Tired of my sound bar. Not sure what to get.

[NJTSuperKing]

TL;DR: I’m a complete novice. Please help me figure out what equipment I should get.

Budget: Preferably not much higher than 1k. But I am realistic understand I may need to pay for quality so I am flexible.

Current setup: Vizio M512a-H6 5.1.2 soundbar

Problem: Dialogue is constantly drowned out by music, sound effects, and everything else in the mix. This happens with movies, TV shows, and video games.

I’ve tried every combination of settings I can find on the soundbar, TV, and connected devices. Nothing gets dialogue to an acceptable level without making the rest of the audio sound terrible or far too low.

Connected devices:
- PS5
- Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck dock
- Apple TV

I’m considering replacing the soundbar with a simple three-speaker setup: left, right, and center. I don’t think I need surround speakers but I do like the option to grow into adding speakers if I decide to down the road.

I’ve looked at the WiiM Amp Ultra, refurbished Denon AVR-S760H, and refurbished Denon AVR-X1700H, but I don’t know what receiver or speakers would make the most sense.

What would you recommend for a straightforward 3.0 setup that prioritizes clear dialogue?

 

[dtaylo1066]

KEF LSX II LT on sale at Costco for $399. Add a WiiM or RSL sub. Boom.

 

[Chrispy]

Dialogue audibility is deliberate with some movies....but that aside, you can likely do better with a good 2.1 or 3.1 system to start with traditional gear (avr, speakers, sub) but the budget could be a limiting factor. Mostly the sound quality will be from the speakers and your room, not the electronics particularly. Just need the features in the hardware to support what you want to do (now and in the future to an extent). I'm definitely not a soundbar fan, tho.

 

[kemmler3D]

Speaking from experience, dialogue can be more intelligible with better speakers but it's like a 50-60% improvement, not 1000%. As @Chrispy mentions a lot of the problem lies with the source material.

That said I think you will enjoy good speakers way more. @dtaylo1066 has a good suggestion, I guess the first question is how important it is to have an AVR and center channel, as the AVR will tend to eat up a lot of budget.

That said KEF bookshelves are often a good choice for this budget range and use case. LSX can be good but there are good passive options too if you want to go AVR + 3.0.

 

[just1n]

I have to recommend an AVR. Whichever flavor you want for your 4 streaming/gaming devices. those denon units will be fine.

As for speakers:

Passive Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go! :D This guide is for PASSIVE speakers. For ACTIVE speakers go here. Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section. Readme: Legend: Never Buy This Brand: Passive Bookshelf Speakers: Passive...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Edit: start with two or three speakers in your price range and then grow from there. Don’t start with a WiiM Ultra or active speakers. The KEF are great, but neither of the AVR will have preoutputs.

 

[Chrispy]

I have to recommend an AVR. Whichever flavor you want for your 4 streaming/gaming devices. those denon units will be fine.

As for speakers:

Passive Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go! :D This guide is for PASSIVE speakers. For ACTIVE speakers go here. Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section. Readme: Legend: Never Buy This Brand: Passive Bookshelf Speakers: Passive...

www.audiosciencereview.com

OTOH if you get an avr with pre-outs you have flexibility for both passive and powered speakers.

 

[xanalog]

Welcome aboard, @NJTSuperKing,

KEF LSX II LT on sale at Costco for $399. Add a WiiM or RSL sub. Boom.

I was going to recommend that @NJTSuperKing look at a pair of passive ELAC Debut DB6.3
I don't know how the active KEF LSX II compare to the ELACs but requires phone app for setup (no Windows support)

I think Erin's review is very positive for the price range.
I also think there is a set of spinorama.org posting for it.

You may also with to go with a DAC with S/PDIF (opto input for the TV) or a DAC with HDMI/e/ARC input.

 

[just1n]

OTOH if you get an avr with pre-outs you have flexibility for both passive and powered speakers.

Saw this after I edited my post. We are aligned, but his budget would be too cannibalized for an upgraded AVR.

 

[Chrispy]

Saw this after I edited my post. We are aligned, but his budget would be too cannibalized for an upgraded AVR.

Unfortunately they've positioned those avrs to higher pricepoints over the years, but always a requirement when I buy one.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Welcome to ASR,

Consider looking at the 'XT' series or 'ES' series of loudspeakers from Polk with your choice of Denon receivers mentioned.

Select speakers from these series have been measured with Klippel Near-Field Scanners at ASR and Erin's Audio Corner.

Either Denon receiver is compatible with a paid $20 Audessey MultEQ Editor app that gives one more control over the sound.

Amir has tried out the app and recommends it.

Audyssey Room EQ Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Audyssey Room Equalization. Audyssey is standard technology in a number of Audio/Video Receivers such as the Denon AVR-X3600H I recently reviewed. The standard version in the AVR is mostly all or nothing so I downloaded the Marantz/Denon...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Beave]

Depending on your location, you might be able to find a great deal on a used Denon or Yamaha receiver on Craigslist or Offer Up or Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

You might also get lucky and find a great deal on bookshelf speakers from those same sites.

