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Old 14-11-2016, 13:05
Gooby
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Is anyone out there experienced with soundbars?

We have just moved into a new house and we have a kitchen/dining space which now has a lovely new Samsung 32" TV in so I can watch telly whilst cooking which is awesome.

The problem is the sound. It seems to just seems to disappear as soon as any noise is made.

We have a nice surround sound system in the living room so I'm not really wanting that kind of set up - I just want to boost the levels so it is a bit more robust and consistent.

I wondered if a soundbar would work? If it would there seems to be masses from £30 to £1500!!! any advice gratefully received.
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Old 14-11-2016, 13:26
chrisjr
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You could try a soundbar. TV speakers are pretty rubbish on most sets these days. Especially with the trend for making sets thinner than a fag paper so there is no room for a decent pair of speaker units.

Something like this would do the job

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...yama-yas93-blk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-YAS-...dp/B00KBVVEGW/

It can connect either via an optical digital out from the TV or a headphone jack if your TV has one. If connected via the optical out you probably won't be able to control the volume from the TV remote which is about the only downside. Connection via a headphone socket should let the TV remote control the volume, though might not be quite the best sound quality compared to the optical output. Mind you in a kitchen would you notice?
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Old 14-11-2016, 14:07
Gooby
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Thanks Chris - I was hoping that would be the price range that I needed rather than the higher end. It does say that it has some kind of IR system to 'learn' the TV volume so you can use the TV remote to change the volume but TBH having a different remote for the volume doesn't really bother me.

I suppose the more expensive ones have smarter technology - things like Bluetooth so you could play stuff from your phone through it but I don't think I would use that...
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Old 14-11-2016, 14:15
chrisjr
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Thanks Chris - I was hoping that would be the price range that I needed rather than the higher end. It does say that it has some kind of IR system to 'learn' the TV volume so you can use the TV remote to change the volume but TBH having a different remote for the volume doesn't really bother me.

I suppose the more expensive ones have smarter technology - things like Bluetooth so you could play stuff from your phone through it but I don't think I would use that...
The only problem with having the soundbar learn the TV's controls is that you might not be able to turn off the TV speakers so that they are not active as the same time. Which usually just ends up sounding a mess with both sets of speakers active.
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Old 14-11-2016, 14:19
Gooby
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The only problem with having the soundbar learn the TV's controls is that you might not be able to turn off the TV speakers so that they are not active as the same time. Which usually just ends up sounding a mess with both sets of speakers active.
Another top tip - I might stick with the separate remotes! I now just have to persuade Mr Gooby that the house deserves a soundbar for Christmas.
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Old 14-11-2016, 14:55
WLTDYMUTA
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The only problem with having the soundbar learn the TV's controls is that you might not be able to turn off the TV speakers so that they are not active as the same time. Which usually just ends up sounding a mess with both sets of speakers active.
Her Samsung tv will have a setting in the sound menu to mute the TVs speakers.
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Old 14-11-2016, 15:02
WLTDYMUTA
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Ive just looked at my Samsung,just select external speaker in the sound settings.
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Old 14-11-2016, 15:31
Gooby
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Ive just looked at my Samsung,just select external speaker in the sound settings.
Thank you! I will do that.
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Old 14-11-2016, 16:44
AlanO
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If it's a newish Samsung TV, it will almost certainly have an ARC HDMI socket on it, which would allow the TV control to operate the soundbar.....
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Old 14-11-2016, 19:21
speigel
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I bought a Bose Solo 5 sounder for my samsung tv. Sounds fab, and only about £180
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Old 16-11-2016, 12:23
Gooby
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I bought a Bose Solo 5 sounder for my samsung tv. Sounds fab, and only about £180
What size of room is it and is it echoey? Mine is in a extended kitchen and the ceilings are a bit higher than normal in places so i think that is why the sound is getting lost.
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Old 28-11-2016, 15:31
Gooby
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Thank you for all the advice. I forked out for a Wharfdale 100 soundbar at the weekend. It is not as sleek as some other models and you do have to use it's own remote to change the volume but the impact is wonderful. Lovely rich sound. It has bluetooth too. Not played with that but I have aspirations of playing the audiobooks from my phone into the kitchen when i am cooking. total price for the soundbar was £119 which was the cheapest for soundbar with bluetooth. If anyone is dithering then I can tell you it is definitely a worthwhile investment.
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