Googling around, it seems:
Soundbar+sw
+ dead simple to set up (especially newer ones with eARC, older ones with ARC supports Atmos)
+ cheap
- muddy voice/vocals
- bad stereo separation
- cheap models didn't support adding speakers later on
HTiB
+ friggin cheap. 5.1ch is about the same price as front soundbar + sw
+ good voice/vocals
+ good stereo separation
- friggin annoying to setup (the cables, none of them got eARC, none of them got Dolby Atmos)
AVR+speakers+sw package
+ can add speakers later on
+ better sound quality (i assume, as they got 8-10inch subwoofer, compared to HTiB and soundbars that usually only got 6 inch subwoofer)
- friggin expensive. 2.1ch is about 1.5-3x price of 2.1ch soundbar
Note:
I assume Dolby Atmos via ARC is Dolby Digital Plus, and available for free from Windows Store Dolby Access right? No need to jump thru the hoops installing modified drivers, etc like Dolby Digital via HDMI ARC?
- budget under 300 USD
- brands availability: soundbars are Sony and Samsung , HTiB are sony, Panasonic, AVR are Yamaha, denon, pioneer, onkyo.
Soundbar+sw
+ dead simple to set up (especially newer ones with eARC, older ones with ARC supports Atmos)
+ cheap
- muddy voice/vocals
- bad stereo separation
- cheap models didn't support adding speakers later on
HTiB
+ friggin cheap. 5.1ch is about the same price as front soundbar + sw
+ good voice/vocals
+ good stereo separation
- friggin annoying to setup (the cables, none of them got eARC, none of them got Dolby Atmos)
AVR+speakers+sw package
+ can add speakers later on
+ better sound quality (i assume, as they got 8-10inch subwoofer, compared to HTiB and soundbars that usually only got 6 inch subwoofer)
- friggin expensive. 2.1ch is about 1.5-3x price of 2.1ch soundbar
Note:
I assume Dolby Atmos via ARC is Dolby Digital Plus, and available for free from Windows Store Dolby Access right? No need to jump thru the hoops installing modified drivers, etc like Dolby Digital via HDMI ARC?
- budget under 300 USD
- brands availability: soundbars are Sony and Samsung , HTiB are sony, Panasonic, AVR are Yamaha, denon, pioneer, onkyo.