Surround sound or sound bar

[Deleted User]

pinkteapot wrote: »

We have this and it's amazing:

http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/q-tv-speakers-soundbar.htm

I have a Bose Sound-bar which knocks that out of the water both for sound quality and ease of connection.
You sure are promoting your system!

Twisted_Cherry

Having tried Surround Sound in the past, I prefer the Soundbar. Only just recently bought one the LG 2430A 160W Soundbar with Built-In Subwoofer & Bluetooth from Curry's for £109, it's fantastic!

Tigsteroonie

Funny how everyone has gone for sound bars ... We thought about it but instead opted for a system: http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/pioneer/htp072/pion-htp072

Wires can be hiddne. We have a picture rail, so use discreet trunking from the TV unit to the picture rail and then the cables lie along the top of the rail out of view.

swift1_2

Definitely Surround Sound! You'll never want to watch movie in anything else, "normal" sound will lack substance. I think george lucas said 50% of the enjoyment of a movie comes from the sound. We probably don't realise how much impact the sound experience can add to the movie.

I would take surround sound over full-hd any day. Even my wife is hooked. Surround sound is just not for action, the songs from Glee sound incredible (in DD 5.1), listening back on even 'pro-logic' through the same speakers still lacked substance.

So yes, get the best kit you can afford - it will last you years and give you much pleasure!. My system is over 10yrs old and still going strong. I paid over £600 for a dvd player! (How I kick myself now!)

WTFH

Unfortunately, not everyone lives in a house where surround is an option. If the room is small then you end up with 5+ speakers, but no one getting the benefit of more than 1 or 2 of them.
I'm in the process of selling my old Marantz amp and Mission speakers. I've replaced them with a Sonos playbar.
It's not better surround experience - planes don't fly over your head, etc, but it is better sound because it is more balanced in the room we are using.
The old system had come from my old house where I had cables under the floor, acoustic deadening, a projector, etc. The room was set up for sound. Our current house has smaller rooms and there isn't space for all the gear.

swift1_2

WTFH wrote: »

Unfortunately, not everyone lives in a house where surround is an option. If the room is small then you end up with 5+ speakers, but no one getting the benefit of more than 1 or 2 of them.
I'm in the process of selling my old Marantz amp and Mission speakers. I've replaced them with a Sonos playbar.
It's not better surround experience - planes don't fly over your head, etc, but it is better sound because it is more balanced in the room we are using.
The old system had come from my old house where I had cables under the floor, acoustic deadening, a projector, etc. The room was set up for sound. Our current house has smaller rooms and there isn't space for all the gear.

That sounds like one awesome setup you had - you must be suffering withdrawal symptoms?
Yes, I know what you mean by small room. I was living in a small flat for a couple of years and had to pack up my system. Watching movies and the whole of the Lost series on normal TV speakers, always knew I was missing out on the complete experience and enjoyment.

What I would say to the OP go check out both for yourself, think most places have rooms with surround sound setups and probably these soundbars and see which is best for you.

[Deleted User]

I've had both a surround sound system and, now, a sound bar. I prefer the sound bar with the proviso that it's accompanied by a sub-woofer. The sound is excellent and the surround sound effects are not lost even though there are no rear speakers.

I do fail to see the attraction of the ones which retail for about £100-£200 though. If that was all I could afford, I'd stick with my TV speakers.

sja75

Some Sound Bars retail higher than a complete Blu Ray 3D system Surround Sound. The latter type of system have greater connectivity and some have internet capability Smart WiFi etc.

[Deleted User]

sja75 wrote: »

Some Sound Bars retail higher than a complete Blu Ray 3D system Surround Sound.

http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audio/home-cinema-and-sound-for-tv/simplified-home-cinema/cinemate-1-sr-speaker-system/

sja75

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audio/home-cinema-and-sound-for-tv/simplified-home-cinema/cinemate-1-sr-speaker-system/

I couldn't see the price that Bose were asking apart from the attractive trade in...