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Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Posted on 12/16/23 at 9:25 pm
Posted on 12/16/23 at 9:25 pm
Looking to get a Dolby Atmos soundbar. Is Sonos the best option for a room over a double garage or is the Samsung or another better? I think I would prefer rear speakers with it if that changes anything. I would be using it 100% for movies or tv and not music if that matters.
3
Posted on 12/16/23 at 10:10 pm to Phil
There are a lot of different Sonos configurations, so it's hard to say without knowing what soundbar, sub and surrounds you're thinking about.
There's a YouTube channel called NeverEnoughTech that does a lot of soundbar reviews, they're a little long but pretty comprehensive. He recently compared the Sonos Arc, Gen 3 sub and 2 Era 300s vs Samsung Q990C. Overall he rated the Samsung a little higher. Although price was probably what put Samsung over the top in his comparison because he had them pretty even other than that.
He also has a lot of other reviews as well. He just finished his Nakamichi Dragon review, if budget isn't a concern.
There's a YouTube channel called NeverEnoughTech that does a lot of soundbar reviews, they're a little long but pretty comprehensive. He recently compared the Sonos Arc, Gen 3 sub and 2 Era 300s vs Samsung Q990C. Overall he rated the Samsung a little higher. Although price was probably what put Samsung over the top in his comparison because he had them pretty even other than that.
He also has a lot of other reviews as well. He just finished his Nakamichi Dragon review, if budget isn't a concern.
Posted on 12/16/23 at 10:29 pm to JoeHackett
Family member has a Sonos with the surround and sub and I have never thought they sounded great. Not sure if it’s a configuration or if it’s just my opinion. It always seems very mono so I have been skeptical on it.
Posted on 12/17/23 at 7:29 am to Phil
quote:
Dolby Atmos Soundbar
No
Posted on 12/19/23 at 4:10 pm to Phil
I have a Vizio Elevate Soundbar 5.1.4 and it is phenomenal. 18 speakers total in the soundbar system including 2 upward firing Atmos speakers in the sound bar that rotate up when they detect Atmos content. The rear Surround speakers also have extra upward firing Atmos speakers. The Subwoofer will shake the room. You can change each speaker individually if you desire with the equalizer on the remote control settings or on the smartphone app. I left them as they were out of the box except I turned the Subwoofer level down low and it is perfect now.
This is a somewhat expensive Soundbar system currently on sale for $699 at Best Buy and $699 on Amazon. It was $999.99 regular price prior to Black Friday. Not as costly as the Sonos Q990C, which is arguably better but doubtful a better value in my opinion as I am blown away how good the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 sounds. Whatever you buy you can return it on Amazon or Best Buy within 30 days if you don't like it. With Best Buy you get Price Match protection that is normally 30 days but is extended through January 13th for the holidays. I actually bought it for $799.99 a couple of weeks ago, and noticed it was now $699.99. I just chatted with their Price Match team and within 5 minutes I had a $100 credit being processed.
I have several TVs and Surround systems set up in different rooms.
The overhead sound field created by the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 system's four Atmos speakers is just awesome. Planes or bullets flying by will have you wanting to duck. My ceiling height is 8'. You need a flat ceiling no higher than 12' for Atmos. Check it out on YouTube.
I have another LG soundbar and subwoofer that do not have Atmos and there is no comparison.
The Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Soundbar currently produces movie surround sound better than my Denon receiver with kickass Klipsch Towers, Surround and Subwoofer reference speakers, although that won't be the case once I upgrade our TV there and add Klipsch Reference Atmos speakers.
This is a somewhat expensive Soundbar system currently on sale for $699 at Best Buy and $699 on Amazon. It was $999.99 regular price prior to Black Friday. Not as costly as the Sonos Q990C, which is arguably better but doubtful a better value in my opinion as I am blown away how good the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 sounds. Whatever you buy you can return it on Amazon or Best Buy within 30 days if you don't like it. With Best Buy you get Price Match protection that is normally 30 days but is extended through January 13th for the holidays. I actually bought it for $799.99 a couple of weeks ago, and noticed it was now $699.99. I just chatted with their Price Match team and within 5 minutes I had a $100 credit being processed.
I have several TVs and Surround systems set up in different rooms.
The overhead sound field created by the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 system's four Atmos speakers is just awesome. Planes or bullets flying by will have you wanting to duck. My ceiling height is 8'. You need a flat ceiling no higher than 12' for Atmos. Check it out on YouTube.
I have another LG soundbar and subwoofer that do not have Atmos and there is no comparison.
The Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Soundbar currently produces movie surround sound better than my Denon receiver with kickass Klipsch Towers, Surround and Subwoofer reference speakers, although that won't be the case once I upgrade our TV there and add Klipsch Reference Atmos speakers.
This post was edited on 12/19/23 at 5:33 pm
Posted on 12/19/23 at 7:29 pm to 98eagle
quote:
18 speakers total in the soundbar system including 2 upward firing Atmos speakers in the sound bar that rotate up when they detect Atmos content.
I don’t know where to start here…
Posted on 12/19/23 at 11:31 pm to Marco Esquandolas
quote:
I don’t know where to start here…
You can start here with this one minute YouTube video of the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Soundbar.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 3:36 am to Marco Esquandolas
I have the Vizio Sound Bar. I can tell you it has software issues and requires a hard reset daily. I would not recommend it to any. As a matter of fact Vizio's quality has fallen off so badly I won't ever purchase another product from them. I just lost a Vizio TV, 65 in., that was only 18 months old. Do yourself a favor and go read the Amazon reviews on this sound bar before you pull the trigger. Read the reviews below a 3 star rating. Most of those are truthful. Good luck!
Posted on 12/20/23 at 7:02 am to LsuFan_1955
quote:
I have the Vizio Sound Bar. I can tell you it has software issues and requires a hard reset daily. I would not recommend it to any.
I had the elevate as well. While it sounded amazing and was an incredible value, I returned it due to the same issues this guy had. It just wasn't worth the headache.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 8:45 am to 632627
So when did you guys have the software issues with the Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 Soundbar? Were they within the 30 day return window? Were they within days of setting it up? Do you think they were due to Vizio software updates?
I've had my Elevate for a couple of weeks now with zero issues and it sounds incredible. But now I am going to investigate further and possibly return it.
I've had my Elevate for a couple of weeks now with zero issues and it sounds incredible. But now I am going to investigate further and possibly return it.
This post was edited on 12/20/23 at 8:48 am
Posted on 12/20/23 at 8:50 am to 98eagle
From day 1, and mine was paired with a brand new Vizio tv. The unit has a handshaking issue in the software, and the elevate series isn't the only sound bar by Vizio that has this issue. I didn't return mine because I can deal with it, but I will tell you this, I replaced the Vizio TV with a LG TV, and I don't have near the issues with the sound bar that I had when it was paired with the Vizio TV. Go figure.
This post was edited on 12/20/23 at 8:52 am
Posted on 12/20/23 at 9:05 am to LsuFan_1955
I was reading all of the complaints on connectivity issues. So it sounds like this is primarily a connectivity issue between the TV and the Soundbar.
A couple of questions...
1. The Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 came out in 2021. When did you buy it and your Vizio TV? Maybe they are shipping units with newer firmware that no longer have the issue. That may be wishful thinking on my part but I am not having the connectivity issue so far.
2. Was your connection from your Vizio TV to Vizio Soundbar an eARC on both ends or was your TV just an ARC connection? My connection is eARC to eARC.
I also wonder if connecting the Soundbar to WiFi is cause the issue. My TV has a straight Ethernet connection to the TV. The TV setting for CEC is enabled and since the TV is connected to the Soundbar via an eARC connection, the TV controls the Soundbar for power and On/Off. I never connected the Soundbar to Wi-Fi and don't plan on it as I don't want any Firmware updates. I do that routinely on electronic products. If they are working properly I won't connect them to the Internet unless they have issues or need it to function. But I am still concerned about this system failing over time. I need to consider taking it back before the return window ends.
A couple of questions...
1. The Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 came out in 2021. When did you buy it and your Vizio TV? Maybe they are shipping units with newer firmware that no longer have the issue. That may be wishful thinking on my part but I am not having the connectivity issue so far.
2. Was your connection from your Vizio TV to Vizio Soundbar an eARC on both ends or was your TV just an ARC connection? My connection is eARC to eARC.
I also wonder if connecting the Soundbar to WiFi is cause the issue. My TV has a straight Ethernet connection to the TV. The TV setting for CEC is enabled and since the TV is connected to the Soundbar via an eARC connection, the TV controls the Soundbar for power and On/Off. I never connected the Soundbar to Wi-Fi and don't plan on it as I don't want any Firmware updates. I do that routinely on electronic products. If they are working properly I won't connect them to the Internet unless they have issues or need it to function. But I am still concerned about this system failing over time. I need to consider taking it back before the return window ends.
