Soundbars will never be good at wide open space. They'll of course still sound better than those puny TV speakers, but buying a soundbar for a wide living room (like in a bungallow or semi-D) isn't a very good decision. Soundbars are always best for bedrooms where space is an issue for larger multi-channel setups.

Have not heard the HTL5140 yet, so no judgements on that.

The HTL6140 thoug... I was dissapointed by it. It was filled with a lot of promises, it's supposed to be Philips midrange soundbar but it somehow just doesn't live up to it.
The 6140 has a rather good soundstage, but that's all there is to it. Everything else felt dull, there isn't the forward detailed mids that Philips other soundbars are known for (particularly the cheap 2140 series). The sub is either too loose or does not have enough depth, it's inconsistent and doesn't fit a wide range of genres. Up top in the treble, there's no energy at all. The high mids does not synergise well going into the trebles, it sounds tinny and has a very odd balance that just somehow doesn't work.

So no, I don't recommend the 6140. The 5140 seems interesting though, but I haven't had the chance to test it out yet.

Note: If the 9100 is cheaper, just go for the 9100.

Really appreciate for your sharing...
Finally, I bought the 5140...
So far I feel not bad... just that, the bass not as powerful as CT770.. the voice is clear... more like balance...
hopefully it is good ~

Where did you get the 5140? Can't seem to find any deals online.

I got it from Harvey Norman...
RM 1,099

Cannot get it from Online deal and other shop now... Only found in Harvey Norman..
The promotion until 4th Jan 2015..

I see, thanks. If possible, can you test the dialogue and soundstage of movies/music under low volumes?

Tested... everything is fine..
The only downside is my LG TV using HDMI ARC connected to the soundbar..
When I off my TV and on my TV again... the sound cannot sync with the soundbar...
don't know is the TV problem or the soundbar... I need to go to TV settings and select HDMI ARC to activate the sound again...

Maybe I will buy optical cable to try....

I also bought myself today the Philips HTL5140. Changed my mind at the last minute from buying HTL9100 due to the large price difference and the fact that I won't practically really be using the 5.1 channel feature in the near future, not while my kids are still small...

I'm not an audiophile so I can't compare accurately how good the HTL5140 is compared to other models, but it really is a huge difference when compared to using my stock TV speakers. Much better. I can't believe I survived this long listening to the stock TV speakers only...

As for the sync problem that wcpon experienced, so far I haven't encountered it yet. I'm using Sharp LED TV and HDMI ARC also. So far so good.

Hi.. welcome to HTL5140 family... hahahaa...
I guess is my LG TV not compatible with the soundbar..
But is ok, just need to select the soundbar from TV again every on/off TV... a little bit trouble...
For sound quality.. it is quite nice...

Hi all, I am interested to get a Sound Bar below 1.5k...

Anyone can recommend which 1 is the best choice among the below:
1) HTL-5140
2) NB4540
3) NB3540
4) HT-CT370

Thank you.

Hi guys! I was about to bite the bullet to spend on th Philips HTL 5140, but the main thing that worries me is that my LG TV doesn't have an HDMI (ARC) output, only optical. I've been suffering from audio delay issues with my Xbox One connecting to my TV via HDMI and TV to my Edifier 2.1 speakers via optical. I heard it was because of digital signals being converted to analog (optical, even though I thought optical was digital) before being output. I don't understand it. Do you know if a new sound bar would fix that? Since my TV's optical out probably will dumb down DTS and all that, should I get the Sony CT 770 instead because of the three HDMI inputs (I have a PS4, Xbox One, and PS3 connected to my TV)? I really do want the best sound quality I can get in the RM 1000-1500 range though, with simulated surround sound if possible (I read the CT 770 doesn't do simulated surround).

Bottom line I'm struggling between the HTL 5140 and the CT 770 now. Requirements in order of priority: no audio delay due to connections, best sound quality, simulated surround sound, then price. Which one should I get?

Some experienced people help me please!

This post has been edited by Dinghydoggy: Jan 7 2015, 03:18 AM

NB4540 or HTL-5140 if you want something on the balanced side.
HTC370 if you want more bass and more versatility.


No.
The reason you are getting audio delay is because of how the Xbox One is processing audio through optical. Just do a search on Google for Xbox One and its optical audio delay issues, you'll see thousands of comments on it.

I do not have an Xbox One now, so I don't know if they've fixed anything. But since you said you're still getting audio lag today, that means they haven't done a damn thing about it?
Switching to HDMI should fix things. I don't know if you should get a new soundbar yet though.

Basically 5140 is a more balanced soundbar, less quantity on the bass, less versatile. The CT770 is more versatile with more input optioins, but bass is a little too bloaty even after tuning the sub's volume.

Thanks for the advice. I can't stand it much longer because the lag totally screws up music or exercise games on the Kinect, which is my main use of it. If HDMI direct input solves that then that's a go for me. I can handle a little aggressive bass. Just need to get some audiophile's settings to tune it to a fine balance.

EDIT:

I picked up the Sony CT770 and you were right, it's really bass heavy. Dialed the bass back -3, sharpened up the mids by turning on AAC (Voice left at 1), turned on the Clear Audio Sound Field, and it's perfect. My HDMI inputs produced no audio delays whatsoever.

Highs are sharp, Reduced bass punches warmly, and the mids (with AAC) are clear. Ip Man's fight scenes are ear candy with this. Loving it.

i haven't tested it with a 5.1 movie yet though. But since my TV's in the hall and not a square room, I don't have too much hopes on simulated surround.

This post has been edited by Dinghydoggy: Jan 7 2015, 06:28 PM

If you are playing twitch reaction games (fighting or FPS/TPS), turn off CAS as that does introduce some bit of input lag when using HDMI. Not significant, but last I remember it was in the region of 5-7ms.

Glad you like the CT770 though, shame that Sony went for the bassheads. If the sub was leaner and tighter, it would have been quite perfect.

All surround encoded movies (unless it's LPCM), will sound like they are in stereo. So don't worry about it. And yeah, soundbars really only work best interms of soundstage when in a bedroom.

did you guys tried hookup your phones or portable music players to your soundbars via 3.5mm ? how's the signal amplification from the soundbars?

Found this thread late.
But got myself the 9100 for under 2k,
Forgot 1.5 or 1.8k, with the complimentary media player

Guys wanna ask if the Sony HTXT1 soundbase good?
cos i saw senq having promo at rm699 online

Depending on the soundbar. In my experience, many of them have adequate volume.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Jan 9 2015, 05:05 AM

Sir, how about this one - HTL-2163

TQ

It's currently the price-performance king IMO. You could actually get it as low as RM400. Limited connectivity, but its sound quality is just so beautifully balanced at its price range.

I go seng heng ask this promotion. Staff say no stock.
Need buy online then HQ send to store..self collect.
Staff also info, that unit not new but display clearance.

Thank you Sir

Need wait lazada voucher and save rm50 & price be rm429