Sony HT-CT550W?? - Page 17

I am extremely unhappy with the sound quality from the soundbar compared to the CT150. I just hooked the 550 up to my WDTV Live and I'm hearing the hollow muddy sound no matter what adjustments I make to speaker position, settings, hdmi, spdif. The only setting that sounds remotely decent is the 2-channel stereo setting. I have no idea what everyone else is hearing, but the sound just doesnt produce the rich deep sound like the 150. Sony really dropped the ball by making the CT550W a 2.1 soundbar rather than keeping the 3.1 design like the CT150.

-- update 9/20/2012 --

I don't know what happened between yesterday and today, but when I turned on the CT550W this afternoon, it actually sounded good, not hollow, and dialog was clear. It even sounded good in the MOVIE sound mode, though I prefer 2-channel stereo. Nothing has changed with the system setup. All I did was flip on the power strip switch that the receiver and SW was plugged into.
Edited by zEDuXUIr - 9/20/12 at 2:33pm

I really wish the unit has a GUI over HDMI instead of the simple LCD.

Got the 550 and have it hooked up.

Right now I've got just my charter HD dvr box hooked into it and it seems to be working correctly.
When watching Cable programming I get the Dolby icon to light up on the 550 receiver. So i'm under the impression i have everything set up correctly as far as that goes.

I've got the Motorola DCX3501-M plugged into the 550 via HDMI, then HDMI from the 550 into the tv in the arc slot.

If I want to use the tv to watch YouTube or any of the other apps I can't get volume to work unless I use the optical cable and connect it from the 550 to the tv.

I've got the 550 hooked up to the tv thru arc and arc is turned on on the tv and the 550. I switch the 550 to the tv input. Should I be able to get sound like this without having to use the optical cable? Or is it necessary?
All HDMI cables are high speed.

Tv is an Lg lm7600.

doesnt really matter that much to me, just wondering if there is a way for me to change a setting so that I can eliminate the optical cable from my set up.

-I've tried everything I can think of, cant figure out how to get sound when just on the regular tv screen (using the Lg aps, etc.) only way i can figure out how to get sound while doing this is by using the optical cable. What am I doing wrong?
Edited by RyanLeaf - 10/11/12 at 11:03pm

Am about to pull the trigger and purchase a HT-CT550W, some questions:

Visited a local SONY store today, price for this unit new in box $349; they
also had in stock one refurbished unit for $269; obviously NIB preferred
but is anyone on this site using a refurb unit & if so any issues? NIB unit
has 1 yr parts/90 day labor, refurb 90 day parts and labor warranty.

I own a 40" BRAVIA and set-up shouldn't be an issue, using the 550W will
view TV, DVD and VCR only & will connect to cable box via HDMI-1; I do not
wish to mess with [change] any of my current outputs which are: DVD, via
Component 2 and VCR via Component 1; is anyone using a set-up
similar to this & if yes using HDMI-1 will audio play on the 550W using these
same outputs? [guy @Sony Store wasn't sure].

Lastly, is anyone using the 550 Soundbar mounted on the TOP of the TV?
I have severe space limitations & this would work well. Know brackets can
be purchased for this. Sony store rep said they do not reccomend this,
does not mean it hasn't worked for others. Comments appreciated.

I'd shop around unless u want to get from Sony store for some reason.
I bought mine new from amazon a few weeks ago.. Pretty sure it was $279.

Ryan, today at Sony store bought a new in box 550W for $299 which works for me.
I have everything unpacked and will do my set-up in a day or so.

I still have my connection question whcih is: I own a 40" BRAVIA and using the 550W
will view TV, DVD and VCR only & will connect to TV via HDMI-1[ ARC] ; I do not wish
to mess with [change] any of my current connections to the Bravia utilizing these outputs
which are: DVD, via Component 2 and VCR via Component 1; is anyone using a set-up
similar to this & if yes using HDMI-1 will audio play on the 550W using these same outputs?
[again today guy @Sony Store wasn't sure].

Manual says "if you connect system to the ARC's compatible HDMI jack via an HDMI
cable you do not need to connect TV to the system using the Digital Opt Cord". This is
what I plan to do, HDMI in via ARC; manual however does not say if Component 1 & 2
connections on the Bravia will play via ARC. Hope so. Any pointers appreciated.

I can tell u I've hooked my Xbox 360 into the components on my tv and the sound played thru the 550 via HDMI 1which is arc. Almost positive it should work for you as well.
be sure to enable arc on the tv and the 550 when ur setting up.

Idk if anyone has mounted the bar to the top of their tv I know others have mounted it on the wall above their tv.
Edited by RyanLeaf - 10/19/12 at 6:40am

Called SONY today and they confirmed what you said Ryan..that via ARC both component
1 and 2 will play; over weekend will complete set-up.

