Soundbar vs Surround Sound: What's Actually Worth It?

I could make more money convincing everyone they need a full 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system. But the truth is, for many people, a good soundbar is the right choice. Let me explain when each option makes sense.

The Quick Answer

Get a soundbar if: You mostly watch TV, Netflix, and occasional films. You want simple setup. You don't want visible speakers or cables. You value aesthetics and convenience over ultimate audio quality.

Get surround sound if: You're a film enthusiast who wants the cinematic experience. You have (or are building) a dedicated viewing space. You notice and appreciate audio quality. You're willing to deal with more complexity for better results.

What Soundbars Actually Do Well

Modern soundbars have come a long way. A quality soundbar in 2026:

• Dramatically improves dialogue clarity over TV speakers
• Provides decent bass (especially with an included subwoofer)
• Can simulate surround sound reasonably well with psychoacoustic tricks
• Looks clean and minimal under a TV
• Usually has one HDMI cable and you're done

For everyday TV viewing—news, sports, reality shows, casual film watching—a £400-800 soundbar with a subwoofer will satisfy most people.

What Soundbars Can't Do

Here's the thing: no matter what the marketing says, a soundbar cannot create true surround sound. Physics doesn't work that way. Sound can only come from where the speaker physically is.

"Virtual surround" and "Dolby Atmos soundbars" use clever processing to make sounds seem like they're coming from around you, but it's a simulation. It varies hugely based on room shape, where you're sitting, and frankly whether your ears are susceptible to the tricks.

Some people find virtual surround convincing. Others—myself included—find it sounds "processed" or "echoey" and prefer just honest stereo from a soundbar.

What a soundbar definitely can't do:

• Match the envelopment of real speakers behind you
• Deliver the same bass impact as a proper subwoofer (soundbar subs are always a compromise)
• Create precise sound positioning for games or action films
• Fill a large room the way distributed speakers can

When Surround Sound Is Worth It

Real surround sound—with physical speakers around the room—creates an experience that soundbars simply can't replicate. When a helicopter flies overhead in Dolby Atmos content, you hear it move above you because there's actually a speaker up there.

If you:

• Watch films as an event, not background
• Have a room you can dedicate to proper setup
• Play games where positional audio matters
• Notice when dialogue is muddy or bass is weak
• Find yourself wishing your TV audio was more immersive

...then surround sound is probably worth the extra cost and complexity.

The Middle Ground: Soundbar + Rear Speakers

Some soundbar systems (Sonos Arc, Samsung Q-series, etc.) let you add wireless rear speakers. This gets you closer to real surround without the full AV receiver setup.

It's a decent compromise: better than soundbar alone, simpler than traditional surround, but more expensive than either and still not quite as good as proper speakers with a real AV receiver.

We install these when customers want surround effects but really don't want visible cables or an equipment rack.

Real Cost Comparison

Setup	Budget (Installed)
Quality soundbar + sub	£400 - £1,000
Soundbar + wireless rears	£1,000 - £2,000
Basic 5.1 surround	£1,200 - £2,500
Dolby Atmos 5.1.2	£2,500 - £5,000

Our Honest Recommendation

For a living room that's used for general TV, gaming, and occasional films: a quality soundbar like the Sonos Beam or Samsung HW-Q800B is probably the right call. Clean, simple, and a massive upgrade from TV speakers.

For a dedicated cinema room or serious home theatre setup: go proper surround. You're spending good money on a projector and screen—don't let mediocre audio let it down.

For somewhere in between: talk to us. We'll look at your room, how you use it, and what matters to you, then give you honest options.