Replacing surround with sound bar


The Bryston SP3 processor I use for surround doesn't take eARC so I need an eARC/HDMI converter.  It's messy.  For simplification I'm thinking of replacing the surround gear (SP3, 2 NAD stereo amps, 4 KEF LS50s, and a large center speaker) with a Sony HT A-700.  The audio of the new 85" Sony full array TV is quite good, so I don't bother with surround.  Any recommendations?

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Showing 1 response by onhwy61

I switched to the Sony soundbar added the bigger sub and smaller back channel loudspeakers and have been very happy.  I was using a 2 channel with single subwoofer setup run through a Roksan analog preamp.  I took the analog audio output from the television.  It sounded good.  I then got a bigger, newer TV with very limited analog outputs and thought I should do something.  The sound, particularly dialog, is much better with the Sony soundbar, but the setup and convenience are far, far superior to the previous 2 channel movie playback.  It's all wireless with automatic room optimization and I can use a single remote for all television/streaming viewing.  Unless you're trying for some sort of statement multi-channel viewing experience I would highly recommend the Sony soundbar.

I have not used the Sony for music playback.

The model I got was the HT-A7000.  It's being discounted right now.  Could be a new model coming?