Sound Bar Recommendation?

[JackSpadesSI]

I've got a home theater system which isn't anything special, but I'm happy with it. However, I'll soon be moving from my big house to a small apartment in the city, so my 5.1 speakers will have to go :'(

So, I was thinking that a nice, compact sound bar would do the trick for the smaller space. Sure, the faux surround wouldn't be as good as real 5.1, but it would suffice. However, it seems that all the sound bars that I can find try to take the place of my receiver by having HDMI ports on the back of them. For instance, I'm sort of interested in the Sony HT-CT150, but I don't like that it has HDMI ports and its own receiver.

Can anyone recommend me a sound bar (either with or without a sub-woofer) that is simply connected by speaker wire to my receiver? After all, I already spent money on a receiver I like, so I don't want to replace it!

 

[Durvelle27]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115351

http://www.walmart.com/ip/FAST-TRACK...YSTEM/13912194

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-32-S...eaker/20594160

 

[NutBucket]

Why not just run a 3.1 setup in your apt? Rears aren't vital anyway.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

Why not just run a 3.1 setup in your apt? Rears aren't vital anyway.

Long story. Let's just focus on the fact that I'm looking for a nice, new sound bar. Maybe something a little nicer, even, than those suggested by Durvelle27 (although the input was appreciated).

$200-$400 is the price range I'm working in.

 

[Durvelle27]

i can't think of any others especially that can do dolby digital yamaha is a great choice

 

[boomhower]

I've got one of these, I like it.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

I've got one of these, I like it.

Right, that's what I was looking at initially. But, it seems to be some sort of odd hybrid between a speaker and an AV receiver. I JUST want this thing to be a speaker (or several speakers in one). I've already got a nice (ok, nice enough) receiver!

 

[Durvelle27]

oh i no something like this then

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...F8&me=&seller=

http://www.amazon.com/Microacoustics.../dp/B001DTLX2Q

you hook them to your receiver you already have ?

 

[NutBucket]

Check out Boston Acoustics.

http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Acousti.../ref=pd_cp_e_1

 

[Rio Rebel]

I think the first question is what you are doing about the low end. Will you have a sub at all, do you need the sound bar to go as low as you need? Or is it valuable to you to buy a sound bar with a sub/wireless sub as part of the package?

Also, I'd seriously look at buying something good but used. With speakers, you easily get full value at half the price by going used. And with sound bars, they are frequently upgraded.

 

[soulcougher73]

I'd buy something like this. Your TV sits on top and it has 2 subs in it as well.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/cgi-bin/item/4005801

This is the top of the line model. They have other models for less as well.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

I think the first question is what you are doing about the low end. Will you have a sub at all, do you need the sound bar to go as low as you need? Or is it valuable to you to buy a sound bar with a sub/wireless sub as part of the package?

Also, I'd seriously look at buying something good but used. With speakers, you easily get full value at half the price by going used. And with sound bars, they are frequently upgraded.

I will have a separate sub-woofer from the sound bar.

I currently have a nice sub that I've borrowed from a family member. If I don't find anything new in that department, I could keep borrowing it. Otherwise, I'll return it to them and buy a new sub. However, I feel I understand subs enough that if the sound bar I buy doesn't come with a sub I can easily shop for one on my own.

 

[JackSpadesSI]

Ideally, I really don't want this sound bar to have its own volume control. I just want it to behave like a passive, un-powered speaker. I want to use my receiver to control the volume of my home theater.

Perhaps I shouldn't be looking for a sound bar, then? Maybe just a center channel speaker with a wide field for optional faux surround sound?

 

[soulcougher73]

Ive been tempted to try this one out before. Has big speakers for soundbar which i think id like.

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics...2/product.html

 

[Durvelle27]

Ideally, I really don't want this sound bar to have its own volume control. I just want it to behave like a passive, un-powered speaker. I want to use my receiver to control the volume of my home theater.

Perhaps I shouldn't be looking for a sound bar, then? Maybe just a center channel speaker with a wide field for optional faux surround sound?

look at my links i posted there exactly what your looking for ?

 

[SithSolo1]

Ive been tempted to try this one out before. Has big speakers for soundbar which i think id like.

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics...2/product.html

Acoustically this would be the best option if you can swallow the size.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I think the center channel is a good thought. Faux surround doesn't do anything for me, at least from the ones I've heard. Get a good center channel that can be matched to a good front pair later, and if you move again, you can still utilize it.

 

[GT1999]

I have a samsung 4x speaker 1x "wireless" sub and it's pretty good for TV. Not the best for music obviously. Getting a house soon so I'll probably upgrade it to a 5.1 or something.

I used to have an HDMI driven Sony and it was terrible with lip sync issues. The Samsung I have is optical and has no lip sync issues at all.