Soundbar

[Arcnewal]

Looking to get rid of my Sound System and I'd like to replace it with a Soundbar. Can any of you recommend a decent one? Preferably not Sony, as I think they're terribly overrated.

[Podie]

Yamaha YSP range are worth a look, as is the Sonos playbar (gets expensive when you add 2x Play1 and a Sub)

What's your budget?

[benters]

had a Samsung. . .went wrong three times. . .John Lewis refunded me my cash, no problem. Ended up with a Yamaha. . . neighbours hate it

[Arcnewal]

Cheers for the swift replies. Budget wise I haven't really got one, as I like to get the best one I can.

[bradders]

Stay clear of Sonos Playbar if you want to play DTS encoded audio, your TV does not output full 5.1 DD via a digital output (many do not), or you wish more than one direct input - it does not connect via HDMI, only 1 digital input (optical/jack).

[belleair302]

JBL SB 200 or a new Philips 5140. Both under £300. Or go for a Cambridge Audio TV 2 for £200.

[ladderino]

Been really happy with my Orbitsound M12 - http://www.johnlewis.com/orbitsound-m12-bluetooth-...

[Maxf]

I'm in the same boat. I'd like a soundbar which has HDMI inputs, onboard processing and amplification, and a subwoofer out. I was looking at the B&W Panorama 2, but after missing a deal on an ex-demo one, I suddenly can't bring myself to pay full whack.

My TV is on a hinged bracket, so it needs to be wall mountable (so I can attach it to the TV bracket).

Any ideas?

[belleair302]

Yamaha YSP -2500 or the new Philips HTL 9100. Neither can be beaten for sound or connections.

[Anthony Micallef]

I have a Yamaha YSP 2200 which is excellent quality. However if your tv is located in the corner of your room the surround sound effects wont be as good.

[bazza white]

Tbh Sony have pulled put their fingers the last few years. I say this as a ex Sony hater.


Worth getting built in Bluetooth if ditching your HiFi. I did the same and and now use the tablet and mobile through the spundbar for music.

[Arcnewal]

Well, after a few days of looking at various Soundbars I have finally got one. As I wanted the Subwoofer on it's own I went for the Yamaha YSP3300, next step is a new TV .

[Twincharge]

I'm looking for a soundbar now too. I have been looking at Bose Cinemate SR1. Can anyone recommend it?

[belleair302]

I would not spend my money on a Bose....name over performance.

[Arcnewal]

belleair302 said:

I would not spend my money on a Bose....name over performance.

Same as Sony, in my opinion.

[ladderino]

belleair302 said:

I would not spend my money on a Bose....name over performance.

Neither would I... but, a friend of mine had a Bose 5.1 HT set up and loved it.

So, try it. If you like it, buy it.

[bbd1]

Tried a few, even Yamaha I wasn't impressed, apparently the Yamaha Sound projector range is good, but rather expensive, in the end I don't think you can beat a decent 5.1 (or greater) set up.

[dobly]

If you are after a stereo, rather than surround soundbar, then Arcam have one of (if not the) best sounding soundbars available - see here:
http://www.arcam.co.uk/range/solo/solobar.htm

[BlackCup]

I've just done the same, got rid of the old surround sound system that took up loads of space and we only could use to watch DVDs, now I've got a rather good soundbar from richer sounds.
It's an Onkyo one with wireless sub next to it- looks really nice and sounds fantastic. It's never going to wrap sound around you like SS does but it's so much better than the crappy standard speakers thin TVs have these days.
I'd heard of Onkyo before by browsing RS's website and was quite dubious to spend £250 on a first time brand buy but the chap in the shop said if I wasn't happy to just bring it back- well I'm over the moon with it and eveyone who's heard it is blown away.
Plus you can link it through Bluetooth to your phone, ipad etc to play them through it- great for parties or watching a film/you tube videos with great sound.

Matt

[Wadeski]

I just got a Phillips one with a blue-ray player built in. It arrives Tuesday to sit under my new plasma (an end-of-the-line Samsung f8500).

I'll let you know how it does!