Home Theater Sound Bars

[AudioDave]

Do any of you have any experience with the home theater sound bars and if so what are you thoughts?  I am looking at the Bose, Sony, Vizio, etc. and all of the reviews look good but I always value the thoughts recommendations of everyone on this forum and know that I will get an honest opinion.  I know that the 5.1 home theaters with dedicated amp are better but for this particular room I am looking for something simplier and less wires.
Thanks!
Dave

 

[Grainger49]

Dave,

I heard one once and it was, er... odd!  This one replaced all 5 of the standard speakers.

I didn't get a sense of anything to my side or behind me. 

And, then again, this was at my god son's house.  I wasn't going to deflate him by trying different positions.

Not much help, sorry.

 

[Laudanum]

Not exactly a sound bar, more of a sound pedestal ... Zvox.   They dont sound like a full blown surround sound system but the processing works pretty well and they do sound wider than 2 channel.  More effective than all of the relatively inexpensive sound bars that Ive heard.  My Daughter has one.  We almost bought one for when we dont feel like turning on the system or later at night but we we really didnt need it because of the full system.
The thing with them is that the model you need depends on your TV to a certian degree because a very large TV wont sit on the small models.  And, price goes up with size and they have different tech. levels.  But pricing isnt outrageous and I think you can return it if you dont like it.

www.zvoxaudio.com

 

[Alonzo]

Tried a couple, Sony and Polk.  Got tired of throwing good money on so-so computer speakers.  (thats where they are now, they are Ok gaming speakers and subs).  If your going to do movies, I think you'll be disappointed.  On the other hand it is an upgrade from TV speakers.  If you want simple, go for a T-amp and speakers  from Parts Express.
Alonzo

Also, don't try them for music, for me it didn't work out but YMMV.

 

[Chris]

costs a little more but look into the Niro1 from Niro Nakamichi...

 

[AudioDave]

Thanks everyone,  I appreciate your input.  Looks like I have some more research to do.
Dave

 

[rif]

Some of them also are heavily dependent on your room's geometry, since they bounce signals off of walls to simulate 5.1 (i have a very irregularly shaped room so had to abandon the idea)