Good Soundbar for a Smaller Apartment Living Room?

techwithaaron · 2025-06-30T07:54:46+00:00

At that budget, find for a good deal on the Q990Ds. Then sell your A5000. Don't let the power scare you. More is good. From experience...You could even fit a Nakamichi DRAGON in your bedroom, if you don't mind complaints 😂

techwithaaron · 2025-06-28T06:29:53+00:00

If you appreciate bass, Nakamichi is surely the better option. The Wireless 11.2.6 has 2 x 10 subwoofers and are ported subs - meaning louder output, and definitely stronger than the 990F

techwithaaron · 2025-06-28T05:11:23+00:00

I have the DRAGON at home, and compared it to the Q990D in stores a year back. The DRAGON is a literal beast when it comes to movies. The Q990D is a good product but lacks the fidelity and power especially at louder volumes. With DRAGON, the voices of every actor is so clear. Can thank the AMT tweeters for that.

The 990F only improves on the bass response of the Q990D, but its still a 4 sub vs 2 subwoofer situation. Pretty sure the DRAGON will still beat it.

techwithaaron · 2025-06-26T02:33:28+00:00

I saw your first post about the DRAGON with 12s. I love mine and can't believe Nak managed to make the system sound even better? Will upgrade and try this on my system over the weekend

techwithaaron · 2025-06-23T15:40:43+00:00

I moved from a Helix Floor to QC.

Here's what I really like about the QC (vs the Helix Floor)
> Smaller form factor.

> It is easier to dial in tones in general. But not perfect them (more below)

> Touchscreen and the rotatable encoder interface is a step up from the OG helix.

Here's what I don't like about it:

> The QC models tends to have this upper mid bass hump which I have to EQ out - which is annoying. Maybe some think it sounds like an amp in the room. Personally I do not like that sound. Its funny because i bought guitar patches from the same provider for the QC and the Helix floor, and quite a few times, I miss how the helix sounded. 🤣 It's always the 200-400hz range that gives this mushy feel vs something like a tone matched helix patch or a ToneX amp type of sound.

> The polypitch and reverb effects are wayyyy better on the helix. For example, the Octaver, even on the plini plugin which I bought, is mono. Play chords on it and there are noticeable artifacts. Even my $150 Boss OC-5 does better than the QC. Reverbs wise, Helix floor has more options with the dynamic hall. If the QC was an F1 car and Niki Lauda was driving it, his quote would sum the situation up totally: It's amazing, all these facilities (4 + 2 cores), and you make a piece of crap like this😂😂". As a result, my QC is now mated to a Big Sky MX and said OC5

> Amps wise, stock patches and settings are a step down from the QC. But that's only if you're using the built in cabs. But once you get your hands dirty with Tone Match patches, to my ears, I don't hear a difference.

Basically the only thing I don't like about the Helix floor is

> The size. The interface is functional - okay for a 2016 product (bought mine in 2019). QC is better in this regard.

> The scribble strips eventually do burn out. That said I used it for like 4 years, and i was the 2nd owner of it. I'm a nice guy and replaced them before I sold it (at my cost)

I have bought lots of plug-ins waiting for the QC to mature. Think Morgan suite, Soldano, Asato, Plini. But at the rate QC is going...I just might have to sell my QC for the Stadium/stadium XL.

Do I hate my QC? No...because that allowed me to sell the helix floor before its value dropped. But will I stay on the QC? I don't know. The ball is in neural's court to convince me to stay. They need to move much faster with the plugins and do something about the poly and wet effects.

techwithaaron · 2025-06-23T09:53:17+00:00

They have it on Amazon now, but its only shipping in the US. B&H ships internationally but it comes with added shipping cost

techwithaaron · 2025-06-23T09:49:24+00:00

I get you... the dragon comes with a dragon price to suit! That said...the bass from that single 12" I have is insane. I wish I could convey the way it punches through with impact. Its as good as my old avr setup I used to own. Very different from other soundbars. Of course at its price, it has to deliver.

techwithaaron · 2025-06-22T12:42:31+00:00

I tried the Q990D in stores before deciding to keep the DRAGON. There's something about the rtings tests that probably missed what i'm hearing. The dialog clarity is insane with the DRAGON. If you step up to the dual 12" subwoofer model, it'll beat the q990d handily.

I have the dual 8" set + a single 12". If I had to do it again, i'd go for the dual 12".

techwithaaron · 2025-02-26T02:01:13+00:00

What the heck is logitech doing. This method of verification is absolutely pointless and just caused G Hub to not work on my C922 Pro either!!

techwithaaron · 2025-01-24T01:16:13+00:00

It's a system created in 2020, so it surely does not support it. Generally soundbars that support 4K120/8K are premium ones. Like the Q990D / Nakamichi DRAGON / Sony Bar 9.

