Help to choose the soundbar

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I come to 2 soundbars that fits in to the budget - Yamaha YSP2200 and JBL SB400. Cant decide between this to models. I believe that JBL is better for music, Yamaha for movies. I general I want to upgrade TV sound when watching movies and etc..
Any suggestions ?
 
Have you considered the new Onkyo LS-B50? I've got one being delivered this week so will report back.
I've come from a Samsung HW-E350 which was beyond dire.
 
Yamaha have been building soundbars for at least 10 years. That's before the word "soundbar" was even invented, and also before the time when TV speakers were so weedy that some form of sound reinforcement became almost a necessity. Back the they were called "Sound Projectors" and they were an alternative to a full surround system.

If you want this for movies and you want pseudo-surround then the Yam is the one to go for. It is far cleverer in the way it steers sound. By comparison, the JBL is a far more basic design. Although it has multiple speakers and it attempts to produce a "bounced surround effect" it's only one step up from angling some speakers away from the listener.

The What Hi-Fi review cites the sub as being large, and that's possibly why they thought it was impressive compared to similarly priced soundbars. What's interesting though is the specs. JBL quote a minimum frequency response of 38Hz. The Yam sub is far more compact, yet still manages a quotes 40Hz. In practise you wouldn't be able to tell the 2Hz difference.

If it was me, and if I had to have a soundbar, then it would be the Yam. For a start it comes from a much higher price point c. £700 at launch. This means along with the advanced technology comes better quality components.

However, for the JBL/Yam money (£350-£600) you'd have to work very hard to persuade me not to buy a proper AV receiver and 5.1 speaker kit. That, running in 3.1 mode (front LCR + sub) would be my preferred choice.
 
Yamaha have been building soundbars for at least 10 years. That's before the word "soundbar" was even invented, and also before the time when TV speakers were so weedy that some form of sound reinforcement became almost a necessity. Back the they were called "Sound Projectors" and they were an alternative to a full surround system.

If you want this for movies and you want pseudo-surround then the Yam is the one to go for. It is far cleverer in the way it steers sound. By comparison, the JBL is a far more basic design. Although it has multiple speakers and it attempts to produce a "bounced surround effect" it's only one step up from angling some speakers away from the listener.

The What Hi-Fi review cites the sub as being large, and that's possibly why they thought it was impressive compared to similarly priced soundbars. What's interesting though is the specs. JBL quote a minimum frequency response of 38Hz. The Yam sub is far more compact, yet still manages a quotes 40Hz. In practise you wouldn't be able to tell the 2Hz difference.

If it was me, and if I had to have a soundbar, then it would be the Yam. For a start it comes from a much higher price point c. £700 at launch. This means along with the advanced technology comes better quality components.

However, for the JBL/Yam money (£350-£600) you'd have to work very hard to persuade me not to buy a proper AV receiver and 5.1 speaker kit. That, running in 3.1 mode (front LCR + sub) would be my preferred choice.
Many thanks, I was thinking about proper 5.1, but all comes to the available space, Front speakers than I have to place around 1.5 meter from TV... no place where to hang back ones, have to be on stands, wiring everything.. etc, that why I decide go for something more simple...
 
If you think about it, you don't "have to" anything. The front three speakers can be positioned in roughly the same way that the soundbar would. You don't "have to" use the rear speakers...at all. So really, what wiring are we talking about here?

A power cord (same as the soundbar but not going up the wall/behind the TV).
A HDMI cable from your TV (presuming it has ARC, same as the sound bar)
HDMI cables for other sources (Sky box/TV recorder, console, streamer etc, again same as the soundbar but neater with the AV amp)
Speaker cables for the three from speakers - okay, this one you can't avoid... but really, three bellwire thin cables, is that a huge problem?
 
OK, then what setup you would recommend up to 500-600 pounds, and they have to ship internationally ( I am not from UK)
 
I have had a look through the links. They seem to be focused more towards 2 channel Hi-Fi and larger speakers.

What you are really looking for is something like an AV Receiver with a sub/sat speaker package. Yamaha RXV375 & Tannoy TFX 5.1 package (£449.95). There are other alternatives available from different makes and at higher and lower price points depending on the features and performance you're looking for. But the Yamaha/Tannoy kit would be a decent starting point. Have you got something like this available in Latvia?
 
I have had a look through the links. They seem to be focused more towards 2 channel Hi-Fi and larger speakers.

What you are really looking for is something like an AV Receiver with a sub/sat speaker package. Yamaha RXV375 & Tannoy TFX 5.1 package (£449.95). There are other alternatives available from different makes and at higher and lower price points depending on the features and performance you're looking for. But the Yamaha/Tannoy kit would be a decent starting point. Have you got something like this available in Latvia?

:) Lithuania, but never mind ...
Cant find Tannoy any were...
What you think about the this setups -
Yamaha RX-V475
Wharfedale Crystal CR-30.4
Wharfedale Crystal CR-30C
Wharfedale Crystal CR-30.1
or
Yamaha RX-V475
Magnat Monitor Supreme 800
Magnat Monitor Supreme Center 250
Magnat Monitor Supreme 100
or
Yamaha RX-V475
JAMO S 426 HCS 3 -
2 x JAMO S 426
2 x JAMO S 420
1 x JAMO S 40 CEN

I would skip the SUB for latter buy ?
 
Sony do a very nice 5.1 blu-ray system that has wireless rear speakers - you plug them into the subwoofer which you locate at the back of the room:

Sony BDVN7100W

Comes in either black or white (google will throw up plenty of reviews) should come in just under budget but I hope they will drop a fair bit over the festive period.
 
Apologies about the country mix up. It was late when I posted, but it is still my bad. Sorry

The Yamaha amp is good. I can't comment much on the speakers though. The Magnats and Wharfedale Crystals don't feature much in the UK market. The Jamo's have been reviewed. What Hi-Fi liked them for what they are. I can't say I've ever heard them though. You'll have to go listen if that is possible. Trust your ears.
 
Yamaha YSP2200 and be done with it if wiring and space is an issue tbh.

Looks like you will have trouble getting a hold of decent av separates anyway so just stick to the soundbar.
 
Yamaha YSP2200 and be done with it if wiring and space is an issue tbh.

Looks like you will have trouble getting a hold of decent av separates anyway so just stick to the soundbar.

What wrong with AV.. Probably I will stick with setup
Yamaha RX-V475
Wharfedale Crystal CR-30.4
Wharfedale Crystal CR-30C
Wharfedale Crystal CR-30.1

For me looks more balanced then another ones, and buy sub woofer later when I have budget for that.
I am not audiophile,and for the spend money that system should sound much better then any soundbar...
 
End up with setup like that -

AV - Marantz NR1504
Q Acoustics Q2050i
Q Acoustics Q2000Ci

For the starter will be 3.0. All ordered, will be coming this week ;)
 
Marantz NR1504
Q Acoustics Q2050i
Q Acoustics Q2000Ci

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