Sound Bars??

irratebass · 10-25-2012, 02:21 PM

Hey everyone,

I am in the market for one, I have a 42 inch Samsung TV.....I have not really looked at them price wise yet, but I figured some of you might know about these or even have one.

I am looking to pick one up on Black Friday.....so throw em at me and thanks for the input.

pektel · 10-25-2012, 02:41 PM

I listened to a pretty awesome Bose soundbar at Best Buy a couple weeks ago. Never took a look at the model number though.

dave · 10-25-2012, 02:52 PM

I've had one (Sony, I think) for about a year and I'm happy with it.
BUT....only because it met my personal criteria:
1. Cheap - think I spent just under $100
2. Small rented condo room with neighbors, so I'm very rarely looking to 'crank it up'
3. Little room for multiple speakers
4. I'm not much of an audiophile

You can easily do far better with small satellites and a subwoofer. Even Bose' lowest end system sounded far better, but I didn't want the extra speakers, wires, cost. It is mounted right above my 42", wires aren't visible and sound is fine for me. With a room any bigger than my 10x15 living room, and I'm pretty sure I'd want something more substantial.

bonjing · 10-25-2012, 04:50 PM

I have a Vizio and have been very happy with it. For the price I think it sounds just as good as the other brands. I looked at the LG, Samsung and some other ones that they had at best buy. I think at the time, last black friday, they were still close to the $200 mark and the sound just did not impress me. I think the best one that I heard was made by JBL and in the higher price range was i think a Bose. I don't get deep bass but I can live with that.

If you're like me than I just wanted better sound than the built in speakers of the TV. I kept in mind that if I wanted good sound I knew I needed to go components but I am not willing to pay or set them up.

LasciviousXXX · 10-25-2012, 04:52 PM

They're great if you're looking to conserve space or save money and high sound quality is not a priority. Other than that though, the sound is not all that great for either music or movies, especially for the price.

kelmac07 · 10-25-2012, 07:08 PM

I love my Vizeo sound bar.

jledou · 10-26-2012, 06:18 AM

I went with the Boston and I have been happy with it for ~2yrs now.

mjdx88 · 10-26-2012, 06:36 AM

+1 With LasciviousXXX, If you would like some good sound stay away from those powered sound bars....

If your not mounting the TV on the wall look at zvox, this sits right under the TV, provides some good sound IMHO.

If your looking to wall mount the TV and keep costs down, look at the matching samsung bars, I have installed a few of them, and as much as I hate to admit that I have. I also dont like to admit that they sound pretty damn good for the price and size.

mosesbotbol · 10-26-2012, 08:34 AM

I am looking to buy one too. Costco has a few, but wasn't sure which one to buy. I assume they are all powered?

CigarSquid · 10-26-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

They're great if you're looking to conserve space or save money and high sound quality is not a priority. Other than that though, the sound is not all that great for either music or movies, especially for the price.

I have a vizio and feel the same way.. I use it maybe 5 times a year. Mostly for music. I think it sounds better for music than TV/Movies.. To me that is.

I would not buy one again.. I tired to give mine away to my mom.

irratebass · 10-26-2012, 09:49 AM

We have a Vizio at the shop that works pretty well.

I am looking to conserve space (by placing it above over below the wall mounted tv) right now I have a JVC 5 disc player and it's just not producing the sound it used to, if I watch a DVD I have to crank it to no less than 17 to even hear it.....tv about 5 (which is fine) and cd's 13 or higher + the speakers are big and bulky and just looking to go minimal.

Sound isn't that important, and by that I mean surround sound, however I was talking to a coworker and maybe wireless surround sound is the way to go?

This is what I have now, to give you an idea of what I am dealing with.

dave · 10-26-2012, 10:12 AM

Wow. Does that run on diesel, unleaded or jet fuel?

mjdx88 · 10-26-2012, 10:39 AM

Samsung Soundbar is the way to go....wireless surround sound is a gimmick I have never seen it work right...I have replaced many of these kits with a real sound system.

