Sony CT-150 vs Vizio VHT210 vs JVC TH-BA1,,,and others,, my at home shoot-out's - Page 3

I have a question about the Sony CT150. We purchased on and just hooked it up. Right now we only have our cable DVR hooked into it but when we watch tv through it the sound skips every so often. It's not the cable box. it has to be something with the set up. We tried using different settings as per the instruction booklet but have had no luck. Has anyone ever experienced this and/or does anyone have any suggestions as to what we should try? We are using HDMI connections between the DVR, Sony device and the TV.
thanks!

Davyo,

As I read before you've owned lot of Yamaha YSPs of different generations. I know you haven't tested YHT-S400, and it has different technology than YSPs. But what would you personally pick, (knowing Yamaha's sound bar performance in general) between Sony CT350 and Yamaha S400? I want something with HDMI, since my Pioneer Elite 50" monitor doesn't have optical or even analog RCA jacks, but getting sub, receiver and sound bar is not an option due to WAF, I can only have two things with budget of around $600-800.
Thanks again

thank you!

I have owned YSP's and a Sony CT-100. I enjoyed the sound slightly better from the CT-100 than the YSP, but the Sony would not play very loud. But I have heard a couple of Yamaha's more basic sound bars (don't remember the model numbers) and preferred their sound to my YSP (which cost between two and three times as much). I love the looks of the S400. For my money, I would make that my first choice on looks alone. Have not heard either of your current selections. Have heard the CT150 and thought it sounded very good. Seems like a lot of people in the Sony CT thread are complaining about pops and dropouts. Never experienced that from any of my soundbars, but would take that into consideration when deciding between your two choices.

Guys I don't know jack about speakers, that is why I am reading all the post at avs.
I guess the VSB210WS is not out yet. Supposed to be a major upgrade to the VHT210

I thought about a speaker bar and since my room is not that big I said yep this might work.

BUT what about connections.
I have a htpc, dvd player (soon to be blu) as well as a digital media server.
I can hook up the blu and the media server to this with toslink and the tv with rca.
will this work ok?

I am not going to spend $1000's of dollars for an amp and speakers that is why I am looking for cheaper options.
Really I was surprised when I found the jvc online for less than $300. Even less than $250

Thank you for your input, I ordered YHT-S400 from Amazon and should have it by Tuesday night. I will let you know as soon as I hook it up and play with it.

@avsnoob10: i really think you will not regret it man. I read so much about the S400 and will get one next month when it comes out where i live.

But overall it is considered one of the best bars in the business. Did you read about it at avforums?? Anyway, please DO update and review in details! there is a topic on the S400 in avsforums....

@daveyo: MAN just get the S400 and test it so you will have tried all of the bars our there

will definitely post a review.


Give Davyo a break, he has spent lot of money to try different bars from different brands.

@avsnoob10: will be waiting; also if you can relieve me, also be sure to update the bar with the firmware on their website. Your s400 will become 3D ready!!!
i don't know anyone who confirmed this info, but on the YSP 4100, it was confirmed that 3D is OK now...

Davyo, a question, I have a PS3 but still watch most of my movies on dvds. I have about 400 ripped to my hard drives, much easier to keep my collection organized that way. You tested the bars with BD and were able to notice differences, would these differences be as noticable with dvd and how much? Would your rankings change for someone who uses dvds and cable tv primarily, along with moderate gaming use? Thanks for starting this thread and answering so many peoples questions!!

where are you avsnoob? did you install the s400 yet ?

guys i am still here and enjoying my YHY-S400 Here is my little review:

Design/Looks: The actual sound bar is pretty small and has very industrial look. Back of the sound bar has some flexibility in terms of height of the legs and also how far apart you want the legs to be installed. The sub-woofer/receiver is relatively tall and deep, assuming since it is an integrated sub/receiver it has to be tall and deep. It seems like the sub/receiver cabinet is some kind of wood/vaneer/mdf but has pretty good finish to it. It has a front display showing pretty much everything you need to know - hdmi input, volume and sub level, one of the four presets - music, movie, sports and game. Remote that comes with S400 is pretty cool, its a small remote and has just enough buttons. Back of the sub has 3 hdmi inputs, 1 out (rest you can look it up online). Speaker wire is color coded on both ends - sound bar and sub/receiver so you can't screw that up.

