[Altocumulus]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

Thank you for recommendation How is the sound quality? Is qsymphony feature worth and better than other sound bars from Yamaha / Sony / JBL etc in the similar budget?

If anyone else here in the forum is using Samsung q600a, could you please share your feedback?

I have the bigger brother Q800A and I am very happy with it. My Hall size is 24ft x 11 ft and it works pretty well. Bass is really good. Haven't tried Atmos yet but overall clarity is really good. Ultimately its Harman. A couple of friends also bought one listening to mine and they are happy as well.

My organization has a corporate tie up with Samsung, so got it at a price of 32k from the Samsung website.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Moderator, please merge with post #3643

On a more important note. This may or may not matter to you.

Many of these sound bars, the 40R included don't do anything more than Dolby Digital or even DTS in some cases. You can forget about Dolby True HD Master and the equivalent of DTS, though there is a less of the latter sound format floating around. I don't think you'd miss much as most streaming service don't go above Dolby Digital.

Was about to type this out. I got a good deal on a Sony bdv-n7100w and it replaced my defective Philips Fidelio B5 Soundbar. Bit the bullet without thinking much but the lack of audio format support is just killing me. For most of the movies i end up having to resort to playing the audio on the TV and send it to the Sony via optical cable thereby missing out on the supposedly better audio processing capabilities of the Sony HT.

[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by Altocumulus

I have the bigger brother Q800A and I am very happy with it. My Hall size is 24ft x 11 ft and it works pretty well. Bass is really good. Haven't tried Atmos yet but overall clarity is really good. Ultimately its Harman. A couple of friends also bought one listening to mine and they are happy as well.

My organization has a corporate tie up with Samsung, so got it at a price of 32k from the Samsung website.

Appreciate your feedback. Did you get a chance to compare vs Yamaha YAS-209? I have experienced it at my friend's place and found to be quite good. So far unable to listen to Samsung Q600A or Q800A and check how the qsymphony works. Strangely the Samsung store nearby had q600 but they did not have compatible TV to show me qsymphony effect!

Both Yamaha and Q800A are similar price point after the samsung corporate offer. Hoping I get to check out the Samsung in some store nearby to take a call.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Bit the bullet without thinking much but the lack of audio format support is just killing me.

What are you missing? The system supports HDMI ARC. You might as well use this instead of Optical, though I doubt if you gain any improvement from OTT content. DTS-HD is supported.

Its a nice Htib. For a small living area, it will do the job well.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

What are you missing? The system supports HDMI ARC. You might as well use this instead of Optical, though I doubt if you gain any improvement from OTT content. DTS-HD is supported.

Its a nice Htib. For a small living area, it will do the job well.

It does not support Dolby Digital Plus so the 4k movies on Netflix can't push the audio over HDMI ARC. When i select the Multi Channel Bypass option on the TV it fails to output sound, have to select Multi Channel TV and select optical for audio to work.

It is a nice HT no doubt but a bit bass heavy and no bass/treble controls which was very weird.

[audioholic]

Looks like a major screw up happened

The Sony HTS 40R ran out of stock on Flipkart(I had to buy from there since I had 20k worth of vouchers) and there was just one Logi Z906 left in stock. Even the main distributor of Logi didnt have stock of this one so I bit the bullet and brought the Z906. The other thing that influenced me towards Logi is that we have jamming sessions in the house and the Z906 can be used even as mini stage speakers due to their absolute clarity at higher volumes and zero latency. The Sony Home theatre I have in another living room has a slight latency which is annoying even while playing from Aux in without any intermediate processing. Coming back to the Z906 I purchased now, the system itself is fine and works well even in the living room. But the issue is with the TV.

Turns out, my Sony X75K series 55 inch TV does not send 5.1ch over optical out. What on earth were they even thinking. It only sends 2ch stereo over optical and hence my Z906 only works in 2.1, 4.1 or upscaled surround from 2ch output. In my PC, the format is based on the source and it beautifully switches between Decode mode for native 5.1ch sources and upscaled surround for the rest. But from the TV, I cannot get it to decode mode which means the TV cant send 5.1ch audio even if I use the Netflix app on the TV.

