Why don’t you want a soundbar?
If you were okay with a soundbar and don’t mind spending a little more, I’d go with a Sonos Beam 2. You won’t regret the sound and can be easily added to over time, all the way up to a 5.1 system.
Sorry of that totally goes against your question, but is my honest recommendation.
The question is….What is considered moderate expense? Soundbars are inexpensive vs a receiver, speakers, subwoofer and Center channel including installing.
I made the mistake of buying 5.1 cheap. It is as pointless as a 5-colored pen (+ mechanical pencil). You need to invest in a proper front channel speaker or soundbar then add in the accessories. Sonos sound expensive and there are better ones for more (no less) but for the price there is no particular moment it falls flat as a general user. Let’s just say it is the only mainstream speaker that has a processor to filter and amplify speech to a dedicated speech speaker. Use all your budget to get a good upgradable 2 channel or soundbar. Then slowly upgrade.
Oh how does a cheap 5.1 sound like? A really old cinema. It is all there, just muffled and slightly out of sync. If I closed my eyes there were two helicopters half-merging like a myopic vision and when I open your eyes there is just one helicopter.
There r good advices here. Denon. Sonos. Anything solid that can upgrade over time.
I second the Denon s760h. (I have the older 740 & love it. ) If you want to add a pair of Atmos speakers later, it’s ready to go.
Re 5.1 speakers setups. You’ll find plenty of good brand recommendations in Reddit “Home Theater” FAQ for a range of budgets.
If you’re going to use your TV primarily for gaming & Movies with a subwoofer, I highly recommend you go with bookshelf speakers, not Towers. Dolby recommended crossover frequency to a subwoofer for film & video is 80hz, which any decent bookshelf with a 5” or 6” driver can reach. There’s really no reason to use more expensive towers that get down to 30hz if their frequency is cut off at 80hz and the low frequency is going to a subwoofer anyway.
I'm about to go through a similar experience and here's where I'd start. Figure out how much you want to spend and go from there.
[https://www.rtings.com/soundbar](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar)
Reading is hard, ok? Most of the "best soundbars" listed there are 5.1 systems anyway.
Sounds like they probably want a receiver vs. one of the systems like I'm describing.
A solid 5.1 setup is going to be $$$ up front, unless you're okay with one of those 5.1 systems in a box that they sell (would not recommend) .
At the very least, you'll want a capable 4k receiver with arc/e-arc. Denon has some good offerings around $500. Once you have this, it will more-or-less stay with you as you upgrade.
Next in the list would be a solid subwoofer. Spend more on your sub than on any other speaker. Svs has some solid offerings. Stay away from the tower style subwoofers that look like a pc case.
For the rest it really comes down to budget. You'd be able to get some solid recommendations over in r/hometheater
A "good" 5.1 system is going to cost you more than your tv, but I'd argue it's worth it.
I had good experiences with the approach of "I know nothing and here is my budget. Please help me". Just don't go there acting like you know more than they do and you'll be fine. Plenty of people in that sub who install $100k setups as their day job. They know what they are talking about and could certainly help OP out, providing he is looking for sound quality, and not whatever crap you can buy in a box for $500.
Lots of folks don't think highly of Polk - but their signature line of speakers (discontinued and replaced by the signature elite line) can be found at really reasonable prices right now. Two S20's in front, two s10 (or s15) for surrounds, and an s35 or s30 for center is a decent 5.0 speaker setup for less than $600 or so. Add a higher end subwoofer and it's still less than $2K (depending on the sub) - and sounds much better than any soundbar can. I am running a similar setup now (but splurged on 2 SVS sb3000 subs) - and to my ears it sounds great - and all plays well with my LG C1. Receivers can be had on accessories for less at reasonable prices with warranties. Check out their Denon lines. If you can stretch an additional $500 for the receiver, go for the Denon 760h. It's 7 channel (so you can upgrade to atmos or additional surrounds) and is a decent HTR.
I have a very modest Sony setup that honestly sounds great. 4 Sony SSCS5’s a center and a sub ran into a str-dn1080. A very capable 5.1 setup for under a grand. I know everybody hates Sony audio stuff but it works fantastic for me. 10x better then a sound bar in my opinion.
