are sound bars worth looking into?

**isubeatle** · 12-12-2011, 03:51 PM

i'll be finishing my basement in the next month and i've run some speaker wire in the crown molding for front and rear speakers, but i've come to realize that i didn't go far enough back. So i'll have to remove some molding and add more wire. I will also need to get a new receiver and speakers on top of that. So i was thinking about looking into getting a nicer sound bar with a sub.

I feel like as i've gotten older, the awesome stereo system doesn't have such a huge appeal like it did when i was in college. So i'm thinking that a really nice sound bar and a sub would work really well and it'd be a lot let work too.

**cytech** · 12-12-2011, 03:54 PM

I have heard alot of good reviews on some of the sound bars. I have been in the market for a bit have not found a deal that has made me want to buy one yet though.

**FarminCy** · 12-12-2011, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by isubeatle

i'll be finishing my basement in the next month and i've run some speaker wire in the crown molding for front and rear speakers, but i've come to realize that i didn't go far enough back. So i'll have to remove some molding and add more wire. I will also need to get a new receiver and speakers on top of that. So i was thinking about looking into getting a nicer sound bar with a sub.

I feel like as i've gotten older, the awesome stereo system doesn't have such a huge appeal like it did when i was in college. So i'm thinking that a really nice sound bar and a sub would work really well and it'd be a lot let work too.

Look into the Bose Cinemate series. Not true surround sound but it uses "sound reflection" whatever that means. It sounds amazing. It is just two speakers on either side of TV and a sub. Buddy has one in his basement and I love how it sounds. I just did a movie room in our basement and that is what system I am putting in. Going to wait til after Christmas to see if one of the systems drops below 500.

I also looked into the Polk Audio soundbars and really like them as well.

I am in the same boat as you, I am only 33 but the thought of true surround sound isn't as exciting to me as it was only 5 years ago. I am now onto ease of use.

For another option Best Buy is selling a wireless repeater that you hook rear speakers into that allows you to put back speakers in without running wire.

**dmclone** · 12-12-2011, 05:00 PM

Just my opinion but I wouldn't waste money on any Bose system.

As far as the sound bar, I've heard some good ones but a lot depends on the size of your room, ceiling height, etc. A sound bar would probably be fine for your average size living room. Once again just my opinion but I'd rather just pick out my own receiver and speakers and put together a nice 3.1 system for the same price as a good soundbar. I have a soundbar/sub combo for one of my TV's and the only reason I bought it was for increased volume. I had no grand illusions that I would get good surround sound out of one speaker. I just run it in straight stereo mode so that it doesn't even try to provide surround.

With all that said, it's a whole different league when I go downstairs to the theater room and the 250lb 15" sub kicks in along with the 5.1 surround.

**Turn2** · 12-12-2011, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Just my opinion but I wouldn't waste money on any Bose system...

This, without a doubt. In fact, there is nothing you can buy at any BB that will hold a candle to this: Swope Home Theater - DIY You'll laugh the next time you hear a sound bar.

**cmoore_23** · 12-12-2011, 05:45 PM

I like my sound bar but really wish I would of got the sub with it so that's my suggestion.. I got the vizeo from wal mart btw

**dmclone** · 12-12-2011, 05:49 PM

Thought I would give a little plug to a local company Elemental Designs: Car Stereo, Home Speakers, Electronics

I don't have any of their speakers but I did buy a sub from them and it has amazing bang for the buck/

**Turn2** · 12-12-2011, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Thought I would give a little plug to a local company Elemental Designs: Car Stereo, Home Speakers, Electronics

I don't have any of their speakers but I did buy a sub from them and it has amazing bang for the buck/

Yes, these guys have great stuff. I actually have an Elemental Designs coaster on my desk right now that they were giving away at a show I attended. It looks like regular MDF but it's waterproof. Pretty cool.

**MaccloNe** · 12-12-2011, 09:23 PM

I bought Bose and hated them. Now I have Polk Audio for my basement surround sound and Klipsch bookshelf speaker on the main level, along with a Sonos system. All around awesomeness.

**CapnCy** · 12-12-2011, 09:51 PM

Like many of you said, my room set up isn't ideal for surround, didn't want to invest a lot, or run wires.

I bought an LG last week and I really like it. It has a wireless sub I tucked behind a piece of furniture behind our couch, the sound really fills the room and beats the factory tv ones.

I really like it as it has Bluetooth, so I stream pandora or other audio from my iPad or phone.