Polk Audio SurroundBar (42", 50", 360 DVD Theater, SDA IHT) - Review/ Help Thread

mrbofus

I apoligize again,
The "SurroundBar" has my interest, I have a 40" LCD so I was thinking about the 42" or 50" SurroundBar. Instead of a full 5.1 system
Could the Surroundbar be used as a center channel in a 3.1 system or will it sound better as a stand alone with sub?

TECHNOKID

mrbofus wrote: »

I hope this doesnt sound like an obvious question, but I'm gonna ask anyway.
I just read this whole thread, most seem pleased with the soundbar and it has my interest.
I was (am) planning on a 5.1 system with rti8's as the fronts and am looking at csi-3'5 for the center. The center hasnt gotten the WAF because of its size so my question is:
With a sound bar, would that be for TV and movie watching only without using the fronts(rti8's).Then for music-CD-stereo etc go to 2 channel with sub- not using the soundbar?
I hope my question makes sense? OR could i use the rti8's and the soundbar together?

Yes, the SB (42 or 50) are ideal for TV and movie wathching and even some gaming. You are right about listening to music, a dedicated 2 channels is more suitable either using channel "B" on your AVR for such or a seperate amp. Using the SB as a center channel is not suitable due to the SDA technology and the phase inversion of the dedicated rear drivers. A subwoofer is also advisable if you want the rumble effects in the movies along with the lowest frequencies in the music.

Cheers!
TK

mrbofus

Technokid,
thanks, that was a simple answer to a simple question that I overthought and made it a difficult question .. Over all the SB reviews seem to be positive. I am trying to find one to listen to.
Greg

danny1436

I despise these type of speaker systems. Too Bosey for my liking.

KASR

This type of speaker is the perfect solution for the 2nd TV in my opinion. Whereas my main setup is the "look at my gear" HT setup, the sound bars would be a huge benefit to me for my wall mounted 42inch LCD in my bedroom - a 5.1 setup isn't practical and there's not footprint room for even a 2.1.....however, a mountable bar with a wireless sub - now you're talking!

This could also be a great "living room" setup - I'm actually engaged in a project to remove some shelving and mount a 40+ LCD in the formal living room. Again, the 5.1-7.1 system won't pass the WAF - so the sound bar is the perfect solution.

I would definitely buy this!

anhchungdoan

Got the SDA 360 from Newegg for Xmas.
Fm/ DVD sounds good for a soundbar but Tv input was cut in & out. I tried both RCA and Toslink with the same issue. I ran the TV input thru my Pio SC05, no problem there.

Newegg won't accept return and exchange. Do guys think Pold audio would honor the warranty for a new replacement ?

jimbo1421

Definitely call them Monday. I am sure they will treat you right and get your problem resolved.

Jim

anhchungdoan

jimbo1421 wrote: »

Definitely call them Monday. I am sure they will treat you right and get your problem resolved.

Jim

I haven't used Polk products for the last 15/20 years. The SDA 360 is really nice if I can solve TV input the problem. I just finished watching the old standard DVD " Grand Torino", I am really enjoying the unit when I do not feel like to fire up my Pio or my Onkyo system.

anhchungdoan

dorokusai wrote: »

SurroundBar - SurroundBar 50 - SurroundBar 360 - SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater

I created this thread to get opinions and comments regarding the Polk Audio SurroundBar and the new additions to the SDA Surround family, the SurroundBar 50, SurroundBar 360 and SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater.

If you have previously heard this product, please post your comments. If you have recently heard or purchased this product, I encourage you to let the Club Polk forum...and Polk Audio know what you think of the SurroundBar Series.

This is an open discussion, but please make every attempt to stay on topic. I would hope that whether it's positive or negative, you will post your genuine opinion as all the information is important.

The following information is a collection of quick links to information regarding SDA, SDA Surround and the SurroundBar series of components.

Thanks for participating

SurroundBAR Series Homepage

SurroundBAR FAQ

SDA Surround Sound Technology Explained -- Matt Polk's White Paper

Images:

Thank you for the thread. Besides the WAF , some people such as myself really enjoy the simplicity and the mimic surround sound of the SB when listen at low volume at night to a good movie or to have some background music while working on other projects.

The SB will not replace my full 7.1 or 9.2 system but it does what it is designed for. Great SDA products from Polk Audio.:)

asilverwood

On many t.v. programs (I use U-Verse), the voice is a very low volume and when the laugh track or cheering crowd noise, the volume really drowns the announcer or actors voices. Is there an adjustment to increase the voices or "front channel"? My blu-ray player does not seem to have the same problem, so maybe it is U-Verse or a t.v. only setting I can change on the 360 controller?

If anyone else is experiencing a similar problem and has found a solution, i would appreciate it very much. The 360 and the PSWi225 subwoofer are great when voice/sound is mixed properly.

Thanks for the help.

A newbie to home theater and surround sound

Wooddust

I am looking at buying the Soundbar 42 inch for a new TV set up I am doing. I will have a yamaha reciever, Samsung TV and Samsung Blue ray.

