Help with my sound please
Discussion
I currently have a 77" LG (I think it's a C4, can't remember) with the below soundbar underneath, with 2 speakers and the sub behind the sofa.
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/lg-s80qr-5.1.3-w...
Pictures for ease...
I don't particularly want wires everywhere, there's probably no room around the TV for extra speakers. I know having the sub behind the sofa isn't the best idea but not sure what else to do. I am also aware that having the 2 surround speakers pointing at my head also isn't ideal but I'm trying to make it tidy.
Years ago (another house) I had a Bose Lifestyle system with little speakers in all 4 corners of the room, a soundbar, sub and the control unit - the latter I don't really need as I only ever stream, I don't need any other inputs.
Would chasing some ceiling speakers in be the only option?
Absolute amateur here but I'd like a bit more bass and it'd be handy if whoever was sat on the other sofa got the benefit of the sound too.
Ideas appreciated.
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/lg-s80qr-5.1.3-w...
Pictures for ease...
I don't particularly want wires everywhere, there's probably no room around the TV for extra speakers. I know having the sub behind the sofa isn't the best idea but not sure what else to do. I am also aware that having the 2 surround speakers pointing at my head also isn't ideal but I'm trying to make it tidy.
Years ago (another house) I had a Bose Lifestyle system with little speakers in all 4 corners of the room, a soundbar, sub and the control unit - the latter I don't really need as I only ever stream, I don't need any other inputs.
Would chasing some ceiling speakers in be the only option?
Absolute amateur here but I'd like a bit more bass and it'd be handy if whoever was sat on the other sofa got the benefit of the sound too.
Ideas appreciated.
It’s the Christmas tree - only kidding 
Sub-woofers are omnidirectional so anywhere in the ‘circle’ (in theory) will work, but behind the sofa and right by a patio door isn’t ideal placement. One of the first things to try before you do anything else is walk around the room and see where the bass is more and less prominent (nodes/antinodes). You will probably be very surprised, it might be that by moving the sofa forwards by 1 foot will give very different results, though it might not!
Alas, there’s not that much you can do to cure these issues without acoustic treatment and moving the sub, but with experimentation, you should be able to find an acceptable balance.
Sub-woofers are omnidirectional so anywhere in the ‘circle’ (in theory) will work, but behind the sofa and right by a patio door isn’t ideal placement. One of the first things to try before you do anything else is walk around the room and see where the bass is more and less prominent (nodes/antinodes). You will probably be very surprised, it might be that by moving the sofa forwards by 1 foot will give very different results, though it might not!
Alas, there’s not that much you can do to cure these issues without acoustic treatment and moving the sub, but with experimentation, you should be able to find an acceptable balance.
tomsugden said:
Can you not move the sofa away from the wall a little and put the sub down the side, facing forward?
That's probably not a bad idea, I'll give that a go. The other issue is that I don't think I'm getting decent sound from the soundbar. I'd rather have separate speakers at the side of the TV but it'd look crap.AB said:
That's probably not a bad idea, I'll give that a go. The other issue is that I don't think I'm getting decent sound from the soundbar. I'd rather have separate speakers at the side of the TV but it'd look crap.
Maybe try a passive soundbar, driven by a proper AV receiver?I'm very happy with my Monitor Audio passive soundbar and Denon amp.
I'd never heard of passive soundbars before now, are they that much better?
https://ceilingspeakerworld.co.uk/products/monitor...
Will I see a massive improvement?
https://ceilingspeakerworld.co.uk/products/monitor...
Will I see a massive improvement?
Far too large a room for that system to be honest, and, it looks like there are loads of reflective surfaces too which won't help.
That system was well reviewed but they all said the same thing, it doesn't sound anywhere near as big as the S95, it's bigger brother, so is more suited to smaller rooms.
I think you are simply asking too much from it.
That system was well reviewed but they all said the same thing, it doesn't sound anywhere near as big as the S95, it's bigger brother, so is more suited to smaller rooms.
I think you are simply asking too much from it.
AB said:
I'd never heard of passive soundbars before now, are they that much better?
https://ceilingspeakerworld.co.uk/products/monitor...
Will I see a massive improvement?
No, not with that kit. https://ceilingspeakerworld.co.uk/products/monitor...
Will I see a massive improvement?
If you are going to spend that sort of money then the new Sonos Arc Ultra with their new sub would be a better way to go, add a pair of their rear Era speakers if you feel the need.
If you fill the room with a decent front stage and a sub that can actually fill that space it will make a massive difference.
I'm no Sonos fan really, but their new Arc Ultra is pretty impressive.
Thanks, I actually have an Arc in another room but with no sub/speakers.
https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/ultimate-immersiv...
I'll probably go with this then if it's going to make a massive difference.
https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/ultimate-immersiv...
I'll probably go with this then if it's going to make a massive difference.
AB said:
I'd never heard of passive soundbars before now, are they that much better?
https://ceilingspeakerworld.co.uk/products/monitor...
Will I see a massive improvement?
My previous setup had separate Quad speakers - originally a Quad L-ite 5.1 set, with the left and right pair replaced with larger 11L.https://ceilingspeakerworld.co.uk/products/monitor...
Will I see a massive improvement?
When the room was gutted and rebuilt, I wanted something a bit less obtrusive.
I went for an SB3 soundbar, a pair of Monitor Audio ceiling speakers for the rear/side, and kept the Quad sub.
For TV etc. I think it actually sounds better than the old speakers. Not as good for music (stereo + sub) though.
AB said:
Thanks, I actually have an Arc in another room but with no sub/speakers.
https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/ultimate-immersiv...
I'll probably go with this then if it's going to make a massive difference.
The new Ultra drops to 30hz, compared with 50hz on the original Arc. That makes a massive difference to not just bass, but how well it fills the room. https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/ultimate-immersiv...
I'll probably go with this then if it's going to make a massive difference.
I couldn't live with an arc and no sub, the ultras, yeah probably.
At least with Sonos you get 90 days to try it out. I presume you still do?
Panamax said:
Proceed with caution as you upgrade - there are a lot of hard surfaces in that room and little in the way of soft furnishings. You may find the room booms horribly if you increase the grunt of your sound system.
A rug over the middle of the parquet floor, and some heavy curtains, made a massive difference in my lounge. Was very boomy and echoey without them.AB said:
That's a problem for another day, we're yet to get anything on the walls/floor etc. but it will be done.
check out: https://gikacoustics.co.uk/product-category/acoust...Obviously their full blown acoustic treatment would be ideal, but these art panels are a good way to dampen down the some of the reflections and flutter echoes without ruining the look of the room.
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