Perfect timing on this one as I'm finishing off an extension and was looking for two soundbars... Had my eye on this one ever since I started reading the reviews on it 4.5 star trustedreivews, 8/10 AVForums, 4 star what hifi and that was when it was originally out at £800 just for the soundbar... I could not afford it back then but at £299 this is a no brainier. I've said 54% off as they reduced down from £649 which Nintronics were retailing at but this is a whopping 62.5% off its original RRP.
Arcam are a company specialising in audiophile grade products and I've always wanted an Arcam hifi and cinema system... Every time I've heard anything of theirs at shows and shops it has always impressed... Looking forward to this one.
Top comments
kimbern
7 Jul 168#16
Batman came round to my house to listen to this yesterday into the early hours. We had an arcam night.
TheUrbis
7 Jul 165#8
PMPO is da best tho innit m8
sergiup
7 Jul 164#28
Who's Arcam? Sounds like some cheap Chinese brand like Onkyo, buy a Sony, at least that's a proper brand, can't beat a good Sony.
(that's a joke, in case there are still people who don't get it..)
fishmaster
7 Jul 164#5
Audiophile Grade ahahaha lol how ridiculous
Latest comments (60)
essexgangsta
22 Oct 16#60
thanks, i bought the hisense 55 tv and i unpacked the sound bar today, will be setting it up tomorrow.
essexgangsta
20 Oct 16#58
whats the best way to connect this soundbar up, hmdi from the xbox, blu ray to the soundbar then connect the soundbar via optical to the TV?
thanks
tascheman to essexgangsta
22 Oct 16#59
HDMI from everything to the soundbar
essexgangsta
15 Oct 16#57
still thinking of this and the sub for the playroom, own a sonos playbar and sub in the lounge and not sure i can justify spending another grand for the playroom when its not used that often.
maltikism
15 Oct 16#56
beer and fags are the only other things you can think of spending £300 on?! Santa must have an easy job pleasing you at Christmas
smiler594
2 Aug 16#55
Ok so should I go for this or a used Sonos playbar for £325?
Anyone using Bluetooth input with this Arcam, using the BBC radio player from a Samsung tablet, I'm getting slight glitches every 1-2 minutes, just enough to be distracting, it's not a reception issue from the router as a Denon Envaya Bluetooth speaker works fine from this same tablet. Am just curious to know if it's an isolated fault.
n4vm4n to WigBilly
15 Jul 16#53
Both me and the Mrs have been using our android devices with it fine. No glitches on our side, so maybe isolated for you
Gentlesnipes
14 Jul 16#50
Received mine a few days ago. Initial impressions, poor at music playback (hardly any bass) but good with movies. Not worth RRP, £300 is fair
n4vm4n to Gentlesnipes
14 Jul 16#51
Agreed, movies is good, sky not that great. I've had the disable the room equaliser which has improved it. Worth the £289 I paid from Richer sounds. Anyone worked out how to program their sky remote av setup with this?
fishmaster
13 Jul 16#49
NO, the standard version can be firmware upgraded via USB port to v1.19 firmware giving you the Plus features. So for £299 you get the Plus features of the Plus which originally cost £1000 and is now around £600. I'm sure Plus owners that paid out that much really love that.
THFC
11 Jul 16#48
Billy
let us know how you get on with it once you got it up and running.
sounds like you got the plus version which retails for a lot more!
THFC
11 Jul 16#46
Just ordered one. Hope it is good. Was going to get an AV setup but don't really have the space and I thought this is the next best thing.
Does anyone have experience of upgrading the firmware? Does anyone here have the soundbar?
WigBilly to THFC
11 Jul 16#47
Just received mine in the last hour & it came with v.1.19 firmware installed and a "+ Plus" sticker on the box, too early to assess SQ yet, but build quality feels good, excepting the cheap plastic remote. Thanks to the OP anyway, has to be a decent buy at this price.
Hayabusa007
10 Jul 16#45
They sell theirs with subs... You add in the Arcam sub here will be better than the ysp2500 by a long shot
rev6
9 Jul 16#44
Big and ugly? Yamaha do some decent soundbars with low-end.
