Are Sound Bars good for music?

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simon14

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#143165 5-Apr-2014 11:31

OBviously it will depend on the sound bar itself but in general, do they produce good sound quality?

I'm looking at this SOny one in particular:

https://shop.jbhifi.co.nz/home%20theatre/home%20theatre%20system/sony-htct660-2-1-channel-sound-bar-home-theatre-system/71765

psychnurse

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#1018933 5-Apr-2014 11:39

My wife and I love the one we purchased. Got rid of our stereo,freed up some space. Very crystal clear sound.
This was the one we use: http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio-and-home-theatre/sound-bars/klipsch-icon-sb1-soundbar-wireless-10-subwoofer.html?gclid=COi_jtvyx70CFQUJvAodfhkAbQ

simon14

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#1018937 5-Apr-2014 11:59

That ones a little above my price range :)

More interested to know if sound quality on the one i poisted above would be decent compared with my $500 Pioneer surround sound system (which i only use for 2.1 anyway)

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#1019038 5-Apr-2014 15:27

Soundbars are for convenience and WAF.
Useful for PCs and for upgrading TVs with horrible inbuilt speakers.
I have never heard one that sounds as good as a conventional pair of stereo speakers at the same price.

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#1019040 5-Apr-2014 15:31

psychnurse: My wife and I love the one we purchased. Got rid of our stereo,freed up some space. Very crystal clear sound.
This was the one we use: http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio-and-home-theatre/sound-bars/klipsch-icon-sb1-soundbar-wireless-10-subwoofer.html?gclid=COi_jtvyx70CFQUJvAodfhkAbQ

That's cheating - it's a soundbar plus a subwoofer

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psychnurse

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#1019091 5-Apr-2014 17:47

Sideface:
psychnurse: My wife and I love the one we purchased. Got rid of our stereo,freed up some space. Very crystal clear sound.
This was the one we use: http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio-and-home-theatre/sound-bars/klipsch-icon-sb1-soundbar-wireless-10-subwoofer.html?gclid=COi_jtvyx70CFQUJvAodfhkAbQ

That's cheating - it's a soundbar plus a subwoofer

I was about to say I think this sound bar is a step up from my previous system. They author of the post is also interested in a soundbar with a sub. Cheating, na :)

simon14

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#1019111 5-Apr-2014 18:29

OK, i just purchased the Sony HTCT660 2.1 Channel Sound Bar Home Theatre System

I'm very impressed,, the sound quality is amazing!

At under $400, this system is amazing! I highly recommend it.

Also comes with a powerful sub woofer (wireless)

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#1019134 5-Apr-2014 19:14

Remember the OP's question : Are sound bars good for music?

They may be good for home theatre, but that is not the same thing as listening to music.
I still prefer real speakers

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simon14

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#1019166 5-Apr-2014 20:39

Sideface: Remember the OP's question : Are sound bars good for music?

They may be good for home theatre, but that is not the same thing as listening to music.
I still prefer real speakers

The Sony HTCT660 is awesome for music!!

It's just as good as my Panasonic and Pioneer surround sound systems for 2.1 music. I'm really impressed actually.

Dunnersfella

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#1019189 5-Apr-2014 21:10

It's a matter of perspective.
It's good compared to TV speakers or a mono iPod dock...
But will it beat a 2-channel amp and stereo speakers. Nope, not in a month of Sunday's.

33coupe

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#1019456 6-Apr-2014 13:46

I have only ever heard one soundbar that sounded impressive. It produced quite a loud sound but still fairly clear.

The only problem was that it cost about $1500!

simon14

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#1019527 6-Apr-2014 16:48

JBhifi in Albany have the Sony HTCT660 on display - go and take a listen, it does sound really good.

A review i found on youtube also is worth taking a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWjQZT8ulHA

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surfisup1000

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#1019532 6-Apr-2014 17:18

simon14: OBviously it will depend on the sound bar itself but in general, do they produce good sound quality?

I'm looking at this SOny one in particular:

https://shop.jbhifi.co.nz/home%20theatre/home%20theatre%20system/sony-htct660-2-1-channel-sound-bar-home-theatre-system/71765

This is an impossible question to answer as different people and different types of music mean you will never get an agreement.

Personally, I think you can get really good music out of a good quality soundbar.

But, there are plenty of audio snobs (philes??) who cannot tolerate using these things for music.

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#1019555 6-Apr-2014 18:51

surfisup1000:... Personally, I think you can get really good music out of a good quality soundbar.
But, there are plenty of audio snobs (philes??) who cannot tolerate using these things for music.

Audiophiles by definition love fine music and fine music reproduction. Some of us are snobs, but most of us are not.
Like enthusiasts for other things, such as IT, we are willing to go to more trouble &/or spend more money to get what we want than the average person would.
Personally I am happy not to run a car (we have a good bus service), and to spend the money saved on high-end audio and IT gear.
I'd rather enjoy good sound than own a car.
You can call me a fanatic or an eccentric if you like, but different people have different priorities.

PS I have a soundbar for my PC

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surfisup1000

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#1019556 6-Apr-2014 19:04

Sideface:
surfisup1000:... Personally, I think you can get really good music out of a good quality soundbar.
But, there are plenty of audio snobs (philes??) who cannot tolerate using these things for music.

Audiophiles by definition love fine music and fine music reproduction. Some of us are snobs, but most of us are not.
Like enthusiasts for other things, such as IT, we are willing to go to more trouble &/or spend more money to get what we want than the average person would.
Personally I am happy not to run a car (we have a good bus service), and to spend the money saved on high-end audio and IT gear.
I'd rather enjoy good sound than own a car.
You can call me a fanatic or an eccentric if you like, but different people have different priorities.

PS I have a soundbar for my PC

he he, sorry, my point is that everyone have different tastes and it is perfectly fine. I used to be a sound snob, buying hugely expensive cabling and the best amps etc.

I guess as I got older I either got tighter or my ears are not what they used to be ha ha.