Home audio buffs - know anything about "Soundbar"-type speakers?

[dave64o]

I unfortunately need to replace a set of speakers and the layout of the family room in our new house makes the surround sound system I put together for our old house kind of obsolete. The room just isn't laid out to do surround sound.

I've heard about the new "soundbar" speakers but don't know how effective they really are. It sounds kind of dubious to me, but a home audio buff I work with was at Polk Audio's recent Polkfest expo and said they're pretty amazing. Here's a link to Polk's version.

Personally, I'd rather have real speakers around the room, but I know it isn't happening (not in the family room anyway, though I *will* do a normal surround sound system in the basement). But if these speakers actually kind of work, I'd be willing to think about trying one. Based on the specs, it looks like adding a subwoofer is a necessity.

Also, since I'd have only one audio system in the family room I'd also be listening to music through it. Performance for music is also a concern for me.

Thoughts? Experiences?

[SteveC]

I'm thinking of doing this. It's just not practical to do speakers in the house so this seems like a good alternative. I'm not that particular. If it sounds better than the built in speakers (which it has too, right) it'll be fine for us. You can get them with subs for a pretty reasonable price.

[hbarcat]

Polk Audio makes good stuff.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

Polk Audio makes good stuff.

+1
I put together a 5.1 system and have some Polk speakers for the front three.


From what I've read the soundbars are a great alternative if you don't want to or can't run speakers around the room. A question will pop up on them every now and then over at http://www.avsforum.com and from what I understand they do a pretty good job. You can always check out AVS for opinions from people who own them.

My suggestion would be to go out and give one a listen. Probably not as good as an actual surround sound system, but I'm sure they are much, much better than the speakers that come on most flat panel televisions today.

[BartmanPDX]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

From what I've read the soundbars are a great alternative if you don't want to or can't run speakers around the room. A question will pop up on them every now and then over at http://www.avsforum.com and from what I understand they do a pretty good job. You can always check out AVS for opinions from people who own them.

My suggestion would be to go out and give one a listen. Probably not as good as an actual surround sound system, but I'm sure they are much, much better than the speakers that come on most flat panel televisions today.

+1 to all of this. AVSforum is kind of like the TB of the audio/visual world -- a very good resource.

Sometimes a room layout dictates that kind of arrangement, unless you are willing to put in the time/effort/hassle of in-walls or in-ceiling speakers.