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Sound Bars
https://gladerebooted.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5369		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  FarSky [ Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Sound Bars
Anyone have any experience with them? We're moving again, and I'm really, really tired of having to constantly do the speaker breakdown and setup for the 5.1. Also, since we're renting again, I'm not about to start drilling holes and doing a proper install for a 5.1 system.

My co-worker recommended the Sony HT-CT150. The 350 is comparable to 5.1, but I don't know if the increase in price is worth it.

Disclaimer: I'm not an audiophile (well, duh...I'm looking for a fake surround experience). I just want something that sounds good.

Edit: preferably somethin' with HDMI, please.
Author:  Micheal [ Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
I will be watching this thread as the topic is something I'm curious about too. I own my house so I can be a little more thorough.

Like FarSky, I don't need max audiophilia, I just need something that sounds good.
Author:  darksiege [ Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
I will be watching this thread for the same reason as Micheal.

But FarSky... why ask us for our opinion? As the Video Game polls show, you will not heed the advice anyway.* ;p

*this is meant in the spirit of fun, not to be a dick.
Author:  Colphax [ Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:37 am ]
Post subject: 
I almost pulled the trigger on a Polk soundbar for much the same reason, but found myself in a house with a prewired 5.1 surround sound speaker system instead. This was a couple of years ago, though. I was going to buy just the bar and integrate it with my old stereo and new Polk subwoofer that I already had. Instead, I wound up just getting the new receiver I wanted :), so I can't tell you much how a soundbar sounds. Looks like they have made subwoofer/soundbar combos now, which they didn't offer back then.

I didn't like the Sony or Panasonic models that I saw when I went to a Fry's to look at the units in person, the fit and finish seemed a bit too Wal-Mart...but maybe I had already set my sights on the Polk, /shrug. I also have a little bit of prejudice against Sony home electronics for no apparent reason I can remember...

A quick check on amazon showed your Sony might be cheaper, though, being on a "put it in your cart to see the price" special, marked down from $299, while a comparable Polk system was $284.99, marked down from $399. There's definitely a better selection now than there used to be, and prices have dropped a little on the one I had my eye on. You might consider that one if you already have a subwoofer, since its in the same price range as that Sony system (EDIT: If you're willing to buy a used one).
Author:  Sean [ Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:10 am ]
Post subject: 
I had the earlier Sony HT-CT100, Farsky. I thought it was pretty decent... until I got a real Surround setup myself. They are not in any way comparable to a real 5.1+ system and you will horribly miss having one if you downgrade to a sound bar.
Author:  FarSky [ Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Just to note, we wouldn't have a proper 5.1 system anyway...or rather, it's a 5.1 system, but it wouldn't be set up properly. In lieu of running wires and all that mess, I wind up just putting the back left channel and back right channel speakers behind the TV itself (i.e. the exact wrong place to put them :P).

My question then becomes...would a soundbar sound better than that?
Author:  Sean [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:06 am ]
Post subject: 
Not really, unless you have some really cheap and bad speakers to begin with. A sound bar is just a 3.1 system and any emulated surround stuff is mostly nonsense.

If you really don't want to run wires for the surround speakers you could try one of those Wireless Surround kits that you can hook Surrounds up to.
Author:  Colphax [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Wireless surround sucks sweaty hog nuts in the slimiest, fly-ridden wallow fed by a slaughterhouse's sewage on the hottest day ever recorded. Why? Synchronization. Just about every wireless solution is limited to the rear speakers. And the ugly thing about a mixed wireless/wired solution is that its an exercise in frustration to get the signal to the wireless speakers synchronized with the wired ones. Frankly, I'd rather have an 80's style Wall of Sound than a 5.1 using a hybrid wired/wireless speaker setup.
Author:  Darkroland [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sound Bars
It sounds like you've ruled out having a real surround system anyway, so your options are 3.1 system or sound bar.

Personally, I would think a 3.1 system properly configured will sound much better, but if you aren't worried about that, go with the soundbar, it will be much easier to set up. If possible, add a powered sub.
Author:  Lenas [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
So if you always end up putting the rear speakers next to the TV, what is it about the setup process that you hate doing? Setting up a 3.1 would be the same as what you're doing right now!

Lazyskee ;P
Author:  FarSky [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thoughts on the Bose CineMate Series II? Listened to one in-store and it sounded brilliant.

I've seen people who regard Bose as fantastic, and others who sneer at them, so I'd like to hear thoughts.
Author:  Lenas [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
I generally consider Bose to be overpriced for what they offer, but if you listened to it an like it, go for it. Your ears are the ones that need to be happy at the end of the day. That said, I'd find as many reviews as I could before dropping cash on the brand.

Edit - just saw the price. Not a snowball's chance in hell I'd pay that for a 2.1
Author:  Darkroland [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re:
FarSky wrote:
Thoughts on the Bose CineMate Series II? Listened to one in-store and it sounded brilliant.

I've seen people who regard Bose as fantastic, and others who sneer at them, so I'd like to hear thoughts.


I am a sneer-er. I personally prefer the flattest audio response possible (so you can get as close as possible to the original audio engineer's design), and they typically push the midrange HARD, as well as being overpriced.
Author:  Midgen [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
I had an earlier version of the Bose, and hated it. I never could quite put my finger on it. IT was ok for music, and action scenes, but trying to hear dialog was a nightmare. Something about the sound encoding just didn't get along with my ears.

I ended up giving it away to a nephew to hook up his game consoles to.
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