Which soundstage?

[SteBrown91]

As title really, want to treat myself to one now we have a new to unit.

Requirements are:
Maximum £200
Optical out
Auto switches on with tv
Syncs with the tv volume so there's only 1 remote.

On the last point my tv is an old LG 32LE4900 Netcast TV, would this cause an issue with the syncing of the volume etc?

I have been looking at the Cambridge TV2 and the Canton DM50. Any good? Or any other suggestions?

We aren't audiophiles but I am quit picky about seamless integration, I don't want to have to faff with it all the time

Thanks

[popeyewhite]

I've had both the Cambridge Audio and the entry level Canton soundbase. The Cambridge is very annoying in that it can automatically shut off too soon. The sound though is very crisp, crisper than the Canton. The Canton has much better bass though. I preferred the 'richer' sound of the Canton. The Canton has a better remote, and has a better build quality than the Cambridge Audio soundbase. The Canton cannot be switched on/off with the TV remote, though I think both base's volumes can be controlled from the TV remote. I haven't bothered setting this up though. Both look neater and sound much better than their equivalent soundbars IMO. Both sound very good and are engineered to produce sound that to your ears appears to come from different parts of the room. They are quite expensive but you won't believe the quality of audio from such small boxes!

[voicey]

popeyewhite said:

The Cambridge is very annoying in that it can automatically shut off too soon.

Just how bad is this? I'm going to be shopping for a soundbase soon and like the look of the TV2.

[popeyewhite]

voicey said:

Just how bad is this? I'm going to be shopping for a soundbase soon and like the look of the TV2.

Well, it wasn't the reason I sold mine - I wanted more bass so got the Canton. I'd say mildly irritating. One point to add though is that the CA unit is slightly less slimline than the Canton.

[SteBrown91]

Well my local Hifi company which has a name which makes audio wealthy had sold out of the canton despite the stock levels online saying otherwise.

Tried to sell me the CA but wasnt interested and the new DM55 is 329 quid (too much for me really)

He tried to then sell me the Yamaha SRT700 but when asked if it learned volume controls he explained it didn't. Once home I found out it does!

Anyway found elsewhere selling it cheaper/the same. Does anyone have any experiences of the Yamaha?

[popeyewhite]

I don't, but I researched obsessively before I made a choice of which soundbase - The Cambridge Audio and Canton were considered the best in the under £300 bracket.

[SteBrown91]

popeyewhite said:

I don't, but I researched obsessively before I made a choice of which soundbase - The Cambridge Audio and Canton were considered the best in the under £300 bracket.

That's the thing I'm in the under 200 bracket hoping to get a better quality one in the sales - might take a gamble with the Yamaha as some reviews say that it sounds good at low/medium volumes where others have to be cranked up to get the best out of them.