TVs and Soundbars: anyone got experience?

[Savago]

Dear friends

I bought a couple months ago a Samsung 4K TV to watch the World Cup. Really nice tv (got it with a nice discount at Frys), awesome image quality, nice 'smartness' (netflix, youtube, hulu works pretty nicely) but the sound... is a bit lacking.

I have being considering buying one of those soundbars that goes under the TV and was wondering if anyone got any experience with it and could share some ideas about?

It seems that the price ranges from 150 to 1000, and there are quite a few manufacturers in the market.

Connecting the TV to the soundbar can be done using optical cable or ARC (Audio Return Channel), as the TV has an output for both.

I'm not really looking to invest in anything overly expensive or that would require to much effort to install (i.e. not a complete home theater system with lots of speakers), as my staying room is small and I got a small family (just myself + wife + daughter).

Ideas?

[Savago]

This is an article with a few models:
https://www.worldwidestereo.com/blogs/wws-underground/entries/best-sound-bars-2018

[Savago]

I'm leaning towards either the Yamaha YAS-108 (https://www.cnet.com/reviews/yamaha-yas-108-review/) or the Vizio SB3621 (https://www.cnet.com/reviews/vizio-sb3621n-e8-review/).

When it comes to audio, I generally favor Yamaha as this is what they have being doing for the last century and something. Got 2 Yamaha digital pianos and they are pretty good.

The advantage of the Vizio is that it comes with a wireless subwoofer bundled.

The advantage of the Yamaha YAS-108 is that is has a subwoofer output (so you could add a real subwoofer from any maker later).

[3fan4life]

It's on the higher end, but you can't go wrong with BOSE.

I have one and I love it.

Bought it at a BOSE store as a factory refurb for under $250

[Savago]

@3fan4life: I used to have some Bose noise cancelling headphones and they were great, replaced by some Samsung and was disappointed.
 

You are right that going with BOSE is probably the safest choice, only issue is it may be a bit out of my budget.

[3fan4life]

@3fan4life: I used to have some Bose noise cancelling headphones and they were great, replaced by some Samsung and was disappointed.
 

You are right that going with BOSE is probably the safest choice, only issue is it may be a bit out of my budget.

A good Samsung was just under $200.

I figured that BOSE was worth an extra $50.

Look online and see if there's a factory outlet store near you.

The one that I bought is similar to this one:



https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/home_theater/bose-solo-5-tv-sound-system.html#v=solo_5_black

[Kidd]

I most always go to online reviews  for such things

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=r_SnW4udOYy38AOyu6mQBw&q=sound+bar+reviews&oq=sound+bar+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.1.0i20i264l2j0i131j0l3j0i10j0l3.5965.9765..12453...0.0..0.170.1361.0j11......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..35i39j0i67j0i131i67j0i20i263i264j0i20i263j0i131i20i264.EsutQZn77t8

Just 2 months ago I purchased  a pair  of  Harbeth c7es3  speakers for my TV  and music listening .
Considered  some of the best  for music

[Jess from VA]

Here's something cheaper. 

Just tape the button down and lay it in front of the stock speaker.

https://www.amazon.com/Croove-Megaphone-Bullhorn-Powerful-Lightweight/dp/B00FP19LAE

[baldo]

Savago,

I bought a higher end Samsung TV not too long ago, one of the curved ones. I also got a Samsung soundbar, curved to fit the TV. It works pretty well, I just wish I could figure out how to have it turn on when I turn on the TV.

There are a couple of other makers out there (Aquos?) and of course Bose. A bit spendy, but it really makes a difference when it counts.



As for those that would whine about someone with a different opinion......

[baldo]

Here's something cheaper. 

Just tape the button down and lay it in front of the stock speaker.

https://www.amazon.com/Croove-Megaphone-Bullhorn-Powerful-Lightweight/dp/B00FP19LAE

Does it come in a hi-fi model? I suspect the sound might be a bit distorted.

