Sound bar

+1 fuzztone! Soundbars are a stupid idea! A properly placed pair of front speakers is all that is required! Just another marketing ploy to get people to spend more.

Disagree, there are a few soundbars out there that do a good job of atmos while also providing a sub output. Depends on the bar.

I recently purchased a Sonos ARC sound bar and it's anything but a stupid idea, particularly in light of room variations and seating positions. In fact just the opposite!

With 21 speakers and 11 onboard class D amps this sound bar will fill a room with a quality audio experience and do so from any location in the room. Voices are crystal clear for both tv shows and movies and it has the capability to play music directly from the Spotify phone app without turning on the tv.

Based on my experience I highly recommend the Sonos ARC sound bar.

Sound bars are a compromise.  Far lower sound quality than something like a decent 5.1 system but takes up far less space, fits under the front of the TV, and is a lot easier to set up.  Although I’d never get one I can see the point for many people who aren’t audiophiles or want a simpler, cleaner look in their space.  Different strokes…

I’m a picky audiophile who is extremely happy with my Sonos Arc with surrounds and sub. Fills my large room with immersive, dynamic sound that makes all programming more enjoyable. For years I ran my TV and Blu-ray through my very high-end 2-channel system. The Arc 5.1 is far better for its purpose. Would I listen to it for music? No way. I have three tricked-out turntables for that. But my wife likes it for her phone apps and Sirius XM. I have no doubt that a fullscale 5.1 component system would be better. But for ease of use, small footprint, clear dialog, surround effects with a suggestion of Atmos, and generally excellent sound for TV and movies, I think it is terrific.

I have a sound bar with a sub and it is certainly not as good as a full surround solution but I really don't care. I'm up at 4:30am watching F1 in dialog mode so I can hear crystal clear voices and a little bit of rumble from the cars from the sub all in trying not to wake up my wife downstairs so it's all is good. :) The main reason I have it is because it does not interfere with my main 2ch system that has to live in the same room/loft with no interference. For example, the sound bar sub sits in a non-optimal position so main system sub can be placed where it sound best.

wrm57 I'm a picky audiophile as well. I suspect those criticizing sound bars have not heard a Sonos ARC!

In my media room I have a traditional 7.1 set-up with audiophile center speaker, two towers, 2 15" subs and 2 surrounds. In my den I only have the Sonos ARC and the Gen 3 subwoofer. Our den is part of an open floor plan, so I don't have the luxury of 4 contained walls. The Sonos ARC fills the entire space, including the kitchen was excellent quality sound. This generation of Sonos speakers has vastly improved over Gen 1. I know, because I have both.

I'm so impressed with the Sonos ARC I'm thinking about replacing my Center Channel speaker in my media room later this month when I purchase a 85" OLED tv.

I've always used soundbars until I got my Technics SU-G700M2 and now run Toslink out of my TV to it and there's simply no comparison, at least in my system, and it's only stereo. 

Despite all the built in decoding and use of HDMI with the soundbar, it pales in comparison. Nothing like using a well sorted stereo set up with the mids and tweeter at ear level.

All the best,
Nonoise

After watching the video I'm drawing three conclusions.

1. Two distinct design applications that happen to overlap. Sound bars are designed primarily to provide higher quality audio and improve voicing in comparison to television speakers. No question sound bars are an improvement there. Audiophile separates are designed to provide the highest quality music playback and immersive movie experiences.

2. Sound bar drivers cannot yet match audiophile towers or mini's.

3. Your type of application is important. If you want a non-intrusive solution (no box speakers in the room) to improve television audio without the expense of a full home theatre set-up, the Sonos ARC is a very good alternative. Additionally, the Sonos ARC fills a room and or rooms with good music quality when entertaining guests.

Love my ZVOX soundbar/base. Heard a Diavalet soundbar last weekend that is incredible! Excuse my spelling.