Soundbar Quandry - Big money
Discussion
Not sure how to start this thread but - I am looking at the Bose Soundtouch 300 package - you'll see from my capital letters I am particular, I confess to being an audiophile.
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertai...
I have Bose PC speakers, have done for a long time, and swear by them. ( Companion 3 ). I currently have the basic Samsung 2:1 soundbar from 2012 - its a bit rubbish. It does the job but I want to upgrade all sounds in the house. The PC can wait - I am not lacking in sound quality there.
As for the TV - well:
My theory is that my TV sound comes from an aerial on a roof. Therefore - spending £1300 ish on sound is not going to improve my sound hugely as I understand my audio input is out of my control. ( Just Freeview here )
However, we watch a fair bit of Netflix / DVD and I noticed a huge difference in sound output as it stands. Even Youtube sounds great. So - digital input = great sound no? But my aerial is Digital so....?
My TV sound comes through a Humax box. Sound is shocking. Terrestrial TV is - horrendous. Netflix /Tube etc is much improved. Some DVD's sound quite impressive - with my current set up.
I am understandably scepitcal about the bill to buy the soundtouch package - but - I think it's worth it.
Please - all views and opinions!
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertai...
I have Bose PC speakers, have done for a long time, and swear by them. ( Companion 3 ). I currently have the basic Samsung 2:1 soundbar from 2012 - its a bit rubbish. It does the job but I want to upgrade all sounds in the house. The PC can wait - I am not lacking in sound quality there.
As for the TV - well:
My theory is that my TV sound comes from an aerial on a roof. Therefore - spending £1300 ish on sound is not going to improve my sound hugely as I understand my audio input is out of my control. ( Just Freeview here )
However, we watch a fair bit of Netflix / DVD and I noticed a huge difference in sound output as it stands. Even Youtube sounds great. So - digital input = great sound no? But my aerial is Digital so....?
My TV sound comes through a Humax box. Sound is shocking. Terrestrial TV is - horrendous. Netflix /Tube etc is much improved. Some DVD's sound quite impressive - with my current set up.
I am understandably scepitcal about the bill to buy the soundtouch package - but - I think it's worth it.
Please - all views and opinions!
Are they not really old satellite speakers, from like, 10 to 12 years ago?
I have always loved Bose sound, rate it against most things, and I also have a fairly decent background and experience of music / hardware. Happy to take opinions from all, and soundbars are not something I know masses about, but I don't agree that Bose compare to most of the standard brands, I think they are superior.
The Yamaha does look good, but I tested a Sony Atmos bar around that price in store, sounded good, but had nowhere near the clarity and power of the Bose, and I mean, nowhere near.
They must be doing something right as a company, they have been around along time and they seem to have a solid following and maintain their hold in the market,
I have always loved Bose sound, rate it against most things, and I also have a fairly decent background and experience of music / hardware. Happy to take opinions from all, and soundbars are not something I know masses about, but I don't agree that Bose compare to most of the standard brands, I think they are superior.
The Yamaha does look good, but I tested a Sony Atmos bar around that price in store, sounded good, but had nowhere near the clarity and power of the Bose, and I mean, nowhere near.
They must be doing something right as a company, they have been around along time and they seem to have a solid following and maintain their hold in the market,
B17NNS said:
You've stated that you're an audiophile yet you seem determined to buy a lifestyle product that the industry believes to be mediocre.
For the same money you can get a very highly regarded AV receiver and 5.1.2 Atmos speaker system.
All that really matters is that you get what sounds best to you at the price point you're happy with. If the Bose system is the best you've heard then that's the product for you
What Hi-Fi (take a pinch of salt) give the Sony 5 stars
https://www.whathifi.com/sony/ht-st5000/review
The Bose gets 3 stars
https://www.whathifi.com/bose/soundtouch-300/revie...
Those ratings are for a 2:1 Atmos setup versus a single soundtouch bar minus the sub. I'd agree with them too... without the sub the Soundtouch is just 'good'.For the same money you can get a very highly regarded AV receiver and 5.1.2 Atmos speaker system.
All that really matters is that you get what sounds best to you at the price point you're happy with. If the Bose system is the best you've heard then that's the product for you
What Hi-Fi (take a pinch of salt) give the Sony 5 stars
https://www.whathifi.com/sony/ht-st5000/review
The Bose gets 3 stars
https://www.whathifi.com/bose/soundtouch-300/revie...
Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 19th June 17:27
Yeah I looked at Sonos, one of the only other brands I like. Sound quality very similar.
I used to be a Richer Sounds fanboy but I thought they were just mass stockists and movers on of generic large volume stock... B and W are a respectable brand but I wouldn't say their sound excites me, at least not from what I have heard of their stock although that was many moons ago. Naim I know have been in the game a long time and produce quality stuff, I have not heard a great deal but remember their stuff being battle ship grey and really ugly! Arcam I do not know of.
Im happy with what I have to be honest. Cheap or not and marketing or otherwise I genuinely dig the sound. I am certain they cannot be improved upon for any less money, I did hear the Atmos Sony bar and sub side by side and it was night and day in terms of sound.
I used to be a Richer Sounds fanboy but I thought they were just mass stockists and movers on of generic large volume stock... B and W are a respectable brand but I wouldn't say their sound excites me, at least not from what I have heard of their stock although that was many moons ago. Naim I know have been in the game a long time and produce quality stuff, I have not heard a great deal but remember their stuff being battle ship grey and really ugly! Arcam I do not know of.
Im happy with what I have to be honest. Cheap or not and marketing or otherwise I genuinely dig the sound. I am certain they cannot be improved upon for any less money, I did hear the Atmos Sony bar and sub side by side and it was night and day in terms of sound.
I did enough research, and I am happy with what I have. Its funny that the product gets good reviews elsewhere, other than on PH. Luckily I have been using this forum for many years, and know to take what I read with a large pinch of salt.
Its all personal choice, I h ave other Bose products that I have had for years, they have had very heavy use, and still work perfectly and sound as impressive as they did when I bought them. I am pretty sure this latest purchase will follow the same path. If I was unhappy with it I would take it back, it's only a few days old, but I 'm not, and I have got exactly what I want out of it.
Its all personal choice, I h ave other Bose products that I have had for years, they have had very heavy use, and still work perfectly and sound as impressive as they did when I bought them. I am pretty sure this latest purchase will follow the same path. If I was unhappy with it I would take it back, it's only a few days old, but I 'm not, and I have got exactly what I want out of it.
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