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