Dick Smith (RAR) Sound Plate

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Dick Smith (RAR) Sound Plate - thoughts?

slim8589

6 posts

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#160297 1-Jan-2015 10:10

Hi all,

I see that Dick Smith is currently selling a Sound Plate for $99 (half price). I used to have a very nice cinema setup (Denon & KEF) back in the day but sold it when we moved overseas. I don't really want to start a whole new setup and we don't have the room, but as I get older I do find dialogue on TV (Netflix etc) difficult at times.

We have a Panasonic Smart TV. We also have a Warehouse Veon TV which the kids use for gaming - the sound on that is so bad that I picked up some Creative speakers and sub for them to use.

I mention that because I can at least tell the difference between truly awful sound (the Veon) and the reasonable sound form the Panasonic.

So the question is should I take a punt on the DS sound plate? Does anyone have any experience with it, I can't find any info on the net. Do we think that most of the components will be stock stuff that may also be used in more expensive solutions. I don't really want to pay out a huge amount but sometimes the cheap solutions can be quite good ones.

Thoughts?

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#1206760 1-Jan-2015 10:24

Curiosity.... What is the Sound Plate?....

Did a search on Dick Smith for 'Sound Plate' and all I got was USB cables and headphones.

Cheers

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

slim8589

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1206762 1-Jan-2015 10:29

http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/audio-systems/rar-2-1ch-sound-stand-with-built-in-sub-dsnz-c7740

SepticSceptic

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#1206927 1-Jan-2015 17:35

No pic, but there is for the Oz site :
http://www.dicksmith.com.au/soundbars/rar-2-1ch-sound-stand-with-built-in-sub-dsau-c7740

tchart

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#1206959 1-Jan-2015 19:14

Similar to the veon one?

http://search.thewarehouse.co.nz/m/product/Veon-Bluetooth-Sound-Base-VN3166SB?SKU=1866999

Although the dick smith one has hdmi in/out and optical. So dse probably has the better deal.

Glassboy

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#1206963 1-Jan-2015 19:39

slim8589: Hi all,

I see that Dick Smith is currently selling a Sound Plate for $99 (half price). I used to have a very nice cinema setup (Denon & KEF) back in the day but sold it when we moved overseas. I don't really want to start a whole new setup and we don't have the room, but as I get older I do find dialogue on TV (Netflix etc) difficult at times.

We have a Panasonic Smart TV. We also have a Warehouse Veon TV which the kids use for gaming - the sound on that is so bad that I picked up some Creative speakers and sub for them to use.

I mention that because I can at least tell the difference between truly awful sound (the Veon) and the reasonable sound form the Panasonic.

So the question is should I take a punt on the DS sound plate? Does anyone have any experience with it, I can't find any info on the net. Do we think that most of the components will be stock stuff that may also be used in more expensive solutions. I don't really want to pay out a huge amount but sometimes the cheap solutions can be quite good ones.

Thoughts?

I'm confused, on one hand you say you can hear the difference between cheap crap and decent gear but on the other hand you're talking about buying something from the home of cheat crap.

Check out TradeMe. You can pick up second hand stuff pretty cheap.

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#1206965 1-Jan-2015 19:55

Glassboy: I'm confused, on one hand you say you can hear the difference between cheap crap and decent gear but on the other hand you're talking about buying something from the home of cheat crap.

Check out TradeMe. You can pick up second hand stuff pretty cheap.

Good advice.

I see two problems:

1. At $99 it is way too cheap to sound any good - this is not audio snobbery, just a Fact of Life in NZ
2. It comes from Dick Smith who do not sell quality audio (or quality anything, for that matter)

Sideface

slim8589

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1206966 1-Jan-2015 19:56

Well if you put the Panasonic next to the Veon TV the difference is stark. And indeed even without comparing them side by side it is obvious that the Veon lacks any real depth, the sound is very weak.

However, having listened to the soundable (playing a track via Bluetooth) in Dick Smith it is clear that it will add depth and atmosphere compared to the onboard Panasonic speakers. The question is whether that in itself is going to be enough. I want the dialogue to be clearer, so many programs and films suffer from the dialogue being drowned out either by the effects or music. Not such an issue when you have a cinema setup but since I am not going down that route.......

