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[Giallo Corsa]

Gents, after almost 3 years with my LG C2's horrible and tinny sounding speakers I just can't anymore - Amazon spring sales are ending on Sunday and I've been searching like a mad man for the last 3-4 days and I've reached the point where I need some guidance.

Just a heads up :

- DO NOT RECCOMEND ME 600-800-1000+ €/$ SOUNDBARS, MY BUDGET IS 250-300€ TOPS.
- DO NOT RECCOMEND ME AN AV AMP+ SPEAKERS, I KNOW THEY'RE BETTER BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SPACE FOR THAT ANYMORE.
- DO NOT TRY TO SCHOOL ME ON HOW OR WHY SOUNDBARS ARE SHIT, I KNOW.
- DO NOT TRY TO SCHOOL ME ON HOW SHITTY DOLBY ATMOS AND/OR HOW FAKE IT IS ON THEM, I WANT THE UP-FIRING SPEAKERS

Now that everything is bolded and i got your attention (hopefully) :

There are - in fact - soundbars in the 250-300 Eurodollars price range that feature Atmos/DTS:X support and an eARC connection AND up-firing speakers, so far my choices are :

- DENON DHT-S218

- Sharp HT-SB700 - bit on the smaller side but supports Atmos and has 2 up-firing speakers and is apparently pretty good.

- LG S70TY - 1 up-firing speaker, supports both Atmos/DTS:X

- LG S60Q - doesn't feature up-firing speakers but supports Atmos etc, plus, it's dirt-cheap (150€).

- Samsung HW-Q700D

- Samsung HW-Q600C

Now, here's the thing, if i get the same brand soundbar as my TV's, there's some neat features like EQ'ing/fiddling with it via my TV's OS and the synchronized play between them like WOW orchestra (LG), Q symphony (Samsung) etc - thing is, i've been reading that it's a gimmicky feature since the sound becomes...worse compared than actually using only the soundbar ? I don't fookin' know...some say it's worse, others say it's a nice feature to have.
I've been also reading that LG isn't that good when it comes to soundbars compared to Samsung etc but, i'd like the bonus extra synergy features.

What i need the most though is good (better than my shitty TV speakers that is) sound and i don't know which would be the right option in this case since all the bars i mentioned are pretty much in the same price range.
Are the benefits of getting a same brand soundbar worth it due to the extra options/synergy between them or would it be better to get a different soundbar brand if that has better sound ?
Are "all in one" bars shitty ? It's gonna save me some space in that case since space is kinda limited even for a woofer.

Now, if anyone has any insight about the above soundbars i'm all ears, i'm also open to other recommendations but they have to be within the aforementioned budget (250-300€).

Help a guy, will you ?

Much appareciated boys

 

[The Lunch Legend]

why would you want a soundbar, tho?

 

[ozz ex machina]

I think you've done enough research and most people who care this much are willing to pay for a more premium solution. So just pick one and buy it.

 

[Redneckerz]

All these heads ups and still posted in the wrong forum if you ask me.

Given what you are coming from and which you survived for 3 years every single one will be a significant upgrade.

OP, if it is convincing you are after, there you go.

 

[simpatico]

You're the most well-informed soundbar enthusiast on the internet judging by the OP. I truly think you set the record for soundbar research depth. The entire point of soundbars is not doing research. It's why they exist. Just get some powered Swan bookshelf speakers from Amazon and let out a sigh of relief that you didn't buy a soundbar.

 

[Chuck Berry]

Giallo Corsa this is what I use and I love it

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Speaker-Soundbar-Bluetooth-connectivity/dp/B088KRPCQJ/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZgBsTaTyrQIcG-X7F1JXi0ZaSUmHXY8HhMuZUXsRodjdFAh_2fMBnzQi1caPt8p-Bn4O8pc7-d6BqBxiwE-fKh7Iaa33OvhlGKQgTt_f6N0PenKsVtTyDgEtgmE3JJQK3wVa15GJ7yyco3ImQRdU_Mx8edqUtb9pal5ieJp7eDMeMom4a1_Zy8Th3j3MIeKeIBNDRbfOZdFdEloeVOzcC2dUaSLU_s-Pd_qJ9oYsRIw.j47p3mzkYH-e-OsThcXZNDgjFTpqHq7plPTXXVfE9fc&dib_tag=se&keywords=bose+sound+bar&qid=1743111289&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5998aa40-ec6f-4947-a68f-cd087fee0848

 

[Blitzkrieg!]

