Discussion
Does anyone here use them instead of a home theatre set up? I'm thinking of upgrading soundwise from just having a flat screen tv and I must admit I'm not overly keen on having speakers on stands all over the place. I wondered how much of an improvement soundbars give before trailing round shops and comparing prices? I'm aware Yamaha have been putting out soundbars for a few years which offer pseudo 5.1 theatre sound - are these worth paying the extra for?
Any opinions welcome, please.
Any opinions welcome, please.
They are no real replacement for proper 5.1 systems but work well in situations like yours.
Have used Polk Soundbars usually and they work well using phase delay rather than reflected sound like the yamys.
Also saw an Artcoustic version this week which worked very well. Both need subs as well to enhance the bass performance.
V.
Have used Polk Soundbars usually and they work well using phase delay rather than reflected sound like the yamys.
Also saw an Artcoustic version this week which worked very well. Both need subs as well to enhance the bass performance.
V.
Well Artcoustic seems out of my price range - my tv and blu ray combined don't cost anywhere near as much so seems a bit OTT for me to pay 4 figures for tv sound. 
I can probably stretch to around £700 for the right system if necessary but Polks seem to be all passive systems requiring a separate s/s receiver and I'm really after a one box solution solution (barring a possible separate bass unit).
I can probably stretch to around £700 for the right system if necessary but Polks seem to be all passive systems requiring a separate s/s receiver and I'm really after a one box solution solution (barring a possible separate bass unit).I got this one in 2009, from Derestrictor on Plotloss' advice. I love it. Does what I want it to do. Great sound, no wires, tidy and good. I'm sure it's not as good as all the speakers about the place, but it is perfect for my requirements.
Yamaha YSP 40D and subwoofer. There are newer ones now with extra features but I think the basic principle is the same.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/yamaha-ysp-40d/
Yamaha YSP 40D and subwoofer. There are newer ones now with extra features but I think the basic principle is the same.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/yamaha-ysp-40d/
Been doing a bit of digging on the subject too, apparently the Marantz ES7001 does a good job, especially if your room isn't set up perfectly for bouncing sound.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/marantz-es7001
[Edit] - Ok, ignore that. Apparently the es7001 is no more!
http://www.whathifi.com/review/marantz-es7001
[Edit] - Ok, ignore that. Apparently the es7001 is no more!
Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 22 June 12:22
Yes.
The YSP-2200 has received media attention and is the default-demanded product du jour but the difference is vast.
So long as you can avoid corner positioning, the ambient effects are remarkable whilst the scale of sound stage is in a different league.
There is no debate that these systems are an acoustic compromise but 41/5100 series are the best alternatives to physical, multi speaker arrays.
The YSP-2200 has received media attention and is the default-demanded product du jour but the difference is vast.
So long as you can avoid corner positioning, the ambient effects are remarkable whilst the scale of sound stage is in a different league.
There is no debate that these systems are an acoustic compromise but 41/5100 series are the best alternatives to physical, multi speaker arrays.
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