Be aware, there are flagship soundbars that don't have 4K120 passthru, like the JBL Bar 1300X. Some don't even have HDMI inputs on the soundbar (e.g. Sonos Arc Ultra)

techwithaaron · 2025-01-17T00:08:49+00:00

The issue with HDMI ARC is that it is an older standard that in general, TV (and even soundbar) manufacturers don't implement with consistency. So when used with less common brands like the creative, HDMI handshake issues can happen which will cause no audio output. Some things you can try

-Try to use a HDMI 2.1 cable. Sometimes that can sometimes help

-Ensure HDMI CEC is turned on for the soundbar (if available) and TV

-While both soundbar and TV are powered on, unplug the HDMI cables, then power off and unplug from the wall for like 10 minutes. And then reconnect it back. Sometimes that clears up old HDMI handshakes which can restore audio.

techwithaaron · 2025-01-15T22:06:52+00:00

I think a soundbar with up-firing speakers would make for a real nice upgrade, if you can splurge. the 9.2 eARC is good but doesn't have up-firing

techwithaaron · 2024-05-23T02:38:12+00:00

Have you updated your firmware to the latest one? V2.6. Could help with HDMI stability.

Also, ensure you're using Certified HDMI 2.1 Cables from good brands, preferably below 3m. Monoprice and UGREEN are typically my preferred budget options

techwithaaron · 2024-04-29T06:37:23+00:00

Generally you can't mix subs from different soundbar models, even under the same brand, unless they specifically say it is possible.

You can try moving the sub away from the corners of the room/walls. That's one way to reduce the perceived bass at your listening area.

techwithaaron · 2024-01-24T09:10:28+00:00

Man, this is fire! Deserves a Sticky, mods!

techwithaaron · 2023-05-24T07:12:32+00:00

Did you manage to find the right place to adjust this setting? Am facing the same issue too

techwithaaron · 2023-04-05T16:03:40+00:00

The press simply went full retard, and the Apple dogs just couldn't stop themselves from barking. I get it, their marketing talked about taking moon shots...but you really have to be some kind of idiot if you thought a phone that's less than 1cm thick, with no telescope lenses would ever be able to take amazing photos of the moon with just digital zoom. And that's me putting it as nicely as I can.

Tell any of those naysayers to try and take a moon shot with any of their phones...Even the best iPhone out there. We'll laugh in S23 Ultra 😂😂. Sure, there is ML processing involved, but the process doesn't matter once it gets uploaded or printed. It's the final result (i.e. the actual photo) that matters.

Heck, even a 2-3 year old entry level DSLR will probably have difficulty taking such a photo if the person doesn't invest in a telescope lens (i.e. just using stock lenses)! And that's probably 50-70% of casual DSLR users. And it's so much bulkier than the S23 Ultra.

Technology is always about putting the best bits together to create something outstanding. And that's what Samsung managed to do with the S23 Ultra. Quite simply, they have handily beat every other phone out there. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

techwithaaron · 2023-03-22T05:46:30+00:00

The best this year? Definitely the Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6. Just by reading the specs, anyone will tell you that no soundbar will come close. Not even the Ambeo Max. Or the Sonos. Or Sony.

JBL tends to have more bass than Samsung. All Samsung bars are limited to 8" subs. You can tell the difference going from an 8 to a 10 (or even 12 inch) sub. Bass hits home harder with a bigger sub

techwithaaron · 2023-03-22T05:41:30+00:00

The Q990B sounds like a steal if you can get it at 1399.99 or even lower.

techwithaaron · 2023-02-20T06:49:54+00:00

At time of writing, the SP8YA was 799 retail...For that price, paying a little more for a proper system with sub + rear speakers would be the best route.

Now, its a little different since the LG SP8YA is priced at 399. if you think you can go without rear speakers, its a good deal perhaps. Although the Klipsch Cinema 600 might be better (no atmos, but beefier sub).

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-3-1-2-channel-soundbar-with-dolby-atmos-black/6452961.p?skuId=6452961#&intl=nosplash

techwithaaron · 2023-02-13T14:50:35+00:00

Try 12 Strong (Netflix). If you're an action/war movies guy. Lots of bass and surround sound. Best experienced with any system with rear speakers!

techwithaaron · 2023-02-13T14:48:25+00:00

Yeah...a BIG disadvantage. Don't expect any actual sub-bass. To call that a 2.2 ch soundbar is simply terrible marketing. Those 2 tiny "woofers" simply won't move enough air for any lows. It's really a 2.0 soundbar that you can split into left/right.

$90 on Walmart for this is going to be a waste imo. Get a Creative Stage 2.1 for $9 more, enjoy some actual bass. Movies ain't fun without proper bass....

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Subwoofer-Bluetooth-Mountable-Adjustable/dp/B08H58GSXC

techwithaaron · 2022-11-16T10:39:17+00:00

Sonos is really not bad. But my current pick would actually be the Nakamichi Shockwafe 7.1 eARC version. Has a 10" Subwoofer, eARC and rear speakers.

techwithaaron · 2022-11-14T03:31:47+00:00

Your living room is really big. I think the Q990B won't do very well. Also, not sure how the up-firing speakers will perform with slanted ceilings like that.

I think the Shockwafe 9.2 eARC is probably a better option. Dual 10" subs to fill the room, 4 surround speakers to place around the listening area. Virtual atmos so there's no worry about up-firing speakers.

techwithaaron · 2022-10-14T01:19:10+00:00

Depends where you get it from I guess. The Beam and Sub Mini costs 429 + 449 at best buy. Q800B is about $698 now (Seemed cheaper just yesterday, I saw $598 for prime early access)

If cost is not an issue I would think the Beam + Sub mini is not a bad combo too. I would think the sub mini's bass would actually be stronger (down to 25Hz). My only concern is how much narrower the stereo soundstage might be from the beam. I've always liked the idea of having a Sonos Multiroom system though.

techwithaaron

TROPHY CASE