Hayabusa007
9 Jul 16#43
I checked when Richer was retailing £399 and it seemed to be ex-display models (seen enough use!) which the Watford store offered me... Might be worth checking what they got for you.
Hayabusa007
9 Jul 16#42
Every soundbar is a little tinny unless they big and ugly to fit in larger drivers... Not what a product like this is designed about... Sheer low end needs big drivers so if you want plenty of punch then yes get a sub... But not much which can stand up to the Arcam solo bar on its own.
Holgmaster
9 Jul 16#41
The plus model only has firmware updates I believe. Since version 1.19 the unit is superb in any way or form.
rev6
9 Jul 16#40
Looking at the specification. Tinny.
n4vm4n
9 Jul 16#39
Hi, thought I'd share that I just called my local richer sounds and asked if they would price match. They've given it to me for £289 including delivery. Worth asking yourselves
Hayabusa007
7 Jul 16#21
This is the plus model v1.9m firmware which is the latest I believe
adigraham to Hayabusa007
9 Jul 16#38
How good is it without a sub?
rev6
8 Jul 16#37
You could get some nice speakers and a stereo amplifier for £300. I can't say better than this because I haven't heard it but I'd rather that.
Also 170Hz low-end is something else :smile:
Hayabusa007
8 Jul 16#36
To do that would either introduce to much noise or make the screen too large in a world where slim line sells... The screen manufacturers opinion will always be the same... If someone wants a decent sound it is either going to be a soundbar or AV receiver if you got space... No point them pushing up costs for something not a lot of people are asking for.
This the best £299 purchase I've done... As I don't want big speakers or cables running everywhere... Plus to do an AV receiver 2.0 system to sound as good as this would cost more than £299. Bargain.
haritori
8 Jul 16#35
Im talking full fledged amp built into the TV, i would only use a sound bar where space is very limited, (bedroom etc) otherwise, its my faithful AV receiver.
Hayabusa007
8 Jul 16#34
That's what soundbars are for... The ones from Samsung LG etc were all horrid but they do make good TVs. Sony had the speakers on the side of their 4K 60" which was meant to give a better sound but still not a patch on this.
haritori
8 Jul 16#33
I do too, thats what I have but I would think the option for the majority of people who use their tinny TV speakers woudl be a massive improvement.
haritori
8 Jul 16#31
I am amazed that TV,s dont have decent sound processors and speaker connections built into them, I remember in the early 90's my Dad bought a 28" TV and it had Dolby Pro Logic & Dolby Surround built in with speaker connections and speakers for 5.1..
So I find it crazy that we do not have his option anymore?
rev6 to haritori
8 Jul 161#32
TV's back then were also much larger, and could fit larger speakers in them, amplifiers, etc. I'd much prefer a dedicated device for audio though personally.
BritishDragon
8 Jul 162#30
Genuinely amazed that so many rate the product based on wattage...
Most of these will have never heard of Arcam since their local Currys generally don't have them sat next to the typical 5.1 surround 'systems' produced for the masses which boast an utterly meaningless headline wattage figure & speakers that look like they'd be perfect in a dolls house.
sergiup
7 Jul 164#28
Who's Arcam? Sounds like some cheap Chinese brand like Onkyo, buy a Sony, at least that's a proper brand, can't beat a good Sony.
(that's a joke, in case there are still people who don't get it..)
nejjy to sergiup
7 Jul 16#29
:stuck_out_tongue:
Holgmaster
7 Jul 161#27
Awesome soundbar. Have both the sub and bar. Paid a lot for it when it first came out. It's the best bar on the market. 4K pass through as well and wireless sub is ace. It's a steal at this price. Can't believe arcam is giving such discounts.
winchman
7 Jul 16#26
I heard it's not bad ;-)
Impressive isn't it....
EssexFamily
7 Jul 16#24
why the hell would you spend that much on a sound bar???
I would expect it to go outside and cut the grass too for that sort of money
Hayabusa007 to EssexFamily
7 Jul 16#25
Spend it on beer and fags instead :smiley:. Some people actually like quality and £299 is not a lot for what you get here.
adamski1209
7 Jul 161#22
voted hot. Q to OP, assume you're getting two for separate uses? or are you using two in same setup? Just curious.
