Little help Please.

You can get a Sony ht-ct100 for around $200 these days. The 2010 model ht-ct150 just came out but it runs $300. Another option in the $300 range is the Pioneer htp-sb300 with a wireless subwoofer. At $400 the Sony ht-ct350 is available for pre-order and should be available soon.

The HTC-100 is pretty good - really nice if you need the HDMI inputs. I just bought the Vizio vsb-210ws a couple of weeks ago which you can find at some Costco's for $249, or it you can't find it there I believe they are still selling on Amazon for a little more.

IMO, the Vizio is much better than the Sony - but it doesn't have the HDMI input/output which is really nice if you need it. The biggest problem I had with the Sony is the sub speaker fires to the right side of the enclosure - kind of an odd arrangement. Probably just fine if you can locate the sub so the speaker is unobstructed, but in my case it would have had to be located to the left side of my entertainment center firing directly into the side of the furniture - so a non-starter for me. Another plus for the Vizio is the sub is wireless, so you can move it around pretty much anywhere in the room. The Vizio sounds unbelieveable for the price - although be aware that there is a new model due out soon (same for the Sony) which is why it is being discounted currently, but for $249 you would have a hard time beating the Vizio!

had the same issues,, wife wanted minimal "STUFF" to look at and we have a great HT room but needed help for the living room,,

we have been totally happy with the Vizio bar and wireless sub,, our living room is a tad larger with 18' ceilings open to a loft,, the TV was helpless to offer decent audio,, I shopped a tad and figured I can always take it back if it does not handle the room size,, selected the Vizio first and been enjoying it now since Christmas,,

no great L-R separation but still very nice sound and voice quality,, the bass is certainly present and not boomy,, decent control with the usual low grade Vizio remote but it works and is seldom used,, I feed the bar directly from the audio out the ATT Uverse box,,

yes I would purchase again,,

Derry

Actually I am too - but I have the cable box and ps3 attached directly to the tv, and the optical audio out on the tv attached to the soundbar. Works great.

I agree with Kefer. I have all of my components connected to the TV and TV to Vizio soundbar. Sound is much better than the built-in speakers which IMO is all you should really expect from a soundbar or even most inexpensive HTIB's.

By the way, the Vizio soundbar had the best voice and dynamics of any of the soundbars I have tried in my home (Yamaha / CT-100 / Vizio). It will also play louder than either of the other two.

Check amazon.com I just purchased the Sony HT-CT150 for $215.99. Worth $300. It sounds amazing.