Sound Bar recommendations please

C19th Fox · 13-03-2012, 21:40

Having just upgraded to a Sony KDL37EX723 set from a CRT I am missing the quality of sound that the CRT could deliver. I have considered my options and have ruled out surround sound due to wires and lack of places to put the speakers without falling over them. The ideal solution for me would appear to be a sound bar as I just want to give things a tweak (a bit more bass and dolby affect would be nice). On looking at what is out there they can be more expensive that the TV cost me. Ideally I would like something that will communicate with the remote control so it will need an HDMI slot and be compatible with what Sony call "Control for HDMI” (“BRAVIA” Sync) and Audio Return Channel (ARC) technology.

I also have a Sony DAB Micro Hi Fi unit (CMT-GS30DAB). This currently sits underneath the TV but I have noticed in the manual that the speakers are not magnetically shielded leading to the pictures on TV sets being magnetically distorted. It is rare that I would have both TV & Hi-Fi on at the same time and if I did I would have headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi so I do not see that this is an issue except if I am going to go with a soundbar it makes sense to use that as opposed to the speakers that came with the Hi-Fi unit. The Manual states that the impedance for speakers is 6 ohms.

So there we have it I want a soundbar that will work with both TV & Hi-Fi unit, does not cost a fortune and will not blast us out of the room. Ideally I want something that will project the sound as if it is coming from the TV, but I suspect that might be an added luxury. It needs to fit in front of the TV which is on a stand whilst not blocking it or ts sensors.

Deacon1972 · 14-03-2012, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by C19th Fox

Having just upgraded to a Sony KDL37EX723 set from a CRT I am missing the quality of sound that the CRT could deliver. I have considered my options and have ruled out surround sound due to wires and lack of places to put the speakers without falling over them. The ideal solution for me would appear to be a sound bar as I just want to give things a tweak (a bit more bass and dolby affect would be nice). On looking at what is out there they can be more expensive that the TV cost me. Ideally I would like something that will communicate with the remote control so it will need an HDMI slot and be compatible with what Sony call "Control for HDMI” (“BRAVIA” Sync) and Audio Return Channel (ARC) technology.

I also have a Sony DAB Micro Hi Fi unit (CMT-GS30DAB). This currently sits underneath the TV but I have noticed in the manual that the speakers are not magnetically shielded leading to the pictures on TV sets being magnetically distorted. It is rare that I would have both TV & Hi-Fi on at the same time and if I did I would have headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi so I do not see that this is an issue except if I am going to go with a soundbar it makes sense to use that as opposed to the speakers that came with the Hi-Fi unit. The Manual states that the impedance for speakers is 6 ohms.

So there we have it I want a soundbar that will work with both TV & Hi-Fi unit, does not cost a fortune and will not blast us out of the room. Ideally I want something that will project the sound as if it is coming from the TV, but I suspect that might be an added luxury. It needs to fit in front of the TV which is on a stand whilst not blocking it or ts sensors.

Unsheilded speakers only affect CRT, the magnets in the drivers have no affect on LCD or plasma.

Nothing stopping you from using the speakers from your HiFi in that respect.

The more features you want on a product inevitably increases the price, working to a fairly low budget generally decreases the features and quality.

If you are wanting slightly better audio from the TV then just hook up the HiFi to the TV, but if you are wanting other features like ARC etc then you will be looking at a new system. If you are willing to use the HiFi speakers then how about a 2.1 system, the one I have in mind is the Onkyo HTX22, it comprises of a sub and 2 satellite speakers, there is no receiver, everything connects to the sub. The revised version comes with ARC, plenty of inputs for future use, it can also be upgraded to 5.1 if you ever considered it in the future. At just over £200 it's fantastic system where the quality would be far better than a similarly priced soundbar. If you wanted the previous version you can pick this up for about £180, but it does not have ARC.

