There's a blast from the past. I used to have the 4.1 version of those for my PC until they croaked. Good sound, though.
Thanks. I'm seriously considering the Sonos. (It looks like Best Buy has new ones for the same price, FYI. But returning items there is hell in my experience.) I have to admit, though, I'm skeptical when it comes to smaller speakers being able to deliver the volume I'm after.
What about these Klipsch Reference R-51PM powered bookshelf speakers w/ Bluetooth? The reviewer makes them sound pretty good. https://video.crutchfield.com/v/cru...-and-r-41pm-powered-stereo-speakers/210542633 They're $400 for a pair. I could add a sub later. Do you think they would outperform the Sonos and soundbars above???
For that kind of money I'd have two 8" JBL 308P studio monitors Or Audioengine a5+, or a set of powered micca 42x and a real subwoofer... or the unpowered Klipsch r51 and an external tda7498e amplifier .... These Mackie's are nice if you can fit 8 inches (twss) https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro...60w-bluetooth-multimedia-studio-monitors-pair
Walmart.com has the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 for $90 with free shipping. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Klipsch-...3-Midbass-Drivers-and-6-5-Subwoofer/591789309
If these are going in your bedroom, where are you putting bookshelf speakers? On stands? Mounting them on the wall? And do you really care about "studio quality sound" in your bedroom? Maybe you do -- just asking. For me, I'd just get a good soundbar and maybe a sub and that should fill a bedroom pretty well. Or just get some in-wall speakers, but then if you ever need to move your tv to another location in the room, that would be a pain.
Thank you. Those are all intriguing, the Mackie's (which I had never heard of) especially so because I wouldn't need an external receiver and they're 8 inches--which I believe might really satisfy me and the Mrs. With the amplifier in only one speaker, though, I guess I have to run wires from one speaker to the other. I was hoping to avoid that, but maybe that's something I would have to do with most (or all) of the speakers that have been recommended??? (I have to research that.)
Thank you. I really need to have a talk with myself about my priorities and budget, before I get carried away. These might just serve me well.
Our bedroom is stupid large and takes up most of the second floor of our house. In addition to a large electric recliner and the typical bedroom stuff, we have a mix of exercise equipment, bookshelves, printers, storage containers, and all kinds of other clutter--not exactly Better Homes & Gardens material, but I enjoy the space. I don't really care about "studio quality sound." I've seen that term used by high-end stereo manufacturers and speaker companies and often their stuff sounds worse to me than the budget brands. But I do want something that music sounds good with & I can turn up--something with the potential to annoy my neighbors with. I don't have a set place in mind for the speakers, yet. I don't want to mount them to the wall for the reasons you mentioned, plus I would like to move in the next few years and don't want to have to deal with removing them. They'll probably just go on each side of our dresser, which the TV is presently on top of until I purchase the proper wall mount for the TV (another story). But I like the idea of being able to move them around in the room, too, if need be. I do need to think about what I really need. Unfortunately I can't shop and try things out in person right now.
The Klipsch Promedia 2.1 definitely has enough volume to fill up one room. The biggest drawback is that it's designed as computer speakers so it only has a 3.5mm audio input. Changing volume on that will be a pain since you can't adjust volume via remote without using an external line level volume control and remote. A soundbar that has HDMI(ARC) will allow your current Samsung remote to control the volume as well. That'd be the easiest. I'd honest sacrifice audio performance for ease of use with remote.
That's an excellent point. The last thing I want is to have to go back and forth adjusting the volume, turning things on/off, and searching for remotes. I've never heard a soundbar that sounds like much to me is the problem.
Klipsch Cinema 400 for $179 is a good budget option for something with HDMI ARC and wireless sub. Klipsch Cinema 600 for $300 is good if you have a bit more budget.
Another option is to build up a traditional home theater system with a receiver and passive speakers. Then you can start with a 2.0 or 2.1 system and grow as budget allows. Receivers and speakers can be had a great price if you are okay with used item and you live in a decent sized city that has good craigslist/facebook marketplace. Are you in the Houston area?
Excellent suggestion. There is a used audio "store" in Traders Village. And one in Old Town Spring (called Space City Audio). The latter is a fun place to check out... lots of albums and pretty decent new and used equipment.
Thank you. I'm not in Houston, but I'm all about finding the best value and purchase a lot from eBay & Craigslist. You're making perfect sense about the receiver etc.--this would probably be the best sound for the money---but I want to keep the components and wires to a minimum. It's sounding more & more (no pun intended) that the soundbar option w/ a sub is going to be the way to go. HDMI ARC being a top priority now (thank you again for bringing that to my attention). I'm going to check out the links you provided later today & bump my budget up a little to $500 dollar range in the hopes I can get something good enough.
