Top products from r/Soundbars

Here are some thoughts for you.

1. I like the soundbar format for the elderly. Volume up, volume down and off is all you need and that is good. So I get where you're going.
   
2. 4 HDMI inputs is just crazy talk you're looking at an AVR not a soundbar. A soundbar is an optical input or HDMI passthrough and kicks out the sound. If you're looking at switching all those devices (how do you have 4?) then you'll want an AVR.
   
3. FM receiver yeah you're not going to get that in a soundbar. They again, are designed to just put out sound from the TV. If you're looking for FM then you're looking for an AVR.
   
   So AVR is it. Which one well depends on the budget but I like Yamaha and Sony for the simple setups. A basic AVR is all you need.
   
   Now for speakers. How much usually determines this but since you haven't set a price we don't have that as a guide. How many is a good question. 2 or 3 is what we are talking about. I would so no sub as they just don't need that low end. I find the extra bass just muddies everything up.
   
   

• 2 speakers - Cheaper (can be), more simple and you don't need any kind of surround mode to be activated. Keep that joker in stereo and let it play.
  
• 3 speakers - Can be more expensive and you'll have to find a set with a matching center (I like matching the center to the mains get over it). You'll also need to keep it in a surround mode that may or may not sound good with the radio or music. You do get the benefit of having the dialog come from the center and it can be boosted.
  
  Without a budget it's going to be hard to come up with a solution. However, here is what I would look at.
  
  
• AVR - Yamaha RX-V385 $280 or Sony STRDH590 $235 - entry level AVR's with FM tuner and HDMI inputs that you want. Either one will have plenty of everything and be simple to operate.
  
• Speakers - Polk S15 $160 or Boston A25 $150 - Basic mid sized bookshelf speakers. I would go with a pair to start and see if they need a center. If they are good with the stereo pair you're good and don't have to mess with a surround mode. However, each has a matching center.
  
• Speaker Stands $40 - allows you to put the speakers to the correct height and move them out from the TV.
  
• Banana plugs and wire $35 - Just cleans up the install of the speakers.

Just be aware that the Samsung TVs no longer process/pass DTS audio. I would have returned my Samsung TV if I had known this ahead of time but I found out (by chance) too late. If that doesn't bother you, cost is not a factor, you want the very best audio out of a bar and you have the space for a receiver: [GoldenEar Technology SuperCinema 3D Array XL]
(https://www.goldenear.com/products/supercinema3d?gktab=). At over 62", that bar will fit that giant TV better than anything else on the market and the sound is like nothing else. Pick up a pair of Super Sub X to fill in the bottom (XXL is overkill IMO unless your room is huge). Depending on how many channels of surround sound you want, you can complement this with in-wall/ceiling speakers or external satellites.

If you want a powered soundbar system then the Nakamichi shockwafe 9.2.4 is my choice. Dual 10" subs and the latest surround tech at a reasonable cost.

Thanks, that’s good to know! My other concern was how long the Monoprice one would be stable with the TV sitting in the middle and no leg there for support... I do like that it would match my rear speaker stands I got last week (Monoprice, as well).

I actually ran across this last night and may just get it. I like that it has a leg in the center as well. I’m just not able to find any info on the max supported weight, other than “put your heaviest on it”. Lol

https://www.amazon.com/Large-Monitor-Stand-Computer-Screens/dp/B07H8N774Q?th=1

Thoughts?

I see the Yamaha YAS-207BL on Amazon for $144... should I pull the trigger now? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072J7PTFB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Edit: Glad I've waited... it seems to be steadily dropping and at $141 now. Going to check until it bounces up and then buy I think.

Edit 2: Now $139. Here's hoping it gets to $130 or even $120!

