2.1 to 5.2 (Vandersteen 2C)

More than progress.  That's awesome stuff!!!

A good L/C/R is nothing like a sound bar to me.  They are separated for a reason.  There are so many compromises in even the most expensive bars, that you just can't get great sound out of them in a comparison.  JMHO, but I'm sure you all understand what I'm saying.

A good L/C/R is nothing like a sound bar to me.  They are separated for a reason.  There are so many compromises in even the most expensive bars, that you just can't get great sound out of them in a comparison.  JMHO, but I'm sure you all understand what I'm saying.

But is “like” a sound bar conceptually as it does L/C/R…
(Just in 3 pieces.)

Or… to put it another way


One would run both a sound bar and a L/C/R

A "soundbar" can be 3 channels (L/C/R), but in many cases it is actually only 2 channels (L/R).  They are generally very cheap speakers and very small in a tiny plastic cabinet, usually around 3" to 4" drivers.  You can get more expensive sound bars in the $1200-1500 range, but they are not going to match the quality of even budget level Elac separate speakers.

Also, the most important thing to me is having the same speaker voicing for the C that you won't get if you step away from the brand you use for L and R 2 channel.

I found a Vandersteen Center Channel and sub on Craigslist. It’s not that hard to do. For sides, I just used an old pair of Athenas. Since that system wasn’t 4K, I also found a nice Rotel surround sound processor to pair with a Cary Audio amplifier. Sounds fantastic.