Nigel Goodwin · 14-03-2012, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by C19th Fox

I also have a Sony DAB Micro Hi Fi unit (CMT-GS30DAB). This currently sits underneath the TV but I have noticed in the manual that the speakers are not magnetically shielded leading to the pictures on TV sets being magnetically distorted. It is rare that I would have both TV & Hi-Fi on at the same time and if I did I would have headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi so I do not see that this is an issue except if I am going to go with a soundbar it makes sense to use that as opposed to the speakers that came with the Hi-Fi unit. The Manual states that the impedance for speakers is 6 ohms.

As Deacon1972 has already said, magnetic fields don't affect LCD - so it's no problem.

That unit has an audio input (3.5mm stereo jack), you could connect that to the TV and use the amplifier and speakers fed from the TV. A nice cheap solution for you, just a lead.

bobcar · 14-03-2012, 16:26

You don't say how much "does not cost a fortune" is. I have the Yamaha YSP-600 soundbar at around £300 which is very good though I do have a sub woofer with it. While it's not as good as a discrete speaker 5.1 system it is very convenient and much better than even a CRT TV and gives pretty good surround sound - you can hear the helicopters buzzing round your head

. It projects the sound off the walls to give surround sound from a soundbar so how effective it is for sound location will depend upon the room but is should sound good whatever.

I think this is now obsolete but I'm sure the current Yamaha soundbars are good.

Rapid 17 · 14-03-2012, 22:10

I have one of these for my bedroom television.

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

More customer reviews here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HTS3...1762743&sr=8-1

Geoff.

C19th Fox · 14-03-2012, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

Unsheilded speakers only affect CRT, the magnets in the drivers have no affect on LCD or plasma.

Thanks for that. Sony should have highlighted that it the manual - its not as if CRT sets were still in the majority of households when it was written!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

Nothing stopping you from using the speakers from your HiFi in that respect.

Not sure about using them as they are placed on the floor and would not be easy to fit either side of the TV - they are quite large boxes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

The more features you want on a product inevitably increases the price, working to a fairly low budget generally decreases the features and quality.

If you are wanting slightly better audio from the TV then just hook up the HiFi to the TV, but if you are wanting other features like ARC etc then you will be looking at a new system. If you are willing to use the HiFi speakers then how about a 2.1 system, the one I have in mind is the Onkyo HTX22, it comprises of a sub and 2 satellite speakers, there is no receiver, everything connects to the sub. The revised version comes with ARC, plenty of inputs for future use, it can also be upgraded to 5.1 if you ever considered it in the future. At just over £200 it's fantastic system where the quality would be far better than a similarly priced soundbar. If you wanted the previous version you can pick this up for about £180, but it does not have ARC.

I don't want to mess around with a lot of wires - the TV does have various audio settings but I am obviously not getting the best out of them with the speakers - I just want a boost to base and stereo effects which I want the ability to control with the remote.

Certainly the Onkyo has the features I want for the right money - I am not sure about the woofer box. It looks too big to fit under the TV and I think it would be too big to go alongside it as we have a very large and deep lounge window. What ever the promo material says a big black box is not a stylish decorative feature! Another concern is whether the base would cause issues with the floorboards.

Ironically I have been looking at You Tube videos of old Anglia knight and more recent Anglia News clips on the TV and it is strange that the sound is just how I remember them 30 odd years ago (in fact I have to turn the volume down). Could it be that today's sound production facilities are too finickity for most ears to cope with without a lot of assistance and that what they managed 30 or 40 years ago was far better than what can be acheived today without the home viewer having to spend a few hundred quid to hear a broadcast in the way it is intended.

C19th Fox · 14-03-2012, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid 17

I have one of these for my bedroom television.

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

More customer reviews here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HTS3...1762743&sr=8-1

Geoff.

Thanks but I don't think it has ARC - I want to do away with multiple remotes.

