There are many things to admire about the HTP-SB300, such as the inclusion of HDMI inputs, Dolby TrueHD decoding and a wireless subwoofer, all of which helps explain why the price tag pushes £500. It’s also beautifully made and the compact subwoofer is a real bonus if space is tight.
But on the downside, it’s not the most user-friendly soundbar we’ve come across and the sound quality is surprisingly disappointing for a Pioneer product. Provided you avoid the Front Stage Surround Advance, movies sound fine, benefiting from the system’s powerful sound and spacious front soundstage. But music playback is disappointing, mostly due to the overbearing sub. It’s no disaster, but we’ve heard better from soundbars like the Teufel Cinebar 50 and Yamaha YHT-S400.Read full review
Just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions for a sound bar for £500 or with an intergrated blyray for upto £650 to go with my samsung UE46B8000. Or a 2.1 if its really good.
@Pbryanw - Thanks very much. As an avid read of TR, like youself, I have already read these reviews. I'm just not sure about the likes of LG and samsung when it comes to sound. I have heard several of their systems before but have never really been a fan. Saying that, I have never listened to their soundbars so I will keep them in mind. What really got me interested was the
It looks amazing and would fit snugly under my tv, and apparently it sound good too. the only thing is that I would be placing the amp in a cupboard under the tv, so the sub arrangment would not would. I was wondering, wound it be possible to disable this sub and connect a seperate wireless one?
@asanka - Yes, Yamaha have got a very good reputation for soundbars. I'm not sure about the wireless sub, but maybe you wouldn't need one. Yamaha have other models without subs. The Yamaha YSP-600 for example:
It has a subwoofer out and can be bought for around £330 (at Superfi). Leaving some money for a separate Blu-ray player, and sub. There's a review here: http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Yamaha-YSP-600/
No TR review unfortunately. And another downside is that it doesn't look as good as the Yamaha system you linked to.
Actually the LG soundbar I linked to earlier has a wireless subwoofer if that's important to you. It's whether you trust LG enough when it comes to sound.
If you are using a separate amp why not look at the Monitor Audio R1 HD? http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/radius-hd/r-one-hd/your-speaker You get the "look" of a soundbar with decent speakers. No pseudo-surround stuff so you need rear speakers.
@pbryanw - A wireless sub or an amp aren't required per se, it's just that the yhht-s400 had a sub built into the amp, which would have not allowed me to put it into my tv cupboard. Which frustates me no end as it really seems to be the perfect system for me, slim profile with a great quality of sound. I just keep re reading the TR review, wishing I could somehow wangle it into my setup!
I've been having a surf around the yamaha website after your tip. the ysp600 does seem to fit the bill nicely, though at 12cm tall it wouldn't fit under my tv :-(. I guess I'm going to have to seek out this LG and sammy speakers and see if they exceed my expectations.
@sthair - I've heard of monitor audio but never really looked into the product range. I will have to have a nosey around.
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