planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I was window-shopping at Best Buy the other day and they had a soundbar hooked up (don't remember the brand). I listened to the demo and I was more-or-less pleasantly shocked at the sound it produced...I was thinking in the line of a Radio Shack speaker, but it was pretty impressive. I looked on line and saw that the top unit, from Sony, costs almost twice - for starters - what my future upgraded AV receiver is going to cost (once I get it - I'm on the waiting list for a factory refurb from Denon). I was planning on eventually replacing my current speakers with something a lot less, um, minimalistic, but I may have to change my thinking. I'll be looking for something like a Dolby Atmos or THX-certified setup since I'll have more options going from 5.1 channels to 9.2.

therwol Loc: USA

One point I would make on sound bars is to listen before you buy. Some of them are not so good. I found that out from experience. It sounds like you came across a winner.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Soundbars are fine to place under/over your TV for better sound, but a real “box” loudspeaker from a known audio manufacturer will always be better for music and is required to get the most out of you new Denon. All else being equal, a good large speaker IS always better than a good small speaker (size does matter). One thing you can’t reduce in size is the wavelength of various sound frequencies - the bass frequencies are the issue.

BTW, why pay for a receiver (which is a tuner plus an amplifier) if you’re going to buy amplified speakers like a sound bar? If you’re buying amplified speakers, you just need a Bluetooth or direct connected source such as an IPad or Laptop and a hi def streaming source such as Amazon’s high definition service (and an external DAC for the ultimate sonic experience). And the free streaming service from your favorite radio stations will likely sound better than your over-the-air reciever plus no antenna required and you can listen to thousands of stations from all over the world. If you already have a collection of CDs, there are numerous devices (including your computer) that will rip them to a digital stream and send them all over your house if you desire.

Put your $ into the speakers, not the receiver - they will be the limiting factor in your music reproduction chain.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

This is bringing back bad memories from when lightning took out my Oinkyo stereo.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I didn't say I was definitely going to buy a soundbar. I was thinking more in the line of the Klipsch F-200, for example (although I haven't looked up the specs on them yet) The receiver I ordered, when available is the AVR-X3700H...need to run. I got a ticket for Avatar in 1/2 hour! :)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Glad to hear it. At the risk of offering unwanted advice, let me respectfully suggest that you listen and compare several competitive speakers in your price range before deciding if you haven’t already. In addition to Klipsch, let me suggest considering speakers from Polk, KEF and Infinity - all make similar speakers and have an excellent reputation in the audio industry. And unless you’ll always be listening from a set position in front of the speakers, be sure to move off to the sides and above and below the line-of-sight of the tweeters to see how they perform off-axis.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Right now I have a Polk 5.1 system, with the all 4 left and right speakers small bookshelf-sized and a powered subwoofer...looking to improve. I just got an e-mail about 10 min ago that I can order the new receiver now. I got back an hour ago from Avatar - better in 3D on a big screen than my 2D Blu-ray at home on my 49" 4K TV :) and am tired so I'm not going to open much (if any) more mail tonight. The only places I know of (per Google) to listen to speakers in an HT setup are a couple Best Buys and a couple high-end hi-fi centers, all in MO, 1/2 hr to an hour away, but since my receiver is going to take up nearly half of my current checking account I may wait a little while (I have some in savings I can use, but....). Most of my movie watching will be in a lounger, but my TV and music might be off to one side (my stuff is in a basement bedroom).

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

A *good* soundbar will sound better than your TV speakers. And better louder.
Is your TV in the same room as your Denon? Skip the soundbar!
If they are in separate rooms and the TV speakers really suck, THEN *good* soundbar.

KR Pletzer

Not all sound bars are amplified. I have a Golden Ear Technology sound bar that is powered by my Marantz M7055 power amplifier. My sound bar is integrated in my home theater system. I have a separate system for audio.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I'll order the refurb Denon today (back in stock). Sometimes I watch TV with the native speakers and sometimes through my stereo. Everything's in one room. I'll wait on the new speakers.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

Don't forget. Good audio cables and speaker cables help quite a bit with your sound quality. Also your room acoustics. Make sure you can return them if you don't like them. usually speakers will sound differently at home than in the store because of acoustics and the difference between amplifiers that are driving them. Good luck in you quest. Kerry

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I was out at a movie (Avatar 3d re-release) when I got the e-mail form Denon about the receiver...just tried to order it and it's already out of stock again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I only use Monster for my speaker hookups and various brands of optical, coaxial, etc. cables.

Canisdirus

Mostly snake oil marketing.

Plenty of cheap cable out there that will give the same measurements as expensive cables.

Marketing...because...marketing works.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Sent you a PM about a Yamaha receiver I no longer use.
Mark