Soundbar instead of desktop speakers?

Tibeardius

Reputable
Apr 19, 2014
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So, I have an ultra-wide monitor. I've been looking at speakers as well but ran across the Vizio 29" soundbar which has great reviews. Kind of a different idea but seems like it would work well to just sit right under the monitor. Seems like it'd have good stereo sound with that much separation, probably not a ton of bass but it's just for my desktop. Razer released their soundbar/subwoofer kit for like $200 which is the same idea but the vizio 29" soundbar is only like $75. I guess my question is, has anyone else tried this? Does anyone own the soundbar and think it would work from like 2 feet away?
 
I have a 3 screen setup - 2 monitors and 1 wall-mounted TV. The TV has a soundbar attached to it so it moves with the TV.

I run really nice headphones for when I'm at my PC for a while, but if I want to watch a movie (or am feeling lazy, constantly getting up, etc) then I turn on the soundbar. It's not a very good quality one (got it for free), but I have no problems with it being up close to me. Using a Xonar Essence STX to run both (my headphones are 250 ohm, needed it), I just switch between the two with the software.

I like it. It's nice for when I can't wear my headphones.
 
Assuming you've had other speakers, how does it compare? The other speakers I've looked at are the Genius SP-HF1800A http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836110053 which is $70 so pretty cost comparative. Those speakers are pretty huge though so while they may make bigger sound, they'll take up a good amount of desk space which is in short supply. I don't need to get the best sound for my money but I don't want to throw it away at something that won't perform well either.