Sounding off
Cheap or pricey, soundbars add nice touch to do-it-yourself home theater systems
So, you have your 50-inch plasma television, Blu-ray video player, and high-definition cable or satellite service. But what about the sound?
You could go out and buy a home theater system. But that’s just not practical for some people.That’s where soundbars come in.
A good home theater soundbar will save you space and money. While they usually don’t quite give you the same 360-degree audio experience you’ll get with a home theater system, you’ll be surprised by how good they can actually sound. The Globe tested four models: The Coby DVD988 300W Home Theater Soundbar at around $150, the Zvox 430 for $449, the Polk Audio SurroundBar 360 for $900, and the iLive iT319B Soundbar with iPod dock for $200.
The Zvox was the best overall item on our list. It packs a big sound that will fill any living room. Its onboard 3D surround-sound adds depth, while not perfectly emulating an actual five-speaker system. At $449, it won’t break the bank, and you can’t buy a decent five-speaker setup for less than this. We also liked that Zvox is a local company, based in Swampscott.
The Polk SurroundBar also was impressive, and it comes with a DVD player that doubles as a home theater receiver/amplifier. With the SurroundBar, you can plug your other components - cable box, stereo, video game console, etc. - into it. One remote control will handle all your audio needs. It’s $900, so you’re making a bigger investment.
Coby is a company known for value but not necessarily for high-end equipment. The DVD988 is no exception. It doesn’t sound as good as the others on the list, but Best Buy is carrying it for $139. The unit comes with an integrated DVD player that can decode Dolby Digital surround sound. If price is your number one concern, turn here.
Finally, we turned to the iLive, which emulates a three-speaker setup (left, right, and center) which is great for music and movies that aren’t too surround sound-heavy. It has an integrated subwoofer for some extra whomp, and the iPod dock underscores the fact that it’s great for music.
If you have a big setup with lots of video game consoles and components, we recommend looking hard at the Polk Audio model, which handles several devices internally. All four devices are self-amplified, so you do not need to buy a separate receiver to use them.
Pros: The Zvox 430 has a deep, rich sound coming from a well-built wooden cabinet.
Cons: The remote control is tiny and easy to lose, but you can easily replace it with a universal remote setup. It also only comes with inputs for two devices.
The final word: This is the best bang for the buck.
Pros: The SurroundBar 360 sounds wonderful and will deliver great sound to all your devices.
Cons: Price is the only concern.
The final word: The Polk, while not our top choice, is probably the best product, especially if you take the price tag out of the equation.
Pros: Price is the pro here. It comes with a DVD player and still costs less than some DVD players.
Cons: Sound isn’t as well-defined as the other options.
The final word: Value. Value. Value.
Pros: The iLive product is ideal for music lovers. You can dock your iPod on it and rock out all day.
Cons: There are only two device inputs - meaning you can plug in your DVD player and cable box, but not the Xbox or PlayStation. You’ll have to swap out the plugs.
The final word: If you’re a member of iPod nation, you’ll like this one.
