Soundbar, HTiB or Speakers?

Yogesh Sarkar

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
I have 2.1 Philips desktop speakers, which I am using with my TV and computer.

However, I am planning to upgrade to something that sounds better than the speakers I have. For music, watching normal YouTube content and movies i.e. just about everything.

Until last night, I was thinking about buying a soundbar. However, it turns out; none of the under 20k soundbars have 4k HDMI pass through.

So now, I am confused about whether I should go with a soundbar, HTiB, speakers and amps or just plain old, powered speakers.

Of course, the budget is under 20k and I do not have space for a lot of equipment and neither can I put up the rear speakers. So a 2.1 or 3.1 speaker system ought to be enough, with maybe virtual surround sound.

Looking forward to some suggestions.
 
anupamkansal

anupamkansal

Active Member
My sound bar connects to TV audio out.

I know many people will bash Bose Sound Systems, but why don't you check their CP Showroom.

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Yogesh Sarkar

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
anupamkansal

anupamkansal

Active Member
My opinion is that Subs are overrated for us normal ears, until you are into high volumes and / or rock etc. A few soundbars have Subs Built in.

Bose also comes with a Sound Platform for TV. You put the TV on it. Generally $200 in US.

Amazon.com: Bose Solo TV Sound System: Gateway

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agreed, I have mounted my soundbar over the TV with this. And put the sub besides the TV.

Amazon.com: Mounting Dream Soundbar Mount Sound Bar TV Bracket for Mounting Above or Under TV Fits Most of Sound Bars Up to 22 Lbs, with Detachable Long and Short Extension Plates MD5420: Gateway

Amazon.com: Mounting Dream Soundbar Mount Sound Bar TV Bracket for Mounting Above or Under TV Fits Most of Sound Bars Up to 22 Lbs, with Detachable Long and Short Extension Plates MD5420: Gateway
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Yogesh Sarkar

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
Bose Solo is fairly large, cannot be wall mounted. I will try and audition Solo 5 and soundbars with subwoofer from JBL etc. and see which sounds good.
 
cat

cat

Senior Billi
This was going around my mind all the time. :>

Soundbars are just better than tv speakers, because tv speakers are mostly worse than when tv's were CRT, with recognisable speakers. Sure they can be better than computer/desktop speakers...but...the good ones are expensive, and then at that level, there are so many other, better options.

Benefit of separate speakers, versus soundbars, is that you get more scope for moving them around, finding the best position.

Ok, saw the other thread...amp...yes...need to consider where you would like to go with it, as budget allows and so on.

Edifier speakers...somewhat contradicts what i said before, about good computer speakers and soundbars being expensive. Edifier is good VFM. I was looking at them yesterday, because of an ad in the local avforums... (as new, price about Rs12K, but of course too far away from you.) But that would be a good improvement.
 
Yogesh Sarkar

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
cat said:
This was going around my mind all the time. :>

Soundbars are just better than tv speakers, because tv speakers are mostly worse than when tv's were CRT, with recognisable speakers. Sure they can be better than computer/desktop speakers...but...the good ones are expensive, and then at that level, there are so many other, better options.

Benefit of separate speakers, versus soundbars, is that you get more scope for moving them around, finding the best position.

Ok, saw the other thread...amp...yes...need to consider where you would like to go with it, as budget allows and so on.

Edifier speakers...somewhat contradicts what i said before, about good computer speakers and soundbars being expensive. Edifier is good VFM. I was looking at them yesterday, because of an ad in the local avforums... (as new, price about Rs12K, but of course too far away from you.) But that would be a good improvement.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is why I am dropping the idea of sound bar, even though it would be the most convenient option. I am already getting much better sound than TV speakers thanks to the desktop speakers I have.

However, they produce muddled sound, which I guess is fair considering they cost less than 4k and have a single driver in satellite.

I recently bought a Harmon Kardon Omni 10+ and although it is not very loud, it has better range separation than my desktop speakers do. However, they did not fulfill the need I had for them in the other room, so I am returning them. I was tempted to keep them, but they are mostly good for old songs, due to their very vocal bias soundstage.

The issue with going with amp and passive speakers is, there are not many choices in the market (in my price range) and I am a noob when it comes to buying amps, so not really sure about them. Plus the only amp I seemed to like so far was a Denon one for 27k :D.

I am getting Edifier R1850DB for 15k, so it seems fine in my budget and later on I can add a sub, but that is about it.
 
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cat

cat

Senior Billi
Ok, (I looked quickly on google,) the Edifiers I was looking at were the egg-shaped/oval ones. These seem better - I suppose, based on the higher price.
 
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