I had a true 7.2.4 Denon AVR with Acoustic research speakers in my basement HT., paired with an Epson 4k projector and a 120" screen. Audio and video fully calibrated. When we moved to the new house, we have no space to replicate that setup in an open concept living room and a small den where we have our HTs. So, I got a Nakamichi 7.2.4 system for the den and a q990C for the living room.
I am extremely extremely happy with the soundbars for what we watch and what theydo.
I miss my ability to tweak and calibrate each individual speakers like I was able to with my previous AVR & speakers, but I'm getting over it.
I hear that these soundbars use digital gimmicks to produce the 11.1.4 effect. Sure. My previous setup also did that for the height and side effects when the sound panned overhead and around the walls. Unless I have my whole ceiling and walls lined with 82 speakers like the nearby Emagine theater, I'll always have to live with DSP sound fields.
FWIW, I have used a Dolby Atmos test signal file with my sound pressure level meter and have adjusted speaker levels to 75 db at my seating position for each one. I had to bring down the subwoofer level waaaaay down. I did this in "Standard" mode. My Dolby 5.1 and Dolby Atmos demos sound Amazing! I have since turned on to Surround mode for the extra DSP to get the full, albeit "artificial" surround field.
Honestly those prices I’d get 1 of the couple Vizio M series 5,1,2 or check out used. I got a crazy deal on a Nakamichi 9,2,4 and a 7.2.4. You can’t beat dual 8 or 10” subs on anything really.
I had the 7.2.4 and the wires to the rear were an issue in my room, the connectivity with subwoofers were shaky. Good home theater sound, music was just ok. Functionally it was really cool but remote is needed. I replaced it with JBL 700MK2 for wireless rear and much happier with sound on both tv and music and lack of wires because of my room setup. I put wall mounts on tripods to configure atmos. Bass is deep and enhances at low volume too. Easy setup, good app, and remote control is small, simple, and not necessary to use all the time. I Love JBL/Harmon speakers.
I would go with a regular 5.1 setup. The challenge might be where to put the receiver. You say you "probably already have an amp" but you really need a true AVR.
It looks like there is at least 12" on either side of the TV. Just buy a good pair of small bookshelf speakers, and set them on the rear corners of the cabinet. Buy a slim center channel and set it under the TV. The subwoofer can be located elsewhere in the room and the surrounds obviously go to the sides of the listening area. You'll be limited in the size of the speakers you can use, but there are some very good small speakers out there. Probably your biggest challenge would be wiring for the sub and surrounds.
If all of that is too much, the only soundbar I would consider would be the Nakamichi Shockwafe with dual subwoofers. The satellites and subs are wireless. My son-in-law bought that and it actually sounds pretty good. It doesn't have full room calibration like an AVR would, but there are settings to customize the sound to your room. Make sure you buy the one with dual subwoofers. That solution comes in under budget and would probably work well for you. They're sometimes available as factory refurbs, which is what he did.
Nakamichi Shockwafe is no big deal. Tried it like I tried the dragon over a year ago and it just doesn’t seem right for 2 10” subs to have average bass and my Quads Atmos is leagues ahead. I guess it’s okay for the price but I’d rather pay more and be happy with the quality than save and be disappointed. My Arc Ultra era300s and 2 subs was expensive but it does everything so well. It’s your money, you should try several different brands til you find the one that you love. After all that the Ambeo max with a svs pb 2000 pro or 1000 pro. But obviously wait until prices plummet
I agree that soundbar’s struggle with music and that’s why I had to get a pair of klipsch nines and an RSL sub. Music is totally new again on this beast, while listening to music on my Quads or Arc Ultra which does very well with movies, is just noise. If people have never heard music before on a 2.1, they might love music on their soundbars, but once you have, it’s in a different class.
Nakamichi is so overrated it’s not even funny. Can it get loud? Yes Did Nakamichi totally lie about many specs? Absolutely Is it worth $4k for all those poor souls who had to add another $1200-2000 for 1 or 2 of the new subs Nakamichi made due to the outcry from fans who were totally unaware of how bad the supposed 4 subs (actually 2) were? Big time. I would never give a company that blatantly lied many times a nickel, but if you’re set on Nakamichi’s options, save yourself money and get the Shockwafe which equals or betters the dragon and is usually $600-$800 cheaper
It’s not better than the Sony Quads (IMO) and you absolutely need the 12” sub as those 2 8” subs are laughable. The price is lower and I’d still recommend the Quads or the newer Shockwafe as I demoed the dragon when it was $4k and it was loud, brash, with subs that had to pick up all the bass as the bar literally dropped off at 160hz and thus the subs would constantly bottom out. It depends on how many different systems you’ve had before as a newbie would probably love it. But the Samsung is still the best option and even tho I’m tired of hearing about it, it’s the best value and sound combination.
Sony Quads with 2 of the new subs coming out any day. The Sa-sw9 sub I believe can be used with 2 subs, but not 100% sure. I have the quads and Sonos but I’ve never been a sw5 sub fan. The new sub is $899 so it’s expensive but I’ve never heard anything better and I demoed the Dragon and it’s Atmos was nonexistent, the bass would bottom out and this was when it was $4k. The Shockwafe is definitely a better choice than the dragon but I’m still not a big fan of their sound or quality.
Top Soundbars on Reddit
1
Samsung
Q990F
77% positive of 600 users
Value for movies and easy setup, but music falls flat.
hokieinmi
