Sounbar advice with Atmos

[Engagepay]

Dear members,

I need help please. I need to get a soundbar for my TV as the sound from the LCD is rubbish. I am looking at different types but if I am going to invest I am happy to pay a premium for Atmos.

I visited a reputable sound retailer today to demonstrate the Sony HTST-5000 thinking I would be blown away by the Atmos experience. However I came away really deflated as the sound didn't sound like it was coming behind nor above my head.

I am not sure if they had it setup correctly and the room they had was about 3.5m high - so I cannot say if this was ideal. What they recommended is that I sat on the floor directly in front of the soundbar. At that point, yes I could hear it but surely I don't need to be this close???

Does anyone have experience of Atmos, as I am not blown away by the experience at all...

Many thanks
Paul.

 

[hornetstinger]

You need full of separate speakers to get the atmos and surround sound. Soundbar will use a DSP to create a virtual effect or angle upwards.

So in this regard don't bother if I was you I'd just look for a 2.1soundbar don't bother with gimmicky extras that high end soundbars offer, if you want proper experience get a avr plus speakers.

Also I'd rather have a higher quality lesser number of speakers rather than a cheaper full atmos system.

 

[Engagepay]

Thanks Hornetstinger,

So would you suggest something like the Sonos system which could deliver a 5.1.2 setup or something?

Many thanks

 

[Engagepay]

You need full of separate speakers to get the atmos and surround sound. Soundbar will use a DSP to create a virtual effect or angle upwards.

So in this regard don't bother if I was you I'd just look for a 2.1soundbar don't bother with gimmicky extras that high end soundbars offer, if you want proper experience get a avr plus speakers.

Also I'd rather have a higher quality lesser number of speakers rather than a cheaper full atmos system.

Thanks Hornetstinger,

So would you suggest something like the Sonos system which could deliver a 5.1.2 setup or something?

Many thanks

 

[hornetstinger]

Sonos is typically expensive. Not sure of price but guesstimate £800? You can get decent 5.1 system for that. Personally stay with 5.1 or 7.1 rather than crap 11 speaker atmos.

Hell even £30 wharedale diamond 9.0 all round would be better. You could reuse them when you upgrade ie for a bedroom or pc system, in caravan, workshop etc.


Something like a Yamaha avr plus q acoustic speakers will offer more power, better sound quality, component quality, upgradability, component failure and replacement changeability, standardised components, and connectivity.

I have a very good 7.1 system, and I would not want a cheaper system that is full atmos. I can add atmos at later date with a soundbar you are stuck with what you have.

A atmos soundbar is about ticking boxes, on paper a BMW and a Yugo both do 100 mph.

But what car would you rather drive at 100mph, the Yugo or BMW?

 

[Bluecube]

The Samsung N950 soundbar has two rear speakers for surround effects, and upward firing speakers for Atmos. I wouldn’t say it was as good a complete separates system but if space is at a premium then it’s a good compromise. It’s a 7.1.4 speaker set up so can handle Atmos soundtracks without any DSP messing around. I have one myself and don’t complain too much!

 

[Psycho Sonny]

The Samsung N950 soundbar has two rear speakers for surround effects, and upward firing speakers for Atmos. I wouldn’t say it was as good a complete separates system but if space is at a premium then it’s a good compromise. It’s a 7.1.4 speaker set up so can handle Atmos soundtracks without any DSP messing around. I have one myself and don’t complain too much!

the samsung soundbar is definetely the one to go for. or the yamaha if you want it all from 1 bar under the tv.

sonos is overpriced IMO and only for people who want sound in several rooms rather than a surround setup in 1 room.