5.1 sound bar?

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I recently replaced my 55" TV with a 70" UHD 4K TV. The 5.1 receiver I was using was at least 15 years old and did not have any HDMI inputs, so I had to remove it from the system as it was not compatible with the new TV. I don't want another receiver with speaker wires and the usual barrage of multiple surround speakers that create an incredibly clustered look.. I would much prefer to just hook up a sound bar that would reproduce 5.1 audio. This means the sound bar would have to produce the center channel, and left and right channels, while being able to run two wireless rear speakers for the surround sound. It would also need to have a wired sub output as I want to run my own powered sub. The subs that usually come with the sound bars are not big enough, or powerful enough for my large living room. Voice enhancement is another nice feature that is available on some sound bars that I would like also. Do any of you know where such a sound bar system can be purchased, or even if it exists? I did a chat with a specialist at Crutchfield, and they came up with one that would do it, but it was $1600 just for the sound bar! I'm looking to spend less than that on all of the speakers, but not including the sub. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Does your receiver have an optical input?. You should be able to output sound from your TV into the receiver via optical...

I don't have a source for a sound bar....
 
Originally Posted by bcossa2001
Does your receiver have an optical input?. You should be able to output sound from your TV into the receiver via optical...

I don't have a source for a sound bar....

No...I don't want a receiver in my system anymore anyway...too cluttered with all of the speakers and wires...
 
Yes. I want to use a separate powered sub, so the sound bar would have to have an RCA sub output. Finding one that has this, as well as the ability to feed two wireless rear speakers is turning out to be the equivalent of searching for a unicorn. Every one I've found so far that will feed wireless rear speakers will only connect to that's particular brand's wireless sub. They don't have a wired sub out. The reason I don't want to use the sub that comes with these sound bars is because they are too small, and they lack the power needed for my large living room. I am looking at powered subs in the sub-$1000 price range, and was hoping to get a sound bar and two wireless speakers for $600 or less, but I'm not having much luck finding a system that will do what I need it to do at ANY price...
 
I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. Bought a JBL sound bar paid good money for it wasn't satisfied at all. Returned it bought a pioneer elite receiver a new monolith sub did a better job hiding the wires ran some in the ceiling behind walls and much happier sounds stunning. Don't expect much from any sound bar especially if you're coming from a good system.
 
Originally Posted by JC1
Did you want a subwoofer as well (wired or wireless)? What is your budget?

I don't have any soundbars on my TVs. Looking on Amazon or Best Buy there are sound bars starting around $150 and up. If you want true 5.1 I think you are going to have to spend some Coin $399 or more

Polk Sound bar

Yamaha Sound Bar

Samsung 5.1 Soundbar



The Yamaha sounds great, check at your localcostco if ur a member. Also, Vizio makes a great sounding sounbar. Costco up here has a few options, check ur local costco. US stores typically have more.
 
Originally Posted by grampi
Yes. I want to use a separate powered sub, so the sound bar would have to have an RCA sub output. Finding one that has this, as well as the ability to feed two wireless rear speakers is turning out to be the equivalent of searching for a unicorn. Every one I've found so far that will feed wireless rear speakers will only connect to that's particular brand's wireless sub. They don't have a wired sub out. The reason I don't want to use the sub that comes with these sound bars is because they are too small, and they lack the power needed for my large living room. I am looking at powered subs in the sub-$1000 price range, and was hoping to get a sound bar and two wireless speakers for $600 or less, but I'm not having much luck finding a system that will do what I need it to do at ANY price...

Yup, I'm not aware of any soudbar that does what you're asking.

On the other hand, I fail to see the usefulness of wireless rear speakers. You're going to need to power them somehow, so you'll be trading speaker wires for power cables, but I suppose you're not going to have to run speaker wire from front to back of the room, if your room isn't already pre-wired for this.
 
Vizio makes some soundbars with a slim subwoofer that goes under the couch. I have one and highly recommend it. I doubt you'll think it is too small when you're sitting on it! Added bonus, it's out of the way and you can't see it.
 
Originally Posted by nickaluch
I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. Bought a JBL sound bar paid good money for it wasn't satisfied at all. Returned it bought a pioneer elite receiver a new monolith sub did a better job hiding the wires ran some in the ceiling behind walls and much happier sounds stunning. Don't expect much from any sound bar especially if you're coming from a good system.


