Looking for a sound bar.

[alfa147x]

My parents are "down-grading" their surround sound system. They are giving me their floorstanding polk speakers + matching center for a more a streamlined look such as a sound bar. My problem is that a sound bar tris to make surround sound. I want something that looks like a sound bar but just holds the FL FR and center speaker. That way they still can use their current receiver + rear speakers + sub.

Any ideas?
Budget: $200 - $400

Thanks!
Alfa

 

[vi edit]

You'll have a lot of issues in that price range. Most are going to be integrated products that will want to bypass your receiver and run on their own.

There aren't many that are a true array of L/C/R and the ones that are are $$$$$

One of the few I know of are the Phase Technology Teatro
http://www.laaudiofile.com/pt_v30_teatro.html

 

[alfa147x]

You'll have a lot of issues in that price range. Most are going to be integrated products that will want to bypass your receiver and run on their own.

There aren't many that are a true array of L/C/R and the ones that are are $$$$$

One of the few I know of are the Phase Technology Teatro
http://www.laaudiofile.com/pt_v30_teatro.html

Wow! $1000 yeah no way is that in their price range. Any ideas on "slim" speakers? It might help my dad convince my mother

They just bought a 46 inch Samsung 120hz 1080p LCD today.

Thanks btw

 

[sdifox]

Most soundbars want to pretend to be surrounds too...They are not going to like the sound of a soundbar.

 

[frowertr]

I'm confused. They want a sound bar under their TV but want to keep the rears and subs? Yeah, I don't know anything like that off the top of my head. At least not something that would have to be custom made.

Why don't you sell those speakers for them and put that money towards a real sound bar if they intent on having one? The JVC TH-BA1 is traditionally thought of as the best sound bar on the market today and it is only ~$275 from Amazon. Vizio is also coming out with a new sound bar call the VHT520 that is supposed to be an improved version of their 510.

I recommend you do some reading over at the sound bar sub forum over on AVS. There you will find people who are experts in this kind of stuff.

 

[alfa147x]

I'm confused. They want a sound bar under their TV but want to keep the rears and subs? Yeah, I don't know anything like that off the top of my head. At least not something that would have to be custom made.

Why don't you sell those speakers for them and put that money towards a real sound bar if they intent on having one? The JVC TH-BA1 is traditionally thought of as the best sound bar on the market today and it is only ~$275 from Amazon. Vizio is also coming out with a new sound bar call the VHT520 that is supposed to be an improved version of their 510.

I recommend you do some reading over at the sound bar sub forum over on AVS. There you will find people who are experts in this kind of stuff.

Why would I sell their speakers if they are giving them to me ?

But seriously: A soundbar that simulates surround won't work for their room because the back of the room is open. Also the TV is situated in a corner.

 

[alfa147x]

Most soundbars want to pretend to be surrounds too...They are not going to like the sound of a soundbar.

I guess I'm now looking for slim speakers?

 

[sdifox]

I guess I'm now looking for slim speakers?

I say you buy your own speaker package and leave theirs alone :biggrin:

 

[Tiamat]

Triad makes some of what you are looking for, but above your price range.

OnWall MicroSAT3.0 is about 600$
OnWall MicroLCR3.0 is about 900$

I'd still recommend an additional subwoofer...

 

[alfa147x]

Triad makes some of what you are looking for, but above your price range.

OnWall MicroSAT3.0 is about 600$
OnWall MicroLCR3.0 is about 900$

I'd still recommend an additional subwoofer...

An additional sub to the one they have?

I say you buy your own speaker package and leave theirs alone :biggrin:

Well my mother no longer wants large floor-standing speakers

Anyone have thoughts on this?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107SDAS...ck.html?tp=191

 

[sdifox]

An additional sub to the one they have?



Well my mother no longer wants large floor-standing speakers

Anyone have thoughts on this?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107SDAS...ck.html?tp=191

so get them a decent sound bar and you take the whole surround package. Problem solved.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I think you should look for onwall speakers. Thats probably the cheapest way to accomplish what you want.

 

[alfa147x]

so get them a decent sound bar and you take the whole surround package. Problem solved.

Trust me the room is not suited for a sound bar.

I think you should look for onwall speakers. Thats probably the cheapest way to accomplish what you want.

Any specific ones?

 

[sdifox]

Trust me the room is not suited for a sound bar.



Any specific ones?

They they still need 5.1... you can't have it both ways really.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Trust me the room is not suited for a sound bar.



Any specific ones?

Sorry I don't know much about them. You should probably go post on AVS forum asking for recommendations in your budget . One option to save money would be to just get LR and skip the center for now.

 

[sdifox]

Sorry I don't know much about them. You should probably go post on AVS forum asking for recommendations in your budget . One option to save money would be to just get LR and skip the center for now.

His parents have a proper 5 speaker plus sub setup now. They want less clutter now, thus the hunt for a soundbar replacement for front and centre.

 

[alfa147x]

They they still need 5.1... you can't have it both ways really.

Why not?
Either they get a 3 in one sound bar OR 3x slim speakers + the 2 mounted rear speakers and their current subwoofer.

 

[sdifox]

Why not?
Either they get a 3 in one sound bar OR 3x slim speakers + the 2 mounted rear speakers and their current subwoofer.

Matching sonic signature would be hard. How big are the surrounds?

 

[alfa147x]

Matching sonic signature would be hard. How big are the surrounds?

The surrounds are about 5-6 inches tall.

 

[sdifox]

The surrounds are about 5-6 inches tall.

so, you want mains and centre smaller than surrounds? :biggrin:


maybe this???

http://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Nanosa...D0/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1303827628&sr=8-14

I still say you replace whole package.

 

[alfa147x]

so, you want mains and centre smaller than surrounds? :biggrin:


maybe this???

http://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Nanosat...827628&sr=8-14

I still say you replace whole package.

That's not bad. The surrounds are pretty shitty but they very little use.
I'll forward that link to my dad

Thanks.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

His parents have a proper 5 speaker plus sub setup now. They want less clutter now, thus the hunt for a soundbar replacement for front and centre.

I understand that but he said they are willing to downgrade for better aesthetics and they have a limited budget.

 

[frowertr]

Why would I sell their speakers if they are giving them to me ?

But seriously: A soundbar that simulates surround won't work for their room because the back of the room is open. Also the TV is situated in a corner.

I didn't understand what you were wanting. So, they want to keep their rears and want you to find a sound bar for the fronts? You are going to have a hard time finding a matching sound bar for existing rear speakers.

So basically they want 5.1 but they want to keep their existing speakers AND want you to find a sound bar for them...

Good luck!

Tell them to sell off the rears and go sound bar only. They can't have their cake and eat it too!

 

[sdifox]

That's not bad. The surrounds are pretty shitty but they very little use.
I'll forward that link to my dad

Thanks.

linky gone...prices have gone up I guess

 

[alfa147x]

I understand that but he said they are willing to downgrade for better aesthetics and they have a limited budget.

This is not a they will save up the money for center but more of a surround sound system to them is only worth around $400 - $500