AV equipment is cheap if you are ok with (1) buying used equipment and (2) accepting large speakers that many people will think are ugly. If you can accept these two things you can find incredible deals on the used market because people don’t know what they’re selling. I picked up a solid 5.1 Boston acoustics system with a 4k receiver for $50 in the sf Bay Area. Boston acoustics went bankrupt and has no brand value anymore. The speakers look like boring rectangles. But that system will absolutely destroy the soundbar in this article. And the difference will be huge, not just audio files but anyone with ears. Obviously this was a ridiculous deal but with some effort and awareness of non cool, dead brands like BA, you can build an amazing system for cheap.
When you get a sound bar, you aren’t just getting a lower cost product you’re getting a product that is handicapped by physics (and cost).
When you get a sound bar, you aren’t just getting a lower cost product you’re getting a product that is handicapped by physics (and cost).