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We have a non smart sound bar connected to our Sony xbr900 tv. We have a ethernet connected Google home mini but the transition to YouTube music id really annoying with ads and the sound quality is lacking.
I've no idea about current solutions so point me in the direction of an all in one solution that will:
- Provide tv sound (HDMI or optical)
- Allow us to play music of our Amazon prime music or other music subscription that doesn't need another pay to use sub.
Check the weather etc to replace Google mini.
All streaming over Ethernet.
Thanks
Does wifi count as Etherley? If so a pair of echo studios would do the job
I think almost any modern sound bar
Mine apparently can do Alexa and it has Bluetooth
I think almost any modern sound bar
^ this. Also, without a budget set I'd say something like some nice Kef reference speakers with a WiFi/network enabled amp, but that's probably not helpful 😉
Worth looking at the Sonos sound bar - I don’t have the sound bar myself but a load of other Sonos kit and it just works so I’d expect the sound bar would too
We've got the Sonos Arc. It does everything that you ask. Quite pricey at £799 but I'm really pleased with it.
Sonos Beam sounds pretty awesome considering the price, although I have to clarify that by saying I run it with a Sonos Sub so the total cost ain't that low. From what I hear about the Sonos Arc you also need a Sub if you want it to sound really good.
Sonos were doing a great deal on a beam plus 2 Ones. For me the setup is perfect for surround sound and simple to set up using the Sonos app. Alexa is available but can’t stand it myself. No issues streaming music from Spotify/Amazon music etc. Better than any other sound bar set up I’ve experienced although for proper deep bass I’d look at the sub as well, but until they heavily discount it I’ll not bother.
Alexa on Sonos is perfect if you want to spend three times as long getting it to do anything you actually want it to do...
Thanks all.
As my tv doesn't have a prime music app, I assumed Alexa would be a necessary middle 'woman' for playing Amazon music.
If use my phone to quickly cast a YouTube video onto the tv then as far as I can tell it wifi's the data from my phone rather than essentially instructing the tv to fetch the video over its own ethernet connection like it does if I use the TV's YouTube app.
Is that what would happen with a Sonos or other soundbar streaming music (data over wifi/Bluetooth)?
I essentially want to keep our phones out of the data loop
Sonos uses data from your home internet, the phone app is just a controller. Obviously if you’re casting from a phone then you’re going to use data.
If use my phone to quickly cast a YouTube video onto the tv then as far as I can tell it wifi’s the data from my phone rather than essentially instructing the tv to fetch the video over its own ethernet connection like it does if I use the TV’s YouTube app.
No, your phone is simply telling the TV what to play - the TV will then use whatever data connection it has (so WiFi or ethernet) to play the video.
Easy way to tell is to start casting from your phone - then switch your phone's data connection off... If the casing continues it true you that the TV is not using your phone's data.
Same goes for Alexa on a sonos soundbar. Your phone is merely the controller.
Only problem I currently have after upgrading to a Sonos system throughout the house and sticking a chromecast doofer on the telly is that out broadband has issues and until an openreach engineer can come out to fix it we have no music out with a phone. (And an irate 2½ year old who wants to watch hey duggee out with the cbeebies schedule)
Alexa on Sonos is perfect if you want to spend three times as long getting it to do anything you actually want it to do…
Friends of mine have an Alexa-enabled device, having seen just how efficient it isn’t, I’d never consider it. As all my music is either on my Mac Mini or my phone, I’d just but a couple of the new Apple HomePods, and stream directly from my phone, I don’t need to speak to something in order to do what I can do just by tapping on my phone.
Still not convinced by streaming, Spotify’s business model is abhorrent, I just want to see it crash and burn, and I’m not yet that interested in Apple Music either - I don’t have time to listen to what I already own, let alone millions of other tracks.
I use the Sonos Beam, very pleased with it, I also added 2 play ones to act as rear speakers.
Order direct online and return if you don’t like it, Sonos also have a good support forum and regular app updates.
If you are happy with the sound of your current sound bar but just need the addition of prime music then a Amazon fire stick would be the cheapest method.
It would require your tv to be on when using the fire stick so don’t know if that’s an issue or not.
Before Sound-Bars I wired (all hidden except for the wall plates) the lounge with full surround sound speakers powered by a Yamaha amp.
When we moved here I did the same. The amp failed after 10 years, and I just bought another Yamaha amp.
If I ever move house again, I'll wire it up.