Soundbar Question

[THRobinson]

I have a Sony Bravia 40" TV, works great but sound has always been a bit lacking. Started looking at Sony soundbars because I've read they integrate with the Bravia TV and then no need for an extra remote, but as much as I like Sony, in a budget price range, they never seem to have the best reviews.

A 5.1 setup I won't even consider, I have no space for the rear speakers, last place I lived I didn't either so, for space, just looking at soundbars, and had 2 main questions.

1) 2.1 or 3.1... some times I'll watch something (AC35.1 typically) and left/right drowns out the talking in a movie which I assume is a lack of a centre channel. Would it be the same situation with a soundbar? or do they do a better job at spreading the sound out more evenly? or do I really need to look at 3.1 only?

2) My entire setup is a TV plugged into a PC running KODI/XBMC. I don't want a receiver or anything extra which is why after a soundbar setup. I see some sound bars saying they handle DTS, Dolby, etc... does that matter? When connected does the sound bar process the signal or is the media player handling all the work?

My PC connects to the TV via a single HDMI cable, then I guess with a soundbar it goes from the TV to soundbar with maybe optical? not an elaborate setup, budget under $300CAD so hoping to get a simple decent setup.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I would go stereo setup over soundbar any day. Have you considered getting something used?

 

[THRobinson]

I was online looking used, I have no issues with that.

How would a stereo setup work without a receiver?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I was online looking used, I have no issues with that.

How would a stereo setup work without a receiver?

Active speakers will work without receiver/amp but passive won't. How ever you could find used receiver for like 50 to 100$ and some speakers for around 200$.

 

[THRobinson]

Well, like stated in the OP... not looking for a receiver, extra wires and extra space taken. Looking small/simple.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Well, like stated in the OP... not looking for a receiver, extra wires and extra space taken. Looking small/simple.

Check with your TV maker and ask if the remote can add another brand's sounbar, like Vizio. You should consider a wireless sub in that setup from the sounbar brand.

 

[herbu]

There are soundbars that turn on automatically when they detect an input... and they "learn" your TV/Cable/Sat remote. The only time you need the soundbar remote is for various setup options. So you're not limited to matching your TV brand.

 

[THRobinson]

I think things went off topic a bit...

Wondering about the 2.1/3.1 and the decoding stuff. Remote stuff though, bit important for me. I have a Sony Bravia, and I know they have some sorta sync option if the soundbar has HDMI. Sadly, looks more like the cheaper ones don't.

I was looking at a used Sony HT-CT260H, which has no HDMI, but, being a Sony and my TV/Remote being Sony, I'm assuming the remote can be programmed for it. Barely used, about $125CAD... thinking be better than built in speakers.

But again, Sony doesn't always have a good review in their lower-mid range. Vizio always seems to have decent reviews, may look into those. Kinda like the VIZIO-S4251w-B4, if I had a bit more space for rears, otherwise they'd be so close that they may as well be headphones.

 

[Jeffrey S. Albaugh]

I think things went off topic a bit...

Wondering about the 2.1/3.1 and the decoding stuff. Remote stuff though, bit important for me. I have a Sony Bravia, and I know they have some sorta sync option if the soundbar has HDMI. Sadly, looks more like the cheaper ones don't.

I was looking at a used Sony HT-CT260H, which has no HDMI, but, being a Sony and my TV/Remote being Sony, I'm assuming the remote can be programmed for it. Barely used, about $125CAD... thinking be better than built in speakers.

But again, Sony doesn't always have a good review in their lower-mid range. Vizio always seems to have decent reviews, may look into those. Kinda like the VIZIO-S4251w-B4, if I had a bit more
space for rears, otherwise they'd be so close that they may as well be headphones.

I have a suggestion for you based upon all of the above suggestions and your budget. Vizio makes a 5.1 Soundbar with wireless Subwoofer. The interesting thing here is it comes with 2 small rear channel speakers that connect to the wireless Subwoofer. At a resonable cost, you get 5.1 Surround Sound that's easy to set up. It blows away 2.1 or 3.1. I have hooked a number of these for budget customers and they were very satisfied. Although, not a high end solution, but quite nice for the price. The Soundbar goes in the front of your room where your TV is. The Wireless Sub goes in the back of your room and the 2 small surround speakers go in the back and connects easily to the Sub and is far better then the lesser options.

 

[THRobinson]

Haha... you just recommended what you quoted me saying wasn't an option...

"Kinda like the VIZIO-S4251w-B4, if I had a bit more space for rears, otherwise they'd be so close that they may as well be headphones."

 

[Jeffrey S. Albaugh]

Haha... you just recommended what you quoted me saying wasn't an option...

"Kinda like the VIZIO-S4251w-B4, if I had a bit more space for rears, otherwise they'd be so close that they may as well be headphones."

It's a free Country. No sweat.

 

[cel4145]

Do you have decent left/right analog out on your TV that is controlled by the volume on the TV (not a line out)? If so, look into the JBL LSR305s if you have room for them on the sides of your TV. Amazing sounding monitors that have good bass response down into the mid-40hz range.