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Upgrading from soundbar

I currently have a Sony 2.1 soundbar in my living room. What is the best pathway to bring a better-quality sound to my living room using bookshelf speakers? I realize that I won’t achieve the quality of sound I get from the system in my man cave: a custom EL-34 tube amp, passive preamp, and Tekton Lore Reference speakers---but I am looking for an appreciable increase in performance at a reasonable cost. I would like to maintain Bluetooth and possibly a streaming option---pretty basic. Thanks for your suggestions.

a_passion
a_passion OP
20 posts
 

I actually had the Mini Lore before the Lore Reference...a little too large for the space. Bookshelf speakers would work better. Thanks for all the suggestions.

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
518 posts
 

Soundbars have come a long ways. The Sonos Arc is very impressive on its own, and is easily expanded with their subwoofer and rear channel surrounds. The Sennheiser Ambeo was described in a review "Calling the Sennheiser Ambeo a soundbar is a bit like calling a Formula one Mercedes Benz a motorcar." 

As a KEF LS50 owner, i like the poweds LS50 idea, but you give up all surround processing, and would still need a subwoofer. I have also done inwall speakers 3 times. They require an amp with room tuning software or I guarantee you will not be happy. They also require a lot more installation effort than you may want to do or to pay to have done.

 

scottscottsdale
103 posts
 

Try the blue sound power node and the new Sonus faber bookshelf speakers. Or get some JBL monitors for around $500 a worthy place to start. 

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