Currently I have a Bose old...I am old as well...reciever/cd player that is shot becuase the CD cartridge wont eject. Byt the subwoofer works fine. The question is can I use the Bose subwoofer with the Polk soiundbar?

koukaiwen

asilverwood wrote: »

On many t.v. programs (I use U-Verse), the voice is a very low volume and when the laugh track or cheering crowd noise, the volume really drowns the announcer or actors voices. Is there an adjustment to increase the voices or "front channel"? My blu-ray player does not seem to have the same problem, so maybe it is U-Verse or a t.v. only setting I can change on the 360 controller?

If anyone else is experiencing a similar problem and has found a solution, i would appreciate it very much. The 360 and the PSWi225 subwoofer are great when voice/sound is mixed properly.

Thanks for the help.

A newbie to home theater and surround sound

I have the exact same problem. My wife complains about it daily and it almost impossible to listen to tv on it.

N1CKOLAS

A new proud owner of the 42" SurroundBAR and PSW10. I have a question though. There is no mention of speaker distance (delay) settings for the AVR in the manual. How should I adjust these? Any benefits to the soundstage when setting the distances shorter/longer than the actual distances? I feel that the surround effect is a bit lacking in my set-up. Any help is greatly appreciated!

jimbo1421

N1CKOLAS wrote: »

A new proud owner of the 42" SurroundBAR and PSW10. I have a question though. There is no mention of speaker distance (delay) settings for the AVR in the manual. How should I adjust these? Any benefits to the soundstage when setting the distances shorter/longer than the actual distances? I feel that the surround effect is a bit lacking in my set-up. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hi N1ckolas,

My SB42 came with an addendum which calls for 15 ms delays for the surrounds. It worked for me. Also boost the surround volume to +6db or more.

Jim

N1CKOLAS

Thanks Jim. Unfortunately my receiver only displays in speaker distance not time delay. According to this site: http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/speaker-setup-guidelines/setting-speaker-levels-distance-in-a-surround-sound-system
15ms delay according to their calculation (1ms = 1.1ft), this would be 16.5 ft. Does the addendum only apply to the surround level? Thanks in advance!

N1CKOLAS

In thinking about this further, if my surroundbar is for example 20ft from my listening position, I should set the surround speaker distance setting on the receiver to ~5ft. Am I looking at this correctly?

jimbo1421

N1CKOLAS wrote: »

Thanks Jim. Unfortunately my receiver only displays in speaker distance not time delay. According to this site: http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/speaker-setup-guidelines/setting-speaker-levels-distance-in-a-surround-sound-system
15ms delay according to their calculation (1ms = 1.1ft), this would be 16.5 ft. Does the addendum only apply to the surround level? Thanks in advance!

Well, my AVR has setting by time delay, not distance. The addendum has different instructions for setting by distance. You can find that attachment in post #380 in this thread.

Jim

N1CKOLAS

When setting your delay, with respect to what is the delay? The LR channels?

jimbo1421

I don't know for sure, but since there is no delay setting on the front left & right channels I would think the delay is with respect to them.

Jim

N1CKOLAS

Alright with some tweaking, the surroundbar is starting to sound better. I still feel the soundstage is a bit lacking. Any other pro-tips out there to unlock the true potential?

jimbo1421

Make sure there are no obstructions on either side of the SB; it needs space around it. For that reason I mounted mine above the TV where there is no furniture to absorb the surrounds. Still 180° is the best you will get for a soundstage.

N1CKOLAS

The soundstage is definitely not reaching 180 degrees. It's probably more like 90... I am just quite aware that the sound is coming from the speaker. Maybe it's just the acoustics of my room. Perhaps it's also time to upgrade the AVR, maybe it's holding me back. Sony STR-SE501.

jimbo1421

I looked up your AVR; 100 wpc ought to be enough. The two factors that affect the surround performance the most seem to be placement (no obstructions) and delay and volume settings. Sorry I can't be of more help with the settings.

Jim

N1CKOLAS

There are no obstructions, only a wall directly behind the listening position. I'm thinking that reflections are negatively influencing the surround sound effects. I'll keep playing with it.

jimbo1421

Would you describe your room arrangement?

Jim

N1CKOLAS

LCD 8 ft. from listening position. Surroundbar sitting directly beneath LCD. LCD and surroundbar are centered in the room with a distance of 5ft. to each side wall. The listening position has a wall directly behind it. Sub is located in what sounds like a great spot about a foot to the left of the LCD.

jimbo1421

What are the room dimensions? Where in the room is the SB, along the long wall? It sounds like your room is about 13'-6" x 9'-0", with your TV/SB on the long wall. Is this right?

N1CKOLAS

18 feet wide, 10 feet long.

jimbo1421

Just to be clear, which wall is your TV on?

N1CKOLAS

o haha bad math. ~14ft wide, 10 ft. long. the tv is on the wide wall centered.