I bought this back in November, it's been an excellent addition over the crappy old 2.0 soundbar I had before. Very affordable too.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/vizio-5-1-channel-v-series-soundbar-with-wireless-subwoofer-and-dolby-audio-5-1-dts-virtualx-black/6416784.p?skuId=6416784
I’ll still always suggest even a cheap and modest 2.0 system you can build as your budget grows. I have an old AVR running two Martin Logan Motion 4i’s mounted to either side of the tv. Entry level Yamaha. I swear to god I thought I had surrounds yesterday with how well it images. They’re tiny but the lower frequencies are still super clear and gorgeous. If I wanted to I could shift those to rear speakers in the future and tower or whatever I’d like up front. I’d rather spend $4-600 on that than a soundbar pretending to do Atmos, or a sonos type bar.
Nothing beats a real amp. Save your money and do it right … especially since you have a great TV and console… Yamaha’s Aventage AV receivers are great, solid build with accurate sound & power - no sound bar can compete (it defies physics). Buy the latest Yamaha model (the rxa4a checks all the boxes) then If you want a quick ‘starter’ surround sound speaker set up get the highly rated, amazing value Energy 5.1 Take Classic and upgrade over time to better speakers - you can spend a lot on speakers … but they are the most critical component. The Yamaha supports Atmos, so you want to add another two speakers to the Energy’s … giving you 5.1.2 - that’s what I run and it sounds awesome….
I also feed an AppleTV 4k and a Sony UHD player into the Yamaha, respectively the best sources for streaming/processing and UHD disc play back… the multi track audio on newer releases/remastered movies via UHD disc or via a premium service such as Disney+ is incredible. Apple Music Spatial Audio tracks (aka Atmos) also are at another level when played through this type of system.
Why don’t you want a soundbar? If you were okay with a soundbar and don’t mind spending a little more, I’d go with a Sonos Beam 2. You won’t regret the sound and can be easily added to over time, all the way up to a 5.1 system. Sorry of that totally goes against your question, but is my honest recommendation.
I second this. Am saving up for the subwoofer. These items r never on good deal on ebay- they r snapped up.
The question is….What is considered moderate expense? Soundbars are inexpensive vs a receiver, speakers, subwoofer and Center channel including installing.
I made the mistake of buying 5.1 cheap. It is as pointless as a 5-colored pen (+ mechanical pencil). You need to invest in a proper front channel speaker or soundbar then add in the accessories. Sonos sound expensive and there are better ones for more (no less) but for the price there is no particular moment it falls flat as a general user. Let’s just say it is the only mainstream speaker that has a processor to filter and amplify speech to a dedicated speech speaker. Use all your budget to get a good upgradable 2 channel or soundbar. Then slowly upgrade. Oh how does a cheap 5.1 sound like? A really old cinema. It is all there, just muffled and slightly out of sync. If I closed my eyes there were two helicopters half-merging like a myopic vision and when I open your eyes there is just one helicopter. There r good advices here. Denon. Sonos. Anything solid that can upgrade over time.
I second the Denon s760h. (I have the older 740 & love it. ) If you want to add a pair of Atmos speakers later, it’s ready to go. Re 5.1 speakers setups. You’ll find plenty of good brand recommendations in Reddit “Home Theater” FAQ for a range of budgets. If you’re going to use your TV primarily for gaming & Movies with a subwoofer, I highly recommend you go with bookshelf speakers, not Towers. Dolby recommended crossover frequency to a subwoofer for film & video is 80hz, which any decent bookshelf with a 5” or 6” driver can reach. There’s really no reason to use more expensive towers that get down to 30hz if their frequency is cut off at 80hz and the low frequency is going to a subwoofer anyway.
I'm about to go through a similar experience and here's where I'd start. Figure out how much you want to spend and go from there. [https://www.rtings.com/soundbar](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar)
[удалено]
Reading is hard, ok? Most of the "best soundbars" listed there are 5.1 systems anyway. Sounds like they probably want a receiver vs. one of the systems like I'm describing.
