Sound Bar suggestions

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3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#226301 30-Dec-2017 19:55

Just starting to do some research on Sound Bars. There seems to be plenty of options from cheap to not so cheap. Wanting something that doesn’t need a seperate remote but can be used with the current TV remote. I don’t know if it needs a Sub Woofer or not. I’m open to suggestions in the $1000 to $1200 range.
TIA.

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4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1927166 30-Dec-2017 21:59

What TV? Some soundbars will learn your TV remote control button presses to control the volume... others rely on HDMI CEC via ARC (audio return channel).

The latter proves to be unreliable on a VERY regular basis.

Klipsch, Denon, Polk, Sonos, Yamaha = the most popular at this point.

A subwoofer helps a lot, especially if you keep the subwoofer as close to the TV as possible as many soundbars crossover to bass frequencies a lot higher than traditional home theatre speakers.

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1927237 31-Dec-2017 08:29

Probably well over a year or so ago now and I am away from home but we settled on what I believe was the top of the line LG sound bar at that time. Retail was about $1200 from memory but we picked it up for around $900. Absolutely love it, to the point that we now use it for all sound in our family room and got rid of the stereo as well and just stream everything.

Looked at Klipsh and Denon but the LG blew them all away at that price point. It responds to TV on and off automatically but you do need to use the remote to select input source and equaliser functions.

We were advised by everyone to forget HDMI connection as it was flakey at best and depended a lot on compatibility. Use optical and have had no problems.

Definitely go for the subwoofer if you want that rich sound.

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

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1927239 31-Dec-2017 08:54

I got my Mum an LG at HN for under $400 and it sounds really good.

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1927240 31-Dec-2017 09:10

I appreciate that lots of people prefer the low profile, minimal fuss and styling of a soundbar....but I have struggled to find one I liked the sound of - being a full HT kinda guy.

But I do wonder if something like these would be a a good low-cost middle option i.e. between a soundbar and a full Amp/HT/or Bookshelf set up:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/home-theatre/auction-1503777223.htm?rsqid=25f4c176fb634847a8ee52435f6d6a30

Anyone tried these or similar?

kein

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1927247 31-Dec-2017 09:36

I found this review very relevant: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-soundbar/

It may be a mission to find some of these models on NZ market, but it's still a nice general guidance.

Jase2985

13462 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1927263 31-Dec-2017 10:23

kein:

I found this review very relevant: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-soundbar/

It may be a mission to find some of these models on NZ market, but it's still a nice general guidance.

you will struggle to fine most of them in nz, i had a look about 3 months ago and think i could only find some of the more expensive ones

rp1790

738 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1927265 31-Dec-2017 10:27

I recently bought a Samsung MS650 Soundbar and am veyr impressed with it. If you have a recent Samsung TV you probably on ly need the one remote. These sound-bars are $140 off at the moment at NL.

https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio/home-audio/sound-bars/samsung-hw-ms650-soundbar/prod152482.html

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1927266 31-Dec-2017 10:28

driller2000:

I appreciate that lots of people prefer the low profile, minimal fuss and styling of a soundbar....but I have struggled to find one I liked the sound of - being a full HT kinda guy.

But I do wonder if something like these would be a a good low-cost middle option i.e. between a soundbar and a full Amp/HT/or Bookshelf set up:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/home-theatre/auction-1503777223.htm?rsqid=25f4c176fb634847a8ee52435f6d6a30

Anyone tried these or similar?

I'm yet to see powered monitors that can accept Dolby or DTS audio via their optical port. A lack of Dolby compatibility can be problematic as Netflix uses Dolby Digital+ and some TV's default to it every time you use the built-in Netflix application (Panasonic comes to mind).

Powered monitors make a lot of sense, but for whatever reason they simply don't seem to be successful as a soundbar replacement in NZ... I had a pair at home on my entertainment unit for a while, they were cool but didn't work in with my Netflix so they are no longer in play.

dafman

3928 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1927272 31-Dec-2017 10:50

I'm patiently waiting for Sonos to update their soundbar. The current design is now a little dated, but my main gripe is the upward firing speakers (as I won't be wall mounting).

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1927331 31-Dec-2017 12:44

Dunnersfella:
What TV? Some soundbars will learn your TV remote control button presses to control the volume... others rely on HDMI CEC via ARC (audio return channel).

The latter proves to be unreliable on a VERY regular basis.

Klipsch, Denon, Polk, Sonos, Yamaha = the most popular at this point.

A subwoofer helps a lot, especially if you keep the subwoofer as close to the TV as possible as many soundbars crossover to bass frequencies a lot higher than traditional home theatre speakers.

Ihave a Sony KDL-55Hx750

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1927335 31-Dec-2017 12:51

Cool - your TV will happily be able to be controlled by soundbars that learn TV volume controls.

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1927345 31-Dec-2017 14:01

Dunnersfella:

driller2000:

I appreciate that lots of people prefer the low profile, minimal fuss and styling of a soundbar....but I have struggled to find one I liked the sound of - being a full HT kinda guy.

But I do wonder if something like these would be a a good low-cost middle option i.e. between a soundbar and a full Amp/HT/or Bookshelf set up:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/home-theatre/auction-1503777223.htm?rsqid=25f4c176fb634847a8ee52435f6d6a30

Anyone tried these or similar?

I'm yet to see powered monitors that can accept Dolby or DTS audio via their optical port. A lack of Dolby compatibility can be problematic as Netflix uses Dolby Digital+ and some TV's default to it every time you use the built-in Netflix application (Panasonic comes to mind).

Powered monitors make a lot of sense, but for whatever reason they simply don't seem to be successful as a soundbar replacement in NZ... I had a pair at home on my entertainment unit for a while, they were cool but didn't work in with my Netflix so they are no longer in play.

Ahh....good point - cheers for the response.

PsychoSmiley

250 posts

Master Geek

#1928945 4-Jan-2018 11:22

Unfortunately a bit above your price range but I'm using a Yamaha YSP-2700 ($1400ish if you can strike lucky). Being a soundbar the additional sub helps a lot in terms of adding punch to the sound and gets my internal approval of the wife complaining it's too loud (I like to feel my sound).

It's never going to match a dedicated system but it does a fantastic job for what it is. I've had no issues integrating it with the LG TV or the Xbox One S (4K BD duties) for volume adjustment and other stuff (but not perfectly) e.g. if I turn the Xbox on first as I'm going to watch a movie it will wake the TV and the soundbar but it doesn't know how to set the HDMI input but that's a single remote button press.

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gehenna

8509 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1928951 4-Jan-2018 11:31

I have an LG SJ5. Can't rate it highly enough, especially paired with my LG TV. The wireless sub is a nice bonus.

Interslice

159 posts

Master Geek

#1928965 4-Jan-2018 12:01

driller2000:
I appreciate that lots of people prefer the low profile, minimal fuss and styling of a soundbar....but I have struggled to find one I liked the sound of - being a full HT kinda guy.

But I do wonder if something like these would be a a good low-cost middle option i.e. between a soundbar and a full Amp/HT/or Bookshelf set up:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/home-theatre/auction-1503777223.htm?rsqid=25f4c176fb634847a8ee52435f6d6a30

Anyone tried these or similar?

I think I'm pulling the trigger on a pair of these today. Just sucks they have to come from oz can not find a local retailer that has these in stock. This is just to have some speakers at home mainly for music as I got rid of a far too large stereo for my needs left over from my early 20's haha. Due to our small house though they will be put next to the tv. Would love to use them for the tv too if I can..

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