Help me prevent "Buyer's Remorse"

Originally Posted by ThoroughThil

Good day,

First I Must apologize that In my first post I ask so much, but I need another set of thoughts other than my own (with the side effect of the likelihood that you all know abit more about the ups and downs of "Sound" than I do).
That said I am semi-fully versed in the ins and outs of audio. This is only due in part to my expansive research and "googleing" skills. So much reading!!

After much research I (thought) I chose the Yamaha YSP-5100 due to it being an active sound bar (meaning I won't need to buy an Av Receiver and I save a power outlet) and it apparently gives off the best "surround sound" effect of any sound bar currently on the market. Also HDMI... I <3 HDMI ('Cus 7.1 is BOSS).

Along my net search I came across the B+W Panorama and the Polk SurroundBar 6000 , and while they look and review quite nice they didn't seem to have all the up to date components I'm looking for (more on that in a moment). That said, since this is a SOUNDbar the way the sound sounds is Important and so this is one place where I am getting hung up on. (F.Y.I I am using "a soundbar" for everything. Music [Mostly Trance...and Queen >_>], Blue-Ray Movies, and Video Games)

The thing is that these sound bars came out around 2009-ish. This is where my concern comes in. With the sheer EXPENSE some of these units have, even today, I need to be absolutely sure (as far as a consumer can at the very least) that If I buy "Soundbar" that they won't have a new and improved unit 6-months from now that I somehow missed. For that I defer to you all.

So there are my concerns to start off with. More to say as per reply.

(F.Y.I-2 Dream Best Case For a Small Room: Looking for a Active Soundbar with DTS-HD Master Audio/Dolby TrueHD/PCM capability (so HDMI) with the best "surround sound" effect possible. Would prefer it to somehow have the ability for a wireless subwoofer. Truly a HTiB .)

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by ThoroughThil


It's funny you say that since I literately just returned my Bose SoundBar, which - while I admit the sound was nice - I found it didn't fill the room in my case, even after playing with the "AdaptIQ" system. I found the price ($1500) didn't match the potential. Also technically "it does not have HDMI inputs but thats no big deal at all when using the digital audio inputs" is incorrect in the perspective of HDMI currently being the only connection that supports 7.1, with the rest of the digital connections only supporting up to 5.1, but that's just me being picky.

At its retail standard price I would certainly hope so! Even than though it doesn't come with a sub. It comes with a "Wireless Subwoofer Kit" which I am concerned will only work with Yamahas Subs. Does anyone here know how or even if the SWK-W10 works with non-yamaha Subs? And on that note recommend a (preferably down facing) Subwoofer that is more sound than "woomph". I don't need it so that my neighbor across the cul-de-sac can hear what I'm watching, just need to fill the (small) room with quick-and-true sound be it yahmaha or not.

( And, since my brain demands demands to make a sure thing more complicated "What if the B+W Panorama sounds better in this room even without HDMI?" "What if all I need in this room is the Polk SurroundBar 6000. Its Cheaper in price!" DX SHUT UP BRAIN OR I'LL STAB YOU WITH A Q-TIP!!)

Originally Posted by ThoroughThil

It's funny you say that since I literately just returned my Bose SoundBar, which - while I admit the sound was nice - I found it didn't fill the room in my case, even after playing with the "AdaptIQ" system. I found the price ($1500) didn't match the potential. Also technically "it does not have HDMI inputs but thats no big deal at all when using the digital audio inputs" is incorrect in the perspective of HDMI currently being the only connection that supports 7.1, with the rest of the digital connections only supporting up to 5.1, but that's just me being picky.



At its retail standard price I would certainly hope so! Even than though it doesn't come with a sub. It comes with a "Wireless Subwoofer Kit" which I am concerned will only work with Yamahas Subs. Does anyone here know how or even if the SWK-W10 works with non-yamaha Subs? And on that note recommend a (preferably down facing) Subwoofer that is more sound than "woomph". I don't need it so that my neighbor across the cul-de-sac can hear what I'm watching, just need to fill the (small) room with quick-and-true sound be it yahmaha or not.

( And, since my brain demands demands to make a sure thing more complicated "What if the B+W Panorama sounds better in this room even without HDMI?" "What if all I need in this room is the Polk SurroundBar 6000. Its Cheaper in price!" DX SHUT UP BRAIN OR I'LL STAB YOU WITH A Q-TIP!!)

Originally Posted by ThoroughThil

I received the Yamaha YSP-5100 three days ago. After setting it up first automatically and then manually I must say I am quite impressed by initial results, and that's without a subwoofer.

For those just reading this trying to decide, the surround effect is very much not not the same as an actual true blue surround speaker set up. What that means by my initial interpretation with out a subwoofer, is that there is a subtle... less "pronounced direct loudness" to the sounds that surround you. This is of course because its sound bouncing off of walls instead of being produced by a source so I suppose a little degradation in the loudness is to be expected.

Unless you are really picky, this really doesn't matter. The effect when PROPERLY calibrated in a room I find is quite full in its immersive qualitys. This unit has the ability to save your presets, so what I would do is when I found a bunch of settings that I liked (angle of beams both vert and horz, power of beams (length) and so fourth) and would save it in one of the three memory slots, than play with it some more. I have been using at supplied YAMAHA Demo DVD.

On that note, anyone have a Blu-Ray Movie suggestion to help assist me in assessing the full ability of the surround effect and quality of sound?

Thank You for the assistance. I will have full thoughts later, including stuff about wireing.

Originally Posted by ThoroughThil

I received the Yamaha YSP-5100 three days ago. After setting it up first automatically and then manually I must say I am quite impressed by initial results, and that's without a subwoofer.

For those just reading this trying to decide, the surround effect is very much not not the same as an actual true blue surround speaker set up. What that means by my initial interpretation with out a subwoofer, is that there is a subtle... less "pronounced direct loudness" to the sounds that surround you. This is of course because its sound bouncing off of walls instead of being produced by a source so I suppose a little degradation in the loudness is to be expected.

Unless you are really picky, this really doesn't matter. The effect when PROPERLY calibrated in a room I find is quite full in its immersive qualitys. This unit has the ability to save your presets, so what I would do is when I found a bunch of settings that I liked (angle of beams both vert and horz, power of beams (length) and so fourth) and would save it in one of the three memory slots, than play with it some more. I have been using at supplied YAMAHA Demo DVD.

On that note, anyone have a Blu-Ray Movie suggestion to help assist me in assessing the full ability of the surround effect and quality of sound?

Thank You for the assistance. I will have full thoughts later, including stuff about wireing.

Originally Posted by capecodorthopod


Congrats.
Wait till you get a sub integrated with it. I believe we crossed paths on the sub forum about this.
I would advise a sub that has good midbass output over 100 or 120 hz. Once you cross the soundbar over @ 120 hz and relieve it of trying to reproduce deeper bass the 5100 will shine even more.
Subs that are strong over 120 hz for reasonable $$ include : Epik Legend, Rythmik F12G, SVS PB12-NSD, Outlaw LFM-1 Plus or EX, Hsu VTF's.

I have my 5100 paired with an Epik Empire EQ'd by an Antimode 8033s in a bedroom and it is nothing short of amazing what this simple set up can produce.
It's not comparable to my full 7.2 HT set up with powered towers and dual Submersive HP's, but after getting used to premium quality HT I still find my bedroom rig quite enjoyable. The 5100/Empire combo is that good.
Tim

Originally Posted by lrtrager

Is the B&W Panorama not as good for movies as the Yamaha 5100?

Originally Posted by lrtrager

Is the B&W Panorama not as good for movies as the Yamaha 5100?