Sub $200 soundbars any good?
#1
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Sub $200 soundbars any good?
I've had it with my 12 year old HTIB and frankly I'm done with dealing with surround speakers and we'll be moving into a condo soon, so I'd like just a simple little sound bar for TV and Blurays, and maybe hooking our Roku up. Wife would also like to stream music, so Bluetooth.
Some of the older threads here mentioned a Vizio, still a good brand?
Some of the older threads here mentioned a Vizio, still a good brand?
#3
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
They really arent, but then again if someone is looking for a simple solution that beats TV speakers then soundbars arent a bad choice. I've been using this one in my bedroom for years now and its decent.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HSB235...ilips+soundbar
dont think it has bluetooth though.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HSB235...ilips+soundbar
dont think it has bluetooth though.
#4
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
You are going to have to consider the inputs carefully. I managed to find a TV with an analog audio output (headphone) so I could use a simple audio setup. The TV switches everything.
#5
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Could I run the LD player through my TV and back out to the soundbar?
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Yeah, in addition to the Bluray player and Roku, I wouldn't mind running the TV and the occasional video game console through it. Plus I still have a laserdisc player hanging around and it doesn't look like any soundbars have the basic L/R audio inputs (it is a pretty old technology...).
Could I run the LD player through my TV and back out to the soundbar?
Could I run the LD player through my TV and back out to the soundbar?
Some soundbars have several inputs, too. You'll have to shop carefully either way.
Using a headphone output means both the TV volume and the soundbar volume controls affect sound. Probably best to set the soundbar volume in the middle and leave it, then adjust with the TV for day to day use.
Oh, soundbars probably do mostly have analog inputs, but they may be in the mini-plug (headphone) form, not red/white RCAs like you were looking for. So, theoretically, you'd need a mini-plug to mini-plug cable.
I've always been impressed with the sound from Boston Acoustics small speakers. If that transfers to soundbars, they have one that is MSRP $200.
Last edited by Spiky; 06-06-13 at 12:14 PM.
#8
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
I have the basic Vizio soundbar and it works really well. There's no HDMI input but it does have one optical input and two sets of RCA inputs.
Refurb units can be had for as low as $50-$60.
It's a great deal if you're just looking for something that sounds better than your TV speakers.
Refurb units can be had for as low as $50-$60.
It's a great deal if you're just looking for something that sounds better than your TV speakers.
#9
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Wife is actually willing to go up a bit more in cost for quality. Her big thing is the Bluetooth music playing. How can I edit the title?
#10
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
A lot of these will work best with a matching TV. Samsung and LG have special connections for remote control and whatnot, probably some other brands, too. Got a recent TV?
Also, what device do you plan to use streaming through bluetooth? The Roku might handle wireless streaming easily enough. We send audio/video from both iOS and Android to Roku here on occasion. It's a little tricky sometimes, but so is bluetooth.
I think you edit the first post for the title.
Also, what device do you plan to use streaming through bluetooth? The Roku might handle wireless streaming easily enough. We send audio/video from both iOS and Android to Roku here on occasion. It's a little tricky sometimes, but so is bluetooth.
I think you edit the first post for the title.
#11
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
We have a Samsung TV, about four years old. Easy integration with that would be great.
The streaming my wife wants is to play the music from her Galaxy S3 through it wirelessly.
The streaming my wife wants is to play the music from her Galaxy S3 through it wirelessly.
#13
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Saw this at Best Buy, any thoughts on Toshiba? I liked how it had multiple input types.
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-SBX425...shiba+soundbar
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-SBX425...shiba+soundbar
#14
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Sony HT-CT260 a tad over your stated price but you also want something you can live with
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony---2...48#tab=reviews
has had a good rating overall ( including avsforum) - Price around 299 pretty much across the board. The lowest price was $245 during Christmas.
Has wireless sub and Bluetooth.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony---2...48#tab=reviews
has had a good rating overall ( including avsforum) - Price around 299 pretty much across the board. The lowest price was $245 during Christmas.
Has wireless sub and Bluetooth.
#15
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
No HDMI input, might have worked otherwise.
#17
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
We have multiple devices we want to run through this, and I would have assumed that HDMI would be the standard. Frankly, I'm astonished at the number of soundbars without it.
#19
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Supposedly, a soundbar is a speaker. So, I can see why they don't bother with HDMI and other things that aren't geared towards speakers. I guess they are moving them towards a whole receiver/speaker integrated setup, so some have it.
#20
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Sony HTCT550W 3D Sound Bar Home Theater System with Wireless Subwoofer
but looks like no Bluetooth.
Seriously for everything you want - you a better off going with a small receiver and two speakers with Sub!!
#21
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Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
I'm beginning to wonder about that too, but I'm thinking I can manage to run things like my video games and LD player through the TV and back out to the soundbar, so I'm thinking I can find a decent one at Costco. They have a great return policy so I can try different ones if I have to.
#22
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
This is $228 if you are an Amazon prime member. It has one HDMI, and a couple of other inputs.
The sub is wireless, and the rear speakers connect to the sub (so you would have to put the sub in the back of the room) It has bluetooth to connect computer/phone/ipod/tablet etc.
Really good reviews. Found the deal here:
http://slickdeals.net/f/6108026-Vizi...Free-Shipping?
The sub is wireless, and the rear speakers connect to the sub (so you would have to put the sub in the back of the room) It has bluetooth to connect computer/phone/ipod/tablet etc.
Really good reviews. Found the deal here:
http://slickdeals.net/f/6108026-Vizi...Free-Shipping?
#25
Moderator
Re: Sub $200 soundbars any good?
Nearly double the $200 figure, but still relatively affordable as quality soundbars go. The new one from Pioneer (designed by Andrew Jones) is getting a lot of attention. I think they're shipping in the next couple weeks.
Pioneer
Early Review
Pioneer
Early Review