[Don_S]

Please share your experience (good and bad) with sound bars.  The sound from my Sharp Aquos is poor and I am tired of firing up my main system to watch TV--especially in the hot season. I would like to add a sound bar with a street price of less than $350. I would appreciate recommendations for something that does not suck too badly. To be clear, I am not interested in faux-surround sound.  Good two channel is what I am looking for.  I don't have high expectations but something that is muffled or won't play modestly loud in a small room would not be an improvement.



I did a search but did not find much and it was dated.  I am only looking for recommendations for or against based on actual experience.  Thanks,  Don

[Don_S]

Bump.  Somebody/anybody.  Good/bad/indifferent experience appreciated.

[TheChairGuy]

Bump...me, too.  I got a 46" LED-LCD and the sound blows, as well (an Insignia from Best Buy). The price was excellent for such a good picture, $999, but the sound really is abysmal.

I'm thinking of the ZVOX as it gets good reviews, is all-in-one and can be placed under the TV to reduce clutter.

http://www.amazon.com/ZVOX-550-Low-Profile-Single-Cabinet-Surround/dp/B001MA2AYG

John

[Phil A]

I just got one of these delivered today -  http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Polk-Audio-AM2555-A-HitMaster-Stage-Monitor-Loudspeaker-for-Gaming.shtml

Normally $99.95, $79 with free shipping to US if you order before June 26.  I hooked my Zune to it and it sounded decent (especially given the price).  You can daisy chain them together.

Another suggestion is get yourself a decent used integrated amp that is not overly large and a pair of decent small speakers (used or new).  Depends on what are your preferences and what you have room for.  orbaudio.com, Cambridge Soundworks, AV123.com, Aperion Audio, Axiom Audio, etc.

[Phil A]

Here's just a bunch of links as examples.  The last speaker is a wall mounted Magnepan.  It depends on your tastes and preferences.


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1281170477&/Rotel-RA-971-60-Wpc-Integrated-


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1282150578&/Celestion-MP-1


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1281924749&/Mordaunt-Short-Avant-902

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1281924748&/Monitor-Audio-B2-Bronze


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1281832868&/Energy-Mini

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMGW

[Don_S]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am trying to fit the video sound system in with my main 2-channel rig.  That means I am out of rack space don't have a good place to put additional speakers.

2-channel RULES.  HT has to make due with the space that is left.  As I mentioned, I am not looking for faux-surround.  I would be happy with decent 2.1.

That is why I was looking at something like this:
http://av.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028590&pathId=30&page=1

The reviews on it are not that great.  I am just showing it as an example and hope someone has actual experience with some others like this one:
 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+2-1/2%22+Soundbar+with+Powered+Wireless+Subwoofer/9761483.p?id=1218168617534&skuId=9761483&st=sound bar&cp=1&lp=9

[Phil A]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am trying to fit the video sound system in with my main 2-channel rig.  That means I am out of rack space don't have a good place to put additional speakers.

2-channel RULES.  HT has to make due with the space that is left.  As I mentioned, I am not looking for faux-surround.  I would be happy with decent 2.1.

That is why I was looking at something like this:
http://av.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028590&pathId=30&page=1

The reviews on it are not that great.  I am just showing it as an example and hope someone has actual experience with some others like this one:
 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+2-1/2%22+Soundbar+with+Powered+Wireless+Subwoofer/9761483.p?id=1218168617534&skuId=9761483&st=sound bar&cp=1&lp=9

There is this site (I am an Admin on the forums and don't do the reviews and am not a HT in a box person but it may have some useful info for your purposes) -  www.hometheaterinaboxreview.com

[woodsyi]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am trying to fit the video sound system in with my main 2-channel rig. 

Isn't there a way to use your existing speakers?  There should be analog audio out from your TV (or cable/sat box), right?