What settings so far work best fro you? And the SUB---how far [aprox ft] do you have yours from the main unit?

I can post my settings later tonight when I get home. I know they are very similar to the ones someone posted earlier in this thread. Remember straight out of the box and default settings aren't going to sound very impressive.

The sub, mine is maybe 10-12 ft away from the receiver but placement can be very flexible. Guys in here have reported it will pick it up thru walls into other rooms, down into the basement, etc. So you shouldn't have any issue there. Be sure to read the instructions when setting it up, I didn't realize I had to pair the sub with the receiver until a few days after I had plugged it all in.

Yesterday completed set-up of my 550W to my 40" Sony Bravia. And yes, using set-up below Component 1 and 2 both work with only one HDMI cable [connected to Bravia via ARC].

CNTL HDMI - ON
ARC - ON
DRC - OFF
CNT +5
SUB +6
BASS +5
TRB +3
NITE - ON
SOUND FIELD - have mostly viewed TV & this setting varies, Movie & Music both work well.

When watching TV, 550W receiver notes SAT/CATV; when playing Component 1 [VCR] & 2 [DVD], receiver will switch to TV. With all I get Sub activity, my SW is on floor aprox 14' from receiver.

Am still tinkering, one issue..when watching TV and changing channels, the volume on FOX may be much louder than say both CBS & NBC.....is there a setting [either on the 550W or my Bravia] to correct this?

I can't seem to get the settings right...still seems tinny after 10 days of tinkering and watching. I bought the panny htb550 and like the "depth" of the sound better but not much in the adjustment area. Anybody able to get the tinny sound to vanish and dialogue to pop?

Nick

I have a question for all you that own this sound bar. I am considering using this as part of a matrix setup to get past the Lowest common denominator on the rooms with just TVs (I will include the sound bar in each of those rooms). My 2 options for setting it up are as follows:

1) Put the receiver and soundbar in each room (possibly recessing the receiver into the wall).
a) Does the receiver part get hot?

2) Keep the receiver in my centrally located equipment room and put on the speaker and sub in each room (preferred).
a) How far does the "wireless sub" work? I saw someone say theirs went 14'. Has anyone tested the range? I would need it to go as far as 35' at most (with 2 interior walls in between). and even then, i could probably cut that down to 25' if I had to
b) I know the speaker has proprietary plugs, but does anyone see any issues with cutting off the plugs and extending the wires as much as 30-40' total length? My assumption is that it is just normal speaker wire and sony is just using proprietary connectors.


Thanks! I have this in my cart at amazon waiting to buy, but I thought I might be able to get some answers first (Ultimately, I would probably get about 5-6 of these total)

I bought the 550 From Amazon, and I have had since last Thursday. I like it alot! I paid 203 for it, free shipping, Used in Very Good Condition and still under warranty. I tested out some DTSHD and TrueHD, and 5.1 files I got from Youtube and the system shakes the house!

I have my Xbox 360 Plugged, into my 52in Sharp via component, without the audio cables plugged in. I also have the optical cable plugged from the xbox to the head unit. I changed the sound on the xbox as well to Dolby 5.1 in settings. I think the sound is amazing.

However, I am thinking I want to try the Vizio VHT510 only because I want surround sound, and I want to hear the sounds behind me.

Any thoughts or has any one tried besides Davyo

Alright so to start I bought the HT-CT550W off Amazon a little while ago, and I am just learning about the ARC stuff, and I will be getting 4X 1.4 HDMI Cables tomorrow. The reasons I bought these obviously was for ARC, but I also am having an issue when I'm playing a game on my Slim PS3 which is producing Dolby Digital and tweaking the settings non-stop I still have issues hearing things that should be heard, for example when I'm playing a fighting game when I punch someone normally you hear the punch, but with this 550W I can BARELY hear the punch hit. and sometimes the dialogue in games you can't really hear it because all the noise from all the other sound effects that are going on are over powering the dialogue, and I know for a fact the game developers didn't make the games like this, because if I didn't have subtitles on, half the time I wouldn't be able to know anything was being said.

Anyways, I'm just wondering if 1.4 HDMI cables with ARC will solve this problem, or if I may of got a defective unit. I mean even during sports games the crowd noise will at times over power the announcers voice completely where as if I go to another TV in the house and listen to the same thing the announcers voice don't get drowned out.

I don't know, it just seems like something isn't right, sometimes the sound will be normal then it will go kind of quiet, then it will go loud, then back to normal, without touching the remote, it seems to do this most with Comcast, and the PS3, but for the most part everything seems normal with my 360, all connected to the Receiver all using older HDMI cables atm. So any advice would be great, and also any advice on how I should do my settings, I live in an apartment so I can't have a crazy amount of bass, but I still want it to hit a bit, but I want everything else to sound clear, crisp and extremely clear dialogue without any loss of "some" sounds.
Edited by DBoi26 - 11/14/12 at 10:55pm

Make sure the PS3 is set to bitstream...

