Sound Bar vs Home Theater

[NaturalViolence]

KHg8m3r Wrote:If you want the best sound, get a home theater box with hardwired speakers. We just replaced our old dead box with this Sony system and it made the same speakers sound way better because of better sound technology.

Also, I helped a friend setup a soundbar they bought online, and they didn't like that the sound got distorted at high levels.

If you can increase you budget, definitely get a surround system with hardwired speakers, it will sound way better.

I don't know whether the term "home theater box" is referring to a htib (home theater in a box) or an a/v receiver (which is what you linked).  I certainly would not recommend an HTIB setup to anyone.  As for A/V receivers it's out of his price range.  The receiver alone would cost $200+ without speakers for a decent model even if he buys used, which is why I recommended active speakers instead.

Your use of the term "hardwired" also confuses me, are you sure that's what you meant to say?  Hardwired means it's wired in such a way where you cannot move it, usually through the walls/floor/ceiling.  I think what you meant to say would be something like "standalone" or "discrete" speakers meaning separate from each other.

[kirbypuff]

(03-02-2015, 01:40 AM)NaturalViolence Wrote: Headphones - This effectively defeats the entire point of a home theater setup with a tv.

A pair of comfortable (wireless) headphones should provide the best sound quality as his budget is $200 or less.

[KHg8m3r]

No, they're hardwired in our house. We ran cables through the walls to prevent cable clutter when we moved in. The ends can be connected/disconnected at the speaker and A/V box end.

Yeah, good quality A/V boxes get pricey. Since we just got the box it wasn't as much a s whole new set. But if you get cheaper a/v boxes, the sound quality decreases.

[IceStrike256]

Yeah in the future I can look into a true 7.1 receiver system but for now I really don't need anything to special which is why I was looking into a sound bar or htib setup. For now I just plugged in the 2.1 speakers I used on my desktop and sound is much better.

[NaturalViolence]

@IceStrike256

If you'll answer my questions I can give you some recommendations for your budget that will blow your PC speakers away.

@kirby

As I said headphones defeats the point of a HT setup since only one person can use them at a time.

@KHg8m3r

Yeah hardwired is the best way to do it. But that's not practical enough for most people which is why I don't usually recommend it. And that's coming from me of all people.

[IceStrike256]

(03-02-2015, 05:20 AM)NaturalViolence Wrote: Important questions:
How big is the room?  How far away from where the speakers will be do you normally sit?  

Less important questions:
Do you prefer bookshelf or floorstanding speakers (or do you not have a preference)?  How important is having a subwoofer (deep bass)?  How important is having surround sound (2D positional effects)?  Do you prefer bassy (bass heavy), neutral, or bright (treble heavy) speakers (or no preference)?  Do you prefer forward or distant (or no preference)?  Do you prefer narrow or wide soundstage (or no preference)?

Couch is about 7 feet from TV and have about 3 feet of clearance on either side of the couch
would prefer mountable speakers since I have kids
subwoofer is nice just to have some base but prefer neutral sound
rest is no preference.

[NaturalViolence]

How big is the room (approximate H x W x L)? What type of flooring and walls?

[NaturalViolence]

It's been over a week now are you still interested in this project?

[IceStrike256]

Nah lost my budget for this one.

[NaturalViolence]

PM me if you ever get it back. I love working on audio setups.