Help me find a soundbar or cinema system.

[Deleted member 113659]

Hello to all you tech geeks.

We bought a curved Samsung 48" TV before Christmas. (UE48JS8500)

I promised myself to a new cinema system or sound bar. That time has come.

TBH the only reason being that we're sick of controlling the on/off & volume of the TV & existing cinema system (Panasonic.) indipendantly.

So, tell me what to buy. A soundbar that turns on when we turn tele on with sky remote and volume also with sky remote.

Or a really good cinema system with blu-Ray & DVD and features listed above.

If we opt for a soundbar I'd like a new blu-Ray & DVD player to get the best from our new tele.

I'd like to keep to Samsung as my OCD would like matching products.

Budget around £500 please post links of recommended items. Richer sounds or pricerunner etc.

Thanks for help in advance.

Ant.

 

[flango]

I have the same tv which used to run through a yamaha soundbar and sounded amazing. However I then went to a custom DTS using Cambridge audio products it now sounds OMG awesome. I have a Samsung blu ray player, Harmon Kardon Bluetooth audio gateway and sky box attached but wouldn't recommend the Samsung audio kit as it is really inferior to the specialist stuff.

Have a trip down Richer Sounds which is what I did they always give good advice and have great deals

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Ian, can you control the volume of your sound system with the TV/Sky remote or not?

 

[Meldrew2]

We're running a Yamaha sound bar with our Panasonic 50" TV. Both bought the same day from Richer Sounds. They assured me that there was no need to have sound bar from same maker as TV and they were completely correct.

The Yamaha sound bar "learns" the TV remote signals for volume up/down and mute. Optical connection works well - the sound bar follows the selected TV input (DVD, Sky etc) with no problem.

Main reason for choosing a sound bar over a cinema system was neatness - we didn't want wires everywhere.

+1 for Richer Sounds. Very knowledgable, keen prices, good extended guarantee (free on many items).

 

[Deleted member 113659]

We're running a Yamaha sound bar with our Panasonic 50" TV. Both bought the same day from Richer Sounds. They assured me that there was no need to have sound bar from same maker as TV and they were completely correct.

The Yamaha sound bar "learns" the TV remote signals for volume up/down and mute. Optical connection works well - the sound bar follows the selected TV input (DVD, Sky etc) with no problem.

Main reason for choosing a sound bar over a cinema system was neatness - we didn't want wires everywhere.

+1 for Richer Sounds. Very knowledgable, keen prices, good extended guarantee (free on many items).

That's good to know. Does the soundbar turn itself on and off with the TV too?

I'm happy with cinema system as I neatly ran all required cables before I plastered the living room so unsightly cables is not a concern.

A agree with Richer sounds, they are very helpful. Only thing is the nearest one to us I'd Preston or Newcastle. Hardly just round the corner.

Cheers.

 

[Benzmanc]

48", so it's a portable then We have a 65" in the lounge connected to a Pioneer vsx-lx55 which feeds a set of ONKYO satellites all controlled by a Harmony Hub. One button press turns the lot on and only one remote needed for all.

We are currently converting the rear bedroom into a cinema. There will be a full Bowers & Wilkins setup consisting of 2x CM8, CMC2, CCM 262 (for Dolby Atmos) and 2x M1 for surrounds, sub is an ASW10cm running from a Pioneer SC-lx59 and Panasonic PT-AT500e Projector. Shows a nice 120" full HD/3D picture.

Will that do, soundbars are rubbish in the grand scheme of things especially if your room is not completely square. Have a nosey over at www.avforums.com

The sky is the limit really but i would start with how you will control it. There can be nothing better than the Logitech Harmony Elite, but i suspect you would be fine with the Companion. Something along these lines would be ideal

http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/home-cinema-separates-bundle-deals/pah012703

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/harmony-companion?crid=60
Daz

 

[Benzmanc]

This is our lounge as it stands right now. In the units there is the Pioneer Receiver, Panasonic Bluray, Sky HD and a Wii. All controlled with one remote. None of the units are beam through as i prefer a clean uncluttered look.

If you need help setting something up then i don't mind a ride up as long as there is a plethora of bacon butties and tea

Daz

 

[flango]

Ian, can you control the volume of your sound system with the TV/Sky remote or not?

No but I did that deliberately I went old school with a manual receiver so you have to get up out of your chair and turn the knob.

The whole set up is on the wifi network so for equaliser system settings etc you just log in with your laptop or phone and change them. You can also adjust the volume this way too if you don't want to get up.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

No but I did that deliberately I went old school with a manual receiver so you have to get up out of your chair and turn the knob.

The whole set up is on the wifi network so for equaliser system settings etc you just log in with your laptop or phone and change them. You can also adjust the volume this way too if you don't want to get up.

That's FAR too complex for little old me.

Ant.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

We have a 65" in the lounge

That's 'Chavtastic'

If you need help setting something up then i don't mind a ride up as long as there is a plethora of bacon butties and tea

You'd be more than welcome mate. All the bacon butties you can handle along with haggis freshly caught on the day.

Ant.

 

[Meldrew2]

Does the soundbar turn itself on and off with the TV too?

Sadly, It doesn't. Unless there is something I've missed in the instructions. :wall bash:

Apparently I can control it with an app - but again that's something I haven't bothered with yet.

 

[Benzmanc]

That's 'Chavtastic'






You'd be more than welcome mate. All the bacon butties you can handle along with haggis freshly caught on the day.

Ant.

Didn't know it was haggis season, thought they were still hibernating

 

[flango]

Didn't know it was haggis season, thought they were still hibernating

No they're out and we are going haggis hunting on Calder street in Glasgow Tuesday evening

 

[MSG2004]

We bought a 55 inch flagship sony tv just over a year ago - we spent more than intially intended as usally but we wanted a good sound from tv - but it would never match the 44 inch rear projection sony we had from years as that had large built in speakers

Anyway, our son know i am tight with money, lol - so our son go us this realtively slim, black glass top, sony, wireless sound sytem built into one - sound gound and no excess wires

 

[whitenemesis]

We have a 65" Sony TV, AV amp, Blu-ray player and Humax PVR. All controlled by the TV remote by using HDMI control. Works about 70% of time.....

Now I have bought the Logitech Ultimate universal remote, works 100% of the time. Excellent bit of kit

 

[daveenty]

I run a Samsung at the moment through a Yamaha amp, along with a Technomate mullti satellite system and a Panasonic Blu-Ray player (the latter hardly ever now)

All volumes are controlled through the TV remote and switching the TV on also switches the amp on, and vice-versa.

Just connect the ARC on the TV to the ARC on the amp and it should be fine.

 

[StuartK]

Buy a separated system from richer sounds. They will advise you