So I'm now wondering if @tinman was on to something with Dolby Atmos. It doesn't look like there's a whole lot of music formatted for it, at least music I would enjoy, but it sounds like something that would be great to experience. The problem is I'm not sure most of the systems I see are going to be all that for music. And will a soundbar suffice for Atmos or do I really need multiple speakers situated around the room??? There is this Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 Channel 600W Dolby Atmos Soundbar with 8" Wireless Subwoofer, 2 Rear Surround Speakers. Experience True 360° Cinema Surround with This Plug and Play Home Theater System. But it's pricey, could be total junk for all I know, and I'm not sure it's going to accomplish my ultimate goal of feeling "immersed" in the music. I decided I don't want to spend this much. There is this Sony Z9F 3.1ch Sound bar with Dolby Atmos and Wireless Subwoofer (HT-Z9F), Home Theater Surround Sound Speaker System for TV Black. It's less money, but pretty much the same concerns. There is also this LG SN8YG 440W 3.1.2-Channel Soundbar System for a bit less that seems nice and is Atmos compatible. Then there is the Klipsch Cinema 600 for $300 that @jchu14 pointed out above. It not Atmos compatible, but it's powerful, has a a big sub, and won't break the bank. This is where I'm leaning at this particular second. There's also the JBL 5.1 system the @Ziggy mentioned for a little more that could be the best value of all. It does everything and more with the exception of Atmos. I guess I'm wondering if any of you have experience with Dolby Atmos and if it would accomplish my goals AND be worth the extra money. Any other thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. EDIT: Forgive my editing, most of this is new to me and I'm thinking as I type.
Dolby Atmos is rare in soundbars. It's even more rare when you require wireless. And it's even MORE rare in soundbars with upward firing rear speakers. Upward firing speakers help increase the height of the sound stage which is essential to the Atmos experience. The cheapest option with true upfiring speakers is this - https://www.jbl.com/soundbars/JBL+BAR+9.1+TWS-.html. The most proven option with upfiring rear speakers is the Samsung Q90 or the newer version of it. The Samsung soundbar comes HIGHLY reviewed (post-patch). You're seriously limiting yourself to like 4 or 5 soundbars here. I own the Sonos Arc. It is Atmos enabled. But the rear speakers are not upfiring (no biggie to me). You are correct, there is not much music out there in Atmos. However, the music that is sounds pretty damn good. Hamilton (lulz) and the Taylor Swift album (lulz) both in Disney+ sound epic in Atmos. Bladerunner 2049 is supposed to be the pinnacle in Atmos audio. Spotify (IIRC) has some Dolby Atmos tracks available. A few thousand or so. Ultimately, only Disney+ and Apple TV give much Atmos support at this time. PS5 doesn't support it (just an example). It's a tad gimmicky in my opinion, similar to 3D TV/cinema. It's pretty cool but IMO, not necessary. I do love hearing ships in the Mandalorian sound like they are up in the air from time to time though. TRUE Atmos requires a lot of speakers, some of which need to be mounted in/near the ceiling (not "upfiring"). The hardcore audiophiles will belittle your "Atmos" setup if you do not have a ton of ceiling mounted speakers. But that same group will also give you **** for even considering wireless.
Thank you. That was fast and you obviously know your stuff. That's a bit more than I want to spend, but I did come across this one on Amazon. I haven't had a chance to compare all the specs but at first glance it seems very good. It might even be the same one you mentioned earlier (all this is beginning to confuse me now), but here it says it has Atmos. EDIT: I'm sorry, I got my tabs mixed up. The one I linked to won't do Atmos.
In my experience, the best way to find what's available out there is going to Crutchfield and using their filters to dial in what you want. Here is a filter for Atmos enabled soundbars that narrows your choices down to 24 - https://www.crutchfield.com/g_31615...366#&nvpair=AG_Surround_Formats|YCDolby_Atmos. Once you add-in wireless and other desires using their filter, the list will get smaller fast. Once you settle on a handful you like, you will get to a manageable list of models you can further research and read reviews on. If you are on a budget you might want to opt for an expandable system you can add to over time instead of a all-in-one box. I do not think that JBL has Atmos but it is reviewed fairly well from what I can remember. The 9.1 JBL is definitely Atmos.
