Team-BHP - The Home Theater thread

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Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 5111308)

I have an ancient 2003 Sony CMT-NEZ30 Audio Micro System with CD Player, Cassette Deck, and AM/FM Tuner but have misplaced the remote.

If it is still relevant, there are apps that can be used to make the mobile phone to function as a remote control. Such apps support innumerable models of the respective gadgets. One needs to patiently find the correct settings.

For my Toshiba TV, the remote stopped working after over a decade. Initially I searched for a replacement but then downloaded such an app, and it works fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonelyPlanet (Post 5179959)

any feedback from fellow BHPians on Sony HT-Z9F+Z9R wrt audio quality when used to listen to audio songs only.

You're not going to like it one bit. For music, get a pair of Edifier speakers with wireless bluetooth.

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Originally Posted by BroodVarun (Post 5184880)

In fact, even I am looking for a review for Sony HT-Z9F 5.1Ch 4k Dolby Atmos Soundbar for TV with Surround Speakers.Are they decent for setting up a suitable home theatre for the living room?

Its okay for home theater. Its not a replacement for a dedicated setup. If space is tight and you don't have the luxury of wires going up to the roof or anywhere in the house, get a sound bar.

If budget isn't an issue, it is possible to buy speakers with Atmos integration. Its basically a loudspeaker with an Atmos speaker fitted above the main speaker and will work similar to the sound bar, that is, reflecting sound waves of the roof. This way you're not running wires to the roof, just to the main speakers. A sound bar will do the same thing but with a dedicated loudspeakers is of a higher quality than any sound bar.

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Originally Posted by tomraven99 (Post 5185556)

If you are looking for Atmos effects then don't bother as the soundbar lacks upward firing speakers/drivers. The vertical height virtualization is pure marketing hype. You can look at the Jbl bar 9.1 or the more expensive Samsung q950 for better atmos performance and soundstage. Though they will never match a ceiling speaker setup.

Thank you so much. Will take this into account.

Slightly off-topic, but have you are anyone else been able to offload their smart TVs or home theatres for a reasonable price? How do you go about it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroodVarun (Post 5184880)

In fact, even I am looking for a review for Sony HT-Z9F 5.1Ch 4k Dolby Atmos Soundbar for TV with Surround Speakers.
Are they decent for setting up a suitable home theatre for the living room?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomraven99 (Post 5185556)

You can look at the Jbl bar 9.1 or the more expensive Samsung q950 for better atmos performance and soundstage. Though they will never match a ceiling speaker setup.

I have been doing a similar research on Sound Bars for a relative for his Apartment that cannot accommodate a full blown setup and arrived at the same three models mentioned here.

1. Sony Z9F
2. JBL Bar 9.1
3. Samsung Q950A

The Rear Speakers provided by JBL Bar 9.1 are rechargeable but the downside is the batteries within them are not replaceable. The entire Speaker pair needs to be replaced and they come with an approx. 5 years life rating. Also JBL after sales service is terrible based on some of the India based reviews that I have seen. This made us to eliminate JBL Bar 9.1..

We are now deciding between the Z9F and Samsung Q950A and leaning more towards the Q950A as of now. The Z9F is an old model now and Sony would be releasing their newer model in India which is the HT-A7000 (Link)

Check the Rtings.com for the Top Soundbars Reviews here: Link

Planning for demo of both Sony and the Samsung before deciding on the final choice.

Yep there were a few bad reviews regarding the service.But I took the plunge and mine is working well. Also got it for 76k from amazon.Regarding the rear batteries they can be powered by a usb cable and there are a few diy videos on how to replace it

No doubt the Samsung 950 is the best however did not get a good price for it. The LG sp11ra has similar specs but isn't available in India. However all these are no match for a receiver speaker combo which can be brought for a similar price

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Originally Posted by tomraven99 (Post 5190166)

No doubt the Samsung 950 is the best however did not get a good price for it. The LG sp11ra has similar specs but isn't available in India. However all these are no match for a receiver speaker combo which can be brought for a similar price

Had gone to take demo of the systems today, however none of the local stores had the Samsung Q950A for Demo. Visited Devi International, Reliance Digital and Croma. Reliance Digital & Devi International quoted ₹1.01 L as their best and final price.

Finally landed a steal deal at Croma Store for ₹74,000/- after some discounts on Credit Card for the Samsung Q950A. The item was not in stock locally but they found a store in Ahmedabad having stock and ordered from there. So it would be home delivered after a week or 10 days. Not sure how Croma is managing at such a huge price differential. The online price kind of shows the same as well (Link).

Will update once the item is delivered and setup on the performance.
The Soundbar would be paired with a Sony OLED A80J 55" which my relative purchased a few days back.

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Originally Posted by vsrivatsa (Post 5190187)

Finally landed a steal deal at Croma Store for ₹74,000/- after some discounts on Credit Card for the Samsung Q950A. The item was not in stock locally but they found a store in Ahmedabad having stock and ordered from there. So it would be home delivered after a week or 10 days. Not sure how Croma is managing at such a huge price differential. The online price kind of shows the same as well

This is an amazing deal and around 40% cheaper than US prices if you include the credit card offers as well. My only suspicion at this price is - the two rear speakers are not included at this price. Otherwise, its a banger of a deal and a must buy at this price even if you later retail it on OLX rl:

As for me, this might just be the time to scratch that long-pending itch for soundbar-based HT.

You wont believe I was angling for this Soundbar few months back and the very best pricing I got in my city was 1,04,000 (Devi Intl). Croma has sold out, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

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Originally Posted by roamer012 (Post 5190199)

This is an amazing deal and around 40% cheaper than US prices if you include the credit card offers as well. My only suspicion at this price is - the two rear speakers are not included at this price.

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Originally Posted by Sebring (Post 5190338)

You wont believe I was angling for this Soundbar few months back and the very best pricing I got in my city was 1,04,000 (Devi Intl). Croma has sold out, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

Not sure if you read my post fully. It was Out of Stock at the local Croma store and Online as well for Bangalore Pin Codes.

But the Croma person checked inventory for Croma Ahmedabad Store and ordered it for us. But then again, we have to see if the offer continues post today as he said today was the last day for the Diwali Offers.

Croma does this most of the time. They put up mouthwatering prices, but when you try to procure it's just not available. If you do get it, please post one review

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsrivatsa (Post 5190478)

It was Out of Stock at the local Croma store and Online as well for Bangalore Pin Codes. But the Croma person checked inventory for Croma Ahmedabad Store and ordered it for us. But then again, we have to see if the offer continues post today as he said today was the last day for the Diwali Offers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebring (Post 5190558)

Croma does this most of the time. They put up mouthwatering prices, but when you try to procure it's just not available. If you do get it, please post one review

Checked again in the morning - looks like the Deal is gone and last day was yesterday.

They have billed it for us - so it has to work. Wait and watch for the delivery now...

Hi All,

Is there a way to verify your 5.1 setup?
YouTube has so many videos labeled 5.1 but they are really just stereo since YouTube doesn't support surround sound.
I found some articles online about specific movie scenes which should sound great on a surround sound setup but those are mostly about appeciating proper surround sound than actually verifying if the setup works properly.

Is there any way to specifically test out each channel of the speakers to verify that the setup works?

About my setup, I have my TV sending out optical audio (TOSLINK) to a Optical to 5.1 converter (a DAC).
I have connected my 7years old F&D F6000u to it.

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Originally Posted by arijitkanrar (Post 5237744)

You could try sites like these:

https://thedigitaltheater.com/dolby-trailers/

Please verify site before you download the files. I just did a quick google.