I can spend $1000 on a soundbar and sub (such as the Klipsch one on offer at Harvey Norman) or I can spend $100 on this. Obviously there will be difference but I'd rather not spend that if the DS one is able to address the issue I have outlined, I'm really not interested in keeping the neighbours awake with ground shaking bass!

Currently I add my Cambridge amp and mission speakers to the mix if I want a bit more oomph, but that doesn't address the dialogue issue.

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slim8589

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#1206967 1-Jan-2015 20:00

And a quick check of soundbase, sound base, sound bar and soundbar, throws up nothing on TradeMe tonight.

Glassboy

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#1206969 1-Jan-2015 20:13

I'm not entirely sure if you're trolling, being obtuse, or just looking for an opportunity to name drop. If you want a sound bar, buy a sound bar. If you want better dialogue buy an A/V receiver and a centre speaker, or a second hand home theatre system. An older Sony at $50 is going to be better than a DSE soundbar.

slim8589

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1206978 1-Jan-2015 20:48

Not trolling, trying not to be obtuse and certainly not name-dropping (whatever that may mean in this context) just wondering whether anyone has any info good or otherwise based on experience. It's a long time since I had an AV receiver and I'm not keen to go down that route anymore.

Looking at sites like What Hi-Fi will sometimes bring up reviews of bargain stuff that people don't expect to be any good but which out perform both the price and expectations.

I'm no audiophile, my hearing just isn't that good any more so I wanted to know if it was a bit of a bargain or utter crap,

Anyway, I'll chalk this up as yet another of those forums where people set out to belittle and undermine anyone 'new' with an genuine quest for advice.

Cheers, you have a good new year.

DaveB

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#1206996 1-Jan-2015 21:31

slim8589:

but as I get older I do find dialogue on TV (Netflix etc) difficult at times.

Thoughts?

I know the feeling about dialogue.

Sorry to see that you have been set upon today in GZ. Ignore it.

The best advice I can give is to go into DSE and ask them to demo one for you. I do understand that some of their so called "consultants" will look at you with shock and horror, but you may just get lucky and find an "old schooler" who will understand what it means to try and be of assistance for the potential customer. A long shot I know, but you never know. If you don't ask etc ...............

There are still a few good kids out there in retail land, it's just hard trying to find them.

scuwp

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#1207065 2-Jan-2015 07:57

You can get better quality sound pads. Pretty sure I saw some Panasonic (or Bose?) ones at Harvey Norman in the clearance area. They were around $300 from memory. The concept intrigued me and thought it was an excellent idea, especially for bedroom TVs etc. Otherwise if space is a problem a soundbar, if not Trade Me is full of all-in-one home theatre systems that would do a nice job.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

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#1207077 2-Jan-2015 08:17

slim8589: ... my hearing just isn't that good any more so I wanted to know if it was a bit of a bargain or utter crap ...

TV sound systems are of notoriously poor quality, and difficulty hearing dialogue is a common early symptom of hearing loss, especially with background music playing or other people talking in the room.
Just Google "presbycusis" if you haven't done so already.
If you haven't had your hearing properly tested, now might be the time.
Unfortunately, hearing aids can be much more expensive than "audiophile" gear. I use mine on special occasions only, as I find them uncomfortable to wear after a few hours.
If you have hearing problems, then you need good audio gear, not a cheap system with distorted sound.

Several people - including me - have advised you against buying ultra-cheap gear from DSE. Your hearing problem makes this even better advice.

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tchart

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#1207296 2-Jan-2015 20:07

Another 2c.

I got a Philips Soundbar with sub from dick smith for xmas. I think it was $130. The sound is a vast improvement over my LG TV. The sub is overkill for general tv viewing so i keep it unplugged most of the time. The surround optionis rubbish though.

So while its not audiophile quality its money well spent IMHO.

michaelmurfy

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#1207299 2-Jan-2015 20:13

I use a Samsung Soundbar (this one to be specific: http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/tv-audio-video/soundbar/soundbar/HW-H551/XY) and find it overkill for what I need however it sounds very very good especially when watching movies or playing the PS4. It is well worth spending the bit of extra money on something a little better as cheap is a little bit of a risk.

How I went with buying a soundbar was I had content in FLAC on my phone and blasted them in store playing around with the settings and all, the staff did not mind (I think they're used to it) but bought the one that sounded best in my price range.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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