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Sound bar versus surround system

We are going to install a modest TV and sound system in our very large bedroom to watch movies on and a bit of programed TV. I have everything I need for a surround system (center channel speaker, main speakers, rear surrounds and sub) but no reciever/processer, but I’m interested in a compact system, and have had no experience with ’sound bars’. My question is this: How do sound bars compare to say a center channel and main (mini monitor) speakers? I have two different dedicated music systems so serious music listening is not going to happen here.
Can you play soundbars at realistic listening levels? Do they give you OK stereo separation? I assume a sub would be needed for bass reinforcement.
Looking forward to your feedback, and thanks.
rixrax
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,591 posts
 
“Can you play soundbars at realistic listening levels? Do they give you OK stereo separation?”

The answer is Yes! But you need to choose wisely. If you go for run of the mill ‘boxed’ surround set from Sony, Samsung, Vizio then you’re in for sucky experience. Look into surround bar options from SONOS. You are going to experience a very high quality sound from movies and music (streaming). SONOS cover shipping and returns and gives you 45 days to audition. 
https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/arc.html

I’ve been using the same SONOS surround system in my living and bedroom for last 14 years.
erik_squires
16,293 posts
 
In addition to the sound the audio quality another thing to consider about sound bars is the number of inputs.

If you have say, a gaming system, a Roku and your TV as sources, how exactly are they going to get to your sound bar?  Is Audio Return Channel/TV pass through going to work for you?  Do you have another audio source you were thinking of using also? Is there an input for that?

Best,

Erik
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,709 posts
 
depends on the sound bar, there's some that are really quite good now. Some come with speakers for the rears and give you Dolby atmos. they get expensive fast but worth looking at IMO as an alternative for a simpler system. 

Check Andrew Robinson's Audio review, YouTube site he did a few reviews of some of the better ones. 

The Recovering Audiophile with Andrew Robinson (therobinsonbrand.com)


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