Soundbar recommendations
Author
Discussion

catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
Hi all,

I’m thinking about buying a soundbar, with a maximum budget of around £600. I’m just looking for suggestions, as many of the reviews seem rather biased. I’m not looking for thumping bass, I value quality of sound more.

TIA

Deviation

126 posts

22 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
Are you wanting a subwoofer too? Or is a standalone bar enough for you?


I ve listened to a few soundbars, and owned a few too, including a 5.2.2 system with the Sonos Arc and 2x subs.


I ve also had a beam with the sub mini.


In my opinion, the Beam and Sub Mini offer better sound quality than the Arc and Sub.


It won t get as loud in terms of SPL, but sound quality is excellent and punches well above its weight.



This, based on my experience, is about as good as you ll get for the money, and it should be available within your budget if you go for refurbished stuff.


The added benefit is that it s an ecosystem you can expand upon, and will allow you to purchase rear speakers if/when you want to.

catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I had thought about just getting a soundbar, as I live in a flat and my neighbours are retired. I’m just looking for an upgrade on my tv speakers. Your suggestion is interesting though, thanks!

Mr Creosote

32 posts

3 months

Thursday 2nd October
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If sound quality is of utmost importance, would a pair of stereo speakers and an AV receiver not be a better option?

This is a genuine question rather than a rhetorical one - I’m not speaking from any position of knowledge. I have a combined music/home cinema setup with an amplifier and bookshelf speakers which sounds a million times better than my old Sony soundbar, but I’m happy to educated on the subject.

Deviation

126 posts

22 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
catman said:
Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I had thought about just getting a soundbar, as I live in a flat and my neighbours are retired. I m just looking for an upgrade on my tv speakers. Your suggestion is interesting though, thanks!
Then I’d absolutely get a Sonos Beam and add rear speakers if/when you want.


It has a very gutsy sound which will be perfectly adequate for a flat.

Great dialogue clarity too.


It is app-based control, however - this may put you off.


That being said, it’s “set and forget” - it’ll link directly to your TV if you have HDMI ARC and so the volume will be controlled by your TV remote.

MC Bodge

25,474 posts

193 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
Mr Creosote said:
If sound quality is of utmost importance, would a pair of stereo speakers and an AV receiver not be a better option?
I would suggest the same, plus a modest sub-woofer.

catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
Thanks for your input, it’s given me something to think about! It’s a possible solution that hadn’t occurred to me, as it’s not a subject that I’m that knowledgeable about.

Cheers!

miniman

28,661 posts

280 months

Thursday 2nd October
quotequote all
Sonos Beam is great in itself but I couldn’t encourage anyone to buy into Sonos right now as the whole ecosystem is shockingly unreliable.

Piginapoke

5,547 posts

203 months

Sunday 5th October
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miniman said:
Sonos Beam is great in itself but I couldn t encourage anyone to buy into Sonos right now as the whole ecosystem is shockingly unreliable.
I find it fine for my x2 Beams/surrounds/sub minis for watching TV. It is still flakey when using the App to play music in multiple rooms. Alexa is really handy, sound quality in place of TV speakers is fabulous

FunkyGibbon

3,823 posts

282 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
I know you don't want thumping base, but I have one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Q930B-Soundbar-Sp...

Amazing surround sound, Dolby Atmos etc. Docile at normal values but if/when the neighbours are out and you want cinematic sound it rocks (for me at least).

No wired require for the sub woofer and rear speakers other than power.


catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
Interesting suggestion, I’ll have a look, thanks! Do you have an opinion on the quality of the sound compared to say, a Sonos Beam2?

Cheers!

Deviation

126 posts

22 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
catman said:
Interesting suggestion, I ll have a look, thanks! Do you have an opinion on the quality of the sound compared to say, a Sonos Beam2?

Cheers!
The Samsung is an excellent comprehensive package, but favours features over outright sound quality.

More V shaped sound in my experience, with the Sonos sounding more neutral/warm.

catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
Thanks for the information, it’s really helpful!

Bonefish Blues

33,099 posts

241 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
These guys are unusually thorough in their tests, I think. We have the Samsung 990D setup but its current F version is still a little way North of your budget.

https://www.rtings.com/soundbar

catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
Hi, thanks for your suggestion, but that’s out of my budget, as you mentioned. 👍

Bonefish Blues

33,099 posts

241 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
catman said:
Hi, thanks for your suggestion, but that s out of my budget, as you mentioned. ?
I was linking the review site, lots of options available. Worth keeping half an eye on Samsung though, they do have some very aggressive promotions, based on approved Sellers' selling prices - that's how we bought ours, and at this time of year too, just before the new model is launched.

MC Bodge

25,474 posts

193 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
catman said:
Hi, thanks for your suggestion, but that s out of my budget, as you mentioned. ?
I wouldn't spend anywhere near £600 myself.

I'd buy a 2.1 Class D amp, a pair of speakers and a small-ish sub.

595Heaven

2,938 posts

96 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
We've got a SONOS Beam for the TV in the lounge and it is excellent.

Agree the system stability took a dive when they put out the new app, but it has got better over time. Still shocking that they thought it was acceptable when they released it, and I can't see me ever buying any more stuff from them due to their actions.

Unless you want to stream music through the Beam though you don't need the app for anything - it just connects to your TV via HDMI. The app does allow you to perform a Trueplay calibration but once that is done no need to ever use it again.

catman

Original Poster:

2,503 posts

193 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
Bonefish Blues said:
These guys are unusually thorough in their tests, I think. We have the Samsung 990D setup but its current F version is still a little way North of your budget.

https://www.rtings.com/soundbar
Thanks, it’s appreciated! Their assessments do seem to be more detailed than most, it will make for an interesting read!

Blink982

826 posts

122 months

Monday 6th October
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I would go for a 2.0 stereo setup over a soundbar.

If you keep a look out in a day or so Amazon will have their Prime day sale on which Richer Sounds will price match.

Wiim Ultra - music streamer/preamp and has hdmi arc so connect tv to wiim via HDMI - was £280 last prime day sale
SMSL PA40 power amp - £120 on Amazon (connect Wiim to SMSL via phono cable)
Check out Richer Sounds for some bookshelf speakers from likes of Monitor Audio, Acoustic Energy, Q Acoustics or Wharfedale at around £200.
Cables - £30-40