I'm just having another look at the Panasonic SC-HTB20 http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/home-theatre/panasonic-sc-htb20-k-home-cinema-sound-system/prod116960.html The audio control should be able to go via the TV's hdmi arc so the IR receiver being on the sub doesn't need to be a deal breaker. Being $400 it's a little above what I wanted to spend but nothing I couldn't hide from the wife. Could ask them if they can do a deal on it or they might have a Waitangi Day sale perhaps. Can anyone suggest anything else for up to $400?
I thought about getting that but reviews said its kind of average so quite a lot to pay for unified remote and ease of use compared to decent active speakers. Theres a higher end Panny HTIB that looks perfect to me but not sold here I think, fairly useless post that hm
Will do sidefx. If there is a Waitangi Day sale I will probably pick it up, otherwise I might wait for my cheap DAC to arrive and test that out with PC speakers.
Does anyone know if, when using a soundbar with hdmi arc, when you adjust the volume does the TV's volume level/graphic come up to show you the volume level? I can see that being an issue for my wife if it doesn't (and I think it probably doesn't).
I am about to hookup with a pair of Audioengine 2 speakers that i got for $99 from a Warehouse Red Alert sale recently, there's a pair on trademe for $175 at the moment. I am waiting for a DAC, bought from ebay for $US60, to arrive to complete the setup, there are cheaper USB DACs on Amazon that are made for TV hookups which are much cheaper.
I currently use the A2 for music through a Bluray player and also via Airport Express. They sound excellent for a their size, definitely better than music on TV through its speakers.
If you use the Simplink HDMI control on your LG, it will be childs play to change the sound bar volume with the TV remote control. However, there's a warning here, some people have reported issues with ARC working on LG TV's and certain AVR's + home theatre systems... If I was buying a system to keep my other half happy, reducing the number of remotes or keeping it at the same number would be VERY high on my priority list.
I've decided I want to spend more than I can right now (read: Wife says no). I want to go with a proper amplifier/receiver, or a nice soundbar if I see a good one at the rice price.
So as a stop-gap measure I've gone with a pair of Microlab Solo6C (the 7c were too big for the space they are going). The dual audio inputs will allow be to plug both the HTPC and Sky decoder in to it if the DAC (which I am still waiting on) turns out to be unsatisfactory. The Harmony can adjust which Microlab's input is used based on what's being displayed on the TV.
And when I upgrade I can have the 6c's for the desktop computer to replace the $30 logitechs :D
Thanks alll for your opinions and suggests, very helpful. I'll make a new thread with my new budget when the wife lets me!
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly
to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.
Trusted
