[jon snow]

i am looking to buy a soundbar but can't decide on one mostly because of my ignorance (i don't buy things unless i understand them fully to compare effectiveness vs cost)


so my choices are:

harman/kardon sb16
sharp ht-sb600
vizio vht510
haier sbev40 slim
polk audio surroundbar 6000

 

[jon snow]

bump

 

[Possumgirl]

It's difficult for anyone to comment since you've provided no information about where and how a soundbar would be used. How large a space do you have (room size) and is it mostly open or do you have walls to reflect sound? What TV do you have and what components will be, or are, connected? Are you just looking to improve on TV speakers, or are you wanting more surround effect? What's your budget?


With more input from you, someone may be able to suggest a good fit.

 

[jon snow]

as i said in my first post i am ignorant when it comes to this.


i am looking for the best overall soundbar to generate good clean sound and if possible maybe a surround effect if possible although i know in my situation that is complicated.


schematics and arrangement of my room will be shown in spoilers below. my tv is a pn60e7000 i have 3 hdmi's plugged into the tv, one for the cable box, one for my ps3, and one for my laptop, components shouldn't be a problem because i can always get a hdmi switcher. if it makes a difference the tv will be mounted on a full motion mount but i can always build a DIY bracket for the soundbar no problem.


my budget is realistically 300 the absolute max i have to spend is 400 and it would have to be an amazing system compared to the others.
Room Schematic & Arrangement (Click to show)

 

[Elihawk]

As Possumgirl eluded to...if your room does not have both side and rear walls (or has open areas in those walls)...you won't likely get surround affects from a sound bar. Even in a perfect room, I find that sound bars do a marginal at best job of surround sound...if you want it to sound like the sound is coming from behind you, you usually need a speaker behind you! So if your room have some open walls, I would just focus on the best soundbar for the money and NOT one that can do surround affects.

 

[jon snow]

and which one would that be in my price range? (as i said i am ignorant),


i was thinking about the vizio vht510 for the reason of the rear speakers but am willing to sacrifice them for better sound quality. so please if you know something better share.


thank you!

 

[jon snow]

Please help me out here. I really some insight on this as I have never owned a soundbar!

 

[Possumgirl]

Since you need to educate yourself a bit, I'd suggest you go to your local BB or Fry's or other B&M that carries soundbars and listen to demo units to see how they sound to you. As far as what's available in your price range, do a quick search on Amazon sorted by price. Check specs and do some research on the ones that fall within your budget and concentrate on listening to those.

 

[barryecohen]

Why a sound-bar and not regular speakers?

 

[jon snow]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Possumgirl  /t/1416528/need-help-choosing-a-soundbar#post_22159998


Since you need to educate yourself a bit, I'd suggest you go to your local BB or Fry's or other B&M that carries soundbars and listen to demo units to see how they sound to you. As far as what's available in your price range, do a quick search on Amazon sorted by price. Check specs and do some research on the ones that fall within your budget and concentrate on listening to those.

thanks for all of your wonderful help possum but i have already gone to best buy and pc richards and listened to their floor models and i have already checked the ones in my price range. i was asking which of the ones i posted is the best for my needs. i have done all the research i can with my current knowledge of audio which is why i turned to this website for advice from people who know more. but all i seem to be getting is "figure it out". so once again thanks for ALL you wonderful help possum.


@barry to my understanding i would need an av receiver to run speakers in my room which is expensive no? do you know of a good system that fits my needs?

 

[Possumgirl]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jon snow  /t/1416528/need-help-choosing-a-soundbar#post_22162436


thanks for all of your wonderful help possum but i have already gone to best buy and pc richards and listened to their floor models and i have already checked the ones in my price range. i was asking which of the ones i posted is the best for my needs. i have done all the research i can with my current knowledge of audio which is why i turned to this website for advice from people who know more. but all i seem to be getting is "figure it out". so once again thanks for ALL you wonderful help possum.

@barry to my understanding i would need an av receiver to run speakers in my room which is expensive no? do you know of a good system that fits my needs?

Jon, since I haven't owned (or heard) any of the five you originally listed I can't say which might be best for you. There are dedicated threads here for the HK, Polk & Vizio, so you may be able to get some specific advice on those three to help you make a decision. Given your room layout, the side walls will help with reflecting sound, but it's doubtful you'd get much surround due to the room depth. The Vizio with rear speakers would be best if you have a way to set them up.


As for regular speakers, yes you'd need an AVR. Within your $300 budget you'd be looking at pretty basic entry-level HTIB which isn't the worst idea in the world if you don't mind speaker wire all over the place.