My last system was a full 5.1 system with a Denon receiver and a powered sub I built myself. It sounded great, but I hated having the speakers everywhere, and all of the wiring was a pita. My bro-in-law has an HT system with nothing but a sound bar, and the sub that came with it. The sub can be heard and felt marginally, but is nothing like what I want from a sub. The sound bar itself sounds surprisingly good. It's clarity is as good as the HT speakers I had in my system (Polk Audio) when playing either music or movies, and it somehow makes sounds sound like they're coming from the sides. It doesn't use any rear speakers. If it sounds this good by itself, I can imagine how good it would sound with some rear speakers and a sub with some significant size and power. I don't want to go back to using a receiver and all of those speakers again, so if I have to give up some fidelity to get a simpler, less cluttered system, I guess I'll have to go with the best sound bar I can find that has an RCA sub out...
 
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by grampi
Yes. I want to use a separate powered sub, so the sound bar would have to have an RCA sub output. Finding one that has this, as well as the ability to feed two wireless rear speakers is turning out to be the equivalent of searching for a unicorn. Every one I've found so far that will feed wireless rear speakers will only connect to that's particular brand's wireless sub. They don't have a wired sub out. The reason I don't want to use the sub that comes with these sound bars is because they are too small, and they lack the power needed for my large living room. I am looking at powered subs in the sub-$1000 price range, and was hoping to get a sound bar and two wireless speakers for $600 or less, but I'm not having much luck finding a system that will do what I need it to do at ANY price...

Yup, I'm not aware of any soudbar that does what you're asking.

On the other hand, I fail to see the usefulness of wireless rear speakers. You're going to need to power them somehow, so you'll be trading speaker wires for power cables, but I suppose you're not going to have to run speaker wire from front to back of the room, if your room isn't already pre-wired for this.


I would have to run speaker wires from one side of the living room to the other, which is why I want wireless. I would simply place the rear speakers near a power outlet
 
My Yamaha YAS-203 is a 2.1, but the bar and its subwoofer had no problems filling our giant living room at the house we rented. Even now it fills a nearly 1,800sq ft tri-level very nicely. In contrast, my parents have a Vizio with the satellite speakers, I don't think it sounds as good as my Yamaha.

If I had to replace it, I'll be getting a Sonos Playbase and maybe their Sonos Sub though. Got a Sonos One as a gift, and wasn't expecting much out of it because it's TINY. They have some excellent engineers working for them because oh my god that thing sounds amazing.
 
I have an older YSP 2100 I think. 30 speakers, 28 small ones and two larger ones. I am in an enclosed room. No windows and sliding doors.
To set it up it runs a number of tests to a microphone which is located at around your ear height in the middle of the room. It makes whale sounds but after set up it certainly throws the noise around the walls of the room.
There are a lot of sound bars out there imo they are not suitable for open areas as they cannot project the sound properly.
Yamaha also have a cheaper range yas or something.
Stay away from those
 
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qmc1Kpp
 
Originally Posted by edhackett
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Quote
guess I'll have to go with the best sound bar I can find that has an RCA sub out...


The Zvox ones have RCA sub out:
https://www.amazon.com/ZVOX-SB500-Subwoofer-Bluetooth-Streaming/dp/B01AYQWICW


It does not have any provision for external rear speakers.

Ed

I know, but the OP is going to have to pick his battles since what he is asking for does not exist, AFAIK.
 
I'd say this is as close as you can get but no rear speakers. It has faux surround which gives a wider front soundstage and the voices are perfect sounding always.

https://zvox.com/collections/soundb...theater-accuvoice-bluetooth-3-subwoofers

It does have a sub out. I had the same situation as yourself just not wanting to deal with amp, speakers, wires, etc. I have an older obsolete ZVOX unit with a single sub. It was not adequate so I added a 12" 250 watt powered sub. Even my old one will fill a large high ceiling room with clean clear sound. It is FAR better than the TV speakers which on my LG are actually quite decent. TV, streaming, and movies are great. Music is just okay. TV and cable box remotes work with the ZVOX units.
 
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Well,
Your going to have to spend money to get what you want, anytime you buy something ala-cart its going to cost.

OR

Buy the complete system and simply choose not to use the sub that comes with it, really simple if you think about it.

I do question how you are going to fill your big room with sound from a sound bar though. Having a big sub woofer is not going to take the place of all the other sounds. In fact to me, might screw it up.

Our room has 16 foot ceilings and never in my life would I think a sound bar is going to satisfy my desire for a theater like environment.

But, if sound bar is your thing with compromised sound in a big room, you could always try this, then use your own sub and if you dont like it, return it direct to JBL.

https://www.jbl.com/soundbars/JBL+B...ar%205.1_color=Black-USA-Current#start=1

Bottom line (this is ONLY because of your statement of wanting to keep your sub for your large room) you need to move lots of air from the speakers for the midrange and mid bass in a large room not just from the sub, a sound bar doesnt cut it from what you say you want.

So keep what you have or buy the sound bar kit, settle for a little less, for the convenance of wires not all over the place. Sort of cant have a Escalade or a Prius budget.
But you may be happy with the JBL above.
 
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