OT. Tv soundbars

[katfsh]

Building a new home starting next month and have been looking at soundbars vs true surround sound. I know they will not provide a true surround sound but with how the house is laid out with open living kitchen dining area, I really don't want speakers hanging off the ceiling all around the room.

Does any one here gave any experience with sound bars? I have been looking at the Sonos bar, it can have a wireless sub, and also can be linked with other wireless speakers if wanted to improve the surround sound.

What's everyone's thoughts?

 

[MississippiHeavyMetalDog]

Go with the soundbar

I've got a Samsung soundbar that wirelessly links with my TV. It's okay but sure there are others that sound better. In an 'open kitchen area', acoustics won't matter much anyway. It's so loud in my open area that the TV is blaring most the time with kids, sink, pets, dishwasher ( which is supposed to be a really quite one), etc. Save the true surround sound for another room.

You will need a wireless subwoofer. My soundbar is horrible without it. Buy one that you can add the wireless speakers later if needed.

Building a new home starting next month and have been looking at soundbars vs true surround sound. I know they will not provide a true surround sound but with how the house is laid out with open living kitchen dining area, I really don't want speakers hanging off the ceiling all around the room.

Does any one here gave any experience with sound bars? I have been looking at the Sonos bar, it can have a wireless sub, and also can be linked with other wireless speakers if wanted to improve the surround sound.

What's everyone's thoughts?

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I have a middle of the road Vizio sound bar and it actually sounds pretty good. The subwoofer throws out some serious bass. Not as amazing as surround sound but if you can't do SS, it's the next best thing.

 

[dawgatUSM]

Sound bars are the way to go unless you're going to do recessed surround sound which is pricey. They provide a good sound and are very reasonable

 

[Dawgzilla]

I find soundbars disappointing, but I have had surround sound in my home theater for years now. I have a Klipsch soundbar in my bedroom, and with the exception of the subwoofer I can't really tell much difference between the soundbar and just using my TV speakers. I like the soundbar when I'm just playing music, though.

Surround sound just never got super popular. Too much of a PITA to set up. The home theater aficionados all swear by it, but if most people today would rather just go with regular stereo, or maybe use headphones.

 

[Sutterkane]

Same. Even with a 3.1 setup I just feel like I get better sound than a soundbar.

 

[SwampDawg]

Slight highjack here. I will read all answers carefully. Our TV is located in a big room with a very high ceiling. Also, the TV is in big cubical hole in a "entertainment center." We have disconnected it from the surround sound system we bought a few years ago as we just can't hear dialog with it. I have added a board underneath the TV to try to direct the sound coming from the back edge out into the room. Nothing really seems to help much other than our dual earphones which really work well, but get uncomfortable after a while. I'm thinking about trying a soundbar but I would hate to buy one only to find out it doesn't work either.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I have a LG soundbar that was $200-250 a few years ago. It's great. Not as good as true surround, but its in a keeping room/kitchen area and it is perfect for that. I guess the only other thing I would've done is the recessed surround, but for the price, the soundbar was definitely the way to go.

Be sure to get a wireless sub. Must have.