Steve vRS

I know that they are no where near as good as a full 7 speaker system with speakers all over the room but I don't want speakers all over the room!

However, I've read that these new fangled flat screens sound awful and my wife wants to replace my trusty Panasonic Quintrix 42" CRT.

So I have seen these soundbars as a halfway house but wondered what others thoughts or experiences are.

Steve

Ant

Buy the Yamaha, my uncle got One as he didn't want to run cables everywhere and does the job perfectly

RA Dunk

Got to agree re flat screens sounding ****, bought a 50" Panasonic viera recently and the sound is pure p1sh to say the least, was even thinking about one of these sound bars myself so will be intresting to see how this thread goes.

beef-on-the-bone

iTrader: (5)

also interested

Sti Addict

The best soundbar Ive heard is the B&W panorama, its expensive but sounds fantastic!

Listened to one everyday for two years at work, no other sound bar came close!

A cheaper option would be something like the Q Acoustics TV2, which is alot cheaper, it does improve the sound a great deal, but if you can stretch to the panorama its the one to go for.

RA Dunk

Holy ****!! £1500!!

http://www.hifigear.co.uk/b-w-panora...-soundbar.html

Scotsman

iTrader: (3)

We got this one (£99) to go with our LED set:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...0/shar-htsb250

Sound quality is superb and works automatically with the TV volume control (i.e. turns itself on and off when needed).

CharlySkunkWeed

iTrader: (7)

mate told me he was at a sound demo and they played a film and the sound wrapped round him. He said to the guy that the sound from the speakers round the room were great. Then the guy proceded to walk round and take the speakers away. . . . . . . .as the sound was comming from a sound bar ! The speakers round the room were a gimmick !

Cant remember what brand (sorry) but it proves they can perform to the level of surround speakers (i think)

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

The Yamaha TV stands sound nice


Alternative option is a 2.1 or 3.1 setup using A/V or Hifi speakers...some AV amps will support a 2 or 3 channel setup (plus optional subwoofer). For example, most current Onkyo 5.1/7.1 amps will support 2 or 3 speaker setups which gives you an added benefit of flexibility in the future.

The latter setup may give better sound quality for a better price, as alot of mid/highish end soundbars are pretty expensive for what they are (paying for form over function).


Me? I bolted the front left and right speakers to the TV via a fabricated frame.. Like the Q accoutics TV1....but using much better quality speakers

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

My Panasonic plasma has very good speakers, I just decided to go for a sound bar after moving my living room around and couldn`t be ar5ed with wires everywhere again. I went for a Panasonic bar with wireless downfiring subwoofer. Not quite as good as a `proper` setup but bl00dy good nonetheless

XRS

I have a Yamaha YSP 600, which comes with a sub woofer, and run it off my Panasonic plasma. Very pleased with the overall performance, clarity of speech etc., but the surround sound effect is not great.

Hanley

Excellent, this is the one I'm going to try and pick up at Richer Sounds today.

Does it come with the cable to connect to the TV?

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Not being funny but all of the Panasonic plasmas that I have seen in recent years that have integrated downward firing speakers (using the TV's casing as a dipole enclosure) have awful sound quality and poor stereo separation. Admittedly no worse than many other brands with the same speaker enclosure design and layout.

I suppose its all down to what you are used to previously, for instance their early generation plasmas that had forward firing speakers or complete seperate speakers were alot better.

RA Dunk

Got too agree with Ali, I haven't heard many if any plasma Panasonics with great sound TBH, I know mine is totally **** TBH.

obey1

iTrader: (24)

i have one of these
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...ENpgfBc6VKizDA

check out the home cinema sound bar

Rapid17

I have one of these for my bedroom tv.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...S+SOUNDBAR.htm

Scotsman

iTrader: (3)

I don't think it did - ended up buying one from the local TV store for £1.50. Think you need a 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 3.5mm Stereo Jack.

Hanley

I picked this up on today from Richer Sounds

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...3/phil-css2123

It used a digital optical cable rather than a stereo jack.
Sounds awesome.

Steve vRS

So can you control the volume through your TV remote? Do most new TVs come with an optical cable?

Steve

Hanley

No there's a separate remote for the soundbar, comes with it's own subwoofer and the sound is very good.

I'd rather be able to use the tv remote to control the volume but other than that I'm very happy with it.

I would say practically all new TVs come with a digital optical out.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Thats one thing I like about my AV amp...its power and volume is controlled by the TV via the HDMI.

Which in turn is controlled totally by the virgin Tivo remote (on/off + Source + Volume ).

So for normal use one remote does the lot, without the need for one of those stupidly fiddly pain in the **** logitech universal things.

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

This is mine

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004XBUGU...hvptwo=&hvqmt=