Soundbar or repurpose old marantz amp

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mrhaboobi

195 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#323308 17-Nov-2025 13:29

Ok I need some help with home audio. Back in the old days I had a marantz sr5007 plus Polk rt10/8 speakers and sub . It’s sat there in the lounge doing stuff all. I got lazy a few years ago and bought a kilpsch sound bars. It was simple , improved tv audio, had a sub and generally was happy with it. With the wife and I deciding to go seperate ways I’m looking at how to achieve decent sound in my new property for simplicity she will keep the existing gear. But I’m got access to the amps etc as she’s really just looking for the soundbar to stay.

I’ve been looking at a few options.

1) buy a soundbar for myself. I have a small budget due to needing to refurnish a house and whitewater, bed comes higher on the priority list. But was looking at the Jbl bar 9.1 or 1000 as I liked the detachable surrounds. Simple, wire free , unsure if the soundbar has good vocal for improving the shitty tv speakers ( Panasonic 55” ). Music is secondary currently , tv, home audio, gaming would be where I’d prefer better sound. Open to suggestions on bars. We had a Klipsch rsb6 Woukd like something a bit better

2) repurpose an amp. Sr5007 is a 7.1. Doesn’t have all the latest decoding options but given the tv is no longer smart ( apps out of date ) I’ll need to get an Apple TV for streaming and assume that could decode . I’d then need some speakers ( I don’t want floorstanding , space is limited ), plus a centre and I could reuse my sub or downgrade as it’s a 12 or 10” woofer.

id like to get some small rears , running cables to the rear would be incredibly challenging given the way the house is designed , there happens to be a wide thin horizontal window above the tv location so guessing cables run to the right inside the wall and then up. Are there systems to add Bluetooth speakers to the rear?

thoughts from those of you with way more expertise than me? I could sell the amps ( have a second older 5.1 amp as well ) , speakers and existing sub and start from scratch. In ceiling is an option but not sure how great they sound when just watching tv /netflix . Sound bar like Jbl 9.1, bar 1000 etc seem easy and good enough ( knowing that they will make audiophiles horrified ) :)

thanks

nitro

756 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 335

#3435253 17-Nov-2025 14:38

getting a soundbar would be the easiest way to address your needs. my brother-in-law has one of those jbl 1000 units, and they're a massive improvement to the sound of his tv. this also gives you the wireless surround speakers. however, it's not the same as discrete speakers. that said, they won't be demanding floor space either!
the sr5007 was a fabulous unit. however, it's biggest shortcoming these days is the lack of support for dolby atmos and dts-x. none of the media players i've seen have discrete output for all the audio channels, you can't just plug them into your receiver's 7.1ch input ports and get dolby atmos. if the newer surround formats is important to you, this might sway your decision.

it's looking like your best option is to get a capable soundbar. the newer ones are considerably better than the earlier versions. they have pretty much taken over the sub-sat offerings that used to be quite popular small footprint options. you might find them (soundbars) perfectly suitable especially where you have less space.

ARIKIP

246 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 134

#3435497 18-Nov-2025 10:31

nitro:

it's looking like your best option is to get a capable soundbar. the newer ones are considerably better than the earlier versions. they have pretty much taken over the sub-sat offerings that used to be quite popular small footprint options. you might find them (soundbars) perfectly suitable especially where you have less space.

Keep an eye out regards soundbars as theres some bargains out there. I picked up a Samsung Q990C setup off trademe for $400 earlier this year. Replaced an Integra Atmos/DTS-X receiver and speakers setup as the missus wanted to declutter the lounge. Surprised me with how good a decent bar can sound. I purchased the JBL 5.1 soundbar with detachable rear speakers for my mum in law a few years back....excellent unit. Again i got that one second hand as well.

Sony 77" A80J OLED, Panasonic UB820, Panasonic BD-T460, Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen, Samsung Q990D Soundbar

mrhaboobi

195 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#3435509 18-Nov-2025 11:02

ARIKIP:

Keep an eye out regards soundbars as there's some bargains out there. I picked up a Samsung Q990C setup off trademe for $400 earlier this year. Replaced an Integra Atmos/DTS-X receiver and speakers setup as the missus wanted to declutter the lounge. Surprised me with how good a decent bar can sound. I purchased the JBL 5.1 soundbar with detachable rear speakers for my mum in law a few years back....excellent unit. Again i got that one second hand as well.

Yup that's probably what i want to do, pick up a used JBL bar with the detachable speakers. Just need to keep my eyes open for a reasonable price, the JBL 9.1 ( i think there was a 5.1 model aswell ) from a few years back, the Bar 800/1000 seems like options. Samsung look okay as well, just avoiding the powered rears if i can :) But i also want a bar that has decent vocals as the tv speakers are crap :)