LasciviousXXX · 10-26-2012, 11:38 AM

The only wireless system I recommend is the Sonos HiFi Music system. However, they are not what you'd call "affordable".

emopunker2004 · 10-26-2012, 11:46 AM

I love our cheap $100 Vizio sound bar. It's much better than the stock TV speakers on out 32" Samsung. It's no surround sound system but it works for my purpose.

irratebass · 10-26-2012, 01:16 PM

Thanks guys, I am just going to have to research them and look around, just wanted to get everyone's opinions on them.

And yeah Dave that's a monster isn't it? Luckily the speakers are moveable

mosesbotbol · 11-05-2012, 09:15 AM

I just bought a Yamaha AVS-1010 at Costco on Saturday and will be returning it this week. The sound difference was not that dramatic, I was unable to disable the internal subwoofer (followed the easy directions to no avail) and optical audio cable goes from speaker to cable box. When I use my laptop via HDMI, the speaker aren't going to work. Just not worth the hassle for very little improvement IMO.

skullnrose · 11-05-2012, 09:40 AM

Have one of these on the TV in the spare bedroom http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-S40...amaha+soundbar

Improved the sound of the TV but NOT surround sound
Has HDMI switching
Cost 599.95
If your not picky about sound quality you can find much cheaper sound bars
I agree with LasciviousXXX on the sonos for wireless
Really depends on what your looking to do. You can get a AV receiver and simple 5.1 speaker set up for the price of a decent sound bar and get true surround sound.

10-25-2012, 02:21 PM	#1
irratebass EMPEROR TOMPKINS Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Mickey Location: Mooresville, Indiana Posts: 8,313 Trading: (48)	Sound Bars?? Hey everyone, I am in the market for one, I have a 42 inch Samsung TV.....I have not really looked at them price wise yet, but I figured some of you might know about these or even have one. I am looking to pick one up on Black Friday.....so throw em at me and thanks for the input. __________________

10-25-2012, 02:41 PM	#2
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Re: Sound Bars?? I listened to a pretty awesome Bose soundbar at Best Buy a couple weeks ago. Never took a look at the model number though. __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem.

10-25-2012, 02:52 PM	#3
dave Have My Own Room Join Date: May 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,180 Trading: (15)	Re: Sound Bars?? I've had one (Sony, I think) for about a year and I'm happy with it. BUT....only because it met my personal criteria: 1. Cheap - think I spent just under $100 2. Small rented condo room with neighbors, so I'm very rarely looking to 'crank it up' 3. Little room for multiple speakers 4. I'm not much of an audiophile You can easily do far better with small satellites and a subwoofer. Even Bose' lowest end system sounded far better, but I didn't want the extra speakers, wires, cost. It is mounted right above my 42", wires aren't visible and sound is fine for me. With a room any bigger than my 10x15 living room, and I'm pretty sure I'd want something more substantial.

10-25-2012, 04:50 PM	#4
bonjing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,012 Trading: (39)	Re: Sound Bars?? I have a Vizio and have been very happy with it. For the price I think it sounds just as good as the other brands. I looked at the LG, Samsung and some other ones that they had at best buy. I think at the time, last black friday, they were still close to the $200 mark and the sound just did not impress me. I think the best one that I heard was made by JBL and in the higher price range was i think a Bose. I don't get deep bass but I can live with that. If you're like me than I just wanted better sound than the built in speakers of the TV. I kept in mind that if I wanted good sound I knew I needed to go components but I am not willing to pay or set them up.

10-25-2012, 04:52 PM	#5
LasciviousXXX Team of 11...Always Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Týr Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,579 Trading: (8)	Re: Sound Bars?? They're great if you're looking to conserve space or save money and high sound quality is not a priority. Other than that though, the sound is not all that great for either music or movies, especially for the price.

10-25-2012, 07:08 PM	#6
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Sound Bars?? I love my Vizeo sound bar. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-26-2012, 06:18 AM	#7
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,225 Trading: (27)	Re: Sound Bars?? I went with the Boston and I have been happy with it for ~2yrs now.

