07-17-2009, 12:45 AM

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I usually dont dip into the audio section since I dont have an audio surround system. I saw this at wal mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11046520) and thought this might just be what I was looking for.

Is this the only thing i would need to get better sound. Since my space is limited and my theater is already wired like a christmas tree in back I thought this might fit perfectly in front of my tv. Do I need any other speakers with this? Im sure It would be better then my tv speakers. Does anyone have one?

mtbkr · 07-17-2009, 12:52 AM

sorry but i have a tendency to be bias against things that are not awesome. so if this is not going to make your sound any better than adjusting the advanced audio settings on your tv, then i would stay clear. "I.M.O"........ i have ran into several customers at work with these type of systems on there tv's and very few have liked them.

Big Daddy · 07-17-2009, 12:58 AM

Sound bars are a convenient one speaker system as opposed to putting 5 speakers and a subwoofer in a room. For many of them, a subwoofer is also required.

Although some of them are better quality (e.g., Yamaha's top of the line soundbar) and more expensive than others, they are at best an upgrade to the TV's speakers and not a good substitue for a true 5.1 or 7.1 system.

See other options at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_?u...ords=Sound+bar

Steve · 07-17-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtbkr

sorry but i have a tendency to be bias against things that are not awesome.

I love it.

TKNice · 07-17-2009, 02:01 AM

I could be wrong, but I think it's a place where speakers go to find a hot young amp.

redtornado · 07-17-2009, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKNice

I could be wrong, but I think it's a place where speakers go to find a hot young amp.

Please dont reproduce.

crazyBLUE · 07-17-2009, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtornado

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I usually dont dip into the audio section since I dont have an audio surround system. I saw this at wal mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11046520) and thought this might just be what I was looking for.

Is this the only thing i would need to get better sound. Since my space is limited and my theater is already wired like a christmas tree in back I thought this might fit perfectly in front of my tv. Do I need any other speakers with this? Im sure It would be better then my tv speakers. Does anyone have one?

Please don't take this wrong but you are missing half the Experience of watching A Blu-ray by NOT having A sound system !!

I can understand not being able to but save & then get one & it will make it 10 fold better .

Steve · 07-17-2009, 03:38 AM

I'm sorry most of the posts so far have not been helpful (my own included). Anyway, IMO a speaker bar is only a small upgrade over the TVs speakers, unless maybe you go with something like this. However, you still need a receiver and a subwoofer. At this point you could have bought a nice 2.1 or 3.1 system which would be far better than a soundbar.

Bluubyu · 07-17-2009, 04:35 AM

I have a Yamaha YSP-800 soundbar in my bedroom set-up hooked up with a subwoofer as well and it is more than adequate for that room. When I bought my LN55A950 I hooked it up in my livingroom and found that it didn't quite measure up due to the size of the room, it was much better than the tv speakers though and I think you couldn't go wrong if all you wanted was to get better sound than your tv speakers. With that said I think you should shop around as I'm sure there are better units out there than the Vizio but that's my opinion.

redtornado · 07-17-2009, 02:49 PM

I used to have a dolby digital surround system when I first moved into my apt, and it was a hassle. The wiring alone drove me nuts. The sound was good, but in the end i wanted something simple.

I am on a budget(and Im really, really cheap) and hoping this would just give me a little sound qualtiy boost.

bluRazor · 07-17-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKNice

I could be wrong, but I think it's a place where speakers go to find a hot young amp.

u beat me 2 it. guess i shouldnt have kids either.

Another_Dude · 07-17-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtornado

I used to have a dolby digital surround system when I first moved into my apt, and it was a hassle. The wiring alone drove me nuts. The sound was good, but in the end i wanted something simple.

I am on a budget(and Im really, really cheap) and hoping this would just give me a little sound qualtiy boost.

It MAY sound better than crappy TV speakers. If that is what you want to spend your dollars on then go for it.

SeanMF · 07-17-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

I'm sorry most of the posts so far have not been helpful (my own included). Anyway, IMO a speaker bar is only a small upgrade over the TVs speakers, unless maybe you go with something like this. However, you still need a receiver and a subwoofer. At this point you could have bought a nice 2.1 or 3.1 system which would be far better than a soundbar.

Or like this:
http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...r/Default.aspx

These speaker bars require a receiver/amp to power them and I can add surrounds and a sub for 7.1 which is what i'm going to do in my bedroom. This option is not cheap though. Really I'd pick up cheap receiver and 2 towers for around $300. Wiring 2 towers...center even isn't that difficult and you can hide the wires behind your tv stand. I'd get some polk speakers at like newegg.com. I wouldn't settle for a speaker bar for living room. Unless you spend money on a decent one....they are not a worthwhile upgrade over tv speakers.

PitbullMike · 07-18-2009, 07:09 PM

Its a bar where you go and have a few beers and listen to sounds

Petra_Kalbrain · 07-18-2009, 07:54 PM

A sound bar is a bad idea...

