TV Audiophiles-
Have a very nice Kenwood Home Theater Receiver and surround sound system hooked up to my TV. (It was probably $400-500 back in the day.) It has been very good, sound quality was excellent. 5 speakers plus a seperate powered subwoofer. Somewhat dated in that it is between 12-15 years old.
For about the last six months to a year, it has had a loud backfeed hum, and various speakers cutting out, with an audible "click." Last several months it goes down to one speaker. (Center or main left.) I have been contemplating getting it repaired, but know that electronic repairs are pricy. With it being dated, I decided to replace it.
Have been researching "The best TV Sound systems for the $$." Have looked for a while now. Popped on one of the top ten best buys for the $$ today. Amazon had a deal going on the Samsung HW-J355-R for $139 today. 120W 4 tweeters, 2 woofers, and a seperate powered subwoofer. Very high and low range response. Went with high end braided/sheathed optical connectivity cables.
Reviews claim, "will rattle the windows." "Superb bass, and overall sound quality." Etc. (4 1/2 out of 5 star rating.) 594 reviews. 94% 4 1/2 - 5 stars. Could have spent a lot more $$, but reviews indicate that this system blows away systems costing 3-4 times as much. Amazon return policy, if I do not like it sealed the deal.
I am beyond psyched to upgrade my system. No way could I have got my old system repaired for that.
A Bose system at $199 was very tempting, but no seperate powered sub-woofer.
Electronics/sound systems have come way down in price, while coming way up in sound quality/performance.
I declined on a free 30 day trial of Prime, with it being $12.99/mo. thereafter. Who has it? ( Worth the $$?)
First time ordering from Amazon. I know some here have advocated Prime. Why would I want it @ $12.99/mo.? Worth it for the TV? My current Dish TV Sucks.
What do you have?
For about the last six months to a year, it has had a loud backfeed hum, and various speakers cutting out, with an audible "click." Last several months it goes down to one speaker. (Center or main left.) I have been contemplating getting it repaired, but know that electronic repairs are pricy. With it being dated, I decided to replace it.
Have been researching "The best TV Sound systems for the $$." Have looked for a while now. Popped on one of the top ten best buys for the $$ today. Amazon had a deal going on the Samsung HW-J355-R for $139 today. 120W 4 tweeters, 2 woofers, and a seperate powered subwoofer. Very high and low range response. Went with high end braided/sheathed optical connectivity cables.
Reviews claim, "will rattle the windows." "Superb bass, and overall sound quality." Etc. (4 1/2 out of 5 star rating.) 594 reviews. 94% 4 1/2 - 5 stars. Could have spent a lot more $$, but reviews indicate that this system blows away systems costing 3-4 times as much. Amazon return policy, if I do not like it sealed the deal.
I am beyond psyched to upgrade my system. No way could I have got my old system repaired for that.
A Bose system at $199 was very tempting, but no seperate powered sub-woofer.
Electronics/sound systems have come way down in price, while coming way up in sound quality/performance.
I declined on a free 30 day trial of Prime, with it being $12.99/mo. thereafter. Who has it? ( Worth the $$?)
First time ordering from Amazon. I know some here have advocated Prime. Why would I want it @ $12.99/mo.? Worth it for the TV? My current Dish TV Sucks.
What do you have?
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Best I can do these days with my television's volume and sound system is to turn up my hearing aids. I have noticed that ever since we went to DVD's and Blue Ray discs to watch movies that the sound has to be turned up full blast on the set in order to hear the voices speaking. The background music seems to eradicate the voices. This sucks big time for me, as when I place an old VCR tape into that machine, the sound quality is good without having to turn the set up to any more than 20 out of the 100 max. 0 -
Brookwood wrote:Best I can do these days with my television's volume and sound system is to turn up my hearing aids. I have noticed that ever since we went to DVD's and Blue Ray discs to watch movies that the sound has to be turned up full blast on the set in order to hear the voices speaking. The background music seems to eradicate the voices. This sucks big time for me, as when I place an old VCR tape into that machine, the sound quality is good without having to turn the set up to any more than 20 out of the 100 max.
I hear you Brother. My hearing is deteriorating, I need a premium system to bring it. When my system will fleetingly revert to all systems operating, including the powered sub-woofer, it is awesome. Unfortunately, it is no longer reliable. Based on the reviews, I am psyched to hook up the new system to my TV.0 -
I doubt anyone alive is around that can fix your old system. I'd open it up myself and see if a solder popped. I once lucked out with an amp that did that. Took out an old soldering gun and re-melted the solder and it's still working. Over ten years I reckon (maybe close to 15 years?)
Let us know how much you save on electricity with the new system.0 -
yoshmyster wrote:I doubt anyone alive is around that can fix your old system. I'd open it up myself and see if a solder popped. I once lucked out with an amp that did that. Took out an old soldering gun and re-melted the solder and it's still working. Over ten years I reckon (maybe close to 15 years?)
Let us know how much you save on electricity with the new system.
I would imagine it is something super simple with my old system. I am however inept (suck) at electrical crap. I may still see if it can be fixed, as it is a superb system.
