Bookshelf Speakers vs 3.1/5.1 Soundbar

[Brewnasty]

I would classify myself as a casual audiofile. I enjoy high quality bit perfect music, but i also like to keep my equipment at a fairly budgeted price. At the moment, i use a pair of Audio Engine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf speakers for my 4K 55inch TV within my bedroom. I have walls that in my opinion would be decent for a Dolby Atmos experience, but i can't wrap my head around the idea of spending $700 on a 3.1 Sony Sound-bar or a 5.1 LG Sound-bar that reproduces and upscales 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos audio. Is the investment in a Sound-bar actually going to make that much of a difference from the Stereo setup already in place? I would also like to add that i sit about 13 feet from the TV when i am watching content, which is not ideal for most bookshelf speaker setups. Are these Sound-bars overkill on bass? I do prefer low punchy bass as i do not need to rumble the floor with people below me at 10:00pm at night. 

 

Here are the speaker links, for those who are interested.

1.Bookshelf speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Premium-Powered-Speaker-White/dp/B005OA3BSY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543171584&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=audioengine&smid=A1MDP7AFOR891V&th=1

2. Sound-bar option 1:https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Sound-Bar-Speaker-HT-Z9F/dp/B0793HNSQG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543163986&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+z9f#

3. Sound-bar option 2:https://www.amazon.com/LG-SK9Y-5-1-2-Audio-Sound/dp/B07CBQZ6HT/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543171922&sr=1-4&keywords=lg+soundbar

 

And lastly a Picture of my set up so others can add an opinion or suggest other solutions.

 

Thank you!

Brew

[Derkoli]

Eh. At the viewing distance mentioned i dont think a standard soundbar would have its drivers far enough apart to give a decent front channel experience, as for atmos, depends how high your ceiling is. also doesnt help that it is slanted. You probably would still get an "above" effect from it. As for the rear channels, having dedicated surround will always be much better than simulated rear channels. for much less you could always buy a dedicated 5.1 system, LG and Sony do a few 1000 Watt 5.1 systems.

[Derkoli]

On 11/25/2018 at 6:58 PM, Brewnasty said:

I would classify myself as a casual audiofile. I enjoy high quality bit perfect music, but i also like to keep my equipment at a fairly budgeted price. At the moment, i use a pair of Audio Engine A5+ Premium Powered Bookshelf speakers for my 4K 55inch TV within my bedroom. I have walls that in my opinion would be decent for a Dolby Atmos experience, but i can't wrap my head around the idea of spending $700 on a 3.1 Sony Sound-bar or a 5.1 LG Sound-bar that reproduces and upscales 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos audio. Is the investment in a Sound-bar actually going to make that much of a difference from the Stereo setup already in place? I would also like to add that i sit about 13 feet from the TV when i am watching content, which is not ideal for most bookshelf speaker setups. Are these Sound-bars overkill on bass? I do prefer low punchy bass as i do not need to rumble the floor with people below me at 10:00pm at night. 

 

Here are the speaker links, for those who are interested.

1.Bookshelf speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Premium-Powered-Speaker-White/dp/B005OA3BSY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543171584&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=audioengine&smid=A1MDP7AFOR891V&th=1

2. Sound-bar option 1:https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Sound-Bar-Speaker-HT-Z9F/dp/B0793HNSQG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543163986&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+z9f#

3. Sound-bar option 2:https://www.amazon.com/LG-SK9Y-5-1-2-Audio-Sound/dp/B07CBQZ6HT/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543171922&sr=1-4&keywords=lg+soundbar

 

And lastly a Picture of my set up so others can add an opinion or suggest other solutions.

 

Thank you!

Brew

 

Just now, Derkoli said:

Eh. At the viewing distance mentioned i dont think a standard soundbar would have its drivers far enough apart to give a decent front channel experience, as for atmos, depends how high your ceiling is. also doesnt help that it is slanted. You probably would still get an "above" effect from it. As for the rear channels, having dedicated surround will always be much better than simulated rear channels. for much less you could always buy a dedicated 5.1 system, LG and Sony do a few 1000 Watt 5.1 systems.

forgot to quote ,-,