what is a sound bar?

dekuleaf
dekuleaf Posts: 26
edited April 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
wha is a sound bar and how does it work? what does itt do? and is it a good investment?
Post edited by dekuleaf on
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2011
    It does the best job possible of reproducing a 5 channel surround system, in one, easy to setup speaker bar ( ie Polk Audio's SurroundBar series). It uses DSP algorithms and time delays to 'simulate' a surround system in one speaker.

    It's a great investment for people that don't want speakers cluttering the room, and seek an easy setup in one single unit (some units include a powered subwoofer).

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • dekuleaf
    dekuleaf Posts: 26
    edited April 2011
    thank you that was a very detailed and informative i apperiate your input on the matter.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2011
    You are very welcome, welcome to the forum, and thanks for inquiring about a Polk Audio SurroundBar system.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • robsreef
    robsreef Posts: 33
    edited April 2011
    Avoid them if you want good separation. They sound okay, especially in comparison to flat-screen TV built-in speakers, but really, all of your sound is coming from one direction.

    These are good solutions if running wires is not an option, or it's for your grandparents.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,171
    edited April 2011
    robsreef wrote: »
    Avoid them if you want good separation.
    I have to strongly disagree with this statement. I have had the pleasure of auditioning the Soundbar at Polk HQ and within my own household and I can tell you first hand that this would not be what I observed. I can say that the separation may not rival separates in a 7.1 system but the price factor jumps considerably with a system that yields separates. Polk made these utilizing proprietary SDA technology and packaged it in a single unit that does not require rewiring the entire living room and is brought to you for a real down to earth price.

    That said, properly set up, and with the listener sitting in the sweet spot? The sound can come from up, down, back and around the listener. I'm not saying that I don't respect your observations but I do have to question whether or not you heard them as they were intended to be heard.

    If you did, then watching scenes like on Wyatt Earp when the train crosses the screen from left to right, the Soundbar throws out the illusion as if the train is coming from far left [way outside of the Soundbar].....across the living room.....and then fading out to the far right, following where the train is on the screen [again, way past where the Soundbar is]. If you did not have this set up properly or if you were not sitting in the intended sweet spot, then that effect would be severely degraded. Sitting in the sweet spot? It's worth every penny and then some.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • robsreef
    robsreef Posts: 33
    edited April 2011
    I'm sure left to right would be okay in this situation; I've demoed soundbars before.

    The separation I'm speaking of is when a bullet or mortar zips from right front to left rear in something like Saving Private Ryan. While processing algorithims etc, can help simulate rear surround, it'll never match actually having a speaker behind you.

    True surround setups also benefit if there is more than one person watching/listening in the room.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,695
    edited April 2011
    I've demoed soundbars before.

    There are soundbars and then there are Polk SurroundBars. So, which Polk models have you heard?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • robsreef
    robsreef Posts: 33
    edited April 2011
    The 3000 model, they had it set up at the local BB.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    You can't pass judgement on any piece of gear showcased at a big box store...don't know how many times I've said that before.

    You wouldn't do the same for a TV right? Right out of the box they're not calibrated, plus you've got a hundred other TV's side by side and not to mention the horrible lighting (compared to at-home).

    Just sayin....
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,695
    edited April 2011
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    You can't pass judgement on any piece of gear showcased at a big box store...

    Ding, ding, ding.....we have a winner!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2011
    The 3000 model, they had it set up at the local BB.

    Well, at least he didn't read on the Internet about somebody else's experience, and then try to pass that off as fact. However, he did, in another post, quote the Internet "Guru" of all that is cables, so that is another strike.
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  • dekuleaf
    dekuleaf Posts: 26
    edited April 2011
    this helps a lot
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  • ysss
    ysss Posts: 213
    edited April 2011
    It may be good.. or even great... but no hobby expenses (especially on mass produced items) should be considered an investment...
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    ysss wrote: »
    It may be good.. or even great... but no hobby expenses (especially on mass produced items) should be considered an investment...

    It's an investment, for the soul. :cool:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • ysss
    ysss Posts: 213
    edited April 2011
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    It's an investment, for the soul. :cool:

    that is... acceptable :cool:
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  • robsreef
    robsreef Posts: 33
    edited April 2011
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Well, at least he didn't read on the Internet about somebody else's experience, and then try to pass that off as fact. However, he did, in another post, quote the Internet "Guru" of all that is cables, so that is another strike.

    Didn't realize I was at bat here...just a new member that thought if I should ask a question here, I should contribute if I could to questions asked. As far as the article, it's something I've read years ago (it's been around forever), and I find it quite accurate.

    I've got BS in Nuclear Engineering, and a background in metallurgy, so I know a little.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited April 2011
    The yob and the provincial solicitor. Great.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • dougr
    dougr Posts: 124
    edited April 2011
    robsreef wrote: »
    Didn't realize I was at bat here...just a new member that thought if I should ask a question here, I should contribute if I could to questions asked. As far as the article, it's something I've read years ago (it's been around forever), and I find it quite accurate.

    I've got BS in Nuclear Engineering, and a background in metallurgy, so I know a little.

    not sure I follow... I've got an MS is Aerospace Eng, but I'm not sure my L/D calculations for soundbars would interest folks around here :biggrin:
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,171
    edited April 2011
    treitz3 wrote: »
    I'm not saying that I don't respect your observations but I do have to question whether or not you heard them as they were intended to be heard.
    robsreef wrote: »
    The 3000 model, they had it set up at the local BB.
    I see. Thank you.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • dekuleaf
    dekuleaf Posts: 26
    edited April 2011
    what i mean by investmet is i dont make very much money im 18 with a very low paying job and the soundbar s seem to cost a pretty penny. so i was trying to say is it something that i will have a long time or what? because i dont want to spentd what seems like a fourtune on something i will replace in five or six years. and i do take care of the things i own so...
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    Get a good Polk surroundbar and you'll be set for awhile.

    Later when you decide to upgrade, you can use the surroundbar in a bedroom or even your office hooked up to your computer.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • robsreef
    robsreef Posts: 33
    edited April 2011
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    Get a good Polk surroundbar and you'll be set for awhile.

    Later when you decide to upgrade, you can use the surroundbar in a bedroom or even your office hooked up to your computer.

    +1 good advice.
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  • dekuleaf
    dekuleaf Posts: 26
    edited April 2011
    cool
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