Simple HT setup: 2.1 system or soundbar

[aadi007]

^^
thanks rahuln.
Did you audition any other Onkyo system like 3400 along with LS3100? If so, how does it compare? I am talking about the sound quality and not any surround effect which will not be present in the LS3100. Though I think that the LS3100 is not VFM, I am keeping it as an option due to lack of alternatives.

I am suprised that the AVR did not handle DD audio properly, AVR should work with any speaker setup 2.0/2.1/3.1/5.1

Anyways, I think if I go with the AVR way - I will go with the Denon 1312 at 15K, sounds good VFM. Can someone suggest goos speakers with the 1312 within a max budget of 15K. I would like the speakers to have some bass as I do not intend to purchase a subwoofer in the near future.

Has anyone heard the Swans M50W? Seems to have good reviews.

So far these are my options, not in any order of preference -

• Onkyo LS3100 - price 30K.
  
• LG NB3520A sound bar - 19K
  
• Edifier S730 - 19K
  
• Swans M50W - 16.5K
  
• Denon 1312 + ?? speakers = 30K.

Can someone help with deciding the speakers please?

The plan is to audition the Onkyo LS3100 and the edfier S730 ( thanks a lot to FM chaitu.genius for that).

If both are good enough for me, I will go with Edifier S730 as I will save lot of $$.
If Onkyo LS3100 is much better than Edifer S730, then I plan to go to Pro-fx and try out some bookshelves with denon 1312.If I am spending 30K, I should try out other options as well..right?

The LG sound bar is the last option as I can't have an audition and there are no 'real' users who can provide feedback.

And if I get too frustrated with all these, I might buy a PC speaker like the Logitech Z623 and connect it to the TV through the headphone socket

Cheers
~Aadi

 

[aadi007]

For people looking for real good quality sound bar systems, please consider the harman Kardon SB16 soundbar. It has got great reviews and is powerful too.
I checked with JBL store here and it is available. I will go for a demo soon.

It is priced steeply at 27-28K but considering that it sails at 500$+ in the USA, I find the pricing here good. I have seen so many products which are priced double or more in India compared to the USA.

I am tilting more towards a packaged 2.1 system like Edifier S730 or Onkyo LS3100.
I should be able to audition and decide by next week.

 

[aadi007]

One question I have -
There are some 2.1 systems with RCA/3.mm input only while some have digital - optical/coaxial.
Will there be a difference in the sound quality due to this?
For systems with optical input, the DAC happens in the speaker system
whereas
for systems with stereo input, DAC happens in the TV.

Will that cause any significant difference?

 

[rahuln]

Aadi,

Be aware of HK SB16, although it has optical inputs it doesn't decode DD or DTS signal. It works only with PCM audio. As I said in my previous message, I found good difference between DD convert to PCM (via TV) and direct DD to LS3100. Thats the reason I didn't consider SB16.

Now if the system is missing optical input then it won't decode DD audio and I guess will not sound as good as on with DD audio support.

 

[aadi007]

Aadi,

Be aware of HK SB16, although it has optical inputs it doesn't decode DD or DTS signal. It works only with PCM audio. As I said in my previous message, I found good difference between DD convert to PCM (via TV) and direct DD to LS3100. Thats the reason I didn't consider SB16.

Now if the system is missing optical input then it won't decode DD audio and I guess will not sound as good as on with DD audio support.

thanks very much.
This is exactly what I wanted to know - So, to conclude, there is significant difference if DD audio is decoded in the TV or the audio system.

So, optical input is preferred and we should make sure it supports DD and DTS if possible. But at least, DD should be supported

cheers,
Aadi

 

[aadi007]

^^

rahul: if the audio is having DTS, then what?
LS3100 do not support DTS.

I noticed that LG soundbar supports DTS.
And how did you find out that SB16 does not supports DD or DTS?

 

[rahuln]

^^

rahul: if the audio is having DTS, then what?
LS3100 do not support DTS.

I noticed that LG soundbar supports DTS.
And how did you find out that SB16 does not supports DD or DTS?

My TV doesn't support DTS either, so it's a good combo. My primary use case is HD TV and some ripped movies/tv shows, so this is not big concern for me. But if you have lot of DTS only media you should consider buying system with DTS support.

On SB16, the specs didn't say anything about DD DTS support so I looked at amazon reviews. Couple of reviewers commented about lack of DD support.

 

[steev111]

Hi Rahul,

That was a nice review on ONKYO LS3100., actually i am planning to buy this unit , I have small query here.. While streaming music from a bluetooth device is it necessory to turn on the TV?