[baldo]

I most always go to online reviews  for such things

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=r_SnW4udOYy38AOyu6mQBw&q=sound+bar+reviews&oq=sound+bar+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.1.0i20i264l2j0i131j0l3j0i10j0l3.5965.9765..12453...0.0..0.170.1361.0j11......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..35i39j0i67j0i131i67j0i20i263i264j0i20i263j0i131i20i264.EsutQZn77t8

Just 2 months ago I purchased  a pair  of  Harbeth c7es3  speakers for my TV  and music listening .
Considered  some of the best  for music

I do the same thing when I want to get something a bit pricy or something that has to perform well. I'll peruse the reviews from at least three different sites, then agonize over that for awhile. It takes time, but I'm usually happy with the results.

[Savago]

@3fan4life: this one from BOSE looks pretty good:
https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/home_theater/bose-solo-5-tv-sound-system.html

Only issue is that it lacks a subwoofer output.
:-(

@baldo: from what I researched, you got use ARC (i.e. the HDMI port marked with 'arc' with a high quality 4k cable connecting it to the soundbar) and enable something called Anynet+HDMI CEC to allow the TV to automatically turn on the soundbar and use the TV remote to control the basic functions of the soundbar.

That also eliminates the need for an optical cable.
:-)

Main issue is that since this is somewhat 'new' tech, ARC may misbehave depending on the combination of: tv model + firmware + soundbar model + cable.

Another issue with ARC is that not all receivers/soundbars have both an OUT (to the TV) and an IN port (to a device i.e. blueray player), which means that you would loose an HDMI port.

[baldo]

@3fan4life: this one from BOSE looks pretty good:
https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/home_theater/bose-solo-5-tv-sound-system.html

Only issue is that it lacks a subwoofer output.
:-(

@baldo: from what I researched, you got use ARC (i.e. the HDMI port marked with 'arc' with a high quality 4k cable connecting it to the soundbar) and enable something called Anynet+HDMI CEC to allow the TV to automatically turn on the soundbar and use the TV remote to control the basic functions of the soundbar.

That also eliminates the need for an optical cable.
:-)

Main issue is that since this is somewhat 'new' tech, ARC may misbehave depending on the combination of: tv model + firmware + soundbar model + cable.

Another issue with ARC is that not all receivers/soundbars have both an OUT (to the TV) and an IN port (to a device i.e. blueray player), which means that you would loose an HDMI port.

Yes, now I remember reading about that and decided to just tough it out and use another remote. It's set up with bluetooth, so no wires were needed....it works well.

[Robert]

For a suggestion and what I did is not get the sound bars that go with tv's.

 Most are under powered and are not 5.1 which is the least you can have and have surround sound. So most you buy only amplify the sound and you are not immersed in sound like a movie theater.

What you get is a experience that is truly surround sound and if you have a DVD player that does 4k or at least Blue Ray its an awesome experience. Without a 5.1 or 7.1 setup you will never feel like your in a theater. I have a couple of these and one is in the bedroom. Whats nice is even on the low sound level the back speakers are just behind the bed and when you watch tv or a show you get the surround behind you and it make for a much better experience.

In this setup you have 6 speakers including the bass and its enough to rock anyone's world.

If you watch a movie like Transformers or a action movie the sound vibrates the whole house.


Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System

THX Surround Sound
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/speaker-system-z906?crid=1588


THX, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Certified sound

Immerse yourself in a theater-quality audio experience in the comfort of your home from this 5.1 speaker system. 1000 Watts peak/500 Watts RMS power delivers powerful surround sound that is THX Certified to bring you a premium audio experience as well as designed to decode Dolby Digital and DTS encoded soundtracks for premium movie and music playback.

I had a Samsung and they are good but the Sony is a bit better and the options are a bit more. But the Samsung does have the ability to adapt to this system.

Dont touch the Samsung screen and lean the tv on it the Samsung have very delicate panels and break easily.

Also check the inputs and outputs to see if they can be mated but from what I remember its no problem. The other issue is they will NOT turn on with your tv unless you get an all in one remote either. They can be programed to turn on all the electronics with one button and smart enough to cover many ir devices. You can find them on sale and just a few dollars more than a regular sound bar but be prepared to run wires and mount speakers.

