Sony Launches Surround Sound System for PS3

[JMcEntegart]

Sony had an insanely long press conference yesterday but in nearly two hours of announcement and demos, the company never once mentioned its new Surround Sound System for the PlayStation.

Sony Launches Surround Sound System for PS3 : Read more

 

[thebigt42]

Its not surround Sound is 2.1...NO Rear Speakers

 

[restatement3dofted]

Will be interested to see reviews of this. Have been looking for a convenient way to get some improved sound without the means to run more than a two-speaker setup, but sound bars seem to get pretty mixed reviews - fingers crossed this one will be worthwhile.

 

[hispeed120]

Seems like a lot of money for a 2.1 system. I have enjoyed my Z-5500 hooked up to the PS3 so far, and was able to score those for about $150.

I guess it's cool that it can simulate Dolby or DTS surround across a 2.1-channel system, though I don't know how it would actually compete with a true surround system.

 

[restatement3dofted]

[citation][nom]thebigt42[/nom]Its not surround Sound is 2.1...NO Rear Speakers[/citation]

That's why it's called "virtual surround," smarts.

[citation][nom]hispeed120[/nom]I guess it's cool that it can simulate Dolby or DTS surround across a 2.1-channel system, though I don't know how it would actually compete with a true surround system.[/citation]

General consensus with sound bars is that they fall short in any attempt to simulate surround, unless you're in a perfectly rectangular area where you can get the sound to bounce off the surface behind you. Some people seem to think it's great, though.

 

[TunaSoda]

I'll stick to my 5.1 system...

 

[COLGeek]

Simulating a 5.1 capability over a 2.1 system will, in effect, be a 2.1 system. There is really no way for the config to project sound behind you (back channels in a 5.1 config). While this soundbar solution looks nice, I see limited utility in such a solution.

 

[tsnorquist]

@hispeed120

Couldn't agree more with you. I have a Z-5500 set hooked up to my living room TV/PS3. For what they cost, you simply can't beat how well they perform.

 

[Guest]

What kind of idiot pays $200 for a 2.1 sound system?

 

[festerovic]

This is not needed when you can get a HDMI receiver that does LPCM 7.1 playback for under $200, plus a few speakers, and you are at a little over the cost of this 50w system. Besides, the PS3 does all the decoding for BR and games, it's not needed to get a receiver that does Dolby or DTS.

Sony has a habit of making audio products for specific/niche purposes, many of which have some extreme shortcomings.

 

[dman3k]

where is the sub?

for that price, why not buy a real soundbar from samsung or vizio or something?

 

[eyemaster]

Too expensive and normally a TV already comes with 2 speakers. So you're paying 200$ for a sub, really...

 

[redguard117]

[citation][nom]restatement3dofted[/nom]Will be interested to see reviews of this. Have been looking for a convenient way to get some improved sound without the means to run more than a two-speaker setup, but sound bars seem to get pretty mixed reviews - fingers crossed this one will be worthwhile.[/citation]

Try the Polk SurroundBar 50, only $1000 and excellent performance. You might think it expensive at first, but compare it to offerings from Mirage, Martin Logan, and Revel, and its actually insanely cheap

 

[orbitron]

No Thank you. I still prefer using my 5.1 Surround sound.

 

[Blessedman]

I find the most curious thing of this article is the exchange rate on the euro to dollars.

 

[godnodog]

That´s odd $199 =/= €199
apparently Sony doesn´t know how to make connversions

 

[jmchien]

if the reviews are decent i'll be interested in getting one...

 

[sliem]

[citation][nom]godnodog[/nom]That´s odd $199 =/= €199apparently Sony doesn´t know how to make connversions[/citation]

Maybe it's intentional? (cheaper in US)

Also $200 is too expensive.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

So... it's like Bose.

 

[N.Broekhuijsen]

I'll stick to my custom built speakers which put out:
400 watts subwoofer,
200 watts midtoner
2x 100 watts tweeter.

that is for one speaker, multiply that by 2, and then add some cheap $30 speakers for surround and center.

total cost to build: $450.
performance: better than cinema (not joking)

sorry I don't mean to fap but I think it is pathetic that people buy these overpriced things which probably end up sounding horrible.