Recommendations for speakers vs. soundbar

[MartyMcFly3]

I am in the market for a sound system for my television/blu-ray/xbox. Looking to preferably spend around 400-500.

My wife works at Best Buy and can possibly get this for half off. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch...lack/6819316.p?id=1219239885277&skuId=6819316

I was looking for input on this sound bar or for other suggestions/recommendations. The room size it's going in is approximately 10'x13'. Any response is greatly appreciated.

 

[mdram]

i have with a 2.1

speakers will need an AVR, and usually a sub
i went
denon 2100 @329
klispch sub12hg @ 199
2x infinity primus 363 @ 115 ea

unless you have an avr you will need at least 200 for one
edit: ad more speakers later, i plan to

 

[poofyhairguy]

The main reason to choose a soundbar is for cost (it is the only real sub-$300 option) and aesthetics. Otherwise something with true 5.1 speakers will sound better. What can you get this for?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-...lack/6866026.p?id=1219667168663&skuId=6866026

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Don't know just yet. She believes thats in stock though as apparently they don't sell many of the Yamaha's there.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'd look at getting a 5.1 AVR from one of the mainstream brands (Sony, Yamaha, Dennon, Onkyo, etc), then spend the rest on a pair of main front left and right speakers. The number of Watts that they state on the reciever is mostly fiction. The real key to making sure its loud enough to fill the room is the sensitivity of the speakers...

 

[sdifox]

Depends mostly on aesthetics. Sound bars are for interior design magazine subscribers.

Look at their Magnolia offerings.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Depends mostly on aesthetics. Sound bars are for interior design magazine subscribers.

Yup. I call the really small but expensive ones "metrosexual soundbars."

 

[MartyMcFly3]

I'll take another look at what our Best Buy has to offer. Thanks.

 

[NutBucket]

Well you should also discuss aesthetics and sound quality with your wife.

A soundbar will sound much better than TV speakers but "real" speakers will blow away a soundbar. My wife is OK with large speakers since they sound good but other wives may not be.

 

[Oyeve]

Me living in a NYC apt I rarely use my 1200 watt 7.1 system, I normally use a cheap ass Insignia soundbar for the TV. Its only a 47" tv so I didnt need a soundbar that costs more than the tv. I think it was $90 bucks at BB. It had an optical input and serves its purpose well.

 

[funboy6942]

if u can get away from bb then get this sound bar, it will most likely blow your doors off...

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-S...&qid=1449603820&sr=8-39&keywords=bic+speakers

 

[NutBucket]

LOL. That's a soundbar by the loosest definition of the term. But I agree it should great.

 

[gar655]

Me living in a NYC apt I rarely use my 1200 watt 7.1 system, I normally use a cheap ass Insignia soundbar for the TV. Its only a 47" tv so I didnt need a soundbar that costs more than the tv. I think it was $90 bucks at BB. It had an optical input and serves its purpose well.

You don't have a "1200 watt" system. Just saying. ;-)

 

[Oyeve]

You don't have a "1200 watt" system. Just saying. ;-)

I was a sound/recording engineer for BMG/Arista records, you don't know jack as to what I have.

 

[smitbret]

I was a sound/recording engineer for BMG/Arista records, you don't know jack as to what I have.

Wow, that escalated quickly.

I hadn't even questioned whether or not you had a 1200W system until I read your response. I don't think I believe it anymore, either.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Tis the season...

 

[sdifox]

Wow, that escalated quickly.

I hadn't even questioned whether or not you had a 1200W system until I read your response. I don't think I believe it anymore, either.

Quite a few people have more than 1KW rms of amplification on this forum

 

[Oyeve]

Quite a few people have more than 1KW rms of amplification on this forum

Yep. Have the blown out tannoys in the closet. We used to go through switching drivers weekly. I can't part with them, even tho I can't afford to fix em either.

 

[gar655]

I was a sound/recording engineer for BMG/Arista records, you don't know jack as to what I have.

I "was", means you were fired, quit cause you couldn't hack it, has been etc.....

That and being an engineer means squat, diddly squat or less.

You live in an apartment- you couldn't even use 40 watts/channel.

I'm guessing you are summing all 7 channels as if your avr/amp puts out 200ish watts/channel into all 7 channels full range 20-20K hz.

Yea right, cause you're an "engineer".

 

[sdifox]

I "was", means you were fired, quit cause you couldn't hack it, has been etc.....

That and being an engineer means squat, diddly squat or less.

You live in an apartment- you couldn't even use 40 watts/channel.

I'm guessing you are summing all 7 channels as if your avr/amp puts out 200ish watts/channel into all 7 channels full range 20-20K hz.

Yea right, cause you're an "engineer".

Trolling is not allowed outside of the social subforums.

Here is my amp's spec. Add two 500w rms @ 4ohm for the 15" subs built into my speakers and surely I am over 1KW.

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/302876/Outlaw-750.html?page=17#manual

 

[sdifox]

Yep. Have the blown out tannoys in the closet. We used to go through switching drivers weekly. I can't part with them, even tho I can't afford to fix em either.

Should be able to eBay the drivers.

 

[rancherlee]

Quite a few people have more than 1KW rms of amplification on this forum

Only for the subs.... Yamaha P3500S

Back to the main subject, I have a "300$" sound bar/sub on my living room TV and while It does sound good compared to the TV speakers I wouldn't have spent 300$ on it...... Got it on clearance for 75$! If I was actually going so spend 300$ I'd grab an old 5.1 reciever off Craigslist that has an optical in for 100$, and pair of Monitor 40's for 120$, center for 80$ and add other speakers later. This Idea only works good if your TV has enough inputs for all your devices and an optical out.

 

[MongGrel]

I was a sound/recording engineer for BMG/Arista records, you don't know jack as to what I have.

Quite a few people have more than 1KW rms of amplification on this forum

I believe it.

Is what I have running.

 

[MongGrel]

Initial response redacted, because it isn't OT.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Initial response redacted, because it isn't OT.

About half of this thread isn't OT. Why stop now?

For those that added their input, thanks and I appreciate it. My wife can get the $599 klipsch soundbar at about $250, and after talking about it with each other, I think that's the route we are going to go.

May you all have a Merry Christmas!