The two Sennheiser Ambeo soundbars (Max, Plus) have a standard sub pre-out port and will work with any 3rd party sub. Neither of those soundbars have an option for separate rear surround speakers, but the room-correction software is better than most.

Almost all of the Klipsch Cinema series soundbars also have a standard sub pre-out port. Like many recent soundbars the Klipsch ones do not support DTS. (The top-tier model, the 1200, has recently been discontinued and is getting hard to find.)

The good news is both of those soundbar model lines have above average core sound quality.

Good luck!

 

The two Sennheiser Ambeo soundbars (Max, Plus) have a standard sub pre-out port and will work with any 3rd party sub. Neither of those soundbars have an option for separate rear surround speakers, but the room-correction software is better than most.

Don't really care about rear surrounds, didn't have them with the YSP-5600, and don't really have a good place to put them in this room. That being said, the price seems very high to not support rears.

Almost all of the Klipsch Cinema series soundbars also have a standard sub pre-out port. Like many recent soundbars the Klipsch ones do not support DTS. (The top-tier model, the 1200, has recently been discontinued and is getting hard to find.)

Ooh, I see the 1200 on sale for $999... Reviews on it don't look very good though.

The good news is both of those soundbar model lines have above average core sound quality.

Any idea how they compare to the YSP-5600 in terms of sound quality?

 

I can tell you that a number of the Sony Soundbars have a sub-out stereo jack. I know for certain the HT-Z9f and the newer HT-A3000, A5000, and A7000 all have sub-outs that you can hardwire a sub (and their rear speakers). BUT I don't know if they work with 3rd party subs.

Often in the stores they hardwire connection to the sub as to avoid wifi interference, which I have experienced in the past with my former Z9F (sub and rear speakers cut out) and it is a major nuisance.

I was at BestBuy today and took a few pics of the stereo cable connections on their soundbars and subs/speakers. They are usually hidden behind a panel and on some of them you need to kind of cut out the plastic cover.

I question how the sub or the soundbar would know what type of sub is plugged in. As far as I know, it is a simple stereo cable, and I'm not aware of there being any data transfer that can occur. The only way I can think that the soundbar identifies the sub is when you run the optimize routine and perhaps the sub sends out a distinct ping that the soundbar needs to detect in order to activate the sub out??

So I don't have the answer, but I'm curious if anyone else has attempted this with one of these Sony soundbars.

 

I can tell you that a number of the Sony Soundbars have a sub-out stereo jack. I know for certain the HT-Z9f and the newer HT-A3000, A5000, and A7000 all have sub-outs that you can hardwire a sub (and their rear speakers). BUT I don't know if they work with 3rd party subs.

Often in the stores they hardwire connection to the sub as to avoid wifi interference, which I have experienced in the past with my former Z9F (sub and rear speakers cut out) and it is a major nuisance.

I was at BestBuy today and took a few pics of the stereo cable connections on their soundbars and subs/speakers. They are usually hidden behind a panel and on some of them you need to kind of cut out the plastic cover.

I question how the sub or the soundbar would know what type of sub is plugged in. As far as I know, it is a simple stereo cable, and I'm not aware of there being any data transfer that can occur. The only way I can think that the soundbar identifies the sub is when you run the optimize routine and perhaps the sub sends out a distinct ping that the soundbar needs to detect in order to activate the sub out??

So I don't have the answer, but I'm curious if anyone else has attempted this with one of these Sony soundbars.

So I just triple-checked this re the US versions of some Sony products ... the HT-A series (9, 7000, 5000, 3000) do not have a standard sub pre-out port. I also checked the optional wireless rear speakers (SA-RS5 and RS3) and they do not have any audio-out ports at all. It appears those devices can only be connected to specific, wireless Sony subs (SA-W5, SA-W3, etc.).
Perhaps Sony provides an altered version of the products to stores for display purposes?
Perhaps overseas versions of these products have different specs/connections?

 

I have the YSP-5600 connected to a SVS PC2000 Pro which sounds great. Like the OP I am looking to upgrade but it appears even the YSP-5600 has been discontinued. I looked at the Sony A5000 and A7000 but I did not see anywhere in the specs that ir had a sub out. Seems like the Ambeo may be the only ones you can use a third party sub with.

 

Again, I doubt it would work, but I'm super curious if anyone has actually tried it. If not, might be worth a shot. Most people don't realize there are ports for hardwiring all of their wireless speakers.

 

I have a Sennheiser Ambeo Max and a pair of SVS PB-4000 subs. These components work great to fill my large multi-purpose living room and open kitchen. I am amazed at the quality of Atmos effect for many 4K HD DVDs and a variety of cable network broadcasts.

As many have stated in other AVS feeds, Soundbars cannot replace or perform as optimal as a well thought out surround system with individual surround components/speakers. For me however, the combination of the Ambeo sound bar and SVS subwoofers provide an excellent Atmos experience.

Good luck with you decision.

Steve


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

I have a Sennheiser Ambeo Max and a pair of SVS PB-4000 subs. These components work great to fill my large multi-purpose living room and open kitchen. I am amazed at the quality of Atmos effect for many 4K HD DVDs and a variety of cable network broadcasts.

Thanks, sounds similar to what I have going on. Large living room open to the kitchen. The Yamaha YSP-5600 with the PC-4000's worked well. Sounds like the Ambeo Max would be a good replacement.

As many have stated in other AVS feeds, Soundbars cannot replace or perform as optimal as a well thought out surround system with individual surround components/speakers. For me however, the combination of the Ambeo sound bar and SVS subwoofers provide an excellent Atmos experience.

I'm well aware. I have a full 9.4.6 setup in my dedicated theater room. Don't need that in the living room, sticking with a soundbar there.

 

Anyways, as I said, you 100% can wire the Sony "wireless" subs to their respective soundbars, but I have no idea if you can plug in a 3rd party sub. I would love if someone can try and let us know.

 

Have Bose 900 Soundbar with ‘Bass’ port going to a Polk Audio PSW10 sub. Works flawlessly. Previously connected to a Klipsch sub and had no issues.

Bose App recognizes the sub as ‘Bass Module’, with full functionality and seamless handoff of low bass from Soundbar to sub.

 

What type of 3.5mm cable did you use? (i.e. stereo or mono?) I saw this thread Bose 900 soundbar + 3rd party (or homemade) subwoofer + HST-18 | AVS Forum where people were not able to get it to work, including someone with an SVS PC-4000 like I have.

 

Yes, I was referring to standard 3.5mm audio cable/headphone jack. That is what Sony uses for a wired connection to the wires sub/speakers... Confirmed in a reddit thread.

Sounds like from the post above, Bose 900 does exactly what the OP is asking for.

But I'm still curious if it works for the Sony soundbars as well. Lots of people like their soundbars but are underwhelmed by the subs.