13-03-2012, 21:40	#1
C19th Fox Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Spalding, Lincs Posts: 1,059	Sound Bar recommendations please Having just upgraded to a Sony KDL37EX723 set from a CRT I am missing the quality of sound that the CRT could deliver. I have considered my options and have ruled out surround sound due to wires and lack of places to put the speakers without falling over them. The ideal solution for me would appear to be a sound bar as I just want to give things a tweak (a bit more bass and dolby affect would be nice). On looking at what is out there they can be more expensive that the TV cost me. Ideally I would like something that will communicate with the remote control so it will need an HDMI slot and be compatible with what Sony call "Control for HDMI” (“BRAVIA” Sync) and Audio Return Channel (ARC) technology. I also have a Sony DAB Micro Hi Fi unit (CMT-GS30DAB). This currently sits underneath the TV but I have noticed in the manual that the speakers are not magnetically shielded leading to the pictures on TV sets being magnetically distorted. It is rare that I would have both TV & Hi-Fi on at the same time and if I did I would have headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi so I do not see that this is an issue except if I am going to go with a soundbar it makes sense to use that as opposed to the speakers that came with the Hi-Fi unit. The Manual states that the impedance for speakers is 6 ohms. So there we have it I want a soundbar that will work with both TV & Hi-Fi unit, does not cost a fortune and will not blast us out of the room. Ideally I want something that will project the sound as if it is coming from the TV, but I suspect that might be an added luxury. It needs to fit in front of the TV which is on a stand whilst not blocking it or ts sensors.

14-03-2012, 16:26	#4
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	You don't say how much "does not cost a fortune" is. I have the Yamaha YSP-600 soundbar at around £300 which is very good though I do have a sub woofer with it. While it's not as good as a discrete speaker 5.1 system it is very convenient and much better than even a CRT TV and gives pretty good surround sound - you can hear the helicopters buzzing round your head. It projects the sound off the walls to give surround sound from a soundbar so how effective it is for sound location will depend upon the room but is should sound good whatever. I think this is now obsolete but I'm sure the current Yamaha soundbars are good.

14-03-2012, 15:31	#2
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by C19th Fox Having just upgraded to a Sony KDL37EX723 set from a CRT I am missing the quality of sound that the CRT could deliver. I have considered my options and have ruled out surround sound due to wires and lack of places to put the speakers without falling over them. The ideal solution for me would appear to be a sound bar as I just want to give things a tweak (a bit more bass and dolby affect would be nice). On looking at what is out there they can be more expensive that the TV cost me. Ideally I would like something that will communicate with the remote control so it will need an HDMI slot and be compatible with what Sony call "Control for HDMI” (“BRAVIA” Sync) and Audio Return Channel (ARC) technology. I also have a Sony DAB Micro Hi Fi unit (CMT-GS30DAB). This currently sits underneath the TV but I have noticed in the manual that the speakers are not magnetically shielded leading to the pictures on TV sets being magnetically distorted. It is rare that I would have both TV & Hi-Fi on at the same time and if I did I would have headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi so I do not see that this is an issue except if I am going to go with a soundbar it makes sense to use that as opposed to the speakers that came with the Hi-Fi unit. The Manual states that the impedance for speakers is 6 ohms. So there we have it I want a soundbar that will work with both TV & Hi-Fi unit, does not cost a fortune and will not blast us out of the room. Ideally I want something that will project the sound as if it is coming from the TV, but I suspect that might be an added luxury. It needs to fit in front of the TV which is on a stand whilst not blocking it or ts sensors. Unsheilded speakers only affect CRT, the magnets in the drivers have no affect on LCD or plasma. Nothing stopping you from using the speakers from your HiFi in that respect. The more features you want on a product inevitably increases the price, working to a fairly low budget generally decreases the features and quality. If you are wanting slightly better audio from the TV then just hook up the HiFi to the TV, but if you are wanting other features like ARC etc then you will be looking at a new system. If you are willing to use the HiFi speakers then how about a 2.1 system, the one I have in mind is the Onkyo HTX22, it comprises of a sub and 2 satellite speakers, there is no receiver, everything connects to the sub. The revised version comes with ARC, plenty of inputs for future use, it can also be upgraded to 5.1 if you ever considered it in the future. At just over £200 it's fantastic system where the quality would be far better than a similarly priced soundbar. If you wanted the previous version you can pick this up for about £180, but it does not have ARC.

