Soundbar recommendations <1000mm, good for music

[Simmz]

Interesting that the Mini is actually higher than the Denon. I’ll check out some reviews. I really wanted a sub with whatever soundbar I get (I’m used to floor standing stereo speakers so a nice bass thud) but Sennheiser want £599 for theirs!?

You can grab one on clearance at Sevenoaks for £449

Clearance Subwoofers | Ex Display | Open Box | Sevenoaks Sound and Vision

Sevenoaks Sound and Vision - Specialist Hi-Fi and Home Cinema retailer

www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk

It's upfiring so makes placement easier. I've got mine hidden in back corner with phase 180 on. No rattle or boomyness and integrates really well with the bar.

 

[Scam]

I thought that you said that your partner won't let you run wires to any sort of sub ? Even if a sub is wireless, it still needs to be plugged into the mains.

Mains is fine as we have lots of sockets available, including behind the sofa. Speaker cable from an amp across the room is not ok.

You can grab one on clearance at Sevenoaks for £449

Clearance Subwoofers | Ex Display | Open Box | Sevenoaks Sound and Vision

Sevenoaks Sound and Vision - Specialist Hi-Fi and Home Cinema retailer

www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk

It's upfiring so makes placement easier. I've got mine hidden in back corner with phase 180 on. No rattle or boomyness and integrates really well with the bar.

Oh cool. Upfiring is especially good too, as above I was imagining putting a sub next to the sofa.

 

[Removed User 345456]

Sonos is not a good eco system. Still better to get high quality passive soundbar and deviated sub than plastic made in china soundbars.

It always sounds like the go to brand for people who've no idea/want to appear like they do with a brand, and I agree chinese tat.

 

[Scam]

You can grab one on clearance at Sevenoaks for £449

Thanks. Watched a couple of good reviews this morning, some of the comments mentioned the Bose 600 which has upfiring speakers, also Google cast enabled, and is cheaper all round. Any thoughts on that? I think I’m going to need to try some of these.

 

[Simmz]

Thanks. Watched a couple of good reviews this morning, some of the comments mentioned the Bose 600 which has upfiring speakers, also Google cast enabled, and is cheaper all round. Any thoughts on that? I think I’m going to need to try some of these.

Dunno, never tried it. If not adding rears then I'd stick with Sennheiser, usually for just the soundbar alone nothing comes close. If can afford to buy both or even others to return the ones not happy with then do so. Room layout / size etc is always the key element in these devices anyway.

 

[hornetstinger]

Thanks. Watched a couple of good reviews this morning, some of the comments mentioned the Bose 600 which has upfiring speakers, also Google cast enabled, and is cheaper all round. Any thoughts on that? I think I’m going to need to try some of these.

Upfirers aren't as good as proper ceiling or height speakers.

I've listened to some dedicated upfirer speakers and the sound doesn't like it's coming from the ceiling, or high up.

 

[Scam]

Upfirers aren't as good as proper ceiling or height speakers.

Goes without saying surely... We are talking about soundbars here, not a separates system!

 

[Kenai]

Upfirers aren't as good as proper ceiling or height speakers.

I've listened to some dedicated upfirer speakers and the sound doesn't like it's coming from the ceiling, or high up.

In the circumstances the question that is relevant is not whether upfirers are better or worse than having ceiling or height speakers but whether they're better or worse than having no other delivery of a height channel at all.

 

[hornetstinger]

In the circumstances the question that is relevant is not whether upfirers are better or worse than having ceiling or height speakers but whether they're better or worse than having no other delivery of a height channel at all.

Better to have higher quality for your other speakers.

Less is more

 

[Kenai]

Better to have higher quality for your other speakers.

Less is more

And I guess we go back round to the part of the circle where you need to be reminded we're talking about a corner placed TV in a living room with a requirement for an unobtrusive 'do it all' setup

 

[a1ex2001]

I’m happy with my Sonos beam Gen1 even as a previous owner of a full surround system with massive receiver and big box speakers (Marantz and B&W). Yes it doesn’t sound as immersive as the real thing but it is more than adequate for most peoples needs and the sound for music or TV is impressive from such a tiny package which is much more family living room friendly. I have also never found anything as good as the Sonos eco system for multi room music/audio it is seamless and can be operated by even the most technophobe of users!

 

[Scam]

I’m seeing good discounts on the Sennheiser Ambeo range at the moment. The Mini is down to £548 and the soundbar hilariously is £1 more So about a grand all in. Still a lot (I could try without the sub first I guess but j feel like my other half would never let me get it later as an “add on”)

Shall I just give up hunting around and buy that? It’s super well rated and has all the features I want… Unlikely to go any cheaper is it.

