Yamaha Soundbar - any good?

[matc]

I think it's about time I invest in a home cinema system but I don't want one that I have to have cables/speakers all around the room, so someone I suggested looking at a Yamaha Soundbar, I've had a quick browse of the website and this model is coming out iminently:

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/home...

Has anyone had one or got one and are they any good? My budget is probably about £800-£1k so I know this opens a few options of component amp/speaker packages, but like I said I fancy something neat and compact without the need for speaker wires etc.

I also had a quick listen to this Bose system in Currys a few days ago:

http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audi...

Would it be a better option than the Soundbar? They seem to offer similar levels of performance.

[pano amo]

no highs, no lows - it must be Bose. I never realised how true this saying was until I bought one (wave radio). My logitech 2.1 pc sound system which cost £25 leaves it for dead.

I fell for the Bose name and the perception of sound quality. At nearly £600 I've been left disappointed. Now I know why so many are on ebay. I think the experts will be along soon to recommend you buy neither of those.

Did you get a real test of the Bose? A full-on sound test?

Edited by pano amo on Monday 6th December 14:31

[Luke.]

Don't expect to get any actual 'surround sound' from the YSP. Not unless the technology has come on in leaps and bounds since I bought mine a couple of years back.

[lambysdad]

matc, i was in Richer Sounds the other day looking at a new TV, i asked them about speakers etc. and told them i didn't want 5.1. They suggested the Yamaha YHTS400 or it's cheaper brother Yamaha YAS71, the guy in the shop reckons that Yamaha are the best for soundbars.
HTH

[matc]

So not great reviews for either then! What else would people suggest?

I do really like the idea of not having the room dotted with speakers/cables, and I know this is going to restrict my 'surround sound' experience; but I also don't want to spend a load of money on something that's going to sound crap!

[matc]

Anyone?

[GTRmad]

Sounds good but you need a decent subwoofer for bass

[strudel]

What about a wireless setup with some of the smaller speakers? Might be discrete enough and solve your cable issue.

[randlemarcus]

I bought a YSP1000 from DeR a few years back, and have been more than happy with the thing. Run through the setup thing properly and it sounds pretty damned surround to me, with sounds behind you and everything. Stick a decent subwoofer into the mix and you're laughing.

Right now, its sitting 90 degrees to the telly, and struggling to do the magic thing, but that seems fair enough, and its still belting out a good experience.

I'd recommend (it and digitaldirect).