Best soundbar for music
Discussion
I want a soundbar (prefer quite a slim profile as TV is on a stand not on the wall) that is decent for music listening, obviously i don't expect it to as good as dedicated audio speakers, I just don't want to shell out for one that sounds great for films but pants for music....
Budget approx £600 but can stretch if needed.
Budget approx £600 but can stretch if needed.
Because ultimately I want to link it to a Sonus system and I want to be able to able plug the TV/Playstation through it.
I also don't want to have an amp and leads everywhere, plus a lot of the bars come with a wireless sub.
It is for background music and when entertaining etc but if there is a better option than the Sonus playbar out there I will consider it and hook it up to the system via a connect.
Thanks
I also don't want to have an amp and leads everywhere, plus a lot of the bars come with a wireless sub.
It is for background music and when entertaining etc but if there is a better option than the Sonus playbar out there I will consider it and hook it up to the system via a connect.
Thanks
Sonos playbar seems to fit the bill? Don't buy the one I drooled over in the shop.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/soundbars-soun...
http://www.richersounds.com/product/soundbars-soun...
Totally agree, playbar sounds pants without the sub.
Current winner is the Naim Mu-So, think of it more as a hi-fi that can act as a sound bar.
The Arcam is also pretty good, not sure what sort of discount you can get on them as they are over budget, but sounds pretty good, but not as good as the Naim.
Current winner is the Naim Mu-So, think of it more as a hi-fi that can act as a sound bar.
The Arcam is also pretty good, not sure what sort of discount you can get on them as they are over budget, but sounds pretty good, but not as good as the Naim.
megaphone said:
The Sonos Playbar does not sound very good, especially without the sub. I concur with others, spend the money on a proper amp and speakers.
Have to agree. I was curious about soundbars and I have a few Sonos bits and pieces, so went to demo a few in a shop.I tried the Sonos soundbar and also the Yamaha one which costs circa £1000 and had 5* reviews.
My assessment of the Yamaha unit really knocked my confidence in the accuracy of the 5* "what hi-fi" reviews.
The kindest thing I can say is that it wasn't hi-fi.
If you compared the words written in the review to the actual performance of the soundbar, you wouldn't think it was about the same product.
Hmm, ok well the sonos with the sub is 1.2k... Seems a lot!
What would you recommend for £600? Any active speakers? I could run a little mixer in instead of an amp it would be more discrete??
I have some spirit absolute zeros and an samson servo 170 amp kicking about, maybe worth resurrecting that??
What would you recommend for £600? Any active speakers? I could run a little mixer in instead of an amp it would be more discrete??
I have some spirit absolute zeros and an samson servo 170 amp kicking about, maybe worth resurrecting that??
gizlaroc said:
Totally agree, playbar sounds pants without the sub.
Current winner is the Naim Mu-So, think of it more as a hi-fi that can act as a sound bar.
The Arcam is also pretty good, not sure what sort of discount you can get on them as they are over budget, but sounds pretty good, but not as good as the Naim.
I'm listening to Zappa through the Naim Mu-So as I type this. It really is mind-blowing, for it's size. It's dragging detail out that I've never heard in 30-odd years of Joe's Garage. Really can't fault it.Current winner is the Naim Mu-So, think of it more as a hi-fi that can act as a sound bar.
The Arcam is also pretty good, not sure what sort of discount you can get on them as they are over budget, but sounds pretty good, but not as good as the Naim.
dojo said:
Hmm, ok well the sonos with the sub is 1.2k... Seems a lot!
What would you recommend for £600? Any active speakers? I could run a little mixer in instead of an amp it would be more discrete??
I have some spirit absolute zeros and an samson servo 170 amp kicking about, maybe worth resurrecting that??
I'll sell you a pair of Meridian DSP speakers for £450 if you collect from Norfolk, you can send digital out of your TV into them and route everything through your TV. What would you recommend for £600? Any active speakers? I could run a little mixer in instead of an amp it would be more discrete??
I have some spirit absolute zeros and an samson servo 170 amp kicking about, maybe worth resurrecting that??
Not quite as neat as a soundbar, but will blow most stereos up to a couple of grand away.....
Seriously though, go and listen to the Naim.....
BRMMA said:
I'd definitely go for the Naim if i needed a soundbar, in fact even though i don't need a soundbar i still want one
Absolutely I think this one is the best of the rest.
http://www.johnlewis.com/canton-dm-50-bluetooth-so...
Coming in late as a Naim Mu-So owner. It blows your socks off and can throw sound around a room like nothing else. The only thing is it is massive compared to anything else like it (size and weight) and you cant put your telly on top of it so bear that in mind before taking the the leap.
Have a look/demo of these if you can:
http://www.whathifi.com/q-acoustics/q-bt3/review
Then spend the change on a slap up steak dinner..
http://www.whathifi.com/q-acoustics/q-bt3/review
Then spend the change on a slap up steak dinner..
I'd not heard of the Naim Muso before. Certainly looks like a great lifestyle product, and I'm sure it'll sound great, work well, and last forever. If I was looking for a new microsystem, I'd be tempted to get one.
Is it a soundbar though?
To me, a soundbar hangs on the wall or sits in front of the telly, and tries to get surround effects without rear speakers. The Naim doesn't really do that, does it?
Is it a soundbar though?
To me, a soundbar hangs on the wall or sits in front of the telly, and tries to get surround effects without rear speakers. The Naim doesn't really do that, does it?
clockworks said:
To me, a soundbar hangs on the wall or sits in front of the telly, and tries to get surround effects without rear speakers. The Naim doesn't really do that, does it?
I agree with you a certain extent, it is a lifestyle product but then all sound bars are. None are going to ably replace or compete with a 5.1+ product as they have limitations. The Mu-So can sit on a (well constructed) shelf underneath the TV, it definitely can move sound around a room i.e. left and right with definite movement across the room. From a pure musicality point of view being the genesis of the question - nothing else can touch it in this category. clockworks said:
I guess you are right in saying that sound bars are lifestyle products too. I think the Naim is the first audio lifestyle product that I'd seriously consider buying - not for the main TV (proper surround is essential to me),. but for the bedroom or study
I'd concur with that, especially the surround comment. Other than to say that, since buying the MuSo, I haven't bothered with my main system at all. The Naim really is exceptionally good. Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff