What is the best soundbar for a flatscreen TV?
August 24, 2013 1:32 PM   Subscribe

What is the best soundbar for a flatscreen TV which includes bluetooth for my iPhone music, but does *not* include a subwoofer, and is under $200?

I bought my first real HD flatscreen, a Samsung 40" and it's been great for things like watching sports or movies that are a little more visceral, audio-wise. It hadn't really occurred to me to get a soundbar until I saw one in the store. Is it something you've found makes the experience much better?

Like most TVs, the current built-in speakers are a little tinny. I'd like to find a very compact soundbar, short and wide, that will also serve as an amp for my iPhone music. But I have limited space on my shelf, so a subwoofer wouldn't really work. Ultimately I just want a richer, bass-ier sound than what I've currently got. Let me know your experiences.. thanks!
posted by deern the headlice to Technology (4 answers total) 10 users marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: Actually a built-in subwoofer would be ideal, though it looks like some of them are > $200.
posted by deern the headlice at 1:51 PM on August 24, 2013


deern the headlice: "Is it something you've found makes the experience much better?"

I'll just mention that my girlfriend got one for her Samsung TV and although it has a nice sound, it trips me out a little bit that they there is no longer a vision cue on screen for the sound level when you change the volume. I just like having that visual feedback.
posted by bluecore at 3:52 PM on August 24, 2013


Best answer: Just for comparison's sake, we have this LG sound bar.

It does have a subwoofer, but it's wirelessly connected to the soundbar and sits behind a chair - doesn't really matter WHERE in the room the subwoofer is, yet it's out of sight and out of mind.

Point is, it's made a HUGE difference. It's like a sudden home-theatre system with our flat-panel. It has bluetooth and pairs up with my iPhone just fine. Also, since I use a Harmony One universal remote, volume settings for the TV or Movies or Whatevs are handled independently by the sound bar and the remote control's volume rocker - and there's a volume level readout on the soundbar's minimal display.

HIGHLY recommended!
posted by matty at 6:45 PM on August 24, 2013


Best answer: This is by far the best soundbar for the money on the market right now. The subwoofer is wireless, so you can put it wherever is convenient in your room. Subwoofers are largely omnidirectional, so it doesn't matter too much where you put it.
posted by Precision at 11:43 PM on August 24, 2013


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