Speaker Suggestions for ATV

A soundbar is not a bad way to go if you are willing to research and find something that plays decent.

You didn't give much info on your TV and connections (wiring). One might assume that you go HDMI from you ATV to your TV set and then have the ability to output from your TV audio. Whatever your ability to use to output (optical cable as example) would help you determine what is available for a soundbar input. Just know that if you go this route, you will need an active soundbar that has a built in amplifier as opposed to passive that relies on a receiver (as example).

There are other options you could consider that are similar to computer speakers that deliver good stereo sound and sometimes simulated multi-channel. Systems like Orb offers 2 speakers and a mini-amp and sound as good as any stereo soundbar. I would suggest you check sites such as AVS forums for more info.

Get a micro system with AirPlay functionality or just a good receiver and two speakers. Better buy a good stereo system than a bad 5.1 system. I have the Pioneer X-HM71 paired with Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 speakers and it's really nice.

Curious to see what others are using as well.

I currently have a pair of Bose Companion 2 speakers on the Mac Pro and a pair of Sonos Play 3's (running in stereo) in the bedroom.

As for the TV (which I have an Apple TV connected to), I'm also considering the Sonos Playbar. Price seems a bit high, but looking forward to reading the reviews once it ships.

Sorry, I cannot contribute much, macman4291. Just thought I'd share my set up.

Sonos Playbar

I bought the Sonos playbar last weekend and am blown away by it. It's not the greatest sound ever without the sub-woofer and play 3's as surround speakers but the sound is really good enough for most ears mine included.

For me what makes it special is the connectivity (everything connected to the TV then the TV connected to the Playbar through a digital out) and the ease of use (The setup is an object lesson in how to make consumer devices easy to use).

I'm really impressed, it's overpriced (or premium priced as Sonos would have it) but it sits really well with my MBPr, AppleTV, IOS devices setup. Having the ability to stream anything through it from anywhere is worth the investment. In time, I will buy the Sub and the Play 3's and my audio life will be complete.....

Samsung HW-F450

russgold said:

Samsung HW-F450

Click to expand...

Like it?

sensorian said:

I bought the Sonos playbar last weekend and am blown away by it. It's not the greatest sound ever without the sub-woofer and play 3's as surround speakers but the sound is really good enough for most ears mine included.

For me what makes it special is the connectivity (everything connected to the TV then the TV connected to the Playbar through a digital out) and the ease of use (The setup is an object lesson in how to make consumer devices easy to use).

I'm really impressed, it's overpriced (or premium priced as Sonos would have it) but it sits really well with my MBPr, AppleTV, IOS devices setup. Having the ability to stream anything through it from anywhere is worth the investment. In time, I will buy the Sub and the Play 3's and my audio life will be complete.....

Click to expand...

Does your TV output 5.1 or just 2.1 for digital out to the Playbar? Most modern TVs seem to only support 2.1 now. And if that is the case for yours, do you think it would sound better if the Playbar was receiving the full 5.1 signal?

How good of sound do you want? With soundbars you are constricted to insanely small speakers which will limit the sound you are going to get. This would be my choice if you go that route.

A better option sound wise is going with a receiver and good speakers.

Receiver
Speakers
Sub

The Polk speaker often go on sale for $140 so you'd be looking at right at $700 and you'll get a lot better overall sound.

I use a pair of Audioengine A5 powered speakers with one of my TV's. No need for an A/V receiver, and the sound is more robust than that from a soundbar. I have them connected to both the TV and an Airport Express for AirPlay. The only "downside" is that your set must have a variable audio out port; otherwise, the volume cannot be controlled via the tv remote. I assume the same would hold true when using a soundbar.

I have a pair of MartinLogan SLM speakers. Can be wall, shelf or floor mounted. Great sound from a slimline package. A little above your price range though.

Is there a reason you don't want to get a receiver? It makes it super nice because it gives you more HDMI inputs, and you only run one HDMI cable to the TV and everything else to the receiver. Better quality sound as well, if you get a good receiver and speakers.

I'm running a fairly nice Sony receiver (STR-DH810) and the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer speakers. You can't beat those speakers for the price. They sound awesome. Here's a link to the review by Audioholics: http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/pioneer-sp-pk52fs

If you are looking to spend $500-700, a receiver + good speakers is going to give you the best quality sound, bar none. I'm not talking about "home theatre in a box" systems; you need a true receiver and good quality speakers.

I'm very happy I went that route.

macman4291 said:

I dont want a reciever...I want just powered speakers/ a soundbar/ or a nice airplay speaker to accompany the ATV. I have a 50 inch, 1080P LG TV. All my HDMI's are taken up so ideally if I did a soundbar or speakers for the TV it would have to be optical out

Click to expand...

Your television has no capability to drive external speakers,
either get a receiver or give up the idea completely. Soundbars or whatever U pick requires an amp of at least 50 watts to drive it.
Televisions usually have maybe ten watts

I have a higher end samsung soundbar, and I kick myself that I didn't go for a home theater in a box. I miss real surround sound. The Samsung is decent for movies, but garbage for music. I have been playing through the last of us on my ps3, and it really doesn't have the same impact. I first tried the game, at a friends house on his mid range Sony setup, and it was night, and day different.

Yamaha soundbars are generally amongst the better ones you can get. At your budget, I assume you'd be able to afford the YSP-2200: Yamaha YSP-2200 - note that this unit includes both soundbar and subwoofer.

I have an older Yamaha soundbar and subwoofer and it's reasonably good.

pdyebrasil said:

Is there a reason you don't want to get a receiver? It makes it super nice because it gives you more HDMI inputs, and you only run one HDMI cable to the TV and everything else to the receiver. Better quality sound as well, if you get a good receiver and speakers.

I'm running a fairly nice Sony receiver (STR-DH810) and the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer speakers. You can't beat those speakers for the price. They sound awesome. Here's a link to the review by Audioholics: http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/pioneer-sp-pk52fs

If you are looking to spend $500-700, a receiver + good speakers is going to give you the best quality sound, bar none. I'm not talking about "home theatre in a box" systems; you need a true receiver and good quality speakers.

I'm very happy I went that route.

Click to expand...

I would follow this route.

Personnally, I have a Sony HomeCinema-BluRay player, in a 2.1 setup to avoid the complexity of cabling; powerfull ,and nice to look at. The ATV talks to this one, and this one to the television, so I'm only using one HDMI port on the television. Thus, I get the sound where I want it. This set-up grew by accident, but it's OK; the con is that there is not really a provision to tamper with basses-high, etc (4 or5 presets only: sports, movies, music ... rather limited).
If I were to redo it, I would have a nice receiver/amplifier in the middle, hooked up to decent speakers, and everything connected to the amp, a bit the old-fashioned way; thereby I would hope to have more possibilities with the color of the sound.

If you don't want a receiver, and want a decent 5.1, try to Z906 by logitech. It really is a pretty good computer speaker / TV.