[Mr Whiskey]

We've been entirely happy with this Polk hooked to our Sony via optical. It'll rattle the windows & has had no distortion. Caint beat it for $150...
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/polk-audio-2-1-channel-soundbar-system-with-wireless-subwoofer-black/5754936.p?skuId=5754936
Best of on your search

[DGS65]

Sonos is the best on the market bar none. $600 it plugs in to the optical cable . It has a bluetooth app to control it and you can interface an Alexa to stream music when you are not watching TV.

[Atl-Jerry]

I bought the JBL 3.1 soundbar with wireless sub at Frys last year.  This model had just been released and they discounted the previous model by $100.  I bought 2 of them for $800, same price as older model.  I had my wife listen to them all (she hears everything)  and these were her choice.  They sound great to my half deaf ears and almost every visitor comments on the sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Soundbar-Wireless-Subwoofer-Bluetooth/dp/B075SHW58B

[cookiedough]

pretty much anything you buy will be better than stock so-so at best TV speakers.  I got for around 50 bucks (normally I think around 80) one of the cheapest Vizio's  sound bar and am perfectly fine with it for normal everyday use.  Is plenty loud enough and has enough base/woofer wound for me and cranks pretty loud as they all will without distorting.

No need to go over 150 bucks to get decent sound quality.

[9Ball]

I bought the JBL 3.1 soundbar with wireless sub at Frys last year.  This model had just been released and they discounted the previous model by $100.  I bought 2 of them for $800, same price as older model.  I had my wife listen to them all (she hears everything)  and these were her choice.  They sound great to my half deaf ears and almost every visitor comments on the sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Soundbar-Wireless-Subwoofer-Bluetooth/dp/B075SHW58B

Agree...my JBL soundbar (2.1) with wireless sub sounds great.  Have had it for 4 years now.  Will rattle the walls if you want it to and can be configured with mt Sony 4K to go on/off with a single remote (xfinity x1).

Not a theater experience like my previous 5.1 system with center channels and sub but respectable quality.

Lots of choices...Best Buy has a lot on display.

[Black Dog]

Another  for the Bose Solo!

Great room filling sound in a small package!

Black Dog

[¿spoom]

For those who still have a serious dollar component stereo system, I'm curious if people have stopped using them for TV, and if not, why? I realize many simply don't have the stereo in the room they want to watch the TV in, just asking regarding those who have a stereo in the desired room. I've got a trusty pair of 20 year old Yamaha RX500U head units hooked up to two pair of cabinet speakers, in a living room only maybe 225~250 square feet. Don't recall the size of the speakers, but there's enough walnut involved to build a bookcase 

[Jess from VA]

I had a real nice small boom box with detachable speakers purchased to use out on the deck with the hot tub.

I got tired of hot tub maintenance and winterized it 10 years ago (free to a good home), set the boom box on top the TV furniture, and plugged it into the TV.  It rocks, when I turn it on.   

[scooperhsd]

Bose ?!?!?!

Haven't you heard the saying "No highs, no Lows, must be Bose "?

IN our Youngsville house, we had a true A/V receiver with 5.0 Boston Acoustics speakers (main speakers large enough to not miss a subwoofer)- now THAT is the way to watch a movie at home / watch TV shows with lots of music. I can find (but not get to ) my main speakers but the rest is God only Knows right now. Also have serious space problems right now - will probably be visiting the soundbar market after I get a job. I can understand people wanting soundbars for better sound than the TV's speakers (I'm with you there), but go listen to what you're considering before plonking your money down. Ideally, getting a demo where you are going to be using them (or is a pretty good simulation) would be best.