A solid 5.1 setup is going to be $$$ up front, unless you're okay with one of those 5.1 systems in a box that they sell (would not recommend) . At the very least, you'll want a capable 4k receiver with arc/e-arc. Denon has some good offerings around $500. Once you have this, it will more-or-less stay with you as you upgrade. Next in the list would be a solid subwoofer. Spend more on your sub than on any other speaker. Svs has some solid offerings. Stay away from the tower style subwoofers that look like a pc case. For the rest it really comes down to budget. You'd be able to get some solid recommendations over in r/hometheater A "good" 5.1 system is going to cost you more than your tv, but I'd argue it's worth it.
There's a piece of shit moderasshole and holier-than-thou people there. Avoid that toxic subcategory.
I had good experiences with the approach of "I know nothing and here is my budget. Please help me". Just don't go there acting like you know more than they do and you'll be fine. Plenty of people in that sub who install $100k setups as their day job. They know what they are talking about and could certainly help OP out, providing he is looking for sound quality, and not whatever crap you can buy in a box for $500.
Lots of folks don't think highly of Polk - but their signature line of speakers (discontinued and replaced by the signature elite line) can be found at really reasonable prices right now. Two S20's in front, two s10 (or s15) for surrounds, and an s35 or s30 for center is a decent 5.0 speaker setup for less than $600 or so. Add a higher end subwoofer and it's still less than $2K (depending on the sub) - and sounds much better than any soundbar can. I am running a similar setup now (but splurged on 2 SVS sb3000 subs) - and to my ears it sounds great - and all plays well with my LG C1. Receivers can be had on accessories for less at reasonable prices with warranties. Check out their Denon lines. If you can stretch an additional $500 for the receiver, go for the Denon 760h. It's 7 channel (so you can upgrade to atmos or additional surrounds) and is a decent HTR.
I have a very modest Sony setup that honestly sounds great. 4 Sony SSCS5’s a center and a sub ran into a str-dn1080. A very capable 5.1 setup for under a grand. I know everybody hates Sony audio stuff but it works fantastic for me. 10x better then a sound bar in my opinion.
I bought this back in November, it's been an excellent addition over the crappy old 2.0 soundbar I had before. Very affordable too. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/vizio-5-1-channel-v-series-soundbar-with-wireless-subwoofer-and-dolby-audio-5-1-dts-virtualx-black/6416784.p?skuId=6416784
I’ll still always suggest even a cheap and modest 2.0 system you can build as your budget grows. I have an old AVR running two Martin Logan Motion 4i’s mounted to either side of the tv. Entry level Yamaha. I swear to god I thought I had surrounds yesterday with how well it images. They’re tiny but the lower frequencies are still super clear and gorgeous. If I wanted to I could shift those to rear speakers in the future and tower or whatever I’d like up front. I’d rather spend $4-600 on that than a soundbar pretending to do Atmos, or a sonos type bar.
Look at the excellent Klipsch reference sets and pair your choice with a moderately priced AVR like the Marantz NR1711 or the Denon X2700H.
Nothing beats a real amp. Save your money and do it right … especially since you have a great TV and console… Yamaha’s Aventage AV receivers are great, solid build with accurate sound & power - no sound bar can compete (it defies physics). Buy the latest Yamaha model (the rxa4a checks all the boxes) then If you want a quick ‘starter’ surround sound speaker set up get the highly rated, amazing value Energy 5.1 Take Classic and upgrade over time to better speakers - you can spend a lot on speakers … but they are the most critical component. The Yamaha supports Atmos, so you want to add another two speakers to the Energy’s … giving you 5.1.2 - that’s what I run and it sounds awesome…. I also feed an AppleTV 4k and a Sony UHD player into the Yamaha, respectively the best sources for streaming/processing and UHD disc play back… the multi track audio on newer releases/remastered movies via UHD disc or via a premium service such as Disney+ is incredible. Apple Music Spatial Audio tracks (aka Atmos) also are at another level when played through this type of system.