Sound Bar Recommendation

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networkn

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#304679 27-May-2023 20:10

I am looking for a soundbar that meets the following wishlist:

Compact.

HDMI

Wifi

Ethernet

Bluetooth

Atmos (possibly won't work in a compact form factor or inside the 'budget'.

In terms of sound quality priority, it goes Normal TV (Streamed), Movies, Music then Games. I don't want anything that is rubbish at any of them.

I don't want anything with a separate subwoofer as that defeats the compact requirement.

Budget I'd love to stay under $500, but I acknowledge with that list of requirements that may be tough to impossible. I'd rather get something great than save $100 or so.

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#3080188 28-May-2023 06:55

If you’re not getting a subwoofer don’t bother. It’ll sound thin and crap, especially at $500.

You’re far better off just getting a couple of active bookshelf speakers/studio monitors for that sort of money.

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#3080201 28-May-2023 08:17

If you give up the Atmos and Bluetooth then a 1st Gen Sonos Beam 2nd hand can be had for ~$400 these days. That would have to be the best sounding compact soundbar available. Sounds perfectly fine without a subwoofer for 90% of day to day watching.

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#3080258 28-May-2023 09:28

I have the Harmon Kardon Citation, quite large soundbar, really good sound. It also has an optional sub and surrounds (I have the full kit) and also from towers if you want to go that way.

Ethernet (I have it had wired to my LAN)
WiFi
AirPlay
Google Assistant
Bluetooth
HDMI (3 from memory)
Optical In

I also prefer the gray wool finish to the 'everything in black' in consumer hardware (it also goes well with my TV - Samsung Frame with white bezel).

I have everything wired to the TV (well actually the box that comes with the Samsung) and then a single wire to the Soundbar (plus power), and a single (very thin) cable to the TV. Looks nicer than having multiple cables snaking up the wall. Sub and surrounds are wireless, just power.

BTW as @Handle9 says - the sub definitely makes a difference; I came from floor standing Kef's and my focus was on sound first, and I am very happy with this setup. Only niggle would be no Atmos, but I don't miss it, and the physical rears add a lot to the sound. I would rather than real 5.1 than fake surround.

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#3080296 28-May-2023 12:18

Handle9: If you’re not getting a subwoofer don’t bother. It’ll sound thin and crap, especially at $500.

You’re far better off just getting a couple of active bookshelf speakers/studio monitors for that sort of money.

The reason I want compact is that it's unlikely this device is staying in one place. It's primary location is under the TV in our Bedroom, and it's second likely location is when we travel, either to the beach, or some other location we drive to. We don't really have the room or suitable place for a SW, so I will need to compromise in that regard. It will be used as a 'portable' speaker as well, hence the desire for passable musical ability.

If I need to stretch the budget, I will, but I am not happy to spend moonbeams.

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#3080297 28-May-2023 12:19

Senecio:

If you give up the Atmos and Bluetooth then a 1st Gen Sonos Beam 2nd hand can be had for ~$400 these days. That would have to be the best sounding compact soundbar available. Sounds perfectly fine without a subwoofer for 90% of day to day watching.

Atmos is a little negotiable, Bluetooth and WiFi are not.

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#3080299 28-May-2023 12:19

timbosan:

I have the Harmon Kardon Citation, quite large soundbar, really good sound. It also has an optional sub and surrounds (I have the full kit) and also from towers if you want to go that way.

Ethernet (I have it had wired to my LAN)
WiFi
AirPlay
Google Assistant
Bluetooth
HDMI (3 from memory)
Optical In

I also prefer the gray wool finish to the 'everything in black' in consumer hardware (it also goes well with my TV - Samsung Frame with white bezel).

I have everything wired to the TV (well actually the box that comes with the Samsung) and then a single wire to the Soundbar (plus power), and a single (very thin) cable to the TV. Looks nicer than having multiple cables snaking up the wall. Sub and surrounds are wireless, just power.

BTW as @Handle9 says - the sub definitely makes a difference; I came from floor standing Kef's and my focus was on sound first, and I am very happy with this setup. Only niggle would be no Atmos, but I don't miss it, and the physical rears add a lot to the sound. I would rather than real 5.1 than fake surround.

That sounds great, but it's pretty huge, not really suitable for my purposes, and is nearly 3 times what I'd ideally be spending. I am a little stretchy on budget, but yeah, that seems quite a lot more than I would be happy to go to.

