Soundbar discussion thread [consolidated]

[aaragore]

well if u have the cash to spend, do check this out http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=4118&cpflgs=1110

 

[alanchia67]

wow. the B&W panaroma looks wicked on paper!! where to hear this? USD2K is indeed highend stuff!

 

[aaragore]

wow. the B&W panaroma looks wicked on paper!! where to hear this? USD2K is indeed highend stuff!

yup u can audition it at lavender i think. Thats where the showroom is.

 

[alanchia67]

Just discovered HT-CT150 remote has a dedicated Night Mode button which is not available on HT-CT350 remote (which, tuner buttons are in its place).

I overcame this with 2 Harmony remotes. Using 525 (as backup) program to control CT150, and setup my 650 (my primary) to learn the IR code for the Night Mode from the 525.

Perhaps this would be in separate discussion thread. lol.

 

[Dr.Vijay]

Like another member above said, try the Yamaha ones... they are good, if not the best around. Little wonder they won the budget soundbar testing in our August HWM issue

Saw one soundbar at Parkway BEST Denki today.. $1k+ forget is LG or Samsung... at $k... and i play my mp3 from iphone via the dock.. it totally sucks.. i cant imagine spending $1k+ on such sucky machine.. it's so expensive mainly because it can play bluray and have things like DTS.. but to me is epic fail.. u either make a blu ray player or make a speaker...

my personal conclusion is that if u really wan to buy a sound bar, buy the best in the market else you are doing yourself any fabvour.

 

[Evolution9]

I bought the yamaha soundbar S400 but was really disappointed with the sound. Maybe using my cheap hdmi connection is the problem. Will get a better one and try again as so many good reviews cannot be wrong?

 

[alanchia67]

changing hdmi cable wont change a thing - being digital domain, either the connection works or doesnt.

what you dislike about the s400? calibrated yet?

bear in mind, s400 doesnt do beaming for virtual surround.

 

[Dr.Vijay]

It depends on your expectations, purpose, location, room size, etc.

For a budget soundbar, it's one of the best around.

There much more powerful ones available.
However, there's only that much a soundbar can deliver before you look at proper full-fledged HTS setups to fulfill your auditory experience. It's about knowing the limitations and expectations of any one product.

Have you had a round of initialization and have gone through the setup process?

I bought the yamaha soundbar S400 but was really disappointed with the sound. Maybe using my cheap hdmi connection is the problem. Will get a better one and try again as so many good reviews cannot be wrong?

 

[Evolution9]

Thanks for kind advice. There is no calibration available? Only presets. Read that it can be adjusted but I can't locate any buttons on the remote or even sub? Am I missing something?

 

[alanchia67]

In the manual, it states you can adjust individual volume for L/R, Center, Sub, and Surround. Likewise for Delay. These are to be done correctly to obtain maximum enjoyment.

Use a DVD which has THX optimizer to help you in audio calibration. The speakers sounding from the test should be of equal volume. The same content can be used to calibrate your display - better still if you have the required color filters.

 

[Evolution9]

Thanks a lot. Found the set-up button and also how to do it. Will try out the sound after adjusting.

 

[skthk21]

Thanks a lot. Found the set-up button and also how to do it. Will try out the sound after adjusting.

what's the cost ? Sony one can't compared to it ?

 

[ReiszRie]

personally, i find that the sony soundbar doesn't compare up with the yamaha's

 

[Evolution9]

On blue ray movie, the sound is really fantastic for the size. If space is a constraint, this is good choice.

 

[croc1977]

just a review of my CT-150 Display Set which i got at $299 early this month...

played Blu Ray on PS3 Terminator 2...Best sia...t-1000 explore and merge...damm shoick

PS3 game WE11 not much different...

others games not much tried...

 

[alanchia67]

personally, i find that the sony soundbar doesn't compare up with the yamaha's

if comparing yamaha's YSP, there's really no competition as YSP relies on beaming (ie needs walls to work) for virtual surround. the lower-end yamaha which uses dsp processing is very similar to sony's. shouldn't be much difference between the two.

note also sony uses down-firing sub, unlike the lower-end yamaha which has the sub built into a receiver rack-sized configuration. thus room design will also impact the bass.

 

[silvestz]

just a review of my CT-150 Display Set which i got at $299 early this month...

played Blu Ray on PS3 Terminator 2...Best sia...t-1000 explore and merge...damm shoick

PS3 game WE11 not much different...

others games not much tried...

wow... $299 is a nice price for it. Do you mind sharing where you get it for the display set?

 

[alanchia67]

just a review of my CT-150 Display Set which i got at $299 early this month...

Wow, I thought the last time I saw CT-150 display set price is above S$400. That's a good price you've obtained!

 

[blackroom]

Just got my sony ct150 display set at $400 at BD Great World last set . Movies vocal are crisp and clear but bass is a little soft from my pov.

I tried around orchard sony shop all sold out display selling for 559 which is very ex. Can try BD vivo or bishan to see if they still carry.

Anyone has any settings recommendations for the sony ct150 ? Just tried on movie mode . Should i tweak on movie mode or standard , is there any diff ?

 

[alanchia67]

bass soft? make sure DRC is set to Off (under Level menu). also, ensure DRC is off in your dvd player.

also, location of sub in room affects bass as long standing wave may have cancelled the phase within the room. try move it to another location to test out.

as it's down firing, it may not need to be near wall or in a corner for effectiveness.