Simple HT setup: 2.1 system or soundbar

[aadi007]

HI everyone,

I have been a silent reader and admirer of this forum from some time.
First, let me confess that I am a n00b when it comes to audio or home theatres.
But, as everyone else, I enjoy my movies and music with that nice punchy sound with good bass.

I have a Samsung LED TV which doesn't support HDMI 1.4a.
It has optical out though.
I do not have blue ray or dvd player.

My current usage is to just plug in my USB drive or laptop (through HDMI) and play movies on the TV, which are mostly in HDRip or BDRips.
The sound from the TV speakers is pathetic to say the least.
My room is a decent sized one - 14*16.
I do not want to have a full 5.1 system as I do not want the clutter.
How do I improve the sound quality?

I started looking at 2.1 systems and soundbars as well.

So far, I have looked about a few Soundbars
Yamaha YST400 - YHT-S400 - Front Virtual Surround Systems - Yamaha - India

Yamaha YAS101 - YAMAHA YAS-101 SOUND BAR | eBay

Panasonic HTB520 - Buy Panasonic Sound Bar Home Cinema System SC-HTB520, Best Home Theatre Systems Price India - Infibeam.com

JBL SB200 - JBL Cinema SB200/230 Soundbar With Bluetooth & Powerful Bass + BILL | eBay

F&D T780W - F&D T780W TV SOUND BAR SYSTEM + ONSITE WARRANTY +7500 WATT SOUND | eBay

VIZIO VSB200 Universal HD Sound Bar - VIZIO VSB200 Universal HD Sound Bar | eBay

Then, there are 2.1 systems like Onkyo LS3100 - ONKYO SIGHT & SOUND - INDIA

Haven't looked at many options in 2.1 or 3.1 systems but I am open to suggestions if they produce overall better sound and cost less than the soundbars.


Budget is around 25K but the less the better
Please suggest. Along with your suggestions, it will be great to have the places from where I can buy. Please do note that optical input is a must and I would like something that comes with a separate woofer, preferably wireless.

Thanks
~Aadi

 

[dipdawiz]

Haven't heard of JBL SB200 before, should be fine; heard JBL SB300 though and it is nice and costs around 29900rs, Vizio doesn't have subwoofer so won't be very good for movies, moreover it's a import and no warranty. Check for Bose TV solo, cost around 25k, has good sound quality. I auditioned Panasonic soundbar, not very impressive though. With that budget you can look for stand alone 2.1 like Edifire s730 or so.

 

[fragpic]

For your requirement it is better to go for a stand alone 2.1 as Soundbars cannot deliver the power required for movies and TV watching.
I too am in a similar situation and I have heard a few soundbars(Samsung and an onkyo) and I have ruled them out completely due to the lack of sub woofer in the Samsung and not good enough surround effect on the onkyo.
I found that the Edifier S730 is an excellent choice for such a requirement but sadly I am not able to find stock of it anywhere.
Please do check this out this and let me know if you find it in stock anywhere.

 

[devilwearsprada]

I would suggest you a 2.1 System, you can check for the Bose lifestyle Series Model(Discontinued), Do not remember the Model Number for Rs.25,313
Also the Creative GigaWorks T3 and Corsair SP-2500 or check for good Bookshelfs and a Sub ( Sonodyne Sonus and Roarr) in case you have a reciever.

 

[rkoti]

I have an Aiwa AWP ZP5 mini component system. Bagged it for around 6.5K 7 years ago. As I upgraded to NAD for listening to music, I hooked the Aiwa to the headphone out of my LG LE4600. I am very happy with the SQ esp in HD channels. LED TVs these days have many of the popular audio codecs and for a 2 (2.1) channel you dont really have to bother about the more esoteric ones.
Powered speakers like Audioengine or an amp+book shelf kind of combo is quite good for enhanced TV sound.

 

[BruceW]

Creative GigaWorks T3 speakers sounds rich, detailed and precise, while the bass is deep and throbbing.

 

[aadi007]

Thanks for your suggestions.

The suggestions are all different which makes me even more confused
Getting a demo of all different models is not easy, which makes things even more difficult.

Any reason why everyone is recommending a 2.1 setup rather than a soundbar?

One request - can you please mention the price of the model you are suggesting and from where I can buy it?

 

[coolraghav]

not here to hijack this thread, but in same dilemma.

