jtaus67 Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 I’ve recently had to reconfigure the main tv viewing area which meant removing amp/speakers and resorting to a lower end Yamaha soundbar. I’m looking at smaller active speakers versus a higher end soundbar (cabinet top space allows for it) as I’ve simply found the audio with the soundbar pretty ordinary especially for dialogue. And there are very limited configurable setups in the associated app. But tie into that the desire to have relatively decent streaming music also, I’m wondering if anyone can offer suggestions for said active speakers. Yamaha nxn500 seem well connectable and price wise look like a good point. But (oh darn audio desire) I saw the kef lsx fitting a similar setup at a higher price point. Is there merit in essentially spending a grand more for tv and streaming music? Subjective of course but wondering also what other options within those price points that would have a smallish footprint, hdmi or optical link from the tv, bt and/or wireless streaming and a reasonable sound quality? I’m hoping to have no other devices needed in the setup, leaving the box and cable haven for “the other room”TIA!
Janjuggler Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) Hi @jtaus67 , There are a few around, DALI Zensor 1 AX ~ $800 at Addicted to Audio KLIPSCH RE15PM ~ $1K + Apollo HiFi Aktimate Micro + B ~ $450 A1 Future Shop Aktimate Mini + B ~ $690 A1 Future Shop Yamaha NX-N500 ~ $640 Clef HiFi Some to think about. JJ Edited January 21, 2019 by Janjuc
jtaus67 Posted January 21, 2019 Author Posted January 21, 2019 20 minutes ago, Janjuc said: Hi @jtaus67 , There are a few around, DALI Zensor 1 AX ~ $800 at Addicted to Audio KLIPSCH RE15PM ~ $1K + Apollo HiFi Aktimate Micro + B ~ $450 A1 Future Shop Aktimate Mini + B ~ $690 A1 Future Shop Yamaha NX-N500 ~ $640 Clef HiFi Some to think about. JJ Appreciate that feedback, will do some research on them!Thanks!
manchu Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) 45 minutes ago, Janjuc said: Aktimate Micro + B ~ $450 A1 Future Shop Aktimate Mini + B ~ $690 A1 Future Shop better prices around at the moment: micro - $299, mini - $399 https://audioheaven.com.au/brands/aktimate-speakers/AKTIMATE-MINI-B but..IMO the best bet in Aktimate for OP would be the 'Blue' because of the optical input. $499 (ex demo), or $599 new https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/Speakers/2.0/51963-AktiBlu-BK/exdemo Something like the yamaha's would be tempting too for better wireless streaming than bluetooth (musiccast), but it's cheap and easy to add external device for streaming (eg. chromecast audio, airport express) to the aktimates. Edited January 21, 2019 by manchu
Bronal Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 3 hours ago, jtaus67 said: I’ve recently had to reconfigure the main tv viewing area which meant removing amp/speakers and resorting to a lower end Yamaha soundbar. Does your soundbar have different options on the remote for 'music', 'cinema', 'news' etc. I bought a Sony soundbar/sub with all these options and I must say they all work as they should. The only nuisance is changing between settings when you change programs. I don't think two standalone speakers will necessarily give better voice reproduction as I understand the secret is in the centre channel. But I know little about home theatre, which is why I bought a soundbar.
jtaus67 Posted January 21, 2019 Author Posted January 21, 2019 19 minutes ago, Bronal said: Does your soundbar have different options on the remote for 'music', 'cinema', 'news' etc. I bought a Sony soundbar/sub with all these options and I must say they all work as they should. The only nuisance is changing between settings when you change programs. I don't think two standalone speakers will necessarily give better voice reproduction as I understand the secret is in the centre channel. But I know little about home theatre, which is why I bought a soundbar. Yes it does though the general challenge is the processing for "3D surround" for each of the scenarios (movie, tv, music etc.) just mashes everything up to the point the "clear voice " setting has no hope. All the combinations of one on, other off etc. just havent succeeded. Allowing for the source material and room it simply doesnt do a great job. My old setup (nicer mid-high end speakers and amp) did a fine job for the voices in general. So comparing apples and oranges but hoping the right smaller, self propelled speakers can simply do a better "stereo" job - the "stereo" setting on the soundbar is about par with the tv speakers but i think this is just as good as this bar gets. I am not really after the pseudo surround etc. and unfortunately circumstances preclude putting the old setup back in place. My guess is decent midrange wont come from the soundbar speakers aimed at making "noise" to be processed for that surround. And i freely admit i just want to see if there is a happy ground of powered speakers that do good 2 channel audio and will serve tv duties to a higher degree than I am getting now. I appreciate the suggestions, clearly the options are many, and each time the main focus is on any feedback for the 2 channel performance (the Dali mentioned certainly get good feedback).
Chill3 Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) I have a Samsung Series 9 (N950) soundbar - these are Dolby Atmos and come with wireless rear speakers and sub. For movies the sound is hard to fault IMO and I am very happy , for perspective this replaced a full 5.2 system with Pioneer LX87 , vintage JBL speakers and 2 subs, and while obviously not as good, it does the job well enough that I never feel wanting. Of course its much less of an impost into the room ! Can be got for about $1400 ( list is $1999) For music its OK, certainly usable for general non critical listening, I have a separate good quality 2ch music set up so seldom use it for that. Edited January 21, 2019 by Chill3
Irek Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) Hi, It's a difficult question. Maybe try Focal dimension + subwoofer + Bluetooth or wifi dongle. Naim muso could be for you as well. Edited January 21, 2019 by Irek
jtaus67 Posted January 21, 2019 Author Posted January 21, 2019 I am steering away from extra boxes (like sub, in-line devices) as the area is limited or, "controlled" for aesthetic outcome so really limiting to leaving the soundbar or just two speaker setup. The more i am reading and thinking about it i think i want a nice set of speakers for music when i am listening here (won't be critical) and am hoping they produce a better experience with the dialogue. It will be simply spotify streaming or otherwise across bluetooth/wifi for this setup. I did see some of the Dyn speakers mentioned here and there, though most are over the planned spend. Maybe second hand but then these powered speakers with everything built in aren't like passives so also worried about longevity.
Irek Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 If the aesthetics + streaming + minimum boxes + no subwoofer are important than I would definitely try Naim muso. I heard it once and was very impressed. 1
jtaus67 Posted January 22, 2019 Author Posted January 22, 2019 The Muso is interesting and I'm close to a shop that might be able to demo. Pricing may keep it out of options at the moment but if its good enough it might be worth waiting for. Probably more functionality than i need but yeah looks like a potential option as a single box unit like a soundbar.
SMoless Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 Hey, I am pretty positive you will find what you are looking for here https://geeklah.com/best-wireless-surround-sound-system.html . It is a really nice guide with comparison of different sound bars. It helped me a lot and hope it will do the same to you. Have a nice day!
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted January 25, 2019 Volunteer Posted January 25, 2019 6 minutes ago, SMoless said: Hey, I am pretty positive you will find what you are looking for here https://geeklah.com/best-wireless-surround-sound-system.html . It is a really nice guide with comparison of different sound bars. It helped me a lot and hope it will do the same to you. Have a nice day! Hey, why don’t you tell us which one you bought and why? That way we don’t have to click on a dodgy looking link
Irek Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 13 hours ago, SMoless said: Hey, I am pretty positive you will find what you are looking for here https://geeklah.com/best-wireless-surround-sound-system.html . It is a really nice guide with comparison of different sound bars. It helped me a lot and hope it will do the same to you. Have a nice day! The requirement is no extra boxes (including subwoofer).
Andrews_melb Posted January 26, 2019 Posted January 26, 2019 I know you want to go away from a soundbar, but i love the bluesound pulse ive got. its got even easier to use due to firmware updates. it puts out some serious sound and great clarity when watching a movie. I dont use it for music often, but when i do im always impressed.
jtaus67 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Posted January 26, 2019 Thanks for the further suggestions. Stuck on actives but while i decide, I’ve ordered a sub to see if that helps the bar with the muddiness. If not it’ll end up elsewhere and ill possibly leave the sub with the actives i end up with. Unfortunately the muso is too high for the tv sitting an inch or two over the bottom of the screen, which might be a shame but probably glad i didnt audition ending up wall mounting arguments the next hurdle.
Irek Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 If you don't want to hang the TV on wall then you can pack up the stand. Easy to get design pine 90*42 or hardwood. Subwoofer doesn't fix muddines.
jtaus67 Posted January 29, 2019 Author Posted January 29, 2019 If you don't want to hang the TV on wall then you can pack up the stand. Easy to get design pine 90*42 or hardwood. Subwoofer doesn't fix muddines. Lumps of wood on the stand won't cut it with the boss . For now offloading the bass duties is my short term cheap hope while I decide a final solution with a pair of actives.
Irek Posted January 29, 2019 Posted January 29, 2019 I hope you are joking about the boss. You are the boss, your hobby, your life.
jtaus67 Posted January 30, 2019 Author Posted January 30, 2019 18 hours ago, Irek said: I hope you are joking about the boss. You are the boss, your hobby, your life. We walk different paths clearly! In any case the cheap sub has helped. Whether it's a full solution or not, too early to tell but it does allow me to reduce the bass settings via the app for the yamaha, and let the sub take over the work on bottom end. I suspect the limitation is in the bars implementation and overall control the app allows. But for now while i ponder this will do and makes it a little more tolerable. Hiding the sub out of plain sight means plugging the port but it still does good duty and enough to keep the sound full. Now to find the right actives..
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