Hayabusa007 to adamski1209
7 Jul 16#23
Two different rooms. Not got a lot of space and these wall mounted look stylish.
theman_257
7 Jul 16#18
Good price for the old version. They are prob clearing stock allowing them to the sell plus model
thelagmonster to theman_257
7 Jul 161#20
The plus model is just a firmware upgraded version of this. Existing models can have their firmware upgraded too.
thelagmonster
7 Jul 161#19
Looks like a great price for a great gadget. I'm mighty tempted, even though I don't need it...
Hayabusa007
7 Jul 16#17
That is £795 so quite a bit more. Can't argue with this one at £299 though... As the heat piles on... It seems like others agree :smiley:.
kimbern
7 Jul 168#16
Batman came round to my house to listen to this yesterday into the early hours. We had an arcam night.
iAmLegendFam
7 Jul 16#15
100w simply isn't enough power. I had some speakers 500w, 1000w peak power. Now they were nice.
TALON1973
7 Jul 16#14
I had a quick blast with the Naim mu-so in John lewis last week . that was impressive
siroko
7 Jul 16#12
Hmmm.. Tempting.. I've got the Yamaha yas 103 and really like it.. Would this be worth the upgrade? I know the answers probably a yes lol, but how much better is this in comparison.
If anyone knows..
Thanks
Hayabusa007 to siroko
7 Jul 16#13
Yeah I heard the Yamaha models upto the ysp2500 and this was a big gain... The ysp had more bells and whistles which I would never use. The Arcam won hands down for me.
subwoofer is £500. would that be a must to pair with the soundbar?
Hayabusa007 to scallygally
7 Jul 16#9
Not a must but the soundbar has wireless pairing with the soundbar and works perfectly in phase... Great combination but works great on its own :smiley:.
fishmaster
7 Jul 164#5
Audiophile Grade ahahaha lol how ridiculous
Hayabusa007 to fishmaster
7 Jul 161#7
For a soundbar I would say so... They are all a compromise but this is the best sounding bar I've heard bar the b&w but I could not stretch to £1600.
terrortag
7 Jul 161#1
£649 seems a bit far-fetched - most places have it for £349. however, still a good saving
Hayabusa007 to terrortag
7 Jul 16#6
It was £649 there and some other shops were £499/599 but have dropped since... I guess reacting to this price... Watch out as well as while I was shopping around a lot of the £399 prices were for ex-demo ones.
This is £299 brand new.
More to life than W this is about quality... Don't be fooled by other brands quoting 1200w "peak power" which means nothing... This sounds amazing and is louder than I ever need it to go.
HDUKBargainHunter
7 Jul 161#4
Don't know much about this soundbar but the company are excellent :wink:
Opening post
Arcam are a company specialising in audiophile grade products and I've always wanted an Arcam hifi and cinema system... Every time I've heard anything of theirs at shows and shops it has always impressed... Looking forward to this one.
Top comments
(that's a joke, in case there are still people who don't get it..)
Latest comments (60)
thanks
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/arcam-solo-subwoofer-audiophile-grade-brand-new-boxed-40-off-299-00-nintronics-using-2484624
let us know how you get on with it once you got it up and running.
sounds like you got the plus version which retails for a lot more!
Does anyone have experience of upgrading the firmware? Does anyone here have the soundbar?
Also 170Hz low-end is something else :smile:
This the best £299 purchase I've done... As I don't want big speakers or cables running everywhere... Plus to do an AV receiver 2.0 system to sound as good as this would cost more than £299. Bargain.
So I find it crazy that we do not have his option anymore?
Most of these will have never heard of Arcam since their local Currys generally don't have them sat next to the typical 5.1 surround 'systems' produced for the masses which boast an utterly meaningless headline wattage figure & speakers that look like they'd be perfect in a dolls house.
(that's a joke, in case there are still people who don't get it..)
Impressive isn't it....
I would expect it to go outside and cut the grass too for that sort of money
If anyone knows..
Thanks
http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/cm8350-lg-2000w-mini-system-with-bluetooth.html
This is £299 brand new.
More to life than W this is about quality... Don't be fooled by other brands quoting 1200w "peak power" which means nothing... This sounds amazing and is louder than I ever need it to go.