milo bloom

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?

Sdallnct

Are soundbars any good? No.

JZ1276

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.

Spiky

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.

milo bloom

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?

Spiky

Probably only if it has a headphone output, not the optical that is more common. I was thinking not many had this, but just randomly checked an LG and Samsung in typical 42 and 50" sizes and both did. Maybe more LCDs have this, now. Just need the right adapter. It's not a major bullet point, Amazon doesn't even show it all the time, you'll have to dig to know if it exists.

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.

Spottedfeather

Are there any that have speaker balance ? Turning the volume of either the left or right speaker up or down independent of the other ?

orangerunner

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.

milo bloom

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?

Spiky

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.

milo bloom

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.

Spiky

Just install the Roku app on the phone and stream with it. Don't even need an app on the Roku.

milo bloom

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

soundman2

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.

milo bloom

No HDMI input, might have worked otherwise.

soundman2

Not sure how much HDMI matters for a sound bar ..just saying.

It has optical and coaxial in. It is rated high on CNet too.

milo bloom

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.

Sdallnct

I'm astonished any have them. Soundbars are a "cheap" way out. So I'm surprised they have any features.

Spiky

Did you check to see if your TV has an analog output? Or can run all of its inputs' sound out the optical output?

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.

soundman2

Here is one with HDMI

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!!

milo bloom

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.

shadowhawk2020

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?

Bran329

What is a sound bar?

OldBoy

click on any of the above links in the posts and find out...

Geofferson

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