Edit 3: Bought at $138.80 earlier today and now is shown back at $299 with 12 remaining. I'm blessed

What I don't understand about the hype for the Nakamichi soundbar is that every model is essentially the same bar with more subwoofer or surround speakers. This model is the same as this model. It's the same product. The latter has an extra subwoofer and more surrounds (for over twice as much), but the main product - the soundbar is the very same. The system seem to be repackaged in different ways; now it has Atmos. Is it the magic bar that can just do anything?

It seems to me the most important part of any soundsystem would be the left, center, and right main speakers. That's where I really what I want to hear. That is where the main sound is coming from. Sure thumping bass is good, but it's not where the details are.

I have these but in white. A super easy to find i. Germany. But you can uses any 4ohm or 4-8ohm speaker as surround. Do not need larger driver. 3 to 4 inch woofer is more then enough with a 3/4 inch tweeter.

https://www.amazon.com/Canton-02968-Pro-Speaker-Black/dp/B004MKLZ94/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=canton+speaker+satellite&qid=1555676297&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr1

I'm very happy with my Samsung HW-MS660.

This line of soundbars has as good as bass as one can reasonably get without a dedicated subwoofer.

It hits the other Points too like 4k pass through With HDR.

The price on Amazon right now is around 350$ which is OK, but can occasionally be found on sale for around $250-300 which is a bargain.

Try this - Yamaha YAS-108 Sound Bar with Built-in Subwoofers & Bluetooth https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D73HMVR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JNHrDbF2BFPJY

I just bought a used one for 150-160... Works pretty nicely with my new 55" TCL 4k HDR TV

> I always thought rear speakers were supposed to be up higher.

There's your problem. These aren't rears. They're side surrounds. I believe they're supposed to be near ear level, =/- a foot or so, depending on your setup.

And yes, they just sit. If you want something that can extend higher and secures the speakers, you could go with something like this.

I just got this one a few weeks ago, and it's been great!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CF793HQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There is this Dayton Audio SUB-800 8-Inch 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer (Black) available though: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0063NU30K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_alR6CbNRSY5ZN

but I don't know how much better it is to spend extra 5k rupees on it than yamaha. It does have the frequency crossover knob which the sw100 doesn't but sw100 has a 10 inch cone and will deliver more oomphf factor than this Dayton. What do you think u/shoturtle ?

Thanks for the reply. I just don't understand why they made the mounting holes 29" apart. I have never heard of 29" studs.

edit: ended up getting this mount

It available on Amazon @ Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4Ch 1000W Soundbar System with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dual 10" Subs (Wireless) & Four 2-Way Rear Speakers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HHZ94BW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-c.SDbX15WKB7

I'll go for the Pro set then.

Mm "limited" quantities.... But the extra 1% cash back isn't till the 15th :/

I figured the suggested Sanus Adjustable Height Speaker Stand would be okay for the rears. Says supports up to 3.5 lbs.

I use this but I also had to attach it to a remote plug. I needed to power cycle it (completely powered down by unplugging it from the power) in order for it to pick a new source from the N950.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CF793HQ

Does anyone have this or can comment on it?

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https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072J7PTFB?pf_rd_p=183f5289-9dc0-416f-942e-e8f213ef368b&pf_rd_r=CFB3SZFB90K9E05PREQG&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B06XGWGVQG/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B074MGHHS4/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Probably the Nakamichi Shockwafe


https://www.amazon.com/Nakamichi-Shockwafe-Ultra-9-2Ch-DTS/dp/B07HHZ94BW

I ordered these for mounting the rear speakers.

I got this one. It's hangs over the sides a little but the weight is evenly distributed so I have no problems with it.

Monoprice Large Multimedia Desktop Stand - Black Glass (30.8 x 11in) Stand & Riser, Laptop Stand, Desktop TV Stand, Dual Monitors w/Height Adjustable Legs - Workstream Collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M2ZGGB2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aTyBDbR6Q2EC8

Someone else found this one below that would probably work well, too.

https://www.amazon.com/Large-Monitor-Stand-Computer-Screens/dp/B07H8N774Q?th=1