If all your source devices are connected to the CT550 receiver, then ARC has nothing to do with anything. ARC only comes into play when you are sending audio from an ARC-enabled TV to an ARC-enabled external audio system.

My sony ct550w has a strange problem. It worked fine for 2 months, then turned off by itself and wouldnt turn on whatever i did (unplugging all connections, unplugging wall plug etc.). The display was dead.
Then I disconnected everything, left it for 10 minutes, ready to return the thing. All of sudden when i replugged it, it turned on again. So I reconnected everything and it worked fine for a month. Tonight I come home and the same problem. The receiver was dead, unplugging everything , leaving for 10 minutes did the trick again.This is very annoying. Is this a defective unit?

Hi I just bought a CT550W I am a bit confused and hope someone can help me out. I have an Samsung UN40B6000 it is a HDMI 3.1 LED TV. I currently have it setup only though HDMI and can get sound even though my TV is not ARC enabled it was my understanding that if my TV did not have ARC I would need to plug in the optical cable. My question is do I need to plug in the optical cable or can I leave it the way it is ?

Thanks

My advice to you is what I tell myself when it comes to my wife. Why ask why? If everything works to your liking, I wouldn't mess with it. It certainly won't damage the TV.

Reason I ask is I have no idea if for some reason I will not be able to hear Dolbly True HD or any other sound format if I do not connect the optical cable or if I need to change some other settings. I am not 100% sure everything is working correctly as I find it strange my TV does not support ARC but is still able to send sound through HDMI without ARC that is why. I ask just to make sure I have not overlooked something.

Where do you have your source devices connected? If they are connected directly to the CT550, the audio is being processed by the CT; it is not coming from the TV.

Yea they are all connected directly to the CT550. Thanks guess everything is working as intended.

Is anyone using headphones with this system? If so, how are you doing it? Right now I use some wireless headphones that are connected to the TV via optical, I cannot work out how I'll still be able to use this setup when everything goes through the little receiver that comes with this, the only o/p I see is HDMI back to the tv.

I would really appreciate some help before I give up and return the system.

Thanks.

Coming from a full-sized receiver, I miss being able to plug in any set of headphones with extension cord and not bother my family at night. I have not been able to use my headphones with this setup, I just connect my headphone to my most often-used source (HTPC) directly.

So everyone likes there CT550W? I would like to get one for 50% music and 50% movies....

Will this play music nicely? how about the dialog in movies are they clear?

This question probably has been asked but I did not see it.

Or get a CT150 since it has a center channel speaker....?

Thanx guys and gals...
Edited by Beer40oz - 11/30/12 at 1:59pm

Mine is coming today from J&R assuming delivery is on schedule from UPS tracking. I'm excited. It's replacing the CT100 which is already very nice with Sony Blu Ray player.

Hello everyone,

I'm interested in asking you all about the sound quality for music from the 550W. I have the Yamaha YAS-101, which has a built in subwoofer. For movies, it is absolutely fantastic. Many review sites put it in their top 5, if not top 2, and I have to agree with them that it is amazing for movies, especially considering the price ($199) and that there is no external subwoofer. My problem with it is that I stream a lot of music to my Apple TV, which is connected to my Samsung TV and then connected to the Yamaha. The music quality (which is often 256k, 320k, or lossless) leaves a lot to be desired from the Yamaha. I guess my question for everyone is do you think the Sony 550W would play music better? Are you all happy with music that comes out of the Sony 550W? Should I just stick to the Yamaha?

I know sound bars are not equal to complete stereo systems, but I just wanted your opinions or suggestions. I want to use a sound bar because I don't want to hassle with a home stereo system setup, since my living room is small (12x11, opening to the kitchen/dining area). But I do want to use it for 40% music and 60% movies. Thanks for your time.
Edited by VelyC - 12/3/12 at 12:19pm

No. You might be better off just adding a subwoofer to the YAS-101

Have you tried going through the Soundfields?
The musical performance of the unit is not that bad, granted it probably won't outperform a Yammy...
But it is not terrible...
OK, the standard mode IS pretty bad for music, but Movie/Gaming/Music all sound pretty decent for music.
In fact, Gaming/Music seems to work better with dance tracks.
Movie mode helps with vocals.

As usual just like any piece of audio equipment, a run-in period would very likely be helpful.
Just put on some classical stuff on continuous loop and leave for the day, it should sound better when you return.

I just want to clarify. I currently own the Yamaha, but thinking about purchasing the Sony HT-CT550W in hopes of improving the sound quality for music. Are those of you who own the Sony HT-CT550W happy with the sound quality for music? Or should I just stick with the Yamaha YAS-101 and wait for the speakers to open up?