From what I have been reading, what I am replacing it with, is as well. Much smaller. 40" X 2 1/2" X 2 3/4" sound bar, with a seperate powered subwoofer. 120 watts. Nice. (Not sure what my Kenwood system was, but probably right around there. )
Looking forward to the upgrade. By far the best deal I have seen for one. (A top ten best pick for the $$.)
The one I jumped on for $139, was a refurbished/as new system. (Same warranty applies). As well as the Amazon, "if you do not like it, return it." Guarantee.
Reg. $199, like the Bose system, but the Bose, had no seperate powered sub-woofer.
Jumped on the deal.0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:I declined on a free 30 day trial of Prime, with it being $12.99/mo. thereafter. Who has it? ( Worth the $$?)
First time ordering from Amazon. I know some here have advocated Prime. Why would I want it @ $12.99/mo.? Worth it for the TV? My current Dish TV Sucks.
I get my money's worth out of just the movies not to mention just about everything I buy is through Amazon these days and their prime shipping. Something's are cheaper from other sites but Amazon makes returns of items so easy that it's worth the extra money not to have to haggle with people over a return item.0 -
Smitty500mag wrote:KenK/84Bravo wrote:I declined on a free 30 day trial of Prime, with it being $12.99/mo. thereafter. Who has it? ( Worth the $$?)
First time ordering from Amazon. I know some here have advocated Prime. Why would I want it @ $12.99/mo.? Worth it for the TV? My current Dish TV Sucks.
I get my money's worth out of just the movies not to mention just about everything I buy is through Amazon these days and their prime shipping. Something's are cheaper from other sites but Amazon makes returns of items so easy that it's worth the extra money not to have to haggle with people over a return item.
May I ask, how do you access their movies on the TV? (Once you go on to Amazon Prime.) I have a Tablet, and my phone for internet access.
(And) That is why I popped on the sound system, all reviews said returns were no problem.
I figured WTH, I will give it a try.0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:
May I ask, how do you access their movies on the TV? (Once you go on to Amazon Prime.) I have a Tablet, and my phone for internet access.
Roku. It just plugs into your TV and you use the remote to access Amazon or Netflix or what ever.
I also have the Google Chrome thingy that you plug into the TV and you can stream anything from your computer onto the TV.0 -
Smitty500mag wrote:KenK/84Bravo wrote:
May I ask, how do you access their movies on the TV? (Once you go on to Amazon Prime.) I have a Tablet, and my phone for internet access.
Roku. It just plugs into your TV and you use the remote to access Amazon or Netflix or what ever.
I also have the Google Chrome thingy that you plug into the TV and you can stream anything from your computer onto the TV.
Roku and the Chrome thingy, you plug in to your TV, where do they come from? Not being facetious, just ignorant, and genuinely curious. Where do you get them from?0 -
Back to the sound system...
Tired of having the background music overwhelm the speech? THE answer is the ZVOX Accuvoice sound bar.
https://zvox.com/pages/accuvoice0 -
What TV do you have ?
Can't claim to be an audiophile, or tv nerd.....
I bought this in early 2018 as a refurb unit, for I think was 2 bills.
Samsung-HW-M450-ZA-Soundbar-Subwoofer
For what it is, I like it.
Looks like they still have them as refurbed units for a mere 134$
HW-M450/HW-MM450 -
A nothing special Vizio 32" unit. 0 -
yoshmyster wrote:I doubt anyone alive is around that can fix your old system. I'd open it up myself and see if a solder popped. I once lucked out with an amp that did that. Took out an old soldering gun and re-melted the solder and it's still working. Over ten years I reckon (maybe close to 15 years?)
Let us know how much you save on electricity with the new system.
I?m alive. MOS 2841, worked in an 5th echelon shop in the ?Corps for 5 years.
Tracked vehicle systems was my specialty. Tanks/amtracks/lavs. Ripped Vietnam era radios and such apart, and repaired. Rebuilt circuit boards, wiring harnesses.
It?s really not hard, or expensive to repair old radio gear.
Most Parts are still available online.0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:
Roku and the Chrome thingy, you plug in to your TV, where do they come from? Not being facetious, just ignorant, and genuinely curious. Where do you get them from?
My son gave me both the Roku and the Chromecast but you can find them on Amazon and many other websites.
https://www.amazon.com/Roku-Premiere-HDR-Streaming-Player-Premium/dp/B07HDBZN7Q/ref=sr_1_4?crid=XPIW9MFYVS6H&keywords=roku&qid=1564018248&s=gateway&sprefix=roku%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/Google-H2G2-42-Chromecast/dp/B015UKRNGS/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2FUOXEVF3V5S5&keywords=chromecast&qid=1564018044&s=gateway&sprefix=chromecast%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-2-spons&psc=10 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:A nothing special Vizio 32" unit.
I had a couple even cheaper bars before I got the samsung, they had optical input, but the volume was inadequate . This bar I have now has an optical in, also an HDMI ....the HDMI is the way to go, if you have an HDMI ARC port on your tv.
