5.1 Home Theatre or Soundbar

• 

  Riczter on 15/06/2017 - 17:10

  +1

  There was a yamaha soundbar YAS-106B a while back for about 200, just installed one in my parents place, pretty good. only problem I had is TV didnt have optical audio out, only digital coax, whereas soundbar only had optical in (and HDMI in and out), not digital coax, so i had to but an active coax to optical converter to get it working, but did so and it works great nice and loud, it replaced their old $2000 yamaha sound bar with almost as good sound and loudness, even though its a third of the size.

• 

  boomramada on 15/06/2017 - 21:30

  5.1 all the way :)
  If you have money go for Bose, else Yamaha will do :)

• 

  [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 22:23

  +2

  I suggest you visit some forums such as avsforum.com

  Brands mean very little. The basic range of Bose is exceptionally poor for its price (~1.5k) and all you're paying for is the brand.

  Sound bars are a good option if you aren't worried about surround sound. From your description, I doubt you are and neither are most people. It takes a lot to set up a 5.1 properly, and improper set up is like ordering a Wagyu steak well done. Just order the chicken.

  I'm also looking for a similar deal on a 5.1 for a hybrid space after downsizing from a 7.2 in a dedicated room. I have been playing with audio visual gear for a decade and setting up a 7.2 as an ametuer took me days (and a pro calibration mic and almost 1k worth of acoustic foam) before it sounded better than a Logitech set. It's a horrible process if you're not enthusiastic about the set up.

  • 

    axlfan on 15/06/2017 - 22:58

    Great advice. Thanks let me check that forum out.

    However I would love to get Surround sound. How can I start with sound bars that can progressively allow us to add wireless speakers etc?

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 08:13

      Sonos playbar is a good place to start. You'll get pretty satisfying sound quality without the surround.

      Add a couple of Play 1s to left and right wing and you have very basic surround.

      Get a decent sub, I wouldn't bother with a Sonos sub here as subs are usually concealed and easily wired as they are floor dwellers. SVS comes to mind for the price to performance conscious.

      Few months down the track, pick up a couple of Play 3s for front left and right and you're all set.

      • 

        axlfan on 16/06/2017 - 12:53

        Thanks mate but won't this be a little expensive to set up overall?
        Play 1's are $299 right?

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 17:34

        @axlcalvin:
        Yes the Play 1s are $299, however, they go on 20% off twice a year (AFAIK). This is the most reliable and easy to set up wireless system.

        There is another way to go about this wireless thing, however, it is only viable if you own the property. You could hard wire a 5.1 system such as a Q acoustics 7000i (which I am currently trying to hunt for a deal) and have a Sonos hub connected to an AV receiver. That way, you can have (almost) wireless access to music and only a few buttons to press when you want the speakers for movies.

        BTW, don't bother setting up 5.1 for music. Stereo or 2.1 works best for music. 5.1 ends up cancelling one another out unless you meticulously made sure the phase is correct and sound treatment is perfect.

• 

  axlfan on 15/06/2017 - 23:05

  BTW this was just released yesterday.

  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&I…

  I think this will give near surround sound experience with just the soundbar….Wonder how much it will be priced in Aus.