Soundbar Audio System

[mgunner]

I need some input on a Soundbar Audio System in a new 2015 TT. We are thinking about trading our old TT. The new TT that we like has a Soundbar Audio System. On our old TT the Audio System had a DVD, AM/FM, Bluetooth, etc plus 4 speakers in the ceiling and 2 outside. The new TT doesn't have speakers in the ceiling but has 2 outside, no DVD player, has FM turner and Bluetooth. Bottom line how good are these Soundbars.

[Gangster]

You will like the sound bar... The new sound thing that is quickly replacing the 5 speaker setup...

[JoyalRV]

Garbage... Most of ´em.

But then again the headunits/speakers used in most RVs are also garbage.

I would never purchase a sound bar... There are good ones, but they are expensive and at that point, I'd rather buy a basic 5.1 system that will kill the sound bar in both SQ/SPL...

Some people like them and honestly, good for them, because they don't require much space and they are easy to install. But those are just about the only positive things about sound bars I can personally think of.

[96 Wideglide]

Ya want a great soundbar/ sub woofer........ Boston Acoustic !!

[docj]

Originally Posted by JoyalRV

Garbage... Most of ´em.

I don't know what your qualifications are to make this statement, and I agree that most OEM audio stuff installed in RV's is junk, but IMHO your statement is a bit extreme.

We have a 300W Sony soundbar with simulated 5.1 that we think sounds pretty good and it only cost ~$400, but if it dies the one I would replace it with is this Sony with 7.1 capability: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTST7-Sou...=sony+soundbar As audio systems go neither of these can be called expensive.

Placing speakers in a MH is a challenge and most downward firing ceiling speakers are useless. IMHO soundbars are an excellent solution for many RVs; our bar hangs below the front overhead cabinets and the subwoofer sits in the old TV cabinet.

[reubenray]

My Tiffin has a surround sound system, but I installed a Samsung 2.1 soundbar system. It sounds much better than the surround sound system.

[Dogpatch]

I have listened to about a dozen sound bars. The Polk Audio Soundbar below, has the fullest sound of all the ones I looked at including some twice as expensive. It has a wireless sub-woofer that really helps create depth. The Soundbar is also BluTooth and you can listen to your music from your Android phone or iPhone. I have bought 3 of these Sound bars and installed them in my last three coaches.

Polk Audio Surroundbar 5000 IHT Sound Bar with Bluetooth Wireless Sub 747192122331 | eBay

Here is an example of the look.

[JoyalRV]

Originally Posted by docj

I don't know what your qualifications are to make this statement, and I agree that most OEM audio stuff installed in RV's is junk, but IMHO your statement is a bit extreme.



We have a 300W Sony soundbar with simulated 5.1 that we think sounds pretty good and it only cost ~$400, but if it dies the one I would replace it with is this Sony with 7.1 capability: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTST7-Sou...=sony+soundbar As audio systems go neither of these can be called expensive.



Placing speakers in a MH is a challenge and most downward firing ceiling speakers are useless. IMHO soundbars are an excellent solution for many RVs; our bar hangs below the front overhead cabinets and the subwoofer sits in the old TV cabinet.

OK maybe "garbage" is too much. Let's say.... Hummm.. Low-potential?

True surround sound can only be achieved with a true surround system, especially in a larger or uneven environment (such as a RV).

Tiny speakers used in soundbars can't produce lower frequencies that larger woofers do. A subwoofer will help, but it has to be placed in an appropriate location and it has to be powerful/large enough to get nice, clean lows.

You can't argue the laws of physics, and we can't override them.

Now I do agree that a soundbar can be a good solution in RVs. Most people will think they sound just fine and will be totally satisfied, especially because installation is so straight forward. And that's good for them!

However, I would not consider one unless I had no other option.

I would much rather purchase quality components and fine tune the system for optimal SQ. But that's just me... There's a product out there for everyone.

[dbonney]

Visio makes a true 5.1 sound bar system. It uses a wireless subwoofer with connections for the rear speakers. Had it in my last rv and will be installing in new rv soon.

[Duner]

Originally Posted by dbonney

Visio makes a true 5.1 sound bar system. It uses a wireless subwoofer with connections for the rear speakers. Had it in my last rv and will be installing in new rv soon.

I bought mine last summer and I'm very happy with it. Mine rests on top of the 46 in flat screen tv using the optical connection to get 5.1. When we are on the road I move it to the top of the dash next to the windshield and use the bluetooth connection to my phone to listen to Pandora and Google Voice Navigation. The subwoofer is right behind the drive'rs seat and we get darn good sound quality while driving considering the noise level of front engine gasser.

