5.1 surround vs Soundbar?

[linkgx1]

I just bought a Pioneer 5.1 surround system from Walmart for like $269. I want to return it, as it seems to have an issue with sound coming out of the speakers. But now I'm wondering if I should get an Onkyo S-3400 Htib or a nice soundbar? Right now I live in a town home, but most of the sound will be in the basement.

I say sound bar simply because I didn't realize the back (surround) speakers don't really produce a lot of sound *at least in my case* and most of the sound comes from the front speakers. I'm wondering if soundbars are worth it or should I just go head and get the Onkyo. Please help!

 

[hang-the-9]

The surround speakers only produce sounds when there is sound in the source that comes from the rear (helicopter circling around, a bad guy running up from behind you, etc...), so yes, most of the sound comes from the front speakers.

A soundbar would do a decent job of faking the surround info by delaying rear sounds and bouncing sound waves across the rooms, but it's not as good as a true rear speaker setup. I have a low cost Vizio sound bar I picked up in a trade (they are about $100 new without a sub) and I find the sound is very nice from it. You should be able to do an A/B comparison in the store to find something you like, may even save yourself a few $100.

 

[linkgx1]

The surround speakers only produce sounds when there is sound in the source that comes from the rear (helicopter circling around, a bad guy running up from behind you, etc...), so yes, most of the sound comes from the front speakers.

A soundbar would do a decent job of faking the surround info by delaying rear sounds and bouncing sound waves across the rooms, but it's not as good as a true rear speaker setup. I have a low cost Vizio sound bar I picked up in a trade (they are about $100 new without a sub) and I find the sound is very nice from it. You should be able to do an A/B comparison in the store to find something you like, may even save yourself a few $100.

The only problem is that......most stores that I've gone too don't have the soundbars set up.

I've only heard one soundbar and it's pretty good.

If a 5.1 surround is the same price as the soundbar ($59 more), do you think there is a massive sound difference?

 

[hang-the-9]

The only problem is that......most stores that I've gone too don't have the soundbars set up.

I've only heard one soundbar and it's pretty good.

If a 5.1 surround is the same price as the soundbar ($59 more), do you think there is a massive sound difference?

Speakers are very dependent on how you set them up and to the listener. For example, I do not like at all how BOSE speakers sound (aside from their earbuds), but many love them.

I am very happy with my cheap Vizio sound bar, I doubt that a full surround setup for 100-150 would sound any better. If you go up to 200-300, you may get better sounding speakers that sound better than just a soundbar, but that requires actually trying them out.

It's a personal call though, like picking a mouse or keyboard, there is no single "best" pick for everyone.

 

[linkgx1]

Speakers are very dependent on how you set them up and to the listener. For example, I do not like at all how BOSE speakers sound (aside from their earbuds), but many love them.

I am very happy with my cheap Vizio sound bar, I doubt that a full surround setup for 100-150 would sound any better. If you go up to 200-300, you may get better sounding speakers that sound better than just a soundbar, but that requires actually trying them out.

It's a personal call though, like picking a mouse or keyboard, there is no single "best" pick for everyone.

Thanks. I went ahead and purchased the Onkyo-S3400. The main reason is that I don't want to regret it like two months later like I usually do. :lol: It should arrive tomorrow....but UPS may have a hard time due to the snow storm we had...*sigh*. But at least the drivers will be safe.