Handle9

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#3080335 28-May-2023 14:27

networkn:
Handle9: If you’re not getting a subwoofer don’t bother. It’ll sound thin and crap, especially at $500.

You’re far better off just getting a couple of active bookshelf speakers/studio monitors for that sort of money.

The reason I want compact is that it's unlikely this device is staying in one place. It's primary location is under the TV in our Bedroom, and it's second likely location is when we travel, either to the beach, or some other location we drive to. We don't really have the room or suitable place for a SW, so I will need to compromise in that regard. It will be used as a 'portable' speaker as well, hence the desire for passable musical ability.

If I need to stretch the budget, I will, but I am not happy to spend moonbeams.

Unfortunately there’s no replacement for displacement. To make bass you need a decent sized driver.

Your other alternative would be a firestick with a couple of echos or an echo studio.

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#3080392 28-May-2023 16:30

Handle9:

Unfortunately there’s no replacement for displacement. To make bass you need a decent sized driver.

Your other alternative would be a firestick with a couple of echos or an echo studio.

Yeah, I mean the sub is a non starter for many reasons, so whatever compromise is required will need to be made. Given the primary location is the bedroom and our kids rooms are nearby I don't really want thumping sound, just better than what the LG C1 I have produces.

We already have an Echo Studio in the bedroom. I did have it hooked up to the TV, but where it had to sit, made things sound weird (sound coming from the far right-hand side, vs where the TV was. The Studio is great for music, though far from ideal for gaming (which I don't do in the bedroom but do when travelling.

I guess I have a fairly fringe use case.

I had been hopeful for the Sonos Ray to meet my needs, but the lack of HDMI/Atmos wasn't great. It's the right size, and the sound coming out of it wasn't awful. It also meets the price range.

Handle9

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#3080417 28-May-2023 18:41

I’d entirely ignore Atmos. You have no surround speakers and no sub so it’s kind of pointless.

For your use case optical will be fine, it’s not like you’re getting any real benefit out of HD audio.

I don’t think the Ray has Bluetooth though and Sonos really plays best with Apple devices.

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#3080476 28-May-2023 20:20

The only one that springs to mind (but I can't vouch for it) is the JBL multibeam 5.0. can be had for $500, no sub, has Atmos along with Chromecast and airplay via an ethernet port. I'd say it ticks all the boxes if you can actually hear one to make sure the sounds any good.

Optical will be fine for the sound in a soundbar like this but you would lose the ability to change volume using the tv remote which is definitely a nice to have feature if it's permanently connected and used every time you use the tv. If your spending $500 I'd say try and stick with using ARC/eARC if you can purely to keep that functionality.

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#3080915 29-May-2023 15:41

Handle9: I’d entirely ignore Atmos. You have no surround speakers and no sub so it’s kind of pointless.

For your use case optical will be fine, it’s not like you’re getting any real benefit out of HD audio.

I don’t think the Ray has Bluetooth though and Sonos really plays best with Apple devices.

No Bluetooth kills the Ray for me. I was sure one of the reviews I read said it did have it, but that is just a crazy omission in 2023, considering the cost of Bluetooth modules.

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#3081034 29-May-2023 18:53

I got an email from JB HiFi today - they’re doing the Bose Soundbar 700 for $598 (next cheapest price I could see is $995).

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/headphones-speakers-audio/bose/bose-soundbar-700-black/353496/

Unsure how many of your boxes it ticks - doubt it has Ethernet (is this really critical?) and won’t have Atmos, but agree with the earlier post that Atmos is pointless on basic sound bars.

Anyway, could be worth looking at - it’s a coupon code sale price, so you’ll need the code to get it at that price (happy to forward it to someone if they’re keen on buying one).

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#3081039 29-May-2023 18:59

The is not a recommendation. I don't have one, but JB has an email coupon deal for $600. Features look good if not excessive : )

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/headphones-speakers-audio/bose/bose-soundbar-700-black/353496/

For tv watching on the quiet my bugbear with soundbars is they're not very directional. I find they have to be fairly loud to get all the dialog and detail from a movie compared to tv speakers. Soundbar purpose is filling a room with sound.

Edit: snap!
Edit: deal might be black only

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#3081040 29-May-2023 19:04

Internet says the 700 has Ethernet. Imo check before purchase.

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#3081169 29-May-2023 22:35

That 700 looks amazing at the price, but it's massive. Nearly 40cm bigger than the 600. Not really compact or easily transportable.

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