I know it's not a true surround sound system but I was thinking of getting a soundbar for my smaller 40" TV that is downstairs. I don't have room for a true sound system but this would fit nicely. Are they worth it? Does anyone have one and if so, which kind? What is the best brand?

I don't have one. But I think they are a decent choice when you can't or don't want full surround sound. Are they worth it? It depends on how much you spend and what your expectations are. I think I would look for one with a powered subwoofer. That contributes as much to "big" sound as lots of speakers. Sony and Vizio units seem to get decent reviews.

what about a 3.1 vs soundbar?

Most soundbars (those that have a sub) are 3.1. It just so happens the front three are in one package.

Unless space is severely limited, a good pair of book shelf speakers, or the aforementioned 2.1/3.1 system will give much better sound. If you're just looking for better than tv speakers, without having to get an amp/receiver, it may be the most practical/economical solution.

The Vizio surround soundbar is impressive. It has a wireless sub and surround speakers that sounds very good. I am spoiled with an all THX ultra certified system in my home theatre and even I think the Vizio sounds decent. I anticipated I would think it would sound terrible. I was so impressed bought one for my son's room. This was a mistake as the sub on Xbox games is annoying to hear.

Flat pannel TVs just don't put up the money for quality speakers. I have friends that tell me they can't hear the diff, and I have friends that tell me that they agree, the soundbar was a great buy.

As much as it pains me to say this:
Go a bit more expensive and buy from Best Buy (*cringe*), or other box store near you so you can easily return it if you fall in the "sounds the same to me" category.


Just make sure you do a real test - blue ray movie will obviously make it sound significantly better - by trying what you'd mainly want it for. Watching "The Price is Right" won't have much of a noticeable difference, whereas a high quality football game will make a bigger one, and movies/games even more-so.

I have one (retails for $599, got it on sale for about $250) hooked up to an especially thin LED display (speakers are complete crap, and may as well be not included to reduce weight), so I love mine. I have heard mixed things about the sub-$100 ones tho.

I had no problems with returns to Amazon when I bought my Soundbar System. The first ones had a buzzing issue, amazon drop shipped a replacement and I shipped back the defective units, was just an extra day in the process. Not to mention AMazon had a better price, no tax (at the time) and free shipping.

I have the JVC unit that has since been discontinued, it has the soundbar, wireless sub and wireless rears. It's not a bad setup, at all for the game room it's in.

Have an omnidirectional set in the living room and it was another great deal with good sound. Next house we'll be going full reciever and 7.1, but that's another thread.

-S

Silverleaf - the typical amplified soundbar has just a PCM audio input. It can't take advantage of any of blu-ray's improved audio. So at best they process standard Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1.

In other words, you can evaluate a soundbar's audio quality with regular old DVD. Or a DD HD movie from an HD cable box.

i bought a refurbed vizio w/ bass as a stop gap system but i liked it enough to just keep it

[This message has been edited by Walter Kovacs (edited 7/18/2012 11:44p).]

So it sounds like Vizio might be a good brand to try?

Refurbed vizio runs 160 or so at circuitcity.com if you go that route

Bought my parents the Sony HT-CT150 for Christmas, and they love it. They put it just below their LED TV.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-CT150-Sound-Bar-System/dp/B003C1AO2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342716412&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+soundbar

I should also add that the subwoofer has a few inputs and acts like a mini-receiver. A good option for people that don't want a full blown A/V setup.

[This message has been edited by UniformInformant (edited 7/19/2012 11:59a).]

Got a Samsung soundbar for Christmas for our bedroom TV and it works great. We don't need a major sound system in there, so it does the job - no complaints.