Are soundbars generally worth it? (Off-Topic)
by cheapLEY 
, Friday, June 15, 2018, 12:19 (2353 days ago)
For gaming, I typically just stick with my Astros or Sennheisers. Even with movies, I tend to use my Xbox One X and headphones for its Atmos support.
However, I watch a lot of YouTube on my TV, and I really have to crank the volume up to hear anything and it always sounds awful. So I’m looking into getting a soundbar. The Vizio SB3621 has great reviews and seems highly recommended, and it’s exactly in the price I feel comfortable spending. I’m not looking to add great sound to my tiny bedroom, as I use my headphones for that—I’m not looking for a real 5.1 setup or anything like that. Just looking to make not using headphones bearable.
Generally worth the investment or should I just forget it?
Are soundbars generally worth it?
by Claude Errera , Friday, June 15, 2018, 12:31 (2353 days ago) @ cheapLEY
For gaming, I typically just stick with my Astros or Sennheisers. Even with movies, I tend to use my Xbox One X and headphones for its Atmos support.
However, I watch a lot of YouTube on my TV, and I really have to crank the volume up to hear anything and it always sounds awful. So I’m looking into getting a soundbar. The Vizio SB3621 has great reviews and seems highly recommended, and it’s exactly in the price I feel comfortable spending. I’m not looking to add great sound to my tiny bedroom, as I use my headphones for that—I’m not looking for a real 5.1 setup or anything like that. Just looking to make not using headphones bearable.
Generally worth the investment or should I just forget it?
We added one in our bedroom in CT, because there wasn't room for regular speakers and we were unhappy with the sound coming from the TV (and because we found one that mounted to the bottom of the TV, which was good, because the TV was mounted on the wall and there was nowhere to set a standing soundbar). It was a Polk Audio bar, on a ridiculous sale; I think it was down from $500 to $200 at the time.
We loved it. Made all the difference in the world, in our case.
Are soundbars generally worth it?
by Cody Miller , Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Friday, June 15, 2018, 12:39 (2353 days ago) @ cheapLEY
Generally worth the investment or should I just forget it?
I mean, yes. I have a Vizio sound bar and it sounds great for the price. If you don't want 5.1, just get a 2.1 setup and save money. You will never go back to TV speakers. A good sound bar is 95% as good as discrete speakers for L/C/R.
Are soundbars generally worth it?
by Harmanimus , Friday, June 15, 2018, 13:00 (2353 days ago) @ cheapLEY
I have a Samsung soundbar for my living room under a 58” and it was more than worth the cost for the convenience.
Are soundbars generally worth it?
by stabbim , Des Moines, IA, USA, Friday, June 15, 2018, 13:41 (2353 days ago) @ cheapLEY
As compared to a proper surround sound setup? No.
As compared to built-in TV speakers? Yes. Built-in TV speakers are utter crap, pretty much universally. Even a middle-of-the road soundbar will easily trounce them in fidelity and volume.
Side note: TV speakers have never been great sounding, but back when I was a kid they were at least loud. Those big wooden cabinets had room for some decent-size drivers and enough space inside for a proper enclosure.
That’s what I needed to hear. That’s what I thought, but I didn’t want to drop a couple hundred bucks for nothing.
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