Sound bar type things - how good are they, could I replace a simple hi-fi setup with one??

Hatter The Mad · 2 Jul 2011 at 23:10

Hi

I currently have a Cambridge 640A connected to Wharfedale-I-can't-remember-what bookshelf speakers and I'm very happy with the setup. Input is via the analog jack on a Macbook Pro.

Unfortunately space will be getting tighter from me and I could do without the clutter of all the wiring.

I am intrigued by these all-in-one soundbar things that you see at the Apple store.

How good are they (relative to someone coming from a mid-rage hi fi setup)? Will they lack 'umpf' (for my techno blasts) or struggle to cope with instrumental crispness at low volumes?

Anyone with a decent amount of sound snobbery have any experience of them?

Thanks

Marsman · 3 Jul 2011 at 10:21

A soundbar won't match a decent amp and speakers, but it depends what the main use will be. You would want one with a subwoofer really, because the speakers will be too puny to deliver any kind of bass. For TV and film use, a soundbar and a sub would probably be fine, but for music, I'd hazard a guess your current amp and speakers would have the sound bar easily beat. Some of the more expensive soundbars will probably come closer to a stereo amp and speakers, depending on what amp and speakers they are of course. What were you looking to spend, should you consider getting one?

Hatter The Mad · 4 Jul 2011 at 10:23

Hmm, OK. I was thinking of something like this:

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/H...Zeppelin-Air?fnode=MTY1NDA1NA&mco=MjE5ODUzMDI

I would like to go as compact as possible without missing out on a bit of thump.

Marsman · 4 Jul 2011 at 11:29

Initially, I assumed you were thinking of something in the region of £150-£200. What you have now, would easily have anything around £150 beat. The Zeppelin and others like it are obviously a class above. Just reading the What Hi-fi review, and they were impressed with the bass. It seems that isn't a problem with the Zeppelin and others of similar quality and price, as they are very well designed. Soundbars around the £150 mark, would probably sound a bit tinny without a sub.

It might be worth making a thread in the hi-fi section. There are quite a few chaps who don't come to Sound City, who have a lot of knowledge about hi-fi, and might have a better idea of how the Zeppelin would compare to what you have now.

Hatter The Mad · 4 Jul 2011 at 11:58

Oh! I thought that is where I had posted. My bad, and thank you for your help

Hatter The Mad · 4 Jul 2011 at 16:43

It looks like I'll have to part with a sizeable wad of cash (around £500) to maintain the kind of quality I want at high volumes.

Zeplin Air: http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/iPod_and_Computer_Speakers/Zeppelin_Air

Bose Sounddock 10: http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-an...e-and-ipod/sounddock-10-digital-music-system/

I am aware both these companies are highly reputed for their engineering, but also can be infamous for adding big premiums for their name and styling.

Are there any 'hidden gems' anyone has experience of that I am missing?

sHo0sH · 4 Jul 2011 at 17:02

Have you thought about a 2.1 setup? or does it literally have to take up no floor space?

I have an Altec Lansing IM7 which is pretty old but the SQ on there was very good - I paid about £200 for it about 4 years ago. Better sounding to my ears than the Bose Sounddock too

Or take a look here...

http://www.richersounds.com/products/hi-fi-separates/speakers/soundbars

Hatter The Mad · 4 Jul 2011 at 18:36

Whoops, I've been using the wrong terminology. I don't want a sound-bar per se - I want an all-in-one unit for excellent stereo.

lucid · 4 Jul 2011 at 19:12

Hatter The Mad said:
It looks like I'll have to part with a sizeable wad of cash (around £500) to maintain the kind of quality I want at high volumes.

'Ding!' The sound of a nail being hit on the head.

As docks go the Zeppelin is pretty good... but it isn't as good as a iPod direct in to an amp with stereo speakers. The Bose, IMO, really isn't in the same league as the Zeppelin at all.

These docks and the soundbars all rely on fooling the listener in to thinking there's some substance to the sound. That's the essence of how Bose works. They're engineered to produce a bass thump and top end tizz that is impressive on a short dem. If you're used to a proper stereo system though it becomes apparent very quickly that there is a lack of midrange. That is where the information lies that conveys the richness of a vocal or depth of an instrument.

Here's an anecdote to illustrate the point: I was at one the home of one of my customers. We were discussing wireless music systems for his holiday home. I brought in a Sonos player and a pair of in-ceiling speakers for an ad hoc dem. After a couple of tracks Stuart asked me why his Bose didn't sound as good as this. Baring in mind that my in-ceiling speakers were propped up against the skirting board I was pretty horrified when the played the same tracks on CD through his Lifestyle 5 system. It had set him back at least £2000 I believe.

Jaap74 · 5 Jul 2011 at 02:26

BOSE = Buy Other Sound Equipment

Abyss · 6 Jul 2011 at 14:41

For the money (£350) I was thoroughly impressed with the Sonos ZonePlayer S5, particularly given the added feature of being able to control it via the iphone/ipad and play spotify.

Would you consider the Sonos ZonePlayer 120 and keep your existing speakers?

Hatter The Mad · 6 Jul 2011 at 15:06

Abyss said:
For the money (£350) I was thoroughly impressed with the Sonos ZonePlayer S5, particularly given the added feature of being able to control it via the iphone/ipad and play spotify.

Would you consider the Sonos ZonePlayer 120 and keep your existing speakers?

That kind of defeats the purpose of my wanting to swap in an all-in-one (as much as the Sonos looks great

).

Abyss · 6 Jul 2011 at 22:32

Hatter The Mad said:
That kind of defeats the purpose of my wanting to swap in an all-in-one (as much as the Sonos looks great ).

The S5 is an all in one unit.