[eli2k]

So, my setup is a NUC connected to a projector and a Logitech UE Roll 360. Given the speaker, audio quality is not going to be that good, but I can hear the dialogue clearly. It (speaker) is setting about 4 feet away from me.

I recently picked up a soundbar (Yamaha ATS-1070). It is about 12 feet away from where I sit. It's difficult to hear the audio, and if I turn it up to hear it clearly, then when the shooting starts it is too loud. It is probably a disturbance to the neighbors. I can't move the soundbar closer because it will be an object for tripping over.

What options do you recommend? I'd like to keep things under $200. There is no receiver so the audio is going via a 3.5mm cable from the NUC. It'll be for movie/TV/sports. I'm not an audiophile so I am not looking for perfect sound. On my PC, I have a set of Harman Kardon soundsticks and they sound great. I'm limited because I can't blast the audio in my apartment, no rumbling bass, so I think that means I need to physically have the speaker closer to me so I don't need to turn the volume up so high. This is fine because it's just me in the apartment. I just need something that is better sounding than the UE Roll I'm using.

Thank you.

 

[pase22]

To stay in budget, something like this would work.
https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R170...d=1512894142&sr=8-8&keywords=powered+speakers
If you want better quality sound and can be flexible on budget, These will blow away pretty much any other in a similar price range.
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR305-M...894433&sr=1-6-spons&keywords=jbl+lsr305&psc=1
These are also a good choice if you want a less forward sound.
https://www.qacoustics.com/bookshel...bookshelf-bluetooth-speakers-gloss-black.html

 

[eli2k]

To stay in budget, something like this would work.
https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R170...d=1512894142&sr=8-8&keywords=powered+speakers
If you want better quality sound and can be flexible on budget, These will blow away pretty much any other in a similar price range.
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR305-M...894433&sr=1-6-spons&keywords=jbl+lsr305&psc=1
These are also a good choice if you want a less forward sound.
https://www.qacoustics.com/bookshel...bookshelf-bluetooth-speakers-gloss-black.html

Thanks for the recommendations. Why would these be superior to a soundbar, or rather, why would these fix the issue I was dealing with the soundbar?

 

[pase22]

Thanks for the recommendations. Why would these be superior to a soundbar, or rather, why would these fix the issue I was dealing with the soundbar?

Soundbars have small drivers. Small drivers won't have good dynamics and a narrow soundstage. The farther away you sit, the harder it will be for you to get clear sound. Add to that the fact that the speakers on a sound don't have a lot of separation from each other. With larger drivers, you'll get better separation, a wider soundstage and better sound. An inexpensive receiver with a pair of passive speakers and a sub would be your best bet, but powered monitors will still be better than a soundbar.

 

[eli2k]

Soundbars have small drivers. Small drivers won't have good dynamics and a narrow soundstage. The farther away you sit, the harder it will be for you to get clear sound. Add to that the fact that the speakers on a sound don't have a lot of separation from each other. With larger drivers, you'll get better separation, a wider soundstage and better sound. An inexpensive receiver with a pair of passive speakers and a sub would be your best bet, but powered monitors will still be better than a soundbar.

I see. That makes sense. It's weird that broadcast sports sounds perfectly fine (dialogue-wise), but movie and TV material I can't hear well unless the volume is up but then that makes all the shooting and explosions too loud.