Sound Quality: In my opinion sound out of the sound bar is very clean. Dialogues even at very low volume sound perfectly fine. If I have to differentiate between high freq and mid-range out of sound bar, I would say mids are little more cleaner compared to highs. Sub-woofer is amazing, now I can't compare it to my Velodyne but at this price-point it does pretty amazing job, it actually does a better job than my Onkyo HTIB sub. In terms of simulated surround effect, it has wide sound stage its not just centered to the sound bar, though in terms of getting 5.1 effect from this setup, you can't compare it to true 5.1 but still does pretty decent job. When I unpacked the S400 I set it up in my family room just to try it out and I didn't really get 5.1 effect since it is huge room and walls are far from the media center sound didn't have a way to bounce back but when moved the setup to my bedroom (it's permanent location) I started hearing the simulated surround effect. Even then sound doesn't come from the rear but more from the sides. Overall it is a pretty decent sounding bar and I am happy with it. My existing home theater setup is an Onkyo HTIB but I have 2-channel music setup consisting B&W Matrix Series III speakers and Pioneer Elite SC-25 receiver obviously I am not comparing S400 to that setup but if I have option between HTIB and S400 I would pick S400 due to the flexibility of setup and less clutter at the same time I am not missing a huge deal of details from simulated surround.

Forgot to mention, there is no printed owner's manual, what you get is a CD-rom with electronic manual on it.

Announced long ago, I am waiting for the Vizio 510 - wireless sub AND rear speakers. No word on when it will be available......

avsnoob,
How much clearance do you have on top of the sub/receiver?
Is there any rattling produced by it in/on your cabinet?
What's your set up like (cabinet/stand)?

Actually I have sub/receiver rotated at 90 degrees on the floor with woofer on top because this setup is for my bedroom and I don't have dedicated stand/cabinet. My television is currently on dresser and sound bar is right on the tabletop stand of my Pioneer Elite PRO-101FD. I will be mounting the monitor to wall and at that point bring the sub/receiver on the dresser. I don't hear any rattling at all.

thanx avsnoob for the review; tell me is there a difference betweeb dvd sound and bluray?? did you try games on it? overall is it worth 500$ and on a scale of 1 to 10 how much would you rate the dialogue, surround emulation and bass?

This is confusing. It appears that the VSB210WS is out when I check the Vizio site and it appears that others have already used this soundbar. So, etrin, perhaps that is not the model that you had in mind?

Great thread and good read. Thanks

@ Davyo, I do have a question regarding 2 of the Vizios that you have had a chance to review. What looks like the older model VSB210WS has four 3 inch mid/bass speakers and the subwoofer has a 6.5 inch driver. This model retails for $299. The other model VHT210 which is the more recent of the Vizios you looked at has 2.75 inch speakers and the subwoofer has a 5.25 inch driver. This one also retails for $269. Could you please set me straight regarding these two units. Perhaps the specs and price are misleading? Which is the better of the two?

-Mark

I haven't tried movies yet, but had a concert DVD and it sounded fantastic. As far as price, IMO you may not find this quality (sound and build) at a cheaper price point. I would rate dialogue at 8, surround emulation at 6 or 7 and bass at 9 keep in mind these ratings are relative to $500 price point i.e. Bass rated 9 for this price point but can't compare it to my Velodyne, which is not even that high end.

thanx avsnoob fo the input; if you do try bluray movies, please let us know

avsnoob10,

If it is not too much trouble, can you tell me what the height of the soundbar is for each of the two vertical stand locations?

Similarly, what is the spacing achieved with the two horizontal locations?

I need to mount a soundbar straddling the base of my LG 55LH90 while at the same time allowing the screen to swivel a bit.

Thanks.

This was also confusing to me. Both are currently sold, and the VSB210WS actually looks like it should be a better system - better specs on paper (speaker size, extra input?), higher current price ($285 new vs $250), subwoofer looks much better (curved/glossy vs. plain wooden box of the VHT210), all despite being a year older.

After more research, the VHT210 does appear to be the better system, despite appearances. New decoding, much better remote, and better sound (according to resident expert @davyo who has had both) despite the size. If I can get a smaller system for less cash that sounds better, it's the one for me. Just waiting for my 10% off coupon at Target to come and we'll get 'er setup.

Update: To correct my above comment, just saw the VHT210 subwoofer on display at the bullseye, and it looks better than the photos on the Vizio site - glossy finish.

One note to all those back-and-forth between these systems, as I was. Take note of the physical size and make sure each would fit before you get too hung up.

I was all set on the JVC TH-BA1, and right before ordering I measured it up. My Samsung LN46C610 (LN46C630) sits on the included stand on my console, and the soundbar will sit in front of it (no mounting of either). At 5" high, the JVC would actually cut off about 1/2" of my screen, and the wider width would hinder the remote input. I don't need HDMI inputs so had ruled the Sony out. Therefore the Vizio VHT210 is the winner for me - great sound, nice size, good remote.

Of course, if your TV is mounted, this won't apply, but might save some owners some hassle.

For those interested in the Yamaha S400 and don't mind an open box, Vann's has a couple in the clearance outlet. If I didn't just get a screaming deal on a YSP4000 display unit, I'd be all over one of these.

Has anyone played around or tested the Yamaha YSP 600?