This post was edited on 12/20/23 at 9:41 am
Posted on 12/20/23 at 9:37 am to 98eagle
My issues began almost immediately. The problem was the e-arc handshake with my Sony OLED. The Vizio software (which you download and control on your phone) was awful as well.
I wanted to make it work, but returned after 2 weeks.
In retrospect, I should've tried connecting via optical. I would've lost out on the atmos capabilities, but there likely would've been no connectivity problems.
I wanted to make it work, but returned after 2 weeks.
In retrospect, I should've tried connecting via optical. I would've lost out on the atmos capabilities, but there likely would've been no connectivity problems.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 9:43 am to 632627
I really appreciate y'all's input. I'm leaning towards returning my system now. I have until January 13th to return it since the return window was extended for Christmas.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 9:48 am to 98eagle
1. Purchased the TV in Dec. of 2021.
2. Purchased the sound bar in the early part of 2022. Both items were purchased from Best Buy.The sound connection was eARC to eARC. The TV and sound bar were both network connected with the wireless. I had an ethernet connection on the TV too, but I could never get over 100 mbps with it. CEC was enabled and either remote would operate the sound bar. It is currently hooked up to the LG TV the exact same way except the LG does get a full 550 mbps with the ethernet connection which is the speed I am getting from my ISP.
I use the sound bar on wireless because I often cast music from my phone, and my computer. I never have any problems with the sound bar when I cast to it, only when I am using the TV and it is dealing with an audio and video feed.I have even replaced the HDMI cables, to no avail. However, like you have said, when it works it sounds fantastic, and it will rattle the windows.
2. Purchased the sound bar in the early part of 2022. Both items were purchased from Best Buy.The sound connection was eARC to eARC. The TV and sound bar were both network connected with the wireless. I had an ethernet connection on the TV too, but I could never get over 100 mbps with it. CEC was enabled and either remote would operate the sound bar. It is currently hooked up to the LG TV the exact same way except the LG does get a full 550 mbps with the ethernet connection which is the speed I am getting from my ISP.
I use the sound bar on wireless because I often cast music from my phone, and my computer. I never have any problems with the sound bar when I cast to it, only when I am using the TV and it is dealing with an audio and video feed.I have even replaced the HDMI cables, to no avail. However, like you have said, when it works it sounds fantastic, and it will rattle the windows.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 10:02 am to LsuFan_1955
Thanks again for your time to explain in detail the issues you have experienced with Vizio. It's a shame that Vizio can't develop and maintain a quality Soundbar and apparently their customer support is subpar as well. I guess my system will likely fail sooner or later so I currently plan to take it back.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 10:05 am to 98eagle
I guess you read the reviews complaining about their customer service. I have never called their customer service, but I have read lots of unhappy reviews about them. It is a shame that Vizio has fallen so far. There was a time when they were the best bang for your buck, bar none. Sadly that has changed.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 10:46 am to LsuFan_1955
Yeah people are saying in the reviews that Vizio support is pretty bad.
It's a strange position I am in now wanting to return a kickass sounding system that only cost $700 and I'm currently not having any problems with. I'm looking at other brands right now, just glossing through them at a high level. The one that has caught my eye so far based on feedback and price is the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro Bluetooth 7.1.4. I'm going to go to rtings.com for their reviews on a bunch of soundbars and then look at feedback reviews and prices on Best Buy and Amazon.
It's a strange position I am in now wanting to return a kickass sounding system that only cost $700 and I'm currently not having any problems with. I'm looking at other brands right now, just glossing through them at a high level. The one that has caught my eye so far based on feedback and price is the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro Bluetooth 7.1.4. I'm going to go to rtings.com for their reviews on a bunch of soundbars and then look at feedback reviews and prices on Best Buy and Amazon.
This post was edited on 12/20/23 at 10:47 am
Posted on 12/20/23 at 10:50 am to 98eagle
Yes, I think you can rely on rtings.com reviews.
Posted on 12/20/23 at 11:06 am to LsuFan_1955
rtings.com appears to be awesome for quality and technical ratings, but I noticed they don't mention the connectivity issues with the Vizio Elevate. So I think it's best to use them to find the best products but then look at customer feedbacks and in particular negative feedbacks. Products with a high number of very positive feedback with no glaring trend in negative feedbacks seem like a good bet.
Also I will buy from Best Buy and not Amazon. Best Buy has much better customer service than Amazon. They also price match and Amazon does not.
Also I will buy from Best Buy and not Amazon. Best Buy has much better customer service than Amazon. They also price match and Amazon does not.
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