MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Since we've moved house the lounge layout doesn't lend itself to a normal surround sound system - and my surround sound system is getting on a bit so could do with something more modern.
This brings me to be looking at a sound bars - only thing is I have no idea what's what lol.
Some seem to be solid, other allow you to split them, some have Bluetooth etc. so what do I need to know and any recommendations for 'budget' options.
Thanks
I had a sound bar - great upgrade over the standard TV speakers (LG one with a bluetooth sub)
I've not got a pair of [url= https://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p-13956-q-acoustics-bt3-stereo-bluetooth-speakers-gloss-red.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjw09zOBRCqARIsAH8XF1bRwWd9w7F7szG-PnnHtP4a9xJ3cHLEUi5LvjcnBktcMinLp9UXjp4aAmK3EALw_wcB ]these[/url] sat either side of the TV... an infinite improvement over the soundbar.
If you can fit them either side of the TV, go for the BT3s!
DrP
The only ones I've ever used have been Yamaha YSP ones which bounce the sound off the walls and give you "proper" surround. Their technology is patented.
The one's I've had don't have Bluetooth or fancy stuff, just solid processing and good sound. There are phono inputs so you can connect multiroom receiver if you like, and a subwoofer out too.
As it happens, I have one for sale... 🙂
Yes, two categories really. Those that are just to provide better sound than a telly's speakers, and those that aim to provide a decent surround sound experience. The latter, like the YSP, are a fair bit more expensive.
I got an open box Roth out of Tesco. Spur of the moment thing, it's cabled and basic, not surround sound (c£50 IIRC)
The sound is way better than the telly speakers. Rarely use it other than for movies and music progs but rarely don't use it for movies and music progs. Better bass and far more detailed sound but the sound is coming from the telly vicinity, not all round. Music is vastly better. Again IIRC full price was around £100 and I'd say worth it. Based on what I got in terms of performance for the money, if the more expensive ones offer as much of a gain, I'd say spend as much as you think is worth spending on enhancing your telly experience - I'm not a big telly watcher so probably wouldn't spend much more.
It helps but telly with poor sound quality, think Happy Valley, won't sound any different. Actorrrrrrrs, more often than not, haven't been trained in how to project their voice and whatever else it is they do.
Having a sub makes music come alive although it's another item to place somewhere in the room.
I have a very small telly, and don't want anything bigger, so getting a soundbar and sub has made a difference compared with the telly's tiny speakers.
If you have your TV on a cabinet, rather than wall mounted, consider a sound base. We have a panasonic one, it contains small subwoofers as well as front facing speakers. Massively improved the TV sound. The sub is overwhelming if you crank it up, but its all adjustable within the menu.
One of these: [url= https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-sc-hte80-speakerboard-bluetooth-sound-base/p757507 ]Panasonic Soundbase[/url]