sound bar recommendations

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WAslayer

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So,

The time has come.. my trusty Samsung hw250 has had a good 6 year run but, is on the way out.. I need a replacement..

If you had about 10k, which one would you buy..? Or would you rather opt for a receiver and surround speakers..?
 
Used receiver and speakers, or new sounbar. Not gonna get a good new receiver and speakers for R10k.

But a nice Yamaha soundbar can be had for that money. Something like the YSP2700 or similar.

Personally I would still choose a used receiver and speakers over that, if you have the space.
 
I'm waiting for my Logitech Z680 speakers to start giving up so I can justify a receiver and speaker purchase, but even after 16 years of daily use on my media centre they show no sign of wanting to die. Perhaps they'll end up in my coffin with me.

6 years is all you got from a soundbar? I'd be annoyed...
 
Lord Farquart said:
Used receiver and speakers, or new sounbar. Not gonna get a good new receiver and speakers for R10k.

But a nice Yamaha soundbar can be had for that money. Something like the YSP2700 or similar.

Personally I would still choose a used receiver and speakers over that, if you have the space.
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Leaning towards a sound bar for the time being, only because I haven't find a good second hand receiver deal yet..
 
Grouter said:
I'm waiting for my Logitech Z680 speakers to start giving up so I can justify a receiver and speaker purchase, but even after 16 years of daily use on my media centre they show no sign of wanting to die. Perhaps they'll end up in my coffin with me.

6 years is all you got from a soundbar? I'd be annoyed...
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This is not the most premium soundbar ever and considering that I got it for a fantastic deal at the time, it's definitely paid for itself..
 
I have no experience with higher end soundbars (relative to the one I have) but I highly recommend the HW-M360 I got for myself in December. It does the job really well.
 
WAslayer said:
This is not the most premium soundbar ever and considering that I got it for a fantastic deal at the time, it's definitely paid for itself..
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There in lies the catch. Soundbars made by TV manufacturers will do the job, but thats it. For a better sound experience, choose one from an audio company. LG/Samsung etc is for, what audiophiles regard as, plebs. And I mean it in a nice way. Works for most that just want sound.

R10k will get you a nice soundbar from a reputable audio company. But soundbars are only for when space or aesthetics dictate the equipment.

I am using a soundbar now, but only because my living space does not allow me to unbox my 7.1 system. It is OK, but knowing what I have in the moving boxes, I know where it is at.

Sounbars are a trade-off. So get the best you can afford that is not from a TV manufacturer.
 
Lord Farquart said:
There in lies the catch. Soundbars made by TV manufacturers will do the job, but thats it. For a better sound experience, choose one from an audio company. LG/Samsung etc is for, what audiophiles regard as, plebs. And I mean it in a nice way. Works for most that just want sound.

R10k will get you a nice soundbar from a reputable audio company. But soundbars are only for when space or aesthetics dictate the equipment.

I am using a soundbar now, but only because my living space does not allow me to unbox my 7.1 system. It is OK, but knowing what I have in the moving boxes, I know where it is at.

Sounbars are a trade-off. So get the best you can afford that is not from a TV manufacturer.
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Makes perfect sense.. to this end, looking at a second hand Marantz nr1504 receiver, which looks good.. would need to get speakers seperate though and that's where I would get lost in what would be best to get..
 
WAslayer said:
Makes perfect sense.. to this end, looking at a second hand Marantz nr1504 receiver, which looks good.. would need to get speakers seperate though and that's where I would get lost in what would be best to get..
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I am a big Marantz fan, but for your budget, look at Onkyo too. They make decent stuff. I have the “Lexus” of Onkyo, an Integra amp. Same components basically.

But go look on AVForums. Some good advice and bargains to be had there. Even demo equipment at good prices.
 
Lord Farquart said:
I am a big Marantz fan, but for your budget, look at Onkyo too. They make decent stuff. I have the “Lexus” of Onkyo, an Integra amp. Same components basically.

But go look on AVForums. Some good advice and bargains to be had there. Even demo equipment at good prices.
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That's where I spotted the Marantz, 3750 asking price.. I have looked at the Onkyo s3800 which is the entry level from what I understand, and that looks good too.. added advantage is the inclusion of the speakers..
 
WAslayer said:
That's where I spotted the Marantz, 3750 asking price.. I have looked at the Onkyo s3800 which is the entry level from what I understand, and that looks good too.. added advantage is the inclusion of the speakers..
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Exactly. That gives you the time to upgrade to a better sub, centre, mains and surround, whilst still using the originals. Do not try and upgrade all at once. Just too expensive.

Might even be that this setup will be good enough for you. Satellites and sub works bloody well. And having 5 speakers will give you true sound, not relying on sound bounce off a wall from the soundbar.

Go for a demo and decide.
 
Checked out the specs of the S3800. 100W is more than you will ever need, and ample when you want to upgrade to bigger speakers, should you want to.

Only downside, for me, would be that there is no network/wifi connection. I listen exclusively to Internet radio. Also, no Phono in for a turntable. But that is just me. I have stupid requirements.:laugh:
 
Lord Farquart said:
Checked out the specs of the S3800. 100W is more than you will ever need, and ample when you want to upgrade to bigger speakers, should you want to.

Only downside, for me, would be that there is no network/wifi connection. I listen exclusively to Internet radio. Also, no Phono in for a turntable. But that is just me. I have stupid requirements.
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I will be popping in store somewhere to give the Onkyo a listen and would probably be all that I need..

And the missing network port bugs me too.. not so much for having a need for it but, rather, for knowing it exists and I could have one..
 
WAslayer said:
I will be popping in store somewhere to give the Onkyo a listen and would probably be all that I need..

And the missing network port bugs me too.. not so much for having a need for it but, rather, for knowing it exists and I could have one..
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Depends on what you want to use it for? There are ways to bypass this. Like playing radio/spotify etc from your phone through BT, or BT receivers etc.
 
WAslayer said:
Needing to find a sub kills that for me but, would no doubt be a good system.. love the look denon has as well..
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I made do without a sub for 15 years. Sometimes bi-wired big speakers sound good on their own. And subs can be had cheaply. I sold one a while ago for under R1k.
 
Lord Farquart said:
Depends on what you want to use it for? There are ways to bypass this. Like playing radio/spotify etc from your phone through BT, or BT receivers etc.
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Yes, was being a little sarcastic.. the geek inside me would want to have it just for the sake of having it, rather than have it to use it..
 
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