TV + Soundbar Combo £2000 [UK]

[Rookie1986]

Hey,

I’ll be moving into a new home in the next few weeks/month and I’m looking to get a new setup to replace my ageing one (Philips 43PUS6262 // Yamaha RX-V365 // Mordaunt Short 904i).

Due to space constraints I’m looking at dropping the AV Receiver and floor standing speakers in favour of a modern Soundbar. I don’t really know much about current audio tech or Soundbars in general so just looking to see what people would advise, depending on my TV choice I will have somewhere between £300-£500 available towards a Soundbar (this could be stretched ever so slightly if the additional cost is worth it).

When it comes to TV’s I’m torn between the Samsung “The Frame” 2021 QE55LS03AAUXXU and the LG OLED55C14LB, I believe both will meet my needs (I will be using a PlayStation 5 as the main input device to the TV for everything from gaming to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky, Spotify, YouTube etc etc you get the idea). I’m open to other similar priced options within my budget (I would have stuck with Philips as I like the Ambilight feature but they seem so far behind as far as spec to price ration when compared with the competition that I can’t justify keeping the Ambilight feature).

Any and all suggestions and advice welcomed, if you need any additional info please feel free to ask, thanks for reading and I look forward to your replies

Have a great weekend,

[Millennium]

Try and see your TV choices in person and choose from there, perhaps Richer Sounds or John Lewis these days (maybe Currys?)

[Rookie1986]

Try and see your TV choices in person and choose from there, perhaps Richer Sounds or John Lewis these days (maybe Currys?)

With lockdown are these places open (I’ve been on medical shielding for over 12 months so have no idea - I thought “essential” shops such as supermarkets, pharmacies etc were the only ones open)?

[Scryder]

Well... according to BBC, ALL shops are allowed to be open by April 12th: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518. I probably won't go just yet, but in theory they will be open soon.

[Rookie1986]

Well... according to BBC, ALL shops are allowed to be open by April 12th: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518. I probably won't go just yet, but in theory they will be open soon.

Ah that’s promising, might hold off until early May (bank holiday sale hopefully) and look then, or even wait until the summer to see if anyone does an Olympics type package like they do for the World Cup.

[Terbinator]

Snip

Here we go...

Panasonic's top-end OLED will include a soundbar and will come in around the top-end of your budget. They also have the 1500 series which is the same panel as the 2000 model, minus the sound bar.

Panasonic have got 4K120Hz support this year but have degraded IQ at this setting much like last(2020) and this (2021) years Sony 4K120 supporting TVs.

The best all around option for a screen is going to be either a C1 or G1 from LG - 4x HMDI 2.1, VRR support now and the G1 is as bright as the Sony OLED based off current reviews (whilst being cheaper).

Sony's OLED currently doesn't support VRR and this feature last week was delayed from being expected in spring to Winter 2021. Their 900 series LED tele from last year is still missing VRR support 1 year after it was announced and used the same chipset as this years OLED (and also same as the Panasonic - who too have announced 'issues' with VRR). Do not buy a TV based on a promised SW feature, and certainly not with this track record.

Samsung - this years Q line-up use IPS panels and seem to be a step down on 2020 models which have degraded IQ in game node. Tend to be more expensive than LG - avoid, for me personally.

Samsung also do not support Dolby Vision. LG, Pan, Sony do.


TLDR: at the budget you're playing with, LG is the safe and probably 'best' bet. As with all things checks review - rtings.com and HDTVtest on YourTube are good starting points - I believe HDTVTesr will have a LG G1 review going up today.

Obvious elephant in the room is panel degradation on OLED (not burn-in, although the visual effect is the same). There are built-in protections on LG at least (pixel shifter, tv auto off, built-in apps have a auto screensaver if they detect static content, logo luminance adjuster) but under normal usage you should be fine. FWIW, LG seem to have decent customer service globally, I've seen people have their B6 replaced with B/CX years after due to panel problems - caveat emptor though.

Soundbars:

Sorry, don't know enough about the lay of the land on these.