A properly set-up surround sound system will almost always outperform a soundbar—even one with a subwoofer and added rear speakers—but that performance is dependent on how much of your time, money, and space you’re willing to dedicate to your home theater. For most people, the trade-offs that come with a soundbar are more than acceptable, and the best ones can get you close to theater-like sound with minimal disruption to your living space.