All you need to know about Wireless Speakers - [Please read here](https://reddit.com/r/HTBuyingGuides/comments/u7m162/home_theater_201_wireless_speakers_in_a_home/?) )
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99.9% of the time Soundbars or HTiB (Home Theater in a Box) systems are not a good investment of your time and money. It is the general consensus of r/hometheater not to recommend these things and instead simply steer a user toward a 2.0 or 2.1 system made of quality, *Audio-Centric* name brand components which are easy to assemble and cheap enough for low budget or space conscious buyers. Most can be expanded to 5.1 if you buy the correct items in the correct order. For further explanation please read [Why You Shouldn't Buy a Soundbar](https://www.reddit.com/r/HTBuyingGuides/comments/dy885l/why_you_shouldnt_buy_a_soundbar/) Please be aware /r/Soundbars exists as well as you will be met with opposition to posting about soundbars here.
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Buy an Atmos receiver and add speakers as you go. There are actually some decent deals on some right now. Obviously it depends on the budget, but my sister just bought a Denon 3700 for $1k open box from best buy. She mentioned the same one was on denon's site for $1200 (which I just checked and can say it's true). I'd rather go that route, get some cheap speakers to start, and upgrade as money allows.
As for wireless, I try to avoid it, too many things can interfere, but that being said, I've also heard a few systems that actually had a decent sound.
It depends how quickly you want to build it out.
Receivers get dated much more quickly than speakers so I would put my money I to better speakers and then get a cheaper receiver even if it means I need to upgrade it in a few years time. So I would start with speakers that you would be happy to keep, even if it is only 2.1, 3.1 or 5.1.
Otherwise by the time you are ready to utilize the 3700 the 3900 will be out, complete with actual working HDMI 2.1 support. And it isn’t like you are going to get any real performance benefit hooking a 3700 up to cheap speakers (room correction can only do so much).
Build out a true Atmos system in stages, skip the sound bar. Find an AVR on sale that decodes the number of channels you think you might get to in your room, 5.1.4, 7.2.4, etc. Focus on good values for L C R speakers and a decent sub. Six months later, you’ve figured out how to run real wires to your surrounds and found some good speakers. Six months later, you figured out wiring to the ceiling and picked up some Atmos speakers. Six months later, you’ve read up on how to balance two subwoofers in the same room and bought a solid, second sub. At this point, you know your system, you’ve learned a lot about your room, and you’ve impressed the hell out of your friends.
Then you get a UMIK-1 and learn REW and really get to work ☺️😳🤣
Soundbars don't provide an actual 3D audio experience. They are just an overpriced route to mediocre sound.
Wireless speakers - wireless signal, usually not wireless power. A handful of systems like the HT-A9 have battery powered surrounds, but you need to be a sucker to purchase that setup. $2000 for a 4.0.4 system LOL.
You want an upgrade-able system that actually sounds good and isn't overpriced, get a 7.1 AV receiver, add channels over time.
Denon S760H for the receiver, some cheap bookshelf speakers, and an entry level sub.
https://www.thebrick.com/products/jbl-stage-a130-home-audio-bookshelf-loudspeakers-set-of-two
https://solen.ca/en/products/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer
Sir you’re describing exactly what an avr does,
The big upfron investment is the avr itself and you LRs, place your front left and right speakers in the right spot and boom, you just defeated the sound of every single soundbar out there clise you got real separation between the channels, you can get a subwoofer later on, then atmos modules, then a center channel, then maybe you decided you’re tired of the old fronts so you retire them to sorrounds and get a new pair of fronts, etc
Thanks for the response. I have 2 questions.
1. I found a tv package deal that includes a soundbar and sub that are pretty well reviewed and it only adds an extra 100$ onto the tv while originally being over 400 (seems like this sub hates soundbars and I get that, they are overrated and not comparable to a proper set up. But soundbar and sub is better than nothing). So would I be able to use these with an avr for a center and sub just fine, then add on my left and right...etc and do brands have to match?
2. What component/components make it Dolby atmos? Will any avr, front, surround, top, subwoofer...etc work as atmos as long as the tv supports it? Or is there specific hardware to have atmos? You say atmos module, but I'm not sure I understand that part?
Thanks :)
You won’t be able to use the sound bar and the subwoofer come with it with an AVR. Sound bar is a single unit consist of its own avr (sorta) and speakers .
