Soundbar recommendations
Discussion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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!
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.
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 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.
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 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. Cheers!
More V shaped sound in my experience, with the Sonos sounding more neutral/warm.
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
https://www.rtings.com/soundbar
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.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.
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.
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!https://www.rtings.com/soundbar
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
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
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