[Johnkrick]

Here is my two cents.
These are my credentials.

I have worked in the audio video industry for over thirty years. I have done simple residential installs to multi million dollar commercial projects including theatres, casinos, car audio and home theatres professionally. I own a trailer and advice is free.

You probably want to improve your sound and because installing a home theatre system is difficult in most RV's you want a sound bar. A sound bar will also weigh much less than a home theatre system plus who has the room for big receivers and speakers. I agree most sound bars will not give a true theatre sound but it is an RV not a home theatre or a movie theatre. Tv speakers are very small and a sound bar has bigger speakers than a tv and a more powerful amp so they will sound better. I have had issues with Visio sound bars they may not be compatible with all tv outputs if using an optical cable connection. This has to do with the tv having a compressed optical audio output or not. There is nothing wrong with Visio it is just not compatible with all major brand name tv manufacturers( some Sony lg and Samsung models) . I'm not dissin the members choice of product it is a good brand when matched properly. Some of the higher end company's that were suggested will sound better than the entry level brands but you will pay a premium. Some of the least complicated to connect are the matching brands as an example Samsung has flat screen TV's and sound bars that use one HDMI cable and it auto turns on and will use the tv remote to adjust volume. You should also see what type of audio output your tv has is it analog RCA type, HDMI or optical. It could have all of the above. Finding a compatible brand will save returning a product that does not work with your tv. I would recommend a sound bar that has a wireless subwoofer. If you have the room a subwoofer would help in the sound quality.

The bottom line is as long as the person who is spending the money is happy with how it sounds when sitting in there seat on the RV who cares what anybody else thinks.


Thanks
J

[429CV23]

I'm interested in getting a sound bar for the coach. I would never consider one for the house, but most coaches won't have even marginal acoustics to support a good quality surround sound system, even a 5.1. My home theater Denon AVR3313CI is out for warranty repairs, and my ears are virtually bleeding listening to the horrible sound from the TV's speakers. Although the sound bars don't provide the sound quality of my home system, the sound quality of a mid-level sound bar would certainly be better than the TV's speakers.
I've seen some 5.1 integrated amps for RVs that are 12v, but they don't have HDMI inputs.
Now if I could just figure a way to get my Pioneer SX-950, all four 15" 3-way Mach 2's, Nak BX300 and RX202, eq, turntable, and vinyl into the coach I'd be set!

Keep in mind; just because the label says Polk or Boston Acoustics does not mean it has great sound. They all have their entry level junk to offer along with their high quality lines.

[Dogpatch]

Originally Posted by 429CV23

I'm interested in getting a sound bar for the coach. I would never consider one for the house, but most coaches won't have even marginal acoustics to support a good quality surround sound system, even a 5.1. My home theater Denon AVR3313CI is out for warranty repairs, and my ears are virtually bleeding listening to the horrible sound from the TV's speakers. Although the sound bars don't provide the sound quality of my home system, the sound quality of a mid-level sound bar would certainly be better than the TV's speakers.
I've seen some 5.1 integrated amps for RVs that are 12v, but they don't have HDMI inputs.
Now if I could just figure a way to get my Pioneer SX-950, all four 15" 3-way Mach 2's, Nak BX300 and RX202, eq, turntable, and vinyl into the coach I'd be set!

Keep in mind; just because the label says Polk or Boston Acoustics does not mean it has great sound. They all have their entry level junk to offer along with their high quality lines.

I picked up my (4th) Polk Audio 5000 series Sound Bar after listening to every one on the market under $400. What I liked about it was that it didn't sound like "canned" music. Sound was clear and had depth. The wireless subwoofer was another reason as it allowed me to put the sub farther away from the Soundbar. This added to the depth of sound as it gave a bit more "surround". Having a wired sub restricts where you can put it and means you have to run wiring to its location. If you have to run wire, you may as well put in speakers for true 5.1.
I tested Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, Visio and Yamaha side by side with the Polk system. None of these sounded as good as the Polk Soundbar. The bonus was being able to listen to music through the Soundbar via Bluetooth from my iPad and my wife's Android phone.

Just my opinion of course.

[deandec]

Having installed a wired 5.1 system in the rig in 2002, I would buy a sound bar just for the ease of installation and later replacement.

The goal is to get better sound than the flat screen TV speakers produce for least labor effort.

That is probably why the OP's target trailer does not have surround sound installed.