[bassman]

Like a couple of others said above...Bose Solo works well for ME.....have two of them to improve the sound on my TV's....much better than speakers in the TV's .....makes the talking/speech much clearer and music improved also but it is NOT a 5.1 surround sound experience...simply much improved dialog......I got mine at an Bose factory outlet store refurbed during Christmas 5 day sales.....understand both Costco and Sam's have them for about $220......

https://reviews.thedailymeal.com/reviews/best-soundbars

[Big Bear]

For those who still have a serious dollar component stereo system, I'm curious if people have stopped using them for TV, and if not, why? I realize many simply don't have the stereo in the room they want to watch the TV in, just asking regarding those who have a stereo in the desired room. I've got a trusty pair of 20 year old Yamaha RX500U head units hooked up to two pair of cabinet speakers, in a living room only maybe 225~250 square feet. Don't recall the size of the speakers, but there's enough walnut involved to build a bookcase 

I have a semi-serious component system with two Klipsch RF-7 speakers (& sub) and I use it all the time for TV, sports, and movies in the room that I use most, and in another room I have a 5.1 system with two old Bose Acoustimass systems (AM-5 & AM-7) that the wife and kids use for games, tv, and whatever crap is on Lifetime. 

There is no doubt surround sound is cool and can enhance a movie experience, but the quality/clarity of sound I get out of my stereo only from Left and Right is far superior to anything those little speakers can put out.  Also I like to listen to music louder than my wife likes it and maybe have a ballgame on muted.  No surround sound system I have listened to sounds as good with music as a true stereo system.  That is just my ears opinion.  Your dBs may vary. 

I have heard the $100-200 sound bars and I am impressed with how good they sound for what they cost.  It's just a matter of how important that sound is to each person.  Like with horsepower, reaching for the best you can get costs a lot more than reaching for average.

Hopefully I answered the why question but if not I guess to me sound is way more important than the image on the screen.  When the train crashes in the Fugitive, I feel the couch moving, not just hear rumbling.  I also get goosebumps listening to a solo acoustic guitar playing through my stereo.  I like that.

I have a buddy who just re-did his family room and wants to upgrade to a component setup from a sound bar and we are going shopping for it tonight.  I told him about this thread in case he wanted to see what others had for soundbars & satellite systems and what they thought and he said no, I want to have good speakers and a receiver.  We will see what happens when he sees the total vs. even the ones listed above.

[Atl-Jerry]

For those who still have a serious dollar component stereo system, I'm curious if people have stopped using them for TV, and if not, why? I realize many simply don't have the stereo in the room they want to watch the TV in, just asking regarding those who have a stereo in the desired room. I've got a trusty pair of 20 year old Yamaha RX500U head units hooked up to two pair of cabinet speakers, in a living room only maybe 225~250 square feet. Don't recall the size of the speakers, but there's enough walnut involved to build a bookcase 

I have several component systems that my wife declared as "ugly" many years ago so I retired them to remerge one day.  That day is almost here.  I plan to put my 42 year old Pioneer HPM 100 speakers and SX-850 receiver in my 800 SF shop I recently built at the farm.  I'll probably feed them from an Ipad via a blutooth dongle but it's gonna be epic.  I still have all the original boxes and packing material that may be worth more than what I paid for this stuff back in the day.

Now she's fussing at me to wall mount the JBL soundbar beneath the TV so she can't see the wires.  WIMMINS!!!

[Savago]

@all: thanks for the feedback, all good advice.

It seems to be common knowledge that soundbars are a good step up from the slim tv's speakers but never as 'full cinema' experience as a proper 5:1 or 7:1 system can offer (which makes a lot of sense and I'm ok with it).

I've set my budget of up to 300 bucks and the following requirements:
a) ARC + input HDMI: reason is that you can have better audio bandwidth than regular optic cable + I can't sacrifice a HDMI as I got too many devices connected to the TV already.

b) Subwoofer: only way to actually listen and feel the action movies effects (e.g. explosions, etc). It may be wireless subwoofer or not, I don't really care.

c) Bluetooth: so I can pair it with my Amazon Echo.

d) Analog (or stereo) input: I have a multiband radio (FM/AM/Shortwave/Airband) that I would like to be able to connect to the soundbar.

As I make progress I will post back here.
 

