Soundbar or Denon DM39

wiltslass

Thinking of purchasing a sound bar to improve the sound on our three year old Panasonic TV. It has been suggested that an AV receiver, maybe the Denon DM 39 , would be a better choice as it would also give us give us DAB radio etc and enable me to play music via my iPad. We would welcome your comments as to the wether the Denon would give us significantly better sound quality than a sound bar.

Norman_Castle

If you enjoy music I would buy the Denon. I,ve listened to an older version and they are superb. Try and find a demo at a hi fi shop.

pogofish

Both work very well.

I have recently replaced my old CRT TV with a wall-mounted flatscreen/soundbar combination in one room which is very convenient for space, wiring etc, whilst in another, I have a laptop hoked-up to a Denon DM39, for more vaired media - The sound quality on both is excellent, although I would say the Denon setup has the edge for quality (I am actually very impressed indeed) and can be cranked-up very loud!

DAB reception is also excellent if you set-up the inclided antenna properly - I'm an a poor reception area and the Denon gives me far fewer pops and garbles on DAB stations compared to my old set. FM reception is horrible, so I can't comment on that for any set.

One thing - If you do go for the soundbar, shop around a bit. Many places are obviously trying to shift stock and will discount heavilly or even throw the soundbar-in for free if you are buing a decent set.

almillar

We can hardly answer that if we don't know what the soundbar is (yes there are loads) or what price you're looking at for both! Having said that, the Denon will be more versatile as you've already mentioned and will have 'good' if not 'really powerful' sound.

wiltslass

Thank a lot very interesting comments. It seems the Denon is probably the way forward. We currently use a 23 yr old Technics system for our music which still sounds and works fine but is out of date. The Denon system would update us a bit as well.

pogofish

almillar wrote: »

and will have 'good' if not 'really powerful' sound.

For mine, I found a remote subwoofer from an old Aiwa CD system for a fiver (CD/tape unit was borked). Add that-in and the Denon becomes a real "bowel loosener" - It is amply powerful enough for an average sized room. Which is why I keep it in the room furthest away from any neighbours!

debitcardmayhem

wiltslass wrote: »

Thank a lot very interesting comments. It seems the Denon is probably the way forward. We currently use a 23 yr old Technics system for our music which still sounds and works fine but is out of date. The Denon system would update us a bit as well.

The Technics should still save you money , if it has a spare aux socket , costs you a new cable , sorted, or a switch for the aux phonos one from Telly and one for whatever is in the aux setting (and or the iPad/iPod/iDunno using 3.5mm jack to phono cable) my hifi is 18 years old and I use it for Telly/iPad/phone etc and it is far superior cos it has proper speakers

Im_just_careful

I have the Denon RCD-M38DAB and I'm extremely pleased with it.

Norman_Castle

As you already have a system, for the cost of a lead I would connect that just to see how good it sounds. Depending on the outputs of the TV you may already have a lead connecting parts of you Technics together.

wiltslass

Thanks Norman Castle, as you suggest that might be worth a try. Would it still be an optical digital cable required as it would be going to such old equipment? ( not very techie as you have probably guessed!) If so I will look for a cheapish long cable just to try it out, the technics system is the other side of the room and do not want to dismantle and move it all at the moment.

Norman_Castle

Highly unlikely your Hi Fi will have a digital input. Check the back of the tv or the manual to see what outputs it has.