10-26-2012, 06:36 AM	#8
mjdx88 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 133 Trading: (1)	Re: Sound Bars?? +1 With LasciviousXXX, If you would like some good sound stay away from those powered sound bars.... If your not mounting the TV on the wall look at zvox, this sits right under the TV, provides some good sound IMHO. If your looking to wall mount the TV and keep costs down, look at the matching samsung bars, I have installed a few of them, and as much as I hate to admit that I have. I also dont like to admit that they sound pretty damn good for the price and size.

10-26-2012, 08:34 AM	#9
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Sound Bars?? I am looking to buy one too. Costco has a few, but wasn't sure which one to buy. I assume they are all powered? __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-26-2012, 09:49 AM	#11
irratebass EMPEROR TOMPKINS Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Mickey Location: Mooresville, Indiana Posts: 8,313 Trading: (48)	Re: Sound Bars?? We have a Vizio at the shop that works pretty well. I am looking to conserve space (by placing it above over below the wall mounted tv) right now I have a JVC 5 disc player and it's just not producing the sound it used to, if I watch a DVD I have to crank it to no less than 17 to even hear it.....tv about 5 (which is fine) and cd's 13 or higher + the speakers are big and bulky and just looking to go minimal. Sound isn't that important, and by that I mean surround sound, however I was talking to a coworker and maybe wireless surround sound is the way to go? This is what I have now, to give you an idea of what I am dealing with. __________________

10-26-2012, 10:12 AM	#12
dave Have My Own Room Join Date: May 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,180 Trading: (15)	Re: Sound Bars?? Wow. Does that run on diesel, unleaded or jet fuel?

10-26-2012, 10:39 AM	#13
mjdx88 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 133 Trading: (1)	Re: Sound Bars?? Samsung Soundbar is the way to go....wireless surround sound is a gimmick I have never seen it work right...I have replaced many of these kits with a real sound system.

10-26-2012, 11:38 AM	#14
LasciviousXXX Team of 11...Always Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Týr Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,579 Trading: (8)	Re: Sound Bars?? The only wireless system I recommend is the Sonos HiFi Music system. However, they are not what you'd call "affordable".

10-26-2012, 11:46 AM	#15
emopunker2004 Central Fla rollin Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Justin Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 6,171 Trading: (46)	Re: Sound Bars?? I love our cheap $100 Vizio sound bar. It's much better than the stock TV speakers on out 32" Samsung. It's no surround sound system but it works for my purpose. __________________ Cigar Asylum: Where all are equal, unless you are from CA, then you are more equal.

10-26-2012, 01:16 PM	#16
irratebass EMPEROR TOMPKINS Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Mickey Location: Mooresville, Indiana Posts: 8,313 Trading: (48)	Re: Sound Bars?? Thanks guys, I am just going to have to research them and look around, just wanted to get everyone's opinions on them. And yeah Dave that's a monster isn't it? Luckily the speakers are moveable __________________

11-05-2012, 09:15 AM	#17
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Sound Bars?? I just bought a Yamaha AVS-1010 at Costco on Saturday and will be returning it this week. The sound difference was not that dramatic, I was unable to disable the internal subwoofer (followed the easy directions to no avail) and optical audio cable goes from speaker to cable box. When I use my laptop via HDMI, the speaker aren't going to work. Just not worth the hassle for very little improvement IMO. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

11-05-2012, 09:40 AM	#18
skullnrose Ashes,ashes,all fall down Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Scott Posts: 799 Trading: (16)	Re: Sound Bars?? Have one of these on the TV in the spare bedroom http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-S40...amaha+soundbar Improved the sound of the TV but NOT surround sound Has HDMI switching Cost 599.95 If your not picky about sound quality you can find much cheaper sound bars I agree with LasciviousXXX on the sonos for wireless Really depends on what your looking to do. You can get a AV receiver and simple 5.1 speaker set up for the price of a decent sound bar and get true surround sound. __________________