[bassman]

FWIW.....just went by a Bose outlet store and they have the Solo bar on special for $99.99 for a factory refurbished model....normally run around $225-250....

[Savago]

@all: an update.

I've ordered a Samsung soundbar that was on sale at Fry's (140 bucks). About 2 hours after ordering online, I received a call from the local Fry's saying that they were sold out... bummer!

Went to the store to check other models, loved one by Bose (had all the requirements I've listed in my previous message i.e. 'a' to 'd'), but it was waaay above my budget.

Went back online and found a soundbar by Sony that ticked all the right points... until checking the reviews on Amazon and lots of complains about its subwoofer crapping out after 6 months to 1 year of use.

There is a Sony model that sounds like a good value (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHTBM5F9lIA), but it lacks the subwoofer output.

I was about to give up... then I decided to pull the trigger on the YAS-108 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D73HMVR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I also ordered a 100W Yamaha subwoofer (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRB1JZS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

The setup: as easy as pie! The TV identified the soundbar using the HDMI cable through ARC, and I plugged my PS4 into the soundbard HDMI input.

Image quality playing bluerays are as expected and no audio distortions on both ways (i.e. Netflix or Youtube playing on the TV feeds its audio to the soundbar with no delays).

It has 3 modes: stereo, surround and 3D surround. The 3D mode actually gives you more 'depth/immersion' on music and videos, but don't expect the same experience as a real 5:1 or 7:1 system.

There is a 'voice mode' that really clears voices, making dialog easier to understand. It also has separated volumes for regular speakers as also for the subwoofer output.

I've configured the TV to use digital audio output (instead of PCM) and the PS4 to use DTS sound output by default. Supposedly that yields better sound quality, and the soundbar reports that it is receiving DTS audio.

Another really cool thing is that it pairs nicely with my Amazon Echo. With the soundbar off (as also the TV), I can just say 'Alexa, bluetooth connect' and it will locate the soundbar and turn it on automagically.

It will then stream audio to the soundbar. Haven't observed any distortions or delays, but given that this communication goes through bluetooth, I guess is advisable to keep them (echo + soundbar) at least in the same room.

It is definitely handy that the speaker (i.e. soundbar) is not where the mics (e.g. Echo) are located. That means less screaming to 'Alexa' perform commands while playing music (people who got an Echo will understand).

With the TV on (as also the soundbar), I can use the TV's remote to control volume in the soundbar. Turning off the TV will also turn off the soundbar... haven't figure it out yet how to do the other way: turn on the TV, turn on automatically the soundbar.

I've observed that if I have the TV playing something (e.g. sling app) with the soundbar off using the TV speakers, I have to turn on the soundbar and select 'tv' but then the TV is smart enough to notice that and it will stream the audio to the soundbar.

This soundbar is compatible with an App provided by Yamaha, that allows you to control the modes (e.g. music, movie, games, stereo/3D surround, subwoofer volume, etc) as also normal volume and select the inputs. That is pretty handy when you may have misplaced the remote or if you have a dog and he has decided to use the soundbar remote as a chewing toy...

What I loved the most: the subwoofer. This Yamaha subwoofer (Yamaha NS-SW100BL) is a middle range between their 'cheaper' model (NS-SW050BL with 8 inches speaker, 100 bucks) and their higher end (NS-SW300PN, 10 inches, 500 bucks).

It has a 10" inches speaker, the 'twisted flare port' which in theory gives better and clearer bass and the best: kicks in with just 25hz! It doesn't have standby feature or multiple inputs like its 'bigger' brother but I figured that I just needed the coaxial port for my application.

It makes the whole difference while listening to jazz music (e.g. Miles Davis) or watching an action movie (the sound of cannons in 'Master and Commander' will shake the room if the volume is moderately high (e.g. 50%).

Conclusion: definitely worth the money. Install was damn easy and everything worked as I wanted (from my initial research it seems that some soundbars may misbehave while using ARC, but the Yamaha YAS-108 so far is working in tune with the Samsung TV).