JBL SB450 soundbar upgrade

[ravadio]

I have been using this for about a year in our basement rec room. Viewing area is 500 SQ ft. Rec room is 1000 SQ ft. The bass is deep and great. It's loud. Voices get flooded by the bass. The remote is horrible and hard to use. It fills the room with sound, but the biggest issue is the sound isn't balanced and you cannot control treble or mids. We use it for movies , music and for watching sports.

I need much better, balanced sound. The same deep bass and a much better remote.

Upgrade pick options?
The only one I have read about that seems like it would do the trick is the Yamaha YAS-207. Good choice for my scenario and what I'm looking for? Should I consider anything else.

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[everettT]

I have been using this for about a year in our basement rec room. Viewing area is 500 SQ ft. Rec room is 1000 SQ ft. The bass is deep and great. It's loud. Voices get flooded by the bass. The remote is horrible and hard to use. It fills the room with sound, but the biggest issue is the sound isn't balanced and you cannot control treble or mids. We use it for movies , music and for watching sports.

I need much better, balanced sound. The same deep bass and a much better remote.

Upgrade pick options?
The only one I have read about that seems like it would do the trick is the Yamaha YAS-207. Good choice for my scenario and what I'm looking for? Should I consider anything else.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Is a sound Bar your only option? What's your max budget?

 

[ravadio]

Is a sound Bar your only option? What's your max budget?

Yes only because of the space limitations and how sound bounces off the nearby bar in our rec room. I tried using an AV I'm the past with tower speakers, but j cannot maximize sound in this area no matter what I tried. Soundbar is my safest bet.

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[everettT]

Yes only because of the space limitations and how sound bounces off the nearby bar in our rec room. I tried using an AV I'm the past with tower speakers, but j cannot maximize sound in this area no matter what I tried. Soundbar is my safest bet.

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So what is the budget? As for Sound Bars there are some good ones, which are passive and a couple of active ones. Is the current SB mounted on the wall? Which display do you own?

 

[ravadio]

So what is the budget? As for Sound Bars there are some good ones, which are passive and a couple of active ones. Is the current SB mounted on the wall? Which display do you own?

$300-$400 yes it's mounted.

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[everettT]

In that price range, your just making a lateral purchase. You're not going to find anything with a "major" Sound improvement. The ones I've heard that are really good for a soundbar are starting at 1k not including the sub and avr (the passive ones).

I'd stick with your current one until you can make a substantial upgrade (since your enjoying it). I would recommend just getting a better sub, but since your current one is wireless and no sub output on the bar it's not an option

 

[ravadio]

In that price range, your just making a lateral purchase. You're not going to find anything with a "major" Sound improvement. The ones I've heard that are really good for a soundbar are starting at 1k not including the sub and avr (the passive ones).

I'd stick with your current one until you can make a substantial upgrade (since your enjoying it). I would recommend just getting a better sub, but since your current one is wireless and no sub output on the bar it's not an option

Generally speaking what is the biggest differences in sound and features between what I have vs the Yamaha yas-207 and the Vizio SB3621 that everyone is raving about.

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[everettT]

Generally speaking what is the biggest differences in sound and features between what I have vs the Yamaha yas-207 and the Vizio SB3621 that everyone is raving about.

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Features are only useful if you need them. All soundbars with a packaged subwoofer are a compromise, I can tell you nothing in your price range will blow you away. Anyone raving about the above units has never heard a good system. For $500 nothing will knock your socks off. They may sound good, as you said yours does, but it's a compromise, especially in the sub Dept.

 

[everettT]

Here is an example of a powered soundbar (no sub)
https://www.martinlogan.com/motionSeries/models/soundbar.php

And a passive one (no sub, needs avr)
https://artisonusa.com/studio-65

 

[ravadio]

Features are only useful if you need them. All soundbars with a packaged subwoofer are a compromise, I can tell you nothing in your price range will blow you away. Anyone raving about the above units has never heard a good system. For $500 nothing will knock your socks off. They may sound good, as you said yours does, but it's a compromise, especially in the sub Dept.

What about the fact that the Vizio SB3621 has 20hz bass range vs the JBL @ 40hz. The Vizio is also cheaper.

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[everettT]

What about the fact that the Vizio SB3621 has 20hz bass range vs the JBL @ 40hz. The Vizio is also cheaper.

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Not a chance the Vizio hits 20hz, published specs are useless unless 3rd party verifies

 

[ravadio]

Not a chance the Vizio hits 20hz, published specs are useless unless 3rd party verifies

I agree. Would you say the Yamaha yas-207 is more balanced and louder than the JBL SB450? I don't want to go down in bass, bit I would love more of a balance sound and much easier to use remote with the options of adjusting treble and mids.

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[everettT]

I agree. Would you say the Yamaha yas-207 is more balanced and louder than the JBL SB450? I don't want to go down in bass, bit I would love more of a balance sound and much easier to use remote with the options of adjusting treble and mids.

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Ur JBL is good for the money

 

[ravadio]

Ur JBL is good for the money

Sounds like the Yamaha would be a step down. How should I set the bass level to make sure I'm doing it right. Currently the level is dead center and I have Harman surround on.

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[everettT]

Sounds like the Yamaha would be a step down. How should I set the bass level to make sure I'm doing it right. Currently the level is dead center and I have Harman surround on.

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Does the soundbar use a test tone setup? If so it will level match it with soundbar. If not you need an spl meter and play test tone thru your cd/dvd player and match it. Most keep their subs set around 10/11 o'clock. To give you an idea about subs, many here spend thousand dollars and up on them (that's cheap compared to some). To get the best out of the sub you have use the crawl method. Place your sub on your sofa or chair that's the main listening spot, then play some music and walk / crawl around the room and see where the bass sounds the best, then place the sub in that spot.

 

[ravadio]

Does the soundbar use a test tone setup? If so it will level match it with soundbar. If not you need an spl meter and play test tone thru your cd/dvd player and match it. Most keep their subs set around 10/11 o'clock. To give you an idea about subs, many here spend thousand dollars and up on them (that's cheap compared to some). To get the best out of the sub you have use the crawl method. Place your sub on your sofa or chair that's the main listening spot, then play some music and walk / crawl around the room and see where the bass sounds the best, then place the sub in that spot.

Mine sounds the best underneath the stand here. I did the crawl etc

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[everettT]

If in room speakers are not a option, consider in wall when you upgrade. Better sound than a SB and with a good sub, should give a more realistic theater sound.