Speaker Bar for an 82yr old dad

bassaholic
bassaholic Posts: 315
edited November 2012 in Speakers
Hopefully this is the right place to post this. My dad is 82 yrs old, lives alone and doesn't hear very well. Last year for Christmas I bought him a 46" TV. This year, he can't hear it so well. I have a ton of speakers and a receiver laying around in my basement but I need to get him something simple. I need a "surround" bar for the tv. If anyone has any ideas (no more than $125) I'd appreciate your suggestions.
Pioneer SC-37
RTiA9-fronts
CSiA6-center
RT55i-surrounds
SVS PB13 Ultra & PSW650
Monster Power 3250 amp
Monster Power 2250 amp
Monster Power HDP-2500 surge pro.



Denon 3805,CS400i,RT25i's & FX500i's sitting in the basement collecting dust
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2012
    Unless you plan on buying used, nothing SurroundBar from Polk Audio fits that budget. I've owned and demo'd every single SBar they currently and have discontinued over the years and the best one I've used for simplicity and sound is the SB6000 @ $500. Yes they're cheaper variations but I've had issues with a couple of them(SB3000) and am not a fan personally of the lower end bars. Thats not to say it wouldn't fit your needs, since we're all different audibly but even at that stage, we're starting at $350.

    Both of them come with subwoofers and both are technically very easy to setup.

    The first question when it comes to choice is what is the exact model Television your Father has for use with this potential SBar? We have to start there.

    I may be able to dig up a old demo or used one from the warehouse but that's just winging it on that comment and ONLY because your Dad is 82 and we need to get him hooked up.

    Mark
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    edited November 2012
    You may want to demo a JVC soundbar. Know somebody who has one, but can't remember the model. Anyway, it didn't sound too bad, and it was under $150. Amazon has a lot of sales on right now.
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,783
    edited November 2012
    PM sent, Got your response but there was no message other than my quote...
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  • bassaholic
    bassaholic Posts: 315
    edited November 2012
    To clear a few things up. All I know at this point is the TV is an RCA. No laughing....from my fathers point he loves it. ( Lots more than the ole 25" he had) Ive seen online and in flyers SB around $80 or less. (Vizio, JVC, Philips)

    Anyone have any experience with these or other models? ( I doubt it) If you reply...remember, the TV is NOT a high end model and all my dad needs to do is hear the sound better. He will not understand EXTRA remotes, inputs on the TV etc...

    TIA, Steve
    Pioneer SC-37
    RTiA9-fronts
    CSiA6-center
    RT55i-surrounds
    SVS PB13 Ultra & PSW650
    Monster Power 3250 amp
    Monster Power 2250 amp
    Monster Power HDP-2500 surge pro.



    Denon 3805,CS400i,RT25i's & FX500i's sitting in the basement collecting dust
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited November 2012
    Checkout ''iLive soundbars''. I think your dad will be pleased. Not to spendy and they work great. Can be found at Target, Newegg, HHGregg etc...
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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2012
    Check the sound bar from Vizio I think it will fit what you are looking for it will go for less than 99.00 at Walmart I have one in my daugthers room and she is happy with it.

    http://store.vizio.com/vsb200.html

    Cheers
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  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    edited November 2012
    Most sound bars have a remote. Friends JVC was fairly simple. Although I did laugh my butt off when she couldn't figure out why it wasn't working, and had the FM radio on, tuned to an unassaigned freq.
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  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited November 2012
    If you got a Samsung TV try the Samsung sound bar. I installed one before. Came with a wireless sub too. The whole unit will turn on by itself when you power on the tv. Very cool and sounded way better then the singe oval shaped samsung tv speaker. I think Target has them for 180. Normally they sell for 300ish.
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
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  • bassaholic
    bassaholic Posts: 315
    edited November 2012
    Thanks for the replies/offer (Mark). I ended up going with the Vizio. Read pretty decent reviews and the price was right that I can get him a few more goodies to open.
    Pioneer SC-37
    RTiA9-fronts
    CSiA6-center
    RT55i-surrounds
    SVS PB13 Ultra & PSW650
    Monster Power 3250 amp
    Monster Power 2250 amp
    Monster Power HDP-2500 surge pro.



