|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 24, 2020 20:47:02 GMT -5
Are they really that much of an improvement?
What brand do you have? With a subwoofer or no?
I have extremely limited space in my entertainment unit so I don’t even know if it’s feasible for me, but if there’s a very low profile version, maybe I could find a spot.
Why do I need one?
Are there other options, maybe small, separate speakers, that accomplish the same thing?
|
|
|
|
Post by jhawkr on Jan 24, 2020 21:24:29 GMT -5
I have a Polk Magnfi Mini system. It does have a separate sub woofer. I don’t recall the exact configuration of the very small soundbar but offhand it seems there are 5 drivers. I chose it over a comparable priced Bose system. The Polk was smaller and sounded better. I’m sure there are some in your area you could try. I’ve had it two years I think.
|
|
|
|
Post by rok-a-bill-e on Jan 25, 2020 13:36:09 GMT -5
I bought a Zvox because they advertised dialogue enhancement and I needed that desperately. It helps with that somewhat and the overall sound is much better. It is not what you want for Hi-Fi music but a huge improvement over onboard TV speakers.
|
|
|
|
Post by walshb 🦒 on Jan 25, 2020 13:48:31 GMT -5
Mine is just a bar that sits on the TV stand in front of the TV. Made by Vizio, about $100, and no subwoofer.
But it sure adds a lot of bass, the difference is night and day when I turn it on. I bought it because the TCL TV's weren't rated all that great for sound, from the reviews I read.
|
|
|
|
Post by jazzguy on Jan 25, 2020 14:45:41 GMT -5
when I bought a new tv last year the sound was so bad I bought an LG soundbar and sub woofer.
HUGE difference!
|
|
|
|
Post by LesTele on Jan 25, 2020 14:46:10 GMT -5
Do you have Bluetooth enabled speakers nearby? If not, a soundbar with Bluetooth may be another way for you to listen to music.
My brother has a mid-range Bose soundbar which sounded really good when we streamed music in its general direction.
|
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Jan 25, 2020 14:58:27 GMT -5
If you don’t have one... you need one.
Duh!
You know how it works.
|
|
|
|
Post by jhawkr on Jan 25, 2020 15:39:10 GMT -5
The Polk Magnfi Mini also has Bluetooth and Chromecast as well as wi-fi.
|
|
|
|
Post by HenryJ on Jan 25, 2020 21:12:32 GMT -5
I don't have one for my 46" Sharp from 2007, but it sounds okay. I do have the DVD player and DISH receiver hooked into the stereo system. Someone on another thread had picture of their stereo system under their TV set. My speakers are not as gigantic as those in that post, but it does give me hi-fi stereo sound.
Edited to add: It was LeftyMeister, Esq.'s post in "Broke Down and Bought a New TV."
|
|
JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Posts: 528
|
Post by JDC on Jan 25, 2020 23:28:16 GMT -5
I bought a Zvox because they advertised dialogue enhancement and I needed that desperately. It helps with that somewhat and the overall sound is much better. It is not what you want for Hi-Fi music but a huge improvement over onboard TV speakers. That's the one I bought for my mom at Christmas. Mom's not playing tunes through it so music reinforcement wasn't a consideration and I bought it for the advertised dialog enhancement. Although I have no basis for comparison (I've not demoed other brands) neither do I have complaints as it is head and shoulders above the T.V.'s onboard speakers. |
|
|
|
Post by Stratluvr on Jan 26, 2020 6:39:31 GMT -5
I first tried a Vizio which sounded okay but was a real PITA to change settings and see what setting it was on. I ended up getting a Sony with the separate sub speaker which not only sounded ten times better but was easy to use and completely compatible with my TV which is a Sony.
|
|
|
|
Post by dogspart2 on Jan 26, 2020 9:21:09 GMT -5
remodeled our family room last fall.
My first thought was in wall speakers, however was not sure about leaving a permanent footprint in our new wall.
Decided to go with a Sony Z9F soundbar (went from 899 to 699 bucks). This thing will never compete my high end home audio system, however for casual listening (TV, Pandora,and NAS streaming it's not bad).
As stated above the Sony is easy to use and pairs well with my Sony TV.
|
|
|
|
Post by neilp on Jan 26, 2020 12:09:44 GMT -5
I bought a cheap "bargain of the day" TV about 7 years ago. Great TV picture (I still use it) but horrible sound quality. I thought I was going deaf for a few months until I realized it was the TV. I bought a basic JVC sound bar and it was huge improvement. About two years ago I retired the JVC and replaced it with a Vizio soundbar that has surround sound and a woofer. While the sound is great with the newer one, I rarely use the surround capability and would not purchase it again with hindsight. It does offer Bluetooth capability which I like as I can stream music to it from my phone. I was clearing out a cupboard recently and sold the JVC - but nearly went back to it and sold the fancier Vizio - the Bluetooth ability won the day.
|
|
|
|
Post by rok-a-bill-e on Jan 26, 2020 12:27:19 GMT -5
JDC, on my Zvox I have to keep resetting the Dialogue Enhancement as it somehow turns itself off from time to time. So if your Mom finds it hard to hear the speech sometimes, check your settings as it may have turned itself off. Same with surround and Output Leveling, sometimes the system reverts to a default with all of those turned off, and you need both the OL and the DE to really make the conversations stand out. And I have to have the Surround at minimum as I find the effect distracting. I don't want to hear sounds coming from behind me!
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris Greene on Jan 26, 2020 13:21:49 GMT -5
Most of our TVs (but not all) are connected to a 2-channel home audio system or AV system. No sound bars. I've hooked up a TV into my stereo system going back to the 80's. TV speakers are off and we just listen through the stereo speakers.
I recall buying and returning a couple sound bars from Costco a few years back. Didn't care for their sound. Seems like they are killing off home stereo systems along with all the BT crap.
|
|
JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Posts: 528
|
Post by JDC on Jan 29, 2020 17:07:56 GMT -5
JDC, on my Zvox I have to keep resetting the Dialogue Enhancement as it somehow turns itself off from time to time. So if your Mom finds it hard to hear the speech sometimes, check your settings as it may have turned itself off. Same with surround and Output Leveling, sometimes the system reverts to a default with all of those turned off, and you need both the OL and the DE to really make the conversations stand out. And I have to have the Surround at minimum as I find the effect distracting. I don't want to hear sounds coming from behind me! Dialog enhancement seems to stay right where I set it but the unit would randomly turn itself off in the middle of a program. No biggie..I just turned it back on with the remote that came with the bar.The default setting, from the factory, is (evidently) to have the auto-off feature enabled so that the bar shuts down if the audio from the source is weak. Can't remember the steps, but there is a way to turn the default off and have the bar never do anything on its own. I did those steps and no issues since. Probably not your issue but this was the one I needed to change in order for smooth operation to ensue. |
|
|
|
Post by Chauncy Gardner on Feb 1, 2020 12:03:48 GMT -5
I have the LG SJ9 Sound Bar. It was pricey when new, a 500 watt system that comes with a main bar containing a 5.1.2 speaker array with the "2" meaning the up-facing speakers for sound from the ceiling, and a separate wireless subwoofer. Dolby Atmos sound is great and it has many ways to connect to it. We use the ARC with the LG TV. I did get rid of my stereo tuner and tower speakers with all of the wiring and I don't miss it.
|
|
