Sonos PlayBase puts excellent home theater sound right where it belongs

Let’s face it. The sound systems in your garden-variety LED HDTV are aural disappointments, which is why soundbars have become necessities.

Even though TV manufacturers know their sets will probably need soundbars, it’s a shotgun marriage at best. There are more wires to run and placement to figure out. Wall-mounted TVs still need the soundbars close by. Some people try to mount the sound source, too, making the soundbar look like a fat, useless shelf. Others put it on furniture or fireplace mantles below the screen. Most of the time, though the sound bar simply sits in front of the HDTV, which is usually resting on a piece of furniture. Read more...