SoundBar in 7.1 config... will it work?

deniska

New to the forum...

I need advice on speaker selection for a home theater. Here's the context:
- The room is about 15x18
- There is no wall on the right side -- it's open to the next room (if that's important to acoustics)
- The listening position is on my trusty couch about 14 feet from the TV
- Just bought a new TV that will hang in the center of one 15' wall
- Just bought an Onkyo TXSR674S 7.1 receiver
- There are already two rear surround speakers wired in the room (Bose cubes) that the previous owner left (just bought the house). These are located in the corners by the ceiling, a couple of feet behind the couch
- Still have the 5 speakers and sub-woofer from my el-cheapo Pioneer HT system I bought years ago for a couple of hundred bucks. That's really what I 've been listening to for a while.

I am looking for a speaker system... on the cheap, but that will perform well and not be obtrusive in the room. Not much music listening (some), mostly movies, TV, DVDs. As I searched, I stumbled upon many good reviews of Polk SurroundBar (seems it can be had for $600 on Amazon). Would be easy to install, and I could use it in combination with the two rear speakers and my el-cheapo woofer through the receiver in a 7.1 config.

My questions are... are you ready?... are you sure you are ready?...
- Do you think this setup will perform well?
- Will I be missing out on good surround?
- Am I better off with a less expensive 5.1 configuration with separate speakers?
- Any other recommendations given my setup?
- Am I just plain crazy?... No scratch that last one, I already know the answer

wingnut4772

I don't like it. At all. I think you would be better off going with an actual 5.1 system (or 7.1 and ditch the BOSE). Hsu Ventriloquist system comes to mind for that price. The Surround Bar is nice enough for what it is but it will not replace a full set up. As far as the open area..direct surrounds on stands should work well.(not dipole)

deniska

Thanks, Wingnut.

deniska

Any other thoughts? C'mon, Polk people (or is it Polkies... or Polkers? ). We need some public discourse here

deniska

Thanks again!

jdhdiggs

Missing the right wall would put the soundbar at a distinct disadvantage to a true 5.1 system. I would recommend sticking to 5.1 if you're on a budget as there isn't much info in those extra two channels so instead of spending the $$$ for two additional speakers you can get better speakers or sub.

VXR8

Another way at looking at it is you already have 2 surround back speakers (Bose Cubes).

I have the SurroundBAR too, set up in a room where I didn't want trails of wiring. When set up correctly, the SurroundBAR gives the impression that the rear sound is coming from beside you and not necessarily behind you.

You have the advantage of the surround back channels as well within your receiver and can utilise the Bose Cubes, so I'd advise that you go for it and get the SurroundBAR!

deniska

Thanks, all. I realized that with 2 Z2 speakers, my receiver will only do 5.1... So I wouldn't be able to use the rear surround with the SoundBar. That settles it then, no soundbar

danger boy

i recently did a demo of the SurroundBar and while it was ok.. it did not thrill me like my own 5.1 system does. It did not do well at all for listening to music.. it's designed for home theater. but I use my HT for both music and movies.

It has it's place of course.. but for true home theater, you would be missing alot of back surround effects.

cstpeter

Welcome to the forum!

wingnut4772 wrote: »

I don't like it. At all. I think you would be better off going with an actual 5.1 system (or 7.1 and ditch the BOSE). Hsu Ventriloquist system comes to mind for that price. The Surround Bar is nice enough for what it is but it will not replace a full set up. As far as the open area..direct surrounds on stands should work well.(not dipole)

I agree. Check out this package from HSU for $549. The Ventriloquist system gets great reviews, and HSU subwoofers provide some of the best bang for the buck:

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance2.html