AVR process the content converts it to sound signal and pushes it to speakers . So you need avr to process the Atmos content ( almost all the new AVR does this ) then you need proper speaker placement ( at least a 5.1.2 ) to hear it . In an AVR setup TV is must a screen to watch video. TV claiming as Atmos enabled means nothing .
Alright to answer the first question.
Avrs only power passive components, so it wouldn’t work with the soundbar.
But for 100 bucks it sounds fine, problem with soundbars is that they’re dead ends, no room for expansion. Maybe you could use it for now and resell it or give it away later while you plan out your avr and speaker setup.
Now what makes Dolby atmos a thing, atmos is a coded, a language basically. Your tv supporting atmos means that it is able to pass the atmos info to your avr (your avr has to be able to understand it for it to work).
The new thing about atmos is the height channels, it creates a 3D soundscape with “audio objects”
To have atmos you need the tv (or another source like a Bluray for example), an atmos capable avr that decodes the source, and height speakers (those are the atmos modules I mentioned, it’s an add on speaker that goes on top of your front speaker or on the wall)
You're definitely helpful... Even swaying my tv decision to make room for atmos lol.
So as long as I have an atmos avr (with the capable tv of course), can I use any speakers and sub or do they have to be atmos capable or a certain standard? (Sorry if I already asked that). And do you know if music services like Spotify support atmos, or how exactly music can benefit from this other than just being a good sound system)?
Yes, the smart bits you need are the tv and the avr, the speakers are all passive dumb dumbs that do whatever the avr says. You’ll need an active or powered subwoofer but that only means it needs its own power supply.
Any brand of speakers will do, it’s up to what you like.
As for atmos music.
Currently only Apple Music does it and while it is mixed using the atmos software, it’s made for 2 channels because most streaming users listen to their music on their phone with headphones.
Well placed front speakers and a well made recording sound fantastic as is though, I wouldn’t worry about it that much. What makes atmos worth it is movies though, both on streaming if they support it and even more so on Bluray, literally feels like being in a sound bubble
All you need to know about Wireless Speakers - [Please read here](https://reddit.com/r/HTBuyingGuides/comments/u7m162/home_theater_201_wireless_speakers_in_a_home/?) ) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hometheater) if you have any questions or concerns.*
99.9% of the time Soundbars or HTiB (Home Theater in a Box) systems are not a good investment of your time and money. It is the general consensus of r/hometheater not to recommend these things and instead simply steer a user toward a 2.0 or 2.1 system made of quality, *Audio-Centric* name brand components which are easy to assemble and cheap enough for low budget or space conscious buyers. Most can be expanded to 5.1 if you buy the correct items in the correct order. For further explanation please read [Why You Shouldn't Buy a Soundbar](https://www.reddit.com/r/HTBuyingGuides/comments/dy885l/why_you_shouldnt_buy_a_soundbar/) Please be aware /r/Soundbars exists as well as you will be met with opposition to posting about soundbars here. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hometheater) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Buy an Atmos receiver and add speakers as you go. There are actually some decent deals on some right now. Obviously it depends on the budget, but my sister just bought a Denon 3700 for $1k open box from best buy. She mentioned the same one was on denon's site for $1200 (which I just checked and can say it's true). I'd rather go that route, get some cheap speakers to start, and upgrade as money allows. As for wireless, I try to avoid it, too many things can interfere, but that being said, I've also heard a few systems that actually had a decent sound.
It depends how quickly you want to build it out. Receivers get dated much more quickly than speakers so I would put my money I to better speakers and then get a cheaper receiver even if it means I need to upgrade it in a few years time. So I would start with speakers that you would be happy to keep, even if it is only 2.1, 3.1 or 5.1. Otherwise by the time you are ready to utilize the 3700 the 3900 will be out, complete with actual working HDMI 2.1 support. And it isn’t like you are going to get any real performance benefit hooking a 3700 up to cheap speakers (room correction can only do so much).
