Engadget weighs soundbars against full surround systems as Atmos raises the stakes

Engadget frames the decision as a choice between two upgrade paths for a television whose built-in speakers are, almost without exception, poor: a receiver-and-speakers array placed around the room, or a single bar plugged in and largely forgotten. Which is preferable, the outlet writes, comes down to budget, willingness to tinker, the physical dimensions of the room and how much of an audio enthusiast the buyer is. A soundbar is simpler and cheaper and still a large step up from built-in speakers; a surround system is more complex and more expensive and delivers a heavier sonic punch.

The performance gap is described as structural rather than a matter of tuning. Even traditional 5.1-channel surround is difficult to approximate with one bar, and the shift of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X from channel-based to object-based mixing adds overhead channels that a bar has to fake. Soundbars marketed as Atmos-capable typically angle internal drivers upward so sound reflects off the ceiling back toward the listener. Engadget says the effect works only under near-perfect conditions: an arched or textured ceiling, light fixtures or similar obstructions can scatter the reflected sound before it reaches the listener. The article compares the result to learning the taste of fruit by drinking flavored sparkling water.

The New York Times, cited by Engadget, ran a blind test and found that nearly everyone could tell a high-end soundbar apart from a custom surround array. Listeners reported understanding dialogue more easily on the surround system and feeling surrounded by sound. Two obstacles emerged: space and friction. Few participants said they would buy the surround system instead of the soundbar, either because it would not fit their living room or because they were not confident they could install and configure it correctly.

Engadget lists the cases in which a soundbar is the better buy: a box-shaped room that cannot accommodate multiple speakers, a budget that will not stretch to a full system, or a preference for plugging in one device and not thinking about audio again. It notes that not every viewer wants directional precision for each explosion and line of dialogue, and that even a middling bar is a reasonable upgrade over onboard television speakers.

For buyers who want more without assembling a full array, the article points to 5.1.2 soundbars, which pair the bar with two rear speakers and a subwoofer. That configuration sits below a proper surround system in intensity but may reach what the article calls the sweet spot for some households, adding rear channels and bass support in a single purchase.

Price remains the main barrier. Engadget writes that the difference alone is enough to deter most buyers, while allowing that decent sound can be found on a budget for those who know where to look for deals, and that entry-level surround packages can be built around speakers of the buyer's choosing.