Just get the Samsung, they are very good.

 

[CLW]

Hisense AX5125H depending on pricing might be just a shade over or right at top of budget​

 

[GHG]

I wouldn't recommend getting one without a sub.

Maybe try looking for a refurbished sony htz9f, could well be in budget considering they first released in 2019.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

You're the most well-informed soundbar enthusiast on the internet judging by the OP. I truly think you set the record for soundbar research depth. The entire point of soundbars is not doing research. It's why they exist. Just get some powered Swan bookshelf speakers from Amazon and let out a sigh of relief that you didn't buy a soundbar.

Simp, i could do without the snarkiness man.
I could explain on why i can't in fact use bookshelf speakers with my set up but...


Space is of the essence, hence the soundbar.

PS : i wrote in caps, i used bold characters and yet, there always has to be that one person - imagine if i didn't do that

 

[R6Rider]

Just get some powered bookshelf speakers from Amazon

Exactly my first thought when I read the title.

 

[willothedog]

Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Did you get one yet, OP? You seemed to be in such a rush.

 

[Rambone]

I am kind of in the same boat and have been looking for a dirt cheap soundbar with up firing atmos speakers.

Ended up settling on a Philips 3.1.2 B8905 sound bar for $111 at Wal-mart for now. Comes with a wireless sub and the bar itself has 8 speakers. The reviews on it suggest the lower midrange is a bit thin and the sub bass is too boomy but the atmos on it pretty good. Ideally I'd like something like the Vizio Elevate SE but I can probably wait for sale.

 

[SScorpio]

IMO, there's zero reason to worry about upfiring ATMOS speaker until you first get a 5.1 setup.

All the "magic" beam forming, etc pales in comparison to real rear speakers. You first want sound all around you before height audio becomes an issue. If you are sitting on a couch against a wall, then have the speakers on stands on either end firing at you. You can also angle them slightly against the wall for a slight bounce but that's a direct angle versus the soundbar trying to make recreate that effect for you.

 

[Trogdor1123]

Sound bars are handy. They are a cheap way to make a big upgrade on tv speakers which are usually trash. Why not just head to your Costco and grab one of theirs? If it’s cruddy you can easily return.

 

[Certinty]

I’m using a Sonos Beam with my LG OLED and it’s been great. Can’t fault it and not overly expensive either. The Arc is so much more expensive and bigger which put me off that one.

 

[SScorpio]

I'm not sure what country your in, but the UK Amazon had this for 170 pounds. It might be on sale for you. It's a 5.1.2 system so it has real rear speakers as well as side firing tweaters on the soundbar itself which might make it sound closer to a 7.1 system.

It has the height speakers you want, the sound probably won't be amazing but it should be a big step up from your TV speakers.

Hiwill 5.1.2CH Dolby Atmos
https://www.amazon.it/Hiwill-subwoofer-altoparlanti-posteriori-side-firing/dp/B0DPKBVNK1

 

[demigod]

JBL Bar 5.1, i think i paid like $350ish or $400 a couple years ago.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Bought a samsung sound bar years ago that comes with subwoofer and two wireless small back speakers. About $350 CDN. Good enough for me.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

I’m using a Sonos Beam with my LG OLED and it’s been great. Can’t fault it and not overly expensive either. The Arc is so much more expensive and bigger which put me off that one.

I love my Arc and overall my Sonos setup, but I just can't recommend it anymore. They fucked up the app so badly that I am still using the old one and haven't updated to the new version. And the direction their company is headed in... it does not inspire a lot of confidence right now. If they can correct course, I'd absolutely recommend it again, but not unless you get a killer deal on them right now and don't need to deal with the new app (unlikely).

 

[Rickyiez]

I’m using the Samsung HT650 3.1 ,OP , check it out

The extra channel is handy so that voice is louder for certain movies not normalized into stereo. It works pretty well with DTS

Other than that , audio quality and bass sounds decent and connectivity is great with HDMI-cec or Optical. It’s a setup I used in living room , for real listening I have Wharfedale speaker setup for my own gaming setup

 

[evanft]

Buy a receiver and real speakers.

 

[Seomel]

Jesus christ, you are buying $200 soundbar, most of large brands will be perfectly fine, theres no need for something like this topic.