why all the hate for soundbars?

[alkemyst]

Why would anyone want to listen to music in their living room period, sound bar or not? You sit there on the couch and stare into space or what? I have to be doing something like mowing, cleaning or driving so around the home for sound quality
.

Not sure is serious?

 

[tential]

It all depends on what you want.

Soundbars -
They offer decent sound quality and they are aesthetically pleasing and easy to hide. They're also far cheaper than a surround sound system.

If you aren't trying to replicate a movie theater than sure this is the best system for you. Would I have got the same experience using a soundbar vs the experience I got using a decent surround sound system? Absolutely not. My friends in college all had soundbars, I had the only surround sound setup. Even with my subs off, you could clearly hear music/tv from my room because I had that headroom. Soundbar, there is no way it could really immerse you but that's something you obviously know going in to the situation.

A sound bar may be all you need. But to say it comes remotely close to a decent surround sound setup is highly amusing. There is no way a soundbar can come remotely close to a decent surround sound setup in terms of volume. I'm happy with my setup for what I paid for it, I'd want more if I could get it, but I'd only use a soundbar if I was listening at moderate to low volume levels. If I want to be fully immersed ina movie, surround sound is the way to go.

Edit: As for the above comment Hexen said about listening to music in their living room. Many times I simply just turn music on then go about and do stuff in the house. Having my system on fills the whole place with music and that system is in the basement. In the living room, if I turn on music it does fill the whole house and give a very nice ambience. But I do actually sit in front of my system sometimes and listen to music while eating or something or even just sit and listen for a bit. It's really nice to actually just focus on the music.

 

[HeXen]

It all depends on what you want.

Soundbars -
They offer decent sound quality and they are aesthetically pleasing and easy to hide. They're also far cheaper than a surround sound system.

If you aren't trying to replicate a movie theater than sure this is the best system for you. Would I have got the same experience using a soundbar vs the experience I got using a decent surround sound system? Absolutely not. My friends in college all had soundbars, I had the only surround sound setup. Even with my subs off, you could clearly hear music/tv from my room because I had that headroom. Soundbar, there is no way it could really immerse you but that's something you obviously know going in to the situation.

A sound bar may be all you need. But to say it comes remotely close to a decent surround sound setup is highly amusing. There is no way a soundbar can come remotely close to a decent surround sound setup in terms of volume. I'm happy with my setup for what I paid for it, I'd want more if I could get it, but I'd only use a soundbar if I was listening at moderate to low volume levels. If I want to be fully immersed ina movie, surround sound is the way to go.

Edit: As for the above comment Hexen said about listening to music in their living room. Many times I simply just turn music on then go about and do stuff in the house. Having my system on fills the whole place with music and that system is in the basement. In the living room, if I turn on music it does fill the whole house and give a very nice ambience. But I do actually sit in front of my system sometimes and listen to music while eating or something or even just sit and listen for a bit. It's really nice to actually just focus on the music.

I see. Was just curious because I could never just sit there with the intent of listening to music without actually doing something. I use HP's around the house, sounds better than speakers echoing throughout the house.

 

[videogames101]

Why would anyone want to listen to music in their living room period, sound bar or not? You sit there on the couch and stare into space or what? I have to be doing something like mowing, cleaning or driving so around the home for sound quality I use HP's. Large speakers wouldn't help me much but when I was a teenager I used to crank up my Cerwin Vega's listening to some cassettes and do my homework until the neighbors ask me to turn it down or mom came home.

uh... yeah i do just sit down and listen to music, is that weird? "staring into space" lmao

 

[purbeast0]

Why would anyone want to listen to music in their living room period, sound bar or not? You sit there on the couch and stare into space or what? I have to be doing something like mowing, cleaning or driving so around the home for sound quality I use HP's. Large speakers wouldn't help me much but when I was a teenager I used to crank up my Cerwin Vega's listening to some cassettes and do my homework until the neighbors ask me to turn it down or mom came home.

i was working on an ios game today on my laptop sitting around on my couch for about 3 hours in my living room with pandora blasting on my system.

 

[alkemyst]

uh... yeah i do just sit down and listen to music, is that weird? "staring into space" lmao

I agree with you, sadly HeXen is overloaded with his responsibilities.

I am uber busy right now. Six months ago, I had a ton more free time. My life works in waves. If everyday solid didn't let me just lean back in my home office chair and zone out to some music, I'd dedicate that time to figuring out some personal development that would.

 

[HeXen]

uh... yeah i do just sit down and listen to music, is that weird? "staring into space" lmao

For me it is. I can't just sit there and do nothing, even if it's listening to music so to me the idea is what crazy people do. lol, you don't rock back n forth too do ya? lol
I can sit and wait listening to music so long as I have something to look at, like girls going by or whatnot.

But i've always been like that so I'm sure it's just me. Wasn't trying to insinuate anything. The only times I ever sat there and did nothing was when I had migraine headaches, I sat in my chair, in the dark and could not do anything but suffer and the slightest sound or light made me cringe.

 

[Midwayman]

Two schools:

1) I just want good sound!

2) I just want to live in the movie/track/etc!

1 is cheaper subjectively

2 is more expensive if presented objectively.

Most don't even realize what high-end soundbars are out there.

