The limitations of typical crappy built-in TV speakers just can't be overstated, and with the current "thin is the new black" trend in TVs, things aren't likely to get better.
ZVOX has introduced two soundbars and two soundbases to its lineup of all-in-one speaker systems that are pretty much guaranteed to make you wonder why you ever put up with your TV's craptastic sound. The 430 ($450) and 440 ($550) soundbars each come in at only 5-inches deep and 5.5-inches high, but pack a trio of 3.25-inch cones along with a 4-inch woofer for the bass. Flanking the speaker/TV stand Z-Base 550
we liked so much are the slightly smaller, $400 Z-Base 525 and the 35-Hertz-reaching, $800 IncrediBase 575 (pictured). Yes, that kind of money could get you a whole HTIB setup -- along with the wires and boxes that shoppers considering an all-in-one are looking to avoid. Hit the links for details.
Read - ZVOX 430, 440 soundbars [Warning - PDF link]
Read - Z-Base 525 soundbase [Warning - PDF link]
Read - IncrediBase 575 soundbase [Warning - PDF link]
posted Sep 9th 2009 8:22AM
I like the concept but as usual the MSRP price is way out of line. If they cut it by a hundred bucks or more and Amazon stocks it I would get it. These surround sound systems are way too gimmicky for me, just give me a good stereo system and that's good enough for me. I'm actually looking for something like this for under $300.
Vizio makes one with integrated subwoofer for around $350. I've seen it at Costco but can't remember the Costco price on them. May be worth checking out.
I went the soundbar route a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. I don't mind missing out on surround effects. As long as I can hear the movie dialog and the other sounds are clear and crisp with some bass to boot, I'm good.
35 Hz out of a box that is maybe 1.5 cubic feet? Yeah. The center channel speaker alone should be about that big.
There's only so much putting all drivers in one enclosure can do in terms of bass and imaging. I mean, up on a table under the TV isn't even a good place for a subwoofer.
If you're not picky about sound, these are great. If you're also not picky about price, I guess Bose is also great.
WLS - good surround systems start with a front pair that can handle stereo all by themselves. Ideally, you'll have big enough front speakers you can bypass the surround and subwoofer, and go direct to the left/right channels. Most receivers have a mode that does that.
3.25" mains & a 4" cone for bass? That means your TV can have regular crappy TV sound instead of flat-panel crappy. Better by degress, I guess.
When I hung my 42", I added a pair of in-walls. Cost me $150, including the 16ga CL-2 in-wall wire AND the drywall saw. It was an afternoon's project. For non-theater work, it's better than anything else I've heard for zero footprint.