Bose, Sonos or Other - Home Theatre AV Decision

Ltechpoida on 10/02/2016 - 17:09

From what I can tell this is not a duplicate as others are single brand specific, not inclusive of these models or unanswered. Mods feel free to delete if you deem otherwise…

Sorry this is long but please help me spend my $$!

I’m after something to replace my existing audio/home theatre system and after a bit of help or useful suggestions from the group please. Apparently (according to the wife) the existing system is too large and hard to use.

I’ve considered making the existing system wireless with some add-on adapters but it seems like a clunky option and the speaker size is still an issue and I’d possibly like some kind of surround sound.

Really I’m after something which is reasonably ‘future proof’ considering the $$ and possibility of moving to a different room shape/house, can be used as a home theatre and stream music to another speaker(s)/room. A bonus would be to be able to connect other devices (phone/ipad/ipod) either to the main system or the additional speakers via wireless/Bluetooth or cord. These extra speakers could also be used in the same room as wireless surround.

Current:
Samsung “smart” TV (about 4 years old) – several HDMI (incl. ARC) + AV connections,
Sherwood receiver amp (RD-6505) with large wired speakers,
Samsung BluRay - HDMI
Xbox 360 - HDMI
Wii (very occasionally used) – Composite AV
PC (Kodi) – HDMI

The room is an ‘L’ shaped lounge/dining about 6m x 3m + 4m x 3m.

I’ve looked at the following (links and pricing are probably not the best deals just the easiest to find at the moment):
Sonos – Playbar + Sub + 2x Play:1 (e.g. https://www.videopro.com.au/p-9381-sonos-51-surround-sound-h…) $2596 approx. + apparently also needs Sonos Boost @ $149
•-ve
App seems a bit dodgy in the few stores where I’ve tried it.
•+ve
Sounds very good.

Denon HEOS – Home Cinema (Sub + Soundbar) + 2x Denon 1. $2257 approx.
•-ve
Haven’t heard this full system working, only a single Denon 1.
•+ve
Was impressed by the sound from the Denon 1.

Bose LifeStyle SoundTouch 135 – Soundbar + Sub + Console (http://worldwide.bose.com/axa/en_au/web/lifestyle_135/page.h…) and can pair in the Sound Touch 10/20 or 30. $3699 approx.
•-ve
Maybe the price.
•+ve
“Surround” like sound from the soundbar.
App works and seems easy to use.
On screen display options for selections.
SoundTouch 10/20/30 can be integrated or used independently and have shortcut buttons onboard.
Multiple HDMI and component inputs.
Universal remote.

Bose SoundTouch 130 – Soundbar + Sub + Console (http://worldwide.bose.com/axa/en_au/web/soundtouch_130/page.…). $2199 approx.
•-ve
If I'm being picky, not quite as refined or simple as the SoundTouch 135.
•+ve
“Surround” like sound from the soundbar.
App works and seems easy to use.
SoundTouch 10/20/30 can be integrated or used independently and have shortcut buttons onboard.
Multiple HDMI and component inputs.
Universal remote.

I don't think the SoundTouch 10/20/30 will actually integrate as independent L + R speakers just stereo always. These are priced at 30 $749, 20 $499, 10 $299 (http://worldwide.bose.com/axa/en_au/web/one-piece_systems/pa…).

Samsung - WAM5500 (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/all-tv--home…) + WAM1500 (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/all-tv--home…) x2. Price $1125 approx (not including the soundbar, otherwise $1924)
•-ve
Not sure if this will actually integrate with my current TV and might need to use the soundbar (http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/tv-audio-video/sound-bar/…)
WAM5500 is not a sub woofer and if the soundbar is required maybe this speaker is redundant anyway.
•+ve
Individual and grouped speakers in the demo display sounded good

So far the Sonos and Bose are in front. Price wise the SoundTouch 130 but feature wise the SoundTouch 135 is well ahead.
I haven’t had a lot of time on this yet in an actual store, so I don’t know if any of the above are missing any additional required components or if I’m missing any other features or brands that should be considered.

TIA.

Poll Options expired

  • 4
    Sonos - Playbar + Sub + 2x Play:1
  • 3
    Bose LifeStyle SoundTouch 135
  • 2
    Samsung WAM5500 + WAM1500
  • 1
    Denon HEOS
  • 0
    Bose SoundTouch 130
  • 0
    Other
Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • chickenchipsgravy on 10/02/2016 - 17:36

    my issue with Sonos like you, the app is ordinary and I'm disappointed there is no remote control (similar to the Apple TV for example). I also find if I have a few devices on my network at times the sub will stop (playbar still operates), if I take an iPad or disconnect the TV, the sub fires up in all its glory again.

    the quality is great as is the flexibility of Sonos but I do have a gripe over the costs and need to include "addons" like the Boost etc.

    • techpoida on 10/02/2016 - 18:25

      I dropped into a couple of stores quickly and the app was dodgy in each one. So not a good advertisement for them. The Samsung, HEOS and Bose apps were fine. Thanks for the feedback on the glitches or quirks your setup has.

  • redknob on 10/02/2016 - 17:50

    I've got a lot of Sonos products, pretty happy with them. Never had any issues with the app, it can also do everything the desktop client can.

    Not sure why you'd need a Boost if everything is in the same room and you're not putting other speakers around the house, unless your wifi router is in another room entirely and the signal sucks. I'd say go without it if you do Sonos, and pick one up later if you really need it.

    • techpoida on 10/02/2016 - 18:27

      OK, thanks. I saw a review which said you'd need the Boost. Happy to leave it out if I don't need it. I should have added I'm using a FritzBox 7360 for my router and it's pretty solid IMO.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/02/2016 - 19:39
    -1

    Senheisser brah… GAME OVER

  • CheapandUsed on 10/02/2016 - 20:16

    I have also read good things about the new Yamaha MusicCast products:

    http://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/musiccast/prod…

    They have a few different products in the range, but a soundbar (with Sub) and the portable speakers to match up with the other options you have.

    Think they are selling through harvey norman, but not sure how great the app is yet.

  • Mr BoMBAStiG on 11/02/2016 - 10:14

    Bose for speakers is like Apple for computers.

  • warteva on 27/02/2016 - 09:48

    have u decided which system you are going for? I was just thinking how about the Bose sound touch 520 in comparison to Bose 135?

    • techpoida on 29/02/2016 - 12:26

      After a lot of looking at the option and reviews I just purchased a Sonos system yesterday.

      Playbar + Sub + 2x Play:3

      The cost was a bit more than I was aiming for and initially I was only looking at the Play:1s for rears but the wife suggested the 3s (not sure where that came from).
      Setup was pretty simple - position them and plug in but not power on. Download the app and follow the prompts turning each one on and selecting the appropriate combinations/uses.
      Pretty happy with it so far, especially with the sub which we didn't have previously. in the initial setup I had it configured with all speakers operating in surround and the volume can be controlled using the TV remote, instead of the app. I've since separated the Play 3s and made them single speakers but then group them with the play bar and sub. Hopefully this will allow me to remove a Play3 for single use elsewhere in the house but that's the next step in testing.

      • 7olo on 30/12/2016 - 02:57
        +1

        Excellent decision - I do own a similar setup (for the last 2 years) and cannot be any more happier with the product offerings. Having owned a Bose previously, it would be a hard toss up between the two in terms of sound quality.

        However, the one downside (not huge) to Sonos is the fact that there is no control over the power consumption. Speakers left plugged on eventually go into idle mode and still consume power, albeit limited. If only Sonos introduced a power switch to turn them off completely.

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