I've been looking to buy this soundbar, waiting for a 20% off sale.
But good piece compared to other retailers at the moment for those looking to buy now.
Original PEARL 10% off Eligible Items on eBay Deal Post](https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/450449
Stick with your set up and expand it. There's no defying physics. Bigger(cabinet size and amp power) is better in this case.
The main problem is the speaker wiring. I'd have to use ducting, and fear it would look crap (if not to me, certainly the wife!). Also, the side speakers would need to be about 70 degrees from the lounge (slightly in front), which isn't ideal. I suspect I'll never really get a proper 5.1 or 7.1 experience anyway, so might as well go with the ease and appearance of a soundbar. The main problem is, it's hard to compare them without committing time and money.
Or do what i do. I have very young kids and setting a permanent surround set up in my living room is out of the question with cables running around towards the sofa etc. So this is what i did. Buy a pair of adjustable stands for your rear surround channels. Keep it up front (in my case i hid it behind my front floor standing speakers) when not in use. Then when you want to watch movie, bring it to position. the good thing about having an adjustable rear surround stand is that you can place it anywhere you like and adjust the height of it. You can experiment which set up is suitable for your room layout. I know it's very cumbersome and not ideal, but that's what you have to do if you want maximum sound enjoyment. Sound bar cannot replicate a proper 5.1 / 7.2 system. They are purely for aesthetics and their performance are limited.
If you live in a small apartment with limited space perhaps.
The short answer is: even the most advanced sound-projection/reflection is only ‘passable’ as real surround with ideal conditions.
According to an extensive review I read, the $2500 YSP-5600BMK2 with its array of 46 drivers must have ideal conditions to achieve close-to-real aurround. These include room-size / height of soundbar placement (limits your TV placement options as soundbar must be a certain height on the wall and TV must be in line & above the soundbar) / objects in room / distance between walls + things on walls (YSP-5600BMK2 has optional ‘sound-reflector panels’ they recommend you buy, which on top of everything else mentioned being ideal, must be placed in correct location on walls [get rid of anything in the way] in order for the soundbar to function properly).
While the YSP-5600BMK2 must sound interesting, even extremely good, it is a very particular product.
And I am sure even entry-level models are more rewarding, as they are cheaper & with lower expectations in terms of actual function.
Is a decent soundbar really a viable alternative to a set of 7 satellite speakers? The new house I've moved into will be hard to wire up my Klipsch side speakers ( I only have 5.1), so was thinking of swapping it out for a soundbar. I'm certainly no audiophile, but would enjoy proper surround sound.