 

[hornetstinger]

I’m seeing good discounts on the Sennheiser Ambeo range at the moment. The Mini is down to £548 and the soundbar hilariously is £1 more So about a grand all in. Still a lot (I could try without the sub first I guess but j feel like my other half would never let me get it later as an “add on”)

Shall I just give up hunting around and buy that? It’s super well rated and has all the features I want… Unlikely to go any cheaper is it.

Haven't heard the Mini but looking at the size of it, I'd say a dedicated sub is a must (for any soundbar)

Soundbar Ambeo Plus with Sub? Or Ambeo Max Alone? - Sennheiser Soundbar Investigation

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That Sennheiser sub doesn't seem great for the price, if you can use another brand (and use wired) you'll get better performance for your money

Mini lacks sub pre out, you'd need to go for Plus/Max for sub pre out.

 

[Simmz]

I’m seeing good discounts on the Sennheiser Ambeo range at the moment. The Mini is down to £548 and the soundbar hilariously is £1 more So about a grand all in. Still a lot (I could try without the sub first I guess but j feel like my other half would never let me get it later as an “add on”)

Shall I just give up hunting around and buy that? It’s super well rated and has all the features I want… Unlikely to go any cheaper is it.

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini Soundbar

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini Soundbar SMALL DESIGN, BIG PERFORMANCEThe new Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini provides rich, immersive audio from just one compact device for movie and music enthusiasts.DESIGNED BY EXPERTSDeveloped with the Fraunhofer IIS Institute, AMBEO virtualization technology provides...

outletweb.co.uk

 

[hornetstinger]

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini Soundbar

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini Soundbar SMALL DESIGN, BIG PERFORMANCEThe new Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini provides rich, immersive audio from just one compact device for movie and music enthusiasts.DESIGNED BY EXPERTSDeveloped with the Fraunhofer IIS Institute, AMBEO virtualization technology provides...

outletweb.co.uk

Not bad price, just the lack of HDMI and sub pre is bit of a bummer. You could then buy BK Monolith + for £650, which'll be much better than the Sennheiser subwoofer - and the same price

Monolith-DF Plus

 

[Scam]

Haven't heard the Mini but looking at the size of it, I'd say a dedicated sub is a must (for any soundbar)

Yeah I always thought a sub is essential for a soundbar.

That Sennheiser sub doesn't seem great for the price, if you can use another brand (and use wired) you'll get better performance for your money

Mini lacks sub pre out, you'd need to go for Plus/Max for sub pre out.

I can’t go bigger than the Mini because my TV is only 42” to fit the alcove. It’s a small room. So the Max/Plus are out of the question. The Sennheiser sub seems hideously overpriced, but I’m guessing you can’t use another manufacturer’s wireless sub..

 

[hornetstinger]

Yeah £650 for plastic (yuck) that'll just be sonic nastiness. 300W with 8" driver. Could buy two of these for similar money and at least quality Eminence driver and nice finish, and MDF.

XLS200-FF

I would guess the wireless system is their own system.

 

[Simmz]

Yeah £650 for plastic (yuck) that'll just be sonic nastiness. 300W with 8" driver. Could buy two of these for similar money and at least quality Eminence driver and nice finish, and MDF.

XLS200-FF

I would guess the wireless system is their own system.

The Sennheiser subwoofer isn't actually that bad. Isn't as bad as some of the others like the Samsung or Sony one. No rattle or boomyness and it's also up-firing which makes placement a lot easier. You can add 4 of them as well if you wanted too... But yes, a third party one would be better.

I'm currently running the Ambeo plus with Sennheiser's subwoofer, although I'm replacing the sub with a Kef KC62 so I'll sell you my sub for cheaper if you wish haha

 

[Simmz]

Yeah I always thought a sub is essential for a soundbar.

I can’t go bigger than the Mini because my TV is only 42” to fit the alcove. It’s a small room. So the Max/Plus are out of the question. The Sennheiser sub seems hideously overpriced, but I’m guessing you can’t use another manufacturer’s wireless sub..

Not with the mini you can't as it doesn't have a sub out port unfortunately.

 

[hornetstinger]

The Sennheiser subwoofer isn't actually that bad. Isn't as bad as some of the others like the Samsung or Sony one. No rattle or boomyness and it's also up-firing which makes placement a lot easier. You can add 4 of them as well if you wanted too... But yes, a third party one would be better.

I'm currently running the Ambeo plus with Sennheiser's subwoofer, although I'm replacing the sub with a Kef KC62 so I'll sell you my sub for cheaper if you wish haha

Does it time align all four subs? That would be pretty important. Unless you stack all four subs vertically.