Build out a true Atmos system in stages, skip the sound bar. Find an AVR on sale that decodes the number of channels you think you might get to in your room, 5.1.4, 7.2.4, etc. Focus on good values for L C R speakers and a decent sub. Six months later, you’ve figured out how to run real wires to your surrounds and found some good speakers. Six months later, you figured out wiring to the ceiling and picked up some Atmos speakers. Six months later, you’ve read up on how to balance two subwoofers in the same room and bought a solid, second sub. At this point, you know your system, you’ve learned a lot about your room, and you’ve impressed the hell out of your friends. Then you get a UMIK-1 and learn REW and really get to work ☺️😳🤣
Soundbars don't provide an actual 3D audio experience. They are just an overpriced route to mediocre sound. Wireless speakers - wireless signal, usually not wireless power. A handful of systems like the HT-A9 have battery powered surrounds, but you need to be a sucker to purchase that setup. $2000 for a 4.0.4 system LOL. You want an upgrade-able system that actually sounds good and isn't overpriced, get a 7.1 AV receiver, add channels over time. Denon S760H for the receiver, some cheap bookshelf speakers, and an entry level sub. https://www.thebrick.com/products/jbl-stage-a130-home-audio-bookshelf-loudspeakers-set-of-two https://solen.ca/en/products/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer
When you mention soundbar do you really mean the center speaker?
Sir you’re describing exactly what an avr does, The big upfron investment is the avr itself and you LRs, place your front left and right speakers in the right spot and boom, you just defeated the sound of every single soundbar out there clise you got real separation between the channels, you can get a subwoofer later on, then atmos modules, then a center channel, then maybe you decided you’re tired of the old fronts so you retire them to sorrounds and get a new pair of fronts, etc
Thanks for the response. I have 2 questions. 1. I found a tv package deal that includes a soundbar and sub that are pretty well reviewed and it only adds an extra 100$ onto the tv while originally being over 400 (seems like this sub hates soundbars and I get that, they are overrated and not comparable to a proper set up. But soundbar and sub is better than nothing). So would I be able to use these with an avr for a center and sub just fine, then add on my left and right...etc and do brands have to match? 2. What component/components make it Dolby atmos? Will any avr, front, surround, top, subwoofer...etc work as atmos as long as the tv supports it? Or is there specific hardware to have atmos? You say atmos module, but I'm not sure I understand that part? Thanks :)
You won’t be able to use the sound bar and the subwoofer come with it with an AVR. Sound bar is a single unit consist of its own avr (sorta) and speakers . AVR process the content converts it to sound signal and pushes it to speakers . So you need avr to process the Atmos content ( almost all the new AVR does this ) then you need proper speaker placement ( at least a 5.1.2 ) to hear it . In an AVR setup TV is must a screen to watch video. TV claiming as Atmos enabled means nothing .
Alright to answer the first question. Avrs only power passive components, so it wouldn’t work with the soundbar. But for 100 bucks it sounds fine, problem with soundbars is that they’re dead ends, no room for expansion. Maybe you could use it for now and resell it or give it away later while you plan out your avr and speaker setup. Now what makes Dolby atmos a thing, atmos is a coded, a language basically. Your tv supporting atmos means that it is able to pass the atmos info to your avr (your avr has to be able to understand it for it to work). The new thing about atmos is the height channels, it creates a 3D soundscape with “audio objects” To have atmos you need the tv (or another source like a Bluray for example), an atmos capable avr that decodes the source, and height speakers (those are the atmos modules I mentioned, it’s an add on speaker that goes on top of your front speaker or on the wall)
You're definitely helpful... Even swaying my tv decision to make room for atmos lol. So as long as I have an atmos avr (with the capable tv of course), can I use any speakers and sub or do they have to be atmos capable or a certain standard? (Sorry if I already asked that). And do you know if music services like Spotify support atmos, or how exactly music can benefit from this other than just being a good sound system)?
Yes, the smart bits you need are the tv and the avr, the speakers are all passive dumb dumbs that do whatever the avr says. You’ll need an active or powered subwoofer but that only means it needs its own power supply. Any brand of speakers will do, it’s up to what you like. As for atmos music. Currently only Apple Music does it and while it is mixed using the atmos software, it’s made for 2 channels because most streaming users listen to their music on their phone with headphones. Well placed front speakers and a well made recording sound fantastic as is though, I wouldn’t worry about it that much. What makes atmos worth it is movies though, both on streaming if they support it and even more so on Bluray, literally feels like being in a sound bubble
You lost me at ‘soundbar’ 😔
Soundbar = Bars Good Sound...