Prices of new audio gear, even budget-oriented, entry level stuff, have gone up dramatically in the last few years for a lot of the big name brands.

 

[NJTSuperKing]

Welcome aboard, @NJTSuperKing,

I was going to recommend that @NJTSuperKing look at a pair of passive ELAC Debut DB6.3
I don't know how the active KEF LSX II compare to the ELACs but requires phone app for setup (no Windows support)

I think Erin's review is very positive for the price range.
I also think there is a set of spinorama.org posting for it.

You may also with to go with a DAC with S/PDIF (opto input for the TV) or a DAC with HDMI/e/ARC input.

I'm so sorry but I only understood some of that.
I have almost no experience in this so I'm learning as I go.

I didn't realize there were passive and active speakers. I thought passive was just the term for speakers that connected to AVR with speaker cable. So I'm not entirely sure whether the KEF or ELAC are what I need.

I'm also not totally following what you mentioned about the DAC. I had thought that the AVR wouldn't require additional components other than the speakers.

Like I said, complete novice haha.

 

[NJTSuperKing]

Depending on your location, you might be able to find a great deal on a used Denon or Yamaha receiver on Craigslist or Offer Up or Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

You might also get lucky and find a great deal on bookshelf speakers from those same sites.

Prices of new audio gear, even budget-oriented, entry level stuff, have gone up dramatically in the last few years for a lot of the big name brands.

I haven't checked offer up yet but unfortunately I haven't been seeing anything worthwhile for AVR or speakers on craiglist, fb, or eBay.

 

[Chrispy]

I'm so sorry but I only understood some of that.
I have almost no experience in this so I'm learning as I go.

I didn't realize there were passive and active speakers. I thought passive was just the term for speakers that connected to AVR with speaker cable. So I'm not entirely sure whether the KEF or ELAC are what I need.

I'm also not totally following what you mentioned about the DAC. I had thought that the AVR wouldn't require additional components other than the speakers.

Like I said, complete novice haha.

Passive speakers need an external amplifier. Active speakers tend to have not just an electronic crossover but also their own amps. DAC merely converts digital to analog and generally isn't very important as long as adequate. AVRs can generally accommodate a variety of sources well and have good bass management for use with subs.

 

[NJTSuperKing]

Welcome to ASR,

Consider looking at the 'XT' series or 'ES' series of loudspeakers from Polk with your choice of Denon receivers mentioned.

Select speakers from these series have been measured with Klippel Near-Field Scanners at ASR and Erin's Audio Corner.

Either Denon receiver is compatible with a paid $20 Audessey MultEQ Editor app that gives one more control over the sound.

Amir has tried out the app and recommends it.

Audyssey Room EQ Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Audyssey Room Equalization. Audyssey is standard technology in a number of Audio/Video Receivers such as the Denon AVR-X3600H I recently reviewed. The standard version in the AVR is mostly all or nothing so I downloaded the Marantz/Denon...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I may have misunderstood what the Audessey Multi EQ feature was. I thought it was built into the AVRs. Is that not the case?

 

[Chrispy]

I may have misunderstood what the Audessey Multi EQ feature was. I thought it was built into the AVRs. Is that not the case?

Audyssey MultEQ is a specific option bought by a few avr manufacturers, particularly Denon/Marantz these days. You need to run the microphone setup to use the Audyssey features in the avrs so equipped (and there are differences betwen MultEQ, MultEQ XT annd MultEQ XT32). Whether you run the routine in the equipped avr or not is up to you, and some features can be partially enabled as well. To an extent you can modify that microphone driven setup with the Audyssey MultE!Q Editor App ($20 additional).

 

[Power Pop 23]

I may have misunderstood what the Audessey Multi EQ feature was. I thought it was built into the AVRs. Is that not the case?

A variant of Audessey is built into AVR's.

Denon developed a paid iOS/Android app called Audessey MultEQ Editor that builds on the Audessey built into AVRs - giving users more control over the sound.

 

[JeffS7444]

Before you spend any money, have you explored the equalizer settings of your current soundbar? Very possible that when you bought it, it only came with a Quick Start guide, not the full manual. I've linked to it below: Page 18 has the relevant info, including settings specifically for dialog. Very possible that boosting Dialogue and Center, and reducing Subwoofer, Bass and Treble will get you what you want.
https://cdn.vizio.com/misc/KBImages/models/M512a/2021_M512-H6_UM-ENG.pdf

 

[beeface]

Problem: Dialogue is constantly drowned out by music, sound effects, and everything else in the mix. This happens with movies, TV shows, and video games.

Was going to ask if you've been watching Christopher Nolan movies until you mentioned the TV shows and games

 

[NJTSuperKing]

Was going to ask if you've been watching Christopher Nolan movies until you mentioned the TV shows and games

Hahah. I'm not but I should to remind myself how much worse it could be.