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the best way......

post #1 of 18
11/18/11 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I need recommendation on the best way to get better sound:

Currently, the only speakers we have is through our TV. When we watch movies, series or mainly something with a lot of dialog, the music over powers so much, it's very difficult to hear any dialog. I was hoping I could get a little home theater system, with maybe a sub and two speakers in the back area, so as to focus the dialog towards the back and more of the music toward the front, I've heard there is a speaker bar I can get for a surround sound system, but to me it doesn't seem I could accomplish what I need. Is this true? If it isn't true that would be a good route. I have no doubt it would be a good surround sound tool, but it's more important for me to be able to focus sounds to the back and front. I'm wanting to spend $300 max if that's possible, is that possible?

I'd appreciate any help

thank you very much

StuCazz
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post #2 of 18
11/18/11 at 1:21pm
The speakers that come with flat panels leave a lot to be desired.... For a simple and effective system I would recommend a 2.1 system. Basically that is two front speakers and one sub plus a receiver amp. Otherwise for surround sound you are looking at these front speakers and sub PLUS a center channel and two rear speakers - just depends on your budget and ease of wiring.
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post #3 of 18
11/18/11 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
The 2,1 sounds ideal for me, could you possibly recommend some to look at please. And how about something like this, , would that do what I need?

thank you

SC
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post #4 of 18
11/18/11 at 8:13pm
I don't see how you can do it for $300 or less. You would need to buy all used equipment to do it.
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post #5 of 18
11/19/11 at 6:49am
Problem is you also need a receiver to power the speakers.

How about a 3.1 system? two fronts, a center channel and a sub?

You could try an Onkyo htib like this one from ac4l.com It's a fefurbished product but comes with a 1 year warranty. Onkyo's customer service is less than the best but for the price it might be worth the risk. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS5300/Onkyo-HT-S5300-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Package-with-iPod-Dock/1.html

Or this one from Denon http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENDHT391XP/DENON-DHT-391XP-5.1-Channel-Home-Theater-System/1.html

Or a seperate receiver speaker package.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTRC330/Onkyo-HT-RC330-5.1-CHANNEL-HOME-THEATER-RECEIVER/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKSKSHT540/Onkyo-SKS-HT540-7.1-channel-Home-Theater-Speaker-System/1.html

With shipping you'll peobably be a bit over budget. Some have seven speakers but you don't need to use all of them.

There are also Denon/Boston Acoustics receiver/speaker packages available. Check Amazon.
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post #6 of 18
11/19/11 at 8:51pm
Thread Starter 
We'll I know it wouldn't be great quality, but don't they sell the systems in a box, which include a receiver?

Also, I can't seem to find to much information on how the sound bar works. I'm hearing that it's more of a center speaker, which would focus more of the dialog and at the same time the TV speakers would mainly be the music, Is this true?

I like the Denon set, although I'm think that might be a little bulky (but beggars can't be choosers). However, for me Denon makes a good crisp sound. But again, my goal is to get sound that doesn't let the music overpower the dialog. Was this for my TV I wouldn't limit myself, but this is really for my mother.

She was describing to me something like this , however, would something like that accomplish what I'm intending?

Thank you all for the help smile.gif

StuCazz
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post #7 of 18
11/19/11 at 9:54pm
I don't much about sound bars but they're basically 3 or 5 speakers in one enclosure. Placement and room acoustics must play a huge part in how well they work.

The benefit of a seperate center channel speaker along with two fronts in a 3.1 system (and two rears if you wish for a 5.1) is that the receiver can raise the volume of just the center speaker to make dialog easier to hear. There are "all-in-one" htib's but the quality is quite a bit less, particularly the speakers, than a seperate receiver/speaker package. And if one part breaks you often have to replace the entire thing.

But a sound bar that comes with a smal subwoofer might be the best option for you situation. Buy from a local retailer and if it doesn't work the way you thought then return it. My uncle has one and feels it's more than adequate. Certainly better than the speakers in the display.
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post #8 of 18
11/19/11 at 10:44pm
Just a couple quick comments. Like Gene suggested, you need at least a 3.1 (or 3.0) system. A 2.1 will NOT really solve your dialog problem, and you do not use rear speakers for dialog. 3.1 systems work great, just with reduced surround, but they are also a lot simpler. Any current surround receiver can be configured to 3.1 (or 3.0). With the simulated surround processing in current receivers, I'm not sure a sound bar really gains that much. I'd start with a 3.1 system and expand from there if you want.
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post #9 of 18
11/20/11 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 
@gene c

Would this be an example of the sound bar and sub-woofer combination you were talking about, ? I think this solution would be better for my mother because there's no wiring for extra speakers.

