Soundbar advice needed
Discussion
Hi chaps, I could do with some advice on a Soundbar setup.
We are just finishing off our house and getting the TV and sound system in is one of the final steps.
The room it is going into is an open plan lounge/kitchen as below. I have already bought the TV which is a Panasonic Viera TX-P65VT65B. Primarily it will be used for ordinary TV sound, secondly for general music listening and finally for watching the odd film on it.
I have the Virgin Tivo box in a cupboard upstairs, which sends the signal to the TV using 2 Cat6 cables and an HDMI Balun. The other cables going to the TV are another pair of Cat 6 cables and 4 satellite cables, plus another 4 Cat6 cables which go to a corner of the lounge.
I have also wired for ceiling speakers which head back to the cupboard upstairs too. However, I haven't wired for a centre speaker in the ceiling above the TV. I am however a bit reluctant to use these for two reasons, firstly although in theory have photos of where all the cables sit, there is always a danger of cutting a hole and not finding them, or overlapping a joist. Secondly the ceiling looks quite good with plastered in Zep2 darklights and I don't really want to add to the clutter up there with speakers, plus I don't think I could align them neatly due to joist positions.
So, I have been looking at a soundbar and wireless sub. Primarily I have been looking at the Sonos Playbar, it looks like a good piece of kit, which is simple to use, which is important, if it isn't my OH won't use it. I like the fact that it is seemless in use from watching TV to using spotify. I am aware there are some limitations with it and the fact that it is generally quite expensive and a cheaper soundbar would probably sound better but lack the control. Do that with the sub is £1,200RRP.
I've also been recommended the Yamaha YSP-4300 or 3300 which are at a similar price level but would then require a Sonos Connect (incidentally what cable would you use to connect the Connect which would be upstairs to the soundbar?).
I've read reviews of the 4300 which seem to say it's really good for films but lacks good stereo capabilities, which is probably what it will be primarily outputting. I've also looked at the YSP-2200 which seems to get rave reviews but has the benefit of being considerably cheaper.
Does anyone have any views on what would be the best system to use? Essentially I want a Playbar which sounds a bit better, supports DTS and doesn't cost as much. The moon on a stick really
We are just finishing off our house and getting the TV and sound system in is one of the final steps.
The room it is going into is an open plan lounge/kitchen as below. I have already bought the TV which is a Panasonic Viera TX-P65VT65B. Primarily it will be used for ordinary TV sound, secondly for general music listening and finally for watching the odd film on it.
I have the Virgin Tivo box in a cupboard upstairs, which sends the signal to the TV using 2 Cat6 cables and an HDMI Balun. The other cables going to the TV are another pair of Cat 6 cables and 4 satellite cables, plus another 4 Cat6 cables which go to a corner of the lounge.
I have also wired for ceiling speakers which head back to the cupboard upstairs too. However, I haven't wired for a centre speaker in the ceiling above the TV. I am however a bit reluctant to use these for two reasons, firstly although in theory have photos of where all the cables sit, there is always a danger of cutting a hole and not finding them, or overlapping a joist. Secondly the ceiling looks quite good with plastered in Zep2 darklights and I don't really want to add to the clutter up there with speakers, plus I don't think I could align them neatly due to joist positions.
So, I have been looking at a soundbar and wireless sub. Primarily I have been looking at the Sonos Playbar, it looks like a good piece of kit, which is simple to use, which is important, if it isn't my OH won't use it. I like the fact that it is seemless in use from watching TV to using spotify. I am aware there are some limitations with it and the fact that it is generally quite expensive and a cheaper soundbar would probably sound better but lack the control. Do that with the sub is £1,200RRP.
I've also been recommended the Yamaha YSP-4300 or 3300 which are at a similar price level but would then require a Sonos Connect (incidentally what cable would you use to connect the Connect which would be upstairs to the soundbar?).
I've read reviews of the 4300 which seem to say it's really good for films but lacks good stereo capabilities, which is probably what it will be primarily outputting. I've also looked at the YSP-2200 which seems to get rave reviews but has the benefit of being considerably cheaper.
Does anyone have any views on what would be the best system to use? Essentially I want a Playbar which sounds a bit better, supports DTS and doesn't cost as much. The moon on a stick really
If you are 'just' going with a soundbar then a Sonos will be fine. It is quite expensive when you start adding subs but a nice package and does give the music side which is ace.
If you are wanting to go surround sound then I would go for an AV receiver and a speaker package - pound for pound it should sound better than an equivalent Sonos package.
Richer sounds always gets a good review and you can demo the Sonos and alternatives in their listening room.
If you are wanting to go surround sound then I would go for an AV receiver and a speaker package - pound for pound it should sound better than an equivalent Sonos package.
Richer sounds always gets a good review and you can demo the Sonos and alternatives in their listening room.
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