Sound Bars

Would anyone recommend em. I'm not looking to spend a large amount. £150 tops. if anyone thinks they are indeed worth it or just an unnecessary accessory given what they do.

 

I have been thinking of getting one too. So will wait and see if you get any replies.

 

The one I’ve got is a Sky one and it cost about £250 some 5/6 yrs ago.

It is only really effective at higher volumes so for day to day viewing it is pretty pointless.
More modern ones may be more impressive however.
As far as I’m concerned, the TV speakers are good enough.

 

Waste of money unless you're going to watch classical music concerts all day...

Speaker technology has come a long way recently so if you have a modern decent TV the speakers will be good enough.

Edit; As far as sound quality is concerned it is very subjective. Also you get used to what you've got so that a really expensive top of the range system eventually just sounds ordinary. I had a Jaguar XType with the top in-car-entertainment package and I noticed the difference from my previous Ford Fiesta but in no time at all it was just ordinary. I noticed differences in the sound from other cars' basic sound systems (instruments I'd not heard in the Jag etc) but then back in the Jag I heard them. A bit strange to say the least. Fundamentally you take note when something is different and then get so used to it that it sounds bland again.

 

I have a 5 year old UHD Smart TV. Decent spec for the time. Even a relatively cheap sound bar made a world of difference. I recommend.

 

If you are not bothered about the surround sound and just want better audio there are plenty of soundbars that will improve your audio quality within your budget. Soundbars nowadays are pretty good and a big step up from the sound you get from the built in TV speakers (even high end models) .
The tech and science behind many of them them using phasing and amplitude gives does a pretty decent simulation of a surround sound system (albeit works best when the object on screen is moving rather than static). Adding a sub woofer will improve the sound experience still further.

That said nothing compares to physical speakers in a surround sound system 5,7,8 or 9. However, that level of tech goes 'hand in hand' with either a massive screen or home cinema projector. Either way big screen with small sound or small screen with 'big sound' is a 'mismatch'. Obviously you need a SS receiver capable of handling all the different codecs nowadays
Now that Netflix, Disney and Prime screen quite a lot of content in 4K some even stream with Dolby Atmos sound source which is a definite upgrade to most Dolby/DTS audio codecs but only works with 7:1 or above sound systems which include overhead speakers (although there are some high end soundbar systems now that boast 9:1 Dolby Atmos but are expensive) . Nevertheless, if you do have a 4K projector and high quality surround speakers you can view films as the Director intended.

I enjoy films and many film standard streaming service productions but there are very few opportunities to view English speaking films at cinemas here hence the reason I splashed out.

 

I would have to disagree, the frequency and dynamic range of built in TV speakers is limited by the fact that flat screen TVs do not have the depth or space to allow decent size speakers to be incorporated. Even more importantly they rarely if ever face forward. It is like standing behind the PA system of a band and why musicians and DJs use stage monitors, headphones or 'in ear' monitors so they can actually hear what they are playing. Obviously that is less extreme on TVs etc but the problem still exists. Even expensive TVS like Panasonic Sony B&O have relatively poor sound compared to budget end soundbars especially if you can stretch to ones with a sub woofer included. They definitely IMO improve your viewing experience.
One additional point. Many productions - TV and film- are mixed for surround sound and whilst care is usually taken to make the mix between sounds, music and dialogue balanced in stereo and mono it sometimes is hard to make out the dialogue when there are other sounds -music and FX going on in the mix. Many soundbars enable you to tweak (boost) the dialogue to make it more audible.

 

Lots of complaints over past few years about the poor sound quality of dramas on BBC/ ITV etc but more modern TV sets have better sound systems so it's down to what current equipment yve got.

 

Bought a polk brand with subwoofer from Amazon tryed to find on my orders but strangely can't sure I didn't pay much above your budget but are now £380 I know things have gone up but christ on a bike that's ridiculous. Been a great buy but not at that money.

 

My Dad built a sound bar at the back of living room. It has optics and everything. Even got some Angram pumps and a cooler.

 

Get one with a sub woofer, otherwise a bar on its own is fairly bland. A bar only hold small speakers so cannot pack any depth of sound. With a sub woofer you should be getting those bass sounds, depending on how much you want.
They're still not great though but they are better than the tv's speakers which sound so flat and lifeless.

 

I got a new TV just after Christmas and asked the salesman about them when in store as I too was tempted.

I had already spent a fair bit on the TV so didn't have much left to spend on a sound bar and he told me that the cheaper ones are ok and are better than the normal TV audio but you are not going to see much benefit to justify the spend. Based on what you mentioned in your OP, I would probably say best not to bother if you are only wanting to spend £150 max as that was basically the price range of the ones I saw in store that day.


I guess it also depends on what you are watching too. A good sound system will set you back over £300 ish as a guess (That's what my mates cost and its brill) but it depends on what you need it for. Personally would not say they are that worth it unless you have a big space to fill and watch lots of 4K film and do lots of next gen gaming etc.

 

I've got a Sonos Beam. Definitely not cheap but incredible. People who visit all comment on the sound quality, even at low volumes. At a reasonable volume (not one that would disturb the neighbours) its genuinely cinematic. Cost is justified for me as it doubles up as the audio system for my living room. Other speakers can be added or linked for surround sound but it really isn't needed.

 

We bought on a few years ago. After a few months we just turned it off as it wasn't worth bothering with. Unless you're really into music/cinema at high volumes, don't bother.

 

That sounds sound

 

Bet you wished you’d never asked

 

I don't have one myself, but others have only found use for them when their TV speakers have failed. I guess if you invested in a proper sound system, you'd get enjoyment out of it, but for your budget, if you've got a modern functioning TV, I'm led to believe a sound bar isn't much of an improvement.

 

Can I have a super duper wuffer with my black and white portable ?

 

Tbf mate I'm in between. I did once have surround sound and as good as it was. It wasn't worth the expense for the type of programmes I generally watch. Me and mrs were given gift vouchers for xmas and pondering what to do with em. We're of an age where there's not much we need, more clothing than necessary. Gadgets most sat in drawers or cupboards doing nowt.

 

Gadgets can be gotten out and used now and again.