Speakerboards lack of reviews

Manbatius · 2 Dec 2013 at 22:55

Hi all,

I am helping a relative choose a sound board/ sound plynth/ speakerboard, as I have seen them called. Essentially like a soundbar but the tv sits on top of it.

Initially they were interested in a Bose Solo, my research showed it lacked value for money (I also found lack of admirers on here)

The budget is now £250 the issue is what I have found often have few reviews.

Denon DHTT100
Panasonic SC-HTE80
I thought the cambridge audio minx tv would be good but it was ruled out do to it's height.

Any thoughts on the above two? I also seen the Panasonic SC-HTB20EB which has a narrow sub, the space availible for it is small but this may have fit, however I have since been told one box is preferable.

Sytem will be used with optical connection to a old Samsung Le37A656

thanks all!

spluff · 3 Dec 2013 at 14:26

Im looking for one of these aswell - The Denon looks to be the same as American version

Bostin Acoustics TVEE One - if you google you can find some customer reviews which seem very favourable....

I am tempted to get one....

If I have a PS4 connected to my Sony TV via HDMI and then the optical out of the TV to the soundbar

Would this have DolbyDigital and DTS from PS4 and from my TV?

Manbatius · 3 Dec 2013 at 20:25

spluff said:
Im looking for one of these aswell - The Denon looks to be the same as American version

Bostin Acoustics TVEE One - if you google you can find some customer reviews which seem very favourable....

I am tempted to get one....

If I have a PS4 connected to my Sony TV via HDMI and then the optical out of the TV to the soundbar

Would this have DolbyDigital and DTS from PS4 and from my TV?

Thanks for the info!

Regading your question I have only seen the answer say it entirely depends on the output capabilities of your TV. Some tvs can output 5.1 and some can changed by a setting but it certainly did not say all. May be worth checking your tv outs capability.

spluff · 3 Dec 2013 at 22:52

Its a Sony 50W656 - it has optical out.........

Im really tempted to go for the Denon - its a decent size, decent output, simple - but no proper reviews yet............ maybe worth popping somewhere and getting a demo I think

spluff · 4 Dec 2013 at 09:16

Also seen a new one which is the Canton DM 50 - this seems more expensive but does have an external subwoofer

Snubber · 4 Dec 2013 at 09:23

Review of DHT-T100 just posted here:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/denon-dht-t100_Surround-Sound-System_review

Thinking of getting one also.

Cheers,

spluff · 7 Dec 2013 at 12:56

I am gonna try the Maxell Speakerboard later today - £200 from a high street supermarket.............

Will post opinions later if u want

spluff · 8 Dec 2013 at 10:39

Well I am disappointed - PS4 and Bluetooth audio was good and loud (volume at below half)

BUT with movies via hdmi from my ACryan or from my TV via hdmi the sound was very low - I had to put the volume all the way up to MAX and still would prefer a bit more loudness.......... very disappointed as if it went louder it would have been great.......

Manbatius · 29 Dec 2013 at 09:45

spluff said:
Well I am disappointed - PS4 and Bluetooth audio was good and loud (volume at below half)

BUT with movies via hdmi from my ACryan or from my TV via hdmi the sound was very low - I had to put the volume all the way up to MAX and still would prefer a bit more loudness.......... very disappointed as if it went louder it would have been great.......

Hi spluff,

thanks for the update, sorry I went quiet, work and xmas stole my time.

Have you tried optical from tv to it, or rca.

In the end we got the father in law panasonic system as it was easier for them to get it from john lewis.

Set up was fine though it came with no cables at all so had to wing it.
It sounds good.

On the downside after watching a dvd, the source needs changing on tv to get back to Tivo which has them all confused. As does the input on the soundbar need changing.

Consequently it simply does not get used by the family, kind of wish there was a way to disable tv audio lol.

Think the best way to fix this is next xmas buy him a multi function remote.

encephalopathy · 29 Dec 2013 at 20:24

i bought one of the denon ones after reading about them here. very simple to setup with only the optical cable to connect from the tv to the speakerstand. fortunately my sony tv allows me to switch off the internal tv speakers completely. it is really simple to 'learn' the volume from the sony remote so now the sony remote controls the speakerstand volume. bletooth pairing is very simple and sounds great streaming music off an ipod, but haven't used it much to be honest.

soundwise i am very pleased - it blows the standard tv speakers out of the water with respect to sound quality , and especially bass. there are 5 different soundstages you can try, including a nighttime mode that is less bassy and boosts speech - it works ok.

overall i'm very pleased with the denon - it was installed and running for 2 days before the missus noticed it

and it much less obtrusive than a soundbar