I'd pick up this refurbished unit ML is selling.
www.martinlogan.com
Great price and you could use that with any tv.
That’s a great find, Robert. And I’m tempted. But it isn’t exactly what I was looking for. The problem with these all-in-one units is that the technology (processing, inputs, etc.) changes so quickly and they generally can’t be updated. This one, for instance, is 6 years old and it lacks HDMI, much less e-arc. It only has basic Dolby digital and DTS processing. You also have no option of adding surrounds or multiple subs. The beauty of a passive soundbar is it’s just the front three speakers put into one unit. All the processing hardware and software are in whatever receiver you power it with. Which gives you a lot more possibilities. And when it comes time to upgrade, you just replace the receiver. You’re not throwing away your whole speaker system just because the inputs, processing, or whatever is outdated. So it becomes a battle in my mind between the simplicity, along with the limitations of an all-in-one system vs. the flexibility of a slightly more complicated but ultimately more versatile passive speaker.
My concern with this deal is that it’s that low of a price for a reason. They’re selling the new units now for only $600 right now. Which tells me they may be about to introduce an updated model. My guess would be one that has HDMI and e-arc, and who knows what else. Possibly better spatiality or even some up-firing atmos speakers. That’s the crux of my issue with these all-in-one units. If it was a passive system, it wouldn’t matter that it was six years old because it still wouldn’t be outdated. Speaker technology just doesn’t change that rapidly.
None of that changes the fact that this is a great price on a well-reviewed and, by all accounts, fantastic-sounding sound bar. And as you say, it will work with just about any tv using the digital inputs. So it’s definitely tempting to buy and use just to test the sound quality to decide if I want to go with an ML passive sound bar for my main tv’s. I can always relegate this one to the gym tv later on. So I’m definitely considering it. It’s just hard to invest any money into outdated technology.
