Sound bar for TV?

[look 171]

I was into them at one time when I was a kid, but now I know nothing about TVs or stereos other then to check the batteries when the remote isn't working. The sound coming out of our TV is terrible. Will a sound bar help? I was at Best Buy looking for a cable for my phone charger and the sales guy showed me these sound bars. Wow, great stuff for the price. Any brand or type you guys recommend? Ones I looked at came with a woofer. I have a typical Bose system with separate front and rear speakers in my bedroom but it never gets used, so I don't want to spend that much money on what seem like a throw away item.

[Holger]

Sonos and Bose have nice sound bars. Sonos is wireless.
Also most TV-manufacturers have compatible sound bars for theire TVs.

[look 171]

If it wireless, where does it get power from, the connection from the TV?

[Holger]

The power is wired, the connection to the system (audio/TV) is wireless.
Wireless Home Theater | Sonos

[look 171]

thanks. This will make my wife and kids happy

[Bugsinrugs]

Just bought an affordable Samsung sound bar at Costco. It matches my t.v. It's good but not great. I just couldn't pull the trigger for the Bose sound system.

[5String43]

Definitely helps. I bought a Sony system to pair with our TV, also a Sony. Much better.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Holger

The power is wired, the connection to the system (audio/TV) is wireless.
Wireless Home Theater | Sonos

Not quite; you have to hook up a digital cable from the TV to the sound bar as well.

After that, all the other speakers are wireless.

i love my SONOS sound bar and sub, it's a great combo and I like the way it works with all the other SONOS stuff in the house.

From the OP though, I don't think you'll want to do the SONOS, it's probably a lot more hassle and $$$$ than you want to deal with.

[Gogar]

Dr. Van Nostrand!

[mreid]

My wife was having a very difficult time hearing the tv. We bought a sound bar from best buy with a wireless subwoofer. It was the perfect solution.

[Holger]

Thanks Gogar! You are right! I was into the other Sonos modules!

PLAYBAR connects to your TV using a single optical cable and power cord and plays everything that is connected to your TV, from cable boxes to gaming consoles.

[biosurfer1]

My buddy works for Sonos and I got a couple of their Play 5's to try out. Pretty cool idea but having to find my phone and unlock it to get to the app is annoying and I usually just turn on my regular stereo. One knob for volume and 6 pre-sets it way easier.

I think I'd like the sound bar better though

[IROC]

We recently bought one of these:

Amazon.com: Klipsch HD Theater SB 3 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer (Discontinued by Manufacturer): Electronics

I'm sort of picky when it comes to this kind of stuff and I am not blown away by this Klipsch, but it is waaay better than the other sound bars I've heard.

[scottmandue]

If you are not using the Bose in the bedroom maybe move it out to the living room? (I know, too many wires)
Speaking of Bose (I know this is more money than you want to spend but...) we went into a Bose store in the mall a few years back and they had a semi flat screen with built in surround sound, apparently the speakers were built into the unit and shot up, out, and to the sides... it sounded great (and I am also pretty picky about my sound).

{Hijack warning}, I prewired my living room for surround (inside the walls). Even though there are no visible wires my wife is annoyed to no end that all the A/V equipment is in a closet off to the side and not in front of us.

I know, that is no help. Carry on!

[Nickshu]

If you are not looking for a wireless like Sonos I have a Samsung HW-750 model and it pumps out some sound. It's amazing even at high volume, has exceeded my expectations.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a Visio sound bar that was well reviewed on CNet, it matches our Visio TV and controls with the same remote. It has a small powered sub that fits behind a couch. We are overall very happy with it, operation is seamless and it sounds much better than the TV. TV speakers are terrible, even an average sound bar will greatly improve your sound quality.

[look 171]

Great, thanks for the info. Looks like a simple 2-300 dollar one will improve the sound by 3 folds.

[Holger]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

My buddy works for Sonos and I got a couple of their Play 5's to try out.

Does he need more testers?