Sony HT-CT550W??

Looks like it's a new product not yet released. I found several e-tailers, including Onecall, that simply say "coming soon". Seems to share many similar features with the CT350, except the CT550W:

* Has wireless subwoofer

* Decodes the HD audio codecs (at least it says it does)

* Is a 2:1 system (not 3:1)

So deciding whether to wait or not depends on the importance, to you, of the differences.

goldman, this is in the sony site, you have not looked really
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/tpa-tv...lles/ht-ct550w

and possum, it says 3.1 not 2.1....
so might be interesting

Nenito, I saw that, but on two other sites that list specs it says 2:1 and also...


So, I guess time will tell

goldman, did not mean to offend you.

Looks like I've found my next soundbar!

If the only thing holding you back is an FM tuner, Sony makes what most consider the best FM tuner ever. And it only costs $100. It was compared to tuners costing up to $2,000 and had better signal and sound than any.

The last good FM tuner I owned was a Kenwood from the late 1970's. One of those big ones with the backlighted analog dial and giant flywheel tuning knob. Had three VU meters, signal strength, center channel and multi-path. Originally around $500 and I had someone offer me $350 for it when it was fifteen years old. I thought one of the new digital tuners would outperform it, but boy was I mistaken.

If I still listened to FM radio enough to make it worth my while, I would definitely look into the Sony. By the way, the CT-350 does come with a built-in FM tuner.

I would recommend waiting for the 550. AFAICT,the biggest change is the wireless subwoofer so if that appeals to you, you might as well wait a bit.

I have recently purchased the HT-CT350 (maybe 2-3 months ago) and i must say i LOVE it . . its perfect for a mid sized room & produces some great highs and lows (via subw)

Honestly the fact that it has wires is no big deal to me, i just hide it behind the TV stand like everything else . . . but the system is flawless and changes over to whatever component i have it set to via hdmi (the biggest selling point).

I have a PS3 hooked to the HT-CT350 & that into my Samsung PN58C680, All 3 support 3D and everything works seamlessly . . . I highly recommend if you dont want the wireless or the wait !

That is the tuner. However, it appeas Sony no longer builds it. My actual reference to testing of it was all the way back in the spring of 2008. My doesn't time fly when you are having fun. It sure did not seem like thee years ago.

This was a tuner only and retailed for $99. I guess I should have purchased one when it was available. I see there is one new at Amazon for $199.00.

It might be worth a try. To get good FM usually requires a decent antenna so make sure no one (like a wife) has any trouble with seeing some type of FM antenna. Of course you can probably hide one of these with ease. Make sure they will allow you to return if you are not impressed. I heard this after reading the reviews on a very expensive system and it was the first time in years that I felt FM radio was good enough for critical listening as on a good classical or jazz station. FM rock, wich is more what I would be tuned to, probably does not require much more than my Onkyo receiver.

Can the Sony XDR-F1HD AM/FM/HD Radio Tuner be connected to a Vizio vht510 soundbar, if so which is the best cable connection to use?

Yes it can. Not sure what outputs the tuner uses, but most have only analog L+R RCA jacks.

Was searching on the HD Radio forum and yes it does have RCA jack which would go nicely into the back of my soundbar since I have everything else hooked up to it with a switcher optical.

Saw a AUVIO HD Tuner which runs about $40 bucks at Radio Shack which has an optical hook-up, I could go with that too since I have one more free connection on the switch.

Any opinion which tuner would be better, The Sony is super small and the Auvio looks more like a reciever, would take up more space with my current set-up though. Half the price of the Sony though..........

Anyone hear anything further about the CT550W?

Jimbo

Unless you have some really good stations, the less expensive unit would probably be more than adequate. HD radio seems to come in just as clean on any of the units I have heard provided either the signal is strong enough or there is a decent antenna of some type attached to the tuner/receiver.

I got the SonyXDR-F1HD AM/FM/HD Radio Tuner , hooked up the R/L RCA Jack from tuner right to the soundbar, no sound of anykind? Is there something I forgot to do? the unit scans through all the channels fine.

Should the RCA cables be hooked directly to the tv? or do I need to switch something on or off somewhere?


Edit: Firgured it out, didn't have the right input set on the soundbar. Works fine now alot of noise though on the AM Stations, anything you can suggest to clear that up some?

So back to the original topic. Anyone know if this still coming or is it delayed? Anyone seen a user manual yet for this product> Trying to plan ahead for a new LED TV I just bought...

Update: Found the official press release of the product in Japan on March 16, 2011

http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/P...1103/11-0316B/

Here is the link to all the info on it.

http://www.sony.lv/product/tpa-tv-sp...lles/ht-ct550w

Is that sub shaped like that because its down-facing?

Well, it's been another week gone by...

Anyone know if any retailers have this model yet?

This looks like currently EU only.

No idea who this company is but they have it listed, although out of stock, for $399

http://www.onecall.com/product/Sony/...Bar/_/R-109625

Sony has replaced the HT-CT350 page with the HT-CT550W page at sonystyle.com and it says "Available on or about 05/22/2011. We will email you when product ships" so I guess it's over a month out.

The CT550W is on the sonystyle.ca site too (along with the CT350) if you want to compare specs/input/output etc. The 550s win is the cordless sub but is not 3.1, rather 2.1 as I see it. The DIGITAL MEDIA PORT is gone on the CT550 so iPod/iPhone with OSD is gone (damn). I spoke with Sony in Toronto-CND today and they say about a month for availability. Both have AM/FM. I'll be on the waiting list for the CT550 but would have liked the DMP. CT550 is about $50 more than CT350. Owner manuals are on the site.

If you plan on putting the sub to the left/right of the soundbar and not some across-the-room location, is there any reason I should not be picking up the ct350 but instead wait for the 550?