Which Sound Bar, Sony or JBL

Izzyhop on 10/01/2016 - 19:05
Last edited 10/01/2016 - 19:07

Hi guys, not really up on my home theater system and would like some advice, looking to replace with current Sony surround sound system (5 years old) with something newer, I also hate the whole wires associated with the 5.1 systems hence I started to look at sound bars rather than a surround sound system.

After doing some research using Whirlpool and this great website I decided on sticking with Sony (also matches my TV) and was looking to purchase the Sony Sound Bar HTCT380, Harvey Norman have it on offer for $398 which I thought was a great price compared to similar spec sound bars. (unfortunately missed out on the Sony HTCT780 in JB Hi-Fi Boxing Day Deal).

Went into Harvey Norman today to buy the Sony Sound Bar only to be talked up by one of the sales staff trying to sell me a JBL product instead [JBL SB250] (http://www.harveynorman.com.au/tv-blu-ray-home-theatre/home-…), he was on the brink of being very rude they way he was pushing me towards the JBL Sound Bar. The JBL product did sound great in the store but I wasn't happy to buy without some research.

I'm struggling to find many reviews on the JBL sound bar, I would appreciate if any Ozbarginers have any advice or experience with JBL, are they as good as the sales person in Harvey Norman suggested. I'm always suspicious of pushy sales people especially to a product I have little experience with.

Any comments appreciated.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • modsec802 on 10/01/2016 - 20:10
    -2

    JBL is a much better brand than Sony

  • bex000 on 10/01/2016 - 20:56
    -2

    Sony has gotten a lot of flack for making cheap crappy empty speaker boxes. Which is fair enough because they are not expensive and not much better than entry level. They do have a bit higher end stuff which cost more than the competitor brands compared to the level of quality they put out. That saying, I think their sound bar is alright. JBL can't be much better at that price point.

  • Deepwinter on 10/01/2016 - 20:56

    I've got the SB400. I bought it just because it was simple to setup and sounded half decent. It has plenty of inputs and does the job for movies/games. I'd expect a true 5.1 to sound far more immersive.

  • Randxyz123 on 10/01/2016 - 23:05
    +1

    Get the JBL.

    • Izzyhop on 11/01/2016 - 13:56

      Any reason for suggesting the JBL system, it is simply better sound? The Sony sound bar has HDMI x3 input whereas JBL has only optical, is there much of a loss of quality?

      Also, Direct Deals have the Sony HT-CT780 for $379.

      • Randxyz123 on 11/01/2016 - 18:26

        I have had JBL products in the past and they have been excellent.

        The sony does sound like a better product so keep reading reviews and make a informed decision.

        The Sony sound bar has HDMI x3 input whereas JBL has only optical, is there much of a loss of quality?

        Optical is possibly OK but I'd possibly go with the sony for that reason.

  • donbot on 11/01/2016 - 22:52

    Happy user of the sb400 here. Have had it for 3 years nearly.

    Only crap thing is the remote. If you've got a harmony remote, your fine.

    • AyjeofSpades on 30/01/2016 - 10:11

      I've lost that damn remote more times than I can count.

  • auna on 12/01/2016 - 12:48

    Obviously the Sony. The HDMI inputs are quite important and push the worth of the product way up.

    We have an optical connected soundbar downstairs. Every so often the audio lags and sometimes we get a pop every now and again.

    • Izzyhop on 13/01/2016 - 17:13

      Thanks guys, I'm sold on the Sony one.

    • jason andrade on 11/07/2017 - 15:55

      Just curious why extra HDMI inputs are important and increase the worth of the product ? In particular if you have a 4K TV nowadays (and I realise this is 1.5 years down the track) then if your sound bar doesn't support HDCP 2.2 with HDMI 2.0.. you can't do 4K without falling back to optical..

      • auna on 11/07/2017 - 18:24

        The Sony soundbar did when I posted my comment, and that is the one I still own. 2.2 protection works fine so far…

        • jason andrade on 12/07/2017 - 00:05

          Thanks Auna, decisions decisions. Have a Hisense 65" I am going to get installed and been looking at sound bars for it. Currently looking at the Samsung HW-M360.. but been trying to think about this vs the much more expensive Sonos or Bose.. and the cheaper Sony..

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