I'm looking for SB or 2.1 setup ..need very less wiring for my bedroom below hx750 55" led

here's my thread too if you are looking for suggestions http://www.hifivision.com/home-theater/38272-soundbar-dilemma.html

 

[fragpic]

I too am in the same dilemma.Unable to find Edifier S730 anywhere.
Back to square one
here is my thread btw
http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/37829-living-room-speakers-dilemma.html

 

[aadi007]

Looking at the other threads on similar topic, I am somewhat surprised to see that this forum does not have very strong recommendations for a 2.1 setup or sound bar.

Most people in this forum encourage you to go for a 5.1 setup with an AVR.
But we need to understand that everyone has different requirementseveryone is not an audiophile or everyone doesn't have the money or they may have other priorities.. So, lets stick to the point and not push everyone for a full blown 5.1 setup.

So far, I have heard the Yamaha YST 400 one and it is pretty good..It is somewhat steeply priced at 35K but it provides lot of connection options plus it has built in AVR which understands the latest DTS codes. Problem is - it is difficult to find one as it is discotinued and the new model YST401 is not yet available in India.

I plan to do an audition of Onkyo LS 301 soon...It is also steeply priced at 32K and the power output is also minimal..I don't know why it is priced so high but the reviews are very positive. It is available at the Onkyo dealer here. One more thing - if you care about aesthetics, this one is one amazing looking piece.

The edifier S730 is available at Edifier 2.1 Channel Speakers (S730).
Have never bought from this site, so don't know how reliable they are.

 

[coolraghav]

Dear aadi,

thanks for understanding our problem.
Yamaha YST 400 is available with my dealer but not available for auditioning. Price he told me is 32K, in comparison to JBL SB300 or polk3000 how does it sound ?

 

[Phradeus]

You can check below offer for BA Soundware XS 2.1 (with 3 Free Satellite speakers) from HiFimart. With all the good reviews for the 5.1, this should also sound nice. And you get 5 satellites for 18K. Sounds like a steal.
Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 2.1

 

[gsurya]

In fact I am very happy with my 2.0 setup, just Denon AVR-1713 & QAcoustics 2010i speakers. I was going to buy a soundbar but glad I made this decision as it keeps the scope open for future expansion.

 

[aadi007]

You can check below offer for BA Soundware XS 2.1 (with 3 Free Satellite speakers) from HiFimart. With all the good reviews for the 5.1, this should also sound nice. And you get 5 satellites for 18K. Sounds like a steal.
Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 2.1

Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Any reviews or threads on this one?
Definitely keeping this in my shortlist.

In fact I am very happy with my 2.0 setup, just Denon AVR-1713 & QAcoustics 2010i speakers. I was going to buy a soundbar but glad I made this decision as it keeps the scope open for future expansion.

Can you please tell me more about your setup? What's the cost? Where to get it from? Is it good for movies/music or both?

 

[coolraghav]

In fact I am very happy with my 2.0 setup, just Denon AVR-1713 & QAcoustics 2010i speakers. I was going to buy a soundbar but glad I made this decision as it keeps the scope open for future expansion.

but what about base effect? without woofer hows the movie experience.

 

[aadi007]

You can check below offer for BA Soundware XS 2.1 (with 3 Free Satellite speakers) from HiFimart. With all the good reviews for the 5.1, this should also sound nice. And you get 5 satellites for 18K. Sounds like a steal.
Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 2.1

You will need an AVR or amp for this?
Also, I am not sure how do we connect it to the TV?
The input connections are not mentioned anywhere

 

[GeorgeO]

aadi007

The .1 of 5.1 is an essential ingredient in movies, so a sub( whatever the size that suits the budget) should be part of the list. The other element in the centre channel-you can start out with a 2.1 but the centre channel is something that you should plan sooner or later. Ditto for the surrounds-but maybe later than sooner!

 

[aadi007]

aadi007

The .1 of 5.1 is an essential ingredient in movies, so a sub( whatever the size that suits the budget) should be part of the list. The other element in the centre channel-you can start out with a 2.1 but the centre channel is something that you should plan sooner or later. Ditto for the surrounds-but maybe later than sooner!

I understand that...that's why I have mentioned in the opening post that subwoofer is a must whether its a soundbar or a 2.1 system.

Can anyone tell me how do I connect the Boston Acoustics 2.1 system mentioned above to the TV? Do I need an AVR? I am guessing so.
I am not against an AVR but a decent AVR with 2.1 speakers will not fit within the budget of 25-30K.
Please suggest anything within the budget which gives good sound quality - mainly for movies (80%) and some for music (20%)

 

[GeorgeO]

You should be able to connect the audio out RCAs to your 2 channel amp input RCAs quite easily-that's what I did. If your amp has a sub out then you are home.If not all you need to do is to get an RCA splitter and split the input signal.

 

[GeorgeO]

I meant the audio out on your TV.