Alright, so I've been wrestling with this soundbar issue for quite some time, and I figured it was time to involve some people more knowledgeable than me. I'll try to be as comprehensive and simultaneously brief as I can.
My fiancee and I recently moved in together to a great apartment. I was coming from a house with a 65 inch tv with an incredible surround system in the basement, translation, it was loud, it rumbled, and I loved it. Since then I've been faced with the reality that it would take me a number of years to save up the $ to build a similar sound system in my new place, which led me to the choice of a soundbar or a lower end surround system. I decided against the cheaper surround system as well, I've had bad experiences there.
So here's my setup. 60 inch Panasonic Viera TC-P60GT50 television, a DVR cablebox, and a PS3. I use the TV to stream Netflix, Hulu plus, etc... and the PS3 for blu-rays and gaming. I've also wanted to add an Apple TV, but I dunno, never wanted to dish the $100 for a product that is pretty superfluous.
Budget: $600 max, but would rather come in between $300-$500. I realize this puts me in the "mid-range" of sound bar options, to which I've done extensive research but just can't seem to be able to tell which one really is best.
What I want: SOUND!!! I love my TV but these speakers are just awful! I'm coming from an incredible surround system with great wall rattling bass. I obviously realize I won't be able to replicate that with a sound-bar, but I feel like with a $600 budget, I can get something good.
So, here's where I turn my trust over to you... I've done my research, products like the Sony HT-CT660 and the VIZIO S4251w-B4 5.1 both keep popping up as seemingly decent options at the low end of my budget which is attractive, but I know there are some superior sound bars out there that come in closer to the top end of my budget and I am very willing to purchase a $500 or $600 sound bar if it truly is superior. I am at your mercy, please help me!
My fiancee and I recently moved in together to a great apartment. I was coming from a house with a 65 inch tv with an incredible surround system in the basement, translation, it was loud, it rumbled, and I loved it. Since then I've been faced with the reality that it would take me a number of years to save up the $ to build a similar sound system in my new place, which led me to the choice of a soundbar or a lower end surround system. I decided against the cheaper surround system as well, I've had bad experiences there.
So here's my setup. 60 inch Panasonic Viera TC-P60GT50 television, a DVR cablebox, and a PS3. I use the TV to stream Netflix, Hulu plus, etc... and the PS3 for blu-rays and gaming. I've also wanted to add an Apple TV, but I dunno, never wanted to dish the $100 for a product that is pretty superfluous.
Budget: $600 max, but would rather come in between $300-$500. I realize this puts me in the "mid-range" of sound bar options, to which I've done extensive research but just can't seem to be able to tell which one really is best.
What I want: SOUND!!! I love my TV but these speakers are just awful! I'm coming from an incredible surround system with great wall rattling bass. I obviously realize I won't be able to replicate that with a sound-bar, but I feel like with a $600 budget, I can get something good.
So, here's where I turn my trust over to you... I've done my research, products like the Sony HT-CT660 and the VIZIO S4251w-B4 5.1 both keep popping up as seemingly decent options at the low end of my budget which is attractive, but I know there are some superior sound bars out there that come in closer to the top end of my budget and I am very willing to purchase a $500 or $600 sound bar if it truly is superior. I am at your mercy, please help me!