Soundbar or sub?

[Drummerdave]

Hi guys, I'd appreciate your input on the following:- I had my heart set on the Yamaha YSP 1400 to introduce an element of surround sound to my set up. I have been using my hifi when watching movies up to now.

My other half mistakenly got me a Yamaha YAS 103 for crimbo which I tried. The 103 provides a virtual surround sound effect, not like the YSP 1400 which is a sound projector. I was disappointed with the YAS 103 to say the least and it has been boxed up to be returned for a refund. The two channel sound from my hifi was miles better than the 103.

My thinking is now that I can order a YSP 1400 or get a subwoofer to add to my current system. My experience of the YAS 103 has put me off soundbars somewhat and I feel I may be sending the 1400 back for a refund too. Worth auditioning?

If I get a sub (I'm considering BK XLS200 mk2) it should improve things for music as well as movies and I can then add an AV amp and centre/rear speakers when funds permit.

Any comments/suggestions would be most welcome.

Happy New Year!!

 

[Anderson]

Get a sub.

Soundbars are targeted at those that can't afford the space or the aesthetics of a proper system.

I think you'll be wasting your own time with the soundbar/sound projector.

 

[jonathanRD]

Get a sub.

Soundbars are targeted at those that can't afford the space or the aesthetics of a proper system.

I think you'll be wasting your own time with the soundbar/sound projector.

Yes I agree - if you have the space a 'proper' home cinema system is a much more rewarding option, and can be put together piece by piece if you don't have the immediate budget.

 

[Drummerdave]

forget the sub and get a pair of speakers that provide more bass. Maybe B&W 683 S2s....hmmmm

 

[Deleted member 116933]

forget the sub and get a pair of speakers that provide more bass. Maybe B&W 683 S2s....hmmmm

People will agree to disagree. But using a hifi to play movies is more of a comprise than a sound bar (and the vise versa for music). As a decent sound bar will give you a greater center image for dialogue which a hi fi will lack big time. I don't really know how big you room is but yamaha won't sound to good in a bigger room (sub is very weak) and it needs to be ideally shaped!!!. meaning No alcoves, Nothing open plan. It needs the walls to be flat to bonce the sound around so rectangle or square nothing else will really do .

Persoanlly i would just go for the monitor audio ASB-2 or dail kubix one which will give you a nice solid 3.1 upfront with nice clear dialogue. Which in my opinion is more impotant than surrounds. That and a good sub! though both the above do have ample bass on board . Also i would leave the BK gemini (its really not a sub) onlys digs to about 40HZ ( which most decent sized stand mounts will do) do on a good day and is really made for time when films werent so base endoud. Save for something a little more specail or you get some great secound hand rels on the big E.

But be aware as im sure you are all these options are comprimise's but the monitor audio especalliy gets dam close with its room filling impact and it has all the handy HDMI's legacy conetions for CD players and the like which the yamaha dosn't. (i have auditioned it and sounds better than some sub sat systems believe me)

Go and audition some and see what fits your circumstances.

Why is buying bigger speakers going to help, they don't nessearly give bigger base infact if the room is too small they will dominate and make hearing the audio even harder not to mention tiresome and again can you reallt fit them in?

 

[Drummerdave]

response M1, much appreciated.

I was looking at different speakers to merely get more bass for music. I've kind of put the whole surround sound thing on the back burner, again. I've come back round to the idea of getting a sub because my existing speakers are very good at mid range (AVI Duos) and could just use a bit more welly low down. So with a milestone birhday coming up in May I will probably treat myself to a nice new sub.

Cheers

 

[Leeps]

Just be aware that there are subs and subs. Many subs are designed to shake the ground with big impacts in movies: a large driver moving big air. These characteristics may not suit music, in fact a smaller sub may be more successful. When you audition, look for speed & timing. If the sub has a big slightly flabby bass that can't keep the speed with your main speakers, then any extra bass output will only detract from rather than enhance the music. Mention to any dealer that you're looking to use it mainly for music.

The only sub I could personally recommend for music is a Paradigm, but I can't remember the exact model. My own Monitor Audio R370HD is reasonable for its price. It does have a separate music & movie setting, although I leave it on the music setting all the time.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Just be aware that there are subs and subs. Many subs are designed to shake the ground with big impacts in movies: a large driver moving big air. These characteristics may not suit music, in fact a smaller sub may be more successful. When you audition, look for speed & timing. If the sub has a big slightly flabby bass that can't keep the speed with your main speakers, then any extra bass output will only detract from rather than enhance the music. Mention to any dealer that you're looking to use it mainly for music.

The only sub I could personally recommend for music is a Paradigm, but I can't remember the exact model. My own Monitor Audio R370HD is reasonable for its price. It does have a separate music & movie setting, although I leave it on the music setting all the time.

I completely agree with Leeps here.......Your going to have to pin down whats more important to you feeling or hearing.

With music i would choose hearing. Go for a 10inch for speed and nice tight punchy bass. They can go just as deep as a 12 just look for one with massive throw like the Paradigm 110. That thing has 4 inchs of throw and was/is just a deep as my velodyne 1200 ultra. But i wanted to feel my bass more so move up to the velodyne.

If you have the budget for BW 683's you will be able to afford most good quality subs. Plus you can eq both velodyne and Paradigm allowing to hear even more bass in your room.

Will be much more affective than buying the biggest speakers but is dam sight more fiddelly to get right