Soundbar ? - Blu-ray Forum

bsuyeti29 · 12-22-2009, 01:26 PM

While I construct my basement home theater I am really itching for some added ooommpphh to my current set up, which sadly consists of only the TV speakers. Whats the opinion on Sound bars with subS. there seems to be some good deals going now for them? Anyone own one? Can theY do HD audio? Thanks for any and all help.

jomari · 12-22-2009, 05:31 PM

welcome to the forum bsuyeti29,

we have had a number of discussions regarding soundbars and a lot of inquiries about how good they are compared to a regular 5.1 system.

ive reviewed a couple and prefer yamaha soundbars versus the sony ones, and of course vox is another great soundbar maker (its their forte, thus my preference).

soundbars, home theater in a boxes, pc speakers, all have their settings in the audio world, built for a specific reason so to speak. i prefer to use soundbars in smaller rooms, mostly bedrooms as a secondary unit. if done correctly, they can definitely be a good investment without the hassles of setting up a dedicated 5.1 system.

we have to consider,

how big is the room? dimensions?
its primary use, will you be using it only for movies, or a couple of cds as well?

there are a couple of reasons, a couple of details we need to suggest a more substantial answer regarding your inquiry.

can they do HD-audio? pretty much any 2 channel rig can, but you wont get the best out of em. all speakers setups can do hd-audio, question is, is it capable of maximizing it. some can play the core tracks imbedded, but not the DTSMA or dolby truHD signal you may be looking for.

depending on your setup, depending on your needs, a soundbar can or can not work with it.

808leo · 12-22-2009, 05:32 PM

i have (soon to be had) the ht-ct100 it does do hd audio but if you can i wouldn't go that route it can never beat true surround

bsuyeti29 · 12-22-2009, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the Info. It will be going in a living room set up just like i said to improve the movie watching quality! I have a blu ray player and I am just tired of the TV speakers. It would just be the best set up since it wont take up a lot of room and can sit right below the TV. I will look into the Yamaha sounds bars I know that best buy has them onsale.

jomari · 12-22-2009, 09:40 PM

ever consider going 2.1 tho? a great pair of bookshelves can be had with a good concealable subwoofer, to enhance the experience.

but then again you'd have to invest as well in a receiver or an AVR to say the least.

all in all, id say go with a yamaha or a vox soundbar, and hopefully that would work for your setup.

how big is the room anyways?

Rhettroactive · 12-22-2009, 10:28 PM

I've got an ht-ct500 from Sony (the step up from the 100) and that thing can thump. If set up in a smaller room and with the proper dimensions, it can definately do the job.

Nothing is going to compete with true surround sound, but you know that I'm sure.

Having had both full surround and a bar, I can tell you that I'm very happy with the ht-ct500, keeping in mind it's limitations.

bsuyeti29 · 12-23-2009, 01:27 PM

Wow great tips. The room is a 10x14 and i sit about 8ft away from the TV on the 10ft side. I will look into the Sony and Yamaha, I am not familiar with the VOX brand but sounds like they make a few peoples list. The bar works best for me for now, because my wife didnt want bookshelf speakers all over the the room.

12-22-2009, 01:26 PM	#1
bsuyeti29 Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:396 Blu-ray reviews:27 Trading Score:32	Soundbar ? While I construct my basement home theater I am really itching for some added ooommpphh to my current set up, which sadly consists of only the TV speakers. Whats the opinion on Sound bars with subS. there seems to be some good deals going now for them? Anyone own one? Can theY do HD audio? Thanks for any and all help.

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12-22-2009, 05:31 PM	#2
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	welcome to the forum bsuyeti29, we have had a number of discussions regarding soundbars and a lot of inquiries about how good they are compared to a regular 5.1 system. ive reviewed a couple and prefer yamaha soundbars versus the sony ones, and of course vox is another great soundbar maker (its their forte, thus my preference). soundbars, home theater in a boxes, pc speakers, all have their settings in the audio world, built for a specific reason so to speak. i prefer to use soundbars in smaller rooms, mostly bedrooms as a secondary unit. if done correctly, they can definitely be a good investment without the hassles of setting up a dedicated 5.1 system. we have to consider, how big is the room? dimensions? its primary use, will you be using it only for movies, or a couple of cds as well? there are a couple of reasons, a couple of details we need to suggest a more substantial answer regarding your inquiry. can they do HD-audio? pretty much any 2 channel rig can, but you wont get the best out of em. all speakers setups can do hd-audio, question is, is it capable of maximizing it. some can play the core tracks imbedded, but not the DTSMA or dolby truHD signal you may be looking for. depending on your setup, depending on your needs, a soundbar can or can not work with it.

12-22-2009, 05:32 PM	#3
808leo Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2009 Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:90	i have (soon to be had) the ht-ct100 it does do hd audio but if you can i wouldn't go that route it can never beat true surround

12-22-2009, 09:11 PM	#4
bsuyeti29 Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:396 Blu-ray reviews:27 Trading Score:32	Thanks for the Info. It will be going in a living room set up just like i said to improve the movie watching quality! I have a blu ray player and I am just tired of the TV speakers. It would just be the best set up since it wont take up a lot of room and can sit right below the TV. I will look into the Yamaha sounds bars I know that best buy has them onsale.

12-22-2009, 09:40 PM	#5
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	ever consider going 2.1 tho? a great pair of bookshelves can be had with a good concealable subwoofer, to enhance the experience. but then again you'd have to invest as well in a receiver or an AVR to say the least. all in all, id say go with a yamaha or a vox soundbar, and hopefully that would work for your setup. how big is the room anyways?

12-22-2009, 10:28 PM	#6
Rhettroactive Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Leesburg, VA Trading Score:1	I've got an ht-ct500 from Sony (the step up from the 100) and that thing can thump. If set up in a smaller room and with the proper dimensions, it can definately do the job. Nothing is going to compete with true surround sound, but you know that I'm sure. Having had both full surround and a bar, I can tell you that I'm very happy with the ht-ct500, keeping in mind it's limitations.

12-23-2009, 01:27 PM	#7
bsuyeti29 Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:396 Blu-ray reviews:27 Trading Score:32	Wow great tips. The room is a 10x14 and i sit about 8ft away from the TV on the 10ft side. I will look into the Sony and Yamaha, I am not familiar with the VOX brand but sounds like they make a few peoples list. The bar works best for me for now, because my wife didnt want bookshelf speakers all over the the room.

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