Unless the room in which you will be watching your Blu-rays and playing your games has been engineered and constructed around the accoustic qualities of the sound bar you will have too much sound bouncing around. I've experienced a few sound bars and they always seem to be offering about 40% of the audio experience that even a modest 5.1 sound system can output.

redtornado · 07-24-2009, 09:31 PM

I just picked it up today. Not as great as a complete surround system, but the space is nice. Well worth it.

redtornado · 07-25-2009, 04:13 PM

Where did all those scratches on my table come from??

g217814 · 07-25-2009, 05:10 PM

I saw the same Vizio sound bar at Costco on a closeout price of 129.99 about two weeks ago, may be worth looking into if you have one close by. I figure for 129.99 you can't go wrong....if it sucks you can take it back.

mr.hidef · 07-26-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtornado

Please dont reproduce.

I think that was a little uncalled for.......this is supposed to be a help forum.

07-17-2009, 12:45 AM	#1
redtornado Special Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Fox Valley, Wisconsin Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:323 Digital collection:159 Blu-ray reviews: 20 Trading Score:553	Whats a speaker bar?? Sorry if this has been covered before, but I usually dont dip into the audio section since I dont have an audio surround system. I saw this at wal mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11046520) and thought this might just be what I was looking for. Is this the only thing i would need to get better sound. Since my space is limited and my theater is already wired like a christmas tree in back I thought this might fit perfectly in front of my tv. Do I need any other speakers with this? Im sure It would be better then my tv speakers. Does anyone have one?

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07-17-2009, 12:52 AM	#2
mtbkr Active Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:washington(state) Blu-ray collection:65	sorry but i have a tendency to be bias against things that are not awesome. so if this is not going to make your sound any better than adjusting the advanced audio settings on your tv, then i would stay clear. "I.M.O"........ i have ran into several customers at work with these type of systems on there tv's and very few have liked them.

07-17-2009, 12:58 AM	#3
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	Sound bars are a convenient one speaker system as opposed to putting 5 speakers and a subwoofer in a room. For many of them, a subwoofer is also required. Although some of them are better quality (e.g., Yamaha's top of the line soundbar) and more expensive than others, they are at best an upgrade to the TV's speakers and not a good substitue for a true 5.1 or 7.1 system. See other options at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_?u...ords=Sound+bar

07-17-2009, 02:01 AM	#5
TKNice Active Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2009 Home Theater Gallery:51	I could be wrong, but I think it's a place where speakers go to find a hot young amp.

07-17-2009, 03:38 AM	#8
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	I'm sorry most of the posts so far have not been helpful (my own included). Anyway, IMO a speaker bar is only a small upgrade over the TVs speakers, unless maybe you go with something like this. However, you still need a receiver and a subwoofer. At this point you could have bought a nice 2.1 or 3.1 system which would be far better than a soundbar.

07-17-2009, 04:35 AM	#9
Bluubyu Active Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Scottsdale, Arizona Home Theater Gallery:3 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:208	I have a Yamaha YSP-800 soundbar in my bedroom set-up hooked up with a subwoofer as well and it is more than adequate for that room. When I bought my LN55A950 I hooked it up in my livingroom and found that it didn't quite measure up due to the size of the room, it was much better than the tv speakers though and I think you couldn't go wrong if all you wanted was to get better sound than your tv speakers. With that said I think you should shop around as I'm sure there are better units out there than the Vizio but that's my opinion.

07-17-2009, 02:49 PM	#10
redtornado Special Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Fox Valley, Wisconsin Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:323 Digital collection:159 Blu-ray reviews: 20 Trading Score:553	I used to have a dolby digital surround system when I first moved into my apt, and it was a hassle. The wiring alone drove me nuts. The sound was good, but in the end i wanted something simple. I am on a budget(and Im really, really cheap) and hoping this would just give me a little sound qualtiy boost.

07-18-2009, 07:09 PM	#14
PitbullMike Expert Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Texas Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:17 Trading Score:3	Its a bar where you go and have a few beers and listen to sounds

07-18-2009, 07:54 PM	#15
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	A sound bar is a bad idea... Unless the room in which you will be watching your Blu-rays and playing your games has been engineered and constructed around the accoustic qualities of the sound bar you will have too much sound bouncing around. I've experienced a few sound bars and they always seem to be offering about 40% of the audio experience that even a modest 5.1 sound system can output.

07-24-2009, 09:31 PM	#16
redtornado Special Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Fox Valley, Wisconsin Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:323 Digital collection:159 Blu-ray reviews: 20 Trading Score:553	I just picked it up today. Not as great as a complete surround system, but the space is nice. Well worth it.

07-25-2009, 04:13 PM	#17
redtornado Special Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Fox Valley, Wisconsin Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:323 Digital collection:159 Blu-ray reviews: 20 Trading Score:553	Where did all those scratches on my table come from??

07-25-2009, 05:10 PM	#18
g217814 Active Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Washington Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:298 Blu-ray reviews:113	I saw the same Vizio sound bar at Costco on a closeout price of 129.99 about two weeks ago, may be worth looking into if you have one close by. I figure for 129.99 you can't go wrong....if it sucks you can take it back.

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