14-03-2012, 16:11	#3
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by C19th Fox I also have a Sony DAB Micro Hi Fi unit (CMT-GS30DAB). This currently sits underneath the TV but I have noticed in the manual that the speakers are not magnetically shielded leading to the pictures on TV sets being magnetically distorted. It is rare that I would have both TV & Hi-Fi on at the same time and if I did I would have headphones plugged into the Hi-Fi so I do not see that this is an issue except if I am going to go with a soundbar it makes sense to use that as opposed to the speakers that came with the Hi-Fi unit. The Manual states that the impedance for speakers is 6 ohms. As Deacon1972 has already said, magnetic fields don't affect LCD - so it's no problem. That unit has an audio input (3.5mm stereo jack), you could connect that to the TV and use the amplifier and speakers fed from the TV. A nice cheap solution for you, just a lead.

14-03-2012, 22:10	#5
Rapid 17 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 236	I have one of these for my bedroom television. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...S+SOUNDBAR.htm More customer reviews here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HTS3...1762743&sr=8-1 Geoff.

14-03-2012, 22:12	#6
C19th Fox Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Spalding, Lincs Posts: 1,059	Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 Unsheilded speakers only affect CRT, the magnets in the drivers have no affect on LCD or plasma. Thanks for that. Sony should have highlighted that it the manual - its not as if CRT sets were still in the majority of households when it was written! Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 Nothing stopping you from using the speakers from your HiFi in that respect. Not sure about using them as they are placed on the floor and would not be easy to fit either side of the TV - they are quite large boxes. Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 The more features you want on a product inevitably increases the price, working to a fairly low budget generally decreases the features and quality. If you are wanting slightly better audio from the TV then just hook up the HiFi to the TV, but if you are wanting other features like ARC etc then you will be looking at a new system. If you are willing to use the HiFi speakers then how about a 2.1 system, the one I have in mind is the Onkyo HTX22, it comprises of a sub and 2 satellite speakers, there is no receiver, everything connects to the sub. The revised version comes with ARC, plenty of inputs for future use, it can also be upgraded to 5.1 if you ever considered it in the future. At just over £200 it's fantastic system where the quality would be far better than a similarly priced soundbar. If you wanted the previous version you can pick this up for about £180, but it does not have ARC. I don't want to mess around with a lot of wires - the TV does have various audio settings but I am obviously not getting the best out of them with the speakers - I just want a boost to base and stereo effects which I want the ability to control with the remote. Certainly the Onkyo has the features I want for the right money - I am not sure about the woofer box. It looks too big to fit under the TV and I think it would be too big to go alongside it as we have a very large and deep lounge window. What ever the promo material says a big black box is not a stylish decorative feature! Another concern is whether the base would cause issues with the floorboards. Ironically I have been looking at You Tube videos of old Anglia knight and more recent Anglia News clips on the TV and it is strange that the sound is just how I remember them 30 odd years ago (in fact I have to turn the volume down). Could it be that today's sound production facilities are too finickity for most ears to cope with without a lot of assistance and that what they managed 30 or 40 years ago was far better than what can be acheived today without the home viewer having to spend a few hundred quid to hear a broadcast in the way it is intended.

14-03-2012, 22:22	#7
C19th Fox Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Spalding, Lincs Posts: 1,059	Quote: Originally Posted by Rapid 17 I have one of these for my bedroom television. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...S+SOUNDBAR.htm More customer reviews here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-HTS3...1762743&sr=8-1 Geoff. Thanks but I don't think it has ARC - I want to do away with multiple remotes.

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Sound Bar recommendations please