Sony HT-CT150 3.1 Channel Home Theater System

[admin_exported]

Hi, i'm a newby on this forum and i've registered to get some advice.

I have just bought a Sony 32" EX703 tv, which, unfortunately falls even further short of my expectations in terms of sound than i ever thought possible. Its absolutely gutless, i'm really disappointed, although the picture is brilliant and has blown me away compared to my older LCD telly (a former What Hifi, test winning Toshiba 32" LCD).

Now my previous tv had a sort of sound bar intergrated into the base of the screen with various surround features available from (BBE, Dolby Virtual Surround, etc) and to my ears sounded pretty good and more than respectable for what i wanted.

I would like to keep to a 'modest' cinema system as i would to retain a lack of clutter and also my marriage! I looked at Sony's HT-CT350 soundbar and was all ready to go and look further at it, but i understand that despite the fact it says on Sony's website that my tv, amongst many other's in their range, is compatible with it, it appears that the sound bar is MUCH wider that my tv and would look out of place totally with my set up.

I see from various press and review websites that at the same time the '350 soundbar was launched, that Sony also launched another sound bar, the Sony HT-CT150 3.1 Channel Home Theater System. Its the perfect width and dimensions to suit my tv. However, the problem seems to be that it isn't availble in the UK; i can't find it for sale anywhere. Am I wrong? Do sony have any plans to bring this soundbar to the UK at all?

Hope somebody can offer some help or advice/info?

Cheers in advance!

 

[bigboss]

Why don't you look at other manufacturers? Yamaha makes some excellent soundbars.

This one, for example.

What's your budget?

 

[Anonymous]

My budget is around and upto about £350.00.

I really do like the Yamaha sound bars and they could be an option amongst others; If i am being absolutely honest, the reason that i have looked to have a Sony soundbar is the Bravia Sync feature; i have a Sony EX703 tv and a BDP 360 Blu Ray player, i can sync them all to work from the one Sony remote, which i think that i would find less hassle. I am open to other suggestions though of course.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[bigboss]

You can use a universal remote to control all 3. Yamaha soundbars are sonically superior to Sony ones.

 

[Anonymous]

I guess so, yes; a universal remote control would obviously be a solution.

But to return to my original question, does anybody know if the HT-CT150 soundbar will be coming to the UK anytime soon?

I guess another option would be to order one from the states, but would i be right in thinking that the USA have different power ratings/specs that their appliances use? Not to mention a different (2 pin?) plug/power cord? With that in mind is it a viable option at all?

 

[bigboss]

No information about UK launch of this product as yet. It may never arrive. You could ask Sony's Eric Kingdon directly on 4th November.

Importing from US has its own set of problems:

1) You'll have to pay 17.5% VAT

2) Warranty will not be honoured in the UK

3) If you're not happy with the sound, or receive a faulty product, returns/exchanges will be a big pain

4) Not sure if it can accept UK voltage unless you can find any documentation that it will work here