Quote:
Originally Posted by
drfreeman60 
My opinion is probably little different than most. My thoughts were that a soundbar was used primarily for enhanced audio as compared to the weak speakers normally built into a television set (especially true as panels get thinner and thinner). I have had experience with a number of soudbars over the last four years including Yamaha Digital Sound Projectors, Sony's smaller unit (don't remember the model) and currently a Vizio soundbar.
Dynamics and natrual voices are the primary criteria that I use for evaluating sound. The cheap Vizio is the best so far for my home use. My son is enjoying my (I guess his now) Yamaha at his home.
Almost all have had various psuedo-surround or theater type modes. To my ears, they all place a veil over the sound. None sounded unpleasant. Just the more natural 2.1 or 3.1 seems to sound most correct to my old ears.
Of course I am one of these old guys who believed true stereo music was pretty close to perfect. Would not use tone controls (even though they would probably help) with any preamp or receiver. Always looking for the proverbial straight wire with gain to hear exactly what was on an album, tape or CD.
When it comes to 5.1 or 7.1, it seems that you really wouldn't get the proper effect when the sound is all coming from one location. I know that was true with the Yamaha. It had 43 speakers and electronically simulated the surround effect. It was not unpleasant, just not natural and definitely not like a true 5.1 system. I haven't heard a 7.1 system in a home so far, so don't really know how much if any the extra two channels will add. Other than extra $$$ to the manufacturer and retailer.
I have similar opinions. I am in the process of choosing a soundbar for mainly music enjoyment in my bedroom. I thought a soundbar would do well on my bedroom chest. Yesterday, I picked up Vizio's 215. So far so good.
How do you compare Samsung 450/451 to Vizio 215?
I was wondering if there are any other choices. Again, I care about the sound fidelity and dynamic more than anything else. In fact, I don't even have a TV in my bedroom (very much against watching TV in bedroom).
Anyone has some suggestions?
