Home Theater.....ish

[OfTheDamned]

Ok, so our wonderful DLP tv just died and we had to go in search of a new TV. We found an LCD that we love, but eek:shocker) the sound coming out of the tiny little speakers leaves much to be desired. Since I'm not really looking for a real 5.1, 7.1 or 15.2 surround sound system I was thinking about just getting a soundbar. I saw and heard some at BB the other day when I was TV shopping, but that place is always so loud I don't really know if any of them are any good in a standard living room environment. I was looking at the 2.1 systems.

So, the question is......does anyone have any experience with these and can recommend a brand/model in about the $300 and under price range that will provide nice sound with movies, tv and music? Multiple HDMI in and out would be a plus, but not a requirement.

 

[sdrawkcab25]

Ok, so our wonderful DLP tv just died and we had to go in search of a new TV. We found an LCD that we love, but eek:shocker) the sound coming out of the tiny little speakers leaves much to be desired. Since I'm not really looking for a real 5.1, 7.1 or 15.2 surround sound system I was thinking about just getting a soundbar. I saw and heard some at BB the other day when I was TV shopping, but that place is always so loud I don't really know if any of them are any good in a standard living room environment. I was looking at the 2.1 systems.

So, the question is......does anyone have any experience with these and can recommend a brand/model in about the $300 and under price range that will provide nice sound with movies, tv and music? Multiple HDMI in and out would be a plus, but not a requirement.

I've seen/heard these Sony branded sound bars in use by quite a few people, and they have always sounded good to me.
Sony HT-CT150 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review

I've seen a few Samsung sound bars too, I think they look a little nicer but don't sound as good IMO.

Samsung Sound Bar

 

[TxGoat]

My father bought a Mitsubishi DLP 73" that has poor sound. He figured he could live with it since it was a "bargain". Not a day goes by that he doesn't regret skimping on price. The funny part is he claims he doesn't spend enough time watching TV, but is always kicking himself for going the route he did with his TV. If you spend more than a few hours a week in front of a TV, I'd say get one that has the sound and features that you want. When I watch a movie at his house, I have to re-watch the movie at home to hear the dialogue that I missed.

 

[OfTheDamned]

I've seen/heard these Sony branded sound bars in use by quite a few people, and they have always sounded good to me.
Sony HT-CT150 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review

I've seen a few Samsung sound bars too, I think they look a little nicer but don't sound as good IMO.

Samsung Sound Bar

Thanks, I was looking at the Sony when I was at Best Buy. The fact that CNET likes it is the only real negative I've seen. LOL

My father bought a Mitsubishi DLP 73" that has poor sound. He figured he could live with it since it was a "bargain". Not a day goes by that he doesn't regret skimping on price. The funny part is he claims he doesn't spend enough time watching TV, but is always kicking himself for going the route he did with his TV. If you spend more than a few hours a week in front of a TV, I'd say get one that has the sound and features that you want. When I watch a movie at his house, I have to re-watch the movie at home to hear the dialogue that I missed.

My old Hitachi DLP had some really nice speakers in it and the sound would fill up the room quite nicely. When the convergence chip went out for the third time I figured it was time to just upgrade (lack of HDMI was starting to become an issue too). After a bit of shopping I found a Samsung 46" LCD Smart TV that works perfectly. The screen is amazing and the smart features make it even more fun. Seeing as this thing is about 2 and a half feet thinner than my previous TV I didn't expect the speakers to perform all that great there just isn't enough room in the thing to put in the same level of speakers that the Hitachi had. Just about every TV I looked at had this problem so I figured I'd be adding some speakers no matter what.

 

[olbriar]

I'd suggest buying a cheap soundbar that I could live with and save up for a quality surround in the future. I added surround to my entertainment a couple of years ago and it's a real enhancement.