Soundbar for New TV
Discussion
Morning all,
We recently bought and wall mounted a new TV- Panasonic TX-49FX750B- to replace an ancient LG we've had for about a decade.
The LG was on a bench with an older wired OrbitSound 2.1 soundbar underneath, connected via TOSLINK. This doesn't seem to play ball with the new Panasonic; sound is muddy and crackly, and doesn't support Dolby. The old soundbar was perfectly adequate for TV and films, but awful for music.
Anyone got recommendations for a sound bar? Looking at spending up to around £250. Initially was interested in the Yamaha YAS207, but seeing lots of reviews suggesting it has issues with the subwoofer making a mess of low male voices. I quite like the look of the Q Acoustics Media 4, but don't know if I'm going to miss having a dedicated subwoofer. Primarily will be for TV/film use but would like something that sounds half-decent with music too.
We recently bought and wall mounted a new TV- Panasonic TX-49FX750B- to replace an ancient LG we've had for about a decade.
The LG was on a bench with an older wired OrbitSound 2.1 soundbar underneath, connected via TOSLINK. This doesn't seem to play ball with the new Panasonic; sound is muddy and crackly, and doesn't support Dolby. The old soundbar was perfectly adequate for TV and films, but awful for music.
Anyone got recommendations for a sound bar? Looking at spending up to around £250. Initially was interested in the Yamaha YAS207, but seeing lots of reviews suggesting it has issues with the subwoofer making a mess of low male voices. I quite like the look of the Q Acoustics Media 4, but don't know if I'm going to miss having a dedicated subwoofer. Primarily will be for TV/film use but would like something that sounds half-decent with music too.
I've got the Sonos soundbar, music is very good indeed but I struggle a bit with dialogue on the telly, which is sometimes a bit muffled. Someone told me recently that television drama's are not recorded in the same way these days and adversely affects sound quality, but I've no idea how true that is.
I have a Samsung sounder on the other telly and same issues with dialogue but nowhere near the songs for music.
I have a Samsung sounder on the other telly and same issues with dialogue but nowhere near the songs for music.
Most certainly ignore the Bose soundtouch and Sonos Playbar. Both are incredibly overpriced for what are very average soundbars.
Just order the Samsung HW-MS650 and be done with it. I auditioned a number of soundbars just for the sake of it and wasn't planning on buying one. But after hearing the 650 I bought it immediately, it ready is beyond impressive and doesn't need a sub! The value is also astonishing for.what you get and it's the sweet spot in the range.
We also have the Arcam soundbar and whilst it is very good, it has no real bass and desperately needs the matching sub, doubling the cost Vs the Samsung 650.
Just order the Samsung HW-MS650 and be done with it. I auditioned a number of soundbars just for the sake of it and wasn't planning on buying one. But after hearing the 650 I bought it immediately, it ready is beyond impressive and doesn't need a sub! The value is also astonishing for.what you get and it's the sweet spot in the range.
We also have the Arcam soundbar and whilst it is very good, it has no real bass and desperately needs the matching sub, doubling the cost Vs the Samsung 650.
Edited by -Ad- on Sunday 17th February 23:17
I wish it wasn't, then I wouldn't have just bought it then and there. They had it on a rack the models above and below it together.
MS550 wasn't worth the minimal saving and the MS750 wasn't worth double the price. But that has now come down in price making it much better value.
Our MS650 sits on the wall in our bedroom snug area under my old Pioneer Kuro Plasma and we go up there more than sit in the lounge/cinema. It makes an astonishing sounds in the 3x6m room and the bass you get off it defies physics. Bravo Samsung.
MS550 wasn't worth the minimal saving and the MS750 wasn't worth double the price. But that has now come down in price making it much better value.
Our MS650 sits on the wall in our bedroom snug area under my old Pioneer Kuro Plasma and we go up there more than sit in the lounge/cinema. It makes an astonishing sounds in the 3x6m room and the bass you get off it defies physics. Bravo Samsung.
smith335I said:
Have to agree, another vote for the Samsung MS650. I looked at a lot of different models and thought for the price it was by far the best option.
