Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I just recently purchased the sony kdl55hx820 and needed a sound bar to make up for the lackluster sound produced by flat screens in general. My main requirements were: Full sound, aesthetically pleasing and smaller form factor since I haven't wall mounted my tv just yet. Since I wanted some bass I was looking at systems with a sub and decided the finalists for me were: Sony HT-CT150 Sony HTCT550W Panasonic SC-HTB520 Yamaha YAS-101 Sony HT-CT150- Although a nice system I eliminated it because the sub was not wireless and you needed a clear sight line to it because the ir sensor is at the top of it, which makes hiding the sub more difficult. Sony HTCT550W- A superb system really. Also provides hdmi switching at a very reasonable price. The only thing I did not like was the extra piece of equipment (receiver unit) that I would have to stick into my tv stand and that the main speakerbar has no frills physically. uses ARC meaning, if your tv is capable, you can use a single hdmi cable for audio&video + it should turn unit on and off. Panasonic SC-HTB520- a very underrated system and by far the most beautiful of the units reviewed...main bar is gorgeous, plus thin. Issue for me was that the bar was slightly taller and I was worried it would block the ir signal for the tv. Also arc compatible which brings me to the yas-101 Yamaha YAS-101- listened to it in a store and it sounded terrible. no bass whatsoever but I decided to give it a try anyway. main reasons: 1. i knew you can adjust the sub woofer level 2. has the ir relay so even if it blocks the sight line of the tv it passes the signal on 3. can learn power + vol + and - of your tv remote. 4. very good looking unit, a bit deep but still gorgeous 5. has the sub built in After looking at the different units in stores and such I said If the yamaha sounds halfway decent and I don't have extra equipment (receiver, sub) then it will be worth it. I know that you will be giving up some punch with this unit since it's a small sub built in but that was ok for me. I have a smaller living room and was willing to sacrifice punch for less wires and equipment. TOOK THE UNIT HOME When I took it out of the box i was impressed with the piano black finish of the unit, really beautiful although of course will be a fingerprint magnet (but who will touch it?). I haven't wall mounted my tv yet so I placed the bar in front of the tv. It was a bit too high with the legs so I removed them and it was perfect height in front of my Sony KDL55HX820 which has a low profile. (the design of the unit, not completely flat, allows it to sit right over typical tv stands.) Wiring My tv outputs 5.1 so I just connected optical from the tv to the soundbar and plugged in the soundbar to power and was off and running. Remote It learned the power plus vol +- of my fios remote in about 2 minutes. Sound quality Really impressed. Although I had to pretty much max out the sub level it hits pretty well considering I did not have to get a separate sub nor any extra equipment. Sound is full and you do feel some rumble. Voices are clear, mids beautiful and lows pretty impressive. Again I have a smaller space so I'm sure thats why the bass sounds so good. Now that it's programmed- turn on the tv, unit goes on. Turn off the tv, unit goes off. Success! only thing that bothers me a bit is the fact that since I have tv on external speakers, when I hit vol+- on the tv a little box comes up for a few seconds that says tv vol fixed. Not a big deal but just putting it out there If you have a larger space this probably isn't for you, if you are expecting real legit 7.1- this isn't for you. If you want to improve the sound coming from your flat screen and 1. don't want to break the bank and 2. dont want extra equipment or wires- I confidently say this is the unit for you. UPDATE: 5/17/12: Just something to note....the bar blocks my 3d sensor since the glasses need a clear view of the sensor in order to process the 3d image I can't watch in 3d until I mount my tv a few inches higher- yup thats right, I still haven't mounted my tv. :) Other than that the bar is fine, sound quality hasn't changed it's holding up just fine.