    Denon 3805,CS400i,RT25i's & FX500i's sitting in the basement collecting dust
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited November 2012
    Get him a pair of open type headphones and a long extension cord for them. Feed the tv audio to any kind of receiver/amp, plug the headphones into it, and inject the stuff directly into his head.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2012
    If it was my Dad I would spend more.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • bassaholic
    bassaholic Posts: 315
    edited November 2012
    janmike wrote: »
    If it was my Dad I would spend more.

    Nice comment. JA.... His life doesn't revolve around audio. He's simply hard of hearing, 82 and doesn't expect a top notch theater experience. What and how much I choose to spend is my business and doesn't require nonsense from you. I'll be sure to show him this thread when he opens it on Christmas. If you're lucky, I'll let him respond in HIS own words.
    Pioneer SC-37
    RTiA9-fronts
    CSiA6-center
    RT55i-surrounds
    SVS PB13 Ultra & PSW650
    Monster Power 3250 amp
    Monster Power 2250 amp
    Monster Power HDP-2500 surge pro.



    Denon 3805,CS400i,RT25i's & FX500i's sitting in the basement collecting dust
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2012
    No surprise here.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,132
    edited November 2012
    Nice gesture you will make your father proud. I could only imagine how proud he is to have a son such as yourself, they say it's the thought that counts. When my mom comes to visit she would rather we turn on the ol crt for her in the guest bedroom for her, then mess with the HT, she shudders at the thought of using skype or facebook good ol fashioned pictures is what she wants.
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    Stuff for the Head
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  • bassaholic
    bassaholic Posts: 315
    edited November 2012
    gudnoyez wrote: »
    Nice gesture you will make your father proud. I could only imagine how proud he is to have a son such as yourself, they say it's the thought that counts. When my mom comes to visit she would rather we turn on the ol crt for her in the guest bedroom for her, then mess with the HT, she shudders at the thought of using skype or facebook good ol fashioned pictures is what she wants.

    Thanks and I couldn't agree more. My grandma on the other side of the family is proud of her console Zenith and until this day we still help her set up the 8mm & projection screen and laugh away. Also, looking at old pics is one of my favorite times. I love learning family/local history.
    Pioneer SC-37
    RTiA9-fronts
    CSiA6-center
    RT55i-surrounds
    SVS PB13 Ultra & PSW650
    Monster Power 3250 amp
    Monster Power 2250 amp
    Monster Power HDP-2500 surge pro.



    Denon 3805,CS400i,RT25i's & FX500i's sitting in the basement collecting dust
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  • bassaholic
    bassaholic Posts: 315
    edited November 2012
    janmike wrote: »
    No surprise here.

    That's the response I would expect from you. Either way as stated before, IT WAS NOT NEEDED HERE. You could talk me up and down about audio/video, amps, wires, watts, ohms etc, I don't care. Booger up someone elses thread.
    Pioneer SC-37
    RTiA9-fronts
    CSiA6-center
    RT55i-surrounds
    SVS PB13 Ultra & PSW650
    Monster Power 3250 amp
    Monster Power 2250 amp
    Monster Power HDP-2500 surge pro.



    Denon 3805,CS400i,RT25i's & FX500i's sitting in the basement collecting dust
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited November 2012
    I'm sure your Father will be quite pleased. Hard to doi know, but i find it best to ignore the crap. Best wishes to you & your Dad.
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,851
    edited November 2012
    Very cool, Bass, your dad will enjoy both the thought and the soundbar. Better watch out, though; next thing you know, your dad might be calling up for help with setting up a monoblock-driven 9.1 surround sound system with wall treatments, etc. :eek:
    And it is the thought that counts. Picked up a Soundbar in the FS forum for the crew downstairs. It's not the be-all-to-end-all soundbar, but my thought was, "They're down there playing Xbox, they're not up here raiding the refrigerator". I have to eat, too.
    Your thoughtfulness is sure to be noticed and appreciated by your dad. :smile:
    Sal Palooza
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