Think i paid around £250 new when on offer, might be a bit more now around £300.
You buggers. I wasn't in the market for a soundbar, but googled the MS650 and saw it at Currys for £249, and then today only they have an extra £50 off using the code 50SOUNDBARS at checkout. So i just bagged one at £199Think i paid around £250 new when on offer, might be a bit more now around £300.
Sonos Beam - 1 series 118d
Samsung MS650 - M4
Samsung MS650 - M4
nitrodave said:
You buggers. I wasn't in the market for a soundbar, but googled the MS650 and saw it at Currys for £249, and then today only they have an extra £50 off using the code 50SOUNDBARS at checkout. So i just bagged one at £199
That's the MS550 at £250. Good one on the discount, can't use it on the MS659 from what I see as you can't enter the code if picking up from store. Edited by -Ad- on Tuesday 19th February 15:54
nitrodave said:
smith335I said:
Have to agree, another vote for the Samsung MS650. I looked at a lot of different models and thought for the price it was by far the best option.
Think i paid around £250 new when on offer, might be a bit more now around £300.
You buggers. I wasn't in the market for a soundbar, but googled the MS650 and saw it at Currys for £249, and then today only they have an extra £50 off using the code 50SOUNDBARS at checkout. So i just bagged one at £199Think i paid around £250 new when on offer, might be a bit more now around £300.
Blue62 said:
I've got the Sonos soundbar, music is very good indeed but I struggle a bit with dialogue on the telly, which is sometimes a bit muffled. Someone told me recently that television drama's are not recorded in the same way these days and adversely affects sound quality, but I've no idea how true that is.
I have a Samsung sounder on the other telly and same issues with dialogue but nowhere near the songs for music.
On the Sonos soundbar open the Sonos app when watching TV and activate the 'Speech Enhancer' (it's a little speech bubble icon)I have a Samsung sounder on the other telly and same issues with dialogue but nowhere near the songs for music.
Blue62 said:
I've got the Sonos soundbar, music is very good indeed but I struggle a bit with dialogue on the telly, which is sometimes a bit muffled. Someone told me recently that television drama's are not recorded in the same way these days and adversely affects sound quality, but I've no idea how true that is.
I have a Samsung sounder on the other telly and same issues with dialogue but nowhere near the songs for music.
Sonos have a speech enhancement setting in the appI have a Samsung sounder on the other telly and same issues with dialogue but nowhere near the songs for music.
After a lot of research I brought the Sonos Beam and have been very happy with it - for our bedroom TV, (have proper AV amp+speakers downstairs) but is fantastic. App works well - sleep timer, alarm, internet radio and IMHO very good sound accepting it is a soundbar not floorstanders.
Worth bearing in mind that Sonos have continued support for their first gen devices, this is not the case with LG, Sony and Samsung.
Finally with Sonos you can easily add rear surrounds or a sub at a later date - rear surround will be ordered v. soon!
RE Q Acoustics Media 4 - this is a very old device personally would avoid - no HDMI in which would get very tedious as you can't adjust volume with your TV remote
Worth bearing in mind that Sonos have continued support for their first gen devices, this is not the case with LG, Sony and Samsung.
Finally with Sonos you can easily add rear surrounds or a sub at a later date - rear surround will be ordered v. soon!
RE Q Acoustics Media 4 - this is a very old device personally would avoid - no HDMI in which would get very tedious as you can't adjust volume with your TV remote
Edited by ecotec on Tuesday 30th April 19:45
I recently put the TV on the wall and decided to update the Onkyo 5.1 surround sound. My amp died and it was getting old any way. After looking at lots of speaker options I finally went for a soundbar! I have had the Sonos Beam for a week now and it sounds really good. It needs two Sonos Ones for rears, but other than that it is very good.
Is the £700 sub worth it?
Is the £700 sub worth it?
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