TV's have become dirt cheap too, how old is your vizio ?0 -
New TV's may be cheaper these days but I sure wish they would put better speakers in them! I consider a set is now just a "component" in a system that needs "more stuff" to actually become functional.
I do have and pay for Amazon Prime but have been reluctant to use the member perk for movie watching. My only internet access comes from a satellite dish (Hughes Net) that costs 70 bucks a month and has limited access where streaming just 2 movie length features uses up the entire months whatever bites. I can surf the www and upload a ton of still pictures but going overboard on U tube can quickly use up my months worth.
Not complaining here in any way, as my decision to live in the sticks far outweigh any perks that living in highly populated areas has for me.0 -
True, brook. Go read the link I posted. 0 -
Mr. O wrote:KenK/84Bravo wrote:A nothing special Vizio 32" unit.
I had a couple even cheaper bars before I got the samsung, they had optical input, but the volume was inadequate . This bar I have now has an optical in, also an HDMI ....the HDMI is the way to go, if you have an HDMI ARC port on your tv.
TV's have become dirt cheap too, how old is your vizio ?
I looked on the back of my TV in order to confirm that it had an optical in port. (It does.) It also has an HDMI port. (Labeled "best.") I ordered the Optical connect as Amazon referenced these as "items others ordered with this soundbar." I ordered the cables after I had completed my order, when I realized it was "wireless" meaning it had Blutetooth connectivity, or if your TV was a Samsung, wireless connectivity. (Forget what it was called by Samsung.) When going back to look at the accessories coming with the soundbar, it did not discuss any sort of cable hook ups included.
Since my TV is not Bluetooth or a Samsung, I realized I would have to order some sort of cable hookup. I did not see that the Soundbar had a HDMI port, nor did I notice Amazon reference one as "items others ordered with this purchase."
Ordered a set of opital cables for $13.98, got dinged for a $5.99 ship charge, as my order was under $25. I went back to my Soundbar order trying to add it to the original order, but could not seem to do so once it was completed. Oh well, $5.99. No bigee. (Stupid of me not to do my due diligence prior to completing my initial order.
I have already decided that when my Soundbar shows up and has an HDMI port, I will go that route.
My Vizio is about 2 years old.
Thanks for the input/advice you all.0 -
I hope it suits you well. But regular sound bars just make everything louder, they do not compensate for the deliberately muddled voice/dialogue problem.
If you or anyone else can't understand what the characters are saying no matter how loud you turn up the volume, see my link above. It works.0 -
Rocky Raab wrote:True, brook. Go read the link I posted.
Many thanks Rocky for this info!! I will be placing an order for the audio voice bar in the near future!! thumbs up0 -
Just received my Samsung Soundbar/subwoofer. 
It does not have an HDMI connect. Optical cable connect, which it includes. Wasted another $13.98 plus $5.99 shipping for one, when table of contents did not indicate it included one. (Albiet higher quality than the one supplied.) Audio cable, (not supplied.) was the only other hook up offered.
Missing one of the two specialty screws needed to mount it to the wall, with the included mounting brackets. A specialty type screw that I do not believe I have in all my plethora of stuff.
Thanks QC.
"One, Two, Check."
Seriously, how difficult is that?0 -
Well, if HDMI is rated "the best," why would a "State of the Art Sound System," have an Optical cable interface, and no HDMI? WTH?
Going to be setting my new sound system for my TV up in the next day or so. How much more expensive would it be, to have incorporate an HDMI interface?
Really??0 -
I believe that is a 2015 model year product..... 0 -
Mr. O wrote:I believe that is a 2015 model year product.....
Uhh, ................................................................................................................................................No.
Thanks for playing.0 -
Could be wrong, but I think the "R" suffix on your model number stands for refurb.
Other than that they seem to be pretty much the same.....0 -
Sounds like another EASY return item brought to you by AMAZON dot Com 0
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Mr. O wrote:
Mkay.
Looks like you are correct Sir.0 -
Mr. O wrote:Could be wrong, but I think the "R" suffix on your model number stands for refurb.
Other than that they seem to be pretty much the same.....
Yes, yes. You are correct again Sir.
Was aware it was a refurbished unit when I purchased it. That is why it was $139. Looks new, same warranty applies. Can return to Amazon if I did not like it. For what I paid for it, I am pleased. Have to look into getting my Kenwood receiver from my old unit looked at.
See my "Power has been out couple hours," thread.0 -
Have been tweaking out my new sound system. Not only through enhancing through my TV input Sound modifications, but enhancing through my new Samsung sound system "sound effect, sound control, woofer input, sound" buttons/controls.
Pretty good stuff. Wringing the most out of the system was enjoyable/worth wading through the intricacies in order to get the most out of it. For what this system cost, it rocks. Pumping bass/crisp highs currently. The higher you crank it, the better it gets.
New remote is very intuitive.
Killer deal for $139.0 -
Barzillia wrote:Most televisions I have seen have a setup screen where you can adjust audio balance.
Maximize high frequency (treble), minimize bass, and see if that will help.
Thank you Sir.
Please see my previous post.0
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