It's trolololo for the most part.

That cost is marginal. Low end HTIAB vs sound bars a quick look on amazon shows maybe a $50 premium for the HTIAB. It is much more about packaging than price. A lot of people can't be bothered to hook up rear speakers.

As for high end soundbars.... Its a big why. You have to have a certain physical size for speakers to work well. There are high end sound bars with what amounts to bookshelf speakers in them, but at that point you're not getting something that blends well with your thin TV and you're not saving anything over a 3.1 system that will sound better anyways since you don't have to design around fitting on a tv. I'd venture to say that high end sound bar buys care a lot more about the status of the nameplate than the sound when buying them. Otherwise they'd be making other choice.

Different stokes for different folks I guess.

 

[thegimp03]

I have a high-end sound bar and like it because it's perfect for the living situation we're in. When I made the decision to go with the sound bar, I chose it over some high-end 3.1 systems because I didn't have the space for a receiver or amplifier without replacing the component stand that my SO had bought previously.

Eventually, I'll get a surround system, but that is a few years off.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I have a high-end sound bar and like it because it's perfect for the living situation we're in. When I made the decision to go with the sound bar, I chose it over some high-end 3.1 systems because I didn't have the space for a receiver or amplifier without replacing the component stand that my SO had bought previously.

Old furniture often forces unfortunately home theater decisions. I have helped many people find the perfect 40-ish inch TV to fit in that piece of furniture meant for a 4:3 CRT. In the end they overpay for a picture that is far too small for the viewing distance, but they didn't have to throw out the expensive ancient entertainment center so they are happy.

 

[JackBurton]

That cost is marginal. Low end HTIAB vs sound bars a quick look on amazon shows maybe a $50 premium for the HTIAB. It is much more about packaging than price. A lot of people can't be bothered to hook up rear speakers.

As for high end soundbars.... Its a big why. You have to have a certain physical size for speakers to work well. There are high end sound bars with what amounts to bookshelf speakers in them, but at that point you're not getting something that blends well with your thin TV and you're not saving anything over a 3.1 system that will sound better anyways since you don't have to design around fitting on a tv. I'd venture to say that high end sound bar buys care a lot more about the status of the nameplate than the sound when buying them. Otherwise they'd be making other choice.

Different stokes for different folks I guess.

B&W's Panorama 2 is a fantastic sound bar. Add a wireless sub and you have an awesome sounding yet minimalistic, clean looking setup. Is it designed to replace a great 2 channel setup? No. Is it designed to replace a great 5.1 setup? No. It is designed to have as small of a footprint as possible while delivering the best possible sound. I see it as a good option for people that don't want to clutter their living room with A/V equipment. Think of a flat panel mounted with the sound bar right underneath it and the sub hidden away in a corner. Super clean setup with some pretty impressive sound to go along with it.

 

[Dug]

Why would anyone want to listen to music in their living room period, sound bar or not? You sit there on the couch and stare into space or what?....

Yes.
Especially with a lot of Vodka martini's.
Even better with the Mrs. Brings back good memories.

Once you've had enough to drink you become a pro air guitar and drummer.
Might even belt out a few solos.

 

[SlickSnake]

http://www.harmankardon.com/estore/...&matchtype=e&gclid=CPrl8ebn5rwCFUcV7AodNw4Apg

I would imagine these soundbars will blow away, literally, most other soundbars. But then I'm a bit biased to H/K products in general, since that's pretty much all I buy anymore.

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio...143642012&_sid=26519532&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=CINEMA%20SB200-Z&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SB 30&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SB 16&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SB26AM&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SABRE35AM&status=

 

[sdifox]

http://www.harmankardon.com/estore/...&matchtype=e&gclid=CPrl8ebn5rwCFUcV7AodNw4Apg

I would imagine these soundbars will blow away, literally, most other soundbars. But then I'm a bit biased to H/K products in general, since that's pretty much all I buy anymore.

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio...143642012&_sid=26519532&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=CINEMA SB200-Z&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SB 30&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SB 16&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SB26AM&status=

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=SABRE35AM&status=

There is no defeating physics.

 

[Midwayman]

There is no defeating physics.

Truth. There are good and bad sound bars no doubt. However there is only so much you can do with small drivers and a really limited enclosure.

 

[Exterous]

There is no defeating physics.

You just aren't using the right gold plated connectors and shielded wires

 

[giantpandaman2]

There's nothing wrong with sound bars just like there's nothing wrong with in wall speakers. There's always the balance between aesthetics, convenience, size, sound, and budget. A sound bar emphasizes aesthetics and size over sound and budget. Most "audiophiles" emphasize sound over all things, hence the dislike of sound bars.

Same reason that most audiophiles absolutely hate bluetooth speakers. They emphasize convenience and size at the sacrifice of sound and budget.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

When looking at soundbars for a rarely used room I settled on a good pair of 2.1 computer speakers instead. Not as good as a true home theater setup, but infinitely better than the TV speakers and a damn sight better than soundbars were at double the price. It's something to consider if you want something to fill a room with more sound than the TV speakers are capable of and don't have the need/money/space for a real 5.1/amp setup.

Heck, a true computer geek might already even own an extra 2.1 setup.