Best Case Scenario for SoundBar, Is it MartinLogan vs Bowers and Wilkins?

I would look at the Revel LCR8 soundbar. I have not heard this. but knowing Revel's quality, it would be my pick.
http://www.revelspeakers.com/Products/Details/60

There are lots of opinions here. Just not many in your price range. While you wait, I'm sure that you can find feedback on both of them if you use the search function.

I was your boat recently ...... last week, actually. I read a lot of press reviews and "geek" reviews on the various forums on soundbars. I listened to many at our local superstore (ABT). I finally felt most comfortable with the Golden Ear SuperCinema 3D Array, especially after hearing it in person. The reviews are quite impressive, but it is not on the cheap side (like other soundbars). The soundbar, surrounds, and sub, cost around $2K. You will need an amplifier for this passive system. Mine will be installed this week. I'll post back with a review later.

looking forward to hearin g your review, and how it compares with regular loudspeaker system - for movies

The Goldenear is a good option, but keep in mind that it's a passive soundbar meaning you still need a receiver. But if you don't mind the extra box, then it's more cost effective than the higher end B&W

yup golden ear is more really and an LCR in one. It needs a receiver.

From all the reviews i have read, Martin logan is probably the best sounding soundbar right now

I can comment on the B&w2 and Bose 1sr as I own both. First off, I am a HUGE fan or bowers and Wilkins. I started out with their CM series speakers, then upgrade to the CDM's and finally am content with the 804's and I even own their Zeppelin iPod dock. I love the sound of B&w and have been very biased against other speakers. That is why I was so confident when I picked up the Panorama 2 that it would blow me away but it didn't.

When I first set it up and watched my first movie I kept on telling my wife that I seriously thought there was something wrong with the unit and I got a defective. The sound was flat and undynamic. The volume had to be turned up more than half way to hear any kind of detail in movies. So the following week I wanted to make sure my unit wasn't defective so I went and exchanged for a new one. Brought it home and much to my dismay the sound did not improve. It was not the signature B&w crisp and detailed sound that I have loved over the years. Just flat and dull is what I can describe it as. I was immensely disappointed. I wanted and wanted to love the panorama 2 but I just couldn't find myself in love with it.

Then I found soundbar love the following week when I picked up the Bose to compare. Immediately when I ran the Adaptiq calibration I knew something special was going to happen. Starting up the system I was immediately met with very good sound coming from the much smaller soundbar than the panorama. There was a sense of spatial field of sound. The sound was enveloping, not as much as a true 5.1 sound but it was there and it made me look around. There was one scene in Skyfall where I actually got up from my seat to see what the construction guys were doing next door but embarrassingly discovered that it was in the film.

One aspect of the bose that i really like was that sound was very detailed at lower listening volume. You don't have to crank it up to hear the subtle details in some movies.

I admitted used to turn my nose up at other bose products in the past and rightfully so because they are overpriced and overhyped. But they really did it right with the 1sr. The subwoofer is a seriously lacks in the lower range but there is a very nice blend of sound between the soundbar and the sub. It's just smooth without being overly boomy. I can't comment on the bose enough. I have a pretty large room but it does a good job of filling up the room.

I hope this helps make your decision easier. Again I wanted so bad to like the B&w as I wanted my whole house to have B&w speakers. But in the end sound quality is what matters and for the first time I was let down by Mr. Bowers and Wilkins...

That's the conclusion I came to too after my research. The Panorama 2 was also highly touted and it has HDMI switching but I was scared away by the electronic glitches that B&W admits it has.

So I ordered the Motion Vision along with the Dynamo 700 subwoofer which works wireless with the sound bar. This is about the same price as the Panorama 2 by itself. Since the Motion Vision sound bar is as highly touted as the Panorama 2 it appears to be a better value since I will also be getting a highly rated subwoofer.

To answer the question as to get a sound bar or not. No, it won't have surround sound though I heard the Yamaha brands do the best job of faking it. It won't even sound better than a modest 2.0 system (receiver and a couple of tower speakers).

The reason I want a sound bar is because I don't want to deal with wires and bulk for even a receiver and two speakers but I still want the best possible audio from a minimalist standpoint. Time will tell if the Martin Logan fits the bill or if it was shilled to death.
Edited by venus933 - 3/2/13 at 9:58am

I guess you haven't read any of the reviews on the Golden Ear then, huh.
All kidding aside, they are 2 different products, but the sound reviews for the Golden Ear from "professional" reviewers have been second-to-none in the soundbar category.


I recently installed the SuperCinema 3D Array, with Invisa 650's for surrounds and Forcefield 3 sub. The sound quality is remarkable, especially for music...truly incredible. Wow! I see why all the professional reviews out there rave about the quality of music played through the 3D Array.

The sound separation between the left and right on the 3D Array is really quite phenomenal .... don't know if its due to the Interaural crosslink technology or what. I can tell a difference between this and a true 5.1 system with individual front L/R's, but only by a little. No it isn't like having a regular loudspeaker system for movies, but its darn close. My wife wouldn't let me get away with a "traditional" system.

After listening to MANY soundbars (passive and active), I couldn't find any that compared to the overall sound quality of the Golden Ear. Given the incredibly small packaging of this soundbar, its the perfect blend of form and function. If you are considering a soundbar, you owe it to yourself to make it to a Golden Ear dealer to hear this thing. It sounded so good that I went out and bought a receiver so that I could power it, versus sticking with a passive system.

The Martin Logan sounds great, too, but the ML is huge compared to the Golden Ear. I had limitations on space for this install. I needed a wall mount above a fireplace. Doing this with the ML looks like a 2nd mantle over the existing mantle. The ML may be great for you, given your situation, but for me the SuperCinema 3D Array was the perfect choice.

thanks - called a local GoldenEar dealer but they didnt have any of the GoldenEar soundbar on display
:-(
re: ML - how well does it compare to the GE in terms of movie surround sound?

I went with the Martin Logan Motion Vision, and like "venus393" above, I added the Dynamo 700w subwoofer. I am very satisfied with this setup, I've been using this for a few months.

with the ML - Can I feed it separate L, C, R - speaker cables-

re: Goldenear - found a store that has it on demo - 45 min away - was hoping to go there today - getting snowed in.

Unfortunately I heard them at different stores and several days apart. I remember liking both. Right now, since I own it, I feel like the GE is better. But, that may be somewhat related to the sizing differences affecting my subconscious.

Looking forward to hearing what you think when you hear the GE.

going with a projector and a real 5.1 is definitely the way to go about it if you want the most impressive HT setup! so you're on the right track

I'm just about to order a goldenear soundbar, it was very impressive sounding for a soundbar

Finally got to hear the Goldenear Soundbar - VERY impressive, the sound was excellent.
However - Not in the same league as the Triton Twos. The store 1st demo'd the tritons and then the soundbar.
The tritons produced such full , spacious sound. Whereas as soon as he plugged in the sound bar - I was just staring at the soundbar b/c it was obvious that the sound was coming from there- by no means did the speakers "disappear" far from it.
Again - the sound was great, but compared to the TT's not in the same class.