@JohnRice

Am I correct in assuming the above link can be configured to 3.1 (3.0) system? I assumed the rear speakers were used for dialog, since that's where she's sitting.

thanks guys smile.gif

SC
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post #10 of 18
11/20/11 at 12:58pm
I'm sorry Stu, but your links aren't working. Here's an example of the sound bar I was referring to.

http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Acoustics-TVEEM20B-Entertainment-System/dp/B0037258F0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

This is basically a stereo soundbar. I was hoping to find one that at least had a center channel but they seem to be quite a bit more than your stated budget. I suggested a bar for the reasons you gave. Less wires, easier to operate, etc. But it looks like these soundbars also seem to be a bit trickier to setup than I thought they would be. Remotes for cable/satillite don't seem to work very well with some of them either. It might be a good idea to select one from the same brand as the display and to buy locally. Most majore retailers will now match internet prices so go in with a copy of Amazons price.

Vocals should normally come from a center channel speaker mounted above or below the middle of the screen. But sometimes you have to break away from convention if a special circumstance dictates it. My older friend was having trouble hearing dialog as well so I added a center channel to his stereo setup and placed it on a stand between his two recliners. Horrible location for 99% but perfect for him.

Sorry this isn't an easier decision but along with advances in technology sometimes come confusion and headaches confused.gif .
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post #11 of 18
11/20/11 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
You're being absolutely helpful, thank you smile.gif.

I've noticed that my links aren't showing either, Every time I submit, it says it has to be subject to a moderators permission. \

Anyway, the link you gave is similar to this http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0372899. I like Boston Acoustic, but like you said, it's better to buy it locally. Micro Center where I live, will match from NewEgg and TigerDirect, so I'll see what they have. When you say center channel, does it have to include the sub? Newegg.com has some center channel speakers, http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=494&name=Home-Audio-Speakers.


Until next time

Thanks

StuCazz smile.gif
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post #12 of 18
11/20/11 at 3:30pm
Id be leary of Kinyo. It might not sound any better than the displays speakers.

This one from Newegg has a small 4" (real small actually) built in subwoofer which might be O.K. for your mom. In reality, the're are too many on the market to discuss them all here. Especially since I really don't have much experience with them.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882180066

Sound bars come in different flavors. Some are self-powered, some require the use of a seperate receiver to power them. Some two channel stereo models. Some include a third channel in the center. Some are a full 5 channels to replicate a real Dolby Digital system (2 front channels, a center channel and two surround channels). Some include a very small subwoofer channel. One with a center channel (would help with dialog.

The center channel speaker from Newegg you linked to would require two more front speakers, a receiver and maybe a subwoofer if you feel your mom would like one. If hearing dialog is the main issue then a subwoofer isn't really necessary for some situations, but for any member here, a sub is manditory. But for your mom, maybe not. Still two front speakers, a center speaker and a receiver would challenge your $300 budget. But a decent soundbar, with or without a seperate subwoofer, will still cost around $200.
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post #13 of 18
11/21/11 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 
I believe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882180066&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4175897&SID=7jwud4xsfu4f will have to do, or similar. Could you please tell me how you knew this one had a center channel? I was weary about the kinyo brand, you confirmed it for me.

thank you very much for all you patience and help. I'll let you know if I have anymore questions.

thanks
StuCazz
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post #14 of 18
11/21/11 at 2:58pm
That AudioSource soundbar doesn't have a true senter channel speaker. It has 6 drivers but only a two channel Dolby Digital input. Finding a good 3 or 5 channel sound bar in your price range is a little tough. Or maybe I haven't looked hard enough or in the right places. I'll look some more later on tonight.
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post #15 of 18
11/21/11 at 6:05pm
Thread Starter 
This, to me, sounds right. What do you think? http://www.meijer.com/s/vizio-vsb210ws-sound-bar-with-wireless-subwoofer/_/R-187362 , my mom is a fan of vizio as well.

thanks
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post #16 of 18
11/21/11 at 8:49pm
That would be about as good as you're going to get in your price range. I also noted this

■SRS Dialog Clarity delivers enhanced vocal intelligibility

Maybe that would help. And if mom likes Vizio then your half way their!

BTW, where are you located? I've never heard of that particular store.
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post #17 of 18
11/22/11 at 11:26am
Thread Starter 
I'm in Columbus, Ohio.

Thank you
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post #18 of 18
11/25/11 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
@gene c,

I want to thank you for all your help. I ended up going with, http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11470971&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90607|80&N=4047273&Mo=18&No=14&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=2190&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav= , which is the same model I posted from meijer.com.

Thanks and have a great Chtistmas

StuCazz
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