I believe this TV only sends surround sound over HDMI ARC. In that case, would it make sense to buy a splitter unit available online and extract optical audio in surround and then provide it to the Z906? Any feedback on such devices and would they really work well in extracting the audio into a real 5.1ch output that the speaker system can detect?

[satnan]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice.

We have our house construction going on and have an 11x14 room that can be used as a home theater (bit small, but this is what we could manage). I am confused between the below options:


1. ~75 inch TV + a decent Atmos Sound bar (looking for deals on Samsung Q990B). If I can get a Samsung TV supporting Q Symphony /eArc during the next festive season for about 1.5lakhs, this whole setup may cost approx 2.2 to 2.5 lakhs. If I go down to a 65 inch TV which is more main stream, then overall setup price can come down to about 1.5 lakhs.

2. A traditional home theater setup. As far as I have enquired so far, even a decent 5.1.2 setups with a 4K projector seems to cost upwards of 3.5 lakhs.

Now we are not audiophiles, but do like the big screen - surround sound cinema experience. The advantage for TV + Sound bar is the complete ease of setup, cost, and arguably better picture quality compared to a projector but it comes at the cost of screen size and probably sound quality (though Samsung boasts about 11.1.4 channel setup and I have only read good reviews so far) you may get from the traditional wired setup.

Now my questions are:

1. Can the sound quality from Q990b be comparable to say a wired 5.1.2 system with decent speakers?

2. Any recommendation from fellow members for more cost effective options for traditional 5.1.2 (or higher) + 4K projector setup

3. What provisions I need to consider during the home construction stage for a traditional setup (current construction stage - plastering just completed)

Inputs / suggestions most welcome

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by satnan

1. ~75 inch TV + a decent Atmos Sound bar (looking for deals on Samsung Q990B). If I can get a Samsung TV supporting Q Symphony /eArc during the next festive season for about 1.5lakhs, this whole setup may cost approx 2.2 to 2.5 lakhs. If I go down to a 65 inch TV which is more main stream, then overall setup price can come down to about 1.5 lakhs.

3. What provisions I need to consider during the home construction stage for a traditional setup (current construction stage - plastering just completed)

I won't suggest any particular brand or models, it would be best to audition them at some specialist home theater stores (not at the usual TV stores) multiple times and then decide as per your liking. You seem to be from Bangluru, there are many reputed home theater stores in the city, approach them.

it will be better to get the consultancy services from the home theater guys and route the wiring and other fixture components in advances at the construction stage. Also tell those guys to route some extra wiring for future expansions which also can work as alternative wire in case the primary wiring gets conked off in future. Install the wires inside some pipes so you can easily replace the wire in future if all the extra wires are also consumed in future expansions.

Acoustical treatment is also equally important in such media rooms. Poorly treated room will make best of the audio systems sound poorly and a decently treated room can make average audio system sound great.

Walls will be hidden behind the acoustic panels so finishing or painting is not necessary here.

You can some money by doing all that in advance compared to preparing a finished room at later stage. Spend that saved money on the acoustical treatment and equipment.

Coming onto the TV and projector part, I would advise to keep the provision for both of therm in the same room. The same audio system will work with both.

Projector screen is usually installed in front of the TV and covers the TV when unfolded. You keep the screen folded up in the ceiling using the remote control when not in use.

Same applies for the projector mounts which also folds up inside the false ceiling to avoid the dust accumulation on the projector. Dust free housing needs to be made in advance while preparing the false ceiling.

Its not necessary to buy all the equipment in the beginning. You can start with decent stereo systems initially if there are some budget constraints, later you can easily expand this since all the wiring and fixture requirements will already be there.

Just get a quality AVR with Dolby Atmos capabilities in the beginning. 7.2.2/4 will be preferred for future proofing where you get provision of adding two sub woofers and four Atmos speakers. Leave provision for the Atmos speakers in the ceiling in advance as per guidelines of Dolby.

If you have the liberty of installing a proper component sound system then please avoid those plastic sound bars at any cost.

