Audio gurus, please help me in getting a better soundbar...

[subhakar]

Hi All,

I had to say 'better soundbar' and not best coz my budget is between 400 to 500 USD. I love theater (great bass and surround) experience at home. Not sure if I am asking for too much for just 500 USD.

I recently experienced Bose Cinemate G Series II and loved it. But it has two speakers which is making my small apartment a cluster of wires. So, now I am considering why not get Bose Cinemate 15 and make it smaller.

My first question:

First of all, is it worth speding 500 +/- for that quality of sound on Bose? I am asking this coz I heard and read a lot that there are much better sound systems/soundbars for lesser price for the same effect and Bose is good at marketing too.

Okay, if Bose is good for the money I am spending, is Bose Cinemate 15 is as good as Bose Cinemate G Series II?

Please advise

 

[ImcLoud]

Oh boy... lol..

Did you just post "better soundbar" and "bose" in the same thread, and "bad robot" lol...

But seriously, if you loved a sound bar imagine how you would love 3 separate speakers...

if you can go with a built in, this is interesting I know the original price was almost $2000.00 I heard them at sound sports and they sounded good..
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/nilescsf55a/niles-csf55a-cynema-soundfield-55-in-wall-active-soundbar-system/1.html
but you have to cut your wall to install it...

if that is not an option and ou still want a sound bar...

the BA p400 is a decent deal http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosp400ba/boston-acoustics-p400-soundbar-speaker-black-new/1.html but keep in mind you need an avr and a subwoofer...

 

[Matt34]

The H&K SB26 is at the top of my list for($500) sound bars currently.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FU4X882/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=YRUEYFAGLRLP&coliid=I206VROOVBRVIP

and this:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamysp2200bl/yamaha-ysp-2200-132-watt-wireless-7.1-digital-sound-projector/1.html

 

[subhakar]

Hey cLoud,

Thanks for your quick response. I should have mentioned that I am in a rented apt and have no choice to alter walls.

Looks like you dont even consider Bose as speakers. Are they so bad?

 

[subhakar]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your reply. Can you take your valuable time and suggest something on the following page please?

accessories.us.dell. com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6892&cs=19&l=en&ref=tile7&s=dhs&~ck=anav&nf=121953~0~4625132&navla=121953~0~4625132

I may buy on someone else's name who is an employee of dell and get some discount.

 

[Matt34]

The Vizio S4221w-C4 is regarded by a bunch of review sites as the top soundbar for under $300.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A7705125

 

[KEW]

An interesting option if you need a stand:
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ats1200-home-theater-31-channel-digital-audio-tv-sound-stand-with-srs-surroun--185-3100#lblReviews

What is your position on soundbars w/subwoofer?

 

[subhakar]

Hi Matt,

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. I will consider buying what you said but just worried if I could get the same feel as Bose Cinemate Series II :/

 

[subhakar]

Hi Kew,

I am totally up for soundbar with a sub. As I said, got pretty impressed with Bose Cinemate G S II

 

[Matt34]

Hi Matt,

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. I will consider buying what you said but just worried if I could get the same feel as Bose Cinemate Series II :/

Results overall will probably be very similar as far as sound quaility goes. The Bose might give you better seperation because you can move the Left/Right speakers further out than with a soundbar.

 

[subhakar]

You are right Matt.

Okay now, let me put what's in my mind. Bose Cinemate 15 (relatively new I guess) is available at some site which is for 599 + taxes. I may be able to get it under employee discount and may pay a 100 less than the actual price + taxes. Will you still say Bose is no good? If yes, then I will stop thinking Bose any more. Else, I would go for it.

 

[Topken]

There is always the Vizio S5451w-C2 54" 5.1 Soundbar System which is getting great reviews from places like the AVS forums and even CNet.

http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-S5451w-C2-Wireless-Subwoofer-Surrounds/dp/B00GSJROBA/

Here is the link to the review on Cnet http://www.cnet.com/products/vizio-s5451w-c2/

 

[Topken]

Another option incase you just want 2.1 is the Sony HT-CT770 soundbar

 

[Irishman]

Hi Matt,

Thanks a lot for your suggestion. I will consider buying what you said but just worried if I could get the same feel as Bose Cinemate Series II :/

As you may have guessed by now, Bose is not the best, contrary to what many think. As you suggested earlier, they have a tremendous marketing engine, and this is who they aim their marketing at - lazy or overwhelmed buyers who aren't concerned about doing their own research into audio and speaker choices.

If you've got your heart set on a single cable solution that does better than the Bose, I would recommend listening to the ZXox ZBase 580. Like the Bose Cinemate, it connects to your TV via optical, analog stereo, or digital coax. It’s also $500, and exceeds the performance of the Bose in every way. It also gives you the ability to add a true subwoofer to really enhance the LFE. Use the money you save on an optical cable if you need it, and be sure to pick up some popcorn for movie night, because you’ll be doing it a lot!

What are you waiting for??

 

[Jennifer Johnson]

I am in a rented apt and have no choice to alter walls.

 

[Roger Ewing]

Boy, there are lots to choose from.

For my bedroom, not needing anyting great. Yesterday, I purchased a cheapie Vizio S4220W-E4 from BB, which turns out to be one that is a model specifically for them (I think a different model number for same one at other stores). BB selling for $99.

Then I purchased a Yamaha ATS-1030 from Costco. It was on sale for $149.

After playing and listening to the two, I have these observations: The Vizio didn't even come with a manual, just a 'quick start guide'. No information on any settings if they were available. Sounded, of course, much better than the TV. No expectation of 'surround sound'. Base was just OK.

The Yamaha sounded better, especially for music. It had the capability to learn the same remote codes as your TV for sound, on/off, mute. A little better base.

Kept the Yamaha, took the Vizio back.

 

[herbu]

It had the capability to learn the same remote codes as your TV for sound, on/off, mute.

Can you expand on that a little? Does your TV remote turn on the soundbar when you turn on the TV? Does the TV remote control the volume up/down without hitting any additional buttons?
I'm looking for a soundbar for my mother, (87), to help her hear dialog. She doesn't want another remote. She doesn't want to hit a different sequence of buttons on her TV remote. She know on/off, channel and volume. That's all she wants to know. Does this Yamaha work like that?

 

[Roger Ewing]

Can you expand on that a little? Does your TV remote turn on the soundbar when you turn on the TV? Does the TV remote control the volume up/down without hitting any additional buttons?...

Yes to both questions. Also, for those interested, there is a Yamaha app that you can download and modify settings in the Soundbar...more than can be controlled by the remote.

But to restate, you do not need the Yamaha remote for it to turn on, turn off, mute, or change volume. The TV remote will do it.

One thing that I am disappointed in, which I don't know what the fix would be, is that the soundbar will turn off if nothing playing through it from the TV. Not sure how long that it takes to turn off. BUT...if you are hooked to it with Blue Tooth, it will not shut off, even if nothing being played through the Blue Tooth.