Short version: I am looking for a recommendation for a passive LCR speaker bar that would provide the widest sound stage (or is it imaging?). I mean left/right separation for TV and movie watching in a family room. I will be adding a sub and 2 surrounds shortly after, but this is about the LCR bar. Thanks! (keep reading if you want more details)
Long version: I already have a proper 5.2.4 setup in the basement, so I know the "right" thing to do is have discrete separate speakers at the right height and distance, etc. I read all the anti-ceiling-speaker posts here, and I agree with them. My wife is dead set against bookshelves or free standing, and I don't have enough wall space for in-walls. I know many of your instincts will try to talk me into another solution, but believe me when I say convincing her to do a 3 channel speaker bar was quite an effort.
So I'm trying to learn what speaker bar is best for my needs. That's where I could use the help. It will primarily be used as a family movie and TV setup, not for music. Once I find the LCR bar, I'll pair it with a sub with the proper response and crossover, and 2 similar sounding surrounds for a 5.1-ish system.
Obviously, most of these bars are 40-60" wide at most, so physical channel separation is not going to be as wide as separate L/R channels, but some manufacturers claim they can give the perception of more width with cancellation and other clever techniques. Is it marketing BS?
For example, I'm willing to spend the money for a Goldenear Supercinema, which claims to have a massive sound stage. But is it really worth 4-6x the cost of say, a Dayton Audio BS41?
Ok folks, given all that, what bar would you recommend? Thanks for reading it all, and thanks for your help!
(Let me know if this should be in the soundbar forum instead - I put it here because technically they are speakers, right?)
Long version: I already have a proper 5.2.4 setup in the basement, so I know the "right" thing to do is have discrete separate speakers at the right height and distance, etc. I read all the anti-ceiling-speaker posts here, and I agree with them. My wife is dead set against bookshelves or free standing, and I don't have enough wall space for in-walls. I know many of your instincts will try to talk me into another solution, but believe me when I say convincing her to do a 3 channel speaker bar was quite an effort.
So I'm trying to learn what speaker bar is best for my needs. That's where I could use the help. It will primarily be used as a family movie and TV setup, not for music. Once I find the LCR bar, I'll pair it with a sub with the proper response and crossover, and 2 similar sounding surrounds for a 5.1-ish system.
Obviously, most of these bars are 40-60" wide at most, so physical channel separation is not going to be as wide as separate L/R channels, but some manufacturers claim they can give the perception of more width with cancellation and other clever techniques. Is it marketing BS?
For example, I'm willing to spend the money for a Goldenear Supercinema, which claims to have a massive sound stage. But is it really worth 4-6x the cost of say, a Dayton Audio BS41?
Ok folks, given all that, what bar would you recommend? Thanks for reading it all, and thanks for your help!
(Let me know if this should be in the soundbar forum instead - I put it here because technically they are speakers, right?)
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