[Mustang_Boss]

Originally Posted by satnan

Hi All,
Now my questions are:

1. Can the sound quality from Q990b be comparable to say a wired 5.1.2 system with decent speakers?

2. Any recommendation from fellow members for more cost effective options for traditional 5.1.2 (or higher) + 4K projector setup

3. What provisions I need to consider during the home construction stage for a traditional setup (current construction stage - plastering just completed)

Inputs / suggestions most welcome

Sound Bars have the following features/disadvantages:
- Sound bars have small speakers. Small speakers always be tiring if you use them for more than an hour. (Individual specific.)
- Longevity is poor.
- Gets outdated in just a couple of years.


I recommend.
Speakers
- SVS Prime
- Yamaha (High end ones)
- ELAC
- Jamo
You can pick Floor standers or Book Shelf speakers. Some of the speakers from the above brands do fall ~200$ category. Pick them for Rear speakers.

Add a Sub of your choice in your budget.

Add an AV receiver from the brand of your choice or get one from us for ~250$. You are good.

This setup will be life time upgradable.
You can upgrade individual components as you like.
Once Bluetooth 10/20 comes out with HDMI 5/6 version, You can just upgrade AV receiver and be up to date.
If 7.1 or 9.1 becomes the norm, you could add them individually.

In addition, This setup will be audiophile grade.

This needs some planning. Just need to research and pick individual components. This will be slightly expensive than Q990B, but i would recommend to start with 5.1 and then move up as per your comfort and needs. 9.1 or 11.1 isn't going to add much value.

Checkout AV shops in your city. You will get most of these for ~20-35K individually. (Speakers + Sub + AVR)

[anuragn]

Originally Posted by Rehaan

If you want to control it from your phone (rather than getting another remote), I recommend this device.

It's a small little IR blaster that you can position somewhere in the room, and trigger via a phone app.

You can even set a widget/button on your phone homescreen to control whatever it is you want to for faster access.

Copy-pasting my post from another thread:



The only thing you'll need to do is "capture" the JBL Soundbar codes somehow. Either by borrowing someone else's remote, or ideally just downloading it from Broadlink's online database.


EDIT: I might also have one of these I can give you, but would have to search for it at home.

Hi,
Since you are using broadlink rm mini, can you do a small favour for me?
I am considering buying this for controlling my cassette decks (namely Harmon Kardon 4600 and Yamaha KX 321). I dont have original remotes of both these so "learning" is not an option.
Can you please check whether both these decks are listed in broadlink's cloud IR database and can be added for use.

[mail2sekh]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Polk make some excellent speakers so well worth a listen before you put down any money. They generally rock pretty good for movies. Maybe a little brash, bass heavy for music. I've noticed that higher end models sound way better than their cheaper loudspeakers. As an example, an RtiA9 sounds a lot better than a RtiA5. Same speaker series, vastly different sound.

Took a while but considered suggestions from the wonderful folks out here and this is what it finally looks like:

Denon AVC-X3700 ( I am in a 5.1.2 mode now )

Polk all the way:
HTS12 Sub
ES30 Centre
ES 55 Floor standing pair
OWM3 Surround
RC80i Ceiling pair for Atmos

The 5.1 channels work fine though I have not got the Atmos to work yet.
I have a TCL C815 which supports Atmos. That setting is enabled and the cable is connected to the HDMI/eArc port of the TV. The person who came to install ( ProFx Bangalore) told me about the Atmos-only-via-Apple TV-story. I was under the impression that atmos enabled Netflix content (with an ultraHD premium subscription) will work if the Device/TV supports it. He also suggested trying with a Honeywell 8K 2.1 version of the HDMI cable. Have to check that.

Originally Posted by Poitive

While writing, I added more and general points not just for @mail2sekh, but also for anyone else setting up a good HT/Audio system. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the excellent tips. Am not a purist. The Audyssey acoustics calibration was done during install.Just a few days now.Fiddling with placement and settings still. The surround was mounted at an angle higher up on the wall. The OWM3 has all sorts of positioning possible.

The support from ProFX was good and delivery process was smooth. Had thought of the 2700 first but then 3700 has two additional channels + pre out support for future proofing.Somewhere between 3.2 and 3.4L for the receiver + the Polk set.
But then also ended up redesigning the room as well around this.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by mail2sekh

Took a while but considered suggestions from the wonderful folks out here and this is what it finally looks like

Well done with the setup.

