Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?

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2012-10-05 9:29 AM

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Subject: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?

We have a 37" flat screen that fits nicely in an armoire built for that purpose. Since we got the TV I've been casually looking for a sound bar to enhance the sound. Came across this one recently at my Sam's Club:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/lg-2-1-sound-bar-with-subwoofer/prod5970137.ip?sprodId=prod5970137#desc

Sounds great to me in the store, and has spurred me into action because the bluetooth capability allows it to hook up with my iPhone and its 32gb of music.

Problem is that it's 40" wide and would have to be less than 36" to fit in the armoire with the TV.

I could put it on top the 7' high armoire, but am looking for opinions on how it would sound way up there. Room has 12' ceilings, is 20'x15' and most of my viewing/listening is from that width-wise 12'-15'.

Alternatively, does anyone have any specific recommendations for a soundbar that's less than 36" wide. A sorter one could fit in the armoire at the base of the TV (42" off the floor) or above the TV (70"). Additional criteria include:

  • Separate wireless bass speaker
  • Bluetooth capability to hook up with iPhone
  • Under $300
  • Sounds decent, of course.

2012-10-05 9:43 AM
in reply to: #4442051

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
What about just going with a shorter sound bar?
2012-10-05 9:48 AM
in reply to: #4442079

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?

peby - 2012-10-05 9:43 AM What about just going with a shorter sound bar?

Did you read my post? I do ask for recommendations on shorter soundbars.

the bear - 2012-10-05 9:29 AM

 

Alternatively, does anyone have any specific recommendations for a soundbar that's less than 36" wide. A sorter one could fit in the armoire at the base of the TV (42" off the floor) or above the TV (70"). Additional criteria include:

  • Separate wireless bass speaker
  • Bluetooth capability to hook up with iPhone
  • Under $300
  • Sounds decent, of course.

But looking for opinions on sound of the top -mounted longer one as well, as I like this one and I could get it this weekend.

2012-10-05 10:06 AM
in reply to: #4442051

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?

Bear, I had a similar issue with the TV that I put in my armoire. It was too wide, so I added a length of 2x2 vertically in the back of the armoire and then mounted the TV on a swing arm bolted to the 2x2.

With the swing arm extended, the TV is outside of the armoire opening and the width isn't an issue. When the TV needs to be put away, the swing arm retracts and the TV fits diagonally inside the armoire because it was just a few inches wider than would fit normally.

You could either just mount the sound bar on a swing arm as I'm sure the 40" would fit fine diagonally inside the 36" armoire or you could mount the TV on a swing arm and then mount the sound bar on top of the TV with something like these link. I'd probably go with the latter as I like being able to extend the TV outside of the "cavern" of the armoire.

2012-10-05 10:07 AM
in reply to: #4442051

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?

We had to put my wife's uncles on top last year during Christmas as it was too long also.  He really liked the way it sounded, but it went into a very large room.  I would say it was 20' by 25' minimum with high ceilings.

 

2012-10-05 10:52 AM
in reply to: #4442100

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
the bear - 2012-10-05 7:48 AM

Did you read my post? I do ask for recommendations on shorter soundbars.

Yeah I've been known for skipping over things. How about this one?

http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/tv-audio-video/home-entertainment/soundbar/HW-E350/XU

Our local Costco had them on awhile back and the sound was pretty impressive.

If you are going to place the larger one above the TV then make sure it's angled toward the listening area, otherwise you'll lose sound quality from the mid to high range audio.

2012-10-05 11:21 AM
in reply to: #4442051

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
I have mine mounted around 6 1/2' above the TV and angled slightly downward  towards the seating area. It sounds perfectly fine.
2012-10-05 11:31 AM
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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
flip18436572 - 2012-10-05 10:07 AM

We had to put my wife's uncles on top last year during Christmas as it was too long also.  He really liked the way it sounded, but it went into a very large room.  I would say it was 20' by 25' minimum with high ceilings.

 



This....

My BIL has a soundbar on his 8' stand. Living room is 15x15 but cathederal ceilings taller than 12'. Has it at a slight angle toward the couch and it's great.

He's a techy guy so we spent about an hour angling it back and forth, up/down until he thought it was optimized.

That SB you linked too is better quality so I wouldn't see an issue.

2012-10-05 11:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
wingsfan - 2012-10-05 11:06 AM

Bear, I had a similar issue with the TV that I put in my armoire. It was too wide, so I added a length of 2x2 vertically in the back of the armoire and then mounted the TV on a swing arm bolted to the 2x2.

With the swing arm extended, the TV is outside of the armoire opening and the width isn't an issue. When the TV needs to be put away, the swing arm retracts and the TV fits diagonally inside the armoire because it was just a few inches wider than would fit normally.

You could either just mount the sound bar on a swing arm as I'm sure the 40" would fit fine diagonally inside the 36" armoire or you could mount the TV on a swing arm and then mount the sound bar on top of the TV with something like these link. I'd probably go with the latter as I like being able to extend the TV outside of the "cavern" of the armoire.



Clever solution! My wife loves the armoire and a 32" set kinda works, but 42 would be better, but not fit.
2012-10-05 11:50 AM
in reply to: #4442051

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?

In a big room, I like a regular 5.1 system with five separate speakers for distributing the sound field the way the movie intended.  I would recommend a conventional (small) center speaker inside the armoire then running wires to the front and rear speakers. A 5.1 system would require a A/V receiver of some sort in the armoire if you don't already have one.

As for running wires in a finished room, I don't know what the options are for your room but I have successfully run wires in a number of finished rooms. If you have a few tools for fishing the wires and some sheetrock repair tools, this can work very well.  I usually wind up with a couple of very small holes to patch.  The patches are completely invisible if done well.

Twelve foot ceilings?  I'm impressed. 

TW

2012-10-05 12:01 PM
in reply to: #4442051

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
12' in the "great room" but 10' ceilings in the rest of the house.

Want to avoid wires

Couple of good solutions here, I'm going to try the top mount at an angle and see how it sounds.

2012-10-05 12:15 PM
in reply to: #4442396

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
the bear - 2012-10-05 1:01 PM 12' in the "great room" but 10' ceilings in the rest of the house.

Couple of good solutions here, I'm going to try the top mount at an angle and see how it sounds.

You are such an audiophile you really should take advantage of the possibilities for great acoustics with that high ceiling. 

2012-10-05 12:22 PM
in reply to: #4442051

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
Rest of the house is prewired for stereo. This is just TV enhancement ant a wireless "non-docking station" for iPhone
2012-10-05 2:06 PM
in reply to: #4442436

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Subject: RE: Soundbar placement-How bad would this sound?
tech_geezer - 2012-10-05 12:15 PM
the bear - 2012-10-05 1:01 PM 12' in the "great room" but 10' ceilings in the rest of the house.

Couple of good solutions here, I'm going to try the top mount at an angle and see how it sounds.

You are such an audiophile you really should take advantage of the possibilities for great acoustics with that high ceiling. 

That is where my Yamaha NS-1000M speaker come in for me.  They are in my basement workout/music room.  Yes, they are old, but they still sound amazing.

 

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