Home cinema or sound bar

[Mesta83]

Hi guys i would like an advise ,whats the best sound bar or home cinema i could buy ,thanks.

 

[steve59]

Check out the AVS forum for a little more interest in the ht side of hifi. For my family room I put a yamaha ysp 5600 mounted to the wall under the flat screen, fish the cables down the drywall to come out the baseboard, add a sub that can double as an end table. tidy and sufficient.

 

[NorthStar]

¤ https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/best/soundbar

¤ https://www.soundandvision.com/content/best-soundbars-2019-so-far

Soundbars are like speakers, what are the best speakers; the ones that sound most accurate to actor's dialogs and movie sound effects plus music scores, the ones that measure the best, ...?

Each room sound different, each movie listener have a different budget and priorities (room decor, good bass, audiophile sound quality (music), build, easy to install, ...

The first link they compare them together and they measure them too.
The second link are reviews from different writers.
I'd go with the first link, same as for decisions between various TVs.

Me, I'd look @ dialog first...for my budget. If the soundbar is expensive I'd rather go with separate speakers and subwoofers.

* Samsung and Yamaha are two names that come back often from various home theater websites, in regards to recommended soundbars.

? https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/sound-bars/buying-guide/index.htm

 

[Brucemck2]

I’ve used Leon soundbars which sound terrific but require upstream electronics. Sonos is decent if you use their subs.

https://www.leonspeakers.com/horizon/hzultima/

 

[NorthStar]

Very nice ...

• https://www.overtureav.com/speakers/soundbars/leon-soundbars/aa-leon-hzultima-detail

 

[NorthStar]

Those are more ultra hi-end soundbars ...

• https://www.wired.com/2012/04/leon-speakers/

 

[thedudeabides]

On the home theater speaker (multiple speaker / sub) side, Definitive Technology is a great value for the money. Go with the large center channel and a REL sub and you'll have a very good system for movies. Total around $3K depending on sub options.

 

[NorthStar]

Some ideas for various budgets ...

• https://www.themasterswitch.com/best-home-theater-systems

• https://www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/the-best-home-theater-systems/

There is no doubt that a home cinema system will provide a more immersive movie experience than a soundbar. ...Either going with a 5.1 system or a 7.2.4 (Dolby Atmos) one.
The soundbar is for small livingroom where decor is the main priority, but beats the internal TV speakers.

If you can position say 5 small quality satellite speakers, plus a subwoofer (or two) and an AV receiver with a good auto Room EQ (Audyssey MultEQ XT32 for example, or ARC) it'll provide more than what a soundbar can, and for even less money than what some soundbars sell for.

 

[NorthStar]

Say I'm putting one modest system together with an accent on performance/value ratio ...

• The heart:
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...7.2-ch-x-105-watts-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

• The center stage (dialog):
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...6.5-3-way-center-channel-speaker-black/1.html

• The two front L& R + the two surrounds:
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...ni-monitor-high-gloss-piano-black-pair/1.html

• The sub(s) and/or speakers (optional):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I985V4U/ref=emc_b_5_t
https://www.svsound.com/collections/outlet-specials

• Stands (2 or 4):
Say $50 or $100

• The source:
A Universal 4 K Blu-ray player with streaming apps and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth ...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...RDT16&linkId=bfc067cb132d96a200006e70f29cbe70

• Wiring (Interconnects & speaker cables for all):
Monoprice ... around $50 to $100 total.

* Total system: $3,500-4,000 max (some soundbars cost more).
Boxing Day: Less than $3,000 (including two hi-end subs).

** If your budget is over $5,000 ... another subwoofer and a bigger heart (AV receiver).
If it is over $10,000 ... separate pre/pro and amplifier with two best subs and best 7.2.4 Atmos speakers.
If it is less than $1,000 ... there are many small speakers and subs and AV receivers out there to your heart contentment and would beat any soundbar @ any price.

 

[ashandger]

May be worth looking at Naim Mu-so 2 as simple solution.

 

[thedudeabides]

Bob,

I hope the OP recognizes your willingness to help. That was very kind of you.

Gordon

 

[NorthStar]

That's nice of you to say Gordon.

 

[thedudeabides]

Regarding sound bars, the Sennheiser Ambeo is causing quite a stir. Pricey but the reviews are very positive.

2:41Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar has the best Atmos sound from a single box

 

[NorthStar]

• https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/sennheiser-ambeo-soundbar
• https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/sennheiser/ambeo-soundbar

 

[NorthStar]

I like his definition of a soundbar; it's a bar to put under your TV, and nothing else...no separate subwoofer and no separate two small surround speakers. Or it becomes a home theater in a box, and not a soundbar anymore.

Yes the Sennheiser above is a true soundbar, pricier than most but a soundbar nonetheless.

And, those that come with a sub; to integrate that sub properly in harmony with the soundbar and the room ... well, it takes more than a cheap little "woof-woof" and without some serious acoustical equalization...a task for professional acousticians, or, a state-of-the-art room EQ and calibration system, automatic and customizable and with a well calibrated microphone.

When @ that level might as well go for the full blown home theater system with five, or seven, or nine, or eleven separate satellite speakers and two subs minimum and a good quality DSP Room EQ system with FIR and IIR digital filters.