I’m not sure if there is a solution that wouldn’t require purchasing another piece of hardware so this post is probably more me stamping my feet in frustration

I wanted to upgrade the audio on my old Samsung 4k screen which had been connected to a just as old Bose Cinemate which finally gave out.

I ended up choosing a Sony Bravia Theater System 6 which ai got a nice deal on. My tv doesn’t support eARC but it at least had an ARC input which still has good Dolby and DTS support.

I get the system set up with my Xbox Series X connected to the tv via HDMI only to find the xbox is only outputting uncompressed stereo and the tv only giving me the option for PCM and DTS Neo 2:5.

The only way I’m getting Dolby Digital is watching over the air tv but I didn’t really want to upgrade the audio just to watch PBS.

The Bravia system only has one HDMi connection and the xbox doesn’t have an optical out so I can’t connect the xbox directly to the theater system.

I have tried connecting the theater system to the tv with the optical but haven’t played with the settings on either the tv or the audio system to see if I get anything better but it kind of feels like this sound system wasn’t the best choice for this tv/xbox or maybe the tv is just too old and needs an upgrade

/rant

As I'm getting (*#&@#$ by Samsung through faulty firmware along with many other owners, I'm looking to replace my soundbar setup asap. Movies (80%) + PS5 gaming (20%) + large Sony TV + large living with plenty of resonance from walls/floor tiles.

Are there any good suggestions under 1k$? I already bought (a useless) soundset, don't want to overspend on 2nd one.

Center, sub, 2 wireless upfiring rears for Atmos. Any suggestions?

I will get the LG G6 TV just to play games.

Thanks in advance!

I blew our old soundbar a few months ago while watching Dune Part II & have had an itch to replace it for a while. I decided to jump on a Samsung 990F. I got it all set up last night & was truly gobsmacked at how huge it is. The rear speakers alone are MASSIVE!

I’ve ran a few tests, watched a few quick clips of random scenes to get a sense of how good it is, but that was at 11:30 last night.

Also, don’t judge the cords & the mess. That’s getting all cleaned up now that I’ve got it set up.

Also, I know not to update the firmware

Introducing the new TCL Q95K — our latest flagship soundbar system at IFA 2026

Featuring an immersive 11.1.2 channel configuration, 1,420W peak power, Bang & Olufsen acoustic tuning, and FlexConnect technology, the Q95K is designed to deliver a more flexible and cinematic home audio experience.

📍 Hall 21A, Messe Berlinn
September 4–8

Sonos still doesn't support playing regular PC audio on their speakers — no Spotify web player, no YouTube, no game audio, nothing outside their own app. So I built PC2Sonos to fix that.

It grabs whatever your Windows PC is playing and streams it to any Sonos speaker on your network, with a sync slider so your PC speakers and Sonos don't echo each other.

Your PC doesn't even need to be on WiFi — wired Ethernet works fine too, as long as it's on the same network as your Sonos system.

Free, open source, one-click installer.

Source: https://github.com/Austinshu/PC2Sonos

Bored as hell at work, thinking about getting a Vizio 5.1.4 setup with a soundbar, sub and 2 satellites.

I live in an apartment and the wall behind the couch is a window. My main concern would be bass (have a 2.1 setup now on isolation pads but it doesn’t do much) and placement of satellite speakers. I know that they should be a little further past where you’re going to sit but mine will have to go against a wall basically next to the couch. Ideally I’d be sitting in the chaise part of the couch but that would be right next to the right channel.

Thoughts? Is it worth getting rear speakers at this point or am I better off getting something like a Sonos Beam/Arc Ultra with a sub mini down the line for surround effects.

So i have a LG C6 65 inch and its got a very low profile. I currently have a bose tv speaker but ive seen the Samsung HW-S800D slim on sale. The reason why I am eyeing it is coz its slim and should fit without blocking my tv.

However, the bose tv speaker has been decent for my bedroom set up. Is the samsung soundbar an upgrade in terms of overall sound? I watch 4k movies so I thought itd be good to get something that can showcase the audio a bit better but not break the budget.

The bose tv speaker has decent bass too but ive heard the samsung one sounds tinny without the sub turned on or is it bad even with the sub? Is it an improvement in general from the bose tv speaker or are there elements of the bose tv speaker thatd make me regret buying the samsung?

EDIT: I am also leaning towards the QS700F

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks :)

I will be getting the JBL 1300 MK2 later this week and was wondering about the placement of the sub and rear speakers.

I see that people out the sub either standing up or on it's side. See images below. What is the difference?

or

Also, the rear detachable speakers, which is the best orientations for these? Have the main flat part facing the TV, facing the ceiling, or facing toward me sitting to the right / left of the surrounds?

Just wondering how people set these up and if there are any advantages.

I am planning to buy a good cheap soundbar, I found the onvec harmony soundbar as the best option for me (based on the reviews online) but it doesn't support turning off the auto power-off feature (which is a real deal breaker for me),

So guys I heard about an app called SpeakerKeepAlive that play unaudioble sounds to prevent the speaker of turning off, did anyone tried it? Does it accually work?

And anyone tried the onvec soundbar?

Brand New in the clearance section for $190. Have it in the bedroom since with we a have Q990C in the living room. Couldn't pass up the deal.