I'd ask that you pull out those speakers from the surrounding cut away boxes. Especially the sub woofer. Its not designed to be inside an enclosure. The higher you have your center channel, the better for dialog. However; I can understand you've designed/placed it with the space constraints that you have.

With regard to Atmos, ask Pro Fx if they will lend you the Honeywell cable to try and buy only if it works. I don't think you need it. TCL advertise Atmos support as a means to virtualize an Atmos soundstage using the TV speakers. Technically it should do a pass though via eArc but you never know.
Ensure you have an HDMI 2.0 or higher cable.

[mail2sekh]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Well done with the setup.

I'd ask that you pull out those speakers from the surrounding cut away boxes. Especially the sub woofer. Its not designed to be inside an enclosure. The higher you have your center channel, the better for dialog. However; I can understand you've designed/placed it with the space constraints that you have.

Yes, the sub can be moved around with the extra cable hidden behind. The centre channel can also be moved to the top of the unit. Practical space utilization and wiring-mess ( considering this is the living room ) + dog at home who has an inclination for chewing new stuff made me take these calls for now.

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

With regard to Atmos, ask Pro Fx if they will lend you the Honeywell cable to try and buy only if it works. I don't think you need it. TCL advertise Atmos support as a means to virtualize an Atmos soundstage using the TV speakers. Technically it should do a pass though via eArc but you never know.
Ensure you have an HDMI 2.0 or higher cable.

I do not suspect the cable either. As per this review - https://en.community.sonos.com/home-...-atmos-6853053

"The TV does not have an ‘e-ARC’ port. Only an ‘ARC’ port but I thought passthru of compressed Dolby Atmos wouid be achieved. However that is not the case and it is not reading metadata of the signal for lossless Audio to compress it. Thus I guess TV will not support full Dolby Atmos. "

Wonder why the "Enable Dolby Atmos" is a setting in the menu then. Maybe there's a software based simulation.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by mail2sekh

Wonder why the "Enable Dolby Atmos" is a setting in the menu then. Maybe there's a software based simulation.

That sounds like what you describe. Simulate the environment using Tv speakers. Atmos or any of these multi channel formats don't use a specific software or hardware switch to work. Once a signal is detected and if the supporting decoder understands that signal, it will decode and pass to the amplifier or speakers.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by satnan

Hi All,

Looking for some advice.

We have our house construction going on and have an 11x14 room that can be used as a home theater (bit small, but this is what we could manage). I am confused between the below options:


1. ~75 inch TV + a decent Atmos Sound bar (looking for deals on Samsung Q990B). If I can get a Samsung TV supporting Q Symphony /eArc during the next festive season for about 1.5lakhs, this whole setup may cost approx 2.2 to 2.5 lakhs. If I go down to a 65 inch TV which is more main stream, then overall setup price can come down to about 1.5 lakhs.

Now my questions are:

1. Can the sound quality from Q990b be comparable to say a wired 5.1.2 system with decent speakers?

I'm reasearching for building a home theatre in our new home. I currently use a Polk Sounder and Polk Sub that does the duty for our movie watching (I don't listen to music from it as it's not that great)

My need is simple- Everything has to be "Wireless" as I don't have the patience to get into a wired system again (Have done plenty of HiFI setups back in India in the past).

I had shortlisted the 3

1. Bose 900
2. Samsung Q990b
3. Sonos ARC

Well, the above are just sound bars. I am talking about the "full set-up" the sub, speakers etc.

I have demo'ed the above systems a few times in last few months.

Firstly, I immediately discarded the Samsung. It was the weakest of the 3. It's ok for watching movies but, the Dolby ATMOS experience is not impressive. Music is not good at all.

Bose 900 was good overall but, again not impressive.

Finally, SONOS ARC just blew my mind away. It's sound stage is phenomenal and when its paired with SONOS SUB, SL ONE's the entire experience is surreal and totally immersive.

In summary, I have decided to go for SONOS ARC.

P.S : My recommendation is to take a demo of the SONOS Arc and you will not be disappointed.