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Maybe Soundbars Aren't Evil After All

Haywood

Haywood

Well-Known Member
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I have been looking around at compact solutions to my sound needs for small bedrooms. There is simply no space for component A/V systems and a proliferation of speakers in these rooms. I need something that can stream music and connect to a TV/Roku to provide nice sound in the context of a bedroom or possibly a kitchen.

The solution I am gravitating toward is the Sonos Playbar and Sub. The Playbar is very compact with an array of speakers that provides 3.0 sound. Most soundbars I listened to sounded like crap, but this one didn't. I was very impressed with how good it sounded for something so sleek and compact. The wireless Sub is also compact and attractive and puts out a surprising amount of bass for an enclosure that size. Together, I think the resulting system would sound quite nice in a small room without adding a ton of clutter.

I would not be interested in using something like this for my main system, but I honestly cannot see the downside for smaller secondary spaces.
 
It is very expensive and I am still looking at other options, but the Playbar impressed me with its excellent build quality, ease of use, appealing design and surprisingly decent sound. I do not really need the Sonos features and am very much interested in spending less money. I just don't want to end up with something that sounds crappy.
 
A Soundbar? Where's Haywood and what have you done with him. :angry-tappingfoot:
 
I've listened to quite a few soundbars and I think I agree that the one you are looking at is way overpriced. Just my .02 though. Lol.
 
The Pioneer is currently the front-runner on the basis of being a vastly superior value.
 
ZVOX has many of their units on sale currently. Between Joanna complaining about the lack of output on our new TV and then others mentioning it also at the GTG. I figured I'd give one a try. I went with the SOUNDBASE.555 due to price, dimensions, and features. After spending the last couple hours with it, I'm very happy with the purchase. If my opinion waivers wildly either way I'll report back.

(Generally I'm not one to set-up a full-fledged system everywhere we watch content as I don't want to consciously deter myself or the family from using the theater, it's a pretty major investment to not use it.)
 
Has anyone looking at Soundbars been wondering how they are getting the surround and the large spacious image?
 
I ended up buying three Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 2.1 systems for my kitchen and the kid's bedrooms. They sound very good for the $179 I paid for them and my only regret is not having bought a fourth set for my master bedroom.
 
I have a Polk for the upstairs TV. It's just the typical sound bar with wireless "sub" (more like a fart box). It gets the job done, but I know there's a better more reliable option out there for probably less. I got it the same time I got the Dish Hopper.


It's not my setup downstairs, but I do like it much better than just the TV speakers alone.
 
Rope said:
Compared to ?

Rope
Click to expand...


Is that directed at me?

Ok, probably no comparison, performance wise, to a 2 channel bookshelf sub setup. I just don't see any sound bar competing with a bookshelf sub/sat setup where you can place the speakers for optimum performance. The downside is, for me, that I have kids that can't keep their grimy little, germ ridden mits off a pair of bookshelfs had I went that route. Ok, maybe the 5 year would know better, but my little destructive 2 year old...Hell no. Because of that, I'm finding a sound bar setup a good option. The wireless sub I have tucked away under one of my end tables and the soundbar sits on top of the TV. Both are out of reach of "Little Zilla".


Price wise it depends on what you bought. My setup was closer to the $300 mark, so yeah maybe there's better solutions out there. However with that said, I don't regret it. The soundbar has a wireless sub, bluetooth, and can be placed where it and the sub is out of reach from little ones. Later on, as my kids grow, I'll probably add a true stereo setup